[Villano]

While there are a few nits to pick, like the molded capes extending over the shoulder and hampering the articulation, most of it looks good. The animated figures look iffy, but, to be fair, the animated style can be hard to translate into 3D form. Honestly, these turned out better than I expected.

I do understand people being annoyed that they are 7 instead of 6 inch. But, then again, the sizes seem to vary widely between sub-lines. I don't have too many DC figures, but I hated that my Essentials Swamp Thing is shorter than my TV Supergirl.

[GizmoTron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trivial Psychic

This would have never happened, as this simply would be a huge conflict of interest to Disney, unless Disney decides to go forth and buy Time Warner/Warner Bros.

Say if Hasbro did pick up the DC license, and for some reason/stroke of luck...it began to outsell and eventually bury the Legends line. Disney would pull their license in two shakes of a dog's tail, and would have Hasbro in a messy court battle even faster.

That's not to say that DC couldn't fall into Hasbro's control, but it's not likely as long as Disney's two biggest brands (Star Wars and Marvel) are there in the same action figure market. Though there has been rumors and rumblings about Disney possible taking Marvel back from Hasbro in order to start their own toyline once Hasbro's contract runs out this year, but with as well as Hasbro is handling the line, it would seem like a foolhardy move.






Competitive balance is important...no matter what the industry. It promotes new ideas and change, as well as fuel the desire for better effort, because you can't just sit back and rest on your laurels. Take a break or get lazy, and you're likely to be passed at some point by the guy who simply outworks you and is willing to bet on themselves. Either that, or you'll eventually piss off the consumer who comes to the realization that you are phoning it in, and they end up taking their disposable income elsewhere. One need look no further than the professional wrestling industry, where WWE was free to do whatever it wished for years, turning it into the near unwatchable at times ****show it is now, because there was no competition to fuel their passion to put out the best product...every single time they went on the air.

I think Disney "taking it back" has more to do with Star Wars toys than Marvel, but both are a bit unlikely since Disney doesn't really want to be a full time toy company and they still license even their core franchises to different toy companies all the time.

I think the thing about competition is, however, that even if Hasbro had both DC and Marvel I can't see it having any real effect on how each company already handles their own books and characters, and I also don't see any sudden success of DC action figures having any sort of negative effect on Marvel's. In fact it's a lot like with the movies: the success of one helps fuel the success of the other.

Anyway, I think McFarlane's first offerings are ok. Sure it's more Batman and Superman, but let's be honest, those are the two they need to get right first and can use to work out all of the kinks before they branch out too far into the universe. Most of these are going to have to be a see it person kind of thing, but so far it's not a bad start.

[Whovian2018]

These are ok. Not really sure what I was expecting. I get why there are complaints that 6 of the 12 figures are a Superman or Batman (7 if you consider The Batman Who Laughs an actual Batman instead of a villain). As I see it, they are trying to get people to buy into various styles from the start. For example, I don't really like the animated style stuff, but the Action Comics 1000 Superman looks pretty cool.

I do see some problems with the figures matching the style. Harley looks more like an animated style figure. The Animated Series Batman looks more like a New Adventures style batman in the head. Animated Superman has a weird head and the body looks more Justice League. It looks like they are just kind of considering all of the Bruce Timm stuff the same line even though there are significant style differences, especially between B:TAS and Justice League.

The torso joints do look pretty bad. The upper torso is way too thick where it meets the bottom.

Since I have no DC figure outside of 3 DC Essentials I won't be missing much if I get this line or not. That classic looking Superman may be a buy though. I like that it has a flight stand. Would be better with a heat beam eye head.

