Random thoughts

[cricketts99]

A lot has been voiced about the character selections for the retro waves. How do these choices compare to the waves released by Hasbro with 9" DC /Spider-Man Signature series figures? Or even the Famous Covers waves?
I always felt the the thing that hurt the Hasbro DC 9 inch was starting with Silver Age versions of Aquaman and Green Arrow. The Green Lantern was fine. I would have rather seen the Hook Armed Aquaman and a bearded Green Arrow. Hasbro also made the mistake of release the Hook Armed Aquaman as a 12" and a 12 "Flash and 12" Kyle Rayner GL. Had these been 9" I think they would have gone over better. I also think releasing a Target exclusive 9" Silver Age and Modern Age Batman and Superman was a major mistake. Had those been available at other chains I think the line would have done better and lasted longer.

The Spider-Man Signature Series seemed to have good charcter picks. More villians would have been nice. I was impressed the Iron Spider coste was made as it was a very recent addition to the mythos.

Maybe taking a note with Famous Covers when they started making Diamond Direct exclusives would be another way to keep the retros going? I mean if Mattel can get with Diamond and do an exclusive Catwoman Barbie why not?

Just been chewing on this and thought I would throw it out there!

[MEGO_SUPERMAN]

While I dont know the ins and outs of the whole deal...it seems to me that if you sold them in Wal-Mart, Target and TRU....just everywhere....you would sell more. I go in to Target and Wal-mart for normal shopping on a regular basis....and can act like I am there for personal items...and just happen to mosey over to the toy area....but going to TRU specifically....is a pain...and then the fact they dont stock them consistently....does not help. I probably would have picked one up...even extras each time I went to Target...just because they were there....

[jimsmegos]

While I dont know the ins and outs of the whole deal...it seems to me that if you sold them in Wal-Mart, Target and TRU....just everywhere....you would sell more. I go in to Target and Wal-mart for normal shopping on a regular basis....and can act like I am there for personal items...and just happen to mosey over to the toy area....but going to TRU specifically....is a pain...and then the fact they dont stock them consistently....does not help. I probably would have picked one up...even extras each time I went to Target...just because they were there....

Ditto, plus had I even had a TRU within a resonable distance (nearest is an hour and a half) I would have bought more at retail 'just cuz'.

[toyman]

I have never seen one at retail because the closest TRU to me is about 2 hours away.
The only figures I have seen at retail are EMCE Trek and POTA at FYE.
Even my local comic shop have had any on the shelves.

[Mego Magyar]

Closest TRU to me is about 1.5- 2 hours, not something I do regularly and even when I've gone it's only been a few of the "peg warmers". Closest comic shop is 1.5 hours and they charge way over the regular price.

So yea, an exclusive with only one store that's not everywhere was a BIG mistake by Mattel.

[MEGO_SUPERMAN]

I have been to 10 in the Central Florida area. I travel a lot for my job in Outside Sales....The only place there are ANY is Gainesville, next to the University of Florida. 2 Sinestro and 2 Lex. And all the other TRU dont even have a peg marker anymore....and have not for months.

[MIB41]

I think distribution will always be one of the core reasons why the Retro line didn't go farther. Of all the modern day Mego-like lines, only Famous Covers had a mass distribution. Subsequently they have the longest running and highest number of figures to date (even though their quality is the lowest among this group). Awareness is everything. Add a commercial and the Retro line could have been enormous.

[callistofreak]

I'm in the same boat, I live 1' 45" from my closest TRU.
But would not all of us make the trip knowing that when we got there, the pegs would be stocked with figures. From all the waves out. I know I would have made up reasons to go, and spend my hidden cash stash.
( I always say it my Paypal cash... Please, don't tell her! )

I'm a truck driver, and I look at TRU's in at least 10 different states each month.
I come up with near nothing. Most of the time if they have any, 1 out of 8 stores, I will find Senestro & Lex.

Just as a test, Mattel could put out 50 in a store with several Batman & Superman. And I bet they would fly out of that store. If TRU can stock 20+ Ghostbuster figures, then why not the Retro Superheros?? I don't know who droped the ball? TRU by not selling them in the stores or Mattel for not making enough? I can get a green haired, one legged, Thor easyer than one of these Retros.

