SuperFriends FTC Wave: Your Thoughts, Hopes, and Expectations

[CrimsonGhost]

BTW when I first learned about the FTC figures in January I went back in the archives to see what the forum's reaction was last April when these were announced. I noticed Palitoy said he almost resigned as soon as he learned about it for fear of what the reaction here would be to the announcement.

That kinda says it all.

Haha! Well, let's face it. They had a very bad reputation.

[madmarva]

So, Player, should we just accept whatever FTC offers and call it great or in proportion or not too tight when the product clearly has issues?

You want us to be like the lackies in the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes?"

And what does Doc Mego or the reaction to figures he has worked on have to do with FTC's products?

And as far as the Mattel figures go, I absolutely complained about the Green Lantern head being too large and the Superman head being flat. And, the bodies were roundly criticized. Why did Doc escape personal criticism for the bodies? Maybe because he sells better bodies on his website.

And as far as Doc Mego being given some leeway with members on this forum, you are right. More than a few folks on the board are personal friends with him and even more are acquainted with him.

Don't your friends support you and give you the benefit of the doubt? It also helps that he interacts on the forum from time time and by doing so he's able to anticipate what might be an issue among potential customers. Case in point, his quick explanation of the $80 price point on the forthcoming Marvel figures. Even with the explanation, I don't like the price, but at least, I somewhat understand.

But, again, what does the treatment of Doc Mego on this forum have to do with FTC's heads being out of proportion or the company charging credit cards for items not on hand after stating it would not do that?

I give FTC the benefit of the doubt on the latter, and I salute the company for its overall customer service, particularly on the phone and through email, and its active presence on Facebook.

But big heads are big heads, and you accusing people of being hypocrites doesn't change that fact.

[ThePlayerOnTheOtherSide]

So, Player, should we just accept whatever FTC offers and call it great or in proportion or not too tight when the product clearly has issues?

There's a difference between blindly accepting whatever FTC does and blindly complaining about the same issue every single day. The credit card issue is a legit complaint and FTC fumbled badly there. But with the 'big head' issue everyone here has said their peace on it, and FTC has said they are working to fix it. Yet it's still being complained about here every single day in what resembles a kid stomping his feet and holding his breath until an adult pays attention to them.

The constant complaining gets old and is really sucking the enjoyment out of this hobby. I think some of you need to chill out and enjoy the fact that after 40 years, we finally have 'Megos' again.

[palitoy]

FTC needs to pay Doc Mego to say he is involved. All the complaints would magically disappear.

Well, that couldn't be more wrong, I'm sure Paul would do a spit take if he read that.

We had to delete hundreds of threads due to the fact that they most of the time boiled over into some ridiculous over the top, ad hominem battles sometimes with threats of violence being attached to them.

Retro Action brought new people, a minority of them seemed to think it was their duty to just come in here and argue the same damned point every day. Over and over again, personally insulting anyone who disagreed with them because they didn't have the emotional maturity or life skills to debate about lets face it, needless toys with others.

It had us enact our "Can I get banned for being a jerk?" rules, which of course made the staff of the MegoMuseum beholden slaves to EMCE, because even though it says right in the rules you can't call other members an *******, certain people think they have a right to call Dr Mego one because their Batman dolly isn't quite perfect.

If you think the FTC guys are getting a beating, this is nothing and for the most part, pretty tactful. The consensus seems to be they're doing a lot of good things and the public is eating it up. No matter what you do, there will always be a dissenting opinion and I don't think you should waste your time trying to correct it.

You'd have an easier time telling the ducks how to march in the park.

[palitoy]

BTW when I first learned about the FTC figures in January I went back in the archives to see what the forum's reaction was last April when these were announced. I noticed Palitoy said he almost resigned as soon as he learned about it for fear of what the reaction here would be to the announcement.

That kinda says it all.

I almost left because I didn't want a repeat of the cesspool that was Retro Action for me. I hung around and for the most part, it's much better.

A lot of the criticism that was in abundance for Retro Action has magically disappeared, people SCREAMED about the $20 price point ad nauseum but it's barely a whimper for $24.95 now, they hated the online exclusives but now gleefully rush to the website, they freaked when they couldn't find them at retail, now it's all on pre-orders (considered the great Satan during the RA days).

I don't understand what happened but this whole experience is a lot calmer.

There is some griping about head size, BFD......

[ThePlayerOnTheOtherSide]

I almost left because I didn't want a repeat of the cesspool that was Retro Action for me. I hung around and for the most part, it's much better.

A lot of the criticism that was in abundance for Retro Action has magically disappeared, people SCREAMED about the $20 price point ad nauseum but it's barely a whimper for $24.95 now, they hated the online exclusives but now gleefully rush to the website, they freaked when they couldn't find them at retail, now it's all on pre-orders (considered the great Satan during the RA days).

I don't understand what happened but this whole experience is a lot calmer.

