DCIH not dead yet

Evantainment · 09-02-2010, 08:39 AM

I hope the line isn't dead. While I haven't grabbed up every figure, I have a handful of them, and there are a few more figures that I would like to see for sure.

snake5289 · 09-02-2010, 08:43 AM

GL themed huh. I'd love to add some members of the Corps to my Hal and Sinestro.

Evantainment · 09-02-2010, 08:55 AM

Wonder what the chances of a Duck Dodgers GL would be.

snake5289 · 09-02-2010, 10:20 AM

I'd love one of those

Super_Megatron · 09-02-2010, 11:44 AM

Until Mattel increases the articulation and detail level on this line I will continue to pass on it.

scottmurdock · 09-02-2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snake5289

GL themed huh. I'd love to add some members of the Corps to my Hal and Sinestro.

Kilowog! I'd love to see and MU Hulk-scale Kilowog in DCIH.

snake5289 · 09-02-2010, 04:12 PM

That would be perfection

Shin Densetsu · 09-06-2010, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super_Megatron

Until Mattel increases the articulation and detail level on this line I will continue to pass on it.

They've hinted that the 3-3/4" Green Lantern(and I think DCIH) for 2011 will be different(better). I too, am holding off until I see better product.

snake5289 · 09-07-2010, 09:22 AM

Awesome news my good man

Autobot_Goldbug · 09-08-2010, 07:30 PM

I don`t get it... - MattyCollector

trebleshot · 09-09-2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autobot_Goldbug

I don`t get it... - MattyCollector

Everyone should go to this link and read what Matty has to say. It should be an eye-opener for some of you. It will also let you see things from a toy company's perspective and a lot of what is said can be applied to most toy companies, not just Mattel.

jimster2010 · 09-09-2010, 02:46 PM

I followed that link and I don't get it either. There's enough fan interest to keep this line going and even more so if Mattel looked at Hasbro's playbook on how to manufacture and market 3 3/4" figures.

scarecrow · 09-09-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

Everyone should go to this link and read what Matty has to say. It should be an eye-opener for some of you. It will also let you see things from a toy company's perspective and a lot of what is said can be applied to most toy companies, not just Mattel.

I read it, and it was a pretty interesting read. It's nice to have little glimpses like this on occasion. I just wish that it was coming from someone other than Mattel.

Autobot_Goldbug · 09-09-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimster2010

I followed that link and I don't get it either. There's enough fan interest to keep this line going and even more so if Mattel looked at Hasbro's playbook on how to manufacture and market 3 3/4" figures.

Well there is enough interest for Target, Kmart, & Walmart to keep ordering them.
Plus more prototypes are showing up on eBay...
DC Universe Black Manta 3.75 Inch Prototype Figure - eBay (item 180558270440 end time Sep-12-10 16:46:46 PDT)

trebleshot · 09-10-2010, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimster2010

I followed that link and I don't get it either. There's enough fan interest to keep this line going and even more so if Mattel looked at Hasbro's playbook on how to manufacture and market 3 3/4" figures.

See, that's the problem. Sure, there may be a ton of fan interest - if they make it like MU. But without the backing of the major retailers Mattel can't move forward with the line, even with them retooling the figures to follow Hasbro's example.

Mattel's problem is that the initial runs of IH figures were typical for super-hero toys in that scale. That is, until Hasbro released Marvel Universe and basically blew Mattel out of the water. Naturally, fans began to compare the two lines and concluded that IH was far inferior to MU. Some DC fans (such as myself) never even bothered to collect them because they weren't like MU.

That meant once-promising sales have declined to the point that Wal-Mart, Target and K-Mart are apparently not ordering more. Well, at least not until 2011. And these days, retailers care more about what sells than what fans of a toy line want.

But if fans can show more interest in the line as it is now, the sales might convince the retailers to get interested again and start placing orders. This will give Mattel the opportunity to get the newer figures out to the fans.

Basically, it all boils down to this: If the retailers don't think a toy will sell, they won't order it from the manufacturer. If the manufacturer doesn't get any orders, it won't make the toy.

Hopefully, Mattel will be able to reintroduce the line (with the new tooling) to the retailers at Toy Fair next year and get them back on board.

I hope my long-winded ramblings helped explain explain what Matty was trying to say a little better.

Jmacq1 · 09-10-2010, 06:26 AM

Heck, the problem wasn't that people were comparing DCIH and Marvel Universe once they came out...they were comparing them BEFORE they came out, as the protos and promos made it clear that MU would blow DCIH away in terms of detail and articulation. Mattel was promising "more and better" articulation virtually before the first wave of DCIH hit shelves. But the line has fizzled so badly that I suspect it'll get killed in the next few months, if it's not effectively dead already as that link above indicates.

