DSTZach

As far as I know, they will be exact reproductions, minus the light-up features. So Luminos will be translucent. We tend to do clear prototypes in white, but we should really have some extra clear bodies made so we can prototype clear Minimates. I'll suggest it. Checked with my Hisstank contact to see if I have sent him anything, but it's possible I may not have. I will get him samples. YoJoe seems to be largely inactive, I'd love for them to create a MM database, but unlikely. Luckily there is Ivan! Glad to see there are some fans out there. I never had Super Joes, they were a little before my time, but they were always fascinating to me being around Mego scale. I think we had a couple in the toy library at ToyFare. Ditto the Adventure Team, there was a guy in my area who used to take great realistic photography of those bearded dudes doing different stuff, so I have a fondness for them.

Correct, but Series 4 is still happening. More info later.

I think the team knows who the most popular Joes and Cobras are, because Series 3 and 4 are all killer no filler. It's not like we made a set with Raptor and Crystal Ball and wondered why the sales weren't there, there must be other reasons. The character repeats are what they are, but I am not sure the carded figures were the best way to go. We'll see how these do. Chuck said in a live Ask DST today that 3 and 4 are not dead.

There will be a Transformers MM SDCC exclusive. No Joe at this time. DC line was a work-for-hire joint. I don't think we chose the characters. Taste the Fwoosh! Not sure it was available before, but I have actually been talking to them today about pushing the product. I just sent them info on Joe Series 1 and hopefully it will lead to some online promo. I believe they are individually carded, it was mentioned in the voiceover and I have seen the art. I believe so, yes, they mention it in the audio description. I'm not 100% familiar with the toy. I'm only 45. Decisions are based on sales. At one time, I believe shortly after Kmart and Hot Topic requested blind-bagged TMNT and NBX 'Mates, we tried blind bags as a way to appeal to different retailers. I don't think the Marvel Now set did very well, but I think the Predator wave did okay. Notice we don't do it anymore. I don't think we said, "80s Joes aren't selling, let's do 1970s Joes", I think these were developed in parallel as a potential exclusive, but now we are trying them at retail because Series 2 was a disappointment. We're just trying to change things up a little. Series 3 in a simplified format is still possible. An army-builder set is still possible, but not before 3 and 4 come out. I'll keep fighting.

We offer them to retailers every month. If they order toys, then DST is the first retailer they see in the Previews catalog. If they look at what is shipping each week in toys, DST items are at the top. Unfortunately, the new retailer is online, but I think it would still boost visibility. At this time, I do not believe they are con exclusives -- we just showed them to retailers in their private Showcase, so I assume they will be in Previews soon. We tried not to show any exclusives there. They are definitely not for SDCC as far as I know.

There is a major retailer interested, as far as I know it is just a matter of straightening out paperwork, but that's taking a while. We'll see how it goes, it may be the kiss of life.

Nobody is buying the '80s Joe line. Blame character repeats if you like, but it doesn't change the situation. I am still pulling for Series 3/4, hopefully we can figure something out. Con exclusive, VHS set, what have you.

Was searching for something else on Amazon and came across this cool 15" rock formation that would make a great display for Minimates. I mean, not a TON of Minimates, but several! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7P3TNMG/ref=twister_B0B7W9G8VC

I am a firm believe in momentum, making a line collectable enough (i.e. having enough releases) to be collected. But it's hard to keep cranking them out when sales are on a downward trend. I think we would do better with less expensive sets, like on a single blister card, but I'm not sure everyone else agrees with me, here or at HQ. And you'll get two sets next week, I believe! AEW and Power Rangers. Not sure what will be next. D&D, possibly? After that, maybe TMNT Blimp set or the SDCC box set we're doing. We're going to start offering more sets soon, so perhaps we'll have more than one per month in the near future.

Series 2 is in the warehouse. Probably in stores next Wednesday.

Series 1 is in the warehouse now. Probably in stores next Wednesday.

I agree. We'll see how it goes.

There will be AEW and GI Joe Minimate reveals in the Showcase.

As far as I know we are proceeding with the Vinimates and we included them and Series 2 in the Fan Expo. Not sure of release.

No but we may solicit in late May.

Amazing!

Sweet! How did he react?

Skywarp is my favorite, and I believe he would be next, yes.

You know, we called our thing a Fan Expo without really taking into consideration that there IS a Fan Expo convention elsewhere. Ours is just an online thing that incorporates a Showcase of new products, plus some interviews with talent. I THOUGHT it sounded too good to not be taken. As far as the AEW Fan Fest goes, I do not think we will be attending. Still no product to sell! It's coming up pretty soon, I think.

I can see Blue Marvel being a tough one, great choice, Luke.

I believe we have set a release for them, you may not hear until summer, but they will come out.

I think Mary is safe. I'll keep you posted.

I wish I had a sample! Ship date I'm seeing still says late February, but that may be out of the factory. Should arrive soon. Reveal of new 2-pack and deluxe set on 4/13. Deluxe set should be solicited late May.

It remains to be seen. We're showing off two unusual Joe sets at the mid-April Showcase. Not 3 and 4. Hopefully people dig them, because we will probably offer them first, unless the new retailer comes in and 3 gets moved up.

On Monday I'll get a new inventory, see if they are in the warehouse. UK ship dates are different than US ship dates, but usually they're later, as the product goes through Mississippi on its way there. So I'm thinking no, but maybe?