So Mattel has the entire DC toy license. This is actually something that most fans have been wanting since the first figures were released in 2002. We saw the look of the animated Batman, and the comic style and knew that we were getting good, quality figures. The first waves hit and most kids, fans and collectors found everything. From there, it went down hill. As more figures were made, the harder it was to find them. Now, seven years later, Mattel has the right to make any character into a figure. Old movies, present movies, and future. But is this a good thing?Now please keep in mind, I say this as not only a collector, but a parent who has a son and daughter, who both love figures. If you’re a collector, you know how hard it is to look for a figure and not find it. As a parent, it’s even harder, you have two kids who want that new Supergirl, but can’t get her because the figure is no where to be found. Or, maybe because of case ratios, there is only one. I would buy three of them right there, but can’t.
The JLU figures are even worse to find. Now I know that this was not the year for DC. Marvel rules the movies, and the toy isle. Ghost Rider, Spiderman 3, and Fantastic Four were the big figures for retailers, and despite what some people think, the retailers choose what to buy. Wal-Mart, Target, even K-Mart want what’s big, and at this point, Marvel movies are big. However, this would have been the time for Mattel to step up and say, “Look, we’ve got these figures, fans want em, and they will sell.” Instead we were given Superman 3 Superman waves right in a row, and most of the figures are harder to find than a speck of dust on the floor. Again, I won’t blame Mattel for all of this; they have been in the toy biz a long time.
I know there have been plenty of people that have said they are done with Mattel because of the above reasons, but seriously, if they could have made an Alfred figure, they would have. If they could have sold 30 cases to Wal-Mart instead of ten, they would have. Let’s look to the future.
So is this a good thing? Well, it really does depend. Are they going to give us a few figures now, and then leave us hanging again? I honestly don’t know. Personally, I think the idea is great. They can make figures from old properties. How about a full line from “Batman” or a Batman movie collection with a Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney and Christian Bale figures? I would love to have a Christopher Reeve Superman. I mean, the possibilities are endless. As for the DC Superheroes line, I think by next year we will see a full line to match Marvel Legends.
Bottom line, the past is the past. Let’s hope that this new deal gives Mattel the kick it needs to give us the figures we are wanting. Personally, I can’t wait to go into Wal-Mart and see a wall of DC figures like the one they have of Marvel right now.
So in the end..is this a good thing? One Word, yes.
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 Chris on June 30 2007 11:37:04
| 2 Comments · 4249 Reads
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