Retro Rayner

[jasonmego1277]

Myx is awesome one of my favs .......I am hoping for retro action version.

[Foolkiller]

I love my Mxy. Thank you for passing so I can get 2.

I'm sure you'll be able to get 10 or 20, it's. Nothing "retro" about the character and I blame the comic artist that let his 6 year old design the costume. The analogy to Mxyzptlk is the "why the hell did they make HIM?" factor.

[ScottA]

To me "retro" refers to th 8" action figure with cloth outfits and plastic boots, belts and accessories. I don't care who they make from the DCU. I'm game for anyone from the 70's to someone thay invent tomorrow. I'm good on anyone. And I like Kyle.

[Audiorij]

To me "retro" refers to th 8" action figure with cloth outfits and plastic boots, belts and accessories.

Exactly!

Its as if Mego never stopped, which means; if they never stopped they wouldn't keep only redoing 70s characters, they would have done new characters in the "old" style as well.

Its the "retro" way they are made, not that they have to only make "retro" characters.

[CrimsonGhost]

To me "retro" refers to th 8" action figure with cloth outfits and plastic boots, belts and accessories. I don't care who they make from the DCU. I'm game for anyone from the 70's to someone thay invent tomorrow. I'm good on anyone. And I like Kyle.

I love the fact that two years into this, the concept of "retro figure" still needs to be explained.

[LOU]

I can already hear the complaints that Kyle isn't "retro" enough and people asking "who is this guy"

LOL! In fairness here Anthony, what's so terrible if they don't know who Kyle Rayner is? Frankly, why should they? A fan of Mego and 70's comics, who are the ones attracted to this line, owe no loyalty to characters that were from comics in the 80's when the industry itself was on the decline (my personal opinion is that the 80's "Crisis" series ruined comic books for good with characters dying, changing costumes, changing secret identities, changing origins, etc, etc.) There should be no silly expectation that Mego kids were all still reading comic books in high school in the 80's, much less as adults in the 90's. Besides, surely you all HAD to see all the Kyle Rayner peg warmers all around the country a few years back in the JLA line and Total Justice line. They were everywhere and unsold. 12 inch Kyle Rayners sat on K-B shelves for YEARS after they were released collecting dust. There is a reason for this and it's the same reason why there's so many people who are indeed not thrilled with the GL set. The character is just not as popular as the people who are fans of him like to think. I've said it before, to a vast majority of Mego kids, Hal Jordan is the Green Lantern and I'd bet most of them would've been just fine with the Wave 1 Green Lantern and Sinestro in their collections. There is a reason why Rayner was relegated to peg/shelf warming status in years past. One thing's for certain, he certainly wasn't passed on and left in stores repeatedly and with such frequency because people love him so much! LOL! So those of us who don't like these figures have just as much a right to ramble on about it as does someone who loves the figures. It's a public forum and I've seen other threads where people catch hell just because they voice their opinions. If you can listen to people rave about the figures page after page, saying the same things over and over; it's only fair that negative remarks get equal time. As much as it may make some sick listening to people whine about the GL set; for those of us who don't like the 4 figures at all, it's equally sickening to read page after page of people claming how wonderful these characters are, apparently completely devoid of retail toy history facts and Kyle Rayner's place within that history. So I think it's unfair that people who criticize these terrible character selections get treated like they are outcasts or Museum riff-raff. I've been on the Museum for over 10 years (and an admin on another board) and hardly consider myself riff-raff here and I do not like the GL exclusives, believe me I wish I did! I wish I could summon the inner excitement for these but the characters are just too lame in my opinion. Buying them will be a chore for me, not something I will enjoy. I'm treating it more as something I have to do to stay complete, but I am not in any way looking forward to handing over a $20 spot for my own Kyle Rayner, I assure you! Of course many here are probably scared stiff now to speak up about their displeasure with the GL set (mainly because of close ties to EMCE here) but go look around on the AFI boards or the DC Toys boards and read peoples' thoughts on the GL set there...where there's no conflict of interest in terms of criticizing the line. Historically speaking, no less than two lines now we've seen Kyle Rayner as a dud of the line. That doesn't suggest to me at all that I am in the minority here. Kyle Rayner is just not popular enough but I guess we'll see how many sell this go 'round with him as an action figure. Just for the record, I bet if all those K-B Toys 12 inch Rayner GL's were 12 inch Hal GL's instead, they surely wouldn't have been sitting on the store shelf unsold for 4 years. I think that goes without saying here. But hey, at least I didn't say "who is this guy?" LOL!

