MisterPL

Army builders from now on, guys.

I smell Skrulls...

Could be the Sharpie™ fumes.

Every time I see a Hulk Minimate, I lament the 2-inch clause. It just sucks, no two ways about it.

Otherwise these look pretty damned impressive. Always preferred my Iron Man figures GOLD instead of process yellow. These will make welcome additions to the collection.

And are they giving us ARMY BUILDERS with the variant figures?! Am I high on Sharpie™ fumes?

Last week I got an e-mail from DST thanking me for participating in one of their Q&As and asking for my shipping info so they could send me a free gift.

Before I left for work today, a colleague e-mailed me with the news that Ricardo Montalban had passed away. You can imagine my reaction when I got home, opened the package that had arrived from DST, and found a battle-damaged Khan figure from Star Trek II.

Not only is it my favorite Trek film but it was great to see Mr. Montalban reprise his role after all those years. Receiving this figure on the day of his passing will give it even more sentimental value.

I think I'll pop in a DVD now.

What. The. Fuck.

Seriously, someone at DC thinks Watchmen Bearbricks will sell better than Minimates?

As if the DC Cosbabies weren't insulting enough, not they throw this poo at our faces.

2009 better bring forth the return of DC Minimates, via DCD or DST or whomever. I just can't stand these other super-cute abominations.

This movie's done far, far worse than Ghost Rider. I can't imagine retailers ordering the sets. If DST couldn't get enough pre-orders for Rocky III with Mr. T and Hulk Hogan in the mix, I seriously doubt the War Zone 'mates will get released as is.

That said, maybe DST could do a boxed set of craptastic Marvel movie 'mates. Put Punisher and Jigsaw in the same boxed set as Ghost Rider and maybe a Jennifer Garner Elektra. (I know, licensing issues won't allow it. I'm just spit-ballin'.)

I get that all the time. They're my last two initials. Someone at work coined the nickname after seeing my initials on signed-off artwork. When I needed an internet handle, I decided that would be appropriate.

And for the record, my Robin's a Dick.

Depending on the timing of these waves, DST might take advantage of a couple movies coming out. Namely Iron Man 2 and Thor.

Forty? Cool. You're catching up to some of us veterans.

Enjoy!

There was a story today about the image of an angel caught in the footage of a surveillance camera at a hospital. Looked to me like a hotspot caused by sunlight (like the white balance needed to be adjusted). But there were eyewitnesses who insist it was an angel and they now have photographic evidence to back it up.

The real miracle of the story was a little girl in the room supposedly dying of pneumonia making an unexpected recovery. Instead they're focusing on the angel.

Personally, I'll take a real miracle any day of the week in any form, but it seems like folks are looking for stuff to make themselves believe.

See for yourself:

http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/4187280/

Still no Trek wave 5 on Diamond shipping list for Dec 24, 2008. It's gonna be a sad Christmas for me.

Same here. I'll buy any Trek 'mates I can get my paws on.

One thing folks concerned about the line may want to remember: This is a movie year unlike any other for Star Trek. It's not just about another Trek movie, it's about the relaunch of the franchise. There's a good chance that CBS wants to focus on product based on the movie (which DST doesn't have the license to produce). That, along with other reasons cited earlier, might be keeping DST from pushing their product as much as usual.

I'm hoping that the new film doesn't render the original franchise (TOF) and product based on it obsolete. Making it so would be bad for business. Let's hope Star Trek generates interest and produces more fans who want to spend their cash on anything Trek, especially the coolest block figures on the planet.

One other thing: It would've been cool to do a Tribbles Kirk as a single 'mate in a blister half-filled with little, plastic, multi-colored tribbles. The backer card could've replicated the opened bin of quatrotriticale. That would have been the perfect frame for the smirk on Kirk's face.

It's either Dick or Jason....whichever you prefer.

Alrighty then.

Show of hands: Who here prefers DICK?

The Suncoast Cylons. Was really looking forward to adding J'onn to my collection. Oh well. Maybe it'll show up later. You know, like those letters sent from soldiers in WWII.

I sent this guy in England some 'mates as a trade for a Martian Manhunter. Still waiting for the package. Going on two years now.

Well its looking bad, now we "might" see the next two waves in Jan: http://www.artasylum.com/blog/2008/12/ship-date-update/

Poop.

And I just got a gift card to my LCS.

Double poop.

Talk about late to the party...

I JUST found out about this TRU exclusive Iron Man set I can't live without. Of course when I found out it was on shelves a month ago, I'd pretty much cursed the gods of retailer exclusives and given up hope. But today at lunch, I made a trip to TRU, and there it was on the pegs waiting for me. Could not believe my luck.

Anyway, are waves 23 and 24 supposed to ship to comic shops tomorrow? I know DST said so a while back but I didn't see it on the list.

I'm not a huge fan of BTTF but if they offered the DeLorean...? Man, I wouldn't be able to resist.

Same with the GhostBusters' ECTO-1.

Any chance of these sets hitting BOTH coasts or will we easterners have to wait a week?

This is what's frustrating about the Marvel line: Iron Monger should be at least a 2.5" 'mate.

there a date for these guys yet?

I'm guessing that's why they included Pepper.

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?

With series 8 due in June, DCD still has time left to show a 9th series. Word was that the DC mates were dropping back to three series this year and that could still happen.

Keep in mind that Series 1, 2 & 3 were all originally scheduled to be released in the second half of 2006. Production problems allegedly played a role in their delay to the first half of 2007.

That means that DCD never intended to offer more than three waves a year. We got spoiled in 2007. It's possible the market got oversaturated (although that's certainly not the case in my area).

In any event, two of three series have been solicited so far for 2008. I think I'll remain hopeful that Series 9 – the one that was reportedly being worked on way back in July 2007 – will still be offered and that the character selection is a real crowd pleaser. (Atom and Black Canary, please!)

I actually contemplated this last night before I read the news about the line's rumored demise. Funny thing was I never put together a wish list for this line because DCD came out of the gate tossing around so many wild cards (Ma Hunkel? Fucking Ambush Bug?!) I thought, "Why bother! At this rate and with this kind of variety, DCD will have offered everything I want within two or three years!"

Duped again.

"DCD Minimates are doing well. In fact, sales are going up. Wave nine is being worked on now."

That was back in late July.

It would explain Iron Cow's cheeky comment. He knows what he's worked on and what hasn't been released. He may be expecting one last hurrah based on those outstanding designs.

Looks like DST is sub-licensing Star Wars AND Indiana Jones from Hasbro.

If they make Minimates...

My poor wallet.

"There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it." ~ Dr. Evil

Here's to a speedy recovery and all the perks to come.