DSTZach

I actually addressed that three pages back. Toys R Us has requested we not ship until May.

I sent DST customer service an e-mail the week the Knight Rider vehicles hit shops. I told them that my KARR was missing one of it's tires and if they could send me a replacement. I also asked that if they couldn't send me one, could they at least respond to my e-mail saying so instead of not replying at all. Three plus weeks later and STILL no reply.

Chris handles customer service, conventions and retail accounts, which means New York Toy Fair has him doubly busy with his other responsibilities. I'm trying to take some of the burden off of him, but working in NYC it's tough. Sorry it's been a few weeks, but it might be a couple more. Maybe drop him a follow-up, if you haven't.

...Wait, your KARR was missing a tire? Like, the entire tire?

PS. This is why you should always label the molds for your similar parts with an L and an R my toy company friends.

Not sure what happened there, but I believe we talked to the factory about it. We'll see how The Kingpin turns up.

I only hope you aren't talking about ripping apart your own personal property for the sake of a customer. I would feel bad if that were the case.

That said, if you have one just lying around, hooray. But if not, no worries.

I have an extra set, I'll pull BRB's shirt/cape for you, since Chris seems to be out.

Cap looks like someone stabbed him in the back several times and stole the paint on his shield. And MvC Trish has a deformed arm peg. Emailing DST in the morning.

Let me know what they say. Again, give it some time.

I emailed DST days ago because the cape piece on my wave 42 Beta Ray Bill is all kinds of screwed up. They got right back to me and told me they didn't have any replacement parts to send me. Least they're fast about it.

I might have a Beta Ray Bill I can cannibalize for you. Let me know what you need.

And Zach. I didn't say I wouldn't buy them. And it's not a criticism of character choice. The mates look good. I just don't have a clue who they are, therefore aren't that excited. You want to see excitement, go back to the Jean DeWolfe thread and look at my reaction there. Minimates is intended to appeal to a wide range of collectors, from the best of wave for new guys, to Jean DeWolfe for Spidey fans, to this one for Avengers. You can't hit every single person every time. So, you know, chill mate.

No, you're right, not every Mate is for everybody, which is why some people don't like the characters they don't know in this wave, and some don't like the characters they know TOO well. But if you like the look of them, and may buy them, why "meh"? If you don't know who these two guys are, then I'm assuming we make a LOT of Marvel 'Mates you don't know, so this can't be an unusual occurrence. Just seemed like a overtly negative comment to make, is all.

Any figures in this wave you WOULD like to see more pics of?

I simply cannot condone any use of the 'word' meh at anytime, it is simply the very worst thing. That said, Scott Lang aside, meh seems pretty kind on this wave... Take it as a compliment.

Yikes. Is there a thread for people who are looking FORWARD to Wave 44? Maybe I'll start one.

Heh. Keep forgetting you're still new here. "Moved on" is not a phrase used a lot around here.

Clearly, I am too close to the source material. I'm taking a "meh" like an attack on my children. I'm like the mother of a reality show contestant, who goes on the show's message boards and gets in arguments. :tongue:

See this is where we get into a Ghost debate- I think the new design, it's creepy and all. But I have a soft spot in my heart for the original costume,

I love the Old Ghost. So, so much. I'd push for him to be totally translucent. Maybe the rare variant...

Meh. Don't care much for the characters, but the mates themselves look pretty great. I am VERY happy to see back/rear tampos again. Please keep it up!

Thanks for the "meh," TM2. It means a lot.

Seem he was more "meh" on the character choices, than themates themselves.

Maybe it would help for TM2 to know this is the 616 version of the robot the Kree sent Earth and fought the Avengers and Captain Mar-Vell in the EMH episode "459". And that this is the guy who took over the Ant-Man identity when Pym finally gave it up to play Yellow Jacket.

Oh, I know what he was "meh" on. I just figured we were beyond character criticism and had moved on to focus on the Mates themselves. I have read maybe two Sentry stories, but I still think he looks great. That said, if people want to pretend he's a Sentinel, they're welcome to.

Meh. Don't care much for the characters, but the mates themselves look pretty great. I am VERY happy to see back/rear tampos again. Please keep it up!

