Mattel recently answered another round of questions from various sites and we’ve collected them all in one easy-to-read thread right here! Some of the toy lines discussed were DC Universe Classics, DC Infinite Heroes, Masters of the Universe Classics and Ghostbusters!
Click on the headline for all of the questions and answers. Don’t forget to add your own thoughts in our discussion thread!
Mattel Q&A Roundup for September 2009
Action Figure Insider:
A1. The 2-pack will have the existing Lex Luthor. All the 2 packs are designed to get older figures out for new collectors just joining up in the DCUC collecting fun. Our tooling for this brand tends to go to the new figures in the singles. We may look at a retool of Lex in this suit in the future, but not in this set.
Q2. Masters of the Universe: When Orko is made, will he have a true face, or will he simply have floaty eyes and blue ears on a shapeless black form like the original from the 80’s?
A2. It is too early to tell, but Orko is coming in 2010.
Q3. Ghostbusters Classics: Any chance of a full-sized animated series character of Sam Hain? You know, the pumpkin patch ghostie?
A3. It is possible. We are looking at the animated series for all those great villain ghosts. How and when they will appear in a Mattel line has yet to be revealed.
Q4. mattycollector.com – international tax – Mattel recently announced that those international fans who purchased the subscription would receive a refund of the mysterious $3.00 tax they were charged. However, a large number of international fans have also been charged the mysterious $3.00 tax on each and every individual figure order they have placed – does Mattel plan on also refunding these amounts to international fans?
A4. We’ll pass this along to the Mattycollector.com team and make sure any taxes which are not required are refunded.
Q5. 6" Movie Masters Superman and Zod, when we"ll be able to get them?
A5. This is to be determined.
Q6. With rumors flying all over the place already about SDCC 2010 exclusives for DCUC, and MOTU Classics is popular enough to warrant it, with the questionable future of JLU, will JLU fans at least still be able to look forward to a SDCC 2010 Exclusive? You obviously don’t have to reveal what it would be, just IF there will be one?
A6. We’ll have to see!
Q7. I know that Mattel says it is trying to get new product to the stores. But Target has singles listed as NCF and has not had a new 3-pack in almost 12 months. Is Target still on board with singles and/or 3-packs? If not is there a plan to still get us the singles and/or 3-packs that have been announced (Mattycollector.com, Big Lots)?
A7. Right now, JLU is a Target exclusive (plus the MattyCollector.com 4 packs). If this changes we will let our fans know.
Q8. DCUC – Public Enemies Series – Will this series of action figures be available at Target stores internationally (particularly Australia)? Or is it a US Target only exclusive?
A8. It is available to all Target stores worldwide.
Q9. Movie Masters – 12" Zodd, Superman and Ghostbusters- Is there any chance of an articulation run-down or description of the "base bodies" for these figures? Are they articulated like a "Barbie" or similar to a Sideshow figure?
A9. Both figures use a brand new 12” body developed by Mattel specifically with the adult collector in mind.
Q10. mattycollector availability – According to Mattel’s most recent update, DCUC Wave 9 will be available at mattycollector as "singles".
However, the update was unclear as to the availability of DCUC Wave 11 onwards – will these also be available as "singles" or only in "box sets"? Will each of the DCUC "All Stars" figures also be available as singles at mattycollector?
A10. Our plans for Wave 9 on Mattycollector.com have changed. Right now we are working on Wave 11 as a box set (but it will not include the All Star figures). Once we have confirmation on this we will announce it on Mattycollector.com. As you know, nothing is confirmed until we announce it on the site.
Cool Toy Review:
Mattel: Yes, we will do a standard version in the future. The reason Egon was slimed for SDCC was because he came with Slimer. We knew whomever the first figure was he would be paired with Slimer and therefore have a slimed deco. We may do Slimer again, but he may be re-tooled or given some changes from his initial release. It won’t be for a while however.
Cool Toy Review: What's the situation with the Princess of Power figures - will they be released in MOTU packaging or under their own line (I for one have interest in some of the characters, but ZERO interest in pink packaging and rooted hair)? Are characters like Shadow Weaver, Octavia and Scorpia possible?
