Figures Toy Co. announces new licenses!

[hedrap]

Since Mattel has the DC license how is Figures able to make the Mego 8" Batman figures? I understand the Classic Batman TV is a seperate license. Does this mean Figures can make the remaining WGSH DC figures and entire DCU? Mego DC New 52 anyone?

All major characters have seperate licenses. For example, General Mills doesn't have to buy the entire Marvel food license to make Spider-Man cereal.

With the major license comes a group of related minor ones. So Spidey would net you all his villains and some heroes, but not Kingpin who's considered apart of the Daredevil license.

Large companies have the dollars to sign an entire blanket license, but that doesn't negate the individual ones is that big company is not working in that field.

So CTVT went after '66 and was able to corral a separate Batman license. Now why Matty would allow this is, I'm deducing here, because they gave up on 8-inch and retro. I don't think Figures could do 8-inch New 52 and I'm quite sure the license doesn't extend beyond Batman. If it did, they wouldn't have wasted money on all the other lines they're developing.

[MEMEGO]

Very interesting and unexpected, However, before they put them out, they should take out a paper swearing that they have corrected all of the errors of there past crappy figures. I dont mind paying $25 or $30 dollars for a figure, if I have to, however, what I do mind, is having to spend additional money on a new body to correct the diffects on a BRAND NEW JUST MADE FIGURE, I dont mind doing that for a vintage figure, but for a new figure just out of the factory, it is unaceptable.

DR. Mego needs to order extra bodies just for the demand this will bring.

[megocrazy]

cc

I am cautiously optimistic.

If they haven't upgraded the crap quality of their bodies, they can have every license in the world and it doesn't matter jack.

Especially if it's (like the first go-around) falling apart while yet in the box.

If it's done right though, I will be very impressed.

I too would say cautiously optimistic. From a collector's point of view, I'm all for new characters, even if they're done badly. I'll simply buy a bunch of bodies and swap them. Call me greedy but if a company wants to take the risk and I get some characters from my childhood memories like Egghead and Tut which would be high on my want list, bonus for me. But, as I said earlier, I love the thought but just can't see how this works financially. The market just hasn't looked like it can support it and this much product is going to make those impulse purchases of characters you may have been on the fence about almost non existent, unless you're financially overloaded. Not to mention BBP puts out a ton in this format as well. Just more choices for consumers.

The Brady Bunch license didn't seem to do too well, so I can't really expect Gilligan to do much better. I can get an original Mego Tarzan, on any given day, for about the same money as I expect these to sell for, so why buy new? Original Dukes the same way, maybe if they redo Daisy and an Uncle Jesse, but I can't see that being a huge impact on the cost of the license. I can picture Conan being similar to the Andorian or Romulan figures. Some will grab one that can't afford to or justify buying an original but die hards will still want an original and how many of these licenses will really impact the outside community. Evel was tried in recent years and didn't exist for very long. None that I see will incredibly impact the younger market. Few kids will even remotely identify with any of these. History has proven the older generation market simply doesn't have the volume or consistency to support a major line, for long term. Trek, Universal Monsters, Venture Brothers, etc. were all done extremely well and those seem to have slowed down considerably.

If you look at the lines that have done well in the recent past,WWE, JLU, Harry Potter, LOTR, etc. most had similar things in common. They had major TV or Movie exposure, they crossed the collector market (adults), with the impulse market (kids), and they all had major retailer presence.

All in all as a collector it is an incredibly impressive announcement. There are a couple, Like many, mostly in the 66 Batman line that I will definitely be interested getting. Hopefully the lines go long enough to reach that point. Personally I see it as an uphill battle, but the rewards are cool if they make it.

[timb]

I am cautiously optimistic.

If they haven't upgraded the crap quality of their bodies, they can have every license in the world and it doesn't matter jack.

Especially if it's (like the first go-around) falling apart while yet in the box.

If it's done right though, I will be very impressed.

[nobody]

I haven't heard anyone mention we could possibly get Green Hornets' and Katos'

[palitoy]

Just one critique so far...They REALLY need to work on their packaging designs...Ugh!

All those people looking for custom designed window boxes and cards. The Horror

[ovenmitt]

I called Figures and was told an Yvonne Craig Batgirl will be made!

[ovenmitt]

I would have been down for 8" Megos of ALL 7 Gilligan's Island castaways! Remember the 1997 Exclusive Premiere 9" Gilligans Island figures of Gilligan, Skipper, and Professor?

[palitoy]

Her statement said she's willing to license her likeness as long as she's compensated fairly. She never mentioned she had and the total lack of her character in any merch got fans speculating there could be an issue.

I can't think of a better start to Batgirl merch than an 8" figure.

[thunderbolt]

That's because there's no likeness agreement yet with Yvonne Craig, has to do with money

i thought there have been statements by her to the contrary.

[Joshua the Atomic Robot]

My mind is blown. I can't believe they are coming out with all this stuff. I might have to sell a kidney to pay for all the toys I'm going to have to buy this year!

[Meule]

Holy mother of pearl. I hate that Gilligan is 12" only.

I noticed in the 66 Batman press release they mention everyone but Batgirl.

That's because there's no likeness agreement yet with Yvonne Craig, has to do with money

[huedell]

Oh and Dallas? Really? And Gilligan's Island? That smacks of the ill fated Happy Days line to me. But the other lines have legs. But wow the cost.

Right? After I saw those...that's when my brain auto corrected and said " Oh yeah it's classic TV Toys"

Maybe it IS a bad decision to do the GILLIGAN line... HOWEVER, I've been recommending someone do that since the mid-90s... so I am quasi-pleased it's finally getting done.... to me, that cast and their costumes were MADE to made into Mego type-dolls.

Happy Days, Dallas... not so much.

[ScottA]

Holy mother of pearl. I hate that Gilligan is 12" only.

I noticed in the 66 Batman press release they mention everyone but Batgirl.

[Ssylyss]

That's a lot of remego goodness, can't wait. I'll be getting multiples of the conan line, very interested to see the price point.