3.75" DC Universe Infinite Heroes

[yathinkimdaddy]

Well, maybe not Power Girl, but that's an issue of a different sort.

BWA-HA-HA!!!!!!!!!!

[AdrienVeidt]

Are there any American-made toys that you actually like? I don't think I've ever heard you say a good thing about...anything.

I wouldn't be surprised if the answer is "No." At least you have the talent, time, and commitment to make your own toys when you're not satisfied with what's offered at retail. Some of us aren't that lucky and have to take what we can get.

Yeah, the 25A Joes. I like them fine enough to have bought pretty much everything issued so far. The only fig I've skipped is hooded CC and the 5pack figs on single cards.

The new WWE Build-n-Brawl figs are fan-farking-tastic figs. These are the absolute best action figures *ever*. They have stupefyingly good articulation and sculpting detail.

While no action figure line is perfect in every way, I've no problem dealing with minor issues here and there. I don't like the limited articulation of the 25A figs, but Hasbro's being cool enough to listen to all of us and improve those issues (except Dukie's crap wrist joint). Perhaps the BnB figs will all get proper grabby hands if we can't get swappable hands, to eliminate the closed fists and smack-ya-mamma hands that aren't any good for actual play value.

My only beef with the BnB's beyond the hands is that they're not easily disassembled. But since toy companies can't make their toys easily disassemblable because dumb American kids will eat the pieces, this isn't something that the BnBs can be singled out for.

I dislike the SW/Indy swivel hips simply because it's an artifically-limited joint that prevents the figs from really getting into good action poses. I don't see why the BnB hip joints can't be done for every SW/Indy fig in existence, but Hasbro seems to think collecotrs prefer their figs to look like they're actually wearing real pants with proper pants silhouettes.

But to say that I'm biased against *all* American toys because these DCIH figs are complete and utter shiat is just wrong. It's Mattel I'm biased against, and only becuase they've farked up every single solitary boy's toyline they've ever atempted to make in one fashion or another.

I think these figs are gonna bomb big-time, simply because they look so lame in comparison to the very large number of pre-existing 18th toylines and the ones that're coming down the pipe that we can see from the very same Toy Fair these were shown off at. People will only have so much money to spend, and I very much doubt Mattel will have these be significantly cheaper than the rest of the 18th figs that will be on the market.

Of course there'll be a flurry of sales when they first hit simply because they're the first remotely 18th DC figs since the SuperPowers line. But people will quickly tire of their lack of playability and see the other items that will give them more bang for their buck, and these will rot. And once again, Mattel will scratch their heads and wonder what went wrong.

[Goldbug]

The new WWE Build-n-Brawl figs are fan-farking-tastic figs. These are the absolute best action figures *ever*. They have stupefyingly good articulation and sculpting detail.
...
But to say that I'm biased against *all* American toys because these DCIH figs are complete and utter shiat is just wrong. It's Mattel I'm biased against, and only becuase they've farked up every single solitary boy's toyline they've ever atempted to make in one fashion or another.

I think these figs are gonna bomb big-time, simply because they look so lame in comparison to the very large number of pre-existing 18th toylines and the ones that're coming down the pipe that we can see from the very same Toy Fair these were shown off at. People will only have so much money to spend, and I very much doubt Mattel will have these be significantly cheaper than the rest of the 18th figs that will be on the market.

Of course there'll be a flurry of sales when they first hit simply because they're the first remotely 18th DC figs since the SuperPowers line. But people will quickly tire of their lack of playability and see the other items that will give them more bang for their buck, and these will rot. And once again, Mattel will scratch their heads and wonder what went wrong.

Ironically Mattel is getting the WWE license.
Yep the main point is that it's been a looong time since we had any domestically released DC heroes in 1/18th scale. I am for sure skipping Superman, Batman, Batgirl, & Catwoman. Each of those I already have in Microman format. SuperPowers wasn't 1/18th scale. They were 4 or 5 inchers. I think Mego was the last ones to make them 1/18th. Now that is a LONG time!
We need a petition to make DCIH have DCUC articulation. In fact I was dreaming that I tried hydro-shrinking DCUC figures by taking them apart. Even though I have never tried shrinking anything before.

[AdrienVeidt]

Yah, I've been stocking up on BnBs knowing they'll eventually be replaced by Mattel crap.

I hope y'all enjoy paying more for a 6-10 POA p.o.s. than you do for a Joe fig:

Though the figures shown at Toy Fair were early prototypes, Mattel's Scott Neitlich tells us that these figures will have 6 to 10 points of articulation. Single carded figures will have a SRP of $5.00 and 3-packs $15.99.

[Smokescreen]

At least the DC figures will be able to sit down.

[Alexx]

Ouch....okay, I honestly didn't have a problem with these figures as they are, but five bucks? Come on. We get joes for 4.99 and we get tons of complex tiny parts that make up articulation and accessories. You can't tell me that those little DC figures with barely any moveable parts is gona get up to the same price. I thought these guys looked like fantastic little collectable guys considering how simple they are, but not at a similar price to a Joe.

