It doesn't seem like there was much at all. There are the black and white versions of the Invisible Man, Phantom of the Opera, and Metaluna Mutant.
It seems that Minimates are gone all together. This makes me really sad.
As for the figures..all they had to show was a "super articulated" Creature from the Black Lagoon and a Son of Frankenstein version of the monster.
These are great figures, but based on the lack of monsters at Toy Fair from DST I'm guessing that we're reaching the end of what we will see from Diamond Select.
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q767/Adam_Kast/1360553301-10_zps213ba964.jpg)
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q767/Adam_Kast/1360553301-9_zps1d8cefaf.jpg)
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q767/Adam_Kast/1360553301-4_zps568a8ca6.jpg)
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q767/Adam_Kast/1360553301-3_zps89e7fa4f.jpg)
OMG! How tall are those??? I am so down for both of them! Bring on the Wolfman!!
Quote from: Type3Toys on February 11, 2013, 01:13:44 PM
OMG! How tall are those??? I am so down for both of them! Bring on the Wolfman!!
DST already released a Wolf Man for this line! I believe these are 8".
Quote from: Universal_Adam on February 11, 2013, 01:08:07 PM
It doesn't seem like there was much at all. There are the black and white versions of the Invisible Man, Phantom of the Opera, and Metaluna Mutant.
It seems that Minimates are gone all together. This makes me really sad.
As for the figures..all they had to show was a "super articulated" Creature from the Black Lagoon and a Son of Frankenstein version of the monster.
These are great figures, but based on the lack of monsters at Toy Fair from DST I'm guessing that we're reaching the end of what we will see from Diamond Select.
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q767/Adam_Kast/1360553301-10_zps213ba964.jpg)
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q767/Adam_Kast/1360553301-9_zps1d8cefaf.jpg)
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q767/Adam_Kast/1360553301-4_zps568a8ca6.jpg)
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q767/Adam_Kast/1360553301-3_zps89e7fa4f.jpg)
I sure hope you are wrong about the line winding down. Those figures look good. Son of Frank looks super articulated as well. I so wanted a different Wolfman(more articluationa dn accuarte likeness), Kharis Mummy, Dracula's Daughter, and Werewolf of London to show up from these guys. They are just starting to get good (although Dracula still is horribly generic).
I guess since Toy Fair isn't over yet, they might still show more stuff..but It doesn't seem like it. Last Toy Fair there was SO much stuff!
Quote from: zombiehorror on February 11, 2013, 01:30:56 PM
DST already released a Wolf Man for this line! I believe these are 8".
Why dont I remember the Wolfman??
Jekyll, Hyde, Quasimodo, and Mole Man are on display and are due this year. Munsters Select series 2 is on display, and it now includes Uncle Gilbert (whom they label "Uncle Gillman". Whoops.). The new, more articulated Creature and the Frankenstein' Monster from Son of Frankenstein are 2014. Though I haven't seen any pics, I'll bet the Retro Action (Mego like) Mutant and Phantom of the Opera are on display somewhere, and fingers crossed there will be two more in that line. As for the Mini Mates, well, we pretty much knew that line had run its course from all Diamond has said about it.
Here's a pretty good overview pic of the monster section of the Diamond Select Toys Toy Fair International New York booth (not mine, from Action figure Insider):
http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/gallery2/album/TF2013-Diamond-Select-Toys/1360553301-78.php (http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/gallery2/album/TF2013-Diamond-Select-Toys/1360553301-78.php)
Quote from: Type3Toys on February 11, 2013, 04:48:41 PM
Why dont I remember the Wolfman??
Because you didn't notice our DST gallery? ;)
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=20566.0 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=20566.0)
Quote from: Universal_Adam on February 11, 2013, 01:08:07 PM
..all they had to show was a "super articulated" Creature from the Black Lagoon
I'm not sure what it would be, but I wish they could do something different than the same sculpt with more articulation. Of course, the Uncle Gilbert they're coming out with would be just that!
Quote from: zombiehorror on February 11, 2013, 01:30:56 PM
DST already released a Wolf Man for this line! I believe these are 8".
There was a bit of talk about a more articulated Wolf Man, and perhaps a Lugosi licensed Dracula.
Quote from: Mike Scott on February 11, 2013, 06:55:47 PM
I'm not sure what it would be, but I wish they could do something different than the same sculpt with more articulation. Of course, the Uncle Gilbert they're coming out with would be just that!
This is a different sculpt, by Jean St Jean, if I'm not mistaken. The first DST (2010) Creature is Rudy Garcia's work (though the Kay in the Select set is St Jean). It would have been cool had they made this one the underwater suit and a swapable Revenge (which I over suggested to Chuck at Comic Con, and New York, and the gallery show, and at the parties, and...). What? I want a Revenge figure.
Quote from: darkmonkeygod on February 11, 2013, 06:59:05 PM
There was a bit of talk about a more articulated Wolf Man, and perhaps a Lugosi licensed Dracula.
Now this is what I'm talking about. I really do love both the new Creature and the Son of Frank. Give us a licensed Lugosi and another Wolf Man, and I think we'll be set. While additional monsters would be most welcome, it's probably not doable in the current market. The major characters, though, like Frank, Drac, Wolf, and Creech will sell time and time again. Perhaps a
Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man Lon Chaney figure for the more articulated figure? And I would also be down for a
Revenge Creature.
Quote from: darkmonkeygod on February 11, 2013, 07:22:34 PM
It would have been cool had they made this one the underwater suit and a swapable Revenge
Universal probably won't let people do the underwater or Revenge suits. "Style Guides" and all, ya know. :P
Quote from: aura of foreboding on February 11, 2013, 07:26:55 PM
Now this is what I'm talking about. I really do love both the new Creature and the Son of Frank. Give us a licensed Lugosi and another Wolf Man, and I think we'll be set. While additional monsters would be most welcome, it's probably not doable in the current market. The major characters, though, like Frank, Drac, Wolf, and Creech will sell time and time again. Perhaps a Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man Lon Chaney figure for the more articulated figure? And I would also be down for a Revenge Creature.
Chuck didn't seem too hot on the Revenge Creature (or the underwater suit) because it is too niche, which I understand and agree with. As far as Dracula goes...
I've stayed out of posting in the most current likeness rights Dracula thread because I've repeated myself far to often about same here on the UMA (and even in the face of fact, many people will never change what they believe to be true), but I'll reiterate in this thread that in
multiple discussions with Chuck, the Director of DST, I've been told they have and still are looking at the possibility. As he's expressed it, it comes down to cost. If DST can spread the cost across multiple product lines (Select, TRU exclusive, Retro Action, bank, ???) then it might be viable, and if it's viable, they'll do it.
It's not as if they all have zero knowledge of nor any love for what they do. Most of these folks are fans. AND they are good business people. If they can make a financially profitable Lugosi Dracula, it would be irresponsible to the company not to. But profitable is the key word. Keep your fingers crossed, keep PRE ordering DST monsters so that retailers actually commit orders before a product is manufactured, and heck, drop DST a line to let 'em know you love what they are doing and what you want to see. You might even consider putting the word in the ear of TRU corporate, or any other retail partner that would be large enough to support the Lugosi Dracula cost.
I thought it was a shame that TRU didn't carry the UM vinyl banks. That Creature is fantastic, and though it didn't come out perfect, the head and hands from the cancelled ultra-size Frankenstein's Monster finally saw the light of day.
Definitely in on the Creature and the Monster. Where my super articulated Wolfman???
Hope the line isnt over yet.
Was hoping for Doctors Frankenstein and Pretorius....
Also; Maleva the gypsy....
I love that Frankenstein... the arm next to him was a really nice touch. I do hope we get more, though.
Quote from: Creature Features on February 13, 2013, 09:49:56 AM
Hope the line isnt over yet.
Was hoping for Doctors Frankenstein and Pretorius....
Also; Maleva the gypsy....
I'd love these. I think they'd be fantastic additions to this line. Someone mentioned the possibility of two-packs. It sounds like a great idea, but it probably won't happen. Imagine, a new Monster sculpt with Henry, a new bride with Pretorius, and a Maleva with a new Wolf Man!
Quote from: aura of foreboding on February 13, 2013, 07:12:56 PM
I'd love these. I think they'd be fantastic additions to this line. Someone mentioned the possibility of two-packs. It sounds like a great idea, but it probably won't happen. Imagine, a new Monster sculpt with Henry, a new bride with Pretorius, and a Maleva with a new Wolf Man!
I like your thinking.
Add Son of Frankenstein monster with Ygor.
We didn't have the two 2013 Retro figures on display, but we had them at SDCC. Also not on display: the next two vinyl banks, Wolfman and Bride.
Not sure why we exhibit 2014 figures for this line, but there will be another figure next year for sure, since we need one more for Toys "R" Us. I don't think we'll be doing any "civilians" in this line like the gypsy, but keep Asking DST.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on February 15, 2013, 03:46:58 PM
Also not on display: the next two vinyl banks, Wolfman and Bride.
Cool! Will the Bride's hair be hollow?
What is the new Munsters set called? Is it "Diamond Select" Wave 2? Any extra parts not seen in the photo (like Uncle G's hat), not counting the stairs?
(http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/4431/munsterstoyfair2013.jpg)
Quote from: King Kang Kong on February 15, 2013, 03:46:58 PM
We didn't have the two 2013 Retro figures on display, but we had them at SDCC. Also not on display: the next two vinyl banks, Wolfman and Bride.
Not sure why we exhibit 2014 figures for this line, but there will be another figure next year for sure, since we need one more for Toys "R" Us. I don't think we'll be doing any "civilians" in this line like the gypsy, but keep Asking DST.
Great news about the banks. I am glad they are continuing.
I will definitely buy the Son of Frankenstein and new Creature figures. They look wonderful. I also would like to see another Wolfman -I wasn't that fond of the first one and a new pose (or super-articulated figure) would be welcome. The banks were fabulous and I look forward to more of those as well. Very sorry to see the minimate line end though. I really enjoy those little guys.
Any word on more "Mad Monster Party?" figures? I honestly feel those were some of the best figures ever made. It would break my heart if we didn't get at least two more sets.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on February 15, 2013, 10:34:43 PM
Any word on more "Mad Monster Party?" figures? I honestly feel those were some of the best figures ever made. It would break my heart if we didn't get at least two more sets.
I too really want the whole cast. When I spoke with Chuck during NYCC in Oct, he said that if TRU were to pick them up (the current set they turned down in '12) for '13, then the line might continue in '14. The sculptor on series one hasn't been contracted to create a series two.
Anyone know of a way to petition TRU and show them we will support these? That really seems to be the only way forward for the line to reach viability.
Any way Diamond could adopt the Mattell "Club" model? I'd certainly prebuy a Mad Monster Party 3 series of 3 at $22 a character.
I apologize, I don't know how I missed some of these questions from back around Toy Fair.
- I don't know if the Bride's hair is hollow, but I aim to find out!
- I believe we call all of the Munsters Selects by their individual names, not grouping them by Series, although the next four could be known collectively as the "Staircase Series." But the three basic figures will be released to Toys "R" Us as Series 3, the black-and-white sets having been Series 2.
- I do not believe we have made any new progress on Mad Monster Party, sadly.
- We do not have any plans to start a Club.
I found this thread because I've been taking pictures of the new UM figures, and posted this one on Instagram:
(http://distilleryimage10.ak.instagram.com/271b1d80063011e38ee022000aeb412d_7.jpg)
Wow, an absolute winner, KKK. What is the difference between the TrU Hunchback and the deluxe version?
Quote from: Mord on August 17, 2013, 12:05:24 AMWow, an absolute winner, KKK. What is the difference between the TrU Hunchback and the deluxe version?
King of Fools crown, cape, and scepter, I believe.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 4
That's what I thought, but I haven't seen pictures yet.
My understanding is that both Quasimodos come with the crown, cape and sceptre. Only the gargoyle is exclusive to the Select version.
I hope there's enough difference between the 2 to warrant buying both. I'll probably stop buying the TrU versions after this (there's just not enough difference between the 2 versions).
Quote from: King Kang Kong on August 19, 2013, 07:05:33 PMOnly the gargoyle is exclusive to the Select version.
My bad. I thought it was the other way around!
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 4
I need that Creature. Not want. Need.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on August 16, 2013, 11:07:17 PM
- I believe we call all of the Munsters Selects by their individual names, not grouping them by Series, although the next four could be known collectively as the "Staircase Series." But the three basic figures will be released to Toys "R" Us as Series 3, the black-and-white sets having been Series 2.
Thanks King!
I can say with authority, that riting an actual letter to TRU HQ will bring results IF there are enough.
That said, the current action figure buyer (they changed AGAIN) is not...lets say "collector friendly".
Address letters to
Toys R Us
Attention: Richard Barry
One Geoffrey Way
Wayne, New Jersey
07470-2030
Be polite and courteous.
Also, be sure to specify that you ant to see these in all stores, not just online.
A common move when faced with requests is to order 1 case of an item, list it online, and then let it sell out. That way they can point to the listing and say "Oh, we carry it, it just ran out".
You want them in ALL stores, not just online or in the handful of "collector stores" .
About 200 letters will bring results.
Thousands of letters and they make make a monster aisle.
That said, actually getting people to write a letter, print it, and mail it is pretty hard, so good luck.
Quote from: Gillfan on August 22, 2013, 09:25:45 PM
I can say with authority, that riting an actual letter to TRU HQ will bring results IF there are enough.
That said, the current action figure buyer (they changed AGAIN) is not...lets say "collector friendly".
Address letters to
Toys R Us
Attention: Richard Barry
One Geoffrey Way
Wayne, New Jersey
07470-2030
Be polite and courteous.
Also, be sure to specify that you ant to see these in all stores, not just online.
A common move when faced with requests is to order 1 case of an item, list it online, and then let it sell out. That way they can point to the listing and say "Oh, we carry it, it just ran out".
You want them in ALL stores, not just online or in the handful of "collector stores" .
About 200 letters will bring results.
Thousands of letters and they make make a monster aisle.
That said, actually getting people to write a letter, print it, and mail it is pretty hard, so good luck.
I'm in. This should be a sticky.
I must have missed something important. Why are we writing letters? Is TRU not carrying monsters anymore?
I actually visited TRU today. There wasn't much action in the collectible action figure aisle. I saw some tumbleweeds blowing around. There were some footprints in the dust that coated the floor. I realized that they were MY footprints, from the last time I had visited the aisle...several weeks ago. I thought they had started putting out the Halloween merchandise until I realized that the skeleton lying in the corner of the aisle was not a decoration. It was the dry remains of an ancient toy collector, his bones perfectly preserved after lying undisturbed for untold years. I finally walked out of the aisle. I asked the first soul I encountered to tell me what day it was. To my horror, I had been in the action figure aisle for three weeks. No wonder I was hungry. I exited the store and entered the sunlit world of reality.
Quote from: raycastile on August 22, 2013, 11:13:17 PM
I must have missed something important. Why are we writing letters?
For Mad Monster Party, of course! If we can get TRU on board, maybe we can get a few more sets. :)
Ray- Somebody else aked "...Anyone know of a way to petition TRU and show them we will support these? That really seems to be the only way forward for the line to reach viability..."
and I was offering guidance that a petition would be ineffective but actual physical letters would bring results.
Quote from: Mord on August 19, 2013, 07:59:52 PM
I hope there's enough difference between the 2 to warrant buying both. I'll probably stop buying the TrU versions after this (there's just not enough difference between the 2 versions).
Between the Quasimodos? It's just the gargoyle vs. a stone floor base. A nice base, but unless you want to display regular Quasi and King of Fools Quasi, I think you can make do with one, whichever fits your display/budget. The gargoyle looks nice, I can't wait to get one (still only have the stone floor).
The Select Hyde, of course, has the parts for Hyde AND Jekyll and a lab table with equipment. TRU only has Hyde parts, but it comes with that nice rooftop base. So that's a situation where you definitely want both, to display both.
But past Selects have been 1/3 the same as TRU (just with deluxe bases), 1/3 slightly different from TRU (but still with deluxe bases) and 1/3 TOTALLY different (AND with deluxe bases). This year it's a little from column A and a little from column C, but I have no idea what next year will bring. Not sure what we can even do as far as variations with the three figures we have planned.
Hopefully we get a Revenge and Walks Among Us Creature! Also the different variations if the Monster!
They only have Karloff on board, so the only other monster they can do is from "Bride.." (from what I've heard).
....A super-articulated Gillman?
...My god. My childhood dream is finally coming true.
Amok Time posted pics of the actual Mego-style Phantom and Mutant. They look ok, but nowhere near as nice as the original photos. The Phantom will be wearing his bathrobe, not his original cloak and suit. The Mutant has what looks like tight, women's leggings and ultra-bright red belt. Don't get me wrong, I'm still buying them and thankful of DST/Emce.
The Mutant seems to suffer more "cheaping out" than the Phantom. If they are going to start going downhill in quality....then I would rather this be the last wave. The colors on mutant look awful compared to the prototype. I will have to see the Phantom in hand. Cannot tell much from the picture.
(http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2013/08/Retro-Series-4-Metaluna-Mutant-1.jpg)
(http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2013/08/Retro-Series-4-Metaluna-Mutant-2.jpg)
(http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2013/08/Retro-Series-4-Phantom-of-the-Opera-1.jpg)
(http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2013/08/Retro-Series-4-Phantom-of-the-Opera-2.jpg)
The Phantom proto was a beautiful thing. I knew it could never look that good in person. I hope he still has the vest and jacket, though.
I agree with Anton, this should hopefully be the last of this line. I would also rather have them end it than keep cheaping them down. That also goes for the 7" line. Hopefully next year will only bring Son of Frank and Creature 7"ers and finish off the DST/Universal collaboration. It was nice while it lasted, but it's run it's course.
I have to say, I'm a bit surprised by the tone this discussion has taken. So often monster collectors on this board and others say that young people ARE interested in classic monster toys and they WILL buy them if given a chance.
But then, a company makes an item that is below collector standards but more than adequate for play and the call goes out to kill the line.
There are economic realities to every business. They are especially evident in toys.
I doubt if many of you guys played with Barbie dolls, but she used to come with a tiny pair of underwear and a bra. Now they are just molded in the plastic. It was too expensive for one of the world's largest toy companies to make to make a fabric set of underwear the size of a quarter.
There are many examples of cutbacks like this, and if it comes down to not including underwear, or removing a vest and chain from a costume, or not making the product at all...well I'd rather make the product.
Retailers won't hear of price increases. Try to go up even a nickle a unit and you won't get an order. Yes, this sucks, but it is reality.
So before you say "End the line!", ask yourself "Does it still have play value? If I were a kid would I want to lay with it? Even though it is not perfect, is it cool?" If the answer is yes, then don't call for its demise.
Quote from: Gillfan on July 04, 2406, 10:32:46 PM
There are many examples of cutbacks like this, and if it comes down to not including underwear, or removing a vest and chain from a costume, or not making the product at all...well I'd rather make the product.
Retailers won't hear of price increases. Try to go up even a nickle a unit and you won't get an order. Yes, this sucks, but it is reality.
So before you say "End the line!", ask yourself "Does it still have play value? If I were a kid would I want to lay with it? Even though it is not perfect, is it cool?" If the answer is yes, then don't call for its demise.
So he doesn't have the vest? Bummer. I think he's still the best one in the line, however.
