[Autobot_Goldbug]

I'm sure lots of people have heard the rumors about Marvel Universe.
Well I guess we will see what is up at SDCC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by D. Martin at cooltoyreview.com

You know, according to a source with the company, Hasbro seems to be moving away from the MU line. If you dig this collection, you need to go out of your way to support it. I suggest polite emails to Hasbro and if you are attending SDCC, mature and articulate discussions with the people you see in the Hasbro booth.

Marvel Universe - Page 110

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Curto

It's not a rumor...dark days are coming.

Since it's pretty well known that I'm a HUGE fan of this line, I don't think it will come as a big shocker when I say that I'm very disappointed by this (yes, technically still unofficial) news. I've actually known some things for quite awhile now, but when someone tells you something in confidence, you well, keep it confidential.

There are still plenty of great figures planned in the MU line (you may recall a really big sneak peek that came out from SDCC)...but with all the changes over at Hasbro this year, who knows if these will ever actually come out? Most of the Hasbro team responsible for bringing the line out are no longer even around.
Dave Vonner? gone (but now started up Kasual Friday).
Scott George? gone (but now started up Kasual Friday).
Jerry Jivoin? now over on Transformers.

Other factors that are playing into this are situation with the Chinese factories, the higher expense of pretty much EVERYTHING involved with creating action figures. And of course the elephant in the room...the terrible distribution Hasbro has had in 2012 (and in 2011 (and in 2010 (and in 2009 (and in 2008))))

The pattern of the past few years is pretty obvious: the spring focuses solely on whatever spring big-screen movie line is coming (hoping to attract the kids), then the fall sees the return of the collector-focused lines (Star Wars, Marvel Universe). This then carries over through the holidays.

Furthering complicating matters, nearly every single movie line pegwarms and ends up on clearance. Yes, the case assortments are bizarre, and the character selection is very heavy on "A" list characters, but I give Vonner major credit for going as deep as they were able to go. The line evolved over time and saw many improvements since the beginning. Having a Fans' Choice early in the line was a great way to get fans involved with the character selection ever since (you HAVE noticed that there's been a lot of these characters made from that poll? I wish that Vance Astro would finally get made, but it seems unlikely now)

This sounds pretty bleak, but I don't really mean it to be. There are some great new figures planned, that new Hulk? awesome. I got a huge smile when I first heard about Beta Ray Bill and Beast, plus there were some other surprises coming that well, who knows if they'll even get made?

There are a LOT of kit-bashes and repaints coming, and although that's been an aspect of the line since the beginning, they could do a lot more for years to come with the parts they now have in their library.

Another thing...this is not limited to just Marvel Universe, either. But that's something that should probably stay confidential...

[wolverine2281]

Quote:

I've actually known some things for quite awhile now, but when someone tells you something in confidence, you well, keep it confidential.

whatever! state your sources Dan!

[SH0CKWAVE]

Crucial.

[ashketch]

this statement has no merit. therefore should be deleted

[Snowflakian]

I'm wondering where the choice may have come down.

It's no secret hasbro wants to focus on inhouse properties, but retailer support is their bread and butter. So it makes me wonder if Hasbro is doing this to appease retailers to find a new fresh hit, or if retailers want to order less MU in favor of movie-lines.

I still expect MU to stick around in one form or another though. If retailers are the issue, it just needs a massive package refreshing. If costs are the issue though, that's another matter as it'd equally drive collectors away as much as it'd bring new ones in for their favorite characters. As it is, I have a hard time spending 20 bucks on a comic pack(which is kind of funny since I'll go as high as 15 on certain single carded figures >.>).

Hopefully with the movies still to come though, we'll get a lot that still needs to be made. Dedicated lines could help prolong movie lines at shelves and give them more variety. That's assuming at least they get their distribution better on track for case assortments.

Take for example the upcoming X-Men universe flicks.
We've got the X-Men: Days of Future Past (tentative) that could be a great place to toss in some comic characters from both classic to modern, as well as movie versions. Then wolverine that's more or less a short line based on the movie-lineup that only needs maybe 5 real movie figure alongside a re-release of the XMO: Jacketed wolverine. All of this would be better suited to keep in one global X-Men line. Inbetween dead times they could do comic-series or movie figures that haven't been made yet. Then there's avengers which can contain the main marvel cinematic universe since it's all interconnected and then gives them a permanent outlet for comic-series avengers and movie-series as well as any other Marvel Studios flick.
That leaves Spidey's line for his movie universe, comic figures, and spin-offs.

All that's missing is an outlet for the more obscure characters.
All I really have to say though. We better get Nova, Jubilee, and beast! With Emma frost down the line, as well as modern Quasar to help finish out the annihilators (besides Ronan, and Ikon). With X-Men movies coming, and a guardians of the galaxy movie coming though. I'm not too worried about getting those. Hopefully characters like Mockingbird will still see the light of day via Avengers too.

If anything, they better at least give us the Ultimate Universe Nimrods or Second coming Nimrods in Legends form.

I'm hopeful for MU, but yes it does have its issues that need to be addressed. The case assortment numbers being high on that list. Distribution I can't really blame on them since that falls on the retail outlets with how they order, but that's all the more reason to tweak the case assortments to be better capable of handling demand.

