Topps Megos

[sprytel]

what i don't understand is this. we were told these were figures that would not sell at mass retail. but it seems to me the variants they are now releasing as wave 15, would have been better served as the Topps exclusives. Ie Spock in ceremonial robe, zira in 1970's attire. the basic figures for each of these we are getting through Topps, in movie accurate uniforms, would seem to me to be the bigger seller than the variants in different outfits. Just my opinion. i ordered the Topps and I will likely get the Apes and Trek variants too

It varies depending on the figure. For instance, I agree with you on Spock... but I think the retail version of Shazam and (what I assume will be) spacesuit Taylor is probably better suited for mass market.

So, off the top of my head, explanations for Spock (and ones like that) could be:

1) Maybe they felt they needed some heavy hitters in the Topps lineup to successfully kick off the partnership?
2) Maybe they were already viewing this as the variant of the more popular version (TWOK Spock)?
3) Spock isn't actually in the "movie accurate uniform", but rather in the "vintage Mego interpretation of the movie uniform". So maybe they are planning to do a more accurate version in the future?
4) Maybe the extent of the retail release is a reaction to the backlash over the Topps rollout, and this wasn't one originally planned for a retail release?

I agree that it is all a bit puzzling. I'd love someday to hear the straight dope behind the Topps saga.

[Nostalgiabuff]

what i don't understand is this. we were told these were figures that would not sell at mass retail. but it seems to me the variants they are now releasing as wave 15, would have been better served as the Topps exclusives. Ie Spock in ceremonial robe, zira in 1970's attire. the basic figures for each of these we are getting through Topps, in movie accurate uniforms, would seem to me to be the bigger seller than the variants in different outfits. Just my opinion. i ordered the Topps and I will likely get the Apes and Trek variants too

[TRDouble]

Whew! That’s a long post!

[TRDouble]

So far, Topps has still been the only way to acquire these figures. Not characters, but figures. Just like ZLC Collectibles is the only way to acquire Rocky in sweats. And if I might step outside of the Mego world, just like Hasbro Pulse is the only place to purchase Marvel Legends Johnny Storm in a blue & white FF uniform and a clear Sue Storm (and Mego Ghostbusters and G.I. Joes), difference being you don’t have to pay upfront with Hasbro… unless you buy a HasLab item and some of those items are as expensive as all of the Topps figures combined.

Re-reading the Topps announcement, nowhere does it say that this is the only way to acquire these “characters”. In fact, it says exclusive figures, *including* new characters and reimagined classics. I do remember reading about the Topps deal being a way to get characters we otherwise might not get, and that might be true. And it does make me wonder if we get more DC characters like Ra’s Al Ghul in the future; a deal like Topps probably made a character like him possible.

But, making a pure assumption because I do not work for Mego, once these figure were guaranteed to be manufactured (funded by us, which some people have a problem with, and that’s fine) and the head molds were made and paid for, I assume it made it financially possible for Mego to release these characters to mass market; they just had to be different than the Topps figures. The Topps deal made the variants possible.

Depending on the sales of the IP, maybe Mego figures out how to get a Worf released. Maybe we see the Shazam figures as the new Shazam and Black Adam movies get closer. But without Topps, maybe we never see a Ra’s Al Ghul, a Borg Queen, or a Sisko… or the Crushers or Deanna Troi. Time will tell on some of these IPs.

So, I don’t understand how the goalposts were moved, especially based on the Topps announcement. If anything is wrong with the announcement, it’s that we never got any 14” figures, but the plug was pulled, so that explains that too.

Just my opinion.

[LonnieFisher]

They took our money and moved the goalposts, IMO. Never in my life have I paid 100% upfront and waited 6+ months for the item to be released. The reason I did it here was because I thought this was going to be the only way to ever acquire these figures.Here’s the announcement from Topps’ website:




"only through Topps website" Uh huh…

I’m not going to stop supporting Mego, but I’m also going to think twice about every purchase going forward.

Really? You still don't get it?
The Topps figures are not getting released by anyone except for Topps. The wave 15 figures are not the same figures as the Topps figures. If the Topps figures were being released in wave 15, then I wouldn't have to be buying the wave 15 figures. As reality is, I will need to be buying more figures because I want the wave 15 variants, which aren't the figures Topps released.
How is it that you still don't understand the difference? The same character does not equal the same figure. Mego has released many Spock figures. Same character, not the same figures. Does that make it a little more clear for you? It seems so easy to understand to me. If you still don't understand, I can post a clearer explanation with some pictures so you can see for yourself the difference. Let me know if that would be helpful...

