Ivan

Thats pretty cool how much it set you back?

You mean the Price? Ok well the Price was $40.00, Is that a good Price?

That's the price you would have paid at the convetions when they were first released. They weren't extremely popular, so prices did drop. You can still find them as low as $15. I think when Tower clearanced their remaining stock they were under $5 each.

I hope that doesn't hinder your enjoyment of a fun toy.

My current avatar was created by Ivan and I just think it looks cool. If I can find the original image that's it's from I'll post it or maybe Ivan could help out with that?

As for me, my avatar is a symbol of the growing insurrection. We, the TIMotrons, support the Three-Inch Minimates in all things, in all ways, and in all endeavors. We are vehemently opposed to the oppression of the two-inch Minimates. Their crypto-fascist oligarchy cannot stand forever. We support a new form of ruling, the TIMocrocy. One where Kirk is friends with Superman. Where Dark Cloud does not fear the disapproving gaze of Sue Richards. Where Paul Stanley can walk the streets without getting his ass kicked by Chun-Li.

Our numbers are few, but growing. History will look upon two-inchers ('shorties,' the kids call them) as a mere passing fad, while statues are built in praise of our three-inch mini-masters. The revolution will not be televised. There's a pile of brochures on the table in the back. Be sure to grab one on your way out.

Alas, the tale of my name is one of love, loss, hope, redemption, jealousy, rage, revenge, and a side of alfalfa sprouts. It begins in the small town of Kalhouk, shortly after the end of the second World War. I was a small, lonely, orphan child.

I wandered the sewers, scavenging for whatever I could find. Then, one day, I came upon a shattered glass jar with four baby turtles. The little ones were crawling in a strange glowing ooze. I cracked one open on the spot and ate it. I planned to save the other three - they would keep me alive for another week, but of course an older boy saw them and wanted them. He had to break my arm, but he got the turtles.

I was not going to leave it at that, those were my turtles. For the next three hours I secretly followed him. Through an old warehouse, under the brothel, over the bridge at Khazad-dum, and 'round the Antares Maelstrom I pursued him. The chase unexpectedly ended at the entrance of the long since burned out Gondorian Cafe.

It should have been an epic battle, one for the ages. A battle in which the combatants pummel each other mercilessly until one can no longer stand. A battle that no observer would likely forget. Fortunately, our battle was not like that at all. At one stage of my pursuit, I stumbled over a decent sized length of pipe. Being the practical child, I took it with me. It was with that pipe that I bashed in the back of his skull during his brief respite in front of the Cafe. My only regret was that he did not know it was I who had separated his soul from his mortal coil.

Well, I suppose I do have a second regret from that encounter. While I was repeatedly bashing the corpse the true objects of my pursuit, the turtles, slowly wandered away. After I realized they were gone, I called for them. Unfortunately turtles have very small ears and they could not hear my call. They were gone forever.

But not all was lost. I was so caught up in my chase, I was not aware that I too was being followed. When my rage over losing the turtles subsided, my pursuer approached me.

"That was quite a display you put on, young one."

"What of it?" I spat back, disgusted at having my introspection interrupted.

"You have great skills that could be honed. I want to teach you to control and respect your powers," he explained.

"Sure, why not?" It's not like I had anything better to do.

The next few years were trying. We traveled across the country. Practicing, training, fighting, lighting fires, tipping cows, poisoning water supplies, chopping vegetables, tripping old ladies, integrating partial differential equations, rotating tires, skinning cats, and creating the Illudium Pu-36 Explosive Space Modulator. The Space Modulator was our crowning achievement, it took many months just to figure out exactly how many cat pelts are necessary to generate 1.21 gigawatts of electricity. (42 if you are interested.) On the day that our Modulator was to be unveiled to throngs of cheering onlookers, it was stolen. Our pride and joy had been carted off to Mars by some pip-squeak in a skirt. The press had no sympathy for us, only ridicule and spite.

This was the last straw, I couldn't handle the business anymore. I longed to return to the carefree days of my youth. Where my only care was finding food, not if Sam Donaldson called me a quack. So I quit...

