[The Wire]

Mattel Q&A Round 4

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[BingoBrown]

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TNI: You mentioned in the last Q&A that Lobo would not be made for the DCUC line because the character was too violent. Since the character has appeared in both the Superman Animated TV series and JLU series and seems no more or less violent than Darkseid, can you go into more detail on why this character won't be used?

Mattel: While many adult collectors enjoy our DC toy line, they are also toy lines aimed at kids. It was felt by the powers that be that Lobo was just too violent of a character to offer for toy stores. Although Lobo was relatively tame on the JLU animated series and Superman the Animated series, his comic books are a bit too violent for children - hence why doing a toy based on this character is off limits. When kids buy a toy they often look for the comics as well, and his comics are not kid friendly!

Nice to see TNI press Mattel on this issue. Unfortunately, Mattel's stance still hasn't changed, and they're still wrong.

Another problem with Mattel's logic is their reliance on the "Lobo comics" as a problem. Now, I'm no expert in the area, as I only collect graphic novels these days, but I did find a link that says the last comic Lobo was in was published in 2004. Considering this, I'm not sure how Mattel's argument is even relevant, because no kid is going to be picking up a "violent," "non-kid friendly" comic when they aren't even being made by DC right now.

The "powers that be" really need to take a look at this again, because there is obvious fan outcry for a Lobo figure to be made in the new DC Universe line.

[Kenny28]

Violent comic characters seem to be working just fine for Hasbro and Marvel Toys. We're getting a new Punisher figure and just about everyone in the Legendary Comic Book Super Heroes line are from violent and/or adult oriented comics.

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Now, I'm no expert in the area, as I only collect graphic novels these days, but I did find a link that says the last comic Lobo was in was published in 2004. Considering this, I'm not sure how Mattel's argument is even relevant, because no kid is going to be picking up a "violent," "non-kid friendly" comic when they aren't even being made by DC right now.

There's a Lobo/Batman mini going on right now. And Lobo was in 52 alot. And he's been showing up in Supergirl and Teen Titans lately. We're still getting plenty of Lobo.

Also, kids read comics?

[synch]

I think there main problem with lobo is the nudie and sex that one sees in the comics they are just playing it safe here I suppose as lame as it may be... there could also be other copy right/legal problems as well since as bingo said who knows who owns the character rights & what not :S

[thanos0341]

And Wolverine is not violent? He just finshed beheading Sabretooth not too long ago! And tons of kids read his comic which is still selling.

This is such a copout, lame excuse by the powers that be at DC/Mattel.

How about making him an exclusive figure that you have to buy online? Don't see too many little kids being able to do that?

Any other suggestions?

PS DCDirect made him a few yrs back & just recently re-released him again with a new head sculpt last yr I believe.

The "he's too violent" excuse doesn't apply to them?

[drzenith]

Ok the little kids would buy John Stewart Green Lantern, Booster Gold, Dr. Fate, etc..

Then they bought the DC 52 and found out Lobo.
It still does not shed them away from Lobo's violence.

If they really wanted to find him they can. The Powers to be needed to be told: "You're Fired!"

[CapnJeffro]

What scares me the most with this type of logic is that other characters might be seen the same way. I still want a Deathstroke and Deadshot, but wouldn't hired killers.. be too violent?

[Mullog21]

So when will we get the lineups since all the ones listed are wrong.

[acethebathound]

Tom and Jerry are violent too. That's why I kill people, because I grew up on Tom and Jerry cartoons.

[zoomfactor32]

I hope we can get a Lobo as an exclusive somehow. I had to buy SDCC Man-Bat on ebay, and I'd do the same with Lobo. He is just too cool of a character to not get some 4H plastic love!

[drzenith]

The Powers to be just hate Lobo.

And dont forget Lex Luthor, he is too Evil to be made of an action figure since he does not flash the toilet. Who knows little kids might to do that?

[Cloud]

So it this a Mattel decision or a DC decision?
It's so hard to say what characters are violent and what's not. Comic book characters are too flexible to be determined as violent or not. Look at the TMNT, their original comic was really violent and bloody. And yet, they got a lighten up animated series and even have lighter mood comics like TMNT Adventures.
If Lobo appeared in JL I dont see why he's still too violent to be made...

[MisterPL]

Someone should send Mattel execs a few issues of All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder featuring the bone-crushing, cop-beating, goddamn Batman. Maybe then they'll stop making Batman toys.

[Leatusiv]

Amen to that!!!! Love the story but could do without all the GD's!!! Yeah,like we need some Batman figures lol.

[synch]

drzenith, on Oct 2 2007, 10:31 PM, said:

The Powers to be just hate Lobo.

And dont forget Lex Luthor, he is too Evil to be made of an action figure since he does not flash the toilet. Who knows little kids might to do that?

look out kids!! lex luthor is THINKING some more oh noesssssss!!

[jjlecaros]

have him be a sdcc exclusive or something

[acethebathound]

MisterPL, on Oct 4 2007, 03:06 PM, said:

Someone should send Mattel execs a few issues of All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder featuring the bone-crushing, cop-beating, goddamn Batman. Maybe then they'll stop making Batman toys.

Nah, they should just stop giving Frank Miller new Batman projects.