World's Greatest Heroes! New "Series 2" Full-Page Ad

[hedrap]

1. The Series 2 Assortment kinda stinks. Not totally stinks. Just kinda stinks.
2. Not a whole lot of people will buy all of Series 2 or Series 3, but…
3. Some people assert they will COLLECT 'EM ALL.
4. Neither 1 or 2 above matters. Given low tooling costs and their investment and commitment, FTC will manufacture Series 3 and beyond.
5. After the Batman-related waves wrap up, we will get (at least some) other DC characters, perhaps even some that Mego never produced.
6. You guys are a lot of fun to 'talk shop' with.

What hurts Mego now, is what hurt it back in '78. Rate of inflation erupted during stagflation. From '72-'78, the price went from 2.00-5.00 USD. In 2013 dollars, that would be a figure line you started buying in 2007 for 11.00 is now selling at 18.00. When Star Wars came out, they were 1.50 USD, which is about 5.00 USD today. So a parents choice? Three figures for one.

If I was FTC, I would price to accept a loss on the replicas peg to inflation and mailed 'em in a poly just like how in 1982, I used to find a bin of Falcons in Christmas Tree Shops for seventy cents. If you want the carded figure, it's extra. That puts the price in the 15 and under range, and the only way to truly find out what is the real barrier.

Cut the frills. Cut the collector's nostalgia and treating these as works of art. Custom work is art, manufactured are supposed to be playable. Get back to the Rack Toys mentality and make it competitive.

...and I don't see how they get the Marvel license. The opportunity for DC was created by Matty dropping the ball. If FTC DC shows life, I would think Hasbro would be more inclined to do their version of Retro Action.

[PNGwynne]

I couldn't agree more! I prize this book so much I don't even keep it with my other printed material... I hope one day to get my copy signed by you. That's all that is missing. You are an invaluable part of the Mego legacy. Long after we're gone, this book will live on for future generations to enjoy. Now THAT'S a legacy to be proud of.

That's exactly what I did! My worn copy is for reference reading, my signed one is next to my DC Archives.

[imp]

You guys are very generous and complimentary and sweet and I REALLY DO know the book was (and remains) appreciated by those who got it. I only brought up the book in response to enyawd72 questioning the validity of my assessment that this community is actually soooo much smaller than many of us realize and/or wish it were. I wasn't kudos-fishing, and I don't wish to derail the topic at hand -- FTC's Series 2 Assortment.

I feel like I have learned a LOT from this thread, and so many great points have come up. I feel pretty confident that:

1. The Series 2 Assortment kinda stinks. Not totally stinks. Just kinda stinks.
2. Not a whole lot of people will buy all of Series 2 or Series 3, but…
3. Some people assert they will COLLECT 'EM ALL.
4. Neither 1 or 2 above matters. Given low tooling costs and their investment and commitment, FTC will manufacture Series 3 and beyond.
5. After the Batman-related waves wrap up, we will get (at least some) other DC characters, perhaps even some that Mego never produced.
6. You guys are a lot of fun to 'talk shop' with.

I hope this line is top-quality and enjoys a long and healthy life. I hope the line is so good, FTC is able to procure the MARVEL COMICS license.

As Stan Lee might say, BRING ON THE BAD GUYS!

[MIB41]

I try to keep in mind that there is a broad range of 1/9-scale "Mego" enthusiasts here: some want packaged, others loose; some minty origiinal, some refurbished with repro parts. Some can spend a lot; many cannot. Some love all aspects of the "Mego" format--some only want to recapture bits of childhood memories.

It's all good! But it's a challenge to tap into these varied interests to support a line, a book, even a sculpt.

Regarding Wave 2, I relish the idea of them in the same manner I did Emce's Trek: I can play, display, & customize them in a way I would not, with my vintage stuff. But I stand by my reservations expressed earlier about the marketablility of this wave in support of a "long haul." And that's from someone who likes each of the figures.

Well said!

[PNGwynne]

I try to keep in mind that there is a broad range of 1/9-scale "Mego" enthusiasts here: some want packaged, others loose; some minty origiinal, some refurbished with repro parts. Some can spend a lot; many cannot. Some love all aspects of the "Mego" format--some only want to recapture bits of childhood memories.

It's all good! But it's a challenge to tap into these varied interests to support a line, a book, even a sculpt.

Regarding Wave 2, I relish the idea of them in the same manner I did Emce's Trek: I can play, display, & customize them in a way I would not, with my vintage stuff. But I stand by my reservations expressed earlier about the marketablility of this wave in support of a "long haul." And that's from someone who likes each of the figures.

[EMCE Hammer]

Well, I don't like being lumped-in with a bunch of cheapskates. I bought two copies of the book; one for myself and one for my son who was illiterate at the time:-) In my mind the connection between sales of your bar-setting book and FTC figures is a bit tenuous. Certainly there's overlap in the audience, but a meticulous book about collectible action figures from the 70s vs. remakes of figures from the 70s isn't exactly an apples to apples comparison in my mind.

[MIB41]

I think it's one of the best toy related books ever written. I truly mean that. Regardless of how many copies it sold, it was and is an amazing acheivement, and you should be very proud.

