emperorshotz

I feel like since Zach mentioned more obscure characters coming up, and to tie in Uncanny Avengers (especially appealing to more X-Men fans), Sunfire has gotta be in there somewhere. High profile book comeback, no existing figure, and he'd help finish up the Giant-Size X-Men, too. Wasp is also a contender due to her having only ONE figure, her recent return, and role in the book. I'd say Rogue, Scarlet Witch, and Havok are out since they all had recent figures in the past year. Although, Marvel/Remender are trying to push Havok as the new poster boy for Marvel's mutants. Maybe the TRU wave will have an Uncanny Avengers heavy two pack? Sunfire/Wasp?

That's a shame. I'm ten minutes from the George Washington Bridge, I still have yet to see them. I'm glad I ordered mine as soon as I could off TRU.com

Well there aren't many both new and interesting costumes. They'll definitely try to fit in Captain America's new costume. What about Havok? Rogue? Scarlet Witch (prob not since she was in AvX TRU set)? Captain Universe? Hawkeye (although the movie version is almost identical to his most recent comic version)? They definitely have options I prefer they focus on characters that haven't had as many versions, obviously, and I believe Zach hinted at more obscure characters making it into the lineup, so who knows?

It's probably just painted detail, but close up on those puppets almost looks like they're articulated... I also totally was gonna skip out on the Alicia fig... But the hair alone makes me want her. Kinda wanna swap it with another Invisible Woman for a more modern Sue.

Wait, what was the Bruiser change? I'm away from a computer until tomorrow.

I don't mind the boobs, really-- they're kitschy, they're funny, they're character appropriate. I'm actually questioning Roger's ears/headpiece more. It feels like there's too much excess plastic around the head creating a white "hair" effect that I don't really see on the character. Was there a reason for the headpiece coming out the way it did? Maybe I'm missing a physical character trait it represents. Otherwise, STELLAR work, Jeff. An awesome homage to a childhood favorite

So. Awesome. Thanks, undeadpool. I'm on board for everything but the Fear Itself stuff!

Is the lineup for TRU 15 already up? If so, where at? I missed that.

I'd definitely prefer a new hairpiece. That one looks so dated by comparison. Everything else I'm on board for!

God, you're like the Midas of miniature plastic-- everything you touch is GOLD!

A 'mate in the hand is worth two in the bush, I always say. Always. I always. Say. That.

Any pictures?

It's not the figure I have the problem with-- Like I said, the figure is exceptional. I was referring to the actual design of the armor in the comics. Just my own personal preference, that's all.

I think you meant to type ugliest. It is very well-executed though. This, I concur with full heartedly. I would have preferred any other character from the storyline, but the technical aspects of the manufactured piece are phenomenal. Also, a simple repaint with some red metallic paint and:

Resin mold casting has been kind of intimidating. With the release of PF5 Phoenix Cyclops, I'm looking to get off my butt, put in the elbow grease, cast a clear version of the chest emblem Phoenix effect for use in my Dark Phoenix Cyclops mod. I know that a couple people have successfully casted minimate parts. What's the skinny? What products do you use? What methods work best? How much is it going to cost me? It's completely new to me. Any help or advice would greatly be appreciated!

ABE BEETLE WITH VARIANT MACH-WHATEVER ARMOR!!