There is some griping about head size, BFD......

Well I left here about 10 years ago so I missed all that but I can imagine. I would like to see FTC have an active presence here because I think they could get some wonderful feedback from us on character selection, maybe even figure design. I also think they read the posts here and have a misconception of how many here view their company. Maybe in time they'll start posting here, who knows.

[ThePlayerOnTheOtherSide]

Well, that couldn't be more wrong, I'm sure Paul would do a spit take if he read that.

We had to delete hundreds of threads due to the fact that they most of the time boiled over into some ridiculous over the top, ad hominem battles sometimes with threats of violence being attached to them.

Retro Action brought new people, a minority of them seemed to think it was their duty to just come in here and argue the same damned point every day. Over and over again, personally insulting anyone who disagreed with them because they didn't have the emotional maturity or life skills to debate about lets face it, needless toys with others.

Adults wanting to fight over dolls? Dang I'm sorry I missed that.

[scott metzger]

I understand that, I really do, but at the same time, past history here has shown that once FTC corrects a problem that posters here have complained about, those posters simply move on to another area. The tight body was universally complained about here through the first couple of Batman waves. All the same complaints about deal-breaker, sales tanking if they didn't fix etc etc were heard then.

Then FTC fixed the problem with the Batman Wave 3 and 66 figures, and barely a mention was made. Then everyone started complaining about the 'big heads'. When that happens it honestly sends a message to FTC that we are going to find something to complain about regardless of what they do. It also sends the message to them that there's no point being here or engaging here.

Which IMO is why they don't. I think some here want to keep complaining until FTC pays attention to them but that is NOT they way to make that happen.

Understand that, for many here like me, we are used to dealing with companies like Mattel where the only way to have someone listen is to screech at the top of your lungs until you see absolute proof something has been fixed. Ask a fan of the Masters Classics line about reversed shoulders, granny panties and fat armor, and how such issues were addressed (or not, as the case usually was). Collectors have been pre-conditioned to this reaction; Pavlov would love us. And, face it, until this latest round of figures and licenses, FTC has not had the best reputation; quite the opposite, in fact. It was a major leap of faith for me to dive in after the Space 1999 figures I picked up a few years back (and one of the main problems with those was the huge head problem). There's a history here, both in the industry in general and the company in particular that fuels the doubts. To their credit, FTC seemed to fix the tight rubber band problem quickly. But, truthfully, the only thing that is going to quell the doubts here is to show us some figures that looks right in prototype or sample form, just as all of the straight out re-dos do. I realize there might be some proportions off in the earliest stages due to the fact that different plastics have different shrinkage rates that have to be accounted for, but we've seen correct protos like in the Tarzan line. A few more Koraks and I think the issue would quickly be put to rest.

Many of the folks complaining about the problems aren't simply looking for something to gripe about. We WANT these figures to succeed. I want to keep giving FTC my money hand over fist until my wallet starts sobbing like a baby. Nothing in the past few years has excited me the way this company's announcement of obtaining the DC license did. And I've never seen an 8" figure with the quality and costuming we got with the '66 line; we're talking high end 12" collectors figure level. And I will flat out state the Ra's Al Ghul head is hands down the best representation of the character in plastic I have ever seen, even better than the Mattel version sculpted by the Four Horsemen (and anyone who has ever heard me gush over their work knows what a compliment that is). And if FTC fixes this problem in future figures, my wallet will sob uncontrollably, and I will praise them for making it so. I want these things, and I want them to continue for a long, LONG time.

I want FTC to succeed. If I didn't, I wouldn't bother complaining about the problems.

[invisiblelad]

^^^ once again 1000% agree with every single sentiment Scott has just proclaimed. I am a matty abused JLU/MOTUC collector. Unfortunaetly.....Your obvious logic & explanation will fall on deaf ears w/ ThePlayer. He wants to be on The OTHER SIDE, not realizing how us OCD driven passionate customers are FTC's bread & butter on a small line. causal fans that will take anything will be shrinking fast, IF FTC doesn't pull it together & make ALL of their figures as great as possible. Nostalgia driven purchases will stop after the re-treads. The passionate fans of DC (& the other less notable properties) will NEED FTC to listen....as we are the fans who will buy...& buy multiples until FTC stops making them. Those who don't learn from other mistakes (or their own as far as CTVT) will fail....NONE of us complaining want that. I certainly don't.

[hedrap]

Retro Action brought new people, a minority of them seemed to think it was their duty to just come in here and argue the same damned point every day. Over and over again, personally insulting anyone who disagreed with them because they didn't have the emotional maturity or life skills to debate about lets face it, needless toys with others.

Boy, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you're implying something.

[scott metzger]

The passionate fans of DC (& the other less notable properties) will NEED FTC to listen....as we are the fans who will buy...& buy multiples until FTC stops making them. Those who don't learn from other mistakes (or their own as far as CTVT) will fail....NONE of us complaining want that. I certainly don't.

