Any Photos Of Retro Heroes Wave 3 Yet?

[MIB41]

You know it just dawned on me... Maybe we wouldn't be having this debate had they kept the 'World's Greatest Superheroes' title.

[CrimsonGhost]

I really think, and obviously Mattel thinks so too, that the "retro" in retro figures applies to the style of the figure and not the license or character. Besides, the 80's were 20 years ago and that could certainly be considered retro.

I would see no problem with there being a Booster Gold, Lobo, Blue Devil, Harley Quinn,etc. I just hate the idea of limitations.

[huedell]

From my experience on this board and talking to fellow collectors, I don't think there a lot of people that share this philosphy in collecting, but I'd like my POV on the record as a contrast to a lot of what I'm reading on the board.

And, I agree with you spamn that all takes must be represnted.

As far as where "I'm" concerned, it's simply a waste of time for
MATTEL to make any characters/character suit designs than the
ones that existed circa Brone Agre (1970-1982 or so).

This is for no other reason than that is what I enjoy to collect
from customizers that I've comissioned figure projects with.
It may be crazy...but that's my personal stance.

I could get more detailed and complicated about other aspects
of this debate (quality of the body etc.)... but really,
if I were to sum up my desires for this line nice and neat in one thought,
it'd be that even if I have a yen for a HARLEY QUINN figure... that yen's
an exception to the rule, rather than my basic mindset which is:
"I'd like MATTEL to keep in mind that us lovers of WGSH
are MISSING CHARACTERS FROM OUR CHILDHOOD COLLECTIONS...and, can you please fill in the gaps."

They can do this and still cater kids with toy quality improvement
and Bronze Age characters both generations will recognize and/or enjoy...

...and they can cater to the newer DCU stuff every so often ala Yellow
Sinestro, Guy, etc...and, all in all they've done a great job fufilling
my desires... so I'm still pretty gung ho on the whole thing...

However,
if MATTEL loses their interest in reviving Bronze Age designs...I'll lose my
interest in the line and they, in turn, will lose my money.

[MIB41]

Well said Spamn!

[spamn]

Since I don't feel like there are enough loud advocates for the non 70s perspective here:

As a child of the 70s, Megos were my favorite childhood toy. However, I don't love them because I think the 70s are the pop culture peak of American society nor because Mego is irrevocably tied to those properties and my nostalgia for that time period. It goes beyond that for me: I like the 8" format, and Mego is synonymous with it. They invented it and popularized it. They own it.

I like Mego figures because I like the body design, articulation, and the 'feel' of the toy in my hand. I do not worship the cheap, goofy aspect of Mego, nor do I think any line of 8" figures have to strive for it to be a success. There is a difference between stylistic simplicity and poor craftsmanship. The Mattel figures are not without design flaws and unfortunate aesthetic choices. A lot of collectors seem to have fetishised Mego's tendency for the latter to the point where to please and appease them, a modern toy company should hobble itself and its capabilities solely to achieve this accidental aesthetic.

I am not in this demographic. If these figures were the DCU Classics 6" body scaled up to 8", complete with torso joint and 'floating ankles' I would be just as ecstatic for them. More for the improved articulation, less for some of the design aspects of those bodies.

Nor does my nostalgia for Mego figures extend to the desire or insistence that what should be made are only character designs that existed in the 70s, nor that the figures be limited by the level of detail that Mego did for their superhero line. The characters have continued to be in print, with great - some might say 'classic' and 'iconic' stories being told since the 70s. Should we spurn and shun a commercially made Retro Style David Tennant Dr. Who figure because he wasn't the 'classic' Doctor? That's preposterous. It's preposterous as well to spurn a Modern Nightwing figure because the 'Real' Dick Grayson is Speedo-suit Robin.

The attitude bugs me. There's more to the world than our childhood, awesome as our favorite TV shows, cartoons, and comic books seemed at the time. (Though I can't deny that a Retro-style Perez-suit Nightwing would fit right in with the Mego goofy asthetic. There's no way to make that suit look good, and it's high nostalgia factor).

What I want are 8" articulated figures with cloth outfits. And that's what we've got, in spades.

From my experience on this board and talking to fellow collectors, I don't think there a lot of people that share this philosphy in collecting, but I'd like my POV on the record as a contrast to a lot of what I'm reading on the board.

[The Bat]

I think the concern over mixing 'generations' is a moot point. The style the figure is being produced in (8 inch scale with cloth outfit) is the "retro" effect. Whether the character was big in the 70's, 80's or later is really of no importance. And let's be honest folks. If Mattel makes a good Teen Titans line from the 80's are you REALLY going to split hairs over whether it was the 80's or the 70's? REALLY? I think not. Your going to grab that puppy and exclaim, "MINE!"

Excellent point....I agree!

[Meule]

ya just can't have too many BATMAN Figures!

On this I'll happily agree with you

[Meule]

Just curious to see if you are saying Dark Knight figures wouldn't fit in with the other retro heroes or if you are saying they don't fit the retro style?

If there were Matty exclusives that were Dark Knight themed or styled after the live action versions, do you think it would work? Perhaps if it had a new title instead of "worlds greatest retro super heroes" and it was "Worlds greatest retro movie heroes"?

Just wondering, because I think it could work.

