MisterPL

It occurs to me that DC's hands are tied by the Mattel contract: They can't offer DC Minimates through DCD because it isn't profitable and they can't license the property because Mattel's agreement already covers the action figure category.

Mattel could do the same thing DCD did; use DST/AA as a vendor (just like Four Horsemen) and offer DC Minimates, but instead of only being able to distribute to the specialty market, they could hit the mass market like DST has with Marvel. My biggest concern once might have been character selection but given the variety they've offered in the DCUC, DCIH, and JLU lines, I don't think that's a problem.

Clearly Mattel wants a lower pricepoint action figure on the market. Their Infinite Heroes line is struggling at retail. Maybe instead of badgering DCD, we should petition Mattel to give Minimates a try.

Thoughts?

So he is saying DC Direct made DC Minimates without DC approval? Sounds counter-intuitive and false.

I think he means "DC never gave [DST/AA] any rights to produce them," meaning it wasn't a licensed deal like Marvel or BSG. Art Asylum was a vendor that simply developed and manufactured the figures under the Minimates brand using the Minimates bodies. There was never a license agreement probably because it would have stepped on Mattel's contract, one that apparently allows DCD to manufacture similar product but does not allow DC to license other manufacturers to do the same. This is probably why DST can't get the license, which pisses me off because Mattel has no interest in the block figure category even though they technically have the rights to manufacture them.

Here's a question I'd like to ask DCD: If DC Minimates, a line with many fans and hundreds of characters, aren't selling, why would you think your block figures would sell? DCD, you really got quite a big ego if you think you can even compete with DST and AA.

I don't think it was a matter of sales, it was a matter of margin. The profit simply wasn't there for DCD. That's why the MSRP was so much higher than Marvel's.

If DCD could make their own Minimates – just like action figures – they could do it in house and not have to pay DST/AA for design and manufacturing fees. But DST/AA holds the patent for Minimates so that's not an option.

Nor can DC license the property to anyone else because of their agreement with Mattel.

Something tells me we're barking up the wrong tree...

Suppose DC Direct decided the only way they could continue to offer DC block figures was to do it all themselves.

They'd start from scratch, develop a block figure body in the same scale as 2-inch Minimates, and have a style all their own. This way they wouldn't have to farm out design chores to DST/AA and put that cost savings into more comfortable margins or even right into the product.

My question is: How brand loyal are you? If these aren't Minimates™, would you still be interested?

According to someone over on the DC Direct board, this is happening.

extinctpink had this to say about the future of DC Minimates and DC block figures in general:

this isn't going to happen, as much as we all want it. DC never gave minimates any rights to produce them in the first place, and at NYCC DC announced their own block type figure that will continue the hero shrink down.

I'm taking this info with a grain of salt since the poster in question is close to the Shockini camp and may even BE the head of that company. Has anyone else heard anything along these lines? Is he confusing block figures with the pre-school figures?

When I picked these up at the shop yesterday, the reaction to the packaging was strictly positive. Great toys based on a not-so-great movie. Looking forward to opening them and maybe even seeing the movie when it hits home video in March.

Thanks, McDurg. You really talked me off a ledge there. I think I'll go sign up for Habitat for Humanity now.

Dude, take him out of that packaging and PLAY WITH HIM! You won't regret it! I have three kids and there's absolutely no resale value. Believe me.

Congrats!

It says that the bridge playset will only be $25.

You don't get the entire bridge:

The core set comes with a 3.75" Kirk figure and includes the floorplan map, captain’s chair, front console, view screen and two side screens. Additional bridge pieces will come with 3.75" figures to build out the complete bridge playset.

I'd crap in a hat for a frosty Ice Man variant but my colon has performance issues.

I spent a spring break in Below Job, North Dakota.

Very disappointing.

The villains all seem to be upgrades of previous versions. I've no problem picking up that set. But the heroes are boring the piss out of me. Damned incontinence.

Who would want a Rachel Dawes Minimate, anyway?

I would. Put Katie's likeness on one face of the noggin and Maggie's on the other. I'd have bought any and all Batman Begins and The Dark Knight Minimates offered. Mobsters, corrupt officials, GCPD, random pedestrians... I don't care. Whatever gets me a Joker in nurse disguise and all the other characters they should have offered.

Goddamned billion dollar movie but no Minimates. What the hell.

SHIT!

[stomps around forum erratically shaking fists and grinding teeth]

Hasn't Marvel been getting more generous with accessories? As I was cracking open the last two series, I was thinking about what other cool things could come with Spidey, for example; different webbing, a camera and-- BAM! There was a camera. It's so wee and cute.

No Goblin Glider is a crime, though.

I knew Minimates were LIKE crack but geez...

So if DST could get away with adding Logan in a Starfleet uniform to the Trek line and a Spidey as a Cylon to BSG, we'd be golden.

These are due out when? Around the same time as the Ghost Rider 'mates, I'm assuming.

Since when is a poster a choking hazard? Stupid.

Check it out: Star Trek Barbie™ dolls.

This is why I gave DST shit for their TOS-heavy business model from the beginning.

As well loved as TOS might be, TNG was always more successful in terms of longevity on TV and commercial success at retail. Ignoring the next generation of Trekkie consumers was a mistake. I was glad to see them finally mix things up a bit by adding Picard but it appears to be too little too late.

Get some apology boxed sets out there ASAP. Stop making collectors buy two of the same character for the chase figure they want. NURTURE your market, don't exploit it.

It's a GOD-DAMNED MOVIE YEAR! We should be seeing Trek Minimates in fucking Toys R Us!

I don't use baggies. I use these. Keeps everything in order and warp-free.

Watchmen is DC, right?

This week, yes. Last week they were Fox. Either way, I don't see why there aren't Minimates based on the movie. It's not like Mattel has the property.

Okay, while I'm bummed about BSG 'mates being cancelled (especially after last night's revelation), if the license isn't performing, maybe it'll allow DST to afford licenses that are better bets.

Like DC Minimates.

These look pretty authentic to the source material I've seen. Makes me especially lament the lack of MovieMates for Batman and Watchmen, though.

From TNI.com:

While enjoying New York Comic Con, also be sure to attend our special 2009: The Year of the Minimate Panel and Q&A! This special panel will be held on Friday in Room 1A17 from 1:00-2:00 PM. DSTChuck, Project Manager Robert Yee and special Minimate artists will be on hand to answer your questions, listen to your requests and showcase future Minimate licenses and designs!

Anyone here going this year? We really need representation. Preferably someone to show up AS a giant Minimate. Just a thought