[StuartGreen2019]

These figures are okay. They're not terrible, but they're not incredible either. After seeing what Mattel did in recent years, this could be a nice change. But some of the figures just look off to me. Superman's limbs seem a bit too long, the S shield seems too wide over the chest, and I would've preferred the classic suit instead of the Action Comics #1000 suit with the bands or whatever around the sleeve ends. Seeing no Wonder Woman is particularly disappointing, since she's DC's most popular female hero and part of the Big Three from Justice League. And what is with the "derp" face they gave Harley Quinn? Also, why did this Multiverse line's figures have to be 7 inches in height? I'd prefer to see them at the 6-inch height to be compatible with the Star Wars, Marvel and Power Rangers figures on shelves. Though unfortunately for Power Rangers, they are having a heck of a time with quality control, paint app problems, bad Ranger helmet and civilian head sculpts, and unpainted helmet mouths with their "Lightning Collection" series, and I can speak from experience with collecting those. I wouldn't want to see McFarlane Toys have the same quality control problems by making toys of Superman with different shades of blue painted all over his suit or a Batman figure with the eye lenses and trunks unpainted, would you?

I'm going to keep an open mind and see what the second wave has in store. Figures of Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Joker, comics Green Lantern, The CW TV series Flash, classic Superman, Christopher Reeve Superman, Lynda Carter Wonder Woman, John Wesley Shipp Flash, and any of the 1989-1997 Batman movies' characters would all be awesome to see made. I wish McFarlane Toys well over the next three years. But I'm going to wait until Toy Fair to see what McFarlane Toys has got planned for the long haul before I decide to pick up one of their figures.

[Tim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by webz

Couple of times. In 2017 they had the Essentials 7pc Justice League box set (think the tag said the MSRP was $100+, but they had it for $54). Recently (early 2019) saw Harley, Joker, and Batgirl for $12 ea. I was looking for Titan class Transformers, so I passed at the time because I didn't have any interest in DC stuff. Now I'm kicking myself. lol

Appreciate the response man. I’ll need to be on the look out. So thanks for the heads up

[RamenRider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daredevil

This screams over exaggerated opinion. Not at all. Hellbat, Unchained, Batgirl, and BWL look great. They aren’t “all awful.”

They are to me. The Spin Master stuff is surprisingly well done for toys intended for small children, McFarlane's offerings for the adult collector are just disappointing across the board.

[Vamp]

Ok im gonna repeat myself since the other thread was closed.

These look good in general, Supes looks real good.
the only bad thing is Bats head and skinny legs
Keep in mind that he made these figs in reference with the pics that are next to the figs.
The animated figures got an upgrade since they are now 7" inches tall


DC Multiverse is Back!!!!!!!!

[jwyss234]

@StuartGreen2019

Rumor is McFarlane will be making two Wonder Woman figures for WW84, her standard outfit and her gold armor seen at the end of the trailer.

[Daredevil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamenRider

They are to me. The Spin Master stuff is surprisingly well done for toys intended for small children, McFarlane's offerings for the adult collector are just disappointing across the board.

What is so awful about those 4 figures or just any? What are you expecting for $20?

[Dr Kain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daredevil

Flash is in the next wave.

I hope it's a comic one and not an animated one then.

Quote:

what a silly thing to complain about after one wave in a new line. Every DC line has Batman in the first 1-2 waves. Why wouldn’t you?

I'm not complaining about A Batman and Superman in a wave, I'm complaining about THREE Batmans and THREE Supermans in one wave. That is quite excessive. Every wave should include at least one C or D lister like Question, Jonah Hex, Spectre, Killer Moth, El Papagayo, a member of the Metal Men, etc, a non-Batman villain, and then two A or B listers that are not Batman or Superman.

Quote:

He is the most popular character and sells.

That's because DC doesn't give anyone else a chance. As far as I'm concerned, WB needs to sell DC to a company that actually respects the entire DC universe and is willing to move past Batjerk. DC has made me absolutely hate Batman at this point as I am so sick and tired of him.

Quote:

, we got three first time figures in Hellbat, Batman Who Laughs, and Unchained.

Again, those are variants of Batman and Superman though. There is more to the universe than just Batman and Superman.

Now for what the offerings show themselves, I'm not impressed. Some of the wrist and ankle joints look too round and huge as if they're swollen from an injury. Superman only has single jointed elbows, no yellow S on the back of his cape, no flying posed hands, and the way they do the torso rotation looks odd. Also, half of the figures do not even match the artwork card that is shown next to them.

