hypno

Starro looks great, winkerbean could you take a photo of the back of Starro?

I like BSG for their customizing potential...evil robot army, futuristic Air Force, blue Navy officer's uniforms, and generic civilians all in one series.

The only nit I have to pick is that the helmets appear to be a bit too big on their heads.

I think they'll look great with Sgt Rock. I might buy 2 packs and do some head and body swaps to make more generic soldiers.

ditto! I'm pre-ordering 2 sets as well for the same reason. Can't have enough military Minimates.

That's a pretty cool amalgam of the two brands.

robail the photos you take absolutely knock me out, very professional camera work.

Great find on the Batmobile too, it looks great with the Minimates.

Here are some photos of Starro that a member of another site posted.

Also the new DCD JLA Series 2 figures (Batman, Hawkgirl, Amazzo, Dr. Imposible) all come with a Mini-Starro that they can hold.

I only bought a couple of sets for fodder, the exclusive pack (x2 for the stretcher and prison uniform) and had 2 of the bullet proof vest sets on order. But I do feel bad for the collectors of the line.

I contacted Thomas at CornerStoreComics and he wrote...

Thanks for your message, DC is well aware of our opinion regarding their Minimates. We've made our case to them in person the last two times we saw them.

Thanks again!

T-

I just read a feature over on Newsarama that shows that fans can have an impact on saving a canceled product that they enjoy.

Back in 2006, Manhunter (starring Kate Spencer as the newest iteration of the hero) was cancelled with issue #25. It was the common comics story – the series was acclaimed by critics, loved by its fans, and lauded by Andreyko’s fellow professionals. But, as history has shown, that’s often not enough to keep the wolves away, and the series was axed.

Cue fan outcry and one sympathetic DC Universe Executive Editor Dan DiDio.

As DiDio announced at WizardWorld: Philadelphia in 2006, he and DC had reconsidered, and gave the book five more issues to prove itself. It did just that with issues #26-#30, so much so that DiDio later announced that the series would be returning on an ongoing basis.

full story here

I contacted Stuckakid and they wrote...

Thanks for writing in and hope you are well. We sure have heard this bit of news and are of course unhappy about it DC MiniMates have been a consistent top seller for our shop for it's entire run so far.

Believe it or not, we have already submitted feedback regarding the rumored fate of the line to DC Direct and have also signed off on the petition site here: http://onemorewave.blogspot.com/

If there is any other way that we can be of help in supporting this line, please just let us know... If they make 'em... We'll stock 'em for sure...

...contacted CCG Armory and they wrote...

Thank you for passing on this information. We are indeed sorry to hear that this line may be discontinued, we have enjoyed carrying them and they have sold well for us. We will contact DC Direct as you have recommended and pass on our preference that they continue the line.

...I also wrote Discount Comic Book Service who forwarded me the email they wrote to DC Direct...

We are writing about the end of the DC Minimates line. While these have been good sellers for us and are also great impulse buys, we believe that the figures are bringing in new, young readers. Although this is very anecdotal, my two sons and two of my nephews are very interested in DC Minimates and are starting to make the jump to comic books. One son and one nephew are now voracious comic book readers, reading up to one trade paperback a day, and my other son is starting to look at comic books. Their interest in comic books started with an introduction to Super-Heroes through DC Minimates. This is similar to my introduction to Super-Heroes through the Super Friends cartoon in the mid-1970s. I have now been collecting for over 30 years and sell comic books as a retailer with a store and Internet presence.

If DC Minimates still make money for DC, then we encourage DC to continue the line.

There's too many 'oh noz! DC is deadz!' threads running around

At least it wasn't Marvel.

Ah, but that's the thing, if it was Marvel ending don't you think that there would be just as many threads, just as many people trying to save their favorite line? I would think so, and would hope so. The only lost cause is the cause not fought for.

Thanks Fujis. Here are some more pics. These are now lego/mini hybrids. I call them lego mates.

Awesome photos! What camera or lenses are you using?

How do you get the Lego heads on the Minimates? Do they snap right on?

I wrote to the Owner of Big Bad Toy Store and he said...

This line has done well for us - so I've sent an email to them explaining that and requesting that they keep it going.

I also wrote to Things From Another World and they said...

I put in a word at DC Direct asking them to continue with the DC Minimates line.

I wrote the Owner of Enchanted Toy Chest in St. Louis and he said...

I agree with you that the DC Minimate Line is a good seller. I'll be happy to send an e-mail to DC Direct informing them of the success of the line in my store. Hopefully they will continue the line. Thanks for the contact info.