[The Batman Professor]

That's what I thought it was supposed to be too...

They took our money and moved the goalposts, IMO. Never in my life have I paid 100% upfront and waited 6+ months for the item to be released. The reason I did it here was because I thought this was going to be the only way to ever acquire these figures.Here’s the announcement from Topps’ website:




"only through Topps website" Uh huh…

I’m not going to stop supporting Mego, but I’m also going to think twice about every purchase going forward.

[apes3978]

I am a bit more concerned with the fact that the Topps line was originally announced as a way to get characters made that might not have I believe.

That's what I thought it was supposed to be too...

[sprytel]

As much as it wouldn't be fair to anyone who ordered the Topps figures, I hope there isn't much in the way of variation when it comes to Worf. I want to be able to insert Word in with my other TNG figures, so I want to make sure his uniform matches that series/era... Yes, I could purchase another figure and switch the outfit, but I hate having to buy a whole new figure I already have just to get a piece of clothing I need for a different figure.

The figure is listed as "Lt. Worf", so I am guessing he will either be in Season 1 red, or he will be in Klingon garb? Anything later, the rank wouldn't work.

[TheVintageToyKid]

As much as it wouldn't be fair to anyone who ordered the Topps figures, I hope there isn't much in the way of variation when it comes to Worf. I want to be able to insert Word in with my other TNG figures, so I want to make sure his uniform matches that series/era... Yes, I could purchase another figure and switch the outfit, but I hate having to buy a whole new figure I already have just to get a piece of clothing I need for a different figure.

[CrimsonGhost]

I am a bit more concerned with the fact that the Topps line was originally announced as a way to get characters made that might not have I believe. Does that mean we don't get to finish a DS9 set? That reminds me I don't think anyone can say that the Tin Man or the Scarecrow from Oz wouldn't be good sellers I really vote for making collections themselves have some active ensemble. I never missed Sulu and Checkov too much as a kid because the Trek crew we had seemed complete obviously with Oz that's not the case, so the hopes for Odo or Bashir seem null.

On that note, is Quark on the new body and Sisco on the old?

Depends how well DS9 characters sell. If the numbers aren’t there, then more won’t be made.

[zeedox]

I am a bit more concerned with the fact that the Topps line was originally announced as a way to get characters made that might not have I believe. Does that mean we don't get to finish a DS9 set? That reminds me I don't think anyone can say that the Tin Man or the Scarecrow from Oz wouldn't be good sellers I really vote for making collections themselves have some active ensemble. I never missed Sulu and Checkov too much as a kid because the Trek crew we had seemed complete obviously with Oz that's not the case, so the hopes for Odo or Bashir seem null.

On that note, is Quark on the new body and Sisco on the old?

[apes3978]

I would not be thrilled if the only variation between the Topps and general release were the card art or some odd add-on accessory.

I agree with you on that, but we'll have to wait and see I guess.

[PNGwynne]

So let me ask you this in a different way:

If the Hammer figures from other retailers are exactly the same as the Topps except for slight costuming changes (perhaps a burgundy jacket on the Phantom instead of navy blue) are you going to be happy that these folks took your money six months ago?

I'd welcome a tidier, non-perforated Kharis.

Regarding Petrie's Phantom: I'll concede that filming black clothing is challenging, but I don't think navy or burgundy anything is a legitimate variant. An Inverness cape would be.

[Monstar]

So let me ask you this in a different way:

If the Hammer figures from other retailers are exactly the same as the Topps except for slight costuming changes (perhaps a burgundy jacket on the Phantom instead of navy blue) are you going to be happy that these folks took your money six months ago?

I bought the Hammer figures. To be honest I would be happy with some type of variation to the figure itself or with the clothes.

For example - I'm ok with the newer Reptile coming out in a green dress. However, it did suck to re-buy the Van Helsing figure with the only difference being the accessory (from stake to candlesticks).

I would not be thrilled if the only variation between the Topps and general release were the card art or some odd add-on accessory.

[phil]

That would be awesome!

I was thinking he’d come with a mask but glow in the dark would be cool.