MisterPL

A Trek line that focuses exclusively on TOS is like a Star Wars line that focuses exclusively on "A New Hope." Yeah, that's the one that started it all but there are fans of later incarnations as well. Not to to mention the fact that Abrams' movie blurs the line regarding TOS. (Same characters, different actors, alternate universe.) Trek should be treated like Marvel. In a movie year, feel free to push a series that ties in to the release. In a non-movie year, look for other things to complement, like TNG's anniversary! Give us variety because "us" represents very few Trekkies who ONLY collect TOS. Some of us collect Trek from ALL eras but from what I've seen most collect from their favorite era and that now runs quite a gamut. But yeah. Nazis and Tommy guns and Sulu!

"A Piece of the Action" variants could be fun, too. We've already got period double-breasted suits courtesy of Universal Monsters. We've also got passable fedoras from Rocky and BSG. There's some customizing potential there but there are plenty of variations that would make cool anchors for episode-themed waves. ("Patterns of Force" leaps to mind.)

Art Asylum has these sets shipping on August 1st. Were they moved up?

And who do we expect in this Iron Man 3 wave? • Iron Man in the new armor is obvious. (Really liking that Hall of Armor display.) • A Tony Stark from that concept illo that was released might be cool. • Army-building figures from the same image perhaps? • There was a certain armor variant spotted while filming in North Carolina. SPOILER IMAGE • This is pure gossip but there was a report suggesting putting Pepper in some armor so... Rescue, anyone? • Oh, and I read somewhere that Mandarin might be in this flick. And speaking of that Hall of Armor, I'm wondering if there's a way for DST to offer those alcoves as interlocking stands. Maybe that's a little ambitious.

Are you referring to the 'mates or are we still on the orgy?

My Sue will NEVER wear the mullet. That hairpiece will end up on a zombie.

Agreed, that's why I was picturing a "Through the Ages" 4-pack footprint but maybe with only two figures and the "stand." Selling the bike in two pieces across two SKUs might be a means to an end but I'd prefer it be in one piece. I'd settle for the bike-with-legs solution if only because then it's not a vehicle; it's an alternate torso!

Wave 48 comes out in January 2013. Iron Man 3 comes out May 3rd. I think I know what the safe bet is.

I can't help thinking that this was a REALLY easy sell to Disney execs. "Really?! It's got a talking animal! We've had some VERY good luck with talking animals! This is gonna be HUGE!" But what's up with the "Based on the Marvel comic book" tagline on this and Ant-Man? None of the other films get that tagline.

I need some closure on that last story. Did the kid find his family or did Flash get a new sidekick?

I'd like to see that happen with a lot of comic properties, specifically Batman. All things considered, we're probably more likely to see a Punisher show on Starz since Disney's in bed with them. Either way, great short! Thanks for sharing!

With the exception of Superman's classic costume, I don't see why they'd have to repeat any designs. Everybody else has enough changes in their looks that they probably wouldn't have any repeats. Personally I'd offer DC 'mates based on TV shows, movies and video games and THEN maybe offer comic book versions, if only to put more distance between that and the DC Direct line. That said, I wouldn't mind a "Best of" wave that I can ignore but allows new collectors to jump on board.

What would you do with a grey Thing noggin?

This is why Ghost Rider did NOT get my vote. I understand that vehicles aren't allowed under DST's Marvel contract but we've somewhow gotten Surfer's board and Goblin's glider. Why not a stand that looks like Ghost Rider's flaming bike? I'm picturing something in translucent orange plastic, of course, with no moving parts whatsoever so it doesn't piss of whoever has the vehicle license. If we can get a sarcophagus with Universal Monsters Mummy 'mates, I think a bike/stand with a Ghost Rider Through the Ages set is in order.

You make it sound like Match.com for geeks. :tongue:

Mattel absolutely SHOULD license MOTU to DST or anyone else who adores the property. I think there's a lot more market to tap into but, damn, those people are just... ugh. Let's just say the only thing I think Mattel's done right is to partner with The Four Horsemen. They could use more partners like them.

