MisterPL

I picked up that Batsignal weeks ago at my LCS. It's perfect for Minimates but when I realized I had no Gordon, I whipped up this fellow. From top to bottom: Hat/Hair/Arms: BSG Cavil Head: "The Man in Black" Col. Mortimer Body/Coat: Ghostbusters Possessed Janosz The only thing I'm missing is eyeglasses.

I like the Hulk in armor. It makes him look threatening, certainly more than all the other gamma-irradiated monsters jumping around. Now he's a standout on the runway, baby! Absolutely adoring Daredevil's new duds although I'm not sure why he's got a shiny X on his noggin. Okay, seriously; I don't get the drama. Most of these characters change their costumes with the seasons. It's what Marvel does. This is nothing compared to the Great Trunks Drama of Summer '11 that Superman fans agonized over. So long as everyone's recognizable – and they are – what's the big deal?

At first glance, I thought Cyclops was Daredevil. Scott DOES still have two eyes, right? How the hell is he supposed to see through the center of that X?

[happy dance] Thanks! [/happy dance]

Yeah, I've been saying Raimi is to Spider-Man what Burton and Schumacher were to Batman. Raimi did a fine job but there was plenty of room for improvement and while the character does lend himself to some humorous situations, Peter's always been balanced with super-powered teen angst, long before Twilight made it so trendy. I was hoping that Spidey could find his Chris Nolan equivilant with this film. I'm seeing it in two hours so I'll let you know if I agree. (Oh, and as per Spidey's amber eyes, I know the question was aimed at Zach but as a Spider-Man licensee myself, I can tell you that color choice was dictated by the art provided by the licensor; Marvel.)

Please forgive me if this has been asked and answered elsewhere but will the walkers in this line have clear bodies? I was admiring the added depth of the Marvel Zombies 'mates thanks to that aspect and was hopeful that it would carry over into this line.

I buy army-builders when DST makes it easy to do so. I have a shitload of Cylons but not nearly as many Marvel minions as I'd like. Maybe AFX or some other retailer should look into the possibility of offering 4-packs of AIM soldiers and the like. Otherwise I have little interest in acquiring an army of Captain America 'mates just because I'd like a platoon of SHIELD agents.

If you read the fine print, these were hand-carved and painted by political prisoners in Asia. (Well, if you squint REALLY hard, you can kind of infer that.)

Random Thoughts: - Minimates® needs to get out from under the shadow of LEGO. No small feat, of course, consider most consumers see block figures and immediately think of that venerable construction brand. But unless DST wants Minimates to compete directly with LEGO et al, they need to stay away from that product category. IE - no more construction sets like C3. - The packaging needs to showcase the articulation. The reason I decided to try a block figure in the first place was because I saw ads of Star Trek characters in poses unattainable by LEGO or any other minifigs out there. Whether they're posed in the tray or pictured on the back in more dynamic poses, articulation is definitely a selling point in this line. - Collectibility is never overrated. The whole "Gotta catch 'em all" mentality isn't just for Pokémon. Many minifig lines like Star Wars Fighter Pods don't just start with a four-pack and a handful of two-packs. They put out a poster or insert of 40 to 50 figures so collectors can check them off as they find them. I know that's an ambitious move for this line but I think it can happen. - Think outside the boy box. This is anecdotal at best but my daughters love Minimates, particularly being able to swap out accessories like clothes and hairpieces and noggins to create their own 'mates. I know LEGO is testing the waters of the young female demographic but I'm thinking more along the lines of nibbling at marketshare currently dominated by the likes of Polly Pocket. And believe me, if DST starts offering little cars and houses for a girls line, moms and their daughters won't be the only ones buying them. - This is becoming a legacy line. Plenty of adult collectors are passing their favorite hobby to the next generation; sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, the neighbor's kid down the street, you name it. Be prepared to target that younger demographic by offering Minimates as fast-food premiums, cereal mailaways, or home video pack-ins. - DO NOT DE-VALUE THE PRODUCT. In a time when every other manufacturer is not only increasing prices but eliminating articulation and accessories, I'd hate to see DST follow suit. Increase the retail price as much as the market will bear but please don't reduce the articulation of the basic Minimate body. That tiny frame is the foundation of this line's success and to do anything to undermine that would be disastrous to the brand.

Wouldn't you prefer an actress with a higher Q-score like Kaley Cuoco? She's pretty squirrelly.

Can't argue with that. Who are you casting for Squirrel Girl?

But we're talking Squirrel Girl here. Let's be honest; she's no Ma Hunkel. Now THAT broad has a following.

I just noticed that. I couldn't believe it when I read it... Squirrel Girl?! I mean, Doop, yeah. He's got "Leading Man" written all over him, especially with that accent. But Squirrel Girl?

I didn't see this thread before I posted a similar one in the Marvel 'mates forum. When I saw Squirrel Girl being promoted, I immediately thought of groundhog. Now I'm wondering who else will make the team.

Hey, if NECA's jumping on the All-Winners Squad bandwagon, it's time for some Minimates!

Curious. I have no idea what this is about. This sounds like the kind of line that might allow DST to revisit older films. I'd love to add a Doctor Octopus 'mate to my collection, not to mention filling those X-gaps in the First Class line.

Minimates made me a block figure convert. Before 'mates, I had no interest in the category. Then I saw how poseable and interchangeable the figures were and I hopped right on the bandwagon. Toys were FUN again.

One man's scalper is another collector's proxy shopper.

Who's the manufacturer for the Thudertank statue?

Totally chilled, thanks. Just clarifying as a pre-emptive strike against potential Negative Nancys. (You know how those people are.) I'm still curious who holds the license for this product line. Is it Diamond or AFX? It's pretty rare that a retailer acquires a property like this.

Star Trek has been cancelled even more times. Given that this Minimate is of the classic ThunderCats, the marketing seems to be aimed at nostalgic collectors rather than the declining audience of the new series. I prefer the new designs but I'll take the original recipe, too.

Good catch. Personally I don't mind the recycling of portraits because, as in this case, Tony should look like Tony. And if these sets show up at my comic shop today, my DC vs. Marvel loyalties will surely be tested. I've been waiting for the DC Collectibles Mr. Freeze figure for months and it's finally hitting stores now. I can't afford all this plastic crack this week.

I want to take this opportunity to give a shout out to Ivan. When I started my crude "Definitive Lists" back on Ye Olde Art Asylum board, Ivan's elaborate database was my wet dream. I was happy to pass the baton to Lurch77 who kept the lists going here (thank YOU, Lurch!) but Ivan's site is one of the most valuable collector's resources on the 'net, period. I know this can be a thankless task at times (and Ivan's doing it to keep track of his own collection as well) but I just wanted to make sure I gave him a public "Thank You Very Much" for sharing the Minimate Database with us all. Cheers, Ivan!

I'm pretty sure the Thundertank was made specifically with the 'mates in mind. I've never been a fan of the franchise but I've enjoyed what I've seen of the new cartoon. As a 3 3/4" figure collector I was planning on picking up a couple Bandai figures to add to my shelves but now that this line is confirmed, I'll be making mine Minimates. Bring it on.

I have to admit, I had absolutely no interest in the MvC3 line because I've never been interested in the Capcom characters. However, with the Marvel updates as impressive as they are coupled with some fun Capcom designs, I'm buying more and more of these buggers. Of course MODOK is a must-have but that's a definitive Dr. Doom. The fact that Victor comes with a blonde Neo from The Matrix is just icing on the cupcake.