I mean, these are old style toys, which is just fine by me, but I had figured that the building process in the factory somehow went into the price. Right? I mean, it'll be really quick to put one of these together as opposed to a 25th Joe. There aren't that many individual parts, not to mention how many of those figures wear tights and how often that'll enable Mattel to use the same body for alot of figures. On top of all of that, barely any of them are going to come with accessories (which makes sense for alot of characters) so what are we paying for here? I know I don't have a lick of info on how the toy business works, but just using examples from others toys, I figure we aren't really getting alot of bang for our buck.

[Jmacq1]

Are there any American-made toys that you actually like? I don't think I've ever heard you say a good thing about...anything.

I wouldn't be surprised if the answer is "No." At least you have the talent, time, and commitment to make your own toys when you're not satisfied with what's offered at retail. Some of us aren't that lucky and have to take what we can get.

Yeah, the 25A Joes. I like them fine enough to have bought pretty much everything issued so far. The only fig I've skipped is hooded CC and the 5pack figs on single cards.

The new WWE Build-n-Brawl figs are fan-farking-tastic figs. These are the absolute best action figures *ever*. They have stupefyingly good articulation and sculpting detail.

While no action figure line is perfect in every way, I've no problem dealing with minor issues here and there. I don't like the limited articulation of the 25A figs, but Hasbro's being cool enough to listen to all of us and improve those issues (except Dukie's crap wrist joint). Perhaps the BnB figs will all get proper grabby hands if we can't get swappable hands, to eliminate the closed fists and smack-ya-mamma hands that aren't any good for actual play value.

My only beef with the BnB's beyond the hands is that they're not easily disassembled. But since toy companies can't make their toys easily disassemblable because dumb American kids will eat the pieces, this isn't something that the BnBs can be singled out for.

I dislike the SW/Indy swivel hips simply because it's an artifically-limited joint that prevents the figs from really getting into good action poses. I don't see why the BnB hip joints can't be done for every SW/Indy fig in existence, but Hasbro seems to think collecotrs prefer their figs to look like they're actually wearing real pants with proper pants silhouettes.

But to say that I'm biased against *all* American toys because these DCIH figs are complete and utter shiat is just wrong. It's Mattel I'm biased against, and only becuase they've farked up every single solitary boy's toyline they've ever atempted to make in one fashion or another.

I think these figs are gonna bomb big-time, simply because they look so lame in comparison to the very large number of pre-existing 18th toylines and the ones that're coming down the pipe that we can see from the very same Toy Fair these were shown off at. People will only have so much money to spend, and I very much doubt Mattel will have these be significantly cheaper than the rest of the 18th figs that will be on the market.

Of course there'll be a flurry of sales when they first hit simply because they're the first remotely 18th DC figs since the SuperPowers line. But people will quickly tire of their lack of playability and see the other items that will give them more bang for their buck, and these will rot. And once again, Mattel will scratch their heads and wonder what went wrong.

*coughcoughJLUcoughcough*

There have been roughly 1/18 scale DCU figures on shelves for the last several years, in other words, with extremely limited articulation, heavy use of repainted molds, and...they've been rather successful. But JLU looks to be getting phased out in favor of this new line.

So I'm afraid your theory of "people tiring of their lack of playability" doesn't hold water in light of that particular past history.

I'm curious though, how do you think Mattel "karked up" the DC Superheroes/DCU Classics line? I've found most of those figures to be of rather good quality, poseability, and aesthetic. Certainly better than what Hasbro's been passing off as "Marvel Legends" for the last year or so.

[Jmacq1]

Ouch....okay, I honestly didn't have a problem with these figures as they are, but five bucks? Come on. We get joes for 4.99 and we get tons of complex tiny parts that make up articulation and accessories. You can't tell me that those little DC figures with barely any moveable parts is gona get up to the same price. I thought these guys looked like fantastic little collectable guys considering how simple they are, but not at a similar price to a Joe.

By the time these hit, they'll probably be less than Joe, because I'm betting Joe gets a price-increase this year along with Star Wars (They're already giving the new "Clone Wars" and "Legacy Collection" figures a MSRP of $7.99). In fact, just about every toy line will be going up in price by $1 or so per figure. You can thank the "increased quality control measures" implemented after all the lead paint recalls last year for it (as well as the price of oil, of course). Even if it's just a lame excuse for the toy companies to gouge the prices of their toys.

And if we're lucky enough to not get a price increase on Joes this year, you can bet we'll get it with the movie line.

[PrimeOp]

With JLU, I think they cut back on the articulation because of the character designs. The scrawny legs that work fine in the cartoon are barely bigger than Pixie Sticks in the JLU figure scale. Fans give the low articulation a pass because the figures are a 3-D representation of the DCAU drawing style. From what I've seen on some toy boards, they seem to hate anything that adds joints to them and makes them look less like the drawings. So there's a specific reason and logic for that the low joint count. These comic-styled DC figures will not have that excuse and I hope they take that into account.

