MisterPL

Marvel's not even pushing a licensing program for this movie. The last solo Wolverine flick didn't do particularly well in terms of merchandising. It's too big of a risk for retailers, especially when you've got so many other genre properties to compete with and a toy market that's more volatile than ever. Back in my day, toys came out after the movie. That way the property would prove its popularity at the box office first, manufacturers could feel more confident acquiring the license, and licensors got to enjoy bidding wars over their properties. Given the economy and frugal corporate spending when it comes to risky investments like this, we may be seeing this trend returning.

Don't go scaring us, Rich. Everything will work out.

Not to throw a monkey wrench into things but what if it isn't a Disney Store exclusive? Walmart is selling Minimates online now and Zach just mentioned that DST does have a WB license. Of course if we're talking about a retailer that has a long distribution time to their stores, look no further than TRU. I'm not trying to kill any fairies here but maybe it's not Peter Pan after all, especially since it didn't coincide with the release of the Blu-Ray after all. That makes me sad Thanks for clearing up the DC/DST stuff, I was about to sharpen my pitchfork! Please feel free to keep posting in this thread! I have to pick a nit here. Zach specifically said "DC Direct." I don't think there's any bad blood between DC Direct/DC Collectibles and AA/DST at all. I do think that someone at WBCP could have a long memory about Batman New Times and has been reluctant to work with AA due to that. However, if DST has a WB license, I'd love to know what it is.

Thundercats is a WB license but DST doesn't have it. It's being licensed through Icon Heroes. Hmmm...

Well, everything's going to hell. Sounds like it's going the way of the Mummy 4-pack. Another missed window of opportunity due to factory issues. First that, then the shortage on Marvel Series 48, and now this. I hope DST gets a handle on these problems in China soon or we'll ALL be collecting Funko Pop this summer.

That makes more sense but why would they show such rough prototypes from another company at the Diamond booth? Whose sculpts are those?

No one can say you didn't try. I'm still holding out hope for a story that ends with, "... and they lived happily ever after."

Lucasfilm has had a history of licensing to anyone, especially smaller companies where their proerpty wasn't competing with many others. In a smaller portfolio within a modestly sized company, Star Wars can get the attention it demands. DST has approached Disney on a few occasions and has been turned down. Chuck's concern probably stems from a belief that Disney will take over Lucas Licensing and so far that's not true at all. In fact, Disney doesn't even handle Marvel's licensing. They bought these companies because they were doing things right, not because they needed fixing. Disney has told Lucasfilm employees – from ILM to Lucas Licensing – that it's "business as usual." However, when it comes to DC licensing, WBCP took the reins when WB cleaned house in NYC and moved all businesses except publishing to California. Hopefully with a different cast of characters at DC/WB and AA/DST, the chances of getting another shot at DC Minimates is better.

Were those busts or banks? Either way, the fact that DST is doing SOMETHING with Warner Bros. – and specifically DC Comics – is good news!

Check this out: Those are packaging prototypes for a line of WWE construction kits on display at 2013 Toy Fair. The interesting part is that they're in the showroom of The Bridge Direct, a little group made up of former employees of Toy Biz and Play Along Toys, the latter owned by Jakks Pacific, former licensee for WWE. As others recall, Play Along was the company that Art Asylum partnered with to make DC Minimates under the newly created C3 brand of construction kits. It's looking like someone from Jakks is trying to get back into the WWE market by offering construction kits. The question is: What about mini-figures? Will The Bridge make their own? Or will they partner with AA/DST to develop and manufacture WWE Minimates? I suppose they could create their own to make them more compatible with LEGO minig-figs. However it seems a figure with more articulation would have greater play value. Thoughts?

My TRU has a sale going on that actually includes Marvel Minimates! Buy one, get one 40% off! This sure would be a great time for this series to hit. Yup. Sure would.

I've yet to see Battle Beasts in northeast Pennsylvania either. I just read the first issue (thanks, Luke!) and am now kinda drawn to them a tiny bit. I may pick up some if the design is appealing... assuming I ever see them in the wild.

And that's all I have to say about that.

You know what would make a really nice Valentine's Day present to those who love Minimates the most? Those pictures we were promised a month or two ago.

$25 for a Ripley figure, a power loader, and a big-ass Alien Queen? Works for me. Just make sure there are a few pods thrown in for good measure.

A power loader wouldn't be big enough for vehicle treatment, would it? I'm thinking this could get the sarcophagus treatement; Ripley on one side of a two-pack, the power loader on the other.

wait, Janeway is coming out at specialty too?? Zach can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe what he's saying is that a short-packed TRU exclusive still has more production numbers that regularly released LCS product. That confused me, too. Your explanation makes sense but LCS and e-tailers have the advantage of pre-orders. So unless there's "an error at the factory" (Marvel Series 48) you're pretty much guaranteed to get that figure. If it's short-packed at TRU and there's only one store within a decent distance, you're stuck with the online crapshoot that is TRU.com or depending on the kindness of strangers, which is a pretty f@#ked up distrubution strategy if you ask me. If TRU is going to be getting exclusive figures from here on in, I wish they'd allow pre-orders online and in stores.

Still waiting for pictures.

But I'm not with a hotter, nicer chick and that asshole she's with is dorkier than I am! She'll be back. I just know she will. Filthy pirate hooker...

Due to my lack of interest, I merely skimmed over the Toy Fair images of the Enterprise. You're right; there have been some subtle but significant changes to the prototype we saw last year. I like that the captain's chair is removable. The smooth hull should lend itself better to repaints (battle damage, the inevitable ISS variant, etc). And that stand gets the ship pretty high off the shelf. I know I've done little but complain about this offering but it's grown on me. Now that we're getting more Trek Minimates, this is starting to look like the centerpiece of a fine display. Dang. But does it light up, vibrate, or do my taxes?

Depending on what the production design looks like, this Kre-O set from GI Joe might make a decent display for 'mates from this movie.

That's a big "YUP!" on the Shuttlecraft and Transporter playset. Now all I need are some Minimates from these flicks.

I'm in PA, too, but for some reason my TRU probably won't see this wave for another month. It's just like that.

"DC 2-Inch Collectible Block Figures" rolls right off the tongue although I'm also partial to "DC Not-Minimates."

I like that idea. If we can get an extra hand to hold a baby, we should be able to get an extra arm to hold a rifle properly.