I dont think a lot of kids are buying figures made to appeal to middle aged men. Men who grew up with Megos in the 70's. Maybe they are buying the DST plastic figures. But its doubtful little 8 year old Jimmy gives a crap about Mego-esque Mutants. Maybe some Borderlands figures by NECA are more their speed.
I can appreciate the whole "economic disaster" scenerio....but if the difference is going to be too drastic (Mutant suffers greatly from the prototype vs. the actual figure), then they won't sell to the adults they are targeting. It's a little different than Barbie's bras and drawers. :angel:
A for the whole "cut costs' thing----I am done with caring about that song and dance. Nothing personal directed at you, my monster brother. But all I hear these days is "cut wages, cut costs, cut labor,cut, cut, cut". All while those spouting the "cut costs" mantra live like kings. It's what cost me my job from early 2006-mid 2007. The heads of my company cried "poor" then recorded record profits. Meanwhiel friends I knew lost homes, marriages wrecked, etc. But I digress.
If its no longer profitable and cost effective to make figures, its better to just call it quits. Its preferable to offering product that continues to deteriorate in quality for the same asking price (or an inflated one). Hanging on the pegs at any local department store are 3 3/4 inch figures for $8.99. Figures that are of the same quality as Happy Meal toys given out for free 10 years ago.
We are going backwards in this country with regards to how much bang you get for your buck.
Recently Mattel cancelled their DC Universe Classics line and Ghostbusters Ecto-1. The reasoning was there just werent enough folks willing to "subscribe. IE to pre-order and pre-pay to make it "profitable enough". I dare say Ghost Busters and DC Superheroes are more popular than Universal Monsters. After all, the marketing of DC is all over God's creation. The Monsters get exposure at Halloween....and little is done with the property. This is a giant company. Much larger than DST or Emce.
A perfect example of what I am talking about is this: I bought the first wave of Mego Night of the Living Dead figures. i loved them. In the time that passed for them to release wave 2---the packaging and presentation fo the figures deteriorated. I skipped on Barbra and Karen. If there's ever a series 3....I will be shocked. Sometimes little cuts can be made. But the cuts made between wave 1 and 2 on those was atrocious. That's what i am worried will happen to Universal Monsters if they keep "cutting costs". I would rather they quit than deteriorate. Just a personal opinion. :angel: :angel:
Anton, you nailed that perfectly!
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 4
Quote from: Anton Phibes on August 25, 2013, 11:00:38 PM
...Recently Mattel cancelled their DC Universe Classics line and Ghostbusters Ecto-1. The reasoning was there just werent enough folks willing to "subscribe. IE to pre-order and pre-pay to make it "profitable enough"....
Damned hard to get subscribers when the prototypes' and final products' qualities are so far apart and "collections" are often discontinued before reaching completion.
I also get a little tired of the same molds being milked for Color Editions, Silver Screen Editions, Translucent Editions, Glow-In-the-Dark Editions, Bronze Editions, etc. - But that's a separate issue.
Quote from: Monsters For Sale on August 26, 2013, 04:32:18 AMI also get a little tired of the same molds being milked for Color Editions, Silver Screen Editions, Translucent Editions, Glow-In-the-Dark Editions, Bronze Editions, etc. - But that's a separate issue.
But, one that's pretty common. As a former "Star Wars" action figure collector, Hasbro milked the same three Clone Trooper molds for over a decade, with ridiculous retailer & convention "exclusives" that were nothing more than new paint slapped on the same Clone Troopers, on a card that had a sticker on it (Target, Kmart, Toys R Us, SDCC, etc) that entitled the sellers to charge 3x the usual price! Eventually, I decided to stop collecting "exclusives," especially when I could, in all likelihood, customize the same figure using the regular versions and about $0.35's worth of paint.
Now, I don't mind the Silver Screen Editions, because, hey, that's how we saw them, in glorious B&W. I only own the Sideshow SSE 12" Dracula because it was a gift. If I had unlimited funds, I might have bought a few SSE figures to display next to their full-color counterparts, but I don't, so I didn't. I haven't bought any of the DST B&W sets, again, because I not only just can't afford it, but I've got very limited display space, too.
Anton- Your points are well thought out and eloquently stated, and I agree with the vast majority of them.
I also sympathize with anyone who lost employment. I was reading an article the other day that very few parents encourage their children to go into manufacturing as a career and I thought "Because we've seen everyone in manufacturing lose their jobs".
There are no simple solutions to the economic situation.
But with that said, I still think we should avoid proposing that the monster line be killed.
As crazy as this may sound, I think our "army" needs all the new recruits it can get. Sure, some of us will have kids and draft them, but we need fresh blood too, and if a Phantom or Mutant on a toy store shelf helps bring a young person into the glorious world of classic monsters, it is all worth it.
Quote from: Gillfan on August 26, 2013, 05:37:38 AM
But with that said, I still think we should avoid proposing that the monster line be killed.
As crazy as this may sound, I think our "army" needs all the new recruits it can get. Sure, some of us will have kids and draft them, but we need fresh blood too, and if a Phantom or Mutant on a toy store shelf helps bring a young person into the glorious world of classic monsters, it is all worth it.
I couldn't agree more. Let's not let our analytic idiosyncrasies over mass produced action figures kill a commercial retail market that is already pretty much nonexistent. Just the fact that these exist at all is nothing short of astonishing.
Good points fellas. Look--I am by no means "calling' for the line to stop. I am just expressing my opinion that if the figures continue to deteriorate in quality---the lack of sales will kill it. Like I am pretty sure it did with Night of the living Dead. Time will tell on that one. I realy dont want to see the Universal Monsters suffer the same fate. They get pooped on enough as it is. I doubt DST/EMCE wants that either. Yet---back to NOTLD.
I have a friend in retail who has stated to me he wont be ordering anymore NOTLD waves.... because of the changes from wave 1 to wave 2. He actually had to go out and buy hanger tags and glue them to the back of those figures, and then "shake" each figure around inside their repective bubbles in an attempt to make them presentable for sale. He hated it and said "No more".That's a retailer's point of view.
I wont be throwing about petitions for follks to sign to get the line scrapped. I love the line--so far. I am on the fence about Mutant though. Heck---I would love an EMCE Werewolf of London and Mad Ghoul. But not if they look bad. That's all.
As for the need for more new monster kids--I agree whole heartedly. As I have said many times past---if we don't reproduce, we go extinct.
But we are competing with all the other figures out there---figures with brand new franchises, brand new comics, brand new video games. New tends to keep the public's mind fresh on the subject matter. Universal cannot even manage to get their monsters into an anthology style comic book or series of animated direct to dvd features--- and they are a movie studio for crying out loud. It's not looking that good. :angel:
Phantom has his suit jacket, you can see it under his overcoat -- which is pretty much identical to the prototype overcoat, by the way. It's not a bathrobe. I'm not positive he has his vest, but I have not heard it was cut. I think it's just behind his coats. His tie is also askew, it will look more natural once he's out of his coffin.
As far as the Metaluna Mutant goes, I think people are seeing studio-requested changes and overall improvements and calling them cost-cutting. The wide-flared pants and sleeves with bright red cuffs and veins were swapped for a tapered leg and more form-fitting arm with more subtle veining, as it appears in the film. The belt is now the right color, as well. EMCE may have been going for a more toyetic, Mego-esque look, because they're awesome like that. I don't know if it was the product manager or the studio who asked EMCE to make it more movie-accurate, but I don't see anything here that was done for cost-cutting.
If you think the materials look cheaper, it may have simply been because the old material couldn't do what it needed to with the mandated changes, or the factory couldn't source enough of the prototype material to make the entire run. But again, I think it was what the material could do, not what it cost.
As much as I want it to go on forever, I don't know that we actually have any plans beyond this assortment, so some of you may get your wish. I don't think we started making Retro toys to make a ton of money – we made them because we're all old-school toy fans, and the EMCE guys are the best. I'm happy we got what we got, and can't wait to get the new guys.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on August 26, 2013, 01:15:40 PM
I'm happy we got what we got, and can't wait to get the new guys.
And I'm happy with the stuff I got and looking fearward to the new Creature! :)
Kids may not know who the Universal Monsters are. They may not have ever seen any of the classic movies. But I find it hard to believe that any toy loving kid could look at a figure of the Wolf Man or The Creature and not want it. A lot of kids love monsters. They don't need to watch the movies to know that a hairy beast man or a scaly, scary sea monster is cool. If the toys were made more widely available I think they'd find an audience. Hell, trick them if you have to. Tell them the Creature is a Pokémon >:D
Quote from: robodog on August 26, 2013, 02:35:13 PM
Tell them the Creature is a Pokémon >:D
Blasphemer!!
Well, sure it would be blasphemy to you and I but not to todays kids. Besides, all they'd need is one gateway monster and the next thing you know they're here on the UMA shooting the breeze with the rest of us. By the time the kid found out that the Creature WASN'T a Pokémon they'd already be hooked by his coolness and would begin to demand more. How could they not be? Sometimes you have to do a little evil for the greater good. ;)
Quote from: robodog on August 26, 2013, 03:29:07 PM
Besides, all they'd need is one gateway monster and the next thing you know . .
I see an
intervention in someone's future!
Universal could very easily put these Monsters back into people's awareness simpy by doing what Warner Bros. is doing with the DC comics properties. They already own the Karloff likeness. How hard would it be to make a direct to dvd re-introduction to Frankenstein? They are a movie studio after all. Release it at Halloween and do some internet and commercial tv advertising. They might be suprised. It just might sell.
If they can release Alvin and the Chipmunks meet Frankenstein and follow it up with them meeting the Wolfman---why not straight forward horror releases?
Plus---could you imagine an anthology style horror series featuring the Monsters? Kind of like the old Marvel Tales of Suspense? Where half of the book is one monster and the other half is another? Then switch them up every few months.
Bring in talent like Michael Kaluta, John Bolton, Mike Ploog, and Berni Wrightson for art chores, have stories by well known horror writers in the comics realm.....and introductions by the likes of Stephen King, G. Del Toro, John Carpenter. It would be great. Plus more than we (the over 40 crowd) would buy them.
But instead....Universal does nothing. Nothing at all. :blank: :blank:
I am very glad to see that we got as many Mego esque Monsters as we did. If the changes to the Mutant arent cost cutters....and the result of Universal's meddling; I think they screwed the pooch. I liked the veins and colors of the prototype much more than the reised version. Again---this is just my opinion. Maybe others feel differently. I wasn't clamoring nor "wishing" for the monsters line to end. But when I didnt see any new reveals for this line past mutant and Phantom at this years Toy Fair or SDCC....I thought that's where it was headed. :angel:
Yeah, Anton, it looks like the Mutant's leg veins were done with a fine tip marker. I guess the Phantom does have the cloak, though a mini-skirt version. I do think this series is on it's last legs and don't regret it. Don't get me wrong, I have spent over $500 on the DST universal line (so don't say I'm not supportive). I've bought all of the 7"ers (including all variants), 8" Megos and bust banks (B&W too). The only thing I didn't buy were the Mini-Mates. I just don't know what else they can do. Chaney and Lugosi are out and they've exhausted all of Karloff's commercially viable characters. Face it, they're not going to pull a Sideshow and do the cool supporting characters we want (at least not movie-accurate versions). So all that's left is redoing Karloff Frankensteins and Creatures and "re-imagining" characters like next years dreadful Van Helsing. I think the only way to go is independent toymakers like Distinctive Dummies who will do the characters even Sideshow didn't do (their Mego Hammer line is the best of this year). It will definitely cost a lot more, but at least we'll be filling our collections with pieces we truly want and like.
The veins were what made me think it was a cheap out. I couldnt care less that they changed the belt color. Sideshow's 8 inch Mutant had a black belt. They switched to red for the 12 inch figure. That desnt bug me. But the veins left me scratching my head. Their very faint...and yes---they do look "drawn on".
Is it me or is that Mego Phantom head sculpt about freakin' perfect?! :o
Quote from: Mr. Hyde on August 27, 2013, 06:35:32 PM
Is it me or is that Mego Phantom head sculpt about freakin' perfect?! :o
It's magnificent. Probably the best figure in terms of likeness sculpt in the set!!!!!!
Quote from: fmofmpls on August 26, 2013, 08:13:34 AM
I couldn't agree more. Let's not let our analytic idiosyncrasies over mass produced action figures kill a commercial retail market that is already pretty much nonexistent. Just the fact that these exist at all is nothing short of astonishing.
I couldn't agree more. Well said. ;D
Yeah, EMCE really nailed the Phantom head. And the Mutant's!
(http://www.artasylum.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/CAM02403.jpg)
The Mutant's leg printing may be slightly fainter than it could have been, but I'd chalk it up to the material, which is a fuzzy Mego-esque pajama. You can see from this picture it doesn't look hand-drawn, and it is more film-accurate. Changes to prototypes will always have to be made based on the factory's capabilities and material availability. So blame us for the figure being different, even if it more closely resembles the source material.
(http://www.doctormacro.com/Images/Reason,%20Rex/Annex/Annex%20-%20Reason,%20Rex%20%28This%20Island%20Earth%29_01.jpg)
(FYI, Mord, we have Chaney likeness rights. All of our Chaney and Chaney Jr. products have been licensed from the estate, so I'm not sure why you said he's "out" along with Lugosi.)
I wish we could make non-monster characters work as fully sculpted figures, but the audience needs to be there to justify the sizable tooling expense, and we honestly don't see sales for the non-monsters reaching the 10,000+ we need to go forward. Not everyone who buys our toys (retailers AND consumers) wants to go as deep with each film as the fans here. And while they use less tooling, even cloth costume figures have minimums, where we need to make (and sell) a certain number in order to cover the material costs and licensing fees and still offer them at an optimal price.
Distinctive Dummies does fine work, but at the end of the day they're customs. They charge a premium price, and they only make 15-100 of them, which is presumably the number of figures they think they can sell at that price. I appreciate that they pay a fee to the make-up artist, but I assume they also save on one big expense by not paying a licensing fee to Hammer Productions, or whoever owns the film rights to a given movie. (I assume that's why they're called "customs," which is a legal grey area.) I'm glad you guys have him as a resource, but it's simply not a business model we can implement.
I realize all this, KKK. The problem is...where do you go from here? There's only so many Frankensteins and Creatures we need in our collections. You yourself stated that you can't sell the more obscure characters and have already exhausted the main ones. What else can you do? That's why I say that I have no regrets if this is the end of this line. It's not because I don't like it (hell, I'm one of your best customers), it's only because I don't see much hope for anything new. Also, I never suggested that you guys didn't have the Chaney license, I just meant that with this current lawsuit future figures might be a problem (not to mention that you have also gone through all of the sellable Chaney characters). Trust me, I have the entire line and they are all proudly displayed in my collection (except the Draculas, I kinda hide him behind the other figures). My main complaint is that the finished product never looks anywhere as good as the prototype you use as a presale sample. I still buy them, though. Is there anything I've said here that you object to? I really admire and respect your input. Thank you.
I like the fuzzy Mego eque pajamas. That pic you took makes the veins appear a little more than just "drawn on". Which is good. Because I was concerned it was gonna be bad,lol. Look---for the record....I have bought all of the DST plastic TRU figures, most of the DST deluxe versions (even though the paint suffered greatly on the Frankenstein and Dracula wave in my opinion). I had to play catch up a bit because I waffled back and forth on the paint. BUT I have bouhgt all of the Emce figures from day 1. Love those.
I think Werewolf of London would've sold as a figure in this series. Surely a Kharis version of the Mummy would've. Those are still monsters in the "accepted" sense of the term with regards to being a "werewolf" and "mummy".
But in this economy---mayeb they wouldn't....who knows? The Shadow, of course, but he aint talking. Thanks for the mutant veins shot. makes me a little more at ease with what I am gonna see at my retailer on 9/25.
Quote from: Mord on August 28, 2013, 11:07:08 AM
There's only so many . . . Creatures we need in our collections.
Speak for yourself! ;D
Quote from: King Kang Kong on August 23, 2013, 01:33:27 PM
The gargoyle looks nice, I can't wait to get one (still only have the stone floor).
Are you allowed to show us what the "stone base" for Quasimodo looks like? For some reason, no shots of him on that base are shown on the internet that I can find. Thanks.
I'll take a picture of the stone base, Anton. And I believe Werewolf of London was not something we could do -- I know Sideshow did one (one of my faves), but I guess licensing changes. We wanted to do him! As far as Kharis goes, I think we knew we had the Karloff license for Frankenstein, and I assume we decided to go with Im-Ho-Tep because we could. Nothing against Kharis, but Karloff is Karloff, and we thought the likeness would bring a broader recognition and appeal to the figure that Kharis just doesn't have.
And sorry, Mord, I guess I was just reading your resignation as a lack of understanding, or maybe I picked it up from other posters. We wondered what we could do next, as well, and I think we decided that if we wanted to make cool monsters, we might have to go outside the license to create our own. We have some cool plans for Van Helsing, and some real talent working on the creatures, and hopefully they win over the traditional monster fans. Van Helsing may not be your cup of tea, but I think it's a bit much to call him "dreadful."
Quote from: King Kang Kong on August 28, 2013, 02:13:13 PM
We wondered what we could do next, as well, and I think we decided that if we wanted to make cool monsters, we might have to go outside the license to create our own.
Any time you want to do some non-Uni 1950s aliens/monsters, don't let me stop you (not that I would)! :)
Why wasn't there an Ardeth-Bay figure? :-X
I think it's because to the average toy customer it just looks like an old Shriner in a fez. KKK explained that figures have to appeal to the average Joe. I understand that, now. I hope they have great success with their "home-grown" monsters and fully apologize for calling Van Helsing "dreadful". It's a well-sculpted figure with a beautiful base. Hell, I might even buy it to hide with Dracula.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on August 28, 2013, 02:13:13 PM
I'll take a picture of the stone base, Anton. And I believe Werewolf of London was not something we could do.
This is disgusting. How can Universal limit a license so severely? Werewolf of London has always been a Universal Monster, always! He has been considered one
officially since 1991 (with the Classics Collection), and that continued all of the way up through the end of Sideshow's reign. How can they just now decide that Werewolf of London is not a Universal Monster? If he isn't one, I imagine that Dracula's Daughter isn't either, which might explain the lack of this character in toy form. If I were in charge of the negotiations at DST (or any toy company), I would definitely push for a more expansive umbrella of character options. After all, DST is doing Universal the favor. Universal should not be allowed to get away with this. Companies pay good money to license the characters and ought to have as much capital as they need to continue to turn profits. Otherwise, an extended license is worthless. Get the picture, Universal!
AoF, if you have any of the Sideshow figures you'll notice that each one has not only Universal license but actor estate license. I don't know if it was easier (and cheaper) to obtain back then or what (maybe KKK can chime in with the facts). A lot of these celebrity offspring are now doing horror conventions and may feel they deserve more money now that they're horror royalty. Anyone who really wants any of these characters (like Werewolf of London) can still find the excellent Sideshow versions at reasonable prices online or in collector shops. They all fit nicely with the DST monsters (no fights so far, on my shelves).
I was assuming it was a character-specific issue, because he mentioned that Sideshow somehow got to do it, but they couldn't due to licensing changes. I was assuming these were changes at Universal, and not with Hull. If it's with Hull, that's a different issue, but (right now) it would seem as if Universal is not allowing toy companies full access to their character library, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Ummm, might have to do with the recent Chaney lawsuit. Maybe they don't want to give the go-ahead to any character they don't have absolute rights to. If the actor's face shows through, the relatives might want their cut.
