NOW IS THE TIME

[ensign]

What do we know? Toyguru has said that the reason why the DCIE Subscription was created in the first place was because obscure and female characters don’t sell at retail stores because moms and kids don’t pick them up. He has said that in order for the subscription to work, there needs to be a certain amount of subscribers, a magical number that we have not been provided with. If the subscription sells with enough subscribers then business moves on as normal in 2013 and we get Saint Walker, Larfleeze, Wally West Flash, Mallah and the Brain and Elongated Man. That gets us through May of 2013. If the subscription does not get enough subscribers then we may not get the figures at all, or if we do it may be at higher prices. The reason for this per Toyguru is that it cost more money to produce less figures and that’s why the price would go up.

 

We know that the DCIE Line and the Masters of the Universe Line are on the verge of failing this year. The reasons for this are many, but honestly are the same problems that have plagued Mattel from the get go. There have been quality control issues, prices have gone up, figures are hard to get hold of if you don’t have a subscription and even if you do, you have to buy figures you don’t want. There are billing issues, shipping issues, and customer service issues. There is no love for the subscription model or Digital River. Do any of these issues sound new. No, they do not. You can go on any forum on any website and they will be discussing the same issues and many more.

 

But what do we also know? We know that the DC Superheroes, DC Universe Classics, DC Infinite Earths, Young Justice (6 inch), Public Enemies and Batman Legacy, collectively are one of the greatest Superhero Action Figure Lines ever in the history of action figures. The Mattel DC lines surpassed Mego and Kenner’s Super Powers Collection long ago. They outshine any line that Toy Biz, Kenner, or Hasbro did while they had the Toy License for DC Comics. They are at least equal now to GI Joe, Star Wars, and Transformers, the titular icons of the toy aisles. They are only second to the greatest toy lines ever, Marvel Legends and Marvel Universe. I’m sorry Scott, you and your team can’t even hold a candle next to what Toy Biz and Hasbro have done with those lines. However, Mattel’s DC 6 Inch Collector Lines are indeed great. How long will it be again until another toy company with a team that seems to genuinely care about the line provide a DC line that goes into the depth of character selection and provide the articulation that these figures have? We may all be in retirement homes if it even happens because we know that action figures are going to the wayside next to video games and social media. Are we willing to let one of the greats die because we are unwilling buy a subscription and work within the system for what we all really want: as many 6 Inch DC Universe figures as we can get our hands on? This line could go on as long as GI Joe and Barbie have.

 

Play national anthem now. In this country, our most important means of expression, more than the freedom of speech, freedom of religion or right to bear arms is our right to vote. We vote on everything everyday with our words, with the selection of our consumer goods, with which who we do and do not associate, what we watch on TV or what we listen to on the radio. Businesses survive or not based on the votes we make with our money. There are far more important things to be concerned about in this election year than action figures. There’s health care, gay marriage, foreign policy, debt, and the poor economy which is at the root of out insignificant dilemma at hand. Point being, by getting the subscription, you get a vote and a say on what happens in this line and if nothing else, Mattel at least listens.

 

I really do feel like I belong to a community by collecting this line. Scott, Toyguru, answers all my questions even if he doesn’t like the question or I don’t like the answer. I know that when I talk to another collector on the board or in the toy aisle, we share something in common, which is either talking about how great a figure is or badmouthing Mattel for something we think is stupid. I’m in my early thirties and every one I know, even my students and kids I work with know that collecting action figures is what I do. Its part of my identity and I don’t care who knows it. One reason for that is that I know by collecting these figures, I’m part of something special and when they do finally go away for good, they will be worth something more than money, there will be people who come along afterward who wish they had been around to get them too.

 

As for the problems: Quality Control – send it back and get a new one. Prices – they have gone up because this line came out right when the economy went belly up, prices go up anyway and Mattel has to pay manufacturers more for producing less figures. They are not as many DCIE figures produced as GI JOE, Transformer, etc… Figures are hard to find - buy the subscription or find a reasonable online toy store or buddy. As for customer service, billing, and shipping, Scott has said they are working on this, they have said that for a long time, but you can live and hope. Character Selection - my biggest pet peeve, Scott says he’s limited by Mattel lawyers on what he can or cannot say. Sounds dumb, but you know lawyers. If you’re a lawyer, please explain. Character selection can make or break a toy line and we the fans need to demand a greater say in what gets made. At the very least, it could give us a small sense of ownership.

