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Mattel's DC Plans For 2014 & Beyond, Plus One Final Surprise For DCUC Fans At NYCC


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I really hate how Scott words it to place blame on the fans:

 

"and unfortunately, the time when fans could “do something” has passed. That time was the sub buy-in period."

 

Maybe that's not how he meant it, but that's how it sounds. Maybe if Mattycollector and Digital River had passable customer service and didn't screw up my sub 6 times I would have subscribed again.

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wonder how much SDCC Doomsday is gonna cost...$50?

 

Since they showed both versions of big Doomsday had been sculpted (maybe tooled?) do you think they went ahead in a certain point in production with the containment suit as if the sub would go thru, or are they just sticking to their guns with the tier tactics? I mean, how much of a cost/tooling difference could there be between the two? And even if unleashed Doomsday cost a lil bit more, if they hadnt already started production and can name pretty much any price for it at a convention, are they just ignoring the fans on which they'd prefer if they could only get one?

 

Im assuming that Containment suit had already started and now they're using SDCC to dump it and cover cost?

 

As a Superman fan, Im torn on how much I want/feel i need this figure. I really like the sculpt and the size, but without the Unleashed version on the shelf...i dunno...

 

shrimpy DCSH Doomsday next to his beefy containment suit...boy that suit really must have been reinforced!

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wonder how much SDCC Doomsday is gonna cost...$50?

 

Since they showed both versions of big Doomsday had been sculpted (maybe tooled?) do you think they went ahead in a certain point in production with the containment suit as if the sub would go thru, or are they just sticking to their guns with the tier tactics? I mean, how much of a cost/tooling difference could there be between the two? And even if unleashed Doomsday cost a lil bit more, if they hadnt already started production and can name pretty much any price for it at a convention, are they just ignoring the fans on which they'd prefer if they could only get one?

 

Im assuming that Containment suit had already started and now they're using SDCC to dump it and cover cost?

 

As a Superman fan, Im torn on how much I want/feel i need this figure. I really like the sculpt and the size, but without the Unleashed version on the shelf...i dunno...

 

shrimpy DCSH Doomsday next to his beefy containment suit...boy that suit really must have been reinforced!

 

I don't know feat...sometimes I feel like Mattel is a bunch of bullies trying to shame people into buying stuff, then other times it seems like they truly cater to fans. It's the weirdest thing.

 

Concerning the Doomsday figures, man...those would definitely be two figures I'd love to have in my DC display, but to be honest, I wish DC Collectibles would surprise the crap out of everyone (including Mattel) and come out with their own versions. They'd be much more detailed I think, and they seem to be on a roll lately anyway making huge characters into figures. It makes too much sense, so it probably won't happen. (lol)

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Concerning the Doomsday figures, man...those would definitely be two figures I'd love to have in my DC display, but to be honest, I wish DC Collectibles would surprise the crap out of everyone (including Mattel) and come out with their own versions. They'd be much more detailed I think, and they seem to be on a roll lately anyway making huge characters into figures. It makes too much sense, so it probably won't happen. (lol)

 

That's a solid idea and I'd definitely buy one. Unfortunately, DCC is only doing New 52 stuff. Does Doomsday even exist in New 52....? DC Direct did a nice looking Doomsday but his articulation is crap.

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wonder how much SDCC Doomsday is gonna cost...$50?

 

Since they showed both versions of big Doomsday had been sculpted (maybe tooled?) do you think they went ahead in a certain point in production with the containment suit as if the sub would go thru, or are they just sticking to their guns with the tier tactics? I mean, how much of a cost/tooling difference could there be between the two? And even if unleashed Doomsday cost a lil bit more, if they hadnt already started production and can name pretty much any price for it at a convention, are they just ignoring the fans on which they'd prefer if they could only get one?

 

Im assuming that Containment suit had already started and now they're using SDCC to dump it and cover cost?

 

As a Superman fan, Im torn on how much I want/feel i need this figure. I really like the sculpt and the size, but without the Unleashed version on the shelf...i dunno...