Funny thing about that link though is this paragraph:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toyguru

In the end, it is up to fans/customers to support lines. The more they support a line, the more retailers will support it and thus the more they will order. We can't simply produce toys based on fan requests (in every case, even if tools are complete). We need retailer interest and "line time", and in the end this comes directly from customer purchases. If customers/fans are not making a purchase, retailers will be less likely to order more and therefore we have a hard(er) time allocating a spot in the production run.

There's one problem with this Toyguru...if you want fans/customers to support a line...make it a line worth supporting. Then again from what I understand it's pretty typical of Mattel to blame fans for failures that they could have avoided.

The rest of the post, however, is excellent, and some good perspective from the toy industry's side of things.

jimster2010 · 09-10-2010, 07:43 AM

When I first saw DCIH on the pegs, the packaging almost made them look like gaming figures especially with the stats on the back and the slogan referring to having a battle in the palm of your hand or something like that in the front. It seemed like they were trying to improve on those lame pre posed fighting figures they released a year before. So, for me, there was no comparsion to be made because MU seemed pretty straightforward as a 3 3/4" superhero line.

uberlad · 09-10-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autobot_Goldbug

Well there is enough interest for Target, Kmart, & Walmart to keep ordering them.
Plus more prototypes are showing up on eBay...
DC Universe Black Manta 3.75 Inch Prototype Figure - eBay (item 180558270440 end time Sep-12-10 16:46:46 PDT)

This figure is still wrong.

I really hope that the GL line gets all new tooling. There is so much potential for a DC line if Mattel would get their heads out of their mindset of "lets blame retailers and collectors for not buying our craptastic overpriced poorly produced and underarticulated figures."

This is coming from someone who will GLADLY pay retail and above (I buy a lot from BBTS, so it's not a ton above retail) for the Marvel Universe line. MU has its flaws for sure, but it is a worthwhile product for the price. They've managed to have decent character selection while maintaining a rotation of heavy hitters with solid articulation.

Take a cue from MU.

Take a cue from Build 'n' Brawl.

Take a cue from Microman.

Take a cue from the NECA Helboy and Horror lines.

Take a cue from G.I. Joe.

Ignore the Playmates Star Trek line. They almost sucked worse than DCIH, but at least they came with chairs.

Don't be proud. Don't let any meager accomplishments in DCIH persuade you that the line doesn't need redone from scratch. Deathstroke was a nice improvement, but he's still not good enough. Please, I want to support a line that is good enough.

Thanks to whoever made it the end of my tirade. I wouldn't rant if I didn't care.

pud333 · 09-11-2010, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberlad

This figure is still wrong.

^^^This. I will not buy any more DCIH unless they have full articulation at the very least.

stuart101 · 09-14-2010, 01:15 AM

It would be nice if Mattel started selling the line in the UK, i have been to Forbidden Planet, Toysrus and they don't sell it even in Asda which is part of Wall-Mart. I have to buy from the US which costs more money to ship. I can buy the MU in all shops. Mattel should start think internationaly like Hasbro.

Alyosha · 09-14-2010, 02:02 AM

Working on a cast Plastic Man for the DCIH line. Makes me sad when I think of no Plas.

pud333 · 09-15-2010, 09:12 AM

DCIH is dead for me. (well, until they totally revamp the line and do everything over again). It's a sad day but I finally put up 95% of my DCIH collection up on ebay last night. Doomsday, trenchcoat Question, Gotham Patrol pack, etc. It's all up there if you guys want to take a peak. Sigh. Just can't justify it anymore, so I'd rather toss these away for mere cents rather than hang onto them as a reminder of what could have been. Check 'em out please...

JLU, Justice Lords, Prelude to Doomsday, etc.

scottmurdock · 09-15-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pud333

DCIH is dead for me. (well, until they totally revamp the line and do everything over again). It's a sad day but I finally put up 95% of my DCIH collection up on ebay last night. Doomsday, trenchcoat Question, Gotham Patrol pack, etc. It's all up there if you guys want to take a peak. Sigh. Just can't justify it anymore, so I'd rather toss these away for mere cents rather than hang onto them as a reminder of what could have been. Check 'em out please...

JLU, Justice Lords, Prelude to Doomsday, etc.

Dude, I wish I would've checked toyark last night! I would've probably bought an entire lot from you before they went out to the masses (ebay), lol!

pud333 · 09-15-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmurdock

Dude, I wish I would've checked toyark last night! I would've probably bought an entire lot from you before they went out to the masses (ebay), lol!