Look at Harley. The card shows a comic drawing of her, but the figure is clearly the animated version. Also, that Tron Batman armor thing looks more like a robot while the card looks like it is a suit of armor.

The Animated stuff looks really awkward too.

[En Sabah Nerd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daredevil

What are you expecting for $20?

This is sort of how I feel when I've seen different people totally trashing McFarlane's latest offerings. I'm not overly thrilled with them myself (the comic Batman looks really wonky) but it doesn't exactly seem fair to compare them to import figures that are more than triple the price.

[Vamp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daredevil

What is so awful about those 4 figures or just any? What are you expecting for $20?

I agree.
SideNote: Mcfarlane toys (Instagram) said they will be in Walmarts by the end of the month

[Krunomo]

Keen for some Sinestro corps to go with my NECA Sinestro predator.

[jestermon]

I can't tell how Harley's hips move

[Daredevil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Kain

I hope it's a comic one and not an animated one then.

If leaks are true, it is based on his “modern comic” design.

Quote:

I'm not complaining about A Batman and Superman in a wave, I'm complaining about THREE Batmans and THREE Supermans in one wave. That is quite excessive. Every wave should include at least one C or D lister like Question, Jonah Hex, Spectre, Killer Moth, El Papagayo, a member of the Metal Men, etc, a non-Batman villain, and then two A or B listers that are not Batman or Superman.

I still don’t see the issue. It’s the first wave of a new line. They want to get the favorites out, sell through, and get the next orders in. Selling those Batman’s gets you those others... eventually. If we are getting a Batman per wave, then yeah, I see the issue. But this is the first wave. All the next waves are wide open for non-Batman figures. Those figures you mentioned are something you won’t see until we get the “mainstream” characters out of the way... Justice League, Bat Villains, Teen Titans... A big issue is the length of the deal. If DC gave McFarlane a longer deal, maybe we would see those characters.

But, those issues aside, yes, it would be nice to see more variety. I thought DC Classics handled that fairly well. But lack of variation isn’t necessarily a form of incompetence, but a product of the situation, being short deal + DC apparently dictated character choices for wave 1 + first wave.

Quote:

Some of the wrist and ankle joints look too round and huge as if they're swollen from an injury. Superman only has single jointed elbows, no yellow S on the back of his cape, no flying posed hands, and the way they do the torso rotation looks odd. Also, half of the figures do not even match the artwork card that is shown next to them.

I agree with everything here. They show Superman on that card flying with his “flying hand” pose and don’t even include a set of those... despite giving us a stand to pose him flying too! Really frustrating. Especially when you see WWE Elites and Marvel Legends get multiple sets of hands for $20. And flying hands could easily be reused for many others, so it’s not like it is a unique thing. They would get a ton of value out of it.

I also don’t like the blatantly exposed round joints.

Quote:

The Animated stuff looks really awkward too.

I don’t understand why they made them considering DCC already did BTAS/JL Animated figures. I feel like those may rot on shelves, although some places have sold out of them oddly enough. Really thought whoever wanted those would have bought them by now.

[DarkEyes]

Damn, according to Walmart, the delivery day will be on March.

Love how McFarlane translates into 3D the animated figures, with big upper torsos. Glad to see there is other option, more articulated and in a bigger scale!, for these figures and not just the DC Collectibles. Particularly love the Animated Batman and how McFarlane manages to combine different Bruce Timm styles, TAS and Justice League.

I don't understand the comparisons with Figma, Figuarts and Mezco. Really? these are 20 dollar figures.

No doubt this is a solid start, great idea to start with several versions of the most iconic characters, Batman and Superman, including obscure Batman iterations like the Hellbat and the Batman Who Laughs but what do you expect from the creator of Spawn!

The pre-order of the Batman Who Laughs on Walmart is sold out, that was fast!

[RamenRider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daredevil

What is so awful about those 4 figures or just any?

No, all of them look wonky in their own right. There’s not a single figure revealed so far that I would buy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daredevil

What are you expecting for $20?

