Toy Fare: What really stood out for you?
My toy tastes have changed this past year and I think I've become numb and somewhat bored with the same ideas and formulas being rehashed. This is probably why I have been more focused on Transformers and 3rd Party versions of those classic characters.
That said...
1. Star Wars: The 6" line and "Black" 3.75 line look like all that will be left for our Collector demographic, as the line goes the way of Iron Man, Spider Man and Batman, marketing a less articulated, lower price point product for the kids. I understand this, but it's still a bitter pill to swallow. The 6" Darth Maul has promise, but I still the head sculpt on certain 3.75 figures are better
2. Transformers: Metroplex! he looks amazing and I hope he sells so that we see Trypticon, Sky Lynx and other similar sized bots. Seeing larger, classic character versions like Springer is a huge win as well.
3. GI Joe offered a few "Ultimate" version of Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes to add to the current Firefly in the Retal 3 packs. A lot of the new figures look great but I am concerned over the expousre they will receive.
Other than this, there was no new WWE/Mattel, nothing groundbreaking with Mattel/DC or Hasbro/Marvel.
This show is geared more toward retail buyers and I just hope this isn't a sign of less line expansion going forward.
Just curious as to everyone's thoughts.
For me:
MOTUC: Not a blooper anywhere. Mantennae and Casta in the regular sub, and the start of a Filmation sub I never thought would have a chance. Seeing Batros, Icer and Shoebootie after decades with no figures of them was great; definitely pre-ordering everything shown when it pops up on Big Bad.
Power Lords: Just really impressed by the figures shown and the approach the Fab four are taking with the property. I have the original stuff from the 80's, but these figures take the concept, eliminate the bad choices like the two sided figures, and does a great job within the 4" format. I realize the power soldier is there to justify the mold costs, and the second version of Ggripptogg is there for the same reason, but each character in the old line was a distinct mold with no re-use really possible, so I understand the need to stretch the molds to justify their costs. I think it will work well if this approach continues, and I'm definitely getting these.
Batman '66- far more groovy than expected. The liknesses, excpet for Burt Ward, are phenominal, especially for a mass retail line, and even the body types are perfect (hello, pudgy Batman). THe surfing Bats cracks me up (I recall that hilarious episode) and the Batmobile in scale is perfect. Adding the scaling wall was brilliant. It's a pretty sure thing we'll get Catwoman (maybe even more than one; re-use the body with all three actresses' heads atop it), and I can only hope for a 6" Victor Buono as King Tut. I would faint dead away at Tut-tut figure...
There was a lot fo good stuff, and I was impressed by the 6" Star Wars, but money and space will limit what I can get into this year, so a lot of cool lines like that will have to passed on...
GI JOE Kwinn
All Marvel Legends
and I was hoping for a second series of Mad Monster Party. Maybe later on in the year.
Batman '66. I forgot about that.....that is cool.
Caesar Romero / Joker is a MUST...with a lightly sculpted, yet painted moustache!
Powerlords are cool, though I'm not sure I like the scale.
Metroplex was the big one, though. That, Springer, and Trailbreaker. Just when the cost cutting of the Prime toys were having me turn towards 3rd party and other stuff, HasTak makes a comeback. Though like I said in an earlier thread, the Target near me is already pricing deluxes at 19.19...
I think this came from the Asian toy show that happened at the same time, but I'm excited about the stylized non-Arkham DC Play Arts Kai and the figma Avengers toys that were shown.
Honestly, this was one of the best Toy Fairs I can remember from the past few years. I liked the "Black Series" announcement for Star Wars. The only Star Wars figures I've collected regularly for the past ten years have been the Vintage Line. And, for me, this line is a great continuation of that. I heard it was going to be in 3-3/4 and 6-inch scales too, which is interesting. I doubt I can collect both scales, but I like the option. I also kind of like that Hasbro is breaking up the various lines between those toys aimed specifically at kids versus the ones aimed at collectors.
Metroplex was a very nice surprise. I'm looking forward to him and the rumored Metrotitan repaint. I've really been thinking about jumping into the third-party Transformers lately too, but now with a lot of these announcements and Takara's new emphasis on Masterpieces, I'm probably just sticking with Hasbro/Takara.