Thanks for the "meh," TM2. It means a lot.

Shot on the train platform:

Great balloons, by the way, MiniMyte.

These are the only two I have so far, but if you'll let me, I'll gladly throw Hulk and Iron Man propaganda at you as well.

Oooh, shiny. I'm digging the Sentry.

Are we getting a hairpiece with Ant Man?

That was the plan. I didn't get one today, but I can't see that changing. Hair pieces are kinda de rigeur, as far as I can tell.

Really hoping the tampo on the back of Sentry's leg carries over into production, these look nice.

I hope so, too, to prevent thong issues. The front-of-the-leg tampo extends past the boot, as well.

Here you go Zach, you earned it.

[in his haste to devour a jpeg, Zach bangs head on monitor, blacks out, dreams of jerky.]

Main shipment hasn't been sent yet,

Out of curiosity, why do you send a "sample case" to TRU.com a couple months early? Is it really just so they can get the figures into their database, or is it also to stir the pot a bit amongst us rabid site watchers?... Be honest.

I don't believe they're intended to be sold, per se. I think they're intended to give the store a heads-up on what will exactly be coming en masse later on, and to be used for photography or store review or what have you. But they can do whatever they want with them, since they paid for them. They may be baiting you, I have no idea. They may be testing to see how fast they'll sell!

Hawt! Thanks for sharing!

Also, I like that you have a decimal equivalents cheat sheet taped to your monitor. I do too!

Actually, that's Uriel's monitor. I use his desk when I shoot stuff because my desk is a mess. I also borrow his mouse. (Shhh.) Just realized that you guys probably care more about what's underneath, so...

Sorry they're so big. Again -- early samples, but probably pretty close to final.

Got these in the mail today. Not the coolest thing in the box, but I can't tell you about the other stuff, so I figured I'd try to get you guys excited for this wave a little. Early samples, so probably not completely final, but there you go.

Can we also assume that Boom Boom and Rictor both have tiny little pointy feet (in true Liefeldian style) and that that's why they're obscured in the picture?

The feet are removable, so you can hide them behind things.

I don't understand the venom for Boomer & Rictor. I want them more than anyone else.

Which, of course, means I won't be able to find them...

Imagine explaining music to a deaf person. Now imagine explaining Greg Capullo-era X-Force to someone who's never read it. Or any X-Force, for that matter. Same thing.

By the way, you all know her pants say "Boomer" on the side, don't you? Just FYI.

Article states this wave will be released in March. Is that correct? I thought it had been delayed until June.

Care to comment Zach? has there been a change made?

They've left China, but this may be another one of those delayed-shipment-to-TRU deals. Not sure what's going on. Sorry to put incorrect info out there, whichever proves to be incorrect. Sorry, Jeff, to give you bad info, if it is bad.

I am assuming that both Magma and Spidey's 'spider sense' effect will be translucent?

Assumption just confirmed with product manager. Both translucent.

So... thumbnails are up on these now. Restock soon?

</kidding myself>

Main shipment hasn't been sent yet, don't expect it in TRU's hands until late Feb./early March.

By then, we hope to have fixed those name issues, though. Working on it now.

TJ Hooker is go.

NICE.

Jersey, just have to watch my online spending haha (currently reserved for a metric ton of Hot Toys, kill me now). Been buying Minimates from this LCS since i was like 12 or 13 many moons ago, so i naturally have a preference to want to give my LCS guy the business for them, too.

Rest assured, i'll have KARR one day.

If you can afford to buy Hot Toys online, but not Minimates, I have no sympathy. Well, less. But yes, support your local comic shops, everyone.

I'd like to see a Custom KITT, with the flames, but I think there's a lot of modifications to do to get the look right.

SO, I assume for sales/marketing purposes... they call the toy "Mega Man Zero" to try to cash in on Mega Man's name by tricking people who aren't too up on the Mega Man franchise into thinking they're getting a Mega Man toy.

I think it was just a placeholder when we were selling the figures to Toys R Us, used by someone not as familiar with the game to describe the figure to someone even less familiar with the game, and it stuck. Look at what happened with the Series 2 names on the site, although those are just typos, as far as I can tell.

