My take on the Retro Batman line so far

[EMCE Hammer]

Well said. I think many of us would have loved for Marty and Doc to ride back into the fray with the DC license. But that didn't happen, and FTC seems to be making every effort to produce a worthy product. I think it's important to realize that they are transitioning out of the wrestling business. WGH will be their focus going forward, and I think there are even better things to come.

Looking closely at FTC's Joker, I can easily see how they've improved their heads, hands, screening & sewing--compare it, for example, to their Dracula.

When Hasbro reissued 12" retro anniversary & AT GI Joes, I was thrilled to build a collection of them, it even spurred me to collect some vintage items. Likewise, Playing Mantis' Captain Action. And Retro-Action aside, Mattel has reissued vintage Barbie & MOTU.

I collected Emce Trek & POTA as well--I don't recall anyone decrying these well-made figures as Mego armageddon. In fact, many here wanted more!

I was unhappy with the quality of CTVT's earlier reissues, they influenced me to collect originals instead. But the sad fact is that Mego isn't here to reissue their own stuff. Even Kenner is gone.

I love vintage Mego, I even use vintage parts for customs when I can. But repro parts & figures actually preserve vintage items for more discriminating/wealthy collectors IMO. Every successful/desired art-form & manufactured product has had imitators--heck, some of those knock-offs are beloved, well-valued, & collected in our community.

Its a fine line for FTC: If these had been shoddy, they would have been criticized as tarnishing Mego's memory. If these are too nice, they are criticized as undercutting the secondary market. Bear in mind, these are authorized reproductions.

Market aside (that's not why I collect, packaged or otherwise), I feel that if well-done repros inspire new collectors, entertain children of all ages , and lead to new characters we fans have always wanted, that's not a bad thing.

I honestly think there's room for all of "us"--isn't that what markets, & the Museum itself, are all about?

[PNGwynne]

Looking closely at FTC's Joker, I can easily see how they've improved their heads, hands, screening & sewing--compare it, for example, to their Dracula.

When Hasbro reissued 12" retro anniversary & AT GI Joes, I was thrilled to build a collection of them, it even spurred me to collect some vintage items. Likewise, Playing Mantis' Captain Action. And Retro-Action aside, Mattel has reissued vintage Barbie & MOTU.

I collected Emce Trek & POTA as well--I don't recall anyone decrying these well-made figures as Mego armageddon. In fact, many here wanted more!

I was unhappy with the quality of CTVT's earlier reissues, they influenced me to collect originals instead. But the sad fact is that Mego isn't here to reissue their own stuff. Even Kenner is gone.

I love vintage Mego, I even use vintage parts for customs when I can. But repro parts & figures actually preserve vintage items for more discriminating/wealthy collectors IMO. Every successful/desired art-form & manufactured product has had imitators--heck, some of those knock-offs are beloved, well-valued, & collected in our community.

Its a fine line for FTC: If these had been shoddy, they would have been criticized as tarnishing Mego's memory. If these are too nice, they are criticized as undercutting the secondary market. Bear in mind, these are authorized reproductions.

Market aside (that's not why I collect, packaged or otherwise), I feel that if well-done repros inspire new collectors, entertain children of all ages , and lead to new characters we fans have always wanted, that's not a bad thing.

I honestly think there's room for all of "us"--isn't that what markets, & the Museum itself, are all about?

[ctc]

>If quality, affordable Megos everyone can buy and enjoy playing with ruin the hobby, then by all means let it be ruined.

That's definitely my attitude, but it seems weird that every other reissue had a sizable number of detractors bemoaning the loss of value for the originals and this one doesn't. Maybe people really CAN'T get too much Batman.

Don C.

[madmarva]

How are the bodies? are they improved over the old ctvt bodies?

[Iron Mego]

Yes and no. Some parts are original, but the cape is Doc Mego's, not FTC.

[houseofdracula]

GREAT pic, but is Batman's cape beginning to fray? That would be both good (faithful to the original) and bad (it is fraying).

If I read it correctly, his Batman is from the 1970's.

[EmergencyIan]

FTC Batman Wave 1 has arrived in Seattle.

Wow, what a great looking figures! Thanks for sharing these pictures!

- Ian

[Hedji]

GREAT pic, but is Batman's cape beginning to fray? That would be both good (faithful to the original) and bad (it is fraying).

[Jason73]

My daughter and I played with our dudes for well over an hour today.

Really great photo. The Flash fits right in too!

[Iron Mego]

My daughter and I played with our dudes for well over an hour today.

[Iron Mego]

Took Riddler's outfit off, gave his torso a twist and voila!, straightened him right out.

[JediJaida]

I talked to one of the guys at FTC, and asked if they were possibly going to do Supergirl at one point.

He said that they were discussing it, but no major decisions.

I then suggested that they skip on the little bitty slippers that she wore, on account of those are the first things that are lost. He laughed and said that if they do make the Supergirl, she'd be an accurate reproduction. I then suggested that they go the silkscreen route.

I also intimated that once the shoes went bye-bye, the owner of the figure would bring out his/her inner five year old and start yowling about the lost shoes. Those of you who have young daughters know what it's like when they lose their Barbie's shoes, don't you? Okay, imagine a grown up type person doing that over SG's slippers.

I know that DM can replace them easily, but that doesn't prevent one from freaking about losing them in the first place.

[Iron Mego]

I posted this in one of the other threads thinking it was this one. But oh well, here's my take so far:

Got mine today! Yay for Saturday delivery!! The kiddo is playing with them right now. Well she's playing with Joker and Riddler, we have a kit-bashed Batman and Robin already. I did buy the new FTC ones, but they are going to some friends' kids. Anyway, they look awesome! I never had Riddler as a kid, and am happy to get a NEW figure that my kid and I can play with. He does not stand, his left leg is flipped in a little too much, I think the band is twisted. So I'll probably undress him later and see if I can spin the leg around. Other than that they are very cool. Will take pics once the playin' is over. Really looking forward to further series.

[houseofdracula]

Honestly, HOD, I can't stand the type of collectors you refer to.

I know, I know.
Everyone is different and we all have that right.
Me?
Nothing stays in the box.
I buy things to enjoy them.
I've got the new FTC Batman series displayed (off of the cards) as well as over 200 built & painted model kits.
But, that's me.

[zeedox]

A Comment and a Question

So were folks worried about the vintage pricing mad when the later versions of the originals came out as opposed to the first stringed ones?
Its like one of our favorite toys back in production. I hope it stays in production for years I promise to keep buying hehe.

Where's SUPERMAN?? :-)