MrClean

I wouldn’t put too much credit in their online stock notification by store. The first WG I checked today didn’t have any despite the online status. I had to describe what minimates were (of course), and after two trips to the back, he said check back Monday because their online stock is usually wrong. Second WG stop, found them. Had to describe as well. Only one case in stock. He said the same thing about the online status being a corporate problem they are aware of and it causes them loads of grief. So, basically it’s just your everyday hit-or-miss out-of-the-way limited stock exclusives. At least it’s not Hot Topic blind bag chase 1-per-case-per-store-per-mall. I’m too old for the chase. I just want to exchange currency for product, at a fair price. Is that too much to ask?

I thought Gamestop exclusives was bad, but Hot Topic? Really? Do I have to pierce something to shop there? I like minimates, but not that much.

I always scan the answers before reading the questions. If it’s a “good ideas” or “no plans” or something like a wishlist, I skip it. If there’s a yes answer to something, I’ll see what the question was. If there’s a long answer to anything, I’ll usually read it, hoping it’s something informative.

Good thing those aren't blind bagged...

Sure, between Max, Marvel, PvZ, Calico Jack and Walking Dead, there's a lot of combined variety to choose from.

I’ve just discovered this thread and I love it. I’ve made no secret of my disdain for blind bags and still can’t wrap my brain around the marketing for it with minimates. I’ve been in advertising/design/marketing for over 25 years and I’m not seeing it. But my only comment here is this. When Gamestop clearanced out the ME minimates and I went searching for them, more than once I was met with “What are those?” or “I didn’t know what those were.” by the employee at the register checkout. If the packaging doesn’t sell it, the gimmick(blind bags) doesn’t hook someone, and the face-to-face doesn’t know it, then it doesn’t move. Maybe the window boxed single figure model would have worked better, but without me knowing the marketing data, that’s just a face-value opinion at this point.

Great blog! I’d love to see you tackle more best/worst of specific characters like Spidey, Hulk, Wolverine and zombies since those all have SO many versions.

All things considered, this one isn't a bad deal if you don't want the hassle of waiting. Pathfinder Mini Mates Ghost Goblin Glow in the dark Gen Con 2015 Exclusive Promo edit* nevermind - they don't ship international...

Selling six blind bags in one more expensive randomized "set" loses the impulse purchase model and also loses the completist collector buyer. I can see that being highly unpopular. Unpopular compared to what? It's not always about the best, you know. It's about maximizing options. Finding a middle ground between hunting all over the US for one figure and buying an entire case for one figure. And I may not even get a Kraang out of four of those cases. But you know what? Each of them added to my collection somehow. And it can't be that unpopular, because it's the method card games use. Sure, I can buy one pack for $3. I could buy a booster box for $100. Or I can buy a fat pack for $30, which I know contains certain things I want but also a few surprises. Never underestimate the middle ground. It's the point where beginners and the more experienced meet. My point is that a blind bag is an impulse purchase for a casual fan, or a small gamble for a collector -- unless you're buying a case of them, in which case you know what is inside. Your six-pack is still a mystery, which makes it less impulsive for fans AND more of a gamble for collectors. It's a tough middle ground. I don't know how card games decide their fat packs, and I'm a little hazy on how most card games work (it's been a while) -- my memory is you might want to have a few of certain cards to build a deck. So doubles are not an issue, and every card has value, or at least the value you paid (30 cents?). But if you buy four boxes of six blind bagged Minimates, then you've bought 24 Minimates, at $6 a pop, and maybe you got three of one Turtle and none of the army-builder you want. If you only care about getting more army builders of any type, then yeah, I can see that being popular-ish. BUT if you buy a counter display of 18 Minimates, you get every figure in that series (that's at that retailer) and in most cases, there are multiples of the army-builders. Even if you then have to pay a premium for a retailer exclusive or two, you're still saving money. (We haven't even talked about where these sets would be exclusive to, or the fact that OTHER retailer exclusives would still not be in them.) Sounds like the main issue is getting more access to certain army-builders, particularly limited-release ones, but I'm not sure that should be at the expense of the main characters, who are the reason people WANT the army-builders. Isn’t the impulse purchase model for blind bags only effective in traditional brick and mortar stores? How many have invested in these? K-Mart, Gamestop, and the random “order 1-case” comic shop. I have yet to see any in big retailers like TRU and Walmart, or even smaller shops like Hot Topic or FYE, or even bookstores like B&N or Books a Million. Where are they? It looks like the majority of blind bags are sold online as either cases (which negates the impulse buy purchase model) individually opened (also negating the impulse buy model) or blind unopened (which likely has already been identified by the seller and stacks the odds against the buyer). Not really sure how the blind bag impulse purchase model is being vetted out without being in the environment it was designed for. I’d honestly love some input on this, as it’s seemingly become detrimental to a lot of minimate collectors.