I would be happy with what DST is doing with the Marvel mates.

Emailing DCD, retailers, and sending Minimate card backs to DC’s offices, can only help in convincing DCD to continue the line. The only guarantee we have is that if we do nothing then nothing will change.

When the show Jericho was canceled it was the fans who though their lobbying NBC (and by sending pounds of peanuts to the corporate offices) was able to get the show back on the air. When Mezco cancelled their Comic Hellboy line it was the fans who through constant posts on Mezco’s forum and emails to the company were able to get one more figure (Abe Sapien) to complete the heroes in that line. So it’s not unprecedented for a company to change it’s mind.

I can understand anger towards DCD and not wanting to beg them to take your money but for me this isn’t about DCD, it’s about the fans of this line wanting more cool figures for their collection. It’s about a line ending way too soon and about teams missing major members.

DCD might be apathetic about this line but the fans aren’t. To DCD I say, “You might as well get back to that drawing board, to that factory and make me more mates darn it! Because I’m going to pester you until you do!”

Over on the Fwoosh boards, member and retailer Jeff Cope owner of Alley Cat Games & Comics in Dublin, OH wrote...

Thanks for the email address.

I'm a retailer who carries DC Minimates. They've done well for us. I just wrote DC and asked for the line to continue. Fingers crossed. I want a new Darkseid!

I want these to continue as a fan and as a retailer! I keep 'em near my register. They're a great impulse item.

I'm also thinking of emailing all the comic stores in my state (and those that I've shopped at out of state) to let them know that DC Minimates are ending and ask them if they would be willing to voice my/their dismay to DCD.

A quote from the DC boards...

The key is that it's not just what fans ask for, it's what retailers ask for. So, folks need to tell the stores they order DC MiniMates from to tell DC Direct (or Diamond, depending on where they order from) that you want more DC MiniMates. Even get into specifics of what DC MiniMates you want to see. Yes, fans are listened to, but retailers are HEARD.

A Boxset seems like it would allow DCD the flexibility to put out sets based on recent events in their comics, like a New Gods or Sinestro Corps set. Tying the sets into events would not doubt help sales as the comics and figures would support each other. This is what DCD does with pretty much all of their other lines and seems to be what they are most conformable with over all.

Boxsets could be a really cool alternative to a set series of eight figures if DCD decides to go that route.

According to a member of the DC boards...

I did get further confirmation from Georg (through my LCS) that the line will be "resting" after wave 8. I got a more detailed response, but I was asked not to post it here (at least for now).

However, they will look into the idea of boxed sets. If this is what you want to see, post your ideas here.

If wanting to learn more about how the use illustrator I can't recommend enough picking up an illustrator visual quick start guide. They make these guides for every version and they are what I used to walk myself through learning the program when I was first starting out in design.

Because of the DC Minimates I've bought a lot more Minimates (Marvel, BSG, Rocky) than I would have otherwise.

...which is terrific for Minimates, but does exactly zero to help DC Direct...

The DC mates also caused me to buy more of DCD 6" figures as well. Before the Minimates I didn’t buy all that many DCD figures (owned like 3) and didn’t have a very high opinion of the company (and the canceling of the DC Minimates doesn't help). But DCD did such a great job with their Minimates that it forced me to give their 6 inch figures another look. But I can say for sure that I am now not buying a single 4" figure they make.

Me, I loved the character selection, the amount of detail, the amount of accessories, the 2.5" figures, and the sculpted heads of the DC Minimates. And it was the DC inspired series 19 & 20s that made me go back and pickup most of the older Marvel mates, (before series 19 & 20 I owned a few Marvel mates that I picked up on clearance but didn't pay much attention to them past that, too many Spideys to few accessories).

Because of the DC Minimates I've bought a lot more Minimates (Marvel, BSG, Rocky) than I would have otherwise.

I just sent an email to askdcdirect@dccomics.com and said...

I’m writing to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed your work on DC Minimates and say that I am saddened to hear that the line may be coming to an end.

I’ve pre-ordered every series to date and have ordered a case of Series 8 to show my support for the line. The quality in paint, character selection, accessories, and fun that DC Direct has put into DC Minimates has caused me to buy more DCD action figures and DC comics than I have in the past. Before the Minimates I didn’t buy all that many DCD figures (owned like 3) and didn’t have a very high opinion of the company. But DCD did such a great job with their Minimates that it forced me to give their 6 inch figures another look.

It’s been said recently that DC Direct wants to strive to complete more of its lines, a good start is to please continue DC Minimates.