Any Photos Of Retro Heroes Wave 3 Yet?

[samurainoir]

I certainly don't envy the tightrope you guys have to walk regarding the balance between striking that nostalgic chord and the expectations of a contemporary action figure consumer/collector. EVERYONE's got an opinion on what makes the most "iconic" version of the character. I think you guys have done a terrific job evoking the 70's and Silver Age where there is much less controversy.

However, now that more contemporary elements are being added to the mix, here comes the dilemma. Contemporary action figure collectors have now been spoiled because ALL their favourite comics have come to life thanks to DC Direct action figures taking on the style of artists like George Perez, Tim Sale, Brian Bolland, Frank Miller etc etc. When fans complain that it should look like Marshal Rogers or Neal Adams as opposed to a generic version, I say look at it as an opportunity. Get that Matty Collector Marshal Rogers Batman exclusive into the pipeline and stick it into a box with Marshal Rogers artwork from the seventies and call it "The Dark Detective Retro Variant" or whatever and slap the $20 price sticker on it.

I say keep on Trekking with the Retro style of the "Classics", but there are some characters that will benefit because their popularity is most associated with certain artists.

Guy Gardner for example in my opinion is perfect because it looks like you are trying to bring Joe Staton and Kevin Maguire's style into the mix. Ditto Darkseid... he needs to have some "Kirby" in him to feel "right".

When it comes to a Dark Knight style Batman, because you are adapting a specific story based on a specific artist, fans would be disappointed if it looked more classic WGSH Mego than Frank Miller.

I see "Retro" as an approach and methodology to action figures as opposed to an over-encompassing aesthetic.

That is why the Ghostbusters and Venture Brothers look so terrific. People expect an animated look, NOT necessarily a "Mego" look. I think the sheer nature of the scale, cloth outfits and bodies automatically will make it "Mego".

[Krypt0nite]

Thanks for the insight into the Bat-decision! I appreciate that you improved (immeasurably) on the original Mego Removable Cowl: yours looks good enough to display with the cowl on, and that's a first for ANY removable cowl Batman I've ever seen.

Personally I'd rather you didn't stray to far from 1978 Mego for the line proper, but there are variants that could fit that paradigm like a Golden Age Batman or Earth-2 Batman and also satisfy the desire for a molded cowl Batman. For that matter, I would LOVE to see Earth-2 Robin and Huntress, as they (along with Earth-2 Flash) were my most wanted Megos back in the day; I even attempted my first customs at 7 years old to try to make them.

I think Matty exclusives as opposed to the line proper, maybe as a tie-in to the next Batman movie, would be the best way to get a more modernish Batman figure out.

[EMCEtoys]

I agree! Just look at the DCUC line. It didn't take long for them to start cranking out different versions of Batman and others! The beauty of this line for Mattel is you don't have to retool for each figure. They all use the same body! All they have to do is the costume, head and accessories. The Matty exclusive for Sinestro is a good example, use existing molds and change clothes, done. Now I have no idea how much the cloth costumes cost Mattel to make, I just hope these figures age cost effective enough to make more for a long time. As for Batman, I want a Neil Adams Batman, Golden Age Batman, First Appearance Batman, year one Batman........

Just out of curiosity, what about the argument I hear a lot on these boards about straying too far away from classic Mego-style? I would think that, though in the comic timeline "Year One" would have been early Batman, it's still more recent in real-time. And what about a "Dark Knight Returns" Batman? I'd be lying if I said I didn't want one of those myself, but it doesn't feel like it fits 1978 MEGO. The purpose behind our removable cowl Batman was to, once and for all, make an improvement on that awful mexican knockoff-looking original. Neal Adams' Batman is my favorite, personally, but in the decision-making process it was never even a possibility.

I don't think I've spoken yet about the Batman decision-making process...hope the above provides some context.

[livnxxxl]

Could we have a thread of JUST all the pics of all the new figures??
I can't find them all.
Rich

That would be too simplified. LOL!!!

[The Bat]

I have no doubt we'll see a molded cowl Batman, probably at retail. How about Earth-2 Robin and Huntress as Matty exclusives?

SOLD! I'll buy them ALL!

[Krypt0nite]

I have no doubt we'll see a molded cowl Batman, probably at retail. How about Earth-2 Robin and Huntress as Matty exclusives?