I couldn't agree more! I prize this book so much I don't even keep it with my other printed material. I keep it next to my most prized collectibles. So in the event of a flood, fire, or other disaster, these go with ME. And there isn't another Mego book out there that touches this. Not even in the same zip code. No... Strike that. Not even in the same universe. It's a stand alone piece of historical retrospect that gives these figures the love they so richly deserve. Without question I can say this to Ben - THANK YOU. Your efforts did NOT go unnoticed and are immensely appreciated by many people who did drop the dollars and have never regretted it for a moment. Anyone who reads it or even just glances through it, can immediately see the love you have for this craft. No one will ever do it more justice. I hope one day to get my copy signed by you. That's all that is missing. You are an invaluable part of the Mego legacy. Long after we're gone, this book will live on for future generations to enjoy. Now THAT'S a legacy to be proud of.

[enyawd72]

I wasn't naming anyone specific, but it seems as if I touched a nerve with you. Sincerely, I appreciate you buying the book, and I'm pleased you bid on some auctions. But if you're one of the few who actually puts your money where your mouth is, why be defensive?

I guess I'm reading too much into your comments...I suspect, and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, that the amount of hard work and dedication that went into your book being met with less than success left you feeling a bit let down by the Mego collecting community? Perhaps even a little bitter and resentful. I understand that. We all want to be recognized and appreciated for our passions. I'm sorry that your book underperformed to your expectations...I think it's one of the best toy related books ever written. I truly mean that. Regardless of how many copies it sold, it was and is an amazing acheivement, and you should be very proud.

[jds1911a1]

Second only to Action Jackson, that Bruce Wayne head sculpt is just about the ugliest thing Mego ever produced.

Actually it's a pretty good interpretation of the 50-60's Bruce wayne's look in the comics

[imp]

What are you basing that on exactly? How would you even know what somebody buys or not? You have a crystal ball or something?

Who needs a crystal ball? I'm one of the people who tried to sell a decent, Mego WGSH-related product to this community. Consider this: If every WGSH fan, who was a member of the Mego Museum Message Boards back in 2007, bought one copy of the book upon its release, the entire print-run would have sold out on DAY ONE.

Did that happen? Nope. In fact, it took about four years to sell a very limited quantity. Four years!

Now, six years later, there are nearly twice as many board members. Yet I imagine the sell-through numbers haven't climbed very much. I read these boards, too. In this community, there are not a lot of vintage Mego WGSH collectors to begin with, only a percentage of whom will actually buy something Mego or WGSH-related. This is based on experience, not Palm Reading.

I'm one of those supporters who DID buy your book the day it came out at Barnes and Nobles. I even bid on some of your stuff in the Hakes auction and won one figure. You're welcome.

I wasn't naming anyone specific, but it seems as if I touched a nerve with you. Sincerely, I appreciate you buying the book, and I'm pleased you bid on some auctions. But if you're one of the few who actually puts your money where your mouth is, why be defensive?

[monitor_ep]

Well I have put my money were my mouth is. I have spent a lot of money rebuying the playsets, vehicles, and screen print version of megos. I am cannot wait for all three waves of FTC Batman. I am even starting to buy the Monsters series just to add more the fold. Since Frankenstein in the DC Universe he looks good at the Hall of Justice. My Wayne Foundation of looking full with the Mego/Mattel figures.

I just got in the first Screen Print version of Catwoman. This is the closet version to her brief comic book appearance in the pirate outfit.

[EMCE Hammer]

Come on guys, if someone needs a Hammer Hug just ask! A couple of parts box peg warmers aren't going to kill the new super hero line from FTC. If the re-Bats don't interest you, just hang loose until something comes along that does.

[MIB41]

It makes a lot of sense. I have a few loose Megos to enjoy for what they are but my primary collection is very high grade MIB/MOC figures. I am not interested in buying vintage figures that have been pieced together from old parts or with repro parts or packaging. I am a very picky collector that is only interested in figures untouched by human hands since they left the factory and in prime condition. That being said and since originals are extremely rare in the condition I Want them and very expensive if you find them, I am very willing to accept brand new perfect case fresh $25.00 figures over very expensive originals.

40 year old figure...Brand new figure
Mego...FTC
BMW...Volkswagon

There's also alot of freshly packed merchandise in the dollar store thats never been touched too. Hopefully your definition of "quality" is measured by more than the adhesive on a backer card.

[enyawd72]

Oh so true. And these boards have plenty of "supporters" who talk a big game but never actually come through. "I'm going to buy every single item the very first day, no matter what they put out! I don't care! I'll buy everything!" These are the same people who chime into a Marketplace thread juuuuust AFTER the seller confirms the item is sold, "Oh, good score! I totally would have bought that if I had seen it first."

Yeah. Okay. Whatever.

What are you basing that on exactly? How would you even know what somebody buys or not? You have a crystal ball or something?

I'm one of those supporters who DID buy your book the day it came out at Barnes and Nobles. I even bid on some of your stuff in the Hakes auction and won one figure. You're welcome.

[imp]

Disagree/debate = "Berate?" Man, you guys are sensitive. Thicken up, kids!

LOL Touché!