SUPER ARTICULATE: TOY FAIR 2005 I

[MattBrady]

by Troy Brownfield

If you follow the figures, you already know that this past weekend was Toy Fair International. That’s the grand time of year when companies put their wares on display to demonstrate what’s on tap for the coming year. Some items are recent releases, some are due out soon, and some won’t appear for months. Here’s some of the low-down…



Teen Titans (Bandai): Bandai has a full slate this year, with D.I.C.E., the expansion of Gundam Seed and more. Still, the most relevant note to comics fans would be the line based on the Teen Titans animated series. The line breaks out into more formats in ’05, with the promised “introduction of many popular secondary characters and villains from the show, available for the first time in toy form”.

This line is all about scale, from the 3.5” figures (which will debut characters like Bumblebee and Wildebeest) to the rapidly growing 5” figures. Among the new additions will be Dive-Action Aqualad, Robin as Red X, Snake Shifting Beast Boy, Speedy, and new Robin variants. The popular 10” format will see the arrival of Aqualad and Beast Boy as well.

June sees a few brand new concepts as well. The 6.5” Soft Action Super Deformed Pals cover Robin, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Starfire and Raven. A mega-sized playset will be the Teen Titans T-Robo; it includes the T-Car, T-Cycle and T-Sub, which will now combine into a giant T-Robo. It’ll retail around $40 and come with an exclusive figure.



Justice League Unlimited (Mattel): This line has really begun to prove itself with unbelievable character choices. The series will continue with its multi-pack flavor, and deliver some fan-favorite and wonderfully obscure characters simultaneously. Among those getting the Mattel treatment this year are Sinestro, Aztek (yes, Aztek), Waverider (YES, WAVERIDER), Booster Gold (with Skeets!), Red Tornado, Atom-Smasher, Wildcat, Metamorpho, Hawk and Dove. These figures will arrive in a variety of packs, mixed with “anchor” characters (for example, Hawk and Dove with Wonder Woman, Sinestro and Aztek with Superman).

DC Direct (DC Comics): Most of these assortments have been common knowledge for a while, but I’ll run a recap. Dates have been shifting, so I’ll only include approximations past March.

- March 2nd: Contemporary Teen Titans Wave 2 (Superboy, Kid Flash, Ravager, Brother Blood) Also in March: Justice by Alex Ross Wave 1 (Superman, The Flash, Sinestro, The Cheetah, Bizarro)

- April: Green Lantern Wave 1 (Hal Jordan, Black Hand, Kilowog, Parallax, Guardians 2-pack), Hush Wave 3 (Scarecrow, Ra’s Ah Ghul, Commissioner Gordon, Alfred, Parasuit Batman)

- May: First Appearances Wave 3 (Cassie Cain Batgirl, Nightwing, Silver Age Riddler, Composite Superman)

- June: Crisis on Infinite Earths Wave 1 (Monitor, Harbinger, Supergirl, Psycho Pirate, Earth-2 Robin)

- July: Secret Files Rogues Gallery (Man-Bat, Mr. Freeze, The Penguin, Killer Croc, Black Mask)

- August: Superman/Batman Public Enemies Wave 1 (Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Captain Atom, Metallo)

- Fall: Justice by Alex Ross Wave 2 (Aquaman, Black Manta, Parasite, Black Canary, Batman), Justice League boxed set (Aquaman with Harpoon hand, John Stewart, Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman), Crisis on Infinite Earths Wave 2 (Barry Allen, Earth-2 Superman, Robot Brainiac, Battlesuit Lex Luthor, Anti-Monitor)

- October: Identity Crisis Wave 1 (Hawkman, Green Arrow, “Perez” Zatanna, Deadshot, Dr. Light), Batman: The Long Halloween (Batman, Catwoman, Mad Hatter, Two-Face, Joker)

The previously mentioned modern JSA line is presently on-hold to be addressed later in the schedule. In terms of future speculation, additional waves of Alex Ross Justice are a sure thing; you can pretty much expect the two Crisis lines to continue as well. Obviously, the Batman emphasis this year reflects the movie; expect to see Superman similarly played in ’06. There will also be product based on the new Krypto animated series, featuring Krypto, Streaky, and Ace. We’ll have an interview with Georg Brewer of DC Direct before long as well.

Buffy/Angel (Diamond Select): The big news is that 2005 will finish out with a multi-figure assortment featuring Fred and Angel in various incarnations. They join a packed year that saw the advent of Tara, Anya, many new Spikes, Darla, Wesley and Lorne. Here’s hoping Fred as Illyria is on the drawing board; a Puppet Angel figure to join the actual Puppet Angel that Diamond is releasing would also be smashing.