I'm wondering if a property like The Hunger Games could get the Minimates brand some more exposure.

I have two confessions. 1. Back in the day, I voted to kill off Jason Todd. I'd like to apologize to and thank MrJasonTodd for his coverage of the Minimates panel. 2. Of all the news, I'm most excited about the Alicia Masters 'mate with Thing bust. I think that's just brilliant and can't wait to add it to my collection.

Yeah, I'd probably but the Spidey set, too, if only for the Iron Spidey I missed the first time. (And in the hopes this one would be an upgrade with extra appendages!)

Not even a Gotham by Gaslight Batman Minimate? Not even a Man of Steel Superman Minimate?

I'd be shocked if Mattel allowed anyone else to do anything even remotely resembling an action figure.

MAX seemed like a way to prove to Disney that DST would make a great Pirates of the Caribbean licensee. I picked up the firefighters and cops (but apparently not enough) but passed on wave 2. I never picked up the jets but was looking forward to the other vehicles that were planned. Alas, it was not to be.

My wife called to tell me there's a box from Big Bad Toy Store at home waiting for me. My comic shop received the TRU case of the last MvC wave by mistake so I finally got around to ordering it from BBTS last week. They also still had the Captain America army-builders dump from last year which my shop passed on since the Thor dump was a tough sell-through for them. Good for me because BBTS had it at a much lower price. I also received the Expendables TRU 4-pack and got the Disney.com Avengers 2-pack two days ago. I'm saturated in Minimates this week!

Micronauts were a lot of fun and kept me sated while awaiting Star Wars toys to be released. I'd love to see DST come up with their own sci-fi line of 'mates and vehicles. All things considered I think it would be a big seller if only because the sci-fi genre complements so many other lines DST has going, especially Marvel.

I just don't see DC Minimates working. It's been tried so many times and failed repeatedly. I know the natural reaction is to compare DC to Marvel but let's face it; DC simply doesn't have as many viable characters as Marvel. DC has ONE money-maker; Batman. Everyone else – including their "man of steel" – is a dud. WB can't get another successful franchise off the ground. The last Justice League film project was axed days before it started filming. The Wonder Woman TV pilot was turned down by NBC. A concept for a live-action Batman spin-off, "The Graysons," was (thankfully) discarded before it even made it into production. The vast majority of WB's DC projects languish in development hell for years if not decades and the few that make it out end up being unrecognizable bastardizations. (Yes, that was a Catwoman reference.) On the other hand, Marvel managed to make even some of their second-tier characters household names and they're not stopping. An Ant-Man film is in the works, a Guardians of the Galaxy feature is on the slate, and even Squirrel Girl is getting face time with the mass market. Marvel is left by Disney to do what it does best while DC is practically sabotaged by its parent company, WB, at every turn. DC Entertainment might have its act together when it comes to animation but Mattel cancelled its Young Justice toy line because retailers just aren't interested. And if you can't promote a toy line with a critically acclaimed, high-rated cartoon, you're screwed. One problem is that DC characters are gods and consumers don't identify with gods. They identify with teen angst. They identify with people with problems, whether it's peer pressure or alcoholism or dysfunctional families and Marvel excels at offering that. Marvel exists in the real world – New York and Los Angeles – while DC is a fairytale with places like Metropolis, Gotham City, and Blüdhaven. And then there are the capes. The DC Universe is loaded with cape-wearing characters, far more than Marvel. Costume practicality aside, capes have always been a chore to translate into toys. Do you go with cloth or sculpted plastic? Do you want it flexible enough for the character to actually sit down or does it only need to look good in the standard "waiting for a bus" pose? Finally, which character has a cooler name; Rocket Raccoon or Ace the Bat-Hound? No, I really don't see DC Minimates working. At all. Ever.