And there's a point I missed: the other properties. Dukes, Tarzan, Conan and Friends; heck, I'm even tempted to grab an Evel figure. Only reason I've ever even heard of Solomon Kane is because a friend once asked me to make a Mego version for him many years ago, but I've got him pre-ordered. I am in for all of them, not just the DC properties (bring me a decent Daisy Duke and I might actually forget the abomination we got in the original line). And I hope they snag even more licenses to make me even poorer (but happy!). Do them well, and I'll buy them.

[ThePlayerOnTheOtherSide]

I want FTC to succeed. If I didn't, I wouldn't bother complaining about the problems.

I get that, and I get that everyone here wants to be heard by FTC. I am looking at this from the company's POV as well: If they see the same complaints even after they communicate that a solution is in the works, it can send the message to them that there will be complaints no matter what they do. I really think it can lead to a situation where the fanboys are complaining more because they want to be heard, and the more the fanboys complain, the less likely he company is to listen. So the more complaints can actually defeat their intended purpose.

I think some people here believe they will complain until FTC is forced to listen, and if FTC doesn't listen, that the line will go belly up. MM has power, but I don't think this forum can make or break a line by itself. If so, we'd be getting the 2nd wave of Six Million Dollar Man figures now from ZICA.

[invisiblelad]

I almost left because I didn't want a repeat of the cesspool that was Retro Action for me. I hung around and for the most part, it's much better.

A lot of the criticism that was in abundance for Retro Action has magically disappeared, people SCREAMED about the $20 price point ad nauseum but it's barely a whimper for $24.95 now, they hated the online exclusives but now gleefully rush to the website, they freaked when they couldn't find them at retail, now it's all on pre-orders (considered the great Satan during the RA days).

I don't understand what happened but this whole experience is a lot calmer.

There is some griping about head size, BFD......

What I just BOLDED is the simplest & by far the BEST advice I've seen in the longest time. There is some complaining about BIG HEADS here....BIG F'n DEAL! QFT! -invisiblelad

[scott metzger]

I get that, and I get that everyone here wants to be heard by FTC. I am looking at this from the company's POV as well: If they see the same complaints even after they communicate that a solution is in the works, it can send the message to them that there will be complaints no matter what they do. I really think it can lead to a situation where the fanboys are complaining more because they want to be heard, and the more the fanboys complain, the less likely he company is to listen. So the more complaints can actually defeat their intended purpose.

And that is going to happen; it's part of business. Some folks will complain about a sunny day. But no company is going to simply say, "Everyone is going to complain, so why bother fixing anything?" THat's a sure route to bankruptcy. You ignore the gripes that are without foundation, and try to fix the legitimate problems like the head size. They've acknowledged that it is, indeed, a legitimate problem; that's a good step. But then they show a Jayna head that is far enough along that it has, apparently, been cast in soft PVC (the head is hollow from the picture) and it looks to suffer from the same problem. Not as horrifically from what I'm seeing as Bizarro looks, but the point is, the logical question that comes to mind is: when? If the problem is going to be fixed, when will we see the first figure with a head properly scaled?

We're basically in a position right now where we are apparently expected to keep buying figures that aren't corrected until they get a chance to fix them. This is exactly what Mattel asked its customers to do with their DC Infinites 4" line: keep buying the substandard figures we're selling you now, and we will then have the resources to give you better ones later. And we did get MUCH better figures later in the line; of course, by then, sales had dropped to the point the line was dying and it ended. I'd rather they hold off on their production schedule and get this fixed BEFORE I get a macroencephalic pair of Exorian twins. I'd be more than willing to hold of on Bizarro and Ra's and all of the other figures we're concerned about to get them RIGHT. We'll likely get ONE chance at these figures, so asking they be done as well as they can be given reasonable production and cost restrictions is not a ridiculous request. We are getting some figures correctly done, so we know it is possible within those restraints. I just want it to be done across the board. I hardly see that as an unreasonable expectation, or one that would cause the company to throw up their hands and flat out give up.

[jayraytee]

The problem is with some of this is that I imagine they are working way ahead of the game, several waves ahead. There are probably things in various stages of manufacturing that were sculpted months ago, some of which can't be turned back or stopped. So even if they intend on trying to get things more proportionate from this point on, we may still some figures that have the issue.

We don't know when Jayna was sculpted, we don't know if it's already in production or not. We don't know what the final version will look like. But in my opinion I could accept a larger head on a teenager than I could on an adult. I mean not a teenager whose head is larger than an adult's head, but if it was an adult size head on a smaller body, that might work for a teenager anyway. Looking at the superfriends cartoon, proportions are a little inhuman anyway. Her head is almost as large as her chest and her arms and legs are like super long toothpicks.

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I also don't mind Egghead having a big head, it's kind of fitting to the character. Bizarro I am not ordering though, it just doesn't look right.