But, as far as I know, Cortlandt Hull would be the executor for Henry Hull's estate. And, given his activities with The Witch's Dungeon Museum and preservehollywood.org, I can't imagine he wouldn't grant a license for WoL. Also, if they're working out separate licensing deals between Universal and the Chaneys, then that only means Lugosi Enterprises wouldn't work out a deal for Dracula, even though they would get their money without having to wait for Universal's accounting. No pun intended, but that bites!
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 4
:'( :'( :'( I GETS NO FIGURE???!!? BAH!!!! HUMBUG!!! :angel: ???
(http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2504/6r3y.jpg)
Quote from: Count_Zirock on August 28, 2013, 08:25:23 PM
that only means Lugosi Enterprises wouldn't work out a deal for Dracula.
I've been operating under that impression for a long time now, which is why things like "Monster Jackpots" have been so puzzling to me. How come Lugosi will work with Universal on that, but not on this? Unless, of course, that was some agreement created back when things were still pleasant between them. Sadly, I think any DST Dracula will have to come after they are through with Universal.
When I saw the photos of the carded EMCE Phantom and Mutant a few days ago at the Mego Museum, my first impression was, "Wow, cool!" Then I read all the online comments about how the actual production examples looked inferior to the prototypes. I had to go back and compare them to see what people were talking about. I think the picture of the clamshell packaged Phantom that hit the Web has done the toy a disservice. The red cravat is there, it's just positioned poorly. I can't tell if the vest is present, as the cloak covers up the area where the vest would be. And the length of the cloak appears to be about the same as the one in the prototype picture. If it's shorter, then it's only by a smidgen. The photo of the packaged example makes the length difficult to gauge. The figure appears to be standing slightly on its tiptoes, and the black cloak, black pants and dark card back all blend together.
I didn't compare the Mutant. That character does not mean as much to me. I think the carded Mutant looks cool, though I wish his chest were blue. The lack of color on his chest does seem curious. In stills from This Island Earth, his chest is blue.
I've bought all the retro cloth figures so far. I'll certainly buy these two. I think the line has improved with each series. I wouldn't mind another 2 or 4 figures, but only if they maintain the same standards. I would also be just fine if the line ended with these eight. It's a fine set just as it is. I don't have a burning need to see Mole Man, Quasimodo, Invisible Man and Werewolf of London added, though I'd buy them if they made them. I would think those four characters would be the next logical choices. Mole Man and Quasi tend to be peg warmers in any line. Best to save them for the end.
All's I know is that i'm gonna buy the crap out of that Phantom EMCE figure. WTF is there to complain about? ...it is sheer perfection, ESPECIALLY considering the original Mego's were traditionally a little ''off'' as far as accuracy to the original variations go. Will it be available at Toys R Us?
Should be!! September 25th from what I am seeing in the shipping updates. You're right. Phantom is great. I think what bugs everybody is Universal's "advising"---and the behind the scenes legal goings on of getting these figures into the hands of collectors.
In this day and age---Hot Toys and NECA, etc. want figures to look as close to their onscreen counterparts as possible. Meanwhile Universal paddles their particular boat in the opposite direction because they dont wish to agree to the terms of the families involved in the likeness department. Thats why Dracula looks like generic vampire #37 and quite possibly why there aint gonna be a Werewolf of London.
Universal, who does virtually nothing with the properties except re-release the 457th version of Frankenstein and Dracula with a pretty new box, cannot possilby be expected to pay a royalty to a family member. Its a miracle we have anything at all. It makes you wonder how Billiken ever got those awesome vinyl model kits made of Universal's monsters back in the 80's.
Yeah, Billiken raised the bar on monster figure sculpts. I'm not really sure that they followed the same rules as U.S. companies. Their Dracula, at least, would be lawsuit bait in any decade considering Bela G's tenacity. When I bought my kits, I had to go through this one Japanese guy who made it seem importing Billikens was akin to smuggling drugs into the country. He told me that they were in no way to be sold in the U.S. because of the original licensing deal. I'm not sure if he was just saying that to make them more desirable or if it was the truth, but the kits were a lot harder to find than their Tsukuda counterparts. Btw, I would like to add Karloff's Mr. Hyde to Ray's list of Mego-style wants.
The ship dates we post are for the specialty market -- I do not know when they will be available at TRU, but probably around the same time?
And I do not know why we were not able to make a Henry Hull figure or use Lugosi likeness. It may have been due to permissions, or it may simply have been that the likeness licensing fee was too high. We have to hit a certain price point with specialty and TRU, and if the licensing fee is too high, we can't do it. You can't NOT make a Dracula, so we made a Dracula that didn't look like Lugosi, but to make a Hull Werewolf that looked like the Werewolf but not Hull... I don't even know how we would do that.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on August 28, 2013, 08:56:28 PM
... which is why things like "Monster Jackpots" have been so puzzling to me. ....
A new slot machine costs a casino between $9-$20k.
With a per piece price like that it is easy to meet a licensing fee with a guarantee of $50k
You could pay the guarantee after selling less than 200 machines.
King Kank Kong- I'd love to hear your thoughts on this thread:
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=19222.msg308269#msg308269 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=19222.msg308269#msg308269)
Quote from: Gillfan on August 29, 2013, 07:17:34 PM
A new slot machine costs a casino between $9-$20k.
With a per piece price like that it is easy to meet a licensing fee with a guarantee of $50k
You could pay the guarantee after selling less than 200 machines.
Makes sense.
Quote from: Gillfan on August 29, 2013, 07:23:17 PM
King Kank Kong- I'd love to hear your thoughts on this thread:
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=19222.msg308269#msg308269 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=19222.msg308269#msg308269)
Some of that stuff was insider baseball, and I would never say some of it as a public representative of a company, but I assumed most of it was all widely known and understood. Then again, I've tried to explain those things to people fairly often, so maybe it's not.
Someone questioned the power retailers have over case assortments, citing WWE, but I'm sure it depends on the line. (Maybe the buyer for a given store can't differentiate between one naked wrestler and another, and trusts JAKKS or Mattel to make who they think fans want? I can't imagine they're up to speed on all of their properties, especially one that changes on a weekly basis like wrestling.) I know we sometimes balance cases as retailers prefer them.
However, another person suggested that case breakdowns were why the Bride was hard to find, but I'm FAIRLY sure she was evenly packed with Frankenstein and Dracula. But, being (ironically) the TRU exclusive as well as an iconic character, I'm sure she sold pretty fast. I'm sure she would have done well as a Select, too.
Got some shots of the plain stone Hunchback base for me yet KKK? :angel: :angel:
Being more of a right-brainer and less of a left-brainer, I think the whole licensing process is malarkey, but I'm happy we have people who actually care enough about the Monsters to wade through it all and get us beautiful end products. Seriously, I think this Phantom is the best figure of the entire line. I love the retro looks of the early ones, but this Phantom takes the cake. And I can definitely say I wish there would be more: Invisible Man, Werewolf of London, Dracula's Daughter (or Son), and Red Death would all be terrific. But, I am happy we got what we have.
I've seen these come straight out of the case and can tell you they definitely come evenly packed. The reason the Bride became hard to find was because (unlike the other two), the Bride had no deluxe counterpart (as KKK surmised). I also feel that the Phantom is the very best of the line. DST has made a total of 8 Mego-style figures, which is more than any of their predecessors. That, in itself, is an accomplishment of sorts.
Quote from: Anton Phibes on August 30, 2013, 12:49:26 PM
Got some shots of the plain stone Hunchback base for me yet KKK? :angel: :angel:
(http://distilleryimage11.ak.instagram.com/a1c3ec4e128611e38c8322000a9e08d3_7.jpg)
Thanks bro. I may opt for the plain stone base. He looks a little awkward pose atop the gargoyle imho. That small plain stone base might be the route for me.
Is there any other difference outside of the bases? I have been buying both versions and would like to continue, but in this case (and the Mutant) it seems one is enough.
Just got a gargoyle sample to shoot, hopefully I can make him look less awkward on it.
Both figures are the same, but you have the removable King of Fools gear for two display options. Depends on how much Hunch you want in your collection.
When is the next wave of anything uni-monster due?
The Select figures, Retros and Munsters 3 might be out in two weeks? Possibly three.
http://www.artasylum.com/2013/08/ship-dates-update-3/ (http://www.artasylum.com/2013/08/ship-dates-update-3/)
Anyone seeing these pop up at TRU's yet?
Quote from: Anton Phibes on September 08, 2013, 08:17:22 PMAnyone seeing these pop up at TRU's yet?
Not yet. Just leftover Brides on the pegs at my local TRU.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 4
I wouldn't look for them at TRU any time soon. Probably comic shops first.
UM Select package shots, if anyone is interested:
http://www.artasylum.com/2013/09/dr-jekyll-and-quasimodo-are-lurking-in-new-universal-monsters-packaging/ (http://www.artasylum.com/2013/09/dr-jekyll-and-quasimodo-are-lurking-in-new-universal-monsters-packaging/)
KKK---they have changed the way the Select Jekyll was going to be packed/dispersed a bit, and what he was going to come with in regards to accessories from various pics I have seen. Is he back to coming with all the lab equiptment shown in the prototype pic? because it looks like there are a couple of vials and such in the packaged pic. Just curious.
Regardless---Mr. Hyde is the belle of the ball with this series. Its the figure that made me back peddle and collect the ones I missed, once I heard he was forthcoming. I wish the Wolfman likeness would've captured Chaney the way this one captures Karloff and Hyde. Oh---if only we could've got Werewolf of London. :'( :'(
(http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/118/1/5/dr_jekyll_and_mr_hyde_by_blackplague1348-d63foaj.jpg)
King Kong Kang- I thought in an earlier post that you said Jekyll and Hyde wouldn't be branded under the Universal Monsters label, because it didnt fall under Universal's "Universal Monster" licensing agreement? Something about him falling under a separate Abbott & Costello license. In this packaging shot he's clearly being branded as a universal monster (as he should be, IMO)
What changed here?
I knew that he would be, simply because it would have been too odd of an arrangement for the retailers selling these. He has been branded as such since the first listings for the figure on Entertainment Earth (and the like) surfaced, which doesn't bode well for the Van Helsing figure and its inclusion in the line. :o
On another note, I love both of these after seeing them in the packaging. (I was unsure of the Hunchback, but I definitely think he's a beauty now.) I won't bite on both versions, but I will definitely get the comic shop version.
I'm in for both versions of everything for series 4. The "intrusion" (not "inclusion") of generic Van Helsing will make this my last purchase of the T'R'U line.
Quote from: Mord on September 10, 2013, 09:51:08 PM
The "intrusion" (not "inclusion") of generic Van Helsing
Zombie LOL
There was some confusion on my part of what Jekyll and Hyde would come with from day one (which was, of course, well over a year ago, and things often change as pricing comes in from the factory). Jekyll comes with a ton of equipment for the lab table, not all of it seen in this shot. The Grandpa Munster figure had some of it, too.
(http://www.artasylum.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Jekyll2.jpg)
I must have misunderstood the arrangement with Universal on Jekyll and Hyde, so apologies for the branding confusion on my part. I will wait and see what Van Helsing's packaging looks like before I make any more outlandish statements, or repeat what I've been told. :)
FYI, I don't know which of the three figures for 2014 will be TRU exclusive. Perhaps all or none of them, we simply don't have that finalized. So don't go swearing off TRU just yet -- you may have to go there for Creature, or Son of Frank, or even the Van Helsing figure once you realize you need it after all. ;) But seriously, we do have some cool stuff planned for him.
Just being an a-hole again, KKK. My mind is open (kinda).
Jekyll / Hyde....WOW
I am very excited about the Jekyll/Hyde figures! Can't wait!
I think that the Jekyll/Hyde and Phantom Mego-style will wind up being the very best monster figures of 2013 (not counting the Distinctive Dummies Hammer Megos). Rondos take note.
I'm not sure if Rondo likes custom toys. That might be a hard sell. But if they can get on the ballot, who knows. I'd like to see Matt Jaycox receive a Rondo for best fan artist, but I don't think it's going to happen.
Quote from: raycastile on September 13, 2013, 11:32:43 PM
I'm not sure if Rondo likes custom toys. That might be a hard sell. But if they can get on the ballot, who knows. I'd like to see Matt Jaycox receive a Rondo for best fan artist, but I don't think it's going to happen.
Actually, Ray, I was referring to the EMCE Phantom and DST Jekyll/Hyde. Though, I too would love to see Matt J's talent acknowledged.
On the subject of Rondo's, I'd like to see Mezco take one home for their Creature as best stylized monster figure.
I moved the "UMA Awards" discussion to it's own thread.
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=23653.0 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=23653.0)
(http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/3245/lrvl.jpg)
Originally posted by ANTON PHIBES:
Visited 2 TRU'S tonight. Nada, zip. 8)
(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2737/kingkongicong.jpg)
Originally posted by KING KANG KONG:
Anton, don't look for any DST UM items in TRU for a while yet. I don't know what has shipped, if anything.
should be coming soon. Listed as avaialable in stores on TRU's webpage. Not available for online pre-order yet though. My TRU gets trucks on Thursdays and Saturdays. I will check them out again this weekend. :angel:
I see the regular wave 4 Uni Monster figures on the TRU site...Is there any word yet on whether or not they will also be carrying the EMCE Retro figures, to?
If anyone manages to find them in stores over the next few days this will help with the price.
http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=22728306&ab=Tru_homepage_aspot:2:Friends-Family-Starts-Tomo (http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=22728306&ab=Tru_homepage_aspot:2:Friends-Family-Starts-Tomo)
I would love to use the coupon. But since most TRU employees look at me as if I am from Mars when I ask about them----it aint looking good for this weekend,lol. :laugh: :laugh:
I just got my shipping confirmation for the Retro Series 4 for Entertainment Earth.
I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned this, but T'R'U has dropped the price of the new DST 7" figures to $12.99. That's three bucks less than the last wave. That's definitely a positive trend.
I posted my questions in the ask DST Q&A and received an answer posted for all the world to see, and re-posted here.
Retro is, indeed, over after Mutant and Phantom. The Revenge of Creature/Son of Frankenstein/VanHelsing wave is most likely the swan song for the TRU/DST deluxes as well. It was a great run. We got a great mr. Hyde figure that no one else has ever done a licensed piece of except Don Post(to the best of my humble knowledge).
So~~ although Sideshow still holds the title for most expansive Universal Monsters figures---they did get slightly upstaged with the inclusion of Hyde. Here's the Q&A:
Me: Hi there! My queries concern Universal Monsters. The two lines in question being the plastic action figures with bases and the retro cloth "Mego" figures. I am aware that this Halloween season a new wave of each is being released (Hunchback-Hyde-Mole Person for figures, Phantom and Mutant for retro.}
I said all that to ask this: Is the retro cloth line ending with Phantom and Mutant? Usually at SDCC or Toy fair a new wave is announced in addition to the wave that is forthcoming. Yet no wave 5 for retro was previewed. So I am curious if wave four is the swan song. With regards to the action figures: I see we are now getting into varying versions of characters already produced with Son of Frankenstein and Revenge of the Creature. Is this to be the final wave of those, being as we are now getting into characters that have already been done in prior waves—just as variant versions with improved tooling from the sequels? 2 Big questions I know—but after so many lines getting the axe in this economy—I am a little fearful the monsters may be next. Thanks.
DSTChuck: Richard, I think we're done with retro, and I'm not sure where monsters will go after Son and Revenge, but it is not the economy or the line getting axed, it would be more a matter of us thinking we've done all the characters in that realm that we think can support an action figure line. The line has done pretty well for us, but more than that, it's been amazing for all of us that loved these movies so much to be able to make products based on them.
Maybe Mezco will pick up the license, then. I would love to see a 4" figure line with small playsets, a la the McFarlane MONSTERS Playsets of the '90s. Think of an expanding Frankenstein's Laboratory, with each new figure release bringing more sections. Castle Dracula, the Black Lagoon, etc. I could start designing these suckers tonight, the idea excites me so!
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What "Revenge of the Creature" figure? Got a pic?
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 21, 2013, 11:23:52 PM
What "Revenge of the Creature" figure? Got a pic?
I believe he's referring to the Creature coming in this wave. Don't know if it's film-specific or not.
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q767/Adam_Kast/1360553301-9_zps1d8cefaf.jpg)
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Quote from: Count_Zirock on September 21, 2013, 11:28:28 PM
I believe he's referring to the Creature coming in this wave.
I figured it might be that one. Yeah, it's not a REVENGE face.
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 21, 2013, 11:31:32 PM
I figured it might be that one. Yeah, it's not a REVENGE face.
That title was always confusing, anyway. At what point, exactly, does the Creature get any type of "Revenge"? He ends up floating face-first, just like in the first one! The title should have been, "The Creature Gets Worked Over and Murdered, Again!"
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That one may be the best Creech toy ever O0 Can't wait
Quote from: Count_Zirock on September 21, 2013, 11:53:02 PM
At what point, exactly, does the Creature get any type of "Revenge"?
Creech is a "glass is half full" kinda guy.
According to my comic shop ---DST versions of Hyde and Hunchback will be in hand this Wednesday. Still no word from TRU about their allotment which includes Moleman and different bases for Jekyll and Quasi.
Retro Mutant and Phantom apparently not coming until the 2nd of October.
As these are the only monster items I buy that I know of being released this season---I am kind of anxious for them. :laugh: :laugh:
Quote from: jimm on September 22, 2013, 12:06:31 AM
That one may be the best Creech toy ever O0 Can't wait
I agree. It may even better than the Sideshow Creature? Blasphemy. ::)
A tuff call. TOY is the key word here I think, not sure I'd pose the 12" sideshow much, lets call it a draw :)
Quote from: jimm on September 22, 2013, 04:54:53 PM
A tuff call. TOY is the key word here I think, not sure I'd pose the 12" sideshow much, lets call it a draw :)
Sorry, I wasn't specific. I meant compared to the 8" Sideshow Creature.
Quote from: marsattacks666 on September 22, 2013, 05:44:55 PM
Sorry, I wasn't specific. I meant compared to the 8" Sideshow Creature.
Not sure I'd call that a toy either... It's nice, but playability is minimal. This figure really looks like a toy -- and a far superior one to the Toy Island sculpt. I'm really pumped about getting it. Hope it looks this good when it hits shelves.
We might be shipping TRU's UM figures to them now, but I would give them a week or two to get to the individual stores.
But yes, Select Hunch and Hyde AND Munsters Series 3 wil be in comic shops and specialty stores this week.
After Retro 4, I believe the next item will be the Bride and Wolfman vinyl banks, which should hit in late October or early November.
What month does the Creature come out, next year? I hope it's not Oct.!
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 24, 2013, 12:57:44 PM
What month does the Creature come out, next year? I hope it's not Oct.!
He's in the same wave as "Son of Frankenstein" Karloff Monster and "Van Helsing." So, yeah, I guess next October.
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We put our new UM and Munster figures out at the same time every year. So hopefully September of next year, but maybe October. Depends on how production goes.
The new Retros hit comic shops next week!
So, I had a strange experience today...
I went down to the local shop after work to pick up the new UM's, but after inspecting them for quite some tome, I wound up leaving them behind. To be fair, I'm not really a Quasi fan, so that release wasn't really a major want for me to begin with, but I was pretty excited for J/H. Anything related to Karloff is a must have for me, but for some reason, I just wasn't feeling it today.
