Should FTC have accepted Mego Marvel license even under the $80 sets restrictions?

[madmarva]

I may be dead wrong, but I think Hasbro put the restrictions in place to dissuade production of the figures. Make the license so severe that most potential licensees wouldn't take the deal.

But when Diamond/EMCE agreed, then why not? The price-point and qualification as "collectible" was to price the figures far enough away from Marvel Legends and Marvel Select that they are no competition for the more lucrative series of figures. Hasbro attempted 1/9 scale at retail a couple of times and it didn't sell well enough to keep the lines going. The market isn't large enough for Hasbro to invest in, but Hasbro wants to protect its figure lines that do sell well.

Doc Mego said the price point was set and that Diamond/EMCE added the extra heads and clothing in order to make it a better buy for the collector. Adding additional bodies would go against the license, he said.

We have heard rumors that FTC pursued the Marvel license, but I don't think it has been verified that they passed it up or that it was even offered to the company. You can ask for a license and be told no, or the stipulations for the license might be too restrictive to work with a company's business model.

Since Diamond Select has a Marvel sub-license allowed by Hasbro, it would stand to reason Diamond Select would have the right of first refusal on the license. Now, that might not be the case, but it is a common practice. Since Diamond had partnered with EMCE before, it stands to reason if it had any interest at all in producing 8" Marvel figures it would approach EMCE before refusing or choose EMCE over another company pursuing the license.

However, it might have been EMCE that consulted with Diamond and Hasbro first. We don't know the timeline of when EMCE and FTC sought the various licenses.

Since the Marvel license is more valuable and popular than DC's, I'd guess that FTC approached Marvel first or approached Marvel and DC/WB at the same time. But that might not be the case. The first license we learned of was 66 Batman. It was later we learned FTC could make other Batman characters and then most DC characters.

Maybe when WB offered the 66 Batman license, FTC made a bid for the 8" figures and then added the others before approaching Hasbro about Marvel. Again, we don't know the chronology.

If I remember correctly is was a good bit later (6 months to a year) before EMCE announced the Marvel figures.

My point in mentioning all this is that I don't think Hasbro really cares whether EMCE/Diamond's 8" Marvel figures sell or not. If Hasbro really wanted the 8" figures to be competitive with FTC, the license wouldn't carry all the outlandish restrictions and stipulations.

So for FTC to get the Marvel license, Diamond/EMCE would have to give it up, and then FTC would have to agree to similar restrictions and stipulations that Diamond/EMCE are currently working under, which could be prohibitive.

Or Hasbro would have to have a change of heart about the license's restrictions and stipulations. If that happened, it would stand to reason Diamond/EMCE would keep the license and issue single figures. Leaving the door closed to FTC.

[enyawd72]

No way, no how. FTC has already devalued originals by mass releasing an inferior product of the same WGSH characters, ad naseum. I've never understood how the very people who've kept this brand alive support 1:1 repros.

My, what an elitist comment. You sound like one of those people who think toy collecting is for the privileged few who can afford expensive originals, which I can BTW, but I'm sympathetic to those who can't because I know what it's like to grow up poor and not be able to enjoy life's simple pleasures.
These are the same type of people who tell me I have no business collecting because I *gasp* actually OPEN vintage carded figures and PLAY with them...you know, like they were intended.

First of all, FTC's figures are in no way "inferior" to Mego's. Second, as far as devaluing said precious originals, toys are TOYS, not stocks and bonds. People support reproductions because not everyone can afford to drop $$$$ on a pristine mint Aquaman vs. Great White Shark set...IF you could even find one. Third, as far as FTC releasing the same characters ad nauseum, Mego did the EXACT SAME THING when they were in business. It's called making money. What do you think FTC makes figures just for the heck of it? They keep releasing these things because people keep buying them.

I can't WAIT to play with my brand spanking new Aquaman vs. Great White Shark set while some entitled toy collecting snob boo-hoos over his "devalued" original.

[wayne foundation 07]

^^^^^^
Nothing wrong with a product being made and sold today that you can actually play with and enjoy at all. I say we take the Sharks up to the Lake and see how well they float

[ovenmitt]

FTC acquired Batman 66 1st for Mego 8" scale because in 2012 Batman 66 licensing FINALLY became open to everybody and every figure scale was available! Then FTC asked DC if FTC could make repros of original Mego 8" Batman characters then FTC was allowed the entire DC Universe original Megos and NEW!

I am sure FTC immediately went after Mego Marvel 8" figures too! Someone posted FTC was offered Marvel as the $80 sets but FTC declined.

We'll have to see how DST/EMCE Marvel sets do. SDCC less than a month away should finally give us the answer. Thor set is supposed to be solicited this month June if not by SDCC it's over.