Here's hoping they do a couple 'part reuse' waves to help fill out some later waves and recoup costs. Heck, even using a GI Joe ROC figure for Fantomex or Domino(Avengers BW body, agent helix head? Or just straight up agent helix?) wouldn't be bad. There's a lot that can be made that'll fly off shelves from the parts they currently have to use.

[uberlad]

If they put out new figs for wave 4, that's 4 great years of awesome figures. If they keep the line going with repaints and kitbashes, there are still a boatload of opportunities there, too.

I'm sad they never made a Kingpin or Mysterio, but I can't argue with the hundreds of figures filling up my basement as-is.

I really can't wait until SDCC now!

[bitman2]

Trust Hasbro to turn what should have been a Golden Goose into an Ugly Ducking. The MU line should have been Mint to them. Getting rid of the creative talent (Vonner) Crappy distribution, totally messed up case assortments,screwing the major retailers by sending way too many repack cases of figures most already had. ( My local Walmart has 21 Guardians of the Galaxy packs (and not 1 other 3 pack) will finally kill the line. It will really be a shame too because the product had so much potential.

[Snowflakian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberlad

If they put out new figs for wave 4, that's 4 great years of awesome figures. If they keep the line going with repaints and kitbashes, there are still a boatload of opportunities there, too.

I'm sad they never made a Kingpin or Mysterio, but I can't argue with the hundreds of figures filling up my basement as-is.

I really can't wait until SDCC now!

With a daredevil movie in the works. We still might. Not to mention the Spider-man sequels and potential later waves.
Though I'm not sure how much of the marvel movie-universes lines they still have the rights to after avengers and Spider-man 4/amazing spider-man tbh.

The contract they had awhile back iirc only listed Wolverine's movie, The Avengers movies from IM-avengers, Ghost Rider(the first cage one), and Spider-man 4 (which became amazing spider-man). I'm not exactly sure how the movie lines contracts work though. I just know they have the master comic action figures license until around 2017 or 2019 unless someone buys that contract from them.

Everything not listed, never got a toy line.
No X-Men First Class figures for example or ghost rider 2.

[Starscream99]

EMH and now this!? FML.

[gunzilla]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberlad

If they put out new figs for wave 4, that's 4 great years of awesome figures. If they keep the line going with repaints and kitbashes, there are still a boatload of opportunities there, too.

I'm sad they never made a Kingpin or Mysterio, but I can't argue with the hundreds of figures filling up my basement as-is.

I really can't wait until SDCC now!

Part of the problem is kit bashes and repaints I would rather them go away than not have new unique molds I have to admit I buy less when my collection started looking like the same character with different heads and paint that's just my opinion

[uberlad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunzilla

Part of the problem is kit bashes and repaints I would rather them go away than not have new unique molds I have to admit I buy less when my collection started looking like the same character with different heads and paint that's just my opinion

I guess in my mind, it always came down to picking your poison. Movie and other sub-lines generally get new sculpts for figure, but lesser articulation. MU uses a handful of body types with maybe a new headsculpt (sometimes not even that!) or accessories to get out new characters.

They've got a small hero (bucky mold), big hero (guardian), articulated hero (jl cyclops mold), big guy (thanos/juggy), and at least two lady molds (ms. marvel and x-23).

There's a lot you can make with those parts.

[Snowflakian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunzilla

Part of the problem is kit bashes and repaints I would rather them go away than not have new unique molds I have to admit I buy less when my collection started looking like the same character with different heads and paint that's just my opinion

If they varied up the hands more and the webgear, it wouldn't be so bad.

Now if it was just straight up buck repaints with no additional parts or swapped parts to make sense, then I'd agree.
For the most part though, they've done pretty well with the mold reusages in that manner across all their lines to bolster MU into being stronger. Personally I'm hoping this is what they do again. Re-release some of the harder to find other line figures through MU. Like Carnage, Shocker, a skinnier anti-venom using sabretooth legs and the other Venom body, maybe even a modern venom using what could work for that etc. Parts reusage is great when done right... Not so much when it just stays bland with no tweaks.

[gunzilla]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberlad

I guess in my mind, it always came down to picking your poison. Movie and other sub-lines generally get new sculpts for figure, but lesser articulation. MU uses a handful of body types with maybe a new headsculpt (sometimes not even that!) or accessories to get out new characters.

They've got a small hero (bucky mold), big hero (guardian), articulated hero (jl cyclops mold), big guy (thanos/juggy), and at least two lady molds (ms. marvel and x-23).

There's a lot you can make with those parts.

I understand where your coming from its just I like my figs like modern Thor, new hulk, beast among very few others that have both detail and articulation just look at them with wrinkled clothes molded buttons, pockets, straps, etc. that's what I want to see more of I'm not trying to cause trouble I'm just frustrated the prices so high I expect more diverse molds and less repaints in NYC prices range from 9.99 and up depending on retailer and all I'm getting is the same six figures with different paint and few new heads

[MeLikeJinx]

IMHO MU won't be around too much longer... not just MU... Clone Wars, non-movie related Joes... you just get the feeling that with all the cutbacks in articulation and quality and stuff that Hasbro will just eventually decide it is not worth it anymore.