To begin, the paint apps on the Jekyl head had virtually no grey wash, so it made him look younger than he was at the time. Also, there just wasn't enough "Karloff" in there, imo, and that was my main motivation for picking him up. Don't get me wrong, the sculpts on these are excellent, the paints, too, but in addition to the aforementioned issues, there's also a glossy shine to both of them that just throws the whole thing off. I dunno, I'm trying to explain it, but I can't really verbalize it.
Anyway, here's the strange part. While there, I also spotted Munsters Series 3. Now, I grew up watching the Munsters and always thought it was a great show, but I never prioritized it amongst my collecting habits. I have way too many things I'm into, and just wasn't as passionate about the Munsters as a lot of other things. I loved Scooby Doo back then, too, but I don't have any SD collectibles, either. I saw the first series in Stores a few years back and thought they were well done, but I never gave them a second thought when it came to buying any, until today.
I don't know if it was the inclusion of Spot as the BAF, Uncle Gillbert, or just the overall quality, but I bought the whole set. I can honestly say, these are some of the nicest production figures to come out in a long while! The sculpts are spot on, the paints are impeccable, and the staircase is just epic in every way. I had no idea it would be so huge! Most companies scale down stuff like this, but not here, this is just massive.
Anyway, amazing job all around to the team behind these. Not only are they great action figures, they're a lot of fun! That's a quality a lot of "toys" don't have these days.
Anybody get these today? I wont get mine until Saturday. Pics are welcomed. :angel:
KSG, that has been a problem with DST from the start. The proto-types look amazing, but the finished product misses the mark by a long shot. I was hoping that wouldn't be the case with Jekyll/Hyde, but I'll buy it anyway (like all the rest). No matter what some fickle ones may say, Sideshow remains the gold standard of Universal monster figures (their figures usually met or surpassed the proto-types).
That Munsters baf is outstanding, makes the set a no brainer!
Okay guys a question for you.
I went to my usual comic book store with the intent on pre-ordering the deluxe Jekyll - its a small shop and not prone to getting every toy under the sun. upon asking "Hey, can you get this for me?" the owner went to his usual distribution points and could only find the Rooftop Version listed. We searched for a little bit and all we could find is the basic version.
So, does someone have a SKU or a product number or UPC from the deluxe version, something he can take to his distributors and go "Here, get me one of these!"
(Also, my local Toys R Us should have their shipment on the truck this friday - so figure a day or so to unpack, their assortment should be on the shelves this weekend . . .well, at least around here. :) )
Any version he can order is the deluxe version, with the lab table. The description may be wrong, or even the photo, because I think at one point it was unclear which would come with what, but unless he's ordering it from toysrus.com, he's not getting the rooftop version. We only sent those to TRU.
Diamond Comics, Entertainment Earth... I don't know who his distributor is, but they can only offer the deluxe version, the one with an SRP OF $25.
Welcome to the UMA, Desslok !
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 25, 2013, 11:56:14 PM
Diamond Comics, Entertainment Earth... I don't know who his distributor is, but they can only offer the deluxe version, the one with an SRP OF $25.
Cool beans - I shall pass word along and have him bag one for me!
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 26, 2013, 12:03:25 AM
Welcome to the UMA, Desslok !
Thanks man! I expect I'm part of the traditional Halloween spike in users. :)
My Jekyll/Hyde were delivered yesterday. This was the first time I have ever bought 2 of anything – 1 to display in the package as Karloff and the other to remove from the packaging and display as Mr. Hyde. As KSC pointed out, mine too had no gray wash on the head. The hair is dark. In fact, my wife took one look at it and said "Cool Vincent Price figure!" When I transformed the second figure into Mr. Hyde I was completely thrilled! He looks very cool with his cloak, cane, and top hat. The lab table with the test tubes and other accessories is fantastic! Both made a great addition to the collection and look pretty cool on the shelf.
Oh, and item code is MAY131780, UPC is 699788811405.
Toys R Us online as well as TRU locally all singing the same song: "We aint got no monsters yet". Its weird that the little mom and pop comic stores beat out the national chains this time around. I think TRU's had all the prior waves before comic shops got the deluxe sets in the past. So---anyone wanna show some pics of their Jekyyll/Hyde and Quasi yet? Cause I cannot get mine until Saturday at the earliest. :angel: :angel:
TRU got their stuff a little later this year, but I think they receive their shipment this week, so product should be heading out to stores soon. Toysrus.com should get it soon, as well -- not sure if we ship to them separately, but I think we do.
My wife had pre ordered the Hunchback and Mr. Hyde from Monsters On Motion as well as all 4 Munsters. So I am all set there. I went to TRU yesterday and they had nothing. I am encouraged by your post to check next week. But around here getting what the other TRU's have is a crap shoot. I actually had to write to them once to tell them just because we are up here we should get what other stores have also. This was in reference to Sidshow way back when when the 8" were in stores and they did listen and had them in our store in about a week and wrote me a nice letter. BTW what is the 3rd figure? There usually is always 3 released. I haven't heard which one it is. Will there also be a TRU version of the Munsters like before? B/W versions also?
This is what I found at TRU in the Western United States yesterday 9/26/13 : retro cloth Metaluna Mutant, Retrocloth Phantom of the Opera (what a fantastic figure!), Hunchback of Notre dame with stone floor base, Mole Man, Mr. Hyde with rooftop and chimney base, Herman Munster with biker jacket, Lily Munster with umbrella, grandpa munster with lab coat. I did not see or know about uncle gilbert but I am headed to check the other two Toys R Us in my area in 20 minute or so.
Old hunchback and mummy minimates still on shelves as well as a few brides and creech retrocloths from last year.
I did not find the Mezco Mummy which is actually why I went in there, I didn't expect DST stuff so soon as I seem to remember chewing my nails to the bone waiting last year for them.
I walked out with the Phantom, Hunchback and Hyde and left the rest to haunt the pegs, probably will see them again next year still hanging.
Quote from: ravenloft on September 27, 2013, 10:59:40 AM
grandpa munster with lab coat.
That's actually an old style driving outfit. Coat (duster), hat, goggles and gloves. Driving a car was a dirty job, way back when.
I suppose you are right, I didn't look at it too closely, i thought it was a howie style lab coat. I didn't buy the munsters figures last year (my dad did) and passed on them this year too. I will buy that uncle gilbert though and pretend it is a creature walks among us figure. Off to the store!
Where are you located Ravenloft?
Quote from: ravenloft on September 27, 2013, 11:09:07 AM
I will buy that uncle gilbert though and pretend it is a creature walks among us figure.
I'm a Creature collector, so I'll definitely be buying Uncle G.
Uncle Gilbert will not be at TRU. He is only a Select figure, at specialty stores. You need to buy all four Select figures to build the family staircase. TRU does not have those parts.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 27, 2013, 03:12:49 PM
Uncle Gilbert will not be at TRU.
What is the difference with the TRU fig? Are they just missing the stairs parts?
Yes, the TRU figures do not have stair parts. That's why they are cheaper, and the packaging is smaller. It is the same as it was two years ago, with Series 1 and the Electric Chair, except this year we needed a forth Select figure in order to for in all of the staircase parts.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 27, 2013, 04:34:02 PM
Yes, the TRU figures do not have stair parts.
Thanks! Figured that was it.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 27, 2013, 03:12:49 PM
Uncle Gilbert will not be at TRU. He is only a Select figure, at specialty stores.
Gah! I was going to buy this one too!
Bummer, off to ebay...
That explains why I didnt see Gilbert today. Pity, I might just have grabbed him too. We'll see how my funds are at the end of the month.
Yes, that sound you hear is my wallet crying. I hit paydirt today and got all three Universal Monsters! As soon as I got home, I set up the lights and started playing around with the Mole Man:
(http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/270/e/6/the_mole_man_strikes__by_dessslok1138-d6o762z.jpg)
Desslok, did your T'R'U have multiples of each figure?
Cool moleman shot, keep em coming O0
Quote from: Mord on September 27, 2013, 08:13:36 PM
Desslok, did your T'R'U have multiples of each figure?
Yeah, it had two of everything 'cept the hunchback. Two Mole Man and Hyde, one Hunchback and two of each Munster. I thought about passing on the Hunchback, going with the Deluxe version instead - but figured bird in the hand and all that.
Quote from: jimm on September 27, 2013, 08:16:56 PM
Cool moleman shot, keep em coming O0
Yeah, I'll get some shots with the others here soon - gotta wait until Halloween. Dont want to expend myself before October even rolls around. :) In the meantime, here's a couple of shots I did last year:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8172666686_7356117b8f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyjcase/8172666686/)
Day 293/365 - The Mummy Wakes (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyjcase/8172666686/#) by Great Beyond (http://www.flickr.com/people/tonyjcase/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8175687708_6633ea30a0_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyjcase/8175687708/)
Day 294/365 - Happy Birthday, Bela Lugosi (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyjcase/8175687708/#) by Great Beyond (http://www.flickr.com/people/tonyjcase/), on Flickr
And
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8188/8131448706_79ac647bdd_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyjcase/8131448706/)
Day 279/365 - The Monster in the shadows (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyjcase/8131448706/#) by Great Beyond (http://www.flickr.com/people/tonyjcase/), on Flickr
Although I might do Frank again this year. He turned out a touch too dark for what I was trying for. . .
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 27, 2013, 04:34:02 PM
Yes, the TRU figures do not have stair parts. That's why they are cheaper, and the packaging is smaller. It is the same as it was two years ago, with Series 1 and the Electric Chair, except this year we needed a forth Select figure in order to for in all of the staircase parts.
Does Uncle Gilbert come with a hat?
Drac photo looks like something you would have pulled out of Dynamite magazine in the 70s. Nice work!
Yes. Gilbert comes with a hat. And if eBay is your best price, go for it, but there are literally dozens of online stores that will also carry him (Ent.Earth, AFX, BBTS), and you can also order him through your local comic shop (Previews item #MAR131910).
For everyone's reference:
All UM releases (besides the B&W versions of the banks) are explained here:
http://www.artasylum.com/2013/07/more-universal-monsters-merch-is-heading-your-way-for-halloween/ (http://www.artasylum.com/2013/07/more-universal-monsters-merch-is-heading-your-way-for-halloween/)
Packaged shots of Munsters Select Series 3:
http://www.artasylum.com/2013/09/the-munsters-select-series-3-is-speeding-towards-stores/ (http://www.artasylum.com/2013/09/the-munsters-select-series-3-is-speeding-towards-stores/)
What a classic that uncle Gilbert figure is. May need 2!
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 27, 2013, 03:12:49 PM
Uncle Gilbert will not be at TRU. He is only a Select figure, at specialty stores. You need to buy all four Select figures to build the family staircase. TRU does not have those parts.
Damn. I was hoping to find him at TRU. I checked my TRU#2 today and they had 3 each of Hyde and Moleman, no retro cloths visible, and 5 hermans, one lily and no grandpa munster. Guess I can be leisurely about checking TRU#3 now that I know Uncle Gilbert isn't available because it appears that I only still need the mezco mummy now there. When I am desperate I have two more TRUs within 100 miles for a total of 5 stores here in Utah. I went to my local comic shop and bought the deluxe Hunchback and Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde today and got dibs when their bust banks orders come in. Woohoo. Finally got those guys to start ordering monsters. Sad about Gilbert I will try to get him still but it won't be easy.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 27, 2013, 10:47:48 PM
Yes. Gilbert comes with a hat. And if eBay is your best price, go for it
I got mine from amazon. I hope Gilbert's hat fits better that Hyde's, otherwise he's gonna have to hold it.
Ordering Gilbert should literally be the easiest thing in the world. Tell your local comic shop you want one, and it should be delivered right to the shop by Diamond. They don't have to have ordered it six months ago. We have inventory right now. They shouldn't even charge you shipping.
If you want to maybe get it faster (comic shops only get one shipment a week from Diamond, and I'm not sure how often they can place orders, or what kind of turnaround there is), then any number of Web stores should carry it, some for less than retail, although shipping is going to vary.
And his hat should fit fine:
(http://distilleryimage7.ak.instagram.com/5d5bcc9a09e711e3954322000ae80d8d_7.jpg)
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 27, 2013, 11:11:16 PM
Tell your local comic shop you want one,
I don't have a local comics shop, but I only paid about retail with discount and shipping from amazon.
I meant for Ravenloft, who seems to have a very helpful comic shop in his area.
I really like to buy in person because I like to inspect the paint job or cloth stitching very carefully and compare with others before I buy. Sometime the packaging really matters to me (must be pristine) so buying online unless it is unattainable in person fills me with dread.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 27, 2013, 11:31:45 PM
I meant for Ravenloft, who seems to have a very helpful comic shop in his area.
Very helpful might be a slight exaggeration. I basically said, "look buddy I am dropping two hundred dollars on this stuff order it for me or I will head on over to so and sos." It only took a year for them to figure that out. I wanted them just to order it in the shop so I can swoop in and snatch it off the shelf rather than special order it which I can do from home. I am all about supporting the local shops if they have something for me to buy there.
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 27, 2013, 11:08:01 PM
I hope Gilbert's hat fits better that Hyde's, otherwise he's gonna have to hold it.
Not sure I've ever seen a well fitting action figure hat!
Quote from: jimm on September 27, 2013, 11:37:37 PM
Not sure I've ever seen a well fitting action figure hat!
I suppose if our hats were made of thick plastic, they wouldn't fit, either.
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 27, 2013, 11:19:09 PM
I don't have a local comics shop, but I only paid about retail with discount and shipping from amazon.
Do they even have comic shops anymore? They all seem to be video game stores or gamer parlors nowadays...
None of my 3 shops stock figures
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 27, 2013, 11:13:29 PM
(http://distilleryimage7.ak.instagram.com/5d5bcc9a09e711e3954322000ae80d8d_7.jpg)
THAT is your typical hat head on an action figure LOL would you leave the house with that look? I kid.... O0
So I finally got my Mr Hyde out of the package this morning - holy crap does he stink! No, literally - the plastic stench nearly knocked my out of my chair! Wowza.
Smell aside, the rooftop is pretty damn sweet. Cant wait for my shop to get in the deluxe version. Now I just have to decide if I'm keeping Quasi or returning him and upgrading to the deluxe version. The only difference between the two is the gargoyle, right? Otherwise, the accessories are all the same between the two - scepter and crown?
Quote from: Desslok on September 28, 2013, 11:30:41 AM
So I finally got my Mr Hyde out of the package this morning - holy crap does he stink! No, literally - the plastic stench nearly knocked my out of my chair! Wowza.
Smell aside, the rooftop is pretty damn sweet. Cant wait for my shop to get in the deluxe version. Now I just have to decide if I'm keeping Quasi or returning him and upgrading to the deluxe version. The only difference between the two is the gargoyle, right? Otherwise, the accessories are all the same between the two - scepter and crown?
That's what we've been told.
Quote from: jimm on September 28, 2013, 12:36:05 AM
THAT is your typical hat head on an action figure
Actually, it does pretty much look like the original, sitting high on the head!
(http://www.the-reelgillman.com/munsters/images/uncle_gillman.jpg)
Looks pretty accurate to me, Jimm.
Yes, both Quasis have the cape, crown and scepter.
And yes, there are still comic shops, although my comment included specialty toy and game shops that also carry Diamond Comics products. Find your nearest at http://www.Comicshoplocator.com (http://www.comicshoplocator.com)
You are right, it was a bad fit for the show too! Yet accurate, I stand corrected :-X
Mr. Hyde's hat willl fit correctly on his head if you hold a hair dryer over it for a few minutes. I bought the deluxe version today, and that did the trick.
Why does the TRU website show Quasi with the gargoyle? I thought that was the select/comic shop version. And why can't I find a pic of the other version anywhere?
I'll have to send TRU.com a new picture. I don't know that the Hunchback was shot off of the Gargoyle, but I will see if we can correct that. I don't want people to get the wrong idea.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 28, 2013, 09:34:09 PM
I'll have to send TRU.com a new picture.
Send me one! I'm updating the Gallery.
These figures have improved greatly from wave to wave. I was really annoyed with Dracula and Frankenstein's lack of articulation and lack of Lugosi. But DST has really made up for their earlier shortcomings. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are truly masterpieces as far as I am concerned. Kind of sad not to see Werewolf of London, Dracula's Daughter, Kharis, etc.etc.etc. But Mr.Hydes made the whole set worth buying. :angel:
Will have to hit my local TRU tomorrow when they get a delivery. Last year they got one stinking case of the Creech and Bride retros. I bought all the Creech figures and passed on the Bride. Will do the same with the Phantom if i'm lucky. They can't even tell you anymore at TRU if they will carry the figures or not. If it's on the website, then maybe they will get it if some supreme TRU power sees fit to send them some. WTF!
Not a single unit monster at my try....pfffft >:(
Again with the auto correct too...
Just hit the jackpot....picked up all three T'R'U figures and both Megos at T'R'U and picked up the deluxe versions at my local comic shop. They definitely have improved with the recent lines, but still lacked a little with the paint apps. The Jekyll and Hyde deluxe was my biggest disappointment. The sculpt wasn't as Karloffian as it looked in the preview pics and the paint app only made things worse. The face was painted too glossy and the hair didn't have enough grey highlights making it look way too young. Still a great figure, but the proto-type promised more. The Hunchback was as perfect as it could be, but the Moleman's head was too big and his legs were too straight (giving him a stiff pose). The Megos, on the other hand were incredible! The Mutant looked great, but the leg and arm markings were too light (as if they were drawn on with markers). The Phantom was shear perfection! It's one of the very finest horror figures ever released. It beats anything AHI, Mego, Remco, Lincoln, Tomland or ANYBODY has ever put out in that format. If this are to be the very last, it's a perfect way to go out. Kudos, Diamond!!!
Quote from: Mord on September 29, 2013, 06:34:24 PM
Still a great figure, but the proto-type promised more.
I know! Why get it right with the proto, then screw it up with the production figures?
Proto = show piece made by craftsman in USA. Production line = you know where for not much pay. Surprised most come out as good as they do
OK---Ravenloft is west coast? Where are you Mord? I am in cornfield, ohio, lol. Wondering when my tru will get them in. ???
Quote from: jimm on September 29, 2013, 09:30:18 PM
Proto = show piece made by craftsman in USA. Production line = you know where for not much pay.
Yeah, but don't you think it's kind of a cheat? I mean, if you can't do the figs. like the photos, don't do the ones in the photos so good!
Only way they could do that is to have a production piece be the proto. Not feasible in todays show me NOW world...
Went to TRU today...they had the Munsters figures, which were cool...but i'm on a limited budget and am saving all my $$$ for the Dr Jekyll / Mr Hyde & Phantom figures...maybe a Mutant or two, also...
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 29, 2013, 10:04:38 PMYeah, but don't you think it's kind of a cheat? I mean, if you can't do the figs. like the photos, don't do the ones in the photos so good!
A lot of times, the protos are made up months in advance of the actual production runs. At the time, you just hope the factory can deliver it, on time and within budget. I know several "Star Wars" figures in the modern line that had protos with amazing paint apps, and the actual product wasn't as complex, because they had to eliminate a paint pass to stay within costs. I know in some cases, they'd pair a super-complex figure with an easy, cheap figure, so costs would even out. Since DST isn't churning out dozens of figures a year in this line, the way Hasbro does with "Star Wars," they don't have that option. But, considering the prices on them, especially the deluxes, DST really shouldn't have that great a difference between the protos and the actual production figures. Certainly not on figures like Dr. Jekyll, who clearly has gray hair in the film!
