IGN has published an interview with Hasbro’s Scott George, Brand Manager on the Marvel team. This is somewhat of an introduction to the Marvel Universe line, so for those of you who are well-initiated on the 3 3/4-inch line, you won’t find any big bombshells – although vehicles and playsets do get mentioned a couple of times.
Here’s an excerpt.
Inside Hasbro’s Marvel Universe
Marvel’s heroes and villains are hitting the small scale thanks to a new line of Hasbro toys.
IGN Comics: The first question is probably the most obvious – what attracted Hasbro to a 3 ¾” scale for Marvel characters? What advantages do you get by doing that type of model over other lines such as Marvel Legends?
Scott George: There is a large 3 ¾” fan community and we wanted to enroll this group in the Marvel line. One key advantage of this scale is that it allows us to do more and really expand the universe into things like vehicles, larger scale figures and environments… all that are affordable to the consumer and enable them to build a complete Marvel Universe.
IGN Comics: One of the questions we’re sure many collectors have right now is regarding the balance between Marvel Legends and Marvel Universe. There currently seems to be much more emphasis on Universe than Legends. Is that an appropriate assessment? What would you say to fans that are holding out on Universe because they want to see those figures brought into the Legends line?
George: We have a strong focus on Universe right now, because it’s a new line and a new scale. Although there are some new characters in Marvel Universe, most of them were previously issued in the Legends line. For the characters that have not been issued in Legends, we will be continuing with the Fan Polls and working on getting these figures to the fans.
IGN Comics: The “Marvel Universe” line has been out for about three-fourths of a year – how has the response been? Have you been able to attract a mix of the die-hard collectors, the comic book fans and the casual buyers?
George: The response has been phenomenal. We have attracted a mix of everyone: the 3 ¾” Star Wars and GI Joe collector, as well as Marvel fans who want to see characters in a new way. Starting this scale also creates the opportunity for collectors and fans to start from square one. This scale, at the lower price and with the additional play appeals to kids as well.
Between Conan and Terminator 2, NECA has got Ahhhnold nailed. I love the headsculpts on all of them, but would really be psyched for a super-articulated Conan. With very limited articulation, these figures hold just one main pose, essentially making them statues.
Conan the Exterminator
If you’ve got serpents, he’s got a giant sword.
Temple of the Serpent Conan
Bronze Finish Conan SDCC Exclusive
War Paint Conan
Pit Fighter Conan
Our new Temple of the Serpent Conan the Barbarian 7″ figure has his blade held high and ready to strike!
Honoring visionary author Robert E. Howard’s legendary Conan the Barbarian character and boasting an impeccable likeness to a certain Caleefornian governor, this new Conan comes with his sword and articulation at the neck, wrists, waist and boots. The articulation in the boots is especially handy when it comes to crushing serpent heads.
In his ongoing fight against the Serpent Men and their god Set, Conan stands poised for battle, his carefully sculpted muscles tensed and anxious for blood. The cold Schwarzenegger gaze is unmistakable, but this Temple of the Serpent Conan goes even further, putting you in the moment just before the death-blow is delivered, just when the action is at its peak. It is the ultimate recreation of the ultimate Cimmerian.
Temple of the Serpent Conan the Barbarian hits stores soon and will also available at our Amazon storefront.
If you’re confused about the Avatar figures from Mattel that are hitting shelves right now, I’m right there with you. James Cameron is making a new sci-fi epic coming out this December called “Avatar,” which has nothing to do with the cartoon called “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” M. Night Shyamalan is adapting the Airbender cartoon to the big screen, coming out next summer. Adding to the confusion is that Mattel made the toys for the cartoon. It’s so convoluted that the cartoon adaptation has dropped “Avatar” from its name, and will go by simply “The Last Airbender.” Clear as mud!
The toys hitting shelves right now at Toys R Us are for Cameron’s Avatar. Mattel has let us know that the first allotment of figures will feature an exclusive sticker on the packaging, if that’s your kind of thing.
The Gears of War keep turning (ouch, I know, sorry!) with series 5 due next week. NECA is getting a lot of shelf space at in the new Toys R Us collector areas, with Gears, Player Select, Terminator, Twilight, and more – so I’m guessing we will see this line continue to flourish. I hope to see NECA continue to upgrade these figures with better articulation, like they did with the COG Soldier.
Grinding The Gears
Gears of War Series 5 takes command!
Granted, we might be biased, but our new Gears of War 2 figures are easily the coolest yet.
The latest installment based on the multi-million-selling Epic game Gears of War 2 is tougher, meaner and packing more firepower than ever before. Just check it out:
Fighting for the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) is Delta Squad Colonel Victor Hoffman. Back in the original Gears, he reinstated Marcus Fenix into the military, and in Gears 2, he’s got an even more integral role to play in the battle against the Locust Horde. Joining Hoffman is an all new version of the COG Soldier with a different helmet and new articulation. Both figures come with unique weaponry.
From the Locust Horde there’s the Beast Rider Grenadier. A new character to Gears 2, the Beast Rider attacks players from on top of his Bloodmount and is notoriously hard to kill. Speaking of, the reckless Boomer is ready to run head-first into certain doom if it means he can take you out with him. Bigger and more dangerous than the usual Locust fighters, Boomer might just be a gamer’s worst nightmare. Like Hoffman and the COG Soldier, both Beast Rider and Boomer come with individualized weapons and are completely new to this line.
Gears of War 2 Series 5 hits shelves next week, and as always, they’ll also be available online at our Amazon storefront.
I really like how the Halo figures from McFarlane look and pose, and if they had been in either the 6-inch or 3.75-inch scale I probably would have bought a lot more than the couple that I have. But alas, these are in an odd 5-inch scale that allows a tremendous amount of detail but with a lot less cost.
Series 6 comes with Medals from Halo 3 and should be hitting stores this month. Also due this month, the Mongoose with Spartan set. I may not be able to resist picking up that set.
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