There are more thorough forms we use now to provide info, and I tried to be accurate on the packaging. We call him "Zero" there, anyway. The SDCC set I take no responsibility for.

And now I sit and wait for One (1) Zach Oat to show up and tease and snicker silently as we say speculative junk about things he may have actual answers about but can't tell us.

You think I'm snickering? I just want to cheer you guys up. I tease to give hope, not to torment.

If I told you ONE of those four guys was happening this year -- JUST ONE -- would you be happy, sad, angry or satisfied?

As for the retailers swarming over the Zombie line? That. Is. SO. Awesome! I love what's been shown so far, and this is the best way to get more unique parts for customs!! I already have plans for that mailman for sure (Willy Lumpkin!). I'm buying the Zombies by the case-load as well!

Zach, will the Zombie line be at TRU??

I believe TRU will be taking it, but there may be some changes made to the line at first to get the ball rolling.

Look, Zach. I just finished out the rest of wave 2 for you. Go to work!

I think there are a couple more name pirates in Wave 2, but also some cool period-specific 'Mates I think you all will dig.

(And neither is internationally beloved like Knight Rider.)

So you're going after internationally-beloved properties, then not selling them internationally... harsh.

(just teasing, Zach...)

I think the minute we get any sort of sizable order from an international buyer, we will start on the expensive and rigorous testing that that country or union of countries requires. But the orders aren't there. Maybe KR will help. Massive German order in 5... 4... 3... 2...

Don't forget Battle-ravaged. And Web-armor.

In all seriousness, i wish my LCS had ordered these. Really wanted KARR.

KITT actually went undercover a LOT on the show, and I'm pushing for one of those. KARR had a couple of versions, as well, believe it or not.

People want Goliath and Juggernaut, but I think those are unlikely.

Where are you located, Two-Face? No ordering online for you?

A Scooby Doo Mystery Inc van would be awesome too! As would all of the other numerous lines mentioned in this thread. I just love how the vehicle line is a great way to get potentially one-and-done properties out there!

Except there's no such thing as one-and-done. We still need to get the license for the property, and that is usually for a couple of years.

We'll need to make a few different KITTs and KARRs to make the KITT tooling cost-effective, and we're also doing electronic vehicles and license plates to get our money's worth out of the license.

Magnum has never come up, because there's one car, and while flashy, it's not particularly distinctive; Dukes is distinctive, but I can see the reluctance to build a merchandise line around it. (And neither is internationally beloved like Knight Rider.)

Likenesses are another factor (are they included?), as well as each show's rights to license the car itself. Licensing from car companies can be pricey.

Someone should Ask DST about Scooby Doo, though! Could be a couple lines there. I'm not a fan myself, but I know the appeal. There've been some great toys already, though, and Minimates might not be able to capture the different character styles.

No,I just checked the us site,put something's in the cart and when I proceeded to check out(to see if they ship in other countries) and I saw Greece and many other countries in the locations where they can ship.

I had no idea TRU.com shipped internationally. Is this new? Has nobody here ever tried this before? Do orders get cancelled?

Please, somebody order something, and let me know if it works.

i always thought that tru shipped only in us and now I learn that they ship in other countries too . As well as Greece.Then why did I use to buy tru through eBay and pay double price? Why,why? I hate second hand market.

I wasn't aware that TRU.com shipped ex-US, is this new?

Not that I know of. BRB, are you seeing Minimates at a TRU in Europe? Because that should be impossible.

I would second the idea of selling the stands, but at least would offer some feedback and say that I'd at least love to see these stands used when you guys display Minimates at shows and cons. I think they'd look better than seeing yellow tacky stuff under their feet. Not critisizing, just making an observation.

Great suggestion!

See, now I'm really curious.

limited product possibilities? Knight Rider's pretty much done already! Dukes of Hazzard could easily have 2 variants of the General Lee - clean & dirty, plus tons of different character releases. Not to mention the different jeeps & cop cars. Knight Rider's likely more viable at retail in this market, but there are mathematically more possibilities with Dukes of Hazzard than there is with Knight Rider.

Knight Rider is nowhere near done. But I was just reiterating what I read. I guess Chuck saw Dukes to be much more limited, or much too expensive, or maybe he had the same concerns other toy companies have.