[Snowflakian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunzilla

I understand where your coming from its just I like my figs like modern Thor, new hulk, beast among very few others that have both detail and articulation just look at them with wrinkled clothes molded buttons, pockets, straps, etc. that's what I want to see more of I'm not trying to cause trouble I'm just frustrated the prices so high I expect more diverse molds and less repaints in NYC prices range from 9.99 and up depending on retailer and all I'm getting is the same six figures with different paint and few new heads

Part of that has to do with the economy too and the rising costs of plastics, mold creation and as listed above china factories.

Though I thought hasbro was looking into other countries to see if they could get cheaper manufacturing deals. Considering all this hoopla though, I'm guessing that fell through.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeLikeJinx

IMHO MU won't be around too much longer... not just MU... Clone Wars, non-movie related Joes... you just get the feeling that with all the cutbacks in articulation and quality and stuff that Hasbro will just eventually decide it is not worth it anymore.

On the flipside though, that could mean exploration for lines they solely hold. Like MASK, Inhumanoids, Micronauts, etc. Inhumanoids at least would work out great for marvel fans if MU gets a mole man.

[Scythe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starscream99

EMH and now this!? FML.

Esto.

[Bubba304]

While I would be really upset if the line got canceled, I would be happy, or at least my wallet would be happy! LOL

[jjk1120]

I really hope that this is BS. Marvel Universe is really the only thing I collect now. I don't want it to come to an end, at least until they really have exhausted most of the characters. But with all Marvel has to offer, that wouldn't be anytime soon...

[Saint Phe]

I've thought all of this "end of teh line!" talk was ridiculous since it started, but I actually trust Curto. Maybe there's something to it after all. I hope not.

[Jackieboy]

Well one good aspect is that Diamond select wont be affected by all this,but i feel bad for The ML community because surely the Legends line will be effected also,The ML guys have gone through hell already with the stoppage of Toybiz's run and the scarceness of certain waves,even US collectors had trouble locating certain waves.i defected to MU because of it and because of the prices of sought after figures,this kinda news does not surprise me because ive seen it before with the ML's.Sucks if its true,But it was good while it lasted.Flipside to it all?SDCC gets a huge announcement Hasbro have 5 more waves in the pipeline,it can go either way.

[Alienweirdo]

So if they have the license until 2017 or whatever, what would they do in the meantime? Just concentrate on Movie lines?

I guess Hasbro doesn't really have anyone to blame but themselves, what with the rubbish distribution and character ratios.

Obviously I hope they don't stop, it a sign of consistency and is a major hobby for most of us. I've just gotten back into ML again, and for it to end so quickly is sad..

I guess if they want to continue making action figures but can't please the retailers then online collector stores are the best option, similar to Matty Collector.

[Jackieboy]

will they integrate the comic line into the upcoming movie lines?most likely and while the movie lines remain active,there is the chance MU and ML will carry on.
But another question to ask is regarding upcoming movie waves?will they retain the same articulation as CA and IM figures?or will they be like those horrid batman and spiderman figures?im not bothered by the news,ill just keep collecting regardless,hopefully by the time the MU phenomena dies.most of us will have a complete MU collection.

[trebleshot]

You would think of all people that an insider like Curto would know that distribution isn't Hasbro's fault. But their choice of case assortment combined with retailer distribution issues (primarily due to their usage of the P.O.S. system) does make create most of the headaches we see on the shelves.

As for the rest of this story, I will believe that the Marvel Universe toy line is done when Hasbro officially announces the cancellation of the line. Other than that, this is all farting in the wind.

[Nexodusrex]

If Hasbro was smart, they would move production back to America. Fact is it is now cheaper to have products made in American than in China and companies are slowly but surely bringing them back over.

I don't see Hasbro abandoning Marvel Universe. Its still a big property and it sells. But if they do, I Don't see them abandoning Marvel 3 3/4 inch figures. comic figures will continue to be produced.

and I mean, look at all the new stuff that's been announced this month alone? Masters of Evil, SHIELD Helicarrier, X-Factor Boxed Set, AVX 2packs. Were these planned during the days of Vonner? I dont know exactly. But they are still new stuff. And finally, theres Kitbashs. I dont mind Kitbashs. every single figure using the black spiderman mold is technically a kitbash. If it lowers prices but gives us good quality I'm still in.

FYI I see MU sells more than Star Wars in my stores. Usually far more star wars on pegs then MU. though it could just be distribution

[bitman2]

What is the future though?? What about the already announced figures?? Are we actualluy going to see a Scarlet Witch at reatail. And whats up with the wave that just hit the Phillipines? Are those figures going to hit the US?? The preorders that are in right now have The Beta Ray Bill wave.(Beta Ray Bill,Kraven,Spidey, New Hulk,Beast) So where do Blastaar, Jubilee, Paper Bag Spidey and Prof. X fit in??(has the makings of a collectors nightmare and a Scalpers wet dream) Some more info would really be appreciated by anyone in the "know".