His costume and mask are so ugly from that bad era of comics when I stopped buying, so much for collecting 'em all. Stewart yes, Gardner maybe, but one Sinestro is already more than enough.
Kyle is the Mxyzptlk of the Retro Action line so far

Yeah, as you may have inferred (LOL!), I'm with you Foolkiller, I too disagree with the "modern" character choices with these GL exclusives here, especially since, as I mentioned to Anthony, historically Kyle Rayner has always been an absolute terrible seller in action figure form. I too was going to blow off all 4 of them but I've since decided I'm still buying them since they're the only 4 figures I don't care for so far. I'd hate to have an incomplete collection over a mere 4 figures and it certainly helps support the line, but they will most definitely not be hung up with the rest of my Retros as all 4 GL's will be sent to exile as soon as they arrive and be buried in my closet; that way I have them in storage but I don't have to look at them among the more appropriate "retro" Retro Heroes. Also, as much as I despise these "new" characters, the costumes and overall look of the figures is just as brilliant as the rest of the line whereby creating another reason why it's hard for me to pass them up. So in the interest of supporting the line and satisfying my completist nature when it comes to collecting, I'm going to bite the bullet on these and just buy them. Character displeasures aside, they are beautiful looking figures and the costumes, especially yellow Sinestro, are gorgeous. As some others in this very thread have said, hopefully this will be the last of modern characters in this line though. I mean don't get me wrong, I get the whole "cash-in-on-the-new-Green-Lantern-movie" rationale behind the character selections, but I still think there's far more appropriate GL characters they could've picked that the Mego era general public would likely recognize more. For example, instead of that ridiculous pumpkin-pie-haircutted Guy Gardner, why not an awesome 8-inch Abin Sur from the 70's comics? Instead of Yellow Sinestro, why not a Hal Jordan? Mattel surely knows (re: their JLU/DCU lines) that there's a whole DC Universe of truly "retro" characters to choose from; I'd hate to see their resources wasted making modern characters like this again from a comic book era when the Mego kids weren't reading comics anymore and the industry itself started to decline. After all, it seems to me after reading various posts here and elsewhere on message boards that these 4 GL exclusives have been the only 4 figures in this line so far where there's a marked displeasure among collectors (again here and on other toy boards I frequent.) There just seems to be a lot more people voicing that they're not 100% thrilled with them than any of the other figures in the line that have received some criticism in smaller doses so far. Hopefully the powers-that-be have noticed this here as well and will use that information wisely in future character selections. It's far too early to risk other DC characters not ever seeing the light of day in this line for the sake of 4 GL's that we really didn't need, one of which is essentially a head swap. Just wanted you to know you're not alone Foolkiller. I'm just hopelessly in love with this line though so I have to take the plunge even though I'm not too happy about it!

I love the fact that two years into this, the concept of "retro figure" still needs to be explained.