That’s just the tip for right now. I’ll be back again this week. With more pictures, and more info, including Marvel Legends and Marvel Select, SOTA’s Now Playing figures, and more. Catch you soon…

[Troy Brownfield]

UPDATE: The very latest shipping list shows this spread for DC Direct in March:

March 2: Titans 2
March 16: Green Lantern 1
March 23: Alex Ross Justice 1

My credit card just burst into tears.

[JLAJRC]

What does everyone think of the Justice League Unlimited multipacks? On one hand, this is a great and cheap ways to collect them if you never got the original JL figures. On the other hand, I don't want to own multiple copies of the big 7 just so I can have Aztek, Hawk & Dove, etc.

Maybe they can do both multipacks and singles. That way consumers have a choice.

[GMSLegion]

Originally posted by JLAJRC
What does everyone think of the Justice League Unlimited multipacks? On one hand, this is a great and cheap ways to collect them if you never got the original JL figures. On the other hand, I don't want to own multiple copies of the big 7 just so I can have Aztek, Hawk & Dove, etc.

Considering the price point ($9.99 for a three-pack vs. $5.99 for a single), I just treat the "multiple" as a free bonus and find a new home for it. My kids now have a few of their own JLA members that way. When we start doubling-up again, I'll just give the others to other kids we know. Perhaps you can do the same, or leave them at a dentist's office for children to play with.

(In fact, I was kind of annoyed I had to shell out the "extra dollar" to buy Atom as a single. Had they included him with, say, Aquaman and an "anchor," he'd have been a dollar cheaper and some kid would have gotten a new toy.)

[O.J. Flow]

There's been a bunch of little things getting me psyched, but by the time the year's over, I think the three big figures for me will be the Earth 2 Robin and Superman from CRISIS as well as the Battle Armor Luthor.

Just last night I saw a Superfriends rerun on Boomerang with Lex in his armor. Damn, Perez came up with a cool design there.

[ParisCub]

Originally posted by JLAJRC
What does everyone think of the Justice League Unlimited multipacks? On one hand, this is a great and cheap ways to collect them if you never got the original JL figures. On the other hand, I don't want to own multiple copies of the big 7 just so I can have Aztek, Hawk & Dove, etc.

Maybe they can do both multipacks and singles. That way consumers have a choice.

Well, so far, the "big 7" included (except for WW) have been different form their early counterparts. Some have more articulations and some are new figures, like the invisible Manhunter and goateed Green Lantern

And the multipacks are so cheap it's worth it. Worse case scenario, you can make a kid happy by giving him your extra Superman, Batman and the others if you don't want them

[JLAJRC]

Actually, I'm one of those guys that keep them in the package hanging on my wall. I just like looking at them.

This would be an interesting poll. How many of us play with the toys we buy vs. collecting them?

[adamcasey]

Originally posted by JLAJRC
What does everyone think of the Justice League Unlimited multipacks? On one hand, this is a great and cheap ways to collect them if you never got the original JL figures. On the other hand, I don't want to own multiple copies of the big 7 just so I can have Aztek, Hawk & Dove, etc.

Maybe they can do both multipacks and singles. That way consumers have a choice.

I'm bummed that they don't come with accessories.

I'd really like to have that Green Arrow figure, but since there's no bow, I feel a bit jipped. I know we should be thankful for what they're making, but asking for ornate things, just something 'big' to go with the figure, like Green Lantern's power battery.

[The Amazing Spider-Fan]

The thing that's annoyed me and kept me from buying any of the Justice League packs so far is that while the "Big 7" characters are articulated at the knees, elbows, etc., the second-tier guys are hardly articulated at all. What, the new guys don't deserve articulation too? I've actually put a couple sets back on the shelf because of that.

[walterk]

I've been looking at the Justice League Unlimited figures, but have yet to purchase any, as the character(s) (such as Green Arrow) are nowhere to be found, singly OR in the multi-packs.

~Walt

[samnoir]

Ultimately I think it is increasingly going to come down to the kids market for the Justice League figures.

It's just a fact that the Big 7 are goiing to more popular on the racks with the kids and even the collectors who specialize in only collecting Batman or Wonder Woman. Characters like Aztek and Waverider probably wouldn't be made if they were sold on their own, or horribly shortpacked.

I guess the less articulation is also the tradeoff for the cheaper price point and the fact that we can own third and fourth tier characters like Aztek, Hawk, Dove and Metamorpho (who generally have very limited appeal outside of the hardcore DCU fanbase)!