Dark Knight doesn't fit in with the other retro heroes.
DK could easily be made into a Mego figure, pretty much anything can, but you can hardly call a movie from 2008 retro Therefor they'd have to create a completely new line. I dunno if they'd bother to do that since there's already a superhero line, but anything is possible I guess

[Zatarasson]

And...just to add...I'm not entirely disappointed in the Matty GL exclusives. But I think it might've been cooler to offer 4 Seventies GL figures instead...that way , GL fans are happy and classic Mego fans are happy. There are going to be tons of modern age GL toys to accompany the movie...do they need mego style toys too? Wouldn't a Seventies Star Sapphire have been a great idea, one that would have appealed to everyone?

[Zatarasson]

But it's not just about "mixing generations". It's also about mixing the different sensibilities of the different eras. The original Mego toys came out at a very different time, in terms of the core definitions of these characters. That's why the retro Wonder Woman is smiling, instead of pouting seductively, and isn't coming with a sword accessory. I don't entirely disagree that anything could "look Mego", if it's done in that style. But classic Mego is more than just a style. It's about the sensibility that accompanied this style. I'd really rather not see "rapist Doctor Light" as a Mego.

I agree that eighties Teen Titans would probably please people. But I think folks might want the classic seventies Teen Titans first? I also think there's a big difference between Dark Knight Batman and eighties Teen Titans.

[MIB41]

I think the concern over mixing 'generations' is a moot point. The style the figure is being produced in (8 inch scale with cloth outfit) is the "retro" effect. Whether the character was big in the 70's, 80's or later is really of no importance. And let's be honest folks. If Mattel makes a good Teen Titans line from the 80's are you REALLY going to split hairs over whether it was the 80's or the 70's? REALLY? I think not. Your going to grab that puppy and exclaim, "MINE!"

[Zatarasson]

I guess that, for me, I'd prefer this line remain true to its premise. These are retro/classic toys, that are an homage to the Seventies Megos. They work for kids, they work for collectors. i'd prefer not to see character choices stray into "Dark Knight" or Frank Miller territory. The old Megos represented a different age with a far different sensibility, and it was reflected in the toys. Heroes were heroic, noble and kind...villains were diabolical and crafty. But heads weren't getting ripped off, and the books weren't taking their cues from the "Saw" film franchise. There are lots of toy options for people who want the darker, more nihilistic, and more morally ambiguous characters. Can't we keep this one line for the simpler pleasure of sweeter heroes and less monstrous baddies? That way, it works for everyone. Parents can buy these for their kids, and collectors can buy them for the nostalgic and sentimental joy they bring.

I guess I have mixed feelings about the exclusive Matty.com toys. I'm happy for Green Lantern fans, though I also wonder if maybe GL fans might not have liked seventies GL characters? They'll be able to get modern GL toys everywhere. But wouldn't a seventies Star Sapphire Mego have been incredible for both collectors and GL fans? How about auxiliary Green Lantern John Stewart with afro? (!!!) With a little imagination you could have made both collectors and GL fans happy.

[CrimsonGhost]

I can't. The Dark Knight (great movie BTW) doesn't fit in the retro line, simple as that

Just curious to see if you are saying Dark Knight figures wouldn't fit in with the other retro heroes or if you are saying they don't fit the retro style?

If there were Matty exclusives that were Dark Knight themed or styled after the live action versions, do you think it would work? Perhaps if it had a new title instead of "worlds greatest retro super heroes" and it was "Worlds greatest retro movie heroes"?

Just wondering, because I think it could work.

[Lynn TXP 0369]

I understand your point but you are not understanding what I'm saying......Mattel spent money to create this line(tooling /R and D)...they will not drop it if it doesn't make profit in the short term (this has been said by people who know what Mattel's goals are for this line....NOT by me)...wave one quote "exceeded expectations" what ever that means (not necessarily profit wise but who knows )....look at the SDCC pics with Doc standing in front of all the retro figures (19 plus 2 more matty exclusives and many more in the works)...do you think Mattel is worried when only 9 figures have been for sale....I think not....As far as thinking hot-wheels and barbie have nothing to do with other lines...the fact that both of these lines bring in MILLIONS of dollars of profit(and the point that the consumer has control does apply here ) enable Mattel to break even on other lines short term.....Mattel is a toy company...if they worried about every toy toy making short term profit for them...THEY WOULD HAVE NO NEW TOYS TO PRODUCE.....Mattel knows how to make money and that's by having vision and being patient.
As a foot note...if you check out what Doc Mego has said at SDCC ....2011 production schedule raped up....2012 in the works....Mattel and DC behind this line ALL THE WAY.

Gottcha... I hope this goes all the way, with Wave 4 it will be right around the halfway point of what Mego produced and it would be great to see it surpass what Mego did.
Lynn

[wonderfan32]

Okay. I know some are not pleased with the choices but I don't know where some are getting the idea of this line being a homage to Mego meaning 70's characters only. I believe it was said in the beginning that this was also being treated as if Mego really never left the toy industry. Having said that, with that being the M.O., don't you think it makes sense for them to also do characters from the 80's and beyond? I'm sure that's what Mego would be doing had they still been in business. Now we get other characters that we've always wanted in addition to the ones back in the day but weren't able to get. I say it's a good thing.