First off, whenever any question is asked, it's the result of some sort of confusion...whether it's a little kid asking Dad why the clouds stay up in the sky or a collector asking why a 1992 hero is in any way considered "retro." So just based on the fact that there's a question to be asked to begin with suggests there's clearly some confusion. For anyone to imply that modern heroes getting the retro treatment ISN'T confusing, you're in denial because clearly MANY have asked this question since the GL exclusives were announced. You state that "two years into this, the concept of a "retro hero" needs to be explained." First off, this question really started only months ago when the GL's were announced featuring modern characters. Before that, there was no reason to question what "retro" meant. It wasn't until the GL set was announced that you started hearing folks ask that. Again, there's a reason why people were asking to begin with no? Obviously it's a concern of many no? Therefore a perfectly logical question no? Some, like me, say that "Retro" should refer to the whole kit and kaboodle; the toy style, the character selection, and the packaging. What you are suggesting here is that people are just supposed to "know" and take the time to differentiate that "retro" refers to everything about the item except character selection. Sorry, that's confusing. It's either "retro" or it's not, people are not going to spend that much time thinking on an action figure. It's clearly far more logical to keep the line truly "retro" all the way across the board. I guarantee if Mattel did that, the very valid question that you imply you're tired of hearing asked, wouldn't be asked to begin with. If something doesn't make sense, people are going to ask questions. This character selection makes no sense, so people are asking questions. Sorry it doesn't fit the agenda of some here, but that's how it works. There has been confusion created whether people want to accept that or not. If it was one or two people asking, then fine, it could be considered a "stupid question" but when MANY are asking, clearly there's a common source of confusion. Thusly, I feel it's a perfectly 100% valid question when someone asks why a hero from 1992 is being made in 70's format. It makes no sense. Why this surprises some of you I'll never know...seems a pretty logical question to me. As I said, if there wasn't confusion over it, which is one of the reasons I don't like the inclusion of modern characters, there wouldn't be a question for so many to ask. If you want to complain about having to hear this question asked over and over again, lay the blame with Mattel, not the person(s) asking it. Mattel caused this question to arise by doing something that makes no sense and it caused some VERY understandable confusion among collectors of the line. So individual collectors are just the ones asking the question, not the ones who created the question to begin with.
Write a letter to Mattel and tell them that you're tired of everyone asking why a 90's character is considered a "Retro Hero" but whatever you do, you certainly can never say it's an illogical question. It's a self-inflicted question by Mattel and I can promise you you haven't heard it asked for the last time here. It will be asked again...common sense suggests so.

[CrimsonGhost]

LOL! In fairness here Anthony, what's so terrible if they don't know who Kyle Rayner is? Frankly, why should they? A fan of Mego and 70's comics, who are the ones attracted to this line, owe no loyalty to characters that were from comics in the 80's when the industry itself was on the decline (my personal opinion is that the 80's "Crisis" series ruined comic books for good with characters dying, changing costumes, changing secret identities, changing origins, etc, etc.) There should be no silly expectation that Mego kids were all still reading comic books in high school in the 80's, much less as adults in the 90's. Besides, surely you all HAD to see all the Kyle Rayner peg warmers all around the country a few years back in the JLA line and Total Justice line. They were everywhere and unsold. 12 inch Kyle Rayners sat on K-B shelves for YEARS after they were released collecting dust. There is a reason for this and it's the same reason why there's so many people who are indeed not thrilled with the GL set. The character is just not as popular as the people who are fans of him like to think. I've said it before, to a vast majority of Mego kids, Hal Jordan is the Green Lantern and I'd bet most of them would've been just fine with the Wave 1 Green Lantern and Sinestro in their collections. There is a reason why Rayner was relegated to peg/shelf warming status in years past. One thing's for certain, he certainly wasn't passed on and left in stores repeatedly and with such frequency because people love him so much! LOL! So those of us who don't like these figures have just as much a right to ramble on about it as does someone who loves the figures. It's a public forum and I've seen other threads where people catch hell just because they voice their opinions. If you can listen to people rave about the figures page after page, saying the same things over and over; it's only fair that negative remarks get equal time. As much as it may make some sick listening to people whine about the GL set; for those of us who don't like the 4 figures at all, it's equally sickening to read page after page of people claming how wonderful these characters are, apparently completely devoid of retail toy history facts and Kyle Rayner's place within that history. So I think it's unfair that people who criticize these terrible character selections get treated like they are outcasts or Museum riff-raff. I've been on the Museum for over 10 years (and an admin on another board) and hardly consider myself riff-raff here and I do not like the GL exclusives, believe me I wish I did! I wish I could summon the inner excitement for these but the characters are just too lame in my opinion. Buying them will be a chore for me, not something I will enjoy. I'm treating it more as something I have to do to stay complete, but I am not in any way looking forward to handing over a $20 spot for my own Kyle Rayner, I assure you! Of course many here are probably scared stiff now to speak up about their displeasure with the GL set (mainly because of close ties to EMCE here) but go look around on the AFI boards or the DC Toys boards and read peoples' thoughts on the GL set there...where there's no conflict of interest in terms of criticizing the line. Historically speaking, no less than two lines now we've seen Kyle Rayner as a dud of the line. That doesn't suggest to me at all that I am in the minority here. Kyle Rayner is just not popular enough but I guess we'll see how many sell this go 'round with him as an action figure. Just for the record, I bet if all those K-B Toys 12 inch Rayner GL's were 12 inch Hal GL's instead, they surely wouldn't have been sitting on the store shelf unsold for 4 years. I think that goes without saying here. But hey, at least I didn't say "who is this guy?" LOL!