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Quote from: Count_Zirock on September 29, 2013, 10:52:01 PM
A lot of times, the protos are made up months in advance of the actual production runs.
I know what the
excuses are, but it still feels like false advertising.
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 29, 2013, 11:10:30 PM
I know what the excuses are, but it still feels like false advertising.
It's not always an excuse, but when they deviate so greatly from prototype to actual product, yeah, it feels like bait 'n' switch. Especially if you're buying online.
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I bet someone army builds the Mutant O0
Quote from: jimm on September 29, 2013, 11:33:59 PM
I bet someone army builds the Mutant O0
Builds what Mutant?
Quote from: Anton Phibes on September 29, 2013, 09:48:47 PM
OK---Ravenloft is west coast? Where are you Mord? I am in cornfield, ohio, lol. Wondering when my tru will get them in. ???
I'm in Southern California, near L.A. Be careful, even in a big store like mine, they only got one case in (2 of each figure). I walked in, picked up a set for myself and a set for my buddy and now they're gone (they usually don't restock these).
Quote from: jimm on September 29, 2013, 09:30:18 PM
Proto = show piece made by craftsman in USA. Production line = you know where for not much pay. Surprised most come out as good as they do
I don't buy that at all. Look at all the finished Sideshow figures. They look about as good as the protos (some even better). The Neca Headknockers looked almost identical to the pictures they used to preview them. MacFarlane always had fantastic paint apps (and sculpts). I think it has to do with who you commission to do the work.
Quote from: jimm on September 29, 2013, 11:33:59 PM
I bet someone army builds the Mutant O0
How? I don't think there's enough being made to army-build them!
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Quote from: Mord on September 29, 2013, 11:55:57 PM
Look at all the finished Sideshow figures. They look about as good as the protos (some even better).
I remember looking at the pic on the back of the 8" cards and wishing the toy inside looked as good.
I went to TRU yesterday and as usual nothing at all. I went to the comic book shop in the mall and they had all 4 Munsters and Jekyll and Hyde and Hunchback select versions. My wife told me she had ordered all the figures for Fathers Day from Monsters In Motion earlier this year and thought they were available but I knew they weren't. So it became a pre order. The person she talked to said that the Hot Rod Lily was already out and he could send her one. I knew he was wrong and they sent me another series one Lily. Too much of a pain to return it so I am keeping it for a spare or unless I run across someone who needs one. I picked up the Hot Rod Lily because as far as I know I would not be getting one with the pre order. I want to build the staircase for sure amd didn't want to miiss any parts. No sign of the cloth figures and I am really looking forward to the banks. Those show up at the comic shop sometimes if not EBay here I come.
In some ways I am relieved this is the widning down period for these. I get tired of having a nervous breakdown every year hoping I can find them without resorting to ebay,lol.
Quote from: Anton Phibes on September 30, 2013, 12:37:11 PM
In some ways I am relieved this is the widning down period for these. I get tired of having a nervous breakdown every year hoping I can find them without resorting to ebay,lol.
Funny, I feel the exact same way. I don't rest until I have them in my grubby paws. Now I can sleep, finally.
My "Uncle Gilbert" has shipped! I think I can use the stairs part as a base for him? :)
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 30, 2013, 08:07:15 PM
My "Uncle Gilbert" has shipped! I think I can use the stairs part as a base for him? :)
I'm pretty sure he comes with a separate base.
Quote from: Mord on September 30, 2013, 08:25:17 PM
I'm pretty sure he comes with a separate base.
Yeah, he has one of those little "bases" you stick on one foot, but I thought maybe I could stand him on that lower staircase part. Don't know if it will work?
Sorry some of you guys aren't happy with Jekyll. We always try to get our production pieces to the level of our prototypes, and I don't think any paint apps were cut on purpose, or for economic reasons.
And we always make sure that the factory can produce a prototype as shown, for the required cost, before we solicit it to retailers -- those are the two main reasons we make prototypes, sales and production. But that's an estimate, and if in practice it is discovered to cost more, then we need to modify. But again, I don't think that's what happened here; sometimes apps from the final paint samples can simply get lost or understated in production. Obviously, that's not ideal, because there's nothing we can do about it, but we try to not let that happen.
From the photos I have seen on eBay, the paint looks to be much better than the Dracula and Frankenstein monstrosities from two years ago. That was a crime.
The first Herman Munster paint kinda scared me off that fig, hopefully this wave is better
The figures are great, but the paint does vary for sure. I am curious does anyone repaint or touch up their DSTs?
Quote from: ravenloft on September 30, 2013, 11:05:43 PM
I am curious does anyone repaint or touch up their DSTs?
If'n I were a artist, I probably would.
Quote from: jimm on September 30, 2013, 09:36:12 PM
The first Herman Munster paint kinda scared me off that fig, hopefully this wave is better
AGREED. Yes---to Ravenloft. Touch ups occur. My friend could only score a b&w Wolfman. So I painted it color for him.
I fancy myself an "artist" and thought about repainting mine, but then decided not to and to leave them original just as straight from the factory toys. I can always paint UM models instead ( I have a serious backlog of models to be painted!)
Here are a few that I did: http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=20593.0 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=20593.0)
Quote from: King Kang Kong on September 30, 2013, 09:21:40 PM
Sorry some of you guys aren't happy with Jekyll. We always try to get our production pieces to the level of our prototypes, and I don't think any paint apps were cut on purpose, or for economic reasons.
I don't want you to think that I'm not ecstatic about the new figures. Sure, they looked a lot better in the preview pics, but they are still the best figures of the year. The fact that you did a Karloff Jekyll/Hyde should make you eligible for knighthood. I've bought all of the DST product (except the Mini-mates) and enjoy them immensely. I'm glad that the line is ending on a high note and not just crapping out like a lot of other toy lines. Even though I don't like the upcoming Van Helsing figure, I will buy it out of respect for all the great work you have done. Thanks, again.
Okay, stupid (and only vaugly related) story - I work in an office with a bunch of nerds - and one non-nerd, who tends to get lost amongst our varsious conversations - last time, when we were discussing who would win in a fight Jason or Wolverine, she got Jason mixed up with Leatherface "He's the one with the chainsaw?"
Fast forward towards today. I swap out all the toys at my deck for seasonally appropriate ones: all the Unimonsters, Freddy, Jason and Monster Potatohead. I call her over to identify all the figures - monster flash cards, if you will. She points to Dracula next to the wolf and says:
"That's the one that all the teenyboppers like today! The one that sparkles -"
"If you finish that sentence, I will punch you in the mouth."
"Not Twilight then?"
So yes, we need a Lugosi looking vampire STAT! (:
We all agree on that point, but Lugosi's son is so hard to work with, you might have to go for that great Sideshow version from 2001. It's more or less the same scale as the DST figures and he will NEVER sparkle.
Sounds like you could have put any vampire on your desk and she would have said the same thing. It's not like there's a resemblance.
Hope your coworker isn't involved with anything involving shapes and colors.
Between the models and the mask, he can't be that hard to work with. ;)
And considering the Chaney suit, it would seem that the big U is the major factor in the hold-up.
According to the DST Facebook Page, it's very likely that the last of the figures will, in fact, be the Son of Frankenstein figure and the Creature from the Black Lagoon figure. :(
Quote from: King Kang Kong on October 01, 2013, 06:19:14 PM
Hope your coworker isn't involved with anything involving shapes and colors.
No, but she works in the Quality Assurance department at AT&T - make of that as you will. . . . :)
Quote from: Universal_Adam on October 01, 2013, 10:23:50 PM
According to the DST Facebook Page, it's very likely that the last of the figures will, in fact, be the Son of Frankenstein figure and the Creature from the Black Lagoon figure. :(
A shame , but I LOVE both those figures!!
Quote from: Desslok on October 01, 2013, 10:40:13 PM
No, but she works in the Quality Assurance department at AT&T - make of that as you will. . . . :)
Aren't they doing a Wave 4 in b/w?
I don't know for sure that we'll do a fourth Legacy Series. But I don't see why not.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on October 01, 2013, 11:40:29 PM
I don't know for sure that we'll do a fourth Legacy Series. But I don't see why not.
Don't want to leave people hangin' like Sideshow did on the 8" line!
The action figure guy at TRU says they still havent got them into his store as yet. but a store 30 miles from me has them. Guess I am taking a little road trip tomorrow. ::)
Good luck, but I would call and have them hold them for you (they usually only stock 2 of each).
I am going to try and stop by our TRU tomorrow and see if they have them yet.
I bought my first Diamond Select figure tonight. I went to three Toys R Us stores looking for the Retro Cloth figures. The store had them and the Select figures. I bought the Select Mr. Hyde. I don't know if he is deluxe version, mediocre version, extra parts, missing parts, whatever. I never kept that stuff straight. But now I finally own a Diamond Select figure.
I like his head. It looks like the Aurora kit. Everything looks cool, except for that weird illustration of his face on the lower right corner of the package. I don't care for that illustration. But the figure is nice. He's staying in the package, so I don't really care if he's posable or whatnot. I do wish I could get a whiff of this notoriously strong plastic smell that others have experienced. I do like that new toy smell when you first open a package. But I'm not opening this package.
My main objective was to find the Retro Cloth Phantom and Mutant, which I happily accomplished. Mutant was cool, but I can only get so excited about a Metaluna Mutant figure. The real prize was the Phantom. I liked him so much, I bought two. One to leave in the package and another to leave in the package.
The Phantom is easily the best figure in the line. He might be the best toy representation of the character ever made. He's certainly a contender for that title. He's a very sad little Phantom. Poor thing!
The Retro Cloth series is a nice little set of modern monster toys. It's good that they are ending on a high note. Better than dragging it out and perhaps seeing the quality decline. The Phantom brings the line to a triumphant conclusion.
Now I might go back and try to get that Monsterpalooza Jack Pierce figure.
That reminds me, and King Kang Kong, maybe you can answer.
Why did the artwork change on the packages? It started out as photos of the characters, and now it's pictures of the action figures. Was there a reason for this?
Just got back from my TRU and comic shop. As I expected TRU had no Universal figures at all except a couple of Mezco Frankenstein and Creature. I check the comic shop for the banks and the cloth figures and they had nothing also. Typical of stoes in Maine. Last to get anything if anything at all.
I only found the Phantom, today. No Metaluna, as of yet. Are there any Munster's released?
Quote from: Universal Steve on October 03, 2013, 02:57:05 PM
Just got back from my TRU and comic shop. As I expected TRU had no Universal figures at all except a couple of Mezco Frankenstein and Creature. I check the comic shop for the banks and the cloth figures and they had nothing also. Typical of stoes in Maine. Last to get anything if anything at all.
:(
Success!!! Snagged everything. The Hyde is the best!!! This is why you need to get both versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The TRU Hyde only comes with what's pictured. No jekyll parts. The DST deluxe Jekyll comes with what you see, plus the Hyde parts sans rooftop display. So if you buy both, you essentially get 2 figures.
(http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/9092/7h0i.jpg)
(http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/3617/kxya.jpg)
(http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/507/d26s.jpg)
Nice collection, Anton!
Great collection. ;D
I went to the two local (Baltimore area) Toys R Us stores yesterday (I'm off work thanks to the government shutdown) and both had received their shipments of Munsters, Monsters, and Retro figures. Each store had two of each figure and I was able to get a mint copy of everything (2 mint copies of each of the retro figures). I picked up the regular versions of the Munsters and Monsters last weekend at Monster Mania. Unfortunately, getting mint copies of those in nearly impossible thanks to the absolute WORST action figure packaging EVER!!!!!
Anybody have the Quasi with the gargoyle? Does he stand on the gargoyle like a base, like it shows in the (photoshopped) photo?
I went to my local TRU today to pick up at least one of the figures (I'm Po') and they didn't have ANY. The ONLY Monster merch they had was 2 Mego Style Bride of Frankenstein's and some of the Minimates. I guess I have to either keep waiting or bite the bullet and pay for shipping :(
Yes I have it, and yes it has pegs for feet holes on both gargoyle shoulders. Unfortunately the Quasi figure's legs will not allow a crouch so mine is in a stiff legged bent over position, perhaps he is gawking at passerby below.
Quote from: ravenloft on October 03, 2013, 10:04:02 PM
Yes I have it, and yes it has pegs for feet holes on both gargoyle shoulders. Unfortunately the Quasi figure's legs will not allow a crouch so mine is in a stiff legged bent over position, perhaps he is gawking at passerby below.
Thanks! Yeah, that does sound a little awkward. Maybe pose him beside the garg.
Quote from: Universal_Adam on October 03, 2013, 01:48:55 PM
That reminds me, and King Kang Kong, maybe you can answer.
Why did the artwork change on the packages? It started out as photos of the characters, and now it's pictures of the action figures. Was there a reason for this?
Not that I know of, aside from perhaps the line extending beyond what was in Universal's approved style guide. Getting other artwork approved and cleared for usage may have required too many hoops.
Scored 2 Hyde figures today at TRU...[They had Mole Man and Quasi, too.] The Munsters line came in a few days ago and were all still there today. Will be going on more of a long distance quest this weekend. Gotta find that Phantom!
Quote from: Universal Steve on October 03, 2013, 02:57:05 PM
Just got back from my TRU and comic shop. As I expected TRU had no Universal figures at all except a couple of Mezco Frankenstein and Creature. I check the comic shop for the banks and the cloth figures and they had nothing also. Typical of stoes in Maine. Last to get anything if anything at all.
Banks won't arrive until late November. It's on our shipping calendar at artasylum.com:
http://www.artasylum.com/category/ship-dates/ (http://www.artasylum.com/category/ship-dates/)
Did you ask if your store ordered the cloth figures at all? Every comic shop should have gotten those figures this week, although I don't know if late Diamond deliveries to Maine is a common occurrence. Also, not every store carries the line, since it's only offered in cases of eight. I'd hate to see you make multiple trips for something that will never arrive.
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 03, 2013, 06:42:06 PM
Anybody have the Quasi with the gargoyle? Does he stand on the gargoyle like a base, like it shows in the (photoshopped) photo?
It's silhouetted out, but I don't believe it is photoshopped. There's a peg on each side, but there's also a small ledge in back, which he is standing on there. I need to take some better shots of him with it.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on October 04, 2013, 12:07:30 AM
It's silhouetted out, but I don't believe it is photoshopped.
It looked like one of his feet was hanging in mid-air, which is why I thought it looked PSed.
If you reshoot him, give him his scepter.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on October 03, 2013, 11:52:49 PM
Not that I know of, aside from perhaps the line extending beyond what was in Universal's approved style guide. Getting other artwork approved and cleared for usage may have required too many hoops.
This was also done with the Wolf Man.
Is there a reason these Series four figs haven't shown up on the Toys R' Us website? Are they being produced or shipped in a lower number than previous series...maybe because of the lower profiles of the characters featured in this wave? This is the first time these figures have hit the stores before the website. Getting worried I may have to go out and purchase these at the brick and mortar stores. In the past I was able to order the first three series directly from the TRU site with no problem and they were often available weeks before they hit my local stores.
They use the flimsiest cardboard I've ever seen. It's almost impossible to find a decent one. I would never order one shipped.
I went to the TRU tonight. They had two PTOs and two Mutants. One PTO had a sloppy paint job. The other looked pretty spooky, but I'm not sure if the paint is correct on him either. Anyway, he looked better than the other, so I bought him and a Mutant. Mutants all looked fine.
I saw the others. They had two of each figure. They all looked cool, but I was disappointed that the Hyde figure did not have the Jekyll head. I passed on all three in favor of the comic shop versions, which come with... more. Again, Mole People are not Universal Monsters. Universal needs to understand that the Werewolf of London is a Universal Monster, not the Mole People. *end of rant*
Quote from: Mord on October 04, 2013, 09:28:00 PM
They use the flimsiest cardboard I've ever seen. It's almost impossible to find a decent one. I would never order one shipped.
I didn't have any issues with the first three waves. Besides, these are coming out of the package and put on the shelves as soon as I get them.
I was able to land my select versions early this week. Hyde is awesome if for no other reason then it's a Karloff/Eddie Parker Jekyll Hyde figure. Never thought we'd get a figure like this.
The select Hunchback really surprised me though, great sculpt and the Gargoyle is an awesome base idea. Haven't had a chance to compare them side by side, but first impression is that this may be one of those rare Diamond figures that surpasses its sideshow 8" counterpart. Really love this one.
Got the retros as well and both are amazing, sad to see this line end. Would love an Invisible Man before it's over.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on October 04, 2013, 10:36:10 PM
Again, Mole People are not Universal Monsters.
"The Mole People" was made by Universal International, so how is it
not a Universal monster?
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 05, 2013, 10:50:15 AM
"The Mole People" was made by Universal International, so how is it not a Universal monster?
I guess I should have put the word "classic" in there.
The
classic Universal Monsters end with the Creature, in my book. Mole People was never released under the "Classics Collection," which was pretty expansive as far as Monster inclusion. They didn't make the cut. I accept the Mutant, because it's a pretty cool costume design, but also don't consider him to be a true
classic Universal Monster.
Anyway, it was a rant against Universal's apparently selective licensing more than anything.
If they could have eeked out a Mego style Werewolf of London and Monster on Campus as a final wave I would be tickled pink.
Monster on Campus gets no love. Yet the film is much more entertaining than the Mole People in my opinion.
I am not going to complain too much though. I seem to remember a time pre-Sideshow when gettting even decent Phantom of the Opera merchandise was considered "risky". Now more people seem to know who the Phantom is over the Mummy.
The licensing seems to change over the years. For instance---in the 60's it was Glenn Strange's Monster who was used for a lot of the merchandising and ads, and the Chaney Mummy. Now those two hardly ever see the spotlight. :'(
Quote from: Anton Phibes on October 05, 2013, 12:52:29 PM
The licensing seems to change over the years. For instance---in the 60's it was Glenn Strange's Monster who was used for a lot of the merchandising and ads, and the Chaney Mummy. Now those two hardly ever see the spotlight. :'(
Though both came back in 1997! Then the horrible 2001 style guide took over...
Quote from: aura of foreboding on October 05, 2013, 12:23:15 PM
Mole People was never released under the "Classics Collection,"
Neither was "Phantom of the Opera" '25. ;D
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 05, 2013, 02:05:06 PM
Neither was "Phantom of the Opera" '25. ;D
Well, that's because Universal allowed the copyright to expire, as they did with "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" '23.
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Quote from: Anton Phibes on October 05, 2013, 12:52:29 PM
If they could have eeked out a Mego style Werewolf of London and Monster on Campus as a final wave I would be tickled pink.
Seems to me there's another company of great Distinction, that might be able to help us with these Mego-styled Dummies...
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Quote from: Mike Scott on October 05, 2013, 02:05:06 PM
Neither was "Phantom of the Opera" '25. ;D
Still, PTO was included in the line-up. Granted, not the superior version, but PTO nonetheless.
Quote from: Count_Zirock on October 05, 2013, 04:41:20 PM
Well, that's because Universal allowed the copyright to expire, as the did with "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" '23.
And I don't think anyone can deny that these two are truly classic Universal Monsters. ;D
Quote from: Anton Phibes on October 05, 2013, 12:52:29 PM
Monster on Campus gets no love. Yet the film is much more entertaining than the Mole People in my opinion.
Thanks for that, I'm going to check it out. I hadn't heard of Monster on Campus before. I really liked Mole People. It's not the greatest overall, but I love the designs, and the creepiness of the Mole People really impressed me. (I saw Mole People for the first time ever last year, even after owning the Sideshow figure for years!)