...then I met her. She was tall, thin, and had the toes of an Olympic Sprinter. Her nasal septum made me weak in the knees. She would not have me. All my approaches were rebuffed. All my advances were turned away. All my gifts to her were burned in a massive bonfire on Christmas day. Oh how I rued that day, and every day since. I vowed in my heart to never be weak, to never know fear, and never ever sing Karaoke again! I laid waste to the landside, ignoring my teaching, forgetting my training. All living things trembled in my shadow. I was a God!

Even gods grow tired of hurting people, so I removed every article of clothing, and ran through the streets naked. This turned out to be a foolish mistake. You see the local authorities don't mind the killing and maiming. Arson, theft, and vandalism rarely receive a second glance. Public nudity on the other hand is a very serious offence. I was quickly captured, (As a side note: there are very few places to hide a weapon when you are running around totally starkers.), tried, convicted, and sentenced to thirty years in the local institution. That is when I discovered the wonderful Interweb. A multitude of possibilities now opened to me, like porn and stock quotes.

But instead of using this new medium to learn and grow, I look for casserole recipes and pictures of kittens. Awwww what a cute widdle kiddy. You are the most pwecious widdle thing, yes you are, yes you are. Come here you cute piddie widdie kitty. Awwww Ivan loves all the little kitty widdies, doesn't he? Doesn't he? Yess, mmmmmmm....

Ctrl-S, Ctrl-S, Ctrl-S, Start->Program Files->GIMP

Wallpaper Contest, here I come! :D

It looks like these are shipping to TRU too. Last night I saw three of the old version and three of the new at my local TRU. I never would have noticed the difference if I hadn't read this thread prior.

Ah yes. "No Kill I" indeed.

I've got to echo Kirby on this one. We've got what, thirty, maybe forty die-hards on this forum. Folks who will buy these just because they're Minimates. That's a fairly small percentage of the production runs you've cited. I have no idea on the size of the I, Robot fanbase, but it seems to me a niche market. Block figure collectors are also a niche market. My guess is the union of these sets is smaller yet.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing these, and any pre-production art, concepts, or information you'd like to share. I'll be buying because, well because they're Minimates.

Ivan -- I hear ya buddy, I hear ya. But we've got to adapt to the changing social norms and move on with life. (Kids these days just don't know...)

Aww, never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy. I think I've just descovered what I'm revolting against.

Late to the party, but I need to throw out a single... solitary... lonely... vote for three-inch Minimates. Of course it would be a bad business decision and there would likely be rioting on the streets of the Multiverse, nevertheless I still prefer the larger size. Additionally, the fact that you have rudimentary cost estimates leads me to believe that you've settled on the two-inch scale. I'd imagine three-inchers wouldn't be possible at those prices, mainly because you'd have to scale the vehicles as well. Frankly, I'm surprised you can get two-inchers to retail at those prices and in those limited runs. If you're going for the "urban vinyl" crowd, I think the three-inchers would be more appealing.

Not having seen this movie, I can't speak for character choices, but I love army builders. So a 10-pack makes me all warm and tingly inside. I think the vehicles would be cool also. My preference is to have them properly "Minimate-ified." Sort of like the Star Wars Galactic Heroes ships (example, example). I think that opinion is also in the minority here as well.

I hope it works out.

And yes, I'm sure there will be several last-minute entries. I think we've seen that with all the contests we've had on here so far...

Hey, better late than never! I've got one done, but I still have four more to go.

I'd like to throw a big 'Thank You' out to everyone too. Look for the rest of the Boys From The Dwarf coming soon to a thread near you.

36 for me.

For some reason, 24 didn't seem to be enough while 48 was too many. Additionally, I wanted to order a 'case', but I couldn't find a case count anywhere. Since there are 72 Elronds to a case, maybe there are 72 Elven Warriors to a case (36 2-packs).

I have a couple questions.