Yeah, as you may have inferred (LOL!), I'm with you Foolkiller, I too disagree with the "modern" character choices with these GL exclusives here, especially since, as I mentioned to Anthony, historically Kyle Rayner has always been an absolute terrible seller in action figure form. I too was going to blow off all 4 of them but I've since decided I'm still buying them since they're the only 4 figures I don't care for so far. I'd hate to have an incomplete collection over a mere 4 figures and it certainly helps support the line, but they will most definitely not be hung up with the rest of my Retros as all 4 GL's will be sent to exile as soon as they arrive and be buried in my closet; that way I have them in storage but I don't have to look at them among the more appropriate "retro" Retro Heroes. Also, as much as I despise these "new" characters, the costumes and overall look of the figures is just as brilliant as the rest of the line whereby creating another reason why it's hard for me to pass them up. So in the interest of supporting the line and satisfying my completist nature when it comes to collecting, I'm going to bite the bullet on these and just buy them. Character displeasures aside, they are beautiful looking figures and the costumes, especially yellow Sinestro, are gorgeous. As some others in this very thread have said, hopefully this will be the last of modern characters in this line though. I mean don't get me wrong, I get the whole "cash-in-on-the-new-Green-Lantern-movie" rationale behind the character selections, but I still think there's far more appropriate GL characters they could've picked that the Mego era general public would likely recognize more. For example, instead of that ridiculous pumpkin-pie-haircutted Guy Gardner, why not an awesome 8-inch Abin Sur from the 70's comics? Instead of Yellow Sinestro, why not a Hal Jordan? Mattel surely knows (re: their JLU/DCU lines) that there's a whole DC Universe of truly "retro" characters to choose from; I'd hate to see their resources wasted making modern characters like this again from a comic book era when the Mego kids weren't reading comics anymore and the industry itself started to decline. After all, it seems to me after reading various posts here and elsewhere on message boards that these 4 GL exclusives have been the only 4 figures in this line so far where there's a marked displeasure among collectors (again here and on other toy boards I frequent.) There just seems to be a lot more people voicing that they're not 100% thrilled with them than any of the other figures in the line that have received some criticism in smaller doses so far. Hopefully the powers-that-be have noticed this here as well and will use that information wisely in future character selections. It's far too early to risk other DC characters not ever seeing the light of day in this line for the sake of 4 GL's that we really didn't need, one of which is essentially a head swap. Just wanted you to know you're not alone Foolkiller. I'm just hopelessly in love with this line though so I have to take the plunge even though I'm not too happy about it!

First off, whenever any question is asked, it's the result of some sort of confusion...whether it's a little kid asking Dad why the clouds stay up in the sky or a collector asking why a 1992 hero is in any way considered "retro." So just based on the fact that there's a question to be asked to begin with suggests there's clearly some confusion. For anyone to imply that modern heroes getting the retro treatment ISN'T confusing, you're in denial because clearly MANY have asked this question since the GL exclusives were announced. You state that "two years into this, the concept of a "retro hero" needs to be explained." First off, this question really started only months ago when the GL's were announced featuring modern characters. Before that, there was no reason to question what "retro" meant. It wasn't until the GL set was announced that you started hearing folks ask that. Again, there's a reason why people were asking to begin with no? Obviously it's a concern of many no? Therefore a perfectly logical question no? Some, like me, say that "Retro" should refer to the whole kit and kaboodle; the toy style, the character selection, and the packaging. What you are suggesting here is that people are just supposed to "know" and take the time to differentiate that "retro" refers to everything about the item except character selection. Sorry, that's confusing. It's either "retro" or it's not, people are not going to spend that much time thinking on an action figure. It's clearly far more logical to keep the line truly "retro" all the way across the board. I guarantee if Mattel did that, the very valid question that you imply you're tired of hearing asked, wouldn't be asked to being with. If something doesn't make sense, people are going to ask questions. This character selection makes no sense, so people are asking questions. Sorry it doesn't fit the agenda of some here, but that's how it works. There has been confusion created whether people want to accept that or not. If it was one or two people asking, then fine, it could be considered a "stupid question" but when MANY are asking, clearly there's a common source of confusion. Thusly, I feel it's a perfectly 100% valid question when someone asks why a hero from 1992 is being made in 70's format. It makes no sense. Why this surprises some of you I'll never know...seems a pretty logical question to me. As I said, if there wasn't confusion over it, which is one of the reasons I don't like the inclusion of modern characters, there wouldn't be a question for so many to ask. If you want to complain about having to hear this question asked over and over again, lay the blame with Mattel, not the person(s) asking it. Mattel caused this question to arise by doing something that makes no sense and it caused some VERY understandable confusion among collectors of the line. So individual collectors are just the ones asking the question, not the ones who created the question to begin with.
Write a letter to Mattel and tell them that you're tired of everyone asking why a 90's character is considered a "Retro Hero" but whatever you do, you certainly can never say it's an illogical question. It's a self-inflicted question by Mattel and I can promise you you haven't heard it asked for the last time here. It will be asked again...common sense suggests so.