 

So those of ya’ll (yes I live in Texas, get off) who are on the fence or said no, reconsider. We, your fellow fan boys, get you are ****ed. But buy the subscription. Lets work together from the inside to make it what we all want it to be. AUGUST 6th ALL IN PEOPLE, LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kerowack]

What do we know? Toyguru has said that the reason why the DCIE Subscription was created in the first place was because obscure and female characters don’t sell at retail stores because moms and kids don’t pick them up. He has said that in order for the subscription to work, there needs to be a certain amount of subscribers, a magical number that we have not been provided with. If the subscription sells with enough subscribers then business moves on as normal in 2013 and we get Saint Walker, Larfleeze, Wally West Flash, Mallah and the Brain and Elongated Man. That gets us through May of 2013. If the subscription does not get enough subscribers then we may not get the figures at all, or if we do it may be at higher prices. The reason for this per Toyguru is that it cost more money to produce less figures and that’s why the price would go up.

 

We know that the DCIE Line and the Masters of the Universe Line are on the verge of failing this year. The reasons for this are many, but honestly are the same problems that have plagued Mattel from the get go. There have been quality control issues, prices have gone up, figures are hard to get hold of if you don’t have a subscription and even if you do, you have to buy figures you don’t want. There are billing issues, shipping issues, and customer service issues. There is no love for the subscription model or Digital River. Do any of these issues sound new. No, they do not. You can go on any forum on any website and they will be discussing the same issues and many more.

 

But what do we also know? We know that the DC Superheroes, DC Universe Classics, DC Infinite Earths, Young Justice (6 inch), Public Enemies and Batman Legacy, collectively are one of the greatest Superhero Action Figure Lines ever in the history of action figures. The Mattel DC lines surpassed Mego and Kenner’s Super Powers Collection long ago. They outshine any line that Toy Biz, Kenner, or Hasbro did while they had the Toy License for DC Comics. They are at least equal now to GI Joe, Star Wars, and Transformers, the titular icons of the toy aisles. They are only second to the greatest toy lines ever, Marvel Legends and Marvel Universe. I’m sorry Scott, you and your team can’t even hold a candle next to what Toy Biz and Hasbro have done with those lines. However, Mattel’s DC 6 Inch Collector Lines are indeed great. How long will it be again until another toy company with a team that seems to genuinely care about the line provide a DC line that goes into the depth of character selection and provide the articulation that these figures have? We may all be in retirement homes if it even happens because we know that action figures are going to the wayside next to video games and social media. Are we willing to let one of the greats die because we are unwilling buy a subscription and work within the system for what we all really want: as many 6 Inch DC Universe figures as we can get our hands on? This line could go on as long as GI Joe and Barbie have.

 

Play national anthem now. In this country, our most important means of expression, more than the freedom of speech, freedom of religion or right to bear arms is our right to vote. We vote on everything everyday with our words, with the selection of our consumer goods, with which who we do and do not associate, what we watch on TV or what we listen to on the radio. Businesses survive or not based on the votes we make with our money. There are far more important things to be concerned about in this election year than action figures. There’s health care, gay marriage, foreign policy, debt, and the poor economy which is at the root of out insignificant dilemma at hand. Point being, by getting the subscription, you get a vote and a say on what happens in this line and if nothing else, Mattel at least listens.

 

I really do feel like I belong to a community by collecting this line. Scott, Toyguru, answers all my questions even if he doesn’t like the question or I don’t like the answer. I know that when I talk to another collector on the board or in the toy aisle, we share something in common, which is either talking about how great a figure is or badmouthing Mattel for something we think is stupid. I’m in my early thirties and every one I know, even my students and kids I work with know that collecting action figures is what I do. Its part of my identity and I don’t care who knows it. One reason for that is that I know by collecting these figures, I’m part of something special and when they do finally go away for good, they will be worth something more than money, there will be people who come along afterward who wish they had been around to get them too.

 

As for the problems: Quality Control – send it back and get a new one. Prices – they have gone up because this line came out right when the economy went belly up, prices go up anyway and Mattel has to pay manufacturers more for producing less figures. They are not as many DCIE figures produced as GI JOE, Transformer, etc… Figures are hard to find - buy the subscription or find a reasonable online toy store or buddy. As for customer service, billing, and shipping, Scott has said they are working on this, they have said that for a long time, but you can live and hope. Character Selection - my biggest pet peeve, Scott says he’s limited by Mattel lawyers on what he can or cannot say. Sounds dumb, but you know lawyers. If you’re a lawyer, please explain. Character selection can make or break a toy line and we the fans need to demand a greater say in what gets made. At the very least, it could give us a small sense of ownership.