 

shrimpy DCSH Doomsday next to his beefy containment suit...boy that suit really must have been reinforced!

Mattel claimed that the containment suit Doomsday is what they could afford to make. I think they said the unleashed Doomsday would require 100% new tooling and would be bigger than the prototype shown. The containment suit Doomsday is basically using the same body as the previous 8" build a figures(Validus, Killowog, the red guy from Public Enemies) which Mattel already has a mold for.

 

I'm glad that Mattel is done with the DCUC line. It has been a collecting nightmare with them filling us with BS every year about the line not doing well in retail and switching the figures into an online only structure(So they get 100% of the profit) is the only way they can think of. Forcing people to buy their sub or you won't get anything. It's just ugly.

 

If it's really so hard to make 6" highly articulated collectible figures then why is Hasbro out performing Mattel in every way? Figures are more detailed, more new tooling,deluxe figures(12

(12"-15" tall Gigantic battles),and more articulations.Heck, Hasbro's been making really good 4" figures. And what was Mattel doing? A failed line of Green Lantern movie 6" where the sculpts and articulations are poor. 3"-4" figures that are just laughable.

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I'm glad that Mattel is done with the DCUC line. It has been a collecting nightmare with them filling us with BS every year about the line not doing well in retail and switching the figures into an online only structure(So they get 100% of the profit) is the only way they can think of. Forcing people to buy their sub or you won't get anything. It's just ugly.

 

 

 

Agreed! If it means we are spared the annual lies and "woe is Mattel" stories about how it's impossible to sell 6" figures at retail, let them be done.

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.......I'm fine. I am ok with this.

 

 

 

After such a hefty run, with all sorts of heavy hitters and great figures, and with such a price rise happening, I can definitely agree with this line ending. I've got my favorite DC characters, and I'll be proud to show off my MOC collection and say, "Yep, they don't make these anymore."

 

As for their final surprise....."heroic sendoff"? Sounds like classic colored Superman, perhaps? A cool figure to give the fans, and cheap as hell for them to produce.

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I laugh that some of you find this as something new or are finally cluing in mattel has acted this way from the start of the new toon let alone the toy line

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After such a hefty run, with all sorts of heavy hitters and great figures, and with such a price rise happening, I can definitely agree with this line ending. I've got my favorite DC characters, and I'll be proud to show off my MOC collection and say, "Yep, they don't make these anymore."

 

 

Again, exactly. Anyone that gets too bent out of shape and wants the line to keep going needs to ask themselves, to what end? Yes, you can probably come up with a list of C and D-listers that you personally have a soft spot for and I'm sorry they didn't make the cut. But like you said, they did all the heavy hitters and much, much more. It was a solid run and anything left to be done just isn't worth Mattel's games.

 

Good call on the "mystery figure". It would cost them nothing to produce.

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If it's really so hard to make 6" highly articulated collectible figures then why is Hasbro out performing Mattel in every way? Figures are more detailed, more new tooling,deluxe figures(12

(12"-15" tall Gigantic battles),and more articulations.Heck, Hasbro's been making really good 4" figures. And what was Mattel doing? A failed line of Green Lantern movie 6" where the sculpts and articulations are poor. 3"-4" figures that are just laughable.

 

Other than still putting out 6in figures, and despite Marvel Legends being the standard for that scale, DCUC still hit the mark better for me, aesthetically and in playability. Anyway, the real problem going forward is, even though DC collectibles have gotten miles better than they used to be, I just cant stand having to put gap fillers in my collection that stand between 3/4- 1 inch taller than the standard 6in. And since Mattel is gonna hold on to the license with their cold, dead hands to make more kiddie toys, DC in the proper 6in scale is doomed. That is in some legal stuff, right? Scale issues between license holders?

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Oh god, we should be so lucky they are even giving us the figures they are! After all we are un grateful collectors that don't care about the line .... :rolleyes:

I doubt I will get the Doomsday, its stupid to me. The surprise is rumored to be super power repaints. IE light blue Superman.