Geez, relax dude. I don't care THAT much.

[LOU]

Well I do care. This is the singlemost awesome toy line since Mego itself and I want to see it thrive. It aggravates me when people act like no one has the right to ask that logical question, in spite of the fact it is asked by many different people all the time. The reason people don't like the question being asked is because it suggests there's some illogical aspects of the GL character selection, something some don't want to admit. Well there is a certain lack of logic involved with who they chose for characters, that's the way it is and people will continue to assume, apparently erroneously, that "retro" means retro through and through. As I said, mark my words, someone who hasn't before will ask this question again...it's a certainty.

[MIB41]

I'm going to throw in a little friendly "devils advocate" here for Lou. And of course Lou knows me pretty well and knows I think he is a great person whom I can't wait to meet, so my intent is coming from a good place with no ill will. Let's talk about the "Classic" Universal monsters... Now most people will list those monsters as being Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolfman, Mummy, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Some might even throw in the Phantom. Yes? Okay. Now look at the period in which these films were made. The Phantom was made in 1925; Dracula and Frankenstein '31; Wolfman and Mummy '41 and '44 respectfully; and the Creature in 1954. That's nearly 30 years between the first and last one. If you exclude the Phantom, your still talking 23 years right there. For those of us born in the 60's, they were all inclusive because they came before us. What decade was irrelevant because we weren't around. Thus they were considered "old" films. Would you call that a fair statement?

Okay, so here we are in 2011 talking about characters that were popular in that same time span. Only it was the 70's, 80's, and 90's. And we're discussing the value of what represents the definition of "retro". Okay. Now when you were a kid in the late 60's and early 70's would you have ever thought about the idea of the Creature not being retro with Frankenstein or the Phantom? Probably not. Because you weren't around then and it seemed like a long time ago since you weren't born yet when they were created.

So my point is even for 1992 (which you referenced), that year alone was almost 20 years ago. The AHI figures came out in '74 and at that point Creature had just hit 20 years of age. While Franky and Drac were much older. Did you notice the difference as a kid? Nope. So my point is I understand that in the 80's and 90's we old timers were no longer kids. But, for kids today we ourselves are very 'retro' in our own right for being who we were in 1992. So yes. I get where your coming from with the Mego reference. You want to stay in the period that Mego thrived in when we were kids and just release characters popular during that period. I understand that and respect it. But because their going outside that period doesn't mean their still not "retro". I for one would love to have 20 years back. 1992 was not last year. Does that make sense? We're just getting old brotha. "Retro" means a little farther back for you and me, but not everyone in the target group.

[CrimsonGhost]

I wouldn't call his post "asking". If he wrote "I don't get it. He's not a retro character so why is he in a retro line?". I would consider that asking, and in that case, ask away!!

But his post was snotty and so was mine.

[samurainoir]

Something to consider when wondering about character choices for toylines this year...

There is a Green Lantern movie being released in a few short months. A metric tonne of money is being poured into the marketing machine alongside a landslide of merchandise featuring Lantern characters of every size, shape and colour. It really isn't fair to cite historical precedence without taking this into consideration and what occurs in the wake of any big hollywood superhero movie these days. I think that pretty much sums up the "Why" aspect... Mattel would be foolish if they didn't release a few extra Lantern characters across the various formats. Guy, John and Kyle make perfect sense... they are the most high profile Green Lanterns after Hal (headlining and co-headlining titles for the past few decades), particularly for a limited release via Matty instead of TRU.