Obscure to comic fans? Probably not. Obscure from a marketing or sales perspective? Definitely. That isn't a knock against the character since most of Marvel falls into that category. Based on what we've seen from DST and others, the A-list is very short: Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, and Wolverine. The B-list is probably something like the Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Deadpool (right now anyway), Punisher (maybe), Dr. Doom (maybe), Venom, Green Goblin, Magneto, and, after all the movie exposure, Loki. You could argue about adding or subtracting a character or two, but I think that pretty well covers the characters that anyone running a Marvel line feels confident will sell. Which is probably why we have three or more minimate versions of each of those characters. You ABSOLUTELY have a point with the "comic fan" angle-- of course, while having to know their customer base, the goal of marketing these products from both Marvel and AFX/DST/etc's standpoint is appealing to the widest breadth of an audience as possible for maximum profit, hence the point of the "Best Of" line. While it may not be very likely, female characters (IMO) are pushed a big part in hoping to appeal to the niche FEMALE fans (also, ideally and a bit more difficultly, drawing in new younger female fans/kids/customers) in Marvel NOW! we see new titles such as Captain Marvel, Red She-Hulk, the Fearless Defenders, female heavy Uncanny X-Force, several new female Avengers being introduced in upcoming storylines where they take center stage (Captain Universe, Smasher) etc. In popular media? the Avengers: EMH cartoon (Wasp), Ultimate Spider-Man (White Tiger), the upcoming Hulk cartoon (She-Hulk)... So Spider-Woman being included in a set like this? Like I said, she's rumored to be in consideration for an Avengers movie appearance (along with Captain Marvel/Ms. Marvel), but yes, maybe she would be the comic-centric figure. I was trying to come up with the most popular/"limelighted" female characters I could think of (Elektra with her own movie/media appearances as heinous as they might have been, Black Widow to please collectors who find her hard to reach and due to her massive exposure this past year, Invisible Woman and Storm seem givens in their own respective comic universes and their own cartoon/movie/exposure experience, etc.) There's so many angles and cross-sections of customers to consider, it seems, when marketing these. The likelihood of an all-female "Best of" wave? Who knows. IMO, not very likely, just a pipe dream of mine... but there have been a lot of moves out of left field in Minimates that pleased both long time collectors, newly exposed fans, comic book readers, etc. Impossible or obscure? I just don't know about that. Especially given that not ONE female character has been introduced after two waves? There's a lot of components as to why it might be a profitable run. We also have how many Jean Grey's vs. Punisher's, for example? Some female characters would absolutely sell better than some male.

Defining Spider-Woman as an "obscure" character while one of Marvel's top writers has been reintegrating her into the public eye for at least the past 10 years (including possibly including her in a sequel to the wildly visible and popular Avengers franchise) seems a bit out of touch. Especially while the company has been pushing to elevate the status of their female heroes to try and better match DC (Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl) and the character shares a mantle with arguably Marvel's most notable property. I think once you start deviating a character in iterations too far left from the norm (Fang costume Wolverine, let's say) THAT defeats the purpose of the "Best of" wave.

Was just thinking about this today and completely agree. An all-women "Best Of" line would be a great fit for this. A toned down paint job, new hair, under arm wings... I'm salivating just thinking about it Probably something like: Spider-Woman Wasp Invisible Woman (to match Reed) Storm (GSXM costume with new hair/cape/tampo?) Black Widow Dark Phoenix Black Cat Elektra Might be too soon for Elektra, definitely think it'd be too soon for She-Hulk after MvC, but she'd be appropriate. Could also sub in Psylocke (Ninja)/Rogue/Mystique in those slots. I'd say Ms. marvel, too, but I'm hoping we get a Captain Marvel Carol in the Marvel NOW! wave.

2 Lokis: One for me, and one for BANSHEE!!! Can't wait!

CRAP! They just started the new season of PVP and it's PSYLOCKE. Ugh. I just wanted to buy her the old fashioned way :\ Wish I could figure out how to unlock research for this stupid Power Armor!

Deadpool is 112 for me and I finished 1.3% in PVP. Not sure what the correlation is. Also: went to research the Scrapper Power Armor, and it's still locked... is there a Level restriction? Lastly: why does it seem no one ever plays with/uses Nightcrawler? I was thinking about adding another infiltrator to my roster (already have Kitty and Black Widow) and had my eye on him, but never see him in PVP. Anyone have any feedback on him?

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but Pryde of the X-Men is always going to be my go-to, warm-hearted X-Men memory, even though I loved the 90's cartoon. Jacket-sportin' Dazzler was AWESOME!!

I've been farming CP in this particular mission for a while and let me tell you, the Fixer + Vapor combo becomes a real pain in the ass when they start matching level in terms of difficulty. It's all about turn advantage since Vapor gets two turns and Fixer keeps upgrading to not only increase HP but to introduce Nanoplaguing which is impossible to clear up. I'm level 57 and I still get KO'd once or twice every time I try to defeat 'em. Granted, I'm usually using lower-leveled characters to try and level them up, but still...

Chapter 4, Mission 4 is the easiest and most cost efficient (energy-wise) way to command CP, IMO. I believe it's around 70 energy if you combine bosses. It also features Magneto as an epic boss. You need Storm in order to complete all the deploys, but once the map is clear, if you count the spin for Vapor/Fixer and the spin for Magneto, the odds of hitting CP are much greater.