Mattel: POP, NA and MOTU figures will all be released in the same green packaging you have come to love. Shadow Weaver, Ocatavia and Scorpia, along with all other Filmation created characters are not currently available to Mattel.
Cool Toy Review: A lot of people thought Orko might be the special pack in with Man-At-Arms, but it ended up being He-Man's 200X powersword. When can we expect to see Orko in the line? In the past, there have been some hints that he will be smaller in scale unlike his original toy. Is he more likely to be a pack in with a regular figure like Prince Adam or maybe with a different type of figure like Cringer, Kowl, or Gwildor?
Mattel: As confirmed at SDCC, Orko will be coming out in 2010.
Cool Toy Review: As a fan of the original Super Friends cartoon AND a big fan of the DC Infinite Heroes line, will we ever get to complete the line-up with Aquaman and a classic Robin? We have the "big three" and quite a few of the 2nd-tier and 3rd-tier characters, but no King of the Seven Seas. Come to think of it...same question for DC Universe Classics, the only character missing is classic Robin.
Mattel: Yes, we do plan on adding both of these “must have” figures to Infinite Heroes and getting to Robin in 6” scale in time.
Cool Toy Review: With a lot of interest being given to the characters from the New Gods in DCUC, is there any interest in the Forever People? A Big Bear figure would ROCK!
Mattel: We have looked at the Forever people and in fact Mark Moonrider almost made Wave 10 but was replaced by Forager. It doesn’t mean we won’t get to them eventually!
The Fwoosh:
Yes and no. The female body is pretty much set between Adora and Teela. The exact look of each character is handled on a figure by figure basis.
2. DC Comics is having a recognized 75th anniversary in 2010 – are there any plans to support that with some dedicated toys?
Oh boy, do we ever!
3. DCUC series 9 turned out really great, thanks for really delivering on this series. One thing though- it seems like the range of movement in the neck joint on all of the figures has gotten extremely limited, can you have your designers and engineers look at refining this for future series so that there can be a better range of movement (up and down especially)?
We’ll pass this comment onto design! Thanks.
4. In MOTUC, when Mattel and the Horsemen approach the character of Grizzlor, how do you plan on executing him? Will he be furry like the original toy or will you go with the sculpted fur route?
We haven’t crossed that road yet, but Toy Guru is fighting for fur.
5. When will we get to see the “phasing” Deadman variant from DCUC series 11? Do you have a picture now that you could share?
Hopefully soon!
Figures.com News
The only show we will have a retail booth at in 2010 will be SDCC. Just how many exclusives and for what lines remains to be seen.
2) Are the MOTUC display bases still on schedule for February 2010 and what will the price point be?
It is looking like they will be approximately $15.00. We’ll confirm the on sale date in the fall.
3) When we get to bonus figure months with the MOTUC line, will all the product be offered through mattycollector.com on the same day to give fans the opportunity to combine shipping on their orders?
Yes, all toys will go on sale on the 15th of the month (or the following Monday if the 15th falls on a weekend) and you can combine shipping on any items bought in one order.
4) When the DC Universe Classics line is made available on mattycollector.com, will it be under the DC universe section or under Matty's Toy Box?
It will be under DCUC.
Mattel - We are working on something really great. Stay tuned.
BZZURKK – How long does it take for a figure to hit retail? From the time DC says you can make this figure until it hits retail?
Mattel - 12 to 14 months.
BZZURKK - When can we expect to see the Zod 12″ figure at retail?
Mattel – Zod will only be available on MattyCollector.com later this year.
BZZURKK - Can we expect to see an Ambush Bug figure in a line soon?
Mattel – Ambush is high on Toy Guru’s personal wish list!
BZZURKK – If JLU is renewed at Target can we expect to see future figures on Mattycollector.com?
Mattel – The Target line and the JLU line are actually unrelated. The Target line is based on Target continuing the line, the Matty.com line is based on support from fans buying the 4 packs.
you can add ours to that list if you would like...
BZZURKK Ask Mattel Sept. 15
Cool, thanks!
Full Thread: Mattel Q&A Roundup for September 2009
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