I've read all of them (even Marvel Apes vs Marvel Zombies.. Yeesh!). So, the ones worth reading for sure are Dead Days, the first and second series. They're all written by Robert Kirkman (guy has zombies on the brain). The third and fourth are just OK. Return finishes up the storyline from the original Kirkman ones, and is written by Fred Van Lente. The issue where Spider-man goes to the 1960's universe is kind of good, but the whole thing's more or less meh. The rest (Supreme, 5, Evil Evolution) are blah, too. Your mileage will vary, but they're pretty forgettable. I will say, though: Marvel Zombies vs The Army of Darkness is fantastic. If you only read one, make sure it's that one. I second the recommend on MZ vs AoD! It was a lot of fun and didn't take itself as serious as the regular series.

How about a zombie army builder set? AIM trooper, Hydra trooper, Skrull, Hand Ninja.

I just hope they make Fandral and Hogun finally... oh wait...where am I again? Never mind!

I only read the first two series and spinoffs, but I distinctly remember human Kingpin being gunned down by the Punisher in the Marvel Zombies/Army of Darkness crossover. In the same series non-zombie Blob was being chased by hungry zombies, presumably as a buffet. Doom and magneto died non-zombie (and got eaten) as well. Galactus was eaten by the hero zombies. Can't say I remember the rest of their fates.

An additional problem with the tru.com wrong orders is that the returns that go back to the store (like mine) mean the store has extras of sets that people can't order online(Mikey/Casey), so online won't have it available, but stores will not have either Don set because of the sticker screw up. Zeck is lingering still. I'm sure that will probably affect inventory and re-stocks from individual stores.

I saw the series 3 boxed figures today at Walmart, which are the same as the movie Minions in the TRU blind bags. Still no series 2.

Greensboro, NC

Saw the TRU wave today. Didn't buy any though since it's pretty much a "Best Of" wave. Hard to not buy Vasquez and Hudson though...

I attempted to order three different sets including the Mutagen Don set (Zeck sold out). The order went all the way through, then AFTER confirmation, there was a message that Mutagen Don set wasn't available but the other two would ship. Had to go back and cancel the entire order since it's not with the extra shipping for just the other two sets. Proceed with caution.

I haven't kept up with Marvel comics in For-Freakin-Ever, but is that Galactus on the Ultimates Cover? These are the most uninspired looking revamps. Even the Howling Commandos, which looks okay as an idea, did it better in the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon. Except for the GotG, non of those really scream "gotta have minimates!" to me. Please, please, please...can we continue to get comic based minimates from 70's, 80's... even some 90's?

Haven't seen series 2 of the boxes (didn't even know about them), but series one changed them all to have the same codes in later cases. Fortunately I got series 1 when they were individual codes.

Star Blazers would be a dream set for me. Hanna Barbera just seems like a natural fit. Throw in some Jem and it's truly outrageous!

Aren't all the zombies kinda sorta technically villains? I mean, wiping out most sentient life in the universe because they've got the munchies isn't exactly heroic.

Hulkbuster v.1 MODOK MvC Super Skrull Brood Joe Fixit Maestro Transforming Hulks/Thing Human Torch w the '4' Base Goblin w/bound Unmasked Spidey JJJ

I think my girls would love this as a boxset... two of their favorite shows - together! Me? Not so much...

I think zombie Pyro should have flame attachments to simulate him being on fire.