Unconfirmable Speculation: Is Mattel working on a 'Type 2' body?

[spamn]

This is just a little hypothesis of mine that I am irresponsibly posting.

Data point 1: When the news about the Mattel figures first broke, the impression was that there were going to be four waves in 2010. We got two, with the third coming early 2011. Why the 'delay?'

Data point 2: And then, somewhere along the way (I can't find the post), Doc M says something like (my boldface) 'So when Mattel comes out with a Type 2 body...' Not 'if', not 'were ever to': he said 'when'.

So my hypothesis: Mattel is working on an improved body for Wave 3, and that's why we didn't get as many waves as expected this year.

This is probably a crap guess. Doc is very good about not letting things slip, so that word choice likely means nothing. And if you measure a year from Wave 1's release date, we may still end up getting four waves per 'year', and will definitely get three, with the 'delay' being nothing but normal production/manufacturing issues, or the result of design changes for each wave.

But how cool would it be if Mattel decided to do a type 2 body upgrade that fixed the stringing/posture problems and the thunderthigh design issue? And maybe gave us swivel biceps too?

That would be awesome.

[JediJaida]

LOL! I have to agree with you. When it comes to upcoming stuff, Doc's lips are sealed up tighter than my Dad's wallet at Christmas!

I'd LOVE to see improvements in the construction of the body of the male characters (I hope that the female body doesn't have these issues!), it would make them so much more attractive.

[AAAAA]

hypothesis are just that....Theory .
So let explain my theory.
Mattel already committed to Multiple waves .so to quicken the speed up production , and product to market, they already made the bodies in advanced, and have them wearhoused
until needed. The bodies are not bad, the plastic is so smooth that their no friction, between the moving joints , I sand papered the jointed area's and tighten the joints with doll cord elastic.
with any production ,no matter how advanced the anouncements, might /will run into unforseen problems , such as paint apts , costume problems, and dealing with safety REGULATIONs.

[CrimsonGhost]

Updating the body wouldn't be a reason to delay production.

[spamn]

Updating the body wouldn't be a reason to delay production.

If they wanted to release Wave 3 on the new body and the new body wasn't ready yet, it would.

And an extra thought: Wave 3 already required tooling for a new body, the female body. So it would make sense that a new male body would roll out for wave 3, because they'd want to do any new tooling at the same time.

[spamn]

hypothesis are just that....Theory.

No, if you want to get technical, a Theory is what you get when you repeatedly test a hypothesis and the evidence seems to back it up.

People commonly say 'Theory' when they actually mean 'Hypothesis'.

But your hypothesis is just as valid, and as informed, as mine at this point.

[ODBJBG]

SPECULATION is a good title here, because as of July this year NO NEW BODY WAS PLANNED. So sayeth the Matty.

Infinite Hollywood: Mattel Q&A July 1st 2010

Infinite Hollywood Reader Herd Asks: There have been some issues with the Mego-style Retro-Action figures. The torso tends to slump over, the leg bands are too tight in some instances and many fans have been replacing the bodies with other styles of bodies out there. Is Mattel looking into retooling the body any, such as fixing the legs, perhaps making a larger pelvis by Wave 3 or sooner?

We don’t have any plans to re-tool the body anytime soon but we will pass this suggestion on to the design team. At the end of the day, the Retro Figures are designed to work like vintage figures and that is half the fun!

[AAAAA]

No, if you want to get technical, a Theory is what you get when you repeatedly test a hypothesis and the evidence seems to back it up.

People commonly say 'Theory' when they actually mean 'Hypothesis'.

But your hypothesis is just as valid, and as informed, as mine at this point.

The definition of insanity is: repeating the same mistake Over & over again expecting a different result.

[spamn]

SPECULATION is a good title here, because as of July this year NO NEW BODY WAS PLANNED. So sayeth the Matty.

Infinite Hollywood: Mattel Q&A July 1st 2010

What's that? Rain? On my parade? Never!

Never believe anything until it has been officially denied.
Claud Cockburn
(1904 - 1981)

Attica! Attica! Attica!





*I forgot about that.

[drmego]

*sigh* I cannot post anymore if any word I use is going to be
scrutinized for hidden meaning. I don't put hidden meanings in
my posts - I have trouble enough typing the right words.

But to answer your speculation - it was always three waves a
year, not four. I have time date stamped proof of that from 2009.
As for "delays" - it was not related to this line, but due to production
scheduling internally at Mattel.

People here are saying that their Toys R Us doesn't have wave 2
figures yet - and now your chomping at the bit for wave 3!
And if Mattel gets them on the pegs by Halloween - someone
will take that as proof that the line is glutted and is cancelled.

Good things come to those that wait. (not hidden meaning)

[spamn]

*sigh* I cannot post anymore if any word I use is going to be
scrutinized for hidden meaning. I don't put hidden meanings in
my posts - I have trouble enough typing the right words.

But to answer your speculation - it was always three waves a
year, not four. I have time date stamped proof of that from 2009.
As for "delays" - it was not related to this line, but due to production
scheduling internally at Mattel.

People here are saying that their Toys R Us doesn't have wave 2
figures yet - and now your chomping at the bit for wave 3!
And if Mattel gets them on the pegs by Halloween - someone
will take that as proof that the line is glutted and is cancelled.

Good things come to those that wait. (not hidden meaning)

Sorry Doc, I was just having a little fun. Warts and all, this line is like waiting for Christmas morning for me, and I anticipate it and its unknown futures a lot. Part of that is going over everything you say like it was an episode of LOST. I tried to be clear in my words and tone it was unfounded speculation, apropos of nothing and all in fun.

[Boywonder0]

The bodies are not bad, the plastic is so smooth that their no friction, between the moving joints , I sand papered the jointed area's and tighten the joints with doll cord elastic.

You nailed it!

[livnxxxl]

To me in regards to my speculation at this point a M2 body could either mean:

A) A re tool or modification of the original male body to correct the issues that have been mentioned here and there numerous times.

B) It could mean a female body as an M2 body. Since Wave 3 will contain the first female release of these new figures.

or

C) It could also be a shorter body for a new Robin and or Teen Titan's and etc.

I personally am strongly leaning toward option A as it would make the most sense at this time I believe in order to keep the line alive. Again this is just all MY speculation. It can be fun to speculate and wish just so long that is as far as it goes and no one takes any of the above as written in stone. Take everything with a grain of salt until you have and know the facts for sure.

[Captain]

Hmmm...would the Ghostbusters solid waist/ sound body be considered a type 1 variant, or a type 2??


If one was to get real technical like, you could say Green Arrow was his own wave, hence when the next release hits this winter, that could be construed as 4 waves.....If one was to get technical....

[CrimsonGhost]

If they wanted to release Wave 3 on the new body and the new body wasn't ready yet, it would.

And an extra thought: Wave 3 already required tooling for a new body, the female body. So it would make sense that a new male body would roll out for wave 3, because they'd want to do any new tooling at the same time.

If a new body does get introduced, I doubt they will wait and try to time it to a specific wave. I think they will just roll along with production and switch with no specific beginning or end. There was no clear cutoff from unstitched to stitched Luthors or from the thin edged GL logo to thick, and I think any further changes will follow suit.