Aren't Marvel Legends 20 bucks too? Those look a lot better.

[Comedian]

Bbts is sold out of almost every figure. Perhaps a bit more popular than some think.

[Cheezah95]

the thing about the selection for me is... why do more animated figures? The other DCAU line that's been coming out has scratched that itch already and covered pretty much every base there is. What I'm saying is, if you are the type to get a DCAU figure, you already have one and plenty more that work in line with it. Why would you get these?

[webz]

I think the reason for the animated is because it will be a "sure seller" It's extremely popular. There are people who just collect DC Animation stuff. A lot of collectors have multiples of the same thing. Not just the YouTuber crowd. I knew a guy who only collected G1 Optimus Prime and it's reissues and alternates (like Pepsi Prime and the various Bape Primes) He has around 30 or so, and can tell you the differences of things such as the changes in the box printing technology, or when the old molds were switched out for newer ones (based on the seams in the plastic) etc. I'm certain there will be collectors who had the Kenner Batman toys and wanting to compare them to the DC Essentials, Mattel, and now McFarlane.

Just as people here are complaining about the animated characters taking "Comics character X" 's spot, I'm sure there is a forum out there with people complaining that there needs to be more cartoon figures, and that there are already enough comicbook toys out there.

Gotta catch 'em all!

[Neoblackdragon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamenRider

Aren't Marvel Legends 20 bucks too? Those look a lot better.

We have to define better. Based on the comments it's split. One side is pointing out the actual articulation. Another side is pointing out the quality of the paint apps and articulation. Another side just doesn't like the style of the source material.

Marvel Legends is $20 but the quality is all over. There are some impressive figures in the line. There are many "basic" figures though. Where the body is the same exact body as all the other guys sans a paint job. Spider-man has been rocking the same exact body for years with the last offering being a terrible FFH figure that went even cheaper.

For every MCU Mysterio there are several Union Jack figures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheezah95

the thing about the selection for me is... why do more animated figures? The other DCAU line that's been coming out has scratched that itch already and covered pretty much every base there is. What I'm saying is, if you are the type to get a DCAU figure, you already have one and plenty more that work in line with it. Why would you get these?

Well you are under the idea that every potential buyer already owns a figure. Maybe they are a new fan this is the first opportunity for them. People miss out on things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galaxy Ranger

If they put out better, more and wider variety who cares if it's a monopoly. Power Rangers is already a good example of how a line can benefit from them.

That's a very dangerous hill to be on. Yes Hasbro purchased the brand and applied their standard body(well probably one they intend to move to) for the LC. That's good but if there are no good competition, Hasbro has less incentive to improve or even keep standards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by webz

I've been down toy aisles. There's tons of competition. Courts don't look at one company making all super heroes as a monopoly, because boys have other options for action figures:

I think you misunderstood me. I'm not speaking of a Monopoly in that Hasbro owns all the brands that the US govt needs to step in. I'm speaking of how rivals can improve your own product/work. If your brand is the only on on the shelf, you have no reason to improve.

A good example is fast food. Mcdonalds and co were very much on top until newer competitors offered a different kind of service menu. It's why they went mobile orders, redesigned interiors, and offering certain products.

Five Guys offers all the toppings, Mcdonalds comes out with a burger with the option for a tomato.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daredevil

I don’t understand this. People aren’t going to stop buying Marvel toys because of a new DC line. And Hasbro doesn’t care what other companies do. They could be the greatest figures in the world and it won’t stop people from buying Legends. If anything, it would be better if Hasbro had the line. We get more figures, in scale, with a bunch of parts already at their disposal, at a far quicker rate with far more variety.

Again this is VERY dangerous line of thinking. Also again a misunderstanding. It's not about people not buying the other brand but the company not improving itself.

Say Mcfarlane put out the greatest toy at this price point. Hasbro might have the incentive to counter without better QC, accessories, or variety. The Lightning Collection found ways to differentiate itself from the Bandai Legacy line with the unmorphed heads and the rangers main weapons(usually).