I've bought 2 DST Mole People so far, tempted to get a third to hack off the legs and make a custom of one climbing out of the dirt. I figured I'd let the folks in my area buy theirs before I wiped out all the TRU's.
Quote from: VulcansFury on October 06, 2013, 11:43:33 AM
Thanks for that, I'm going to check it out. I hadn't heard of Monster on Campus before. I really liked Mole People.
You can get
Monster on Campus,
The Mole People and other Universal sci-fi flicks in this set.
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Sci-Fi-Ultimate-Collection-Vols/dp/B0013XZ6SY/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1381081067&sr=1-1&keywords=classic+sci-fi+ultimate+collection+volumes+1+2 (http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Sci-Fi-Ultimate-Collection-Vols/dp/B0013XZ6SY/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1381081067&sr=1-1&keywords=classic+sci-fi+ultimate+collection+volumes+1+2)
Quote from: aura of foreboding on October 05, 2013, 12:23:15 PM
I guess I should have put the word "classic" in there.
The classic Universal Monsters end with the Creature, in my book. Mole People was never released under the "Classics Collection," which was pretty expansive as far as Monster inclusion. They didn't make the cut. I accept the Mutant, because it's a pretty cool costume design, but also don't consider him to be a true classic Universal Monster.
Anyway, it was a rant against Universal's apparently selective licensing more than anything.
Agreed, the classic universal Monsters stops at the Creature of the Black Lagoon. The late 50's and 60's style of movie with the nuclear bomb freaks of nature (giant gila monsters, ants, etc.) and UFOs and aliens are a completely different feel from a classic monster movie and don't blend. Mole man and Metaluna Mutant are more in the genre of pure science fiction with no element of gothic horror.
Gothic horror films usually have some supernatural element. Some sci fi monsters definitely have gothic horror elements, such as invisible man, Dr. Jekyll Mr.hyde or Frankenstein's monster who defined gothic horror for all time. Not saying sci fi can't be scary, some sci fi has changed the genre completely like Alien which now is in its own category sci fi/horror. The Fly would be another good example of sci fi with a strong horror element.
It is not like a monster mash up with metaluna or the mole people meets wolfman or dracula would be possible, it would be a joke, because they exist in different fictional universes so to speak. Although they are interesting film costuming, I don't think they belong with classic monsters either.
I went back to TRU today. The sloppy Phantom was gone, as was one of the Hunchbacks. Clearly there is a Chaney collector out there. All that remains of the retros is one Mutant. Pretty scary, considering that they still have two Brides left from a year ago!
Brides and a Mummy still warm the shelf also. Not only are they not clearance priced they are a few bucks more than the new releases::)
Quote from: jimm on October 06, 2013, 02:40:30 PM
Brides and a Mummy still warm the shelf also. Not only are they not clearance priced they are a few bucks more than the new releases::)
The Bride, is the least cool, out of all the Universal Monster figure line. Probably the reason why she is still at Toys R?
I can not explain the why the Mummy hasn't found new homes? The Mummy figure doesn't look that awful.
I must admit that, although essential, this Bride did not speak to me. She's okay, but she's really not that dynamic. Of course I had to get her, and I'm not disappointed in her, but she didn't really excite me either. My favorites are as follows: Phantom, Creature, Frankenstein, Wolf Man and Dracula. The Mutant, Mummy, and the Bride are cool, but I have them more just to have them. Now, had the Mummy been the original Kharis design, he would definitely have been in my favorites list.
Well, my local TRU still [today was a delivery day] didn't get the retro cloth figures. So i decided to take a trip about 40 miles west to another TRU and lo and behold, they had 2 Phantoms and a Mutant and i bought them all. They had none of the Mole Man, Hunchback or Jekyll's, though. They did have the Mezco Creech, which i was happy to see in person. Very impressive, but i blew over 70 bucks on the retro's and had to stop there. Was also surprised to see the Revell reissues of the Aurora Wolfman, Mummy and Drac models which i thought were long gone from store shelves. Will check again at my local store on Thursday for the retros. Wouldn't mind grabbing another Mutant & Phantom. I'm very selective about what new monster toys i collect these days, but these guys are over the top!
The Phantom is easily the best, followed by Creature and Mutant. I like the Mummy, but would have preferred Kharis. Bride is good enough. Nothing amazing about her. Dracula is not bad for a generic version of the Universal character, but of course I would prefer a Lugosi version. Frankenstein and Wolfman are cute toys, but pretty weak in terms of capturing the movie characters. I don't see any actor likeness in either figure. I think Frank is trying to be the Glenn Strange version, but the face only vaguely resembles Strange. Wolfman looks nothing like Chaney. He's a cute wolfy with his pointy ears and upturned face, but he's not Chaney.
Quote from: raycastile on October 06, 2013, 11:11:13 PM
The Phantom is easily the best, followed by Creature and Mutant. I like the Mummy, but would have preferred Kharis. Bride is good enough. Nothing amazing about her. Dracula is not bad for a generic version of the Universal character, but of course I would prefer a Lugosi version. Frankenstein and Wolfman are cute toys, but pretty weak in terms of capturing the movie characters. I don't see any actor likeness in either figure. I think Frank is trying to be the Glenn Strange version, but the face only vaguely rese mbles Strange. Wolfman looks nothing like Chaney. He's a cute wolfy with his pointy ears and upturned face, but he's not Chaney.
Is it me? Or does this retro Frankenstein's monster look like the Kenner/Hasbro '99 Frankenstein's monster?
Actually the Hasbro one is based on Karloff. The sculpt is adequate, but the blue eye shadow and bright red lips make him look like a hooker. The huge hands are ridiculous, too. I think the DST retro is much closer to Glenn Strange.
Ray is right about the figures not looking like the movie monsters, but I still love the character that they have. Better paint and outfit colors would have easily made them superior. In fact, I ditched Frank's green coat in favor of a brown one. I remember the original concepts. Those were amazing. For the finished figures, I like the Wolf Man's claws, and I like the fact that Frank looks less like Karloff and more like Strange (which is why I thought King's comment about DST not wanting to do a Strange Frankenstein was odd). I remember when this line was just getting started. It's hard to believe that it's over now... Just when it was getting great...
May be they would have lasted longer if they had started out great. People would have been behind them from the start rather than playing catch-up when they improved.
My faves are the Franky, Wolfie, Creech, Phantom and Mutant. You can see more of Glenn Strange if you under light the face. Would have been cool if they used the Aurora kit Wolf Man head sculpt, but what the hell? These things are supposed to be abstract. Therein lies the charm!
Quote from: Mord on October 07, 2013, 12:18:35 AM
May be they would have lasted longer if they had started out great. People would have been behind them from the start rather than playing catch-up when they improved.
Good point! It's not like DST was a new toy company, just starting out. They've been around awhile now. It isn't their first walk around the block.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 4
Tuff to say, once the main characters get done, not sure the tru's of the world want to stay on board. The way this last wave of retro and regular figs seem to be flying off the shelf too bad we can't get 1 more wave of retro. Hyde and either Quasi or Moleman would have been nice.
I'm not a fan of the Invisible Man. But, why wasn't a Retro figure made?
I'm not a fan of the Invisible Man. But, why wasn't a Retro figure made?
We heard ya! We heard ya! ;D
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 07, 2013, 02:53:18 PM
We heard ya! We heard ya! ;D
Ha! I guess I should reiterate? Lol. ;D
I'm not a fan of the Invisible Man, but why wasn't a retro figure made?
Quote from: Mord on October 07, 2013, 08:54:34 PM
I'm not a fan of the Invisible Man, but why wasn't a retro figure made?
What makes you think there wasn't?
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 07, 2013, 09:24:09 PM
What makes you think there wasn't?
Yeah, I bought one two years back! I just can't figure out where I put it... thrhrt
People are really bashing these figures. Are they REALLY that bad? Personally, I love them all and I think they're beautiful.
You know..a big complaint is about Dracula. I may be wrong here but it seems to me like people hate the Dracula figure because it's NOT Bela Lugosi. Would I have preferred a Bela Dracula figure? Sure. But for a figure that's not Bela, and doesn't pretend to be.. I think it looks pretty cool!
I also think that Van Helsing looks cool too. That base is gorgeous!
Quote from: Universal_Adam on October 07, 2013, 09:34:54 PM
People are really bashing these figures. Are they REALLY that bad?
Even though I only buy Creature stuff, I like all of the figures!
The Retro Cloth series isn't bad. They are very nice toys. But when I see the Phantom, I think of what could have been.
Imagine Frankenstein, dressed in black, with a head sculpted and painted as good as the Phantom.
I agree that the Dracula is pretty good, for a generic Dracula.
Quote from: raycastile on October 07, 2013, 10:12:55 PM
The Retro Cloth series isn't bad.
Actually, those are my least favorite. I don't like dolls dressed in cloth costumes. The scale just never works. They look like David Byrne.
(http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/artman2/uploads/1/TH-BD-Big-Suit---WEB.jpg)
I tend to be less interested in figures with sculpted-on clothes. I've always preferred cloth costumes. All-plastic toys seem incomplete. Costumed toys seem more alive. I like my toys to be alive.
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 07, 2013, 10:00:05 PM
Even though I only buy Creature stuff, I like all of the figures!
Did you ever find an Uncle Gilbert? I haven't seen one anywhere yet. Kong said they were not available at TRU just specialty stores or online. I would buy it even though I am not really interested in the other DST Munsters, I passed on wave 1 as well. My dad bought all of them bothe waves though from TRU so he is missing the Creech too.
Quote from: raycastile on October 07, 2013, 10:12:55 PM
Th
Imagine Frankenstein, dressed in black, with a head sculpted and painted as good as the Phantom.
They did that to perfection in 1970 with AHI's Frankie. 8)
???
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 07, 2013, 09:24:09 PM
What makes you think there wasn't?
Did I miss something? When was the cloth version of the Invisible Man released?
Quote from: raycastile on October 07, 2013, 10:35:15 PM
I tend to be less interested in figures with sculpted-on clothes. I've always preferred cloth costumes. All-plastic toys seem incomplete. Costumed toys seem more alive. I like my toys to be alive.
Much like Mego, AHI, Remco, Lincoln, etc. All the Monsters produced by those companies, seemed Alive.
Quote from: ravenloft on October 08, 2013, 09:34:42 AM
Did you ever find an Uncle Gilbert? I haven't seen one anywhere yet.
I got one from amazon.
Quote from: marsattacks666 on October 08, 2013, 01:39:49 PM
Did I miss something? When was the cloth version of the Invisible Man released?
Here's a picture of mine.
(http://woodgears.ca/corner_shelf/shelf.jpg)
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 08, 2013, 01:56:53 PM
Here's a picture of mine.
(http://woodgears.ca/corner_shelf/shelf.jpg)
Wow! That was an awesome response. Mrs. Mars, laughed her boo...........errrrr, as.....butt off.
Quote from: marsattacks666 on October 08, 2013, 01:39:49 PM
???
Did I miss something? When was the cloth version of the Invisible Man released?
Yup. The texture is nice, but the presentation could be better.
I left mine MIP
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 08, 2013, 01:56:53 PM
Here's a picture of mine.
(http://woodgears.ca/corner_shelf/shelf.jpg)
Did you accidently pour vanishing creme ' on the figure? ;D
Quote from: marsattacks666 on October 08, 2013, 10:04:15 PM
Did you accidently pour vanishing creme ' on the figure? ;D
That stuff's not real. You've been watching too many cartoons!
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 08, 2013, 01:56:53 PM
Here's a picture of mine.
(http://woodgears.ca/corner_shelf/shelf.jpg)
That is BY FAR the best likeness out of all the cloth figures. It really captures the invisible man perfectly. They really hit the nail on the head here.
Quote from: Universal_Adam on October 09, 2013, 11:51:25 AM
That is BY FAR the best likeness out of all the cloth figures. It really captures the invisible man perfectly. They really hit the nail on the head here.
Ha, Ha, Ha! Suckers! It's just a picture of an empty shelf!
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 09, 2013, 12:10:56 PM
Ha, Ha, Ha! Suckers! It's just a picture of an empty shelf!
Can I say, duh?!?! Lol. ;D ;D ;D ;D
(see previous page for the jokes that followed)
Got all my favorites from this series...wasn't easy to do seeing as ALL the TRU stores i visited were only allotted one case of 4 figures EACH! I have NO complaints about these figures and am hoping Diamond Select reconsiders a new wave next year!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/Gasport2000/diamondselectretrounimonsters_zps76089aae.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/Gasport2000/media/diamondselectretrounimonsters_zps76089aae.jpg.html)
Quote from: Gasport on October 10, 2013, 11:54:35 PM
Got all my favorites from this series...wasn't easy to do seeing as ALL the TRU stores i visited were only allotted one case of 4 figures EACH! I have NO complaints about these figures and am hoping Diamond Select reconsiders a new wave next year!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/Gasport2000/diamondselectretrounimonsters_zps76089aae.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/Gasport2000/media/diamondselectretrounimonsters_zps76089aae.jpg.html)
Great display, Gasport.
Quote from: Gasport on October 10, 2013, 11:54:35 PM
Got all my favorites from this series...wasn't easy to do seeing as ALL the TRU stores i visited were only allotted one case of 4 figures EACH! I have NO complaints about these figures and am hoping Diamond Select reconsiders a new wave next year!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/Gasport2000/diamondselectretrounimonsters_zps76089aae.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/Gasport2000/media/diamondselectretrounimonsters_zps76089aae.jpg.html)
How can anyone not love this????
I actually love all 8 of them (even the goofy Dracula). I would have included the Mummy in your collection. It's one of the most screen accurate of the bunch.
I wish the packages were a bit more collector friendly say held together with a staple as o0osed to the heat weld. Minorgripe though
I guess that makes some of us buy doubles (DST wins).
Quote from: jimm on October 11, 2013, 05:10:53 PM
I wish the packages were a bit more collector friendly say held together with a staple as opposed to the heat weld.
You can cut through the welds with a sharp knife and open and reclose the clamshell package.
I know this is probably not going to happen, but if somebody wants to build the Munsters stairs, but doesn't want to buy the Uncle Gilbert toy, I can send you the Uncle G. stair parts. I only bought the Gilbert toy and have no use for the stair parts.
New pictures have been posted of next year's 5th (and final) 7" DST figure assortment. To be honest, the close-up of Son of Frankenstein bears no resemblance to Karloff. It's either a generic or bad sculpting. Very disappointing. The Creature fares better but the super articulation is the only thing that improves on the Sideshow version. The Van Helsing is....well, what's the point? I'm pretty glad these are the last ones. Though I kinda wish they would have ended on a high note with this years incredible assortment (7" figures and Megos). This year's Phantom may very well be the very best Universal monster figure I've ever seen. I'm going to buy a second one today.
Ended before arguably the best Creech fig ever? Surely you jest ;D I bought a second Phantom too, one of the best monster toys ever made (there I said it)
Quote from: jimm on October 12, 2013, 02:36:53 PM
Ended before arguably the best Creech fig ever? Surely you jest ;D I bought a second Phantom too, one of the best monster toys ever made (there I said it)
Check out the new pics from NY. The Creature is super-poseable but looks a little like the Toy Island one. The Sideshow 8" is less poseable but better sculpted (and more realistically painted, IMO).
QuoteCheck out the new pics from NY. The Creature is super-poseable but looks a little like the Toy Island one. The Sideshow 8" is less poseable but better sculpted (and more realistically painted, IMO).
True, but you still want it, right?? :o
HELL YEAH!!!!
Mord, where are these pictures?
http://www.cannibalreviews.com/2013/10/nycc-2013-re-animator-goes-to-amok-time.html (http://www.cannibalreviews.com/2013/10/nycc-2013-re-animator-goes-to-amok-time.html)
Thanks, jimm.
The SOF is indeed odd. Maybe it's the angle. The Creature and the Hallmark ornament are amazing, though.
I like the Son of Frankie. Its definitely much improved over the first DST Frankenstein. It sucks that we wont be seeing others. Everytime I think of that original concept Van helsing getting manufactured instead of Werewolf of london, Kharis, or any of the other great Universal Monsters, however, it makes me disgusted. :'(
Quote from: Mord on October 12, 2013, 02:47:35 PM
The Creature is super-poseable but looks a little like the Toy Island one.
It's not
that skinny!
It's also weird that the tombstone on the base of the Faux Helsing says "Harker." It should say Westenra... unless Jonathan had a forgotten sister? The positioning of the figure on that base is also questionable... :o
Quote from: Anton Phibes on October 12, 2013, 06:38:55 PM
I like the Son of Frankie. Its definitely much improved over the first DST Frankenstein. It sucks that we wont be seeing others. Everytime I think of that original concept Van helsing getting manufactured instead of Werewolf of london, Kharis, or any of the other great Universal Monsters, however, it makes me disgusted. :'(
Really? What do you like about SoF ? It's a pretty lame sculpt (I don't see Karloff at all). The base is nice, but I'd rather stick the great-looking Sideshow version on it. I'm glad we got what we got, but I'm done. And, yeah, I feel the same way about the Van Helsing taking the place of a real Universal character (especially on the final wave).
Quote from: jimm on October 12, 2013, 05:01:58 PM
http://www.cannibalreviews.com/2013/10/nycc-2013-re-animator-goes-to-amok-time.html (http://www.cannibalreviews.com/2013/10/nycc-2013-re-animator-goes-to-amok-time.html)
I clicked that link and the first thing I saw was Coffin Joe's face. I thought, wow! Coffin Joe toys! Awesome! Then I realized the picture had nothing to do with the toy reviews. Rrrgh. Talk about getting my hopes up, then crashing them to the ground!
Quote from: aura of foreboding on October 12, 2013, 06:33:05 PM
Thanks, jimm.
The SOF is indeed odd. Maybe it's the angle. The Creature and the Hallmark ornament are amazing, though.
The SOF actually looks like a pretty decent Frankenstein figure. Just not a Karloff likeness Frankenstein figure. The Sideshow version is superior.
Creature is cute, probably better than the previous Diamond one, though not dramatically so. The prototype compares favorably to the Sideshow figure. Though I think the definitive Creature figure has yet to be made in this format.
The Hallmark ornament looks cool, but I don't collect those.
Quote from: raycastile on October 12, 2013, 11:23:59 PM
I clicked that link and the first thing I saw was Coffin Joe's face. I thought, wow! Coffin Joe toys! Awesome!
Ray, I believe your best hope is with our friends from the far east, DD. MegoScale anyone?
O0
The Creature looks pretty cool.
Quote from: raycastile on October 12, 2013, 11:30:37 PM
The SOF actually looks like a pretty decent Frankenstein figure. Just not a Karloff likeness Frankenstein figure.
That's what I was thinking. I'm not sure what happened.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on October 13, 2013, 12:48:07 PM
That's what I was thinking. I'm not sure what happened.
I'm pretty sure they still have the rights to Karloff. I just think that the sculptor who did this one wasn't as gifted as some of the others. That's another reason I'm glad the line is over. I keep buying inferior versions of the same figures Sideshow already perfected. There is no reason this figure shouldn't look like Karloff. The Creature is cool, but the mouth looks too small and the head too round. I'm still buying them, but only because I'm an idiot completest. Now that Hallmark is doing Universal monster figural ornaments, we might get a Creature in the second wave (the Frankenstein is great).
http://manofoneface.deviantart.com/art/Photo-on-2013-10-13-at-18-27-407087082?ga_submit_new=10%253A1381703483 (http://manofoneface.deviantart.com/art/Photo-on-2013-10-13-at-18-27-407087082?ga_submit_new=10%253A1381703483)
Just wanted to share my customized DSTs. Repainted the monster's head and jacket, as well as Woflman's face I made a bit lighter. Also sculpted this Lugosi Dracula head out of sculpy, and painted it as well. The eyes were a little difficult and it didn't do so well in the oven, but I like it better than Twilight/Snarly Dracula.