Glad GI Joe is finally coming back with the new movie stuff. Looking forward to what GI Joe might do after the movie stuff though.
Masters of the Universe Classics continues to be amazing. I was excited to see the new Filmation characters previewed, plan to get that subscription, and hope they do another Filmation subscription in 2014.
I really like the Power Lords, but wish they were the same scale as the originals. Four inches just seems to small for those, but I'm going to be open-minded. The Four Horseman rarely disappoint. I'll check them out and may get them, provided I think they're worth the price.
NECA showed some Pacific Rim robots for the new movie, but couldn't show any of the kaiju. They're in the 7-inch scale and also plan to release an 18-inch version of at least one of them. Looking forward to seeing those in person.
Bandai showed the new Showa-era Godzilla figure for their Monsterarts line. They previewed the Godzilla from the 1964 Godzilla vs. the Thing (Mothra). While I'm really excited to see them release figures from those earlier movies, I really hope they complete the kaiju from the Hensei-era, especially Biollante and Battra (assuming we get Mothra from Showa). I'd also like Mecha-Ghidora too. And, they previewed the King Kong figure too, which probably means that had to get the King Kong license to release the Showa-era version of Kong. I just hope they get to Gamera too. One of my favorite toylines ever I think.
while the 60's bats stuff and 6" star wars are awesome, what struck me most is that we're going back to 5 poa for a ton of stuff. granted, these are for kids at a lower price point blah blah blah. but what it really shows you is that our economy is in the dumper. if getting kids involved in a toyline means toy companies have to ramp up the happy-meal division, it can't mean we're moving in the right direction, economically.
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It's gonna be a light year for me with Star Wars, as there's little in the way of new characters or (to me) worthwhile remakes and I'm not going to get much, if any, of the 6" line. But that's OK with me and I think that what they're doing - lower cost figs for the kids and a new scale for the adult collector market - seems like a solid enough plan to maintain a retail presence during a non-movie year. Seems like the cartoon should be getting more love in terms of new toys, but I don't know what the ratings are like.
I'm really, really, really looking forward to the Power Lords.
I'm not a Transformers guy, but that Metroplex is really something.
The sculpts on the Batman '66 figs are truly impressive, better than I ever would have expected. I won't be getting them myself (there's just something about Mattel's 6" DC stuff that don't care for, and for a line this retro I'd have preferred a Mego-style line anyway), but they are really far, far better than I thought they'd be when they were announced.
There's some 4" Marvel lines on the way that I hadn't been aware of, bringing some figs that had been on my wish list - like the Leader and a comic-styled Red Skull. Likewise, MU has some stuff on the way that I'm really looking forward to.
The lack of a Star Trek line is a disappointment. I know the last one didn't do well, but I really think that was less an indication of the market for Star Trek product than that people just didn't like that particular line of toys.
while the 60's bats stuff and 6" star wars are awesome, what struck me most is that we're going back to 5 poa for a ton of stuff. granted, these are for kids at a lower price point blah blah blah. but what it really shows you is that our economy is in the dumper. if getting kids involved in a toyline means toy companies have to ramp up the happy-meal division, it can't mean we're moving in the right direction, economically.
I think we saw this with the tail end of the Avengers line and that special single carded Chitauri with removed articulation. I'm kinda surprised that the new Iron Man movie doesn't have an MU-style articulated line, only that Marvel Legends line for collectors.
Batman '66, definitely! Barris Batmobile, oh yeah!
Also happy to see new Star Trek ships from Hotwheels, I thought for sure that they would just reissue the old ones (since several didn't even make it to the mass market). Bring on the USS Kelvin!
For me it was:
G.I. JOE - the sculpts are improving & the articulation seems to be returning. Bring on Kwinn & the Tomahawk!
SW Black - I'm down for Maul & R2. I still want an Admiral Ackbar, IG-88, & Dash Rendar.
TF - I really want Blitzwing. I'm gonna re-buy MP Soundwave if he's released domestically w/all 5 tapes.
Square Enix - Anime Batman & Wonderwoman look fantastic.
DST - I will buy every Marvel & Walking Dead Minimate made. New additions like Aliens & Invincible are welcome.