Draven

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1st off, good idea for the Containment Doomsday being a SDCC Exclusive. I mean, it's not something everyone needs in there collect, and yet, it's still something special for those who want either the entire collection, or who go to the event.

 

Having said that, I do have to wonder why they didn't tool up "Unleased" Doomsday 1st, since they know that everyone wanted that verison? I mean, worst case, they could of repainted it as the Lava Doomsday(Similar to like they did with DC Superheroes line, to reperesent Doomsday in the Volcano when he faced off against Superman in JLU cartoon series), or even repaint it with Kryptonite on his rocky skin(Similar to the Superman/Batman comic book "No More Kryptonite" storyline, where Bats and Sups go on a mission to try and rid the Earth of Kryptonite, as they find out that Cambus has genetically altered some humans into Doomsday like creatures with Kryptonite sticking out). I mean, even if they didn't do those repaints, they know that everyone has been for years asking for a larger Doomsday, so they must of known that a lot of people would of bought it or at least consider joining the sub for it.

 

The Containment Suit is a nice variant of the figure, so I can't say it isn't a bad idea for it, but Unleased should of been done 1st.

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For years I stood up for Mattel. I'm not ashamed to say I WAS WRONG!!!!!!!!!! Im tired of all their lame excuses as to why they cannot continue this line in some form seeing as how they are replacing it with Total Heroes. If Hasbro, DC Direct, Diamond Select Toys, NECA and others can offer some of their lines for more than a decade then their has to be some business model that Mattel could utilize to keep producing this line and make a profit for themselves.

 

I would not have a problem with and encourage DCD to fill in the gaps left by Mattel. However, they seem hell bent on only producing that New 52 crap and have thrown the last 75 years of DC Comics to the waist bin. I would even settle if they re release some older figures like Speedy and Aquald who are impossible to find.

 

Bottom line, its insane that Mattel still has a fan base for these figures but cant cater to it, nor is DCD going to fill the blanks. Hoping that either will happen is wishful thinking.

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If Hasbro, DC Direct, Diamond Select Toys, NECA and others can offer some of their lines for more than a decade then their has to be some business model that Mattel could utilize to keep producing this line and make a profit for themselves.

 

 

They can. They just made the decision one day that they would either sell everything or sell nothing. They didn't want pegwarmers. And they wanted you to by into the myth that unless there is 100% sales of all figures 100% of the time, they couldn't afford to make anything. Despite the fact that all those companies you listed have pegwarmers at one time or another and are still in business. Heck, there are manufacturers all over the world who never sell 100% of their product and are still in business.

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If Hasbro, DC Direct, Diamond Select Toys, NECA and others can offer some of their lines for more than a decade then their has to be some business model that Mattel could utilize to keep producing this line and make a profit for themselves.

 

 

They can. They just made the decision one day that they would either sell everything or sell nothing. They didn't want pegwarmers. And they wanted you to by into the myth that unless there is 100% sales of all figures 100% of the time, they couldn't afford to make anything. Despite the fact that all those companies you listed have pegwarmers at one time or another and are still in business. Heck, there are manufacturers all over the world who never sell 100% of their product and are still in business.

 

Heck, I can't think of any company that can ever sell 100% of their product. Not unless they get liquadated or lower down at a very cheap price, and even then. I mean, it's like saying that if for the Viper car, if only 10% are left to sell, then they failed in selling it. That means about 90% has actually sold, so that doesn't seem to be a failure to me. But then again, I don't have a business degree.

 

I think back when Mattel was starting their Matty Collector model, once they saw fans of MOTU buying the early stuff and selling out of the stuff in less than a day or even hours, their defination of what is sucessful and isn't got really clouded, in that if they feel something doesn't sell out right away, then it's a failure.

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I think what saddens me most, was that back when.....a new Wave would be revealed, and there used to be dozens of us scattering, excited out of our minds. Now the end is being announced, and there's about a handful of us here to wave goodbye. But I suppose that just means everyone else has the figures they want, and are happy anyways. :)

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I think what saddens me most, was that back when.....a new Wave would be revealed, and there used to be dozens of us scattering, excited out of our minds. Now the end is being announced, and there's about a handful of us here to wave goodbye. But I suppose that just means everyone else has the figures they want, and are happy anyways. :)

I have a lot of great figures but certainly not all that I want.

