Funko is mixing DCU with MOTU

[Werewolf]

BUT, there IS such a thing as bad publicity when it comes to asking for people's money.

I've gone from "That's pretty I cool, I'm going to pick those up." to "Nope, I'll stick to the Thundercats."

[Earth 2 Chris]

Yeah, if this WHOLE thing is a hoax, then they succeeded in getting us talking, for sure. BUT, there IS such a thing as bad publicity when it comes to asking for people's money. With a never-ending flow of DC product from innumerable companies, it's easy to just write this one off if it rubs you too wrong.

Chris

[Mary Canary]

Ooof! That's amazing! The Scooby Doo scrap of evidence, I mean. Not the Funko Pixel Dan thing. The FB video does show the alleged "lost designs" of Batman, Joker, and WW. Although she is very much drawn like the current gladiator style, which I doubt they would have done back in the 1980s.

[palitoy]

Trying to give the hoax more credibility? I did see a photo of Wolfman that was supposed to prove this but the pic had been photoshopped to include the modern Funko designs.

Well if that's the case, it's a drag.

I would at least hope it was like this:



That little sketch is apparently how far Mego got with Scooby Doo, they kicked it around but the idea didn't take shape. It would be neat if this line has the same sort of pattern i guess.

[ODBJBG]

This is just a bad idea all around.

It could have been done as a fun thing, maybe one video where Pixel Dan reveals this "discovery" of an old toy line, an unaired commercial, etc, before revealing at the end that this is a new Funko line.

Doing stuff like editing a Wiki and dragging it out over the course of a couple weeks and photoshopping things and tying it to real people and events and stuff, is just a terrible PR stunt. But again, not entirely surprised from people who have proven in the past to not really be honest in what they're doing. But the people doing these sorts of PR stunts, should like, take some actual PR classes so they would know what a poor idea stuff like this is.

The saddest part is, it's Funko, so there's a chance this line will end up not releasing half this stuff anyway, lol, and then this really will be a lost line.

[Werewolf]

. Otherwise, why name Marv Wolfman specifically?

Trying to give the hoax more credibility? I did see a photo of Wolfman that was supposed to prove this but the pic had been photoshopped to include the modern Funko designs.

[palitoy]

Remco licensed DC properties after MOTU had been successful and developed their own knock off line. Different from DC who had worked with Mattel and was privy to a lot of development info trying to copy MOTU into their own DC line. There would have been a very strong argument against DC for infringement.

You know we're actually agreeing, I'm saying it's not impossible that the idea was floated by Wolfman and it got shot down for your reasons. That's all and I know Mattel sued Remco which would have totally derailed them taking any further action with the idea itself.

I'm not postulating they did elaborate character designs, sculpts or animated anything. All of that is made up to me.

Those discussions with Remco would have happened in 1982. While most of this is obvious fiction, that one part could have one foot on the truth. Otherwise, why name Marv Wolfman specifically?

[Werewolf]

I forgot to mention Mattel did sue Remco for their knock off lines. But the judge ultimately ruled that the "superhuman musclemen crouching pose" was not copyrightable. Still not the same as a DC who had worked with Mattel on MOTU copying and pasting that property's design and setting for their own use in a fantasy DC superhero line. At the time Mattel was VERY protective of MOTU and they would sued the hell out of DC.

[Werewolf]

Yeah, I'm not doubting that but it's still possible the concept was pitched and shot down. DC was working with Remco on some of their "B-List" titles making MOTU knockoffs, so it's plausible I guess.

Remco licensed DC properties after MOTU had been successful and developed their own knock off line. Different from DC who had worked with Mattel and was privy to a lot of development info trying to copy MOTU into their own DC line. There would have been a very strong argument against DC for infringement.

[palitoy]

DC worked with Mattel in the early days of MOTU. DC produced the MOTU mini series as well as the second wave mini comics. Had DC tried to develop a MOTU like DC toys and comics based around the MOTU aesthetic, while working for Mattel, Mattel would have sued them into the ground.

Yeah, I'm not doubting that but it's still possible the concept was pitched and shot down. DC was working with Remco on some of their "B-List" titles making MOTU knockoffs, so it's plausible I guess.

[Werewolf]

It's fun in concept, but the execution really muddies the water.

I think it rubs some people the wrong way because we are in this era of "alternate facts." I'm really not in the mood for a hoax. I like the concept and the MOTU style. But don't try to tell me a modern widescreen animation clip with characters from the 90s is an unreleased cartoon from the 80s.

[Werewolf]

If that is true, that is actually quite interesting.

DC worked with Mattel in the early days of MOTU. DC produced the MOTU mini series as well as the second wave mini comics. Had DC tried to develop a MOTU like DC toys and comics based around the MOTU aesthetic, while working for Mattel, Mattel would have sued them into the ground.

[Earth 2 Chris]

So, now I'M confused. Was this actually something Wolfman really pitched back in the 80s, or is this whole thing made up NOW and being presented as a retcon/hoax?

I know Mattel initially developed what eventually became Marvel's Secret Wars line FOR DC, but DC took Kenner's Super Powers pitch instead (smart move). And obviously DC was involved with MOTU, producing the mini-comics for a time and publishing MOTU comics under the DC banner, even teaming them with Superman in DC Comics Presents. And Remco was making the DC Warlord line in MOTU style at the time as well.

That's why stuff like this kind of irks me. It's hard to figure out if there's any true validity to this when you come out with an obvious hoax element. It's fun in concept, but the execution really muddies the water.

Chris

[kerowack]

I can't believe people are irked by a retcon campaign. I don't care for the toy line itself, but the approach is sublime. It's truly creative, not just another retread.

I'm going to stop before a rant kicks in.

Yeah, it's not the worst idea in the world, but it definitely wasn't aimed at me. Pixel Dan's channel has younger viewers, so hopefully they enjoyed the angle. It was pretty apparent by the INSANELY bad acting and "clues" that it wasn't ever a REAL retro line. I can't believe how angry people get over this stuff though. Especially with Pixel Dan...he's like the chuck e. cheese of toy channels. Calm down.

[palitoy]

According to a video on DC's FB, Marv Wolfman proposed this line in the 70s or 80s. Seems odd it's never been mentioned before now though. At least not that I know of.

If that is true, that is actually quite interesting.