FTC is giving us a 2015 35th anniversary 1980 New Teen Titans set 8" Nightwing, Starfire, Cyborg, and Raven!

What if same could be done in 2015 for 40th anniversary of 1975 All-New X-Men Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, and Nightcrawler?!

FTC is making 1970s Super Friends then we could get 1990s X-Men Animated Series!

[Bronxboykev]

As long as FTC continues to use the bodies they use they will forever be producing inferior product... I'm sorry people I may be in the minority but FTC's bodies should be used for land fill... And this coming from a guy that has 3 sets of Batman 66 and 2 sets of the WGSH and Fist Fighters... I for one Hope they don't get Marvel because at least I get to put the Marvel figures on Superior bodies. I'm hoping both companies make it to where I can start picking up Figures I don't have to customize myself.

[jayraytee]

First of all, FTC's figures are in no way "inferior" to Mego's.

You have got to be kidding. I have original Megos that have stayed in good shape since the 70s, and brand new FTC figures that have fallen apart. FTC's stuff is like cheap knock offs of original Megos. It's all we have, so I guess in that sense they are ok, but they are far from being anywhere close the quality of original Megos.

[enyawd72]

You have got to be kidding. I have original Megos that have stayed in good shape since the 70s, and brand new FTC figures that have fallen apart. FTC's stuff is like cheap knock offs of original Megos. It's all we have, so I guess in that sense they are ok, but they are far from being anywhere close the quality of original Megos.

No, I am not kidding. Sorry you seem to have had bad luck with FTC figures, but plenty of original Megos broke too. The plastic pins in their knees and elbows could snap very easily. Rubber bands broke. Capes frayed. Plastic boots and gloves would split at the seams. Paper emblems would fall right off.

I did have a Joker lose an arm because he was strung too tightly, but overall the bodies are pretty much as durable as Mego bodies were. FTC capes are better cut and heat sealed on the edges to prevent fraying. FTC's color matching is way better between the rubber(?) heads, vinyl gloves, nylon capes and plastic boots. FTC boots are a much nicer material with richer colors. FTC has beautiful iron-on emblems that are much nicer than the ones Mattel used.

Guess I'm just not seeing this poor quality you're referring to. Other than bodies too tightly strung, which seems to have been corrected with later and current waves.

[Timothy2251]

Had FTC gotten the license to do 8" Marvel figures, believe me, we'd still find stuff to complain about. FTC does make excellent repro clothing, props, etc., but they have had QC issues with their bodies, even some of the newer ones.

EMCE's sets just need better QC, maybe a change in manufacturing suppliers. The price point, naturally, doesn't help, but EMCE really has no say on that, as Hasbro and Marvel dictated the price. In a perfect world, we'd have a boxed set of three complete figures, but it is what it is.

Also, on the action figure level, I find it improbable that FTC would ever get Marvel while they still have the DC license, as both companies are very competitive and seldom share such toy licenses with the same manufacturer. Maybe after the DC agreement runs out, there's a chance, but I'm guessing FTC will be the source for new DC Megos for quite awhile.

[enyawd72]

Also, on the action figure level, I find it improbable that FTC would ever get Marvel while they still have the DC license, as both companies are very competitive and seldom share such toy licenses with the same manufacturer.

That certainly used to be the case but not so much anymore...I was just thinking about this the other day. Do you realize Hot Toys, Sideshow, Funko, Eaglemoss, Hot Wheels, and Lego ALL currently share the Marvel and DC licenses and produce the exact same products for both?

[hedrap]

My, what an elitist comment. You sound like one of those people who think toy collecting is for the privileged few who can afford expensive originals, which I can BTW, but I'm sympathetic to those who can't because I know what it's like to grow up poor and not be able to enjoy life's simple pleasures.
These are the same type of people who tell me I have no business collecting because I *gasp* actually OPEN vintage carded figures and PLAY with them...you know, like they were intended.

First of all, FTC's figures are in no way "inferior" to Mego's. Second, as far as devaluing said precious originals, toys are TOYS, not stocks and bonds. People support reproductions because not everyone can afford to drop $$$$ on a pristine mint Aquaman vs. Great White Shark set...IF you could even find one. Third, as far as FTC releasing the same characters ad nauseum, Mego did the EXACT SAME THING when they were in business. It's called making money. What do you think FTC makes figures just for the heck of it? They keep releasing these things because people keep buying them.

I can't WAIT to play with my brand spanking new Aquaman vs. Great White Shark set while some entitled toy collecting snob boo-hoos over his "devalued" original.

Ad hominems and Straw Men. Quite a feat.

Where did I say

- anything relating to MOC/MIB?

