Batman Retro Series 1 production samples from Figures Toy

[PNGwynne]

The colors are wrong. The textures and materials are wrong. The graphics are hideous.

Can you think of another industry where such broad, general interpretations of the original are acceptable as "reproduction" items? ... it seems that dead-on accuracy is the objective. Not some loose composite of every version of the product ever manufactured.

Imagine someone wanting a reproduction silver part for their antique watch, and coming across one made of tin that looks only mostly like the original sculpt. No sale.

These are being touted as "reproductions" of the original Mego WGSH -- right down to the minutiae of offering painted- versus removable-masks. Yet from what I've seen thus far, FTC toys are a far cry from the accuracy or detail such claims suggest.

-b

Er...ok. If you say so--but you know that your analogy about watch parts is inaccurate. We are not discussing silver versus tin. A typical vintage Mego Batman features a vinyl head, plastic body with rubber & metal rigging, plastic belt & boots, knit polyester bodysuit with sewn-in trunks & metal snaps, a nylon cape, vinyl "oven-mitt" gloves, & a printed paper or cloth emblem.

By all appearances, the FTC Batman features just these components. You personally don't like the darker blue--I do, but I concede that periwinkle would have been more accurate. FTC is using poly single-knit ("Jet-Set"), which is the closest contemporary fabric to vintage Mego knit. They did not use lycra/spandex, cotton jersey, or milliskin as other remegoes sometimes have.

The proof will be in the details once we handle the figures. How is the body? FTC paint apps are typically good, & they have improved their head castings--less squishy. The gloves appear to be matte/textured now, which was a concern of mine. FTC boots have typically been thinner & closer to vintage boots than some others. The cape is sewn poorly--that is a drawback.

FTC erred in calling these "exact" reproductions & using saturated "Benbarb" photos of vintage Mego in its ads. These should have been solicited as "modern reproductions" or even "detailed reproductions of original" (as Emce Trek was). CTVT/FTC packaging has always been poor, and most here knew that the ads were disingenuous. So they have set themselves up a little.

But crappy knock-off?--I don't think so yet, either in relation to their earlier product or remegoes in general.

[GAFan]

Well said and the pictures on their site do say "prototype pictured" right on the image. When you've been collecting as long as we have you do generally have the idea by now that toys don't often exactly match their mock ups and protos.

I was thinking the same thing. Look at the prototype picture of the secret identities in the gallery. Following the logic of some people (who I normally respect and agree with), they wouldn't have bought the secret identity figures because the outfits were different. I see these as an homage to the megos of my youth. Will I pick them up? I don't know yet, but I applaud them for the attempt and thank them for making them available.

[Werewolf]

OK, so they're not EXACT...does that make them any less fun? These are the ones you can open and play w/ and give them to your kids.

Well said and the pictures on their site do say "prototype pictured" right on the image. When you've been collecting as long as we have you do generally have the idea by now that toys don't often exactly match their mock ups and protos.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I am on the side of the fence that is glad they are coming out. My son wants a Riddler as right now he has a Mattel RA Batman and beater Mego Penguin, Joker, and Robin. Like others have said, though, I need to be selective on which ones I purchase as he has the others. I totally feel for those who were expecting an exact duplicate, but 40 years later I can understand why it is not. When I see ebay selling Riddler suits only for $20. $25 & shipping for a whole figure for my son doesn't seem that bad.

[Jason73]

A "new" market? Really. Visited eBay lately?

Anyway, it really doesn't matter what I think. I'm disappointed but I'll just move on. I wish FTC the best, but these aren't what I expected, and these aren't for me.

-b

All I meant was, I'm glad these won't be easy to pass off as original Mego.

[Spyweb007]

I think they look good, I like the colors, even the darker blue. If Mego Corp itself rose from the grave and started making figures again they probably would be just as different from the originals as these are, and the differences are minimal at that.

[noelani72]

Christmas presents!

yup - with so many waves out there for pre-order, and none shipping yet, this will become fodder for folks to supply me with holiday goodness...cuz lord knows I cannot afford to buy so many waves all at once.