________________________________________ ___________________


BORIS VALLEJO, JULIE BELL ART BOOKS and MAGAZINES FOR SALE ON EBAY!

HORROR MEMORABILIA FOR SALE ON EBAY! HAMMER. RE-ANIMATOR. EVIL DEAD. FREDDY VS JASON.

[Troy Brownfield]

Originally posted by walterk
I've been looking at the Justice League Unlimited figures, but have yet to purchase any, as the character(s) (such as Green Arrow) are nowhere to be found, singly OR in the multi-packs.

~Walt

I'm not clear on your meaning here; Green Arrow is packed with Dr. Fate and The Flash. Or are you saying that you're just having difficulty finding them.

Thanks!
Troy

[boypop]

I'm pretty impressed with product coming out of DC Direct lately. The Firestorm and Deathstroke figures were absolute gems and the upcomming Crisis, First Appearance wave 3 (Nightwing!), Alex Ross figures and Green Lantern waves are all must haves.

I must confess my disappointment with the Identity Crisis line, though.

The figures are GHASTLY!

Rags Morales was the artist on the series so why they chose the cover artist, Michael Turner to design the figures is beyond me but they are horrible looking. Dr Light looks like a hunchback and although prototypes for Zatanna haven't been seen yet, going by Turner's design, she looks like she could be up for DC Direct's biggest Dud ever made. Fans have been yammering for a George Perez Zatanna ever since the fishnet figure bombed so what do they do? Give us a Michael Turner one who looks like she's wearing a bed sheet on her shoulders. Yeah, Rags isn't a Perez either but his rendition comes a lot closer than Turner. A pretty cover designer, yes, action figure designer, absolutely not!

Another quick props goes to Mattel and Bandai for giving the fans many of the obscure characters fans have been requesting from DC Direct but refuse to do.

Ironic isn't it? DC Direct initially formed a mission statement when they first began making toys to do figures the mass market guys wouldn't. Now, it's the other way around. DC Direct churns out Batman and Superman every other month while Mattel and Bandai are giving fans Ditko Starman, Booster Gold, Terra, Wildebeest and Bumblebee with Hawk and Dove and Waverider right around the corner! Who knows, maybe their marketing department is reading DC Direct's message boards for ideas and at least someone is not only listening but doing the fan requests without taking 5-6 years to do them.

Sure wish DC Direct would see to reason and give fans the classic versions of those and others that we've been requesting like Booster Gold, a GEORGE PEREZ Zatanna, Pariah, Terra, Trigon, Jericho, Bumblebee and Hawk and Dove!

[KACH]

Originally posted by boypop
I'm pretty impressed with product coming out of DC Direct lately. The Firestorm and Deathstroke figures were absolute gems and the upcomming Crisis, First Appearance wave 3 (Nightwing!), Alex Ross figures and Green Lantern waves are all must haves.

I must confess my disappointment with the Identity Crisis line, though.

The figures are GHASTLY!

Rags Morales was the artist on the series so why they chose the cover artist, Michael Turner to design the figures is beyond me but they are horrible looking.

I'm going to have to totally disagree here. I find Morales to be talented, but very ho-hum. I think Turner's take on the chracters has a lot more impact.

And his Hawkman looks sick!

DC Direct is killing my wallet.

Oh, I also wish Mattel would release the JLU figures individually, but whatever. I only really want Green Arrow (who has been released solo), Hawk, Dove, & Booster Gold (also being released solo).

--J.

[skeletorjr]

Am I the only human being on the planet who's disappointed that DC Direct didn't announce any more Pocket Super Heroes? All I wanted was a damn Joker!!!!!! blah

[Heroic Images]

Originally posted by skeletorjr
Am I the only human being on the planet who's disappointed that DC Direct didn't announce any more Pocket Super Heroes? All I wanted was a damn Joker!!!!!! blah

Yeah, I feel pretty let down by the cancellation of that line. I didn't mind the box sets, either, since $10+ for two tiny figures was ridiculous.

All of DC Direct's figures are too expensive -- and I know they don't sell as many as Toy Biz's Marvel toys, blah blah blah... I'm just a diehard fan of lowering the price a little and then selling a higher quantity.

Davey

[hughfore2004]

Hell with all that! I want a release date for that Superman 13" figure!If you haven't seen pictures of it yet, there are some posted
over at www.supermanhomepage.com. Trust me - it kicks all other Superman figures ever made in the HOO - HAAS!