You are worried about scale but don't consider the downsides of increased production with quality control. You are thinking short term benefits, I'm thinking long term risks.


Trivial Psychic has explained this much better. Competition is good. Consumers generally win if businesses want to stand out(while remaining profitable). Without it, Hasbro never would have made figures with the articulation they do in the standard they have.

[Dr Kain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by En Sabah Nerd

This is sort of how I feel when I've seen different people totally trashing McFarlane's latest offerings. I'm not overly thrilled with them myself (the comic Batman looks really wonky) but it doesn't exactly seem fair to compare them to import figures that are more than triple the price.

Well here's the thing, those import figures might cost more to us, but to the Japanese, that's the equivalent of a $20 figure. Just look at their DVDs and BDs. A volume that holds 2-5 episodes could cost you anywhere from $50-100. Additionally, those figures are sold in stores in Japan, not just in specialty shops the same way we can buy any Marvel Legends in Target or Walmart.

Also, as companies have proven, just because it cost more doesn't mean it's better. Figuarts are now $60-80 and are prone to the same quality control issues our $20 toys have.

[Dr Kain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daredevil

I still don’t see the issue. It’s the first wave of a new line. They want to get the favorites out, sell through, and get the next orders in. Selling those Batman’s gets you those others...

Fair enough, but that's assuming they sell through. I'm expecting to see a lot of the armored Batmans and Supermans to be peg warming. Same with Babadook Batman. Stores are going to be so clogged with them they'll never get in any other waves.

[webz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neoblackdragon

I think you misunderstood me. I'm not speaking of a Monopoly in that Hasbro owns all the brands that the US govt needs to step in. I'm speaking of how rivals can improve your own product/work. If your brand is the only on on the shelf, you have no reason to improve.

The only thing holding the toy industry back is cost and the technology of production, not competition. Playmates hired expensive sculptors to make the faces of the Star Trek figures back in the early 90's. These were as close to lifelike as anyone had seen back then. No one else felt compelled to copy them, it was too expensive. Now, with face printing technology, every brand based on a likeness can do it, even the $9 WWE toys. The biggest dilemma for Hasbro, Mattel, McFarlane, and every other toy company is "What can we make that fits Walmart & Target's price structure" That's it. The companies look at each other for inspiration, and they cannibalize each other's talent, but it's closer to the rivalry of DC & Marvel than it is Ford and Chevy.

[RamenRider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Kain

Well here's the thing, those import figures might cost more to us, but to the Japanese, that's the equivalent of a $20 figure. Just look at their DVDs and BDs. A volume that holds 2-5 episodes could cost you anywhere from $50-100. Additionally, those figures are sold in stores in Japan, not just in specialty shops the same way we can buy any Marvel Legends in Target or Walmart.

That... makes no sense. The prices for Japanese home media releases are this high because the market for it is very special. Japanese culture highly favors rental, or nowadays, streaming services. The average Japanese person is not interested in owning DVD's or Blu-rays; it was never a casual thing like it is in the west.

Hardcore collectors do exist however, so the prices for such sets are astronomical for two simple reasons: Not many are made because not many buy them, and those who buy them can afford the price they're asking.

Japanese collectibles are just as expensive over there as they are here. They are not in any shape or form an equivalent to the affordable toy lines in the west. Mostly because they actually have affordable toy lines over there too. Hell, they even officially release Star Wars Black Series and the likes in Japan.

So I don’t know what point you were trying to make when you wrote this, but it just isn’t adding up. Like, at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Kain

Also, as companies have proven, just because it cost more doesn't mean it's better. Figuarts are now $60-80 and are prone to the same quality control issues our $20 toys have.

But Figuarts have more articulation, refined sculpting and more paint. That's what you’re paying the extra cash for. If that makes them better or not is for the customer to decide.

And I don’t know about QC issues, I’ve been buying SHF's regularly for more than 6 years now, I had a single one break and a handful of noticeable paint mishaps. Nothing that stopped me from getting more really. As I don’t know the QC of $20 toys very well, you could make an argument that both are solid I guess?