MisterPL

I downloaded the first webisode. I won't waste anymore time with the rest. Looks like a student project. I've seen better animatics. I'll stick with Strongbad, thank you.

As far as I'm concerned, I joined the AA board because of the Trek figure line. I stayed for Minimates and the community I'd gotten to know. Because of places like this, I've no reason to go back. I'm not abandoning AA. They abandoned me.

Yet DCD is notorious for QC problems, from design through manufacturing. Can't help wondering who made the call; AA or DCD?

But will they acquire the movie license? Apparently there wasn't a whole helluva lot of retailer interest in X3 despite having enormous character potential. A retailer exclusive boxed set might be worth the price of the property, but only if the retailer was Wal-Mart or Target. Maybe TRU. We're talking big quantities here.

My company manufactures product in China for distribution in the US. I've seen all sorts of "political" problems. Believe it or not there's even been a labor shortage due to new factories opening up in the north. Workers from that region no longer have to commute south to work once a week, choosing to work locally which leaves the established factories along the coast scrambling to fill their positions. At first I thought it might be a problem with product development (figuring out how to do Brainiac's tenticles or something), but like I said it's way too late for that. Hopefully we'll find out soon. I'm a patient guy but other consumers are a more fickle bunch. Had this been a mass market line I wouldn't be as worried, but a lot of this line's success depends on end consumers and our pre-orders with specialty retailers. If consumers lose faith in a product line... well, look what happened with AA's Deluxe Enterprise figures.

Dude, that's harsh.

Anyone care to speculate what the production difficulty might have been? It's pretty late in the game to blame anything but manufacturing. I mean, if the original release date for Wave 1 was supposed to be two weeks from today, these should have been on a boat last month. I'm really looking forward to AA's press release.

Digger moved to China ostensibly to help coordinate production. Reportedly he fell in love, got married, started a family, and pursued a career as a movie star. And he fed monkeys. I'd say the guy's distracted at best.

Then why does it feel like we're starving? Unlike rubber pants on action figures, Minimates is one of the few innovations AA can boast about and it seems like they're doing nothing but testing the patience of their most loyal consumers. I realize that a good share of the product decisions are out of their hands (those fall to DST, DCD, and licensors), but it seems like when the ball's in their court, they're dropping it. Has AA lost its focus? Why is Digger in China again?

Nice post, Reideen. And did I miss something or did Brandon's testicles finally drop? That was quite an anti-establishment outburst from him. Well done. I agree that if anyone has a problem with AA they should go there first. That said, I've been there and done that for YEARS as both a member and moderator. I got promises of a 4-inch Trek line that never happened. I got promises of free swag for volunteering as a mod and got squat. Not even a "thanks" from ANYONE at AA. They've made it perfectly clear they aren't listening or are unwilling to respond. News continues to get leaked out elsewhere first. Their online presence is embarrassing. They can't even successfully manage their own licensed properties let alone a message board. I don't think they should even bother with one. What's next? The reason that the DC 'mates are delayed was because AA employees were too busy working on getting the site and forums back up?

...and the news has yet to hit the AA board, as usual. Looks like they're trying to bury the inevitable topic by merging ALL the Minimate forums into one giant circlejerk. I'll be interested to get an "official" reaction to the news.

This sucks. "Production delays?" More like lack of interest thanks to collectors who fear DC Minimates is just another Pocket Superheroes.

Oh I got an invitation... ...about a week after it went up. "Thanks for all your volunteer work! Love, Digger & Company!"

There's an AA board?

You called someone a "TOStado," didn't you. I knew that would be a problem somewhere. My wife (mother of three) is registered with a couple different parenting boards. She's no spring chicken either and tries her best to give good advice to new moms. Unfortunately it often falls on deaf ears. Young mothers get SO defensive about the littlest things (like whether a certain revealing picture of Paris Hilton is Photoshopped or not ). Banshees indeed. Let's just say Mad Cow disease isn't unique to the UK or steer. If they've got that much energy to burn over petty bull, they should get off the keyboard and go do a load of laundry.

Tokyopop's Star Trek Manga arrives in stores this week. Thinking about giving it a try, Jules? I'm undecided. Manga's like anything else; some's good, some isn't. If the stories are entertaining, I can suffer through some piss-poor visuals but even I have my limits. I'll probably flip through one when I get a chance and read some online reviews before committing my $9.99.

BADGERS?! I don't need no steenking badgers.

I was about to post the same thing. Nice tits. (Segue not intended...) Jules, what the hell are you doing here?! I never knew you collected Minimates. Somebody needs to customize a Shinzon for you quick! Which begs the question: WHERE ARE MY 2-INCH TREK 'MATES?! Probably right behind that 4-inch Trek line AA released in Japan last year. Liars. Oh, and "PL" are just my initials. I've had people suggest I was everyone from DC VP Paul Levitz to a mysteriously abbreviated Mr. Plow from The Simpsons. And yeah, there have been some less than flattering guesses over the years, usually from people with sophomoric debating tactics. Fuckers.

Hey, JL. How's stuff going? I need to check out the customs section. That and the upcoming DC 'mates are gonna get me going big time. Thanks for the warm welcome, guys. Manhugs all around. I'm gonna wander about and see what kinda trouble I can get into.

Depends on the topic, I suppose. I don't want to rattle any cages. (That was a lie. See? Truthiness.)

A Q&A? If you guys are up for the abuse, I think I can find time to dish it out. I can promise as much truthiness as any other site, that's for sure.

That depends. How much does the mascot position pay?

Hi Luke! Does this board have a mascot? You know, like a llama or a monket (sic)? Just curious how far you've taken things so far.

Sweet. Ady's 1000th post is used to greet me. I feel special already. (Though my post count feels somewhat inadequate.) Didn't mean to offend you, Danny. My sincerest apologies. (Fucker.)

My presence makes things seem MORE normal? Man, this placed IS fucked up. What's up CloneMe?