I'm going to give Mattel props on this because this is a big risk. They may not get as many p.o.a. as Joes or Micromen but they'll be some of my favorite characters in my favorite action figure scale. As long as they're nicely sculpted and don't have the dreaded V-crotch and they don't completely chump out on the easy stuff (swivel waists shouldn't be hard to do), I'll probably be all over this line.

[Goldbug]

By the time these hit, they'll probably be less than Joe, because I'm betting Joe gets a price-increase this year along with Star Wars (They're already giving the new "Clone Wars" and "Legacy Collection" figures a MSRP of $7.99). In fact, just about every toy line will be going up in price by $1 or so per figure. You can thank the "increased quality control measures" implemented after all the lead paint recalls last year for it (as well as the price of oil, of course). Even if it's just a lame excuse for the toy companies to gouge the prices of their toys.

And if we're lucky enough to not get a price increase on Joes this year, you can bet we'll get it with the movie line.

Are they nuts?! KMart already has Star Wars figures at $8.89! If they increase the MSRP then I would thing KMart will increase their price over $10!!! Both WalMart & Target have SW at $6.63(even though they haven't had anything new since Xmas). Meijer already sells them for $7.99. I have already stopped buying any new Star Wars figures. If Joe goes up then I am done with those too.
BTW JLU is not 1/18th scale. They are much taller.
MSRP for DCIH is $5.00 for single and 3-packs $15.99. I don't understand why the 3 packs would be more than a single.

[Jmacq1]

By the time these hit, they'll probably be less than Joe, because I'm betting Joe gets a price-increase this year along with Star Wars (They're already giving the new "Clone Wars" and "Legacy Collection" figures a MSRP of $7.99). In fact, just about every toy line will be going up in price by $1 or so per figure. You can thank the "increased quality control measures" implemented after all the lead paint recalls last year for it (as well as the price of oil, of course). Even if it's just a lame excuse for the toy companies to gouge the prices of their toys.

And if we're lucky enough to not get a price increase on Joes this year, you can bet we'll get it with the movie line.

Are they nuts?! KMart already has Star Wars figures at $8.89! If they increase the MSRP then I would thing KMart will increase their price over $10!!! Both WalMart & Target have SW at $6.63(even though they haven't had anything new since Xmas). Meijer already sells them for $7.99. I have already stopped buying any new Star Wars figures. If Joe goes up then I am done with those too.
BTW JLU is not 1/18th scale. They are much taller.
MSRP for DCIH is $5.00 for single and 3-packs $15.99. I don't understand why the 3 packs would be more than a single.

Welcome to the world of inflation, high oil prices (which drives up the price of plastic) and extra quality-control checks in China. Pay up or don't get your toys, it's about that simple.

Though the extra rumor is that the new "Clone Wars" and "Legacy" figures will only have a 7.99 pricepoint for the first couple weeks that they're out. Then they'll drop back down to the $6.99. If you'll recall, they did the same thing with the "Revenge of the Sith" figures when they first came out.

[AdrienVeidt]

Mind you, the only company (pertaining to our hobby, at least) I recall having problems with their quality control and issuing recalls was ... Mattel. I don't see why Hasbro would need to raise their q/c costs when they were already working fine.

Besides, it's not like this q/c effort involves a Hasbro (or Mattel, or whoever) employee actually standing there on the assembly line looking over the guy's (or more than likely girl's) shoulder to ensure he's not putting date-rape drugs into the toys. It's a matter of the Hasbro division leader getting on the phone and yelling a lot.

[Jmacq1]

Mind you, the only company (pertaining to our hobby, at least) I recall having problems with their quality control and issuing recalls was ... Mattel. I don't see why Hasbro would need to raise their q/c costs when they were already working fine.

Besides, it's not like this q/c effort involves a Hasbro (or Mattel, or whoever) employee actually standing there on the assembly line looking over the guy's (or more than likely girl's) shoulder to ensure he's not putting date-rape drugs into the toys. It's a matter of the Hasbro division leader getting on the phone and yelling a lot.

Doesn't matter. All toy companies have had to add more QC checks and failsafes because of the problems. And quite frankly, I'm just repeating what Hasbro themselves have said on the matter.

[AdrienVeidt]

Meh, I still think that's irrelevant. How does making people pay attention cost more? The only way I'd see that is if they simply hire more people to be in the flow-thru process. It's more likely a cover for increasing plastics costs.

Which makes me wonder. We keep hearing about the problem of Peak Oil and how it affects our cars and heating bills and society in general. We know they're working on new fuels and so forth.

But what happens to our beloved toys when there's no more oil to make plastics from? Will everything be die-cast? Wood?

[FirstReality]

But what happens to our beloved toys when there's no more oil to make plastics from? Will everything be die-cast? Wood?

THIS is why mankind needs to get off it's rear end and find a way to make matter/energy replication work - either that, or we need to get off our rear ends and find some other planets to start harvesting oil from. We may be able to live with electric cars, but not when we can't make them out of plastic!

'Course, I suppose we could always try this fancy "recycling" thing I keep hearing about........