Really loved these modifications! Dracula makes this set. I wish you worked for DST.
Very nice.
I went to my local TRU yesterday and still nothing at all. So I caved and ordered the Mr. Hyde and Mole Man from their website. It sucks because that way I have to pay for shipping. It is unfair if something is exclusive to a store and they don't carry at least 1 of each item and then tag you for shipping. It should be free shipping if you have to go that route. I will check my local comic shop for the cloth figures. They usually get them. If not EBay here I come. My wife got the rest through Monsters In Motion so that will save me a lot of the hunt but I found out she did not order the Hunchback so I will get that at the comic shop. They have one on the shelf. I hope the banks are easier to find.
That's the thing with TRU. EVEN if they do get them it's like 2 of each figure it seems. I found the whole pile at mine. 2 each of the retros and only one left each of most of the series 4 figs. Once I left all that was left was a couple retros and a Hunchback for the lost soul after me... :(
Here's a much better photo of the Monster from Son of Frankenstein:
http://www.cooltoyreview.com/2013-NYCC/NYCC-2013-New-York-Comic-Con-Diamond-Select-Toys/image18.asp (http://www.cooltoyreview.com/2013-NYCC/NYCC-2013-New-York-Comic-Con-Diamond-Select-Toys/image18.asp)
Click the above link for a larger version.
(http://www.cooltoyreview.com/2013-NYCC/NYCC-2013-New-York-Comic-Con-Diamond-Select-Toys/DST-18.JPG)
Looks nice...but I'm still not seeing Karloff.
Quote from: Universal Steve on October 14, 2013, 12:36:43 AM
It sucks because that way I have to pay for shipping. It is unfair if something is exclusive to a store and they don't carry at least 1 of each
Do they have a "ship to store", like Walmart does? They ship it to your local store and you pick it up and pay no shipping.
Quote from: darkmonkeygod on October 14, 2013, 03:36:05 AM
Here's a much better photo of the Monster from Son of Frankenstein:
Is that a b/w Metaluna Mutant? Don't they know the movie was made in color? (Sideshow didn't.)
I like Von Helsing's weapons back pack...
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 14, 2013, 01:06:39 PM
Do they have a "ship to store", like Walmart does? They ship it to your local store and you pick it up and pay no shipping.
Their web site offered no ship to store because it was sold in their stores. Go figure!
Quote from: jimm on October 14, 2013, 02:35:45 PM
I like Von Helsing's weapons back pack...
A positive comment about DST Van Helsing may incur the wrath of "Helsing Hater" Mord. :laugh:
It's a cool figure, just not a movie accurate one. I'd rather have movie accurate also but I'll still buy this one
Quote from: jimm on October 14, 2013, 02:35:45 PM
I like Von Helsing's weapons back pack...
Looks like he's wearing a Star Trek Next Generation uniform with blue jeans and Uggs.
Quote from: Universal Steve on October 14, 2013, 02:37:00 PM
Their web site offered no ship to store because it was sold in their stores.
Which is fine, for the
first person to get there! :P
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 14, 2013, 01:08:58 PM
Is that a b/w Metaluna Mutant? Don't they know the movie was made in color? (Sideshow didn't.)
That is what I was thinking. Why b/w? Odd.
I guess somebody didn't watch the movie! C:)
I am lucky in that I have 3 TRU's in my city and 2 more TRU stores 1/2 hour drive away. I purchased all of this line at TRU except the select figures and bust banks which I struggled to find/order at the local comic shops. I seriously wish that TRU carried the bust banks..I don't see why they don't they had several other DST bust banks just not the monsters. Makes no sense.
I just need the munsters uncle gilbert and bust banks wolfy and bride and I am done this year. I am waiting to see van Helsing in person before I decide, the creature and Son of Franky are a given. I still need a B/W legacy series 1 to finish my collection. Sad to see it over.
Would people rather we just released two Black-and-white figures in the new Legacy Series box set? We've seen This Island Earth (and MST3K:TM), and we know the film is in color, but the B&W Mutant still looks cool. Pretend it's based on one of the production stills.
Ravenloft, are you struggling to order the Select figures and banks through your local comic shop? They should be able to order those for you with no problems, as most are in stock, and can be ordered individually. Sorry if they're giving you trouble. I can get you product codes if you need them.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on October 15, 2013, 09:44:50 AM
Would people rather we just released two Black-and-white figures in the new Legacy Series box set?
I was just teasing, really. ;D
Maybe you could substritute a glow-in-the-dark
Dynamo Dan from "Man Made Monster"?
you could wait and release it with black and white son of frankenstein and creature
Quote from: King Kang Kong on October 15, 2013, 09:44:50 AM
Ravenloft, are you struggling to order the Select figures and banks through your local comic shop? They should be able to order those for you with no problems, as most are in stock, and can be ordered individually. Sorry if they're giving you trouble. I can get you product codes if you need them.
I am current with all the Select releases so far, just had a whole lot of trouble tracking them down in the past. I actually got a store to order some in stock this year vs. a prepaid special order. I swooped in and bought the hunchback and Jekyll. I am worried about the bust banks because they look so cool a non monster collector could get them if I don't find them first at the local shop that I got just to stock this stuff finally rather than order it.
I try not to order anything by mail because I believe people will send damaged boxes and claim it was during shipping, or figures with broken parts, sloppy paint, or paint/clothing errors. Even at TRU I look at all available figures and spend a considerable amount of time to pick the best ones before I ever make my way to the checkout. I want to see it and evaluate it before I buy it.
Why doesn't Toys R Us carry the Universal Monsters Bust Banks when they carry the UM figures, UM minimates and several other lines from DST are there? DST Walking Dead bust banks are at every TRU store I have visited but I have never seen a Frankenstein or Creature on the shelf despite that TRU's website now says Frankenstein was/is sold in stores (where is the creature on the TRU online store?)
Is there any hope physical store locations will get a shipment of Wolfman and Bride bust banks in November?
Quote from: King Kang Kong on October 15, 2013, 09:44:50 AM
Would people rather we just released two Black-and-white figures in the new Legacy Series box set?
Not I. Just keep doing what you're doing. Thanks.
Quote from: King Kang Kong on October 15, 2013, 09:44:50 AM
Would people rather we just released two Black-and-white figures in the new Legacy Series box set?
Now, what do you think? >:D
A lot of people's first exposure to Metaluna Mutant was on a black and white TV in the 60's anyway. So it makes a little sense if you squint just right,lol. But I will always prefer my toys/figures in color. The ilms might be black and white---but a sculpted representation needs color....at least for me. :angel:
My first exposure to the Mutant was a black and white still in Famous Monsters magazine. I have no problem with black and white. I just want to know why Son of Frankenstein doesn't look like Karloff.
Quote from: Mord on October 15, 2013, 02:20:29 PM
My first exposure to the Mutant was a black and white still in Famous Monsters magazine. I have no problem with black and white. I just want to know why Son of Frankenstein doesn't look like Karloff.
Hahahahahahaha! :laugh: :laugh:
How about doing a Thing from Another World figure? Nothing against the Metaluna Mutant, but the Thing is a cooler monster, and better movie, IMO.
JP
While I have no stake in the debate over the b/w Mutant, as I am not a silver screen collector, I can say that I would have loved to have seen the Mutant done in a variety of paint-schemes and colors: green, red, orange... the works. Variants would have worked well with this guy, as he has a long history of color changes in the world of Monster Toys.
Quote from: Wolfman on October 15, 2013, 03:09:10 PM
Nothing against the Metaluna Mutant, but the Thing is a cooler monster, and better movie, IMO.
Better movie, but the actual Thing is just a guy in a Frankenstein head and fingernails on his knuckles. Not that I wouldn't want one, though, but I find the MM a cooler looking alien.
The Thing would be cool, but it's not Universal. It would require taking out a separate license (too expensive for a stand alone character).
Sorry, ravenloft, I forgot you don't order anything.
Not sure why TRU did not get in the banks this year, or Creature. Hope you can find them at a convention or something.
I got my Deluxe Jekylll from my comic shop today - the guy looks fantastic. I love all the props on the table. My only issue - and honestly it's not that big of a deal, but his head doesn't want to come off for the swap. Still, I have my rooftop Hyde from TRU - so I guess they will forever be untransformed.
Pity the line is coming to an end next year, but they're going out on a high (hyde?) note!
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 15, 2013, 04:43:47 PM
Better movie, but the actual Thing is just a guy in a Frankenstein head and fingernails on his knuckles. Not that I wouldn't want one, though, but I find the MM a cooler looking alien.
Hey, don't forget the veins in his head. lol
JP
Quote from: Mord on October 15, 2013, 05:31:35 PM
The Thing would be cool, but it's not Universal. It would require taking out a separate license (too expensive for a stand alone character).
Forgot about that. I think it's a RKO picture, correct? He's always seemed like a Universal monster to me though.
JP
Quote from: Desslok on October 17, 2013, 01:25:13 AM
I got my Deluxe Jekylll from my comic shop today - the guy looks fantastic. I love all the props on the table. My only issue - and honestly it's not that big of a deal, but his head doesn't want to come off for the swap. Still, I have my rooftop Hyde from TRU - so I guess they will forever be untransformed.
Pity the line is coming to an end next year, but they're going out on a high (hyde?) note!
Huh. I never even tried mine because I bought the rooftop Hyde from Toys R Us and the Dr. Jekyll from the comic shop. I wonder if that is a common issue with this figure...anyone else have trouble head swapping? My trouble was his hat doesn't fit on the Hyde head. Loved the prop table too. Great figures.
Quote from: Desslok on October 17, 2013, 01:25:13 AM
I got my Deluxe Jekylll from my comic shop today - the guy looks fantastic. I love all the props on the table. My only issue - and honestly it's not that big of a deal, but his head doesn't want to come off for the swap. Still, I have my rooftop Hyde from TRU - so I guess they will forever be untransformed.
Pity the line is coming to an end next year, but they're going out on a high (hyde?) note!
I had similar problems putting Spot of the Munsters together. The top part of the staircase is higher than it should be, but I got it to where it's acceptable. Also, good luck getting Lily to hold that umbrella. It must be supported by her head to keep it in her hands.
I would GLADLY pay more $$$ to have things made in Japan or the U.S., instead of China. Slave labor at it's worst.
JP
Quote from: Wolfman on October 17, 2013, 07:18:47 AM
I think it's a RKO picture, correct?
Not sure who owns likeness rights, but WB has the movie distribution/DVD rights.
Quote from: Anton Phibes on October 15, 2013, 01:32:37 PM
A lot of people's first exposure to Metaluna Mutant was on a black and white TV in the 60's anyway. So it makes a little sense if you squint just right,lol. But I will always prefer my toys/figures in color. The ilms might be black and white---but a sculpted representation needs color....at least for me. :angel:
I prefer my figures in color, as well. I bought the color Sideshow figures but never really went after the Silver Screen versions. It seemed like duplication of what I had in a version that I didn't like as well. The only Silver Screen versions I ended up with was the 8" 1st series 3-pack and that was because Dennis Druktenis was blowing them out cheap in a Scarehouse Sale. Oh yeah, and that LBH full boxed collection in Silver Screen from TRU. Good times when you could stroll into TRU and pick up Sideshow stuff cheap! :)
Those were the days. I still can't believe those beautiful 8"ers sitting on a rack for only $9.99 (and they had enough so you didn't have to be there the first day to get one).
True, couldn't,t believe that first Frankenstein figure I saw at Target, wow O0
Quote from: jimm on October 17, 2013, 09:22:09 PM
True, couldn't,t believe that first Frankenstein figure I saw at Target, wow O0
Really, man! I remember how awesome that 1st series of 8"ers was. I bought two sets right away, one to take out and set up and one to keep in package. When I was leaving TRU with those figs I just kept thinking "who is this Oluf Hartvigson?". Those things looked better than most statues I had seen. Sideshow is the high point in monster figures, no doubt.
Oluf did all the figures but the Phantom. You're absolutely right...those figures were better than most high end sculptures (not to mention those incredible accessories). I'm a cheap bastard, but I also had to get two of each (one to display, one to hang on my wall). They're all still with me (as well as a complete set of the 12"ers and quarter scales).
Quote from: Mord on October 17, 2013, 09:09:25 PM
Those were the days. I still can't believe those beautiful 8"ers sitting on a rack for only $9.99 (and they had enough so you didn't have to be there the first day to get one).
I still remember those.days. ;D
Quote from: marsattacks666 on October 18, 2013, 06:49:17 AM
I still remember those.days. ;D
Target was Universal Monster heaven, with the Hasbros, the Little Big Heads, and the Sideshow... The whole aisle was Monsters. What's wrong with the buyers of today?
Don't you mean what is wrong with Universal Studios and licensing these days?
No. I mean what is wrong with the buyers. The stores buy what they think will sell. Target, Walmart, etc. did not even consider stocking DST's Monster line. I guess it wasn't hip enough for them. Toymakers can come up with a whole bunch of ideas, but if the buyers don't put them on the shelves, we'll never see them.
Same with Halloween costumes. Twenty years ago, you could walk into any of the big box stores and get a Universal Monster mask or costume. This year, we have some of the best ever, but you can't even find them at the Halloween pop-up stores. It's really messed up.
And the toys that are on the shelves, suck. Beyblade, these other anime-inspired crapfests, and even Ninja Turtles, I never see any kids looking at that stuff. "Man of Steel" toys are rotting on the pegs. "Star Wars" The Black Series would sell, but they get down to the last three figures of a case, and the store won't re-order until those 3 sell. And, they're not going to sell; they're the pegwarmers! Transformers and Avengers seem to be selling, but not Amazing Spider-Man. I think even Monster High is starting to drop off in popularity.
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I think it is time to clue into the fact that all but the youngest kids don't really care about action figures or any other type of plastic toy in this generation, they are an electronic generation playing games on xbox 360, smart phones and I pads. The sooner that toy makers realize that they sell mostly to adults the sooner we will see more quality figures. I think a few companies have it down like the black line of star wars. Kids rarely buy anything regardless, adults make 99% of all toy purchases, they should be trying to appeal to us. Stuff that is really moving is that brilliant marketing scheme of Skylanders, tying collectibles to a video game where several are required to unlock portions of the game. Disney was quick to copy it with the new Infinity line. Kids around 7,8,9 don't play with toys anymore play video games. Kids used to play outside, then they played with action figures, now they play video games.
Quote from: ravenloft on October 18, 2013, 07:11:32 PMKids used to play outside, then they played with action figures, now they play video games.
I used to play outside with action figures! The kids across the street from me had an enormous backyard, and we played with 12" G.I. Joes and 8" Planet of the Apes Megos. Man, those were awesome times!
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I have worked in public education for years and have noticed the only ones interested in action figures are collector teachers. The whole concept of action figures is foreign to most kids. The previous posters are right, they only care about the latest high tech gadgets. Most kids have phones that cost more than my entire yearly toy budget.
Quote from: Mord on October 18, 2013, 09:03:21 PM
I have worked in public education for years and have noticed the only ones interested in action figures are collector teachers. The whole concept of action figures is foreign to most kids. The previous posters are right, they only care about the latest high tech gadgets. Most kids have phones that cost more than my entire yearly toy budget.
Kids don't get the pleasure of being kids anymore...not like we were. From preschooler they get shoved into being some sort of child/adult hybrid and miss out on the best years of their life...6-12. Of course, this is a gross oversimplification from a sometimes right bastard curmudgeon, but it all strikes me this way more than occasionally. When I was six if someone offered me a phone I'd be compelled to carry everywhere and be bothered by I would tell them to stick it up their butt. Then I'd go play with toy dinosaurs, or read a comic or monster mag, or go outside and play football.
And we can only blame Walmart for this. Had they been stocking the DST Monsters, the kids would have gone wild for them -- and the world would be far different from the one we know now. ;)
I went to my local comic shop today to snag the DST Hunchback and found it was sold yesterday. But luckily I found the cloth Phantom and grabbed that. I saw the Mutant but I was never a big fan and I only buy him to complete the set. They are getting another Hunchback in so I should have one next week. I also got my TRU Mr. Hyde and Mole Man in the mail today. Just waiting for the Monsters In Motion package to come so I will be up to date on the figures.
What kind of shape were your T'r'U packages in? Last year I ordered 2 sets of the T'r'U exclusives and all six figures came in bashed up packages (almost as if they were thrashed on purpose). I had to exchange them for new ones when they came into the store.
Quote from: Mord on October 19, 2013, 05:05:34 AM
What kind of shape were your T'r'U packages in? Last year I ordered 2 sets of the T'r'U exclusives and all six figures came in bashed up packages (almost as if they were thrashed on purpose). I had to exchange them for new ones when they came into the store.
Surprisingly there were in good shape. Same as if you took them off the pegs. The box was a little oversized and had the figures packed between air filled pads. Maybe they had so many complaints they finally got the idea that these are more than action figures, they are collectables.
Am I the only person who opens these and displays them? I have kept all my Sideshow stuff MIB/MOC as collectibles----but the DST stuff screams "open me". :angel:
Quote from: aura of foreboding on October 18, 2013, 05:02:44 PM
No. I mean what is wrong with the buyers. The stores buy what they think will sell. Target, Walmart, etc. did not even consider stocking DST's Monster line. I guess it wasn't hip enough for them. Toymakers can come up with a whole bunch of ideas, but if the buyers don't put them on the shelves, we'll never see them...
Aura is 100% correct. I can't tell you the number of cool toys I have seen at Toy Fair (the industry only event) that never happen because no buyers were interested. There are toys that I so desperately wanted that will never see the light of day and will never be played with by a child, simply because buers had been told "Playsets aren't popular anymore" or "Stay away from 12 inch figures" . It is a sad state of affairs and I don't see it getting any better.
There used to be lots of outlets for edgy items like Tower Records and Virgin. A single order from each could make a line a success. Now they, any many others are gone.
Quote from: Anton Phibes on October 19, 2013, 09:54:15 AM
Am I the only person who opens these and displays them? I have kept all my Sideshow stuff MIB/MOC as collectibles----but the DST stuff screams "open me". :angel:
For me it was the other way around. The Sideshows look so good on display, that I bought an extra set to put on the shelf (and I'm a very cheap bastard). The DSTs are like lower quality versions of the same figures, so one set is enough (actually 2, if you count the deluxe versions). Though, the package art is lame enough to eventually open and display.
Quote from: Anton Phibes on October 19, 2013, 09:54:15 AM
Am I the only person who opens these and displays them? I have kept all my Sideshow stuff MIB/MOC as collectibles----but the DST stuff screams "open me". :angel:
I have opened both, Sideshow and DST, figures.
Quote from: Gillfan on October 19, 2013, 10:12:45 AM
There used to be lots of outlets for edgy items like Tower Records and Virgin. A single order from each could make a line a success. Now they, any many others are gone.
