Ask Matty for December 16, 2009
Matty from Mattycollector.com takes the time to answer questions from collectors.
1. The majority of the DC Infinite Heroes single figures hit the stores in February 2009. Until now there have been very few new single figures available at retail. Will all of the single figures shown at SDCC be in the stores before the end of 2009, or will we have to wait until 2010 to see them all at retail?
Much like with JLU, some of the IH figures shown at SDCC will not make it to retail until 2010. But we are working hard to get them out!
2. DCIH - The Toys-R-Us exclusive Gotham Patrol 6-pack never showed up in many parts of the country. Has Mattel made plans to rerelease the Jason Todd Hush, Killer Croc and Catwoman figures on single cards or in a 3-pack?
No plans right now for a re-release or a single pack out. But this pack has still been spotted on shelf as recent as October, so it is still out there!
3. DCIH - Why were there so few new 3-packs and 6-packs in 2009? We only saw the Gotham Knight, Shazam, and Public Enemies 3-packs and the Mallah’s Revenge and Public Enemies 6-packs. Was the delay in production or at retail?
We have been working with all of our retail partners to get new IH figures out to shelves as quick as possible.
4. Do you consider using parts across different toy lines or do prefer to sculpt new ones? Scareglow’s head might be good for a DCUC Mr.Bones or Atomic Skull. The Batman: The Brave and the Bold armored Batman from the Gorilla Grodd set would make a nice S.T.R.I.P.E. for the DC Infinite Heroes. The Action League Black Manta head would go nice on a DC Infinite Heroes body. Consider playsets or vehicles that could be designed for the Batman:The Brave and the Bold toy line or Action League but also compatible with the DC Infinite Heroes figures?
We will occasionally mix parts between lines of a similar brand, but you won’t see parts from a MOTUC figure being used for a DC figure or Ghostbusters character. Good suggestions though!
5. I saw the most recent JLU 6-packs at Target, and I noticed that several figures had warped legs in the package. I do not want to buy the figures if they are just going to fall over. Will the weak ankle problem ever be fixed on the JLU figures?
We’ll pass this comment onto design. We’re always looking for ways to improve upon our figures and will make sure to make note of this concern.
I'm Ready for Digital Comics
I’ve been collecting comic books for 25 years. Over that time I’ve accumulated boxes and boxes of comics. Now that comics have entered the digital age, I wish that I could have my collection stored digitally, or in the future, just download the newest issues that I’ve purchased online. No more comic book bags, back boards or storage “longboxes”. Just my comics stored on my computer’s hard drive and a back-up drive. I am usually on the computer every day reading the news or surfing the web, so why not reading my comics?
However I can’t do that just yet. DC Comics has not offered their monthly comics for digital download, other than the 6 page previews that they offer from time to time. But that may be changing soon as many publishers are looking to sell digital content. You will soon be able to buy magazines and comics in a downloadable format that you can view on a computer, or small portable electronic device, like an iPod, Sony PSP and the upcoming tablet devices. Digital comics can be sold much cheaper than printed comics and still make the comic book publisher more money. Plus the internet offers a bigger audience of people for them to attract new readers.
Sure the printed format for comics will not go away, as many fans prefer the traditional style comic book that they can hold, but for some people like myself, I’m ready for digital comics whenever DC Comics begins to offer them.
Ask Matty for December 1, 2009
Matty from Mattycollector.com takes the time to answer questions from collectors.
1. Will the future DC Infinite Heroes females figures get new arm and hip articulation? Yes or No?
Yes, we plan on adding new articulation to all of our IH figures!
2. I like the added articulation on the 3.75" Superman / Batman: Public Enemies figures. However, one of my Superman figures leg snapped at the knee when I tried to bend it. The knee joint looked like it was fused solid and broke instead of moving freely. I've read of similar reports online. I want my figures to be able to sit down. Can this problem please be fixed soon?
We’ll pass this along to our safety team. If you have exact images of any damaged figure that you can post on our Facebook page, that is the best way for us to correct any errors. We’ll do all we can so this does not happen.
3. Mattel has allowed Toy Fare to conduct fan polls to determine future figures in the DCUC toyline. Can a similar poll also be done for DCIH and JLU? Mattel can suggest several characters for singles or suggest multi-pack combinations and let the fans decide online.
This is something we are looking into for 2010! Stay tuned.
4. Now that the new DC Infinite Heroes figures that were shown at NYCC and SDCC are FINALLY on their way to stores, how long before the next wave of new figures and the new theme are announced? Before the end of 2009 or will we have to wait until Toyfair 2010?
We will most likely hold off on announcing more figures until NY Toy Fair in February at our collector night. Although we might sneak a surprise or two in there before hand!
5. The new 3.75" Public Enemies figures used a new body style that has less muscle definition on the torso, arms and legs. They look less like SUPER HEROES and more like average athletes. I'm sure that Mattel can use these bodies for Avatar figures and future 3.75" wrestlers. Can you please put some muscles back on the Super Heroes or go back to the older body style?
We’ll pass this suggestion on to the design team!