Does it have to be a new work? For example I posted this and this a while ago. Could they still be submitted (after being modified with proper logos, of course) for this contest?

7.) By submitting entries to this contest you are giving MMMV permission to add these to the “Official Minimate Multiverse Wallpaper Thread!â€. Proper credit recognition will be given to all the creators of each wallpaper.

Just seeking a clarification on this bit. Entrants are not transfering any ownership rights or copyrights of the images to MMMV by entering, correct? They are just implicitly allowing their work to be linked in a centralized 'gallery' of similar works. All rights are retained by the creator/entrant. Right?

I'm pretty sure this is the case given the "Do No Evil" approach of MMMV. I just wanted to be certain. (I think I've been beaten over the head with the "Trust, but verify" stick a few too many times.)

EDIT:

Removed 'this' links to old images in order to prevent any potential confusion.

( The plastic underneath is brown, so I'm planning on removing the paint somehow and have a bald Luke.

When I was converting my Twilight Frodo into a plain translucent Minimate, I found that Testor's Enamel Thinner/Brush Cleaner on a Q-Tip worked fairly well. It takes some time and a fair amount of gentle (to avoid potential damage) rubbing to remove it. Goo-Gone worked too, but took a lot more rubbing.

I don't see why it wouldn't work on Cage, unless they're using a different tampo process than the LOTR mates.

Of course the standard disclaimer applies:

Ivan, his parent companies, nor his subsidiaries shall be held responsible for any damage to your Minimates, houses, cars, furniture, wives, children, pets, plants, lawn mowers, hovercraft, servants, radioactive devices, firearms, or Faberge Eggs resulting from any advice, instruction, or joke made by Ivan. Read his posts at your own risk. He's really quite mad you know. You know he actually ended up melting a Minimate once? Quite, quite mad.

Coming in at the wire yet again. Here we have everybody's favorite Series 4000 Mechanoid, Kryten 2X4B-523P from Red Dwarf.

He also comes with an accessory, a groinal socket attachment for vacuuming or whisking up an omelete.

Thanks for the contest smegheads. :D It gave me the push I needed to actually make this custom. I've wanted to do it for quite some time, but I'm just... well.. lazy.

.... all tho I've been using IE since the dawn of time

Heh, suddenly this all makes sense.

However you guys decide to set it up, I'd appreciate one of those PMs.

Thank you kindly.

...melt them down into little Shockini puddles of goo....

...and record a video of it. Then put some heavy death metal music underneath. Throw in a couple girlie scream sound effects on top. Finally, throw it up on youtube for the masses to enjoy.

I've always wanted to do something like that.

hears a link to the video

Wow, someone needs to actually listen to the song "Fortunate Son" before stringing a bunch of Captain America images to it. Unless of course they are saying that Cap is really an over-priviledged elitist that only "waves the flag" to further his own greedy, power-hungry goals. (For all I know he is, but that doesn't seem to be the image fans attribute to the character.)

Recently I went to AFX to see what Minimates they had available. Surprisingly, I couldn't find he Ryu/Akuma P2 pack listed in the Minimates section, or the Street Fighter section, or the Exclusives section. Eventually, I found them in the Retired Exclusives section. It's completely sold out.

Usually when I buy Minimate exclusives, I'll pick up one or two packs when they first come out. I'll then check back periodically and buy more as prices drop. (Elrond overfloweth ) That never happened with this two-pack, and I'm curious if anyone knows why. The 3500 run is smaller than the 5000 reserved for most exclusives, and that probably plays apart. But the Bison/Chun-Li P2 pack was also a run of 3500 and I picked up quite a few when those were priced at $1.99 about a month ago.

Anyway, I'm just curious if anyone knows what made this exclusive sell so much better than the others AFX has had. My Street Fighter knowledge is limited to the lone SFII cartridge sitting next to my SNES.

C'mon, Danny!! Mini-Cat-Breasts!!

Reminds me of a quote I've used in public (twice): I'm so excited, all six of my nipples are tingling.