Yeah, I'll be spending a lot on Transformers Generations this year (already have!) between Metroplex and the new Voyager and Deluxe offerings. Picked up Voyager Soundwave today and I'm really glad that scale hasn't lost anything compared to the shrinking and price inflated Deluxe scale. Bring on Springer and Blitzwing (and possibly Sandstorm if the speculation is correct)! Metroplex is going to be a lot of money for a single purchase, but still a lot cheaper than Fort Max and Matty Voltron.
That's really all I'm looking forward to from Toy Fair, but there was a lot of good things shown at Wonder Festival in Japan last weekend that I'll be getting for sure!
Emerje
MyFigureCollection.net - Most of my Japanese figures
Associate Editor for Tomopop.com
Comic book Watchmen...
...and even I like the '66 Batman stuff...
DC Collectibles' Arkham City Solomon Grundy and Death of the Family Joker are must buys for me. Both extremely creepy, yet awesome-looking figures.
Neca's ED209. Huge Robocop fan. Can't wait to replace my old Kenner ED209 with an updated version.
Star Wars Black. I haven't purchased a Star Wars figure since Kenner's Return of the Jedi line way back in the day. But I may pick up a few of these. Maul definitely. And if they make a decent 6 inch Vader and Return of the Jedi Luke, then I might get them as well.
My toy tastes have changed this past year and I think I've become numb and somewhat bored with the same ideas and formulas being rehashed. This is probably why I have been more focused on Transformers and 3rd Party versions of those classic characters.That said...
1. Star Wars: The 6" line and "Black" 3.75 line look like all that will be left for our Collector demographic, as the line goes the way of Iron Man, Spider Man and Batman, marketing a less articulated, lower price point product for the kids. I understand this, but it's still a bitter pill to swallow. The 6" Darth Maul has promise, but I still the head sculpt on certain 3.75 figures are better
2. Transformers: Metroplex! he looks amazing and I hope he sells so that we see Trypticon, Sky Lynx and other similar sized bots. Seeing larger, classic character versions like Springer is a huge win as well.
3. GI Joe offered a few "Ultimate" version of Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes to add to the current Firefly in the Retal 3 packs. A lot of the new figures look great but I am concerned over the expousre they will receive.
Other than this, there was no new WWE/Mattel, nothing groundbreaking with Mattel/DC or Hasbro/Marvel.
This show is geared more toward retail buyers and I just hope this isn't a sign of less line expansion going forward.
Just curious as to everyone's thoughts.
3. GI Joe offered a few "Ultimate" version of Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes to add to the current Firefly in the Retal 3 packs. A lot of the new figures look great but I am concerned over the expousre they will receive.quote]What Firefly are you referring to? Is it the one in the "Cobra Infiltration" set? I was tempted to pick it up yesterday, but I thought the Storm Shadow looked like a dud.
The 66 Mattel Batman line is so perfect plus surfing Batman & the NECA 18" Adam West Batman really looks great so thats the must get items for 2013 for me.
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The new Max Steel line was a let down. I was aware of the way the line had continued outside the US and was hoping more some cool monster villains - no such luck.
FWIW, I found out this last week that all the 1/4 scale neca figures (and most of the smaller neca and mcfarlane AC figures) are going to be carried by gamestops.. so you can preorder them there, and not have to pay online shipping charges!
On the larger 1/4 figures, this could really be a significant savings.
The purcahses also do count for those gamestop rewards benefits as well... I might have to pony up for the full membership there as well, because the 1/4 bats and IM figures look amazing. The Lone Ranger figs look good, but the movie could end up being a turd.
One thing that stood out is how crappy the DCUC Huntress looks. For a character fans have been screaming for for years, it really looks phoned in and uninspired.
Batman 66 stuff looks pretty neat though.
From DC Collectibles, it really stood out that they made this really beautiful modern Catwoman figure and that it'll only be sold as part of a 7-pack. Anyone feel like spending over $100 for one figure?
From Marvel, the prototype of a modern-ish Rogue was shown as part of a 6-inch Woverine line, and it looked amazing.
The Godzilla toys from SHMonsterarts looked great as usual, but it was disappointing to not see any mention of the Evangelion figures they had shown as part of that line.
With Transformers it was nice to see Soundwave get a domestic release announcement, but disappointing of no plans to bring the new Starscream (MP11) to the US.
And as for those 6-inch Star Wars figured, I'm getting every one of those. Awesome.