Diamond needs to re-examine retro Marvel license in 2016...

[DSTZach]

If by "respect," you mean only make "must-have Marvel characters", then that's an arbitrary distinction. Who's a must-have? Should we only make characters that are 40+ years old? If so, the line will not run dry any time soon. Still plenty of guys (and girls) to do.

But are you implying that Mego Deadpool is somehow DISrespectful, because no true Mego fan would want it? Are there no Mego fans who like Deadpool? He's the best-selling figure so far, I believe, so hopefully the movie converts Mego fans to Deadpool fandom, or the figure converts Deadpool fans to Mego fandom. I hope Daredevil, being the man of the hour, does just as well.

Characters with some heat are the ones that will keep this line going. I know exactly who I want to see next, and he's hot AND a classic -- not sure where he falls in the roster, though.

Funny thing is, if we'd walked away from the deal, and word had gotten out, I can imagine a conversation on this forum about how collectors totally would have bought an $80 set, with a long debate over what they would have put in it to justify the price.

[zeedox]

Thanks, keep in mind some of us have wives!

I have not been able to justify the payments to the wife. She seems to be ok when I get half a wave at a time from classic tv toys. So thats about $50.00 bucks.

I paid for the Thor, and I will buy Daredevil. But I won't buy Deadpool. So it this isn't going to chase I recommend you keep running those must have Marvel characters because the list will run dry for us old farts soon.

These folks shouldn't be bottom line, we all know the issues but a little respect for Mego fans is not too much to ask.

[DSTZach]

Skimmed most of the posts here, but to clear some things up:

We have been making Marvel Select figures since before Hasbro had the Marvel license. We were only allowed to sell to specialty before, when Toy Biz had the master toy license, and we were grandfathered in under that same limitation. Marvel Select figures are only at specialty and comic shops, although the price is not restricted in any way -- in fact, we try not to increase it unless absolutely necessary.

Retro figures were a new license. To get that license, we had to agree to an $80/figure price point, and still only sell to specialty. So we decided some Megos were better than no Megos, and we packed that $80 figure with as much value as we could put into it and still make a reasonable profit, a.k.a. pay people. I think EMCE is doing a great job,and we're trying to reproduce that quality in the final product.

Hope that clears things up. If you only want a Mego Thor, like people said, vintage prices are stabilizing, so you maybe able to snag one at an affordable price. If you HAVE a Mego Thor, keep it and enjoy it. Ours is pretty much the same. If you want a modernized Thor, or Dr. Donald Blake, or a cool display set, or just want the flexibility of choice, our set costs less than a custom Mego would. (Depending on the figure, of course. We paid anywhere from $100-$300 when I was at ToyFare. Of course, we were paying pros like Flatt and Dunivant and Fensterer.)

Of course, if we don't like how sales are going, we will definitely revisit the license. No point in making a product that isn't selling. But so far, so good. Daredevil will be unveiled next month!

[daz71]

i would prefer individual figures but if they can't do that then a set is preferable to nothing at all.

[megalomaniac001]

My 2 cents: I am one who does really like these sets. With that said, they are not without their flaws, but I will take the 90% good and live with the rest. But, I think pretty much everyone here seems to agree that our preference would be to individual figures. I think FTC is doing great with their lines. If you don't care about a secret id figure, don't get it! I like how they will do limited edition specials of obscure variations such as yellow sleeve Robin. I have no interest, so I don't get stuck with it in a set if I don't want it, yet there are plenty of collectors who do want it.
I will join the call for individual figure sets, I would buy more too if I could that way. But until then, I will buy the sets I want, and not the ones I don't. Sorry Thor and Deadpool, just not into you, even though I would probably get Modern Thor and 1 of the Deadpools if they were sold separately!

[wise guy]

Thor hasn't hit the stores yet so it's only been 3 figures since April 2014 annoucement and Spidey gets a second figure next year . At this pace it could take 3-4 years to make
a team . Ironman's armor is too difficult for them to figure a solution( as stated in a earlier post) ,and with no females , and few villans it becomes very frustrating .
FTC (a smaller company ) is pumping out figures, playsets, sharks ,18'' figures etc.

[Teemu]

I wonder why Amoktime (a supposed somewhat big toy/comic online retailer) didn't order THOR?

because they can't sell their current stock at their 69.99-79.99 prices??

[hedrap]

A number of the complaints are valid, like packaging and release schedule.

But this is a comparison of apples to pineapples. FTC's direct deal with WB/DC makes it a hundred times easier than EMCE's Marvel via DST on loan from Hasbro. DST is exponentially bigger than FTC, so I would assume the retro sales would have to be pretty massive for them to actually negotiate with Hasbro/ Marvel.

I think the issue comes down to Hasbro's Legends line. As long as that's the focus, they're not going to be agreeable on something similar in scale, packaging and pricepoint.