 

So those of ya’ll (yes I live in Texas, get off) who are on the fence or said no, reconsider. We, your fellow fan boys, get you are ****ed. But buy the subscription. Lets work together from the inside to make it what we all want it to be. AUGUST 6th ALL IN PEOPLE, LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

All that being said, strobo and the fighting foe men urgently beg for your nay vote by the 6th! Show the world you don't want your shelves clogged with pricey and obscure characters!

[Nguyen_Dragon]

I was on the fence about jumping back in Marvel Legends until I was able to grab the X-Force 3-pack... I am moving my DCUC toy fund over to Marvel Legends if this is how Mattel does business going forward... So much drama for action figures...

[featofstrength]

So much drama for action figures...

 

Thank the terrible Toyman...

[rash]

There's nothing going on here that's not part of the normal business cycle.

 

I have to laugh when people complain about the sub, decide not to subscribe, and then express shock that (gasp!) it may be discontinued if sales are too low.

 

That's how it works!!!

 

If you're not thrilled about every figure they offer, then (pardon the pun) join the club! Personally, I could not care less about Atrocitus or John Constantine, but since I'm not their only customer they don't normally ask me for my preferences.

 

I think MATTEL and DC are doing a great job with these figs, and I hope the line continues for a long time. But...nothing lasts forever.

[Doom Saber]

There's nothing going on here that's not part of the normal business cycle.

 

I have to laugh when people complain about the sub, decide not to subscribe, and then express shock that (gasp!) it may be discontinued if sales are too low.

 

That's how it works!!!

 

If you're not thrilled about every figure they offer, then (pardon the pun) join the club! Personally, I could not care less about Atrocitus or John Constantine, but since I'm not their only customer they don't normally ask me for my preferences.

 

I think MATTEL and DC are doing a great job with these figs, and I hope the line continues for a long time. But...nothing lasts forever.

True. IT's THE COMPANY'S FAULT for killing off the line despite no the lack of fan support. There is a reason why some companies prefer subs over votes - fans love to vote despite not being willing to commit to it.

[Draven79]

Well if they had put some females in the Sub next year.... *cough* Huntress *cough* I would have signed up asap.

Draven

[CaptainTriumph]

I bought my 3 subs....even without the "Captain Triumph" figure reveal that I was sure we would get this year....

[rash]

I bought my 3 subs....even without the "Captain Triumph" figure reveal that I was sure we would get this year....

 

I'd love a CAPTAIN TRIUMPH figure!

 

Is he owned by DC, or is he public domain?

[Cloud]

From what I understand. A pre-order system would have worked equally well for everyone. What Mattel is trying to do right now is trying to eliminate the possibility of non popular characters not selling equally well as the fan demanded ones. When this happens in retail we call them peg warmers. When this happens to Matty, we're asked to buy a sub.

[CLAM]

I haven't purchased a Mattel product for years. And it feels GOOOOOOOOD. So good.

 

not a fan enough of their products to put up with the garbage from toyguru and his horrible management

[yojoebro82]

I haven't purchased a Mattel product for years. And it feels GOOOOOOOOD. So good.

 

 

 

I was like that for a long time but caved to certain DCUC figures. Green Arrow, Azriael Batman, and a couple of others were too good to pass up. But I found them at retail and didn't have to play any games or be stuck with figures I don't want (one might call me a "cherry picker") which is the way is should be.

[CaptainTriumph]

I bought my 3 subs....even without the "Captain Triumph" figure reveal that I was sure we would get this year....

 

I'd love a CAPTAIN TRIUMPH figure!

 

Is he owned by DC, or is he public domain?

I'm not sure. D.C. just used the name within the last few years in the Freedom Fighters comicbook, but I have to think he's in the public domain.

[supreme-d]

Great the line will continue, "whoopie". Now onto more pressing matters; who doesn't really want their upcoming Wally West figure?? And when will we be getting the Kyle Rayner and Hook hand Aquaman I've been wanting for forever?

[HarryWildman]

Great the line will continue, "whoopie". Now onto more pressing matters; who doesn't really want their upcoming Wally West figure?? And when will we be getting the Kyle Rayner and Hook hand Aquaman I've been wanting for forever?

 

 

 

I do hope certain aspects of the Wally West figure are reconsidered before production, yes. Classic costume Kyle and hook hand Aquaman would be awesome.

 

 

To the OP, I respect and share your passion for the DCU figures, but there is no way they come even close to GI Joe, Star Wars, and Transformers. Maybe they'll be a contender if or when they get a Batmobile, a Legion of Doom headquarters or at least something that resembles a vehicle or playset.