- anything about collecting as a privilege?

- anything about not opening items?

- that toys are stocks and bonds?

Why do you jump to the GWS set, when I specifically said "FTC has already devalued originals". GWS is not even released, yet.

How are you comparing FTC's business model to Mego? The only common ground is FTC ripped off Mego's final product.

And how do you know FTC's sales? Do you know units produced? How many were bought be resellers, and how the sales for those resellers have gone?

Go ahead, Dwayne.

[enyawd72]

"FTC has already devalued originals".

That's all you needed to say. That, and "I've never understood how the very people who've kept this brand alive support 1:1 repros."

Those two statements make perfectly clear exactly what you meant. We should NOT support or buy 1:1 reproductions. Why? Because they devalue originals. What value were you referring to if not monetary? You more than implied the monetary value, or "investment" is hurt. Toys aren't investments. Toys are toys and sometimes they're expensive because there are only a few of them out there, but lots of people would like to own one. This is where reproductions come in. That's why I brought up the Aquaman set.
Now EVERYONE who wants one of these sets will be able to own one. I could care less if I own an expensive original or not.

I don't see dollar signs when I look at old toys. All I see are cool toys.

[wise guy]

I have a lot of original megos and I still buy the repros too. I am not too sad that some
guy on ebay can't get top dollar for already over priced old toys . I collected mego from the 4th grade but mego did'nt do The New Titans, Shazam family, Batman 66
and the entire JLA satelillite team as shown on the back of JLA card art.

[MIB41]

I have trays of busted Megos that got that way in the 70's.



I'm always a little lost on this suggestion that modern toys made on the same principle as a classic line like Mego are somehow inferior. I guess it's subjective according to what the intent is by definition. If you're in the business of selling nostalgia, then of course you don't want the product made again. But if you're just collecting them because you enjoy them, I believe a little more objectivity will be in play here. I was 8 years old when the first Mego Action Jackson hit the stores. He got put through the paces too because I had already experienced a childhood with nothing like them except big GI Joes. Some held up, others did not. They were also $2.00 toys. By the time Mego superheroes hit, it was INSANE. I don't have to guess why Mego got rid of the removable cowl feature on Batman or the mask on Robin. They were in boxes that were getting ripped open and the accessories lost while still in the store. It didn't take long if they survived the trip home either. They were also fragile by design. Those figures had nylon shorts that ripped right out of the box, brand new. Robin's mask broke without much effort and even when Spiderman came out, his fabric graphics were all over the place at the seams and the spider on his backside was seldom lined up properly let alone his belt at the side. Outfits were ill-fitting and paints were seldom perfect. Alas that was the "charm" of Mego. Did anyone think Iron man actually looked like Iron man? Not really. Yes, he had a nose, during that time in comics, but it was short-lived. How many plastic gloves or boots split at the seams? Lets not even get started on the oven mitt splits. How many paper emblems tore off? How many elastic belts ceased to fit properly? I could go on and on.

I have bought some of these new figures for my grandson and he plays with them with far more reckless abandon than I ever did and they remain intact (even the emblems). So the play value is there from where I stand. The durability is every bit the same. I don't discount some bad pieces in the production line. That happens. It happen in 1973 too. So this idea that anyone who collected the line back in the 70's would be at odds with today's product is misguided at best. God help Mego had they actually had a forum of nitpicking collectors back in 1974. And how many units FTC is selling is a nonfactor for me. All I know is they make more licensed characters in this business than anyone else. It wouldn't surprise me if they have already eclipsed Mego's number in their history of licensed figures. Does anyone have an official count? That would be interesting to know. And no, I don't expect their competition to be thrilled about it. But sustainability and continued production of more lines certainly speaks for itself. But whether they are hot sellers or peg warmers, I buy what I personally enjoy. If I like it and I think the price is worth it, I'll get it. In my eyes, any reason outside of that is wasted logic. No one is reinventing the wheel here.

[wise guy]

MIB41 is absolutely correct and anyone that grew up with original Megos
knows that they switched from T-1 to T-2 bodies because of elastic breakage and the
T-2 had knee joint issues. They also switched from nylon to cloth shorts because of
rips in suit. There were tons of broken parts and emblems just take a look at ebay
and don't forget heads turning gray over time. There was no forums back than
and toys were for kids.

[enyawd72]

^Yep, and as far as FTC figures "devaluing" vintage originals...if anything, the EMCE and FTC reproductions have extended the life of the format and created NEW fans of the vintage Mego brand. That should actually be recognized as having true value.

I wonder how many people that were turned off of the hobby because of the high cost of mint originals have since taken it up because of the availability of quality reproductions? It can only be viewed as a good thing, IMO.