It really is incredibly sad what has happened to retail. I used to travel out of state to visit this gigantic mall that had a ton of great stores in it - like F.A.O. Schwarz and the Warner Bros. Studio Store... They also had a "high end" Disney Store that carried all of the collectable stuff. All closed up about ten years ago. My Tower closed shortly after. And this was, supposedly, when the economy was doing "well." Now all that exists are dumb teen clothing stores and two of the main multi-department big box retailers. Consumer choice went down the tubes long before the economy crashed. We could blame the Internet, but online retail hadn't really taken off yet when those specialty shops closed. I don't know what happened.
Even the ones that have stayed open seem to have dumped their figures
I miss Tower records and Virgin records. Those stores had some really cool collectibles. From obscure to common items.
I had no idea how much I would miss Tower until it was too late.
Quote from: Mord on October 19, 2013, 04:06:26 PM
I had no idea how much I would miss Tower until it was too late.
I remember the days of walking in to Tower records, and finding the most incredible toys. Among hard-to-find movies and music. Premium Sideshow figures were more common, back in the Tower era.
Quote from: Anton Phibes on October 19, 2013, 09:54:15 AM
Am I the only person who opens these and displays them? I have kept all my Sideshow stuff MIB/MOC as collectibles----but the DST stuff screams "open me". :angel:
I took my Sideshow 8" out of the packages and displayed them and I will be doing the same with my DST when I get the addition of my Universal room finished. My Sideshow 12' I took out of the boxes also and have them displayed in front of their respective box. That was the best way you could display Dracula and the Masque of the Red Death. The capes needed to be added to the figure to really appreciate it.
We are a dying breed. The best times of my life involved imagination and playing with action figures. Kids today will be known as the internet age. Everything you need in life at a click of a button. :-\
I'm sure Target and Wal Mart might have been more willing to take on DST's figures if their prices were cheaper. The Big Box retailers are so hung up on price points, not to mention the size of the figures take up a lot of toy shelf real estate. So they need a lot of sales, and are more willing to take chances on smaller, cheaper items these days for properties like these. I'm sure if someone tried hard enough, they could probably get a 3 3/4" line into Target.
As for what others have said, yes action figures sales are not and will never be what they once were. But I still see TMNT and Monster High stuff selling well everytime I'm on a toy hunt. I'm actually tempted by a lot of the TMNT stuff, they look fun and are good values for their prices.
What really killed a lot of the market was the rapid increase in manufacturing costs and oil. I remember the 6" Marvel Legends and the awesome Palisades Muppets line selling for $6-$9 packed to the hilt with bases, accessories and tons of extra stuff. Now, Marvel Legends are $20 with a tiny piece of a small build-a-figure, compared to the giant pieces in the past.
Toys are just really pricing themselves out of the "impulse-buy" category they used to be. The value for what you get for your money is really low in a lot of cases. Back in my Marvel Legends collecting days, I was buying every compatible toy range just for accessories, and I would have been crazy over stuff like the DST Jeckyll & Hyde and Grampa Munster lab accessories. But current costs have curtailed my curiosity-based consumerism!
Yes I recall the series 10 ML figures built you a huge Sentinel, what a great BAF that was. Foom also but by that time it was like 9 figures at 15 a pop!!
I've noticed that Hasbro's new, lower-priced Avengers and Star Wars figures ($5.88) are on the smallest cards I've ever seen for figures like these. And the blisters are already coming apart from the cards (especially with The Hulk figures). Meanwhile, the better-articulated, $10 figures seem to be on larger cards, although Star Wars: The Black Series still seem to be having issues with poorly attached blister packs. Haven't seen this problem with Avengers: Assemble line...yet.
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Quote from: Count_Zirock on October 20, 2013, 04:36:20 PM
I've noticed that Hasbro's new, lower-priced Avengers and Star Wars figures ($5.88) are on the smallest cards I've ever seen for figures like these. And the blisters are already coming apart from the cards (especially with The Hulk figures). Meanwhile, the better-articulated, $10 figures seem to be on larger cards, although Star Wars: The Black Series still seem to be having issues with poorly attached blister packs. Haven't seen this problem with Avengers: Assemble line...yet.
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If I were rich---I would be buying the larger Star Wars black series figures. Those things are outstanding. But $20 a piece in the Star Wars Universe is torment. $20 for Boba Fett is one thing. But $20 for Mon Motha or Jar Jars Binx??---uhm---nope. :angel:
Quote from: Anton Phibes on October 20, 2013, 10:59:27 PMIf I were rich---I would be buying the larger Star Wars black series figures. Those things are outstanding. But $20 a piece in the Star Wars Universe is torment. $20 for Boba Fett is one thing. But $20 for Mon Motha or Jar Jars Binx??---uhm---nope. :angel:
When Slave Leia comes out in wave 2, I'll buy her. Whenever they get around to Darth Vader, The Emperor, and ROTJ Jedi Knight Luke, I'll buy those. But, I can't afford to buy them all, either.
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Quote from: Count_Zirock on October 21, 2013, 12:32:43 AM
When Slave Leia comes out in wave 2, I'll buy her.
I'd pre-order that one, if I were you! ;)
Quote from: Count_Zirock on October 21, 2013, 12:32:43 AM
When Slave Leia comes out in wave 2, I'll buy her. Whenever they get around to Darth Vader, The Emperor, and ROTJ Jedi Knight Luke, I'll buy those. But, I can't afford to buy them all, either.
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When the Slave Leia figure is released, capture her, and hold on tight.
I picked up an Uncle Gilbert figure at Chiller last weekend...thought about the Boris Karloff variant of Dr Jekyll, but it just didn't grab me. As many have already stated, the paint is just not right. Still, the Phantom retro more than justifies the entire line...sheer perfection. I bought 3!
I'd argue that the Retro Creature really justifies the entire line, and Phantom is the icing on the cake :) Of course, I bought 2 Phantoms myself. Damn shame they are ending the Retro's because they were making some really fun stuff.
Now, I'm really excited to see Super7 & Funko's joint 3 3/4" line at Toyfair 2014. I'm curious to see all their retro figures, but especially Back to the Future and UM.
Quote from: VulcansFury on October 29, 2013, 10:21:50 AM
I'd argue that the Retro Creature really justifies the entire line, and Phantom is the icing on the cake :) Of course, I bought 2 Phantoms myself. Damn shame they are ending the Retro's because they were making some really fun stuff.
Now, I'm really excited to see Super7 & Funko's joint 3 3/4" line at Toyfair 2014. I'm curious to see all their retro figures, but especially Back to the Future and UM.
I know I'm super excited.
Can't wait
I have been waiting eons for a 3.75 line. I cannot wait.... ANYMORE!
Wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No one can........wait?! Lol! ;D ;D
I am cautiously optimistic about this announcement. But I cannot get to "super excited" or "bummed" until I at least view the prototypes.
The idea of paying (probably)$9.99 for toys the size and scope of the Burger King Kid's meals toys of a few years ago tends to make me approach this cautiously. :angel:
Quote from: Anton Phibes on October 30, 2013, 10:59:35 PM
I am cautiously optimistic about this announcement. But I cannot get to "super excited" or "bummed" until I at least view the prototypes.
The idea of paying (probably)$9.99 for toys the size and scope of the Burger King Kid's meals toys of a few years ago tends to make me approach this cautiously. :angel:
I also never cared for 4" figure format. There's only so much detail they can cram into it. Also, if the Chaney lawsuit hasn't been settled, were in for a world of generics again.
Quote from: Anton Phibes on October 30, 2013, 10:59:35 PM
...
The idea of paying (probably)$9.99 for toys the size and scope of the Burger King Kid's meals toys of a few years ago tends to make me approach this cautiously. :angel:
$14.99-$19.99 is the target I have heard.
Hope that's for a two pack or loaded with accessories
Quote from: Gillfan on November 01, 2013, 06:23:12 AM
$14.99-$19.99 is the target I have heard.
Hope you're wrong, 'cause I won't be paying 20 bucks for a BK sized toy!
Quote from: Gillfan on November 01, 2013, 06:23:12 AM
$14.99-$19.99 is the target I have heard.
Yikes! That is a scary thought. Who do they think they are pricing higher than premium Star Wars figures? Any confirmation on this? Surely more sane prices will prevail.
Shouldn't this be moved to a new thread if we are no longer talking about DST?
Quote from: ravenloft on November 01, 2013, 04:06:56 PM
Shouldn't this be moved to a new thread if we are no longer talking about DST?
Is there an existing thread for this line? If not, what would be a good title?
My local comic shop called me today and said the Bride and Wolfman banks are in and they held them for me. I picked them up tonight. They are amazing! Better than the pictures. I ope they do 2 more banks next year as a last hurrah. Dracula and Mummy would be a good choice but I am sure it would be a generic Dracula. I also got my other figures today. Hot rod Herman, Uncle Gilbert, Hot Rod Grampa and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the DST version. I have the TRU version so when I dispaly them I can use the Karloff head. All I need now is the DST Hunchback and the retro Mutant and my quest has ended for the year. I will say the thought has crossed my mind to open the Munsters and build Spot. But that should come later after I finish my Universal Room expansion. I am almost ready to break down the wall from the original room to go in the new section.
I would much rather they do a Phantom bank than a crappy generic Dracula. Their best work, by far, has been on their Phantom pieces.
Quote from: Gillfan on November 01, 2013, 06:23:12 AM
$14.99-$19.99 is the target I have heard.
Now that Super7 is working with Funko, they've increased their production numbers and decreased prices. Their Alien 1979 line went down in cost and are about $13/figure. My hope is that their further offerings will remain in the $13 ballpark. Cheaper, and I'm all in, more expensive and I'm going to be very selective.
Anything higher than $15 apiece and I'll have to skip the retro 3.75" UniMonsters line. Really, I wish they were doing a modern line instead of retro, as modern tooling would really allow for a ton of detailing and articulation on new figures. I wonder if they'll reverse-engineer the molds from existing Remco figures, or start from scratch? Or, if they were able to acquire the original molds?
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They'd also have to acquire all the actor licenses (except Bela)
Looking over the Mr. Hyde DST why do you think the figure of Boris has black hair and the picture on the back of the card he has white hair? This may have been covered before but I might have missed it.
Surprised I haven't seen one touched up yet.
Quote from: Mord on November 03, 2013, 07:25:45 PM
They'd also have to acquire all the actor licenses (except Bela)
Maybe they can argue that the original sculpts were indistinct enough that they only need the Universal license. If not, maybe they'll work out individual licenses, like DST did.
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Quote from: Count_Zirock on November 03, 2013, 11:49:05 PM
Maybe they can argue that the original sculpts were indistinct enough that they only need the Universal license. If not, maybe they'll work out individual licenses, like DST did.
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Actually, the original Remco Frankenstein, Phantom, and Mummy 4" figures had pretty good actor likenesses, IMO.
Quote from: Mord on November 04, 2013, 08:55:37 PM
Actually, the original Remco Frankenstein, Phantom, and Mummy 4" figures had pretty good actor likenesses, IMO.
There shouldn't be any problems with Frankenstein and the Mummy, since those are Karloff characters. And, of course, no likeness issues with the Creature, either. That leaves Dracula, the Phantom, and the Wolf Man. I thought they were good sculpts, too, for their time. So, we'll see what they present at Toy Fair in February.
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Fingers crossed.
Although Karloff is hardly the inspiration for that Frankenstein. ;)
Hey the Select Son of Frankenstein is indeed Karloff and its official I was told by DST online and another good source here.. i talked to Jean St Jean and he said Diamond told him to sculpt Karloff from the movie and he showedmevthr exact photos he used as refferences, he also used sone brief images from the 31' Frankenstein film as well.. select got thier Karloff likeness rights thru Universal who had the license to his likeness for The Monster and Mummy.. They had oy since 2010 when the first Select Mummy was released as back then they told me they had his official rights,. in begin when dr Mego did the Glen Strange retro 8" and Kharis Mummy at tha time DST only had Chaneys rights but when they Told Dr Mego to chsnge Khsris over to Imhotep which was Universal only licensed Imhotep at the time and DST got Karloffs rights then since they changed it and then got approval on the Select Mummy And Monster for Boris Karloff also it says Boris Karloffs name on both Monster figure packaging so right there sincr it refers to him as the character its obvious its officially Karloff pieces.
Punctuation, and Spell Check, are our friends.
Quote from: Dark Knight 1985 on April 10, 2015, 04:05:29 PM
Hey the Select Son of Frankenstein is indeed Karloff and its official I was told by DST online and another good source here.. i talked to Jean St Jean and he said Diamond told him to sculpt Karloff from the movie and he showedmevthr exact photos he used as refferences, he also used sone brief images from the 31' Frankenstein film as well.. select got thier Karloff likeness rights thru Universal who had the license to his likeness for The Monster and Mummy.. They had oy since 2010 when the first Select Mummy was released as back then they told me they had his official rights,. in begin when dr Mego did the Glen Strange retro 8" and Kharis Mummy at tha time DST only had Chaneys rights but when they Told Dr Mego to chsnge Khsris over to Imhotep which was Universal only licensed Imhotep at the time and DST got Karloffs rights then since they changed it and then got approval on the Select Mummy And Monster for Boris Karloff also it says Boris Karloffs name on both Monster figure packaging so right there sincr it refers to him as the character its obvious its officially Karloff pieces.
There is no doubt that The DST Son of Frankenstein is an official Karloff product. The problem is that the sculpt is bad enough for all of us to cast doubts. Compare the Face of the Sideshow SoF Monster, then look at DST's ...not even close. Diamond has had a rough time capturing Karloff on vinyl right from the start. Here's a hint, Ray Santoleri is currently looking for sculpting jobs. Look up his number (or PM me direct). No need to carry on with half-assed sculpts.
Quote from: Mord on April 10, 2015, 07:31:08 PM
There is no doubt that The DST Son of Frankenstein is an official Karloff product. The problem is that the sculpt is bad enough for all of us to cast doubts. Compare the Face of the Sideshow SoF Monster, then look at DST's ...not even close. Diamond has had a rough time capturing Karloff on vinyl right from the start. Here's a hint, Ray Santoleri is currently looking for sculpting jobs. Look up his number (or PM me direct). No need to carry on with half-assed sculpts.
Yeah. I saw it on the clearance rack at a new TRU and considered picking one up to take out of the package. Then I looked at it long and hard and saw how it was nothing like Karloff and said, "Nah... I'll stick with the Select version I have in the package. Don't need a repeat of this one." I was really hoping the Creature would have been left. Alas...
You guys are too hard on DST's SoF figure. While it isnt as if Karloff came to life in plastic form....its still neat. Esp. the deluxe version. Could it be better: yes. But its still better than a lot of stuff we have endured over the years.
No. It's a cool figure all right, but I don't need two of a "cool figure." I could take two of Karloff, though. ;)
Quote from: aura of foreboding on April 11, 2015, 04:30:02 PM
No. It's a cool figure all right, but I don't need two of a "cool figure." I could take two of Karloff, though. ;)
It's a cool FIGURE (with nice base & accessories) but it looks better without the head. I was thinking of removing the head and replacing it with the inspector's arm.
Quote from: Mord on April 11, 2015, 08:16:03 PM
It's a cool FIGURE (with nice base & accessories) but it looks better without the head. I was thinking of removing the head and replacing it with the inspector's arm.
LOL....tough crowd. Nearly caused me to choke to death on a Coca Cola when I read this reply. ;) ;D
Quote from: Mord on April 11, 2015, 08:16:03 PM
It's a cool FIGURE (with nice base & accessories) but it looks better without the head. I was thinking of removing the head and replacing it with the inspector's arm.
Thats my Mordy lol
In my opinion I think the Select Son of Frankestein does look like Karloff.. Is it perfect? No . The fur shirt he has is more acurate in color with the brownish red color..than Sideshows ..Again its is officiall likeness as we all know and to me the overall sculpt of the figure looks good along with his base.. Jean St Jean the sculptor showed me what pics he used from the movies to sculpt Karloff and the figure looks close enough to those photos.. IMO.. I think the first Select Monster by Marquez looked good too I see Karloff on both figures its also a different sculptors intake on the characters as well.
I had ordered the Select Son/Frank, and Select Creature through Amazon.
They arrived and the box looked as though someones fist went through it.
My figures had damage also, and sent them back for exchanges.
Well one went back, the Son/Frank fig was disappointing on likeness I must say.
It did not help beside package damage that he was posed pigeon toed, and wrist turned upwards.
Looking closer at the sculpt, I could not even convince myself it was Fred Gwynne as "Ygor",
or even Bud DeWolf, much less Karloff any where in there!
So I returned this one- and I'm a huge Frankenstein fanatic. I replaced it with another Select Creature fig.
One to keep in package, one to open. This fig is Stunning!!
It looks a bit like mid-'70s Keith Richards.
Quote from: Mord on April 12, 2015, 12:15:06 PM
It looks a bit like mid-'70s Keith Richards.
Or Phil on Modern Family dressed up for Halloween.
Quote from: Dirtyhorse on April 12, 2015, 01:26:34 PM
Or Phil on Modern Family dressed up for Halloween.
Hey, DH, nice to see you posting outside of the "Model Kits" section.
Some folks wouldn't be happy if you hanged them with a new rope. Yeesh. At least you got a super articulated Frankie. I'm still waiting to see how my SA Wolfman will look. He needs to be portly and look like Lon. I am fearful Universal will mandate he look like a doberman and be thin. :angel:
Quote from: Anton Phibes on April 12, 2015, 04:31:54 PM
Some folks wouldn't be happy if you hanged them with a new rope. Yeesh. At least you got a super articulated Frankie. I'm still waiting to see how my SA Wolfman will look. He needs to be portly and look like Lon. I am fearful Universal will mandate he look like a doberman and be thin. :angel:
You wouldn't be happy if your super articulated Wolfman looked as crappy as the SoF figure (I know how picky you are about Wolfie).
Well again the Select Son of Frankenstein and First Select Frankenstein are both Official Karloff likeness as it says his name right on the back of packaging promoting the actor's character is proof right there.. Whether you think the sculpt is bad or not.. Its all opinions I just feel some artist like Jeab st Jean has thier own take on sculpting is all its official and Universal has his rights to license out in make of the Monster and Mummy and im sure most of you know that..In 09 when DST obtained the Uni license Doc Mego claimed DST didnt hav Karloff's rights yet which is why the first Mummy haf Kharia head and The Monster Retro was Generic/ Glenn Strange which Aura explained to me was the better style for Retro! Eventually DST obtained Karloff rights thru Universal they got both Select figures approved either befre or after they had his rights and then according to Doc Mego they told him to change kharis to Imhotep so Doc even questioned could they have done an 8" Retro style Karloff Monster? yeah most likley so but DST was cool with the Glen Strange /Generic version. The vinyl bust bank is karloff as i think it looks good and Zach from DST told me it is.. I also think all three Imhoteps look like Karloff too and they are official and so will the new highly articulated version this October..again just my opinion. i
In the end DST only has rights to Karloff and Both Chaney. the select Bride was not official even according to DST as she does not hav her trademark dimple chin. yes her face is on package but I believe Uni owns those poster images..
Quote from: Anton Phibes on April 12, 2015, 04:31:54 PM
He needs to be portly and look like Lon. I am fearful Universal will mandate he look like a doberman and be thin. :angel:
Didn't you hear? Universal is now
all about that bass. So there's no treble... er... trouble with that! ;)
Quote from: Mord on April 12, 2015, 06:41:06 PM
You wouldn't be happy if your super articulated Wolfman looked as crappy as the SoF figure (I know how picky you are about Wolfie).
True and True,lol. ;D