"Fixing" the Mattel GA vs. leaving it alone

[Corellian Corvette]

The expectation was set when Mattel clearly tried to evoke the feeling and nostalgia of vintage Mego's. Unlike Famous Covers or other 9in cloth figures, which may have been trying to capture some of the spirit of Mego - they never tried to connect directly and therefore it's fair to judge them on their own merits.

Mattel is 100% trying to evoke look and feel directly to the original figures and therefore I think it's fair to scrutinize them more - perhaps more closely than any other 8in retro release because they are: 1) Treading on hallowed ground by re-releasing WGSH, and 2) They are a huge company with the resources to do this right.

So - I grade on the curve. I scrutinize this more than other EMCE, Castaway or CTVT releases because Mattel shouldn't make mistakes. I can forgive flaws with those smaller companies much faster than I can with Mattel.

The fact is - there are two issues with the body that I think are getting co-mingled; design issues and style issues. First, there is a design flaw in the legs which causes them to bow and point inward. This is a *fact* - unless someone wants to tell me that it's part of Mattel's design aesthetic to have their characters look like they are learning to ski.

For this reason alone, Mattel has partially failed with this figure. There is absolutely no reason I should have a crooked legged figure in a package, out of the package, or otherwise. Had the figures stood properly then the “need” to customize would be based on preference not to overcome a major design problem.

The style issues are certainly up for debate and are more subjective. I hate the boots, and I hate the shape of the thighs – that’s not a manufacturing or design flaw this is a choice that some people just happen to not like. For me, I think the boots are bulky, and the thighs are much too big for the slender figure they have designed.

As far as sales go – I’m not sure what that proves. That initial run was going to sell what it was going to sell no matter what the body was. The key is – how are the other waves going to sell now that we know what we’re getting? What I’m seeing here is that, from some people at least, Mattel is losing sales on future waves because they made poor design and style choices around that body. So, perhaps they *should* have taken the easy way out and just used the existing design – I think the initial run *still* would have sold out, and for me, I know I would be buying more figures in the future.

[Gorn Captain]

Oh, and I do have some good stuff! Very good stuff...

You are very Zen now. Keep it up....

[mikeoz]

My above post sounded like I was on a soap box. For the record, I know myself, and I'll probably be reading these posts and shopping ebay again by tomorrow. I am going to text in more money to the Salvation Army though

[mikeoz]

I was reading the news, specifically about the destruction of Haiti, just before I started reading the MM forum. How unbelievably fortunate I am that I can worry about the body on an action figure and debate if shipping should or shouldn't be calculated in the cost. Sometimes I'm ashamed at myself for the amount of importance I put into toys.

[raider5gt]

I love GA the way he is.
awesome toys.

So do i man looking forward to it when it arrives,may try and get another one to open

Mine cost's $29.99 thats with shipping to merry England

[Mego Milk]

I love GA the way he is.
awesome toys.

[LonnieFisher]

"Use the Zen, Lonnie."
When it goes away, just shake your head and focus on all the cool stuff you DO have!"

I think we should get all those nasty amounts out of our heads, and go back to playing with our fun toys.
Things might have heated up a little, but my Zen says be cool. Cooler than an ice cube in a fridge on the Northpole....

Oh, and I do have some good stuff! Very good stuff...

[LonnieFisher]

With all of the new 8" figures coming out, I like to get two of each. One to keep original and one to customize.(or just tear apart for the fun of it to see "what's up" with how it's made.)I did that with all the trek emce figures. (Okay, maybe I play with them, but don't tell anybody. I try real hard to convince people I just customize and collect!)
Anyway, if you get two you have one to open and one to keep pristine to become a millionaire in the future. (yeah, right) Works out perfect.

[The Bat]

Back to the MOC Mattel Green Arrow. The question of "to open or not to open"...or keep original was easily solved. I bought one to leave in the Package...and one to open and play with...I mean customize.

[Gorn Captain]

Now I notice all the figures I'm missing! So much for "Figure Gazing Zen".

"Use the Zen, Lonnie."
When it goes away, just shake your head and focus on all the cool stuff you DO have!"

I think we should get all those nasty amounts out of our heads, and go back to playing with our fun toys.
Things might have heated up a little, but my Zen says be cool. Cooler than an ice cube in a fridge on the Northpole....

[LonnieFisher]

Now I notice all the figures I'm missing! So much for "Figure Gazing Zen".

[LonnieFisher]

At least we got it cheaper than those guys in "the black hole of the universe". They paid so much for their figures it's not even funny. "Figure Gazing Zen" I'm gonna try it!

[Gorn Captain]

As Thomas stated, if you feel you overpaid your figure, guys in our neck of the woods will always pay more. Feel free to say "at least those Belgians have it worse than we do".

Thomas and I both considered buying two for each of us, but ended up with just one each. If Customs nail us, we may end up paying more like $40 each.

And now I'll rest my case, and go look at my Mego display, for something what I call "Figure Gazing Zen."
It relaxes me....

[saildog]

You are just trying to be.... what. I don't get it. What did I do to make you go after me? Get off my back... You act like a little punk.

Lonnie, I'm not on your back. I told you that in the PMs.

I am totally wrong in this...I am sorry for insisting on the shipping charge being what I thought it was based on my statement. Evidently, you were totally right on the shipping charge... so, I will give you all of the points I was trying to argue.

I'm the jerk here...not Lonnie.

Now, let's retire all of this.

[LonnieFisher]

what. I don't get it.