If EMCE could get the Marvel license, who would you want to see first?

[samurainoir]

Doc, has EMCE ever considered partnering up with a company that has the Marvel license in a foreign territory? Perhaps Japan or Hong kong? I'm thinking along the lines of how Takara, Medicom, and Hot toys have made 12" figures of DC and Marvel characters over the years, and their success has seen these figures brought over via sideshow and/or Diamond. Similarly with the kotobutu (sp?) statues and Medicom vinyl art toys.

I know folks in these parts would be bringing out their torches and pitchforks about the inaccessibility if you went that route, but part A would be the fact that they are getting made in the first place, worry about the different avenues to get them into our hands later as part B. The rest of the world has been ordering their Retros via the Internet with overseas shipping, I don't see why we all couldn't do the same.

[Teemu]

We spoke to Diamond in the past about their Marvel license - it is
very specific in format. Hasbro is the only company that can make
8 inch cloth costume action figures of Marvel characters - and we
have tried several avenues there.

What Round 2/Capt. Action is doing is costumes with the figure
sold separately. I am interested to see how that plays in the
market. While the hardcore fans - like us - will support the line,
I don't think they will sell enough units to justify the high cost
of the license.

Considering that Disney is now Marvel's overlords - things may
change in the next few years - and the right opportunity may
emerge. Patience is a virtue.

For now,Capt Action is probably the closet we are going to get for getting retro clothed Marvel characters but in 1/6 scale....they do look good!

[enyawd72]

For now,Capt Action is probably the closet we are going to get for getting retro clothed Marvel characters but in 1/6 scale....they do look good!

They look amazing....and I think Doc is wrong about these not selling enough units.
I think they're gonna sell like crazy, but only time will tell. When they unveil the entire lineup at SDCC next week it's gonna be interesting that's for sure...

[samurainoir]

They look amazing....and I think Doc is wrong about these not selling enough units.
I think they're gonna sell like crazy, but only time will tell. When they unveil the entire lineup at SDCC next week it's gonna be interesting that's for sure...

As much as I love Captain Action, I really think even more than Retro Action, the character and concept is really limiting themselves to a nostalgic collector's market.

At least with the Retro Action, there is play value for kids. At the $30 price point, not only do you need to buy the main Captain Action figure first (already not an attraction for a kid since there is no cartoon/video game tie in other than a comic aimed at adults), Captain America can't hang out with Spider-man. Which was the problem with the original incarnation in the first place... and why Mego's were a much better evolution of the concept.

I also personally really loved this series of alter ego/secret identity figures, but again, wasn't really much of a hit with the kids a dozen or so years ago. For whatever reason, the boys toy market left the dress up doll concept behind when gimmicks like Transforming robots entered the fray. What's the appeal of playing with Clark Kent when you can turn your TRUCK into a ROBOT!


As hard as it is to accept since we all root for mass market success of these lines, perhaps the best business model for Captain Action would be as a high end, limited edition collectible for an adult collector's market. At least until they can get a video game or animated series going to reel in the kids.

[enyawd72]

As much as I love Captain Action, I really think even more than Retro Action, the character and concept is really limiting themselves to a nostalgic collector's market.

At least with the Retro Action, there is play value for kids. At the $30 price point, not only do you need to buy the main Captain Action figure first (already not an attraction for a kid since there is no cartoon/video game tie in other than a comic aimed at adults), Captain America can't hang out with Spider-man. Which was the problem with the original incarnation in the first place... and why Mego's were a much better evolution of the concept.

I also personally really loved this series of alter ego/secret identity figures, but again, wasn't really much of a hit with the kids a dozen or so years ago. For whatever reason, the boys toy market left the dress up doll concept behind when gimmicks like Transforming robots entered the fray. What's the appeal of playing with Clark Kent when you can turn your TRUCK into a ROBOT!

http://www.figurerealm.com/Galleries/spidermantoybiz/SpiderMan-SCE12-Front.jpg

As hard as it is to accept since we all root for mass market success of these lines, perhaps the best business model for Captain Action would be as a high end, limited edition collectible for an adult collector's market. At least until they can get a video game or animated series going to reel in the kids.

I'm not worried at all. Comic shops will be carrying these, Sideshow is selling them, along with every other online retailer out there. And remember, Round 2 isn't Mattel. Mattel doomed retro-action to failure from the start, because they could screw up anything. Some of the Masters of the Universe classics figures were deemed a failure because they took a week or more to sell out. They SOLD OUT, and Mattel wasn't happy?! You can't even argue with that kind of stupid.

[JediJaida]

The one I really feel for is Doc; he put so much of himself into this dream, only to have it crash and burn.

[Timothy2251]

Ah, but Doc's dream hasn't crashed and burned yet.

Doc's dreams got us some new DC figures we wouldn't have otherwise. He helped bring back POTA and Star Trek. His work with Biff Bang Pow led to lines for Flash Gordon, Dark Shadows, revamped Universal Monsters, new stuff like Venture Bros. and Lost, classic stuff like Twilight Zone and Doctor Who.

I have every confidence that some how, some day, Doc may very well get us Marvel Megos. May take awhile, sure, but Doc's never let us down yet!

[enyawd72]

The one I really feel for is Doc; he put so much of himself into this dream, only to have it crash and burn.

Yeah, it really sucks how Mattel and TRU ruined the line.
What really irks me is they didn't even care that I drove to their store and left empty handed week after week after week. You can't buy nonexistent stock.

If you can't buy a TRU exclusive toy line at TRU, there's a problem.

[jwyblejr]

We spoke to Diamond in the past about their Marvel license - it is
very specific in format. Hasbro is the only company that can make
8 inch cloth costume action figures of Marvel characters - and we
have tried several avenues there.

What Round 2/Capt. Action is doing is costumes with the figure
sold separately. I am interested to see how that plays in the
market. While the hardcore fans - like us - will support the line,
I don't think they will sell enough units to justify the high cost
of the license.

Considering that Disney is now Marvel's overlords - things may
change in the next few years - and the right opportunity may
emerge. Patience is a virtue.

Side note:I was flipping through the channels today and saw on one of the ABC soaps some guy dressed in a Spidey outfit. I'll take that as some kind of sign from Disney. What exactly,don't know.

[trekman101]

Disney is the key...if they like something,they work to make it happen...if they like the Marvel Mego concept,then half the battle is won

[jayraytee]

The captain Action stuff will be short lived unfortunately. Kids just won't get into the seperate outfits for a figure especially with that price point. I mean to have one superhero you will have to pay $70? Aint gonna happen.

[JediJaida]

I agree.

I can see adult collectors buying them, but kids will take one look and go, "Meh."

[enyawd72]

The captain Action stuff will be short lived unfortunately. Kids just won't get into the seperate outfits for a figure especially with that price point. I mean to have one superhero you will have to pay $70? Aint gonna happen.

These aren't being marketed towards kids. Read the interviews from Round2. They are targeting adults with this line, and $70 is not too much to pay for a 12" comic accurate Kirby Captain America or John Romita Spider-Man figure.
Even at $70, they are still cheaper than a standard Sideshow 12" figure at $100-120, or a Hot Toys figure at $160-200.

Captain Action will do just fine.

[Teemu]

Hopefully they Show Thor and Iron Man at SDCC....

[Type3Toys]

Monster me!
Werewolf By Night
Tomb Of Dracula
The Monster Of Frankenstien
The Living Mummy
Man-Thing