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.

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...

Spidey, Hulk, and Wolverine are all great choices, because they have a diverse assortment of 'mates and "looks". Zombies is an interesting idea; I assume you mean treating them as a group rather then individually? I hadn't thought of that, but I like it.

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

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.

Moving house was bad enough this last week ..... now I see this

Looks like it's 'Paizo.com scanning' for me again for months on end

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...

I can already see the argument against a 4-pack of army builders, so my alternative would be a Battle Box mini-case. Two random character blind bags (any series) and four random army builder blind bags (any series). That way each case would be highly likely to contain at least one Turtle, which would make retailer happy. But there are four guaranteed army builders, which would make fans happy and more willing to buy more than one case.

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.

Seeing Tigra in amongst all this makes my heart cry.

I might have to put let Gideon go and start campaigning for the West Coast Avengers.

I think this box set looks pretty damn cool

Has anyone read the whole Zombie series? If it actually worth read? or is it just fun to see zombie versions of Marvel mainstays?

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.

What city did you find them in?

I'm glad there is no true exclusive, but I may pick up Hudson & Vasquez if I see them.

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.

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.

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.