[MIB41]

^^^ The bad part about the wait is I don't see Hasbro relinquishing it's rights anytime soon as long as the Marvel movies remain a lucrative endeavor. You know it's pretty interesting that Hasbro has such limited insight into this format given they have not taken the time to examine companies that have succeeded at it. I think you could place retro Mego style figures next to traditional 3 3/4, 6, and 7 inch lines and none of those lines would suffer losses as a result of these products. I think the retro lines are a very niche product and it's odd Hasbro feels threatened not to let another company make them if they don't believe there is big enough market to interest them. It doesn't really make any sense. If they think there IS a big enough market to invade their offerings then make their own limited edition pieces and enjoy the profits. This is not a hard riddle to crack.

[enyawd72]

I've made it a point not to repeatedly post threads like this so as not to seem negative. I did so this time only because a new year is approaching and I'm hoping with it some change is possible. I really would like to see this line succeed, but as others have stated...vote with your wallet.
This is exactly what I've been doing and will continue to do. I simply refuse to pay nearly triple the cost of a single FTC figure for a single Diamond figure and two outfits I don't even want. The entire effort smacks of strongarm sales tactics by Marvel and I'm not having it.
Without support, this line WILL die. Comic shops and online retailers aren't going to keep ordering sets that aren't selling.
I highly suspect that as FTC continues to see success with their DC lines, somebody at Marvel will eventually take notice, and want in on the action. There are plenty of companies/brands out there right now sharing the DC/Marvel licenses simultaneously.
Hot Toys, Kotobukiya, Sideshow, Funko, Eaglemoss, Hot Wheels...etc. just to name a few. I truly believe all FTC has to do is wait and the opportunity will come.

[ovenmitt]

I did a forum search and April 21, 2014 in Mego Buzz was the thread "Diamond Announces 8" Marvel Figures" I remember seeing this on my phone during break at work and could not click the thread fast enough. Imagine my disappointment when it was not individual figures but a Collector set with Mego Spidey and 2 other outfits and heads that later that day I found out cost $80! We had been speculating about new EMCE Me go Marvel figures since Toy Fair 2014 since Doc hinted at it and I called the partnership with Diamond. We've only had 4 sets since the announcement and mostly complaints. I hope Disney/Marvel re-evaluates the license soon and we hear a new announcement by Toy Fair in February to satisfy everybody.

[Blue Meanie]

The bottom line on what WE want as consumers and what a company like Diamond will eventually make is night and day. For the most part "Corporate" companies, 60 - 75 % of the time, do not have the ultimate consumer in mind when they make a product. If that wasn't true DC wouldn't be doing the COMPLETE opposite of what the majority of the fan base wants. Most of the corporations like DC have "Bean Counters" that work for them not ACTUAL fans or collectors working for them. It's just a fact. It's pretty sad when you think about it because your ultimate profit stands to be a lot higher if you give the ultimate consumer what they want. Maybe Diamond should do an ACTUAL survey of what customers want in the stores that they service...which is basically EVERY comic book store in the country. Problem is that would mean literally getting out some people, or at the very least a questionaire, to all the stores in the country. They don't want to spend the money or the time. Not for nothing...I'd rather give my money to the customisers here on the Museum than give Diamond any money. May spend a little more...but at least you'll be happier than waiting 6 - 8 months on a toy you may eventually hate when you get it in hand. Just a thought.

[megocrazy]

This question needs to be directed at Hasbro not Diamond or EMCE. They have absolutely no control over the Marvel license or how it is used. The only question to be asked of them is to make what they are allowed to or not. All the posts in the world will not resolve the issue. Hasbro has no interest in using the 8 inch individual license and will not allow anyone to do so either. Until that changes or the license changes hands it's a moot point.

[ovenmitt]

Yeah that's like video games and systems how many were SHIPPED to retailers and how many were SOLD in the stores.

Weren't 3000 Spidey sets shipped? How many Cap, Wolverine, and Thor sets? How can Diamond keep making so many sets if they are not selling $80 each and orders are refused?

[Teemu]

Have the sets not been selling for $80? I thought Spidey set sold out. Don't know about Cap, but Wolverine is $39 on ebay. Thor arrives next week. Are all Deadpool pre-orders sold out? Diamond already has Daredevil planned next

These sets mainly need 3 COMPLETE figures and 4 sets a year is too few at least 6!

BTW how can Diamond sell its 7" Marvel Select action figures for $25 each in comic book/specialty stores and cannot do the same with Mego Marvel figures? MS figures are direct competition to Hasbro $20 Marvel Legends 6" retail figures!

Spider-man was sold out by the distibutor (EMCE/Diamond) themselves...but the vendors who bought them to re-sell to the public are sitting on product and having to put him on clearance.....that's NOT selling out,that's just vendors sitting on unsold product....a REAL sell-out is Distributor selling to Vendors and then the Vendor's sell-out after re-selling it.