[Figuremod73]

I like the vibrant colors. It would be hard to find original figures for twentyfive bucks in this condition.

I do think Robins head looks a little weird though...unless its just the way its positioned.

edit: I wish they had used this opportunity to get robin titan sized.

[MIB41]

You guys are amazing. If they looked too close to the originals, you'd complain that it would be too easy to fool the original collectors w/ an imitation. (and I remember those same comments when Doc/EMCE came out w/ the POTA figures). Why can't you guys just appreciate the fact that FTC is bringing the wonderment, the memories, the retro grooviness that was once Mego to the masses of today? OK, so they're not EXACT...does that make them any less fun? These are the ones you can open and play w/ and give them to your kids. And if you have the originals anyway and don't plan on buying these, that's OK. But to say that they look like knockoffs is a bit harsh. I'm hoping the line does well so that they'll want to add more waves, and more superheroes. 'Cos if you guys are putting this down and won't buy them, we'll never see Superman, Aquaman or any villains.

I think calling something a knockoff is not nearly the crime it's being labeled to be here. It's an opinion. And like all opinions, they will vary. This hobby has a great history of knockoffs that are mostly loved - AHI, LJN, Remco to name just a few. So these will likely find their place, just like other efforts have. The license kind of sells itself. But we as hobbyists and collectors typically don't engage in this art form without some passion behind it. So knee jerk reactions should be considered the norm here. Some may warm to them later. Some may go the opposite direction. But sometimes we just have to agree to disagree and move on. Vote with your wallet.

[CrimsonGhost]

Can't wait to see what happens when the Teen Titans come out.

[Earth 2 Chris]

You guys are amazing. If they looked too close to the originals, you'd complain that it would be too easy to fool the original collectors w/ an imitation. (and I remember those same comments when Doc/EMCE came out w/ the POTA figures). Why can't you guys just appreciate the fact that FTC is bringing the wonderment, the memories, the retro grooviness that was once Mego to the masses of today? OK, so they're not EXACT...does that make them any less fun? These are the ones you can open and play w/ and give them to your kids. And if you have the originals anyway and don't plan on buying these, that's OK. But to say that they look like knockoffs is a bit harsh. I'm hoping the line does well so that they'll want to add more waves, and more superheroes. 'Cos if you guys are putting this down and won't buy them, we'll never see Superman, Aquaman or any villains.

What she said.

Chris

[Chris]

I like 'em. Not sure what all the fuss is about. The colors on Batman are more consistent throughout than on the originals, where the heads, capes and boots/gloves were all different colors.
These look quality, and definitely not like crappy knock offs. In fact, quite the opposite. To me they look exactly like what Mego would have made with better, more consistent materials.
I think they actually look better than the prototypes.

Agreed. I luv 'em. I'll even have Toyroom and Mego73 make up some cool retro packaging. Palitoy can have the clamshells. Everybody wins.

[thunderbolt]

Oh, this is low and totally uncalled for. Dismissing the Retro Action stuff here Doc's "attempt" is cruel. Everyone here knows or should know that the Mattel toys's faults weren't because of the Doc, and his bodies (and accessories) have consistently been the best quality of anything Mego-y since Mego.

I liked the retro action, its a shame that between Mattel and Doc Mego it couldn't have been done right. But, for him to take a dig at the pricepoint on these seems a little cruel.

[Uni]

You guys are amazing. If they looked too close to the originals, you'd complain that it would be too easy to fool the original collectors w/ an imitation. (and I remember those same comments when Doc/EMCE came out w/ the POTA figures). Why can't you guys just appreciate the fact that FTC is bringing the wonderment, the memories, the retro grooviness that was once Mego to the masses of today?

The problem is that the pictures of the production samples don't look like what was promised. We were actually hoping for "wonderment, the memories, the retro grooviness that was once Mego"... and for several months we were promised this, in the form of "exact reproductions" of the original figures. Based on the production samples, these ain't that.

[alex]

I wasnt going to buy these, but they certainly look odd and wierd, and as someone described them" knockoff". I feel a headache for Brian coming on, as these are finally released and comments written, I feel for U