Other than Alan Scott fans, what reason does anyone have to feel deprived at this point? EVEN THE FISH GUY AND BROCCOLI HEAD GREEN LANTERNS HAVE ACTION FIGURES ON THE TOY SHELVES!

[MIB41]

And a little further clarification on my earlier post. I was not debunking what Lou said. I understand and respect where he is coming from. Some additional food for thought... I was going through some old boxes and found this camcorder tape label "Family Christmas dinner '93". It seemed "recent" to me, but I wanted to put it in since I knew my dad would be in it (I lost him in 2007). In one scene he was holding a baby and making faces at the camera. In my mind I thought that baby was still somehow a baby. But then it struck me... That baby is now driving and almost 20 years old! It just didn't seem like it to me. At that stage in my life I had just finished my second degree and was living in a condo I bought one year earlier. So personal reference to time passed can really vary from person to person. I hate to say it Lou, but maybe they should start a figure line for us called "Jurassic". But I understand and respect where Lou is coming from. It makes sense to me because I share a similar life experience with him.

[chalwa]

That fish guy kills me.
He is a fish creature but he has a human-type body with a 6-pack!
No back fin or flippers. Heck, he's even approximate eye level with an average height human.
Was the comic version like that?

[boynightwing]

A Toronto radio station called 102.1 the Edge has Retro 90's Nooner everyday. My girlfriend's brother considers TMNT and Pokemon Retro. The kids at the theater I work at refer to Power Rangers as Retro. I've even heard Sailor Moon refered to in Retro. Those kids have grown up. Those are their Retro. Guy Gardener is Retro to me. So is Ghostbusters.

It's all in the eye of the beholder.

[LOU]

LOL@Tom! Yes my friend, I do realize that "retro", the English word in general (retroactive), as a word, can be perceived differently by people, that's not exactly what I was saying. My point is, this line is specifically designed after a toy line that existed in the 70's. So that would lead one reading the package to assume the entire toy line is "70's" retro too...the Mego era. I should have clarified my post to say my remarks regarding the term "retro" are specifically in reference to the Mattel Retro Action Heroes, as it appears on their packaging. The general word "retro", of course, could indeed mean the 90's now that it was 20 years ago already (pass the Geritol please!) So I appreciate that Kyle is very much retro to many here and I never questioned that particular logic. What I question is whether Kyle should be considered "retro" in the manner and context that Mattel is obviously referring to on their packaging. In my opinion he shouldn't be considered retro in that instance. He has nothing to do with the era. It would be like an artist creating a painting to pay homage to the 50's and including a laptop in there somewhere. It would be an anachronism, much like Kyle Rayner and the other Lanterns in this retro set. The line is intended to pay homage to Mego in it's style and package design, so it really shouldn't be a stretch that character selection should follow suit. As I said, I appreciate some of you love these characters but the fact is historically they are peg/shelf warmers as toys, at least Rayner. Comics lost popularity in the 80's as it is, probably because of the advent of video games and such; but new characters that were introduced during this decline just didn't get into the mainstream culture like they did back in the
70's (TV shows, movies, books, etc.) That's my theory as to why all the Kyle Rayners never sold in previous lines at retail. What other reason could there be really? He was unpopular in two separate lines that were released in MUCH closer proximity to his comic appearances than 2011. I was/am into Super Heroes as much as anyone, most people that know me know this...and even I never heard of Kyle Rayner until I started collecting Total Justice back in the 90's. Before then I had no idea who he was... and I was/am a Super Hero freak. In fact, I bet if I showed fellow 40-somethings a picture of Rayner they'd say "That's not the Green Lantern!" Just to clarify, I am specifically mentioning 40-somethings because that's who this line is geared towards, the Mego kids who see their childhood toys on the shelf once again. There's no other explanation for the package design as well. They are clearly gearing it towards "Mego kids" and adding characters like Rayner are only going to appeal to a small segment of that target audience, in my opinion. Of course this is pure conjecture and speculation on my part, but based on history, Kyle Rayner fails as an action figure.

Tom, I look forward to meeting you one day! We can talk action figures all day! I love to talk toys, in case you haven't noticed! LOL! Thanks for the insightful replies!