[megalomaniac001]

Ah...good to know I'm not alone! And I've always said...ya just can't have too many BATMAN Figures!

I agree! Just look at the DCUC line. It didn't take long for them to start cranking out different versions of Batman and others! The beauty of this line for Mattel is you don't have to retool for each figure. They all use the same body! All they have to do is the costume, head and accessories. The Matty exclusive for Sinestro is a good example, use existing molds and change clothes, done. Now I have no idea how much the cloth costumes cost Mattel to make, I just hope these figures age cost effective enough to make more for a long time. As for Batman, I want a Neil Adams Batman, Golden Age Batman, First Appearance Batman, year one Batman........

[The Bat]

I share your dream with a passion!

Ah...good to know I'm not alone! And I've always said...ya just can't have too many BATMAN Figures!

[MIB41]

Since they're now doing a Matty Collector Sinestro yellow Variant...might I dare even hope for a Matty exclusive BATMAN, with a molded Cowl, Neal Adams style?

A Guy can dream can't he.

I share your dream with a passion!

[The Bat]

Since they're now doing a Matty Collector Sinestro yellow Variant...might I dare even hope for a Matty exclusive BATMAN, with a molded Cowl, Neal Adams style?

A Guy can dream can't he.

[MIB41]

The more I think it, the more I believe some of these more iconic heroes and villains in the Batman universe are getting saved for the next Batman film. Think about it. What will Matty have to promote in the line, if they show them all now? Who's to say they won't do a Batman-themed release before that next film arrives in theaters? It would seem to make sense, especially with the tie-in promotion for the Green Lantern. At this stage, my faith in the line up is where I had always hoped it would be, so I am not worried. I have faith these characters will get their day in the lime light. The timing just has to be right.

[Lynn TXP 0369]

To many people are worrying when this line will end....I don't think Mattel is....they have put a number in their minds of waves to be produced.... until that number is reached, then they will decide if it was worth doing and whether they will continue.....do you really think they have no plans of putting more batman characters in that scenario ...I bet successes for this line doesn't even include profit for them(hot wheels and barbie take care of that for them)...it will probably be successful in their minds for them if people keep asking for more characters to be made...then they will look to make a profit....

The people will decide when this lines ends, not Mattel, if people don't buy it, it will end regardless of what number Mattel may have in their head. If customers don't buy it this line will end tomorrow, profit is bottom line period no matter what. Saying Barbie and Hotwheels will make up the slack in any kind of profit is nonsense, if this line isn't making one it will be dropped like a hot potato for one that will and guess where the money will go? Back to a line that will make profit. It is all $$$. If neither of those lines were making profit the plug would be pulled or temporally shelved for another that will.

Lynn

[Timothy2251]

Looks to me like they're hitting the mark on character choices - by Wave 4, they've pretty much got the core JLA line-up (the big 7, plus Green Arrow), as well as most of their arch-enemies, plus the baddest of the bad guys (Darkseid). Robin and Joker will pretty much be a lock for a future wave (5? 6?), and since Batman is an evergreen property at this point, I'd venture to say we'll see Batgirl and Penguin before the line ends.

Besides, getting the big guns out of the way first frees Mattel up to start producing B-listers. Firestorm, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Black Canary, Amazo, Grodd (I could see a stuffed body working for him), Dr. Light, Black Hand, etc.

I also like the idea of MattyCollector doing variants or theme characters (an exclusive GL line until the movie release is a cool idea - I have a Sinestro already, so I can take or leave the variant, but I want the Guy figure. Might also see a John Stewart GL, Star Sapphire, Kilowog, and a Guardian or a Manhunter before that promotion ends). Maybe we'll see a molded cowl Batman variant (hopefully with black mask, gloves, boots and cape - always preferred that look for him) as a website exclusive.

Lots of possibilities here, and this line is proving to have legs.

[Meule]

On top of that, though, a full gambit of Bat-characters would be cool, but outside of Robin, Batgirl, Joker, Penguin, and Riddler what would be a safe bet?

Scarecrow, Ra's Al Ghul, Mr.Freeze, Man-Bat, Ventriloquist, Poison Ivy. Hell, even Harley Quinn is now a posibility

[Meule]

Could we have a thread of JUST all the pics of all the new figures??
I can't find them all.
Rich

Check Scott's SDCC Report thread in Mego Buzz