Definitely would have been better if I could have just unloaded most of them to one person here instead of on ebay.

Snowflakian · 09-15-2010, 10:53 PM

Tell me about it, I'd want that doomsday. DCIH is so-so to me, but it's mostly about the characters to me than anything. Like I'll eat up any titans or other teen figures because of the height difference to MU. Others feel a bit weird, but I'm also addicted to GL so any and all figures of those I'd snap up... If they ever reached shelves that is. I still can't find the kyle raynor parallax 3 pack.

09-02-2010, 11:44 AM	#30
Super_Megatron Twitter: @Super_Megatron Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: I'm from the Internet Posts: 1,292	Until Mattel increases the articulation and detail level on this line I will continue to pass on it. __________________ [CENTER] [URL="http://www.ontariocollectorscon.com"]

09-06-2010, 10:51 PM	#33
Shin Densetsu OPTIMUS GUINNESS Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8,542	Quote: Originally Posted by Super_Megatron Until Mattel increases the articulation and detail level on this line I will continue to pass on it. They've hinted that the 3-3/4" Green Lantern(and I think DCIH) for 2011 will be different(better). I too, am holding off until I see better product. __________________ The Transformers! Knowing Is Half The Battle! Thunder, Thunder, Hoooooooo!!!!! Tokusatsu all day everyday! CHECK OUT OUR RESOURCES SECTIONS HERE!: Transformers Database GI Joe Database

09-09-2010, 01:36 PM	#36
trebleshot Dark Lord of the 'Ark Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,224	Quote: Originally Posted by Autobot_Goldbug I don`t get it... - MattyCollector Everyone should go to this link and read what Matty has to say. It should be an eye-opener for some of you. It will also let you see things from a toy company's perspective and a lot of what is said can be applied to most toy companies, not just Mattel. __________________

09-10-2010, 06:11 AM	#40
trebleshot Dark Lord of the 'Ark Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,224	Quote: Originally Posted by jimster2010 I followed that link and I don't get it either. There's enough fan interest to keep this line going and even more so if Mattel looked at Hasbro's playbook on how to manufacture and market 3 3/4" figures. See, that's the problem. Sure, there may be a ton of fan interest - if they make it like MU. But without the backing of the major retailers Mattel can't move forward with the line, even with them retooling the figures to follow Hasbro's example. Mattel's problem is that the initial runs of IH figures were typical for super-hero toys in that scale. That is, until Hasbro released Marvel Universe and basically blew Mattel out of the water. Naturally, fans began to compare the two lines and concluded that IH was far inferior to MU. Some DC fans (such as myself) never even bothered to collect them because they weren't like MU. That meant once-promising sales have declined to the point that Wal-Mart, Target and K-Mart are apparently not ordering more. Well, at least not until 2011. And these days, retailers care more about what sells than what fans of a toy line want. But if fans can show more interest in the line as it is now, the sales might convince the retailers to get interested again and start placing orders. This will give Mattel the opportunity to get the newer figures out to the fans. Basically, it all boils down to this: If the retailers don't think a toy will sell, they won't order it from the manufacturer. If the manufacturer doesn't get any orders, it won't make the toy. Hopefully, Mattel will be able to reintroduce the line (with the new tooling) to the retailers at Toy Fair next year and get them back on board. I hope my long-winded ramblings helped explain explain what Matty was trying to say a little better. __________________

09-10-2010, 06:26 AM	#41
Jmacq1 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 697	Heck, the problem wasn't that people were comparing DCIH and Marvel Universe once they came out...they were comparing them BEFORE they came out, as the protos and promos made it clear that MU would blow DCIH away in terms of detail and articulation. Mattel was promising "more and better" articulation virtually before the first wave of DCIH hit shelves. But the line has fizzled so badly that I suspect it'll get killed in the next few months, if it's not effectively dead already as that link above indicates. Funny thing about that link though is this paragraph: Quote: Originally Posted by Toyguru In the end, it is up to fans/customers to support lines. The more they support a line, the more retailers will support it and thus the more they will order. We can't simply produce toys based on fan requests (in every case, even if tools are complete). We need retailer interest and "line time", and in the end this comes directly from customer purchases. If customers/fans are not making a purchase, retailers will be less likely to order more and therefore we have a hard(er) time allocating a spot in the production run. There's one problem with this Toyguru...if you want fans/customers to support a line...make it a line worth supporting. Then again from what I understand it's pretty typical of Mattel to blame fans for failures that they could have avoided. The rest of the post, however, is excellent, and some good perspective from the toy industry's side of things. Last edited by Jmacq1; 09-10-2010 at 06:31 AM..