[MEGO_SUPERMAN]

I can get a green haired, one legged, Thor easyer than one of these Retros.

You ********!!!! I have been looking for one of those!

[trekman101]

I'm in the same boat, I live 1' 45" from my closest TRU.
But would not all of us make the trip knowing that when we got there, the pegs would be stocked with figures. From all the waves out. I know I would have made up reasons to go, and spend my hidden cash stash.
( I always say it my Paypal cash... Please, don't tell her! )

I'm a truck driver, and I look at TRU's in at least 10 different states each month.
I come up with near nothing. Most of the time if they have any, 1 out of 8 stores, I will find Senestro & Lex.

Just as a test, Mattel could put out 50 in a store with several Batman & Superman. And I bet they would fly out of that store. If TRU can stock 20+ Ghostbuster figures, then why not the Retro Superheros?? I don't know who droped the ball? TRU by not selling them in the stores or Mattel for not making enough? I can get a green haired, one legged, Thor easyer than one of these Retros.

You said it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spyweb007]

Although Toys R Us has the biggest selection of toys by far, and it's easy for us collectors to check every week looking for items we already know about, the average TRU customer shops there once or twice a year, for birthdays and Christmas. It's going to be hard to get the genreal public interested in a new line when the only exposure is at a store which they rarely shop at. Without advertising of some kind, these would have to be at a store which the average family shops at on a weekly, or monthly basis, and that isn't TRU. Plus Toys R Us didn't even advertise the retro heroes in there christmas toy book, and you would think they would advertise a line which was exclusive to them and based on popular characters.

[VintageMike]

TRU headquarters is actually located only a few towns away from me so there are a few nearby. When they first came out they had a decent supply. There's still one I have to check but of the two nearest to me only the "express" outlet in the mall has one left, a Sinestro buried behind newer stuff.

[bizzaro megomauler]

i live within at least 6 TRU stores i could drive to in a half hour. NONE of them stocked retros on the regular. I never saw past wave 1 at any TRU except for the express stores.

[DocDrako]

I love the Retro lines. I planned to buy every figure 3 times. I'm buying my oldest son a DC set (when I can find them) and I want to buy myself a DC set (when I can find them) and eventually I'll be buying my youngest son a DC set (when I can find them). I'm also planning to do the same with the Ghostbusters line (when I can find them). I didn't even watch the GB show, but the figures are cool.

So far, I've bought 2 Black Mantas, 2 Lex Luthors, 2 Sinestros, 2 Two-Face, 2 Aquaman, 2 Superman, 2 Hal Jordan Green Lanterns, Captain Cold, & Green Arrow. I've bought every Retro that I don't own whenever I've seen them at retail, with the exception of the GB line, which I just recently targeted from frustration over the lack of DCs.

Whatever is revealed at SDCC, I'm sure I'll want it. Whatever it is, count me in! But if I can't find it, I can't buy it. Sure I could buy every Retro figure online, but the price is high enough, and online, prices tend to be even higher. I'm willing to support the Retro line, but my financial supply is not unlimited. Even broke people like me enjoy buying toys. My wife even looks for them when she's out and about, but she never sees them either. And believe me, she's just as excited about finding them for our sons as I am.

I know they're aimed at collectors, but my oldest son loves the retro figures (my youngest is only 6 months old, so they'd be chew toys to him at this point so he doesn't have any...I know where to get Lex Luthor & Sinestro though!). My oldest keeps asking for more and more characters that have never even been announced (Solomon Grundy, Robin, Joker, Catwoman, Samurai, Apache Chief, Brainiac, Toyman...I could go on...he even wants Retro style Ultraman, Space Ghost, Thundarr, Ookla, & Princess Ariel...he has great taste in tv shows). I don't see anything wrong with Toys R Us being an exclusive dealer if they'd actually stock them. I get tired of seeing the same Lex Luthors and Sinestros at my local TRU. I've never even seen any of the later waves. I did find Captain Cold, but that was about 12 hours from my home when I was on vacation.

I'm not saying anything that hasn't been said before, I'm sure, but I just had to vent.



What it comes down to is this; What more can I do to support the line? I'm doing the best I can with what TRU is offering me. I'd sell Mattel my soul, but I already gave it to my wife.