Here we go – it’s the last Ask Matty session before SDCC – and I’m afraid we didn’t do all that well getting the guys at Mattel to spill any surprises. Because of the show, there won’t be another Q&A until August 15th. Send in your questions, because I’m doing a lousy job at it!
1) Since this is the last Q&A before San Diego Comic-Con, can you give us some hints about the new figures that you plan to show from each line (without giving too much away, of course)?
Getting info out of Matty is like pulling teeth! (Yeah, I know, that was horrible.)
For MOTUC, much like last year, we’ll be showing items through the first 2011 figures. For GB Classics, we will show about three to four new figures. For DCUC, we will have at least two waves of six-inch figures as well as some surprises. For JLU, we will show at least the remaining 2010 product, which includes the “skipped over” wave of JLU singles including show accurate Red Tornado and OMAC.
The conspiracy theorists will tell you that it’s all part of a big scheme, but sandwiched between Tuesday’s four minute sellout of the Masters of the Universe Classics Orko pre-order for San Diego Comic-Con goers and today’s sale day that includes the MOTUC Count Marzo (and the DC Universe Classics Wave 13 set), Mattel has announced details of its subscription plans for 2011 that will allow you to avoid all of the online ordering woes.
And good news for Ghostbusters fans – there’s a new sub plan for you, too – Club Ecto-1. If you happen to collect both lines, you’ll save on shipping.
Personally, I’ll have to see what’s announced for Ghostbusters at the Mattel panel at San Diego Comic-Con, as I’m not sure I want to be all-in on Ghostbusters. I have decided already that I’m all-in for Club Eternia. The subs go on sale on Wednesday 7/21, coinciding with the start of San Diego Comic-Con. The Mattel panel is on Friday, 7/23.
I think the editorial staff at Toyfare is trying to dominate the search engine results for “WORLD PREMIERE” and “WORLD PREMIERING” – there’s going to be a lot to see in this issue, including a new 12-inch Star Wars line from Gentle Giant that I had heard nothing about before today. Cool!
I missed this from last week, but it looks like Mattel is taking the fan vote that they did during their San Diego Comic-Con panel last year (for whether Panthor should be flocked) and making it an annual event. This year, we’ll be voting on the color of Swiftwind for the Masters of the Universe Classics line. Let’s see what our own informal vote would yield:
She-Ra’s trusted steed should be on its way to us in late 2011. Based on the timing, I would have expected Panthor late this year, but perhaps he’ll be coming in early 2011. And yes, he’ll be unflocked.
Will Swiftwind be pink or white?
You are voting on the classic pink Swiftwind toy vs. the classics Royal Swiftwind toy as pictured above. Not the animated TV series look.