 

There is a market and customer base.

 

Mattel has chosen not to reach out and capture that market.

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DCUC still ended up being the best single DC action figure line in history, so really I can't fault Mattel for much. Once you get outside the heavy hitters, the DC fanbase becomes too fragmented, and retailers start to get turned off by characters they don't recognize in the least. With DC it seems like there are very few "universal" DC collectors who like a bit of everything, and they compete with a vast number of "niche collectors" who all want one particular aspect or team of the DC Universe focused on above all else.

 

This year's offerings for the subscription were pretty much ALL figures that had been "fan demanded" to varying degrees: 90's Aquaman, Modern (Pre-New 52) Superboy, Damian Wayne, and even Ice gets a JLI lineup closer to completion. A larger-sized Doomsday was probably the top oversized figure that had been requested. But it wasn't enough...because some fans don't like 90's or modern versions. Some fans want golden age. Some want more villains. Some want Legion of Super Heroes. Some want for some unfathomable reason yet another Superman repaint (because yes, there are a disturbing number of people that have actually demanded "light blue Superman").

 

Basically, DCUC reached a point where retailers didn't have much interest, fans were losing interest in the retail line (because it was too New-52 and "heavy hitter" weighted), and fans were too divided into their various "camps" to support the subscription model. Mattel ended up with too many sub-audiences to please with just 12 figures a month.

 

Case in point? I bet if we all sat down and listed the "top 10" figures that we'd have wanted Mattel to make, we'd all end up with very different lists. Here, I'll start:

 

90's Kyle Rayner

Dick Grayson Batman

New 52 Cyborg

New 52 Green Lantern

Modern (Pre New-52) Dr. Mid-Nite

The Warlord (Travis Morgan)

Granny Goodness

Modern Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark)

Prometheus

Lady Shiva

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I disagree.

 

Sorry but there still are heavy hitters to be made.

 

Take Wonder Woman for example: An Iconic character known by the average citizen. Very little representation at all in the line.

 

This is an A-List character folks.

 

The bottom line is that Mattel lost there way about 2 1/2 years ago. Not all their fault because of the new 52 starting up and changing their plans.

 

Mattel however did not adapt and that is why the line is done.

 

The customers are there....but you have to sell them product.

 

Mattel wanted to sit back and wait for people to come to them instead of selling the people on the line with a little bit of effort.

 

I love what they did accomplish....after all, before this line, there was basically only the 34 character Super Powers line.

 

I have just about every figure they have made and I can say that there are still solid A and B-List characters to build waves around.

 

Marvel has a much lower amount of characters left to do than D.C. does and still they produce product that is selling out right now as we speak.

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I disagree.

 

Sorry but there still are heavy hitters to be made.

 

Take Wonder Woman for example: An Iconic character known by the average citizen. Very little representation at all in the line.

 

This is an A-List character folks.

 

The bottom line is that Mattel lost there way about 2 1/2 years ago. Not all their fault because of the new 52 starting up and changing their plans.

 

Mattel however did not adapt and that is why the line is done.

 

The customers are there....but you have to sell them product.

 

Mattel wanted to sit back and wait for people to come to them instead of selling the people on the line with a little bit of effort.

 

I love what they did accomplish....after all, before this line, there was basically only the 34 character Super Powers line.

 

I have just about every figure they have made and I can say that there are still solid A and B-List characters to build waves around.

 

Marvel has a much lower amount of characters left to do than D.C. does and still they produce product that is selling out right now as we speak.

 

I think you hit the nail on the head. Mattel wants to point the finger at the collector but they, as a company, are responsible for marketing their product and they didnt do it. Instead they shrouded themselves with bad press like bad QC, poor distribution, high prices, poor character selection, and forcing collectors to buy a sub with figures site unseen. There are plenty of characters to be made and plenty of collectors to buy them and plenty of money to be made. Mattel just cant pull it off.

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