Thanks. I've only got a table structure set up and most of the data but no UI. I was actually going to ask you for hosting suggestions when I got to that point. Still months away, I think. I have a Sci-Fi Custom to make.

Quiet you. I've been working on something like that to teach myself mysql and php. It's nowhere near prime-time yet though.

Caution: Geek Soap Opera ahead

I can only speak from a non-mod point of view. So someone else will have to fill in the insider details.

Back in the good ole days (when Minimates were three inches tall), the AA boards were a nice place to hang out. AA employees read and responded frequently. Donna, Adam, and Manny posted often. Even Digger was around a bit. But as the boards grew, AA involvement diminished. Trolling increased and many members were biting. So somehow (at AA's request or Tim's, I don't know) Tim became a moderator. Prior to this AA did all the mod work. Things seemed happy again, trolls were being smited, offensive images were being deleted. But AAs involvement never went back to the earlier levels.

Somewhere prior to the 2003 convention season Tim(Picard) and Greg (Ulan Aruk) form the AACC as a way for people that can't go to the conventions a chance to get the exclusives. For your $30 annual fee you got your choice of a Yellow Shirt Kirk, Peter Parker/Mary Jane, or Ultimate Spidey/Gray Hulk and a couple blank Minimates. (Details via The Wayback Machine) The response was more than the AACC was expecting. I don't remember the time frame, but the kits were seriously delayed. In that link it mentions you might get a grab bag that "could contain any number of items found at the Asylum." This implied people could receive prototypes or test shots or something cool, but instead people got paper clips and rubber bands. He was trying to be funny, but making jokes around upset people only makes them more upset. The only thing I remember people getting in the 'grab bag' that wasn't office supplies was a Darth Maul watch. Not a popular item.

After a while there were complaints about info being withheld so that it could be put in the newsletter, and other assorted grumblings. Things really started to decline when they started taking orders for various exclusives. I think you could buy the Yellow Kirk, the Minimates, and the C3 Stealth Batwing. This was the time Tim's daughter had pregnancy complications and he disappeared (understandably) from the board. In his absence, nobody stepped up to handle the problems. Orders went unfilled, questions unanswered. Eventually new mods were brought in, and there was this whole AAOL thing that I never fully understood.

Also around this time Tim started his Quixotic quest to save Enterprise. It appeared that he was abandoning the club in order to make a name for himself. There was some bad blood between Tim and Greg, and Greg stepped down from his involvement in the AACC. FatHeadCookies (Mark?) took up the load of filling all the orders and unshipped membership kits. Brandon was working on the newsletter. Greg posted a way for disgruntled members to file complaints against the AACC through PayPal and USPS (citing mail fraud). Tempers flared.

Eventually the AACC was closed down, but the AA boards went on. Either the board software or the hosting couldn't handle the load and 'Service Unavailable' became ubiquitous. (This might have been occuring while the AACC was in its death throws, I'm not sure.) Tim came back and tried to fix it... by deleting 70% of the posts on the board! He claimed there was a back-up, but the posts were never restored. So that board was brought down and Tim started hosting another one on his server (70.85.44.56) Things are little fuzzy for me here (I ducked out for a while in protest of the lost data), I think this was where Brandon was controlling the show.

Geek Soap Opera indeed. Anyway, that's how I remember things going down, but I have a memory like sieve. So if anyone has any corrections, please post them.

If you look very close at the elbow joint, you see that Ares' has more roundness on the inner parts of the joint, which is more noticeable on the 2.5" 'mates.

Kirby! You're back. How was the Big Easy? Did Shanester catch you stealing his 'mates?

Ooh, can we have a newbie translation tool?

Wow, thanks to all who voted for me. Now all the the little headless Frodos, Sams, Merrys and Pippins know their cranial sacrifices were not in vain.

Too cool. Thank you to Ady and JL for running this (anyone else?), everyone who made an entry, all the members, all the lurkers, all the cute widdle wabbits hiding in their hidey holes, and all those who dare to dream about creating their own rocket-packs to soar through the clouds, for they... they shall one day rule us all.