TOO MUCH MOLD REUSE In Marvel Universe!

Shin Densetsu · 10-19-2010, 05:56 PM

Alright so I'm a fan of Marvel Universe. Each year tends to provide more and more exciting releases.

However, I find that I am more excited when I see the new stuff from Con panels. I found that I was more excited by the prospect of the line, and when it was announced. Am I disappointed? Yes.

Here's why. A lot of figures I have seen from over a year now, use 2 things:

Daredevil's body
Black costume Spiderman's body

Following those 2 are Wolverine, then Classic Iron Man. Wolverine's body sculpt has only been ideal for 1 release thus far, out of the 5+ or more, DAKEN! That's...pretty disappointing considering the mold is utilized better by the character the mold was not originally designed for.

Anyways, we've seen many a great character released disappointingly in action figure form, using Daredevil's body(and/or the retooled version used for the SHIELD agents, Punisher, Winter Soldier, et al), and black costume Spiderman's body. I understand the molds are expensive and Hasbro needs to cash in to make up for it. I get that.

Yet I think lines like GI Joe, and Star Wars do a much better job of mold reuse. Sure, mold reuse is common and to be expected, but with GI Joe, there are far more different bodies to choose from and used.

With Marvel Universe? Not so much, yet. A good number of figures are just the same repainted body with a different head sculpt! All the girls so far? Same body!. Spiderman? 2 bodies to choose from, one retooled with spiderarms and a new upper body!

Hopefully Winter Soldier is the last to use the Daredevil mold(yeah I know it's a retooled one but still). Hopefully the black Spidey mold is retired too.

Mold reuse works for military-esque figures, be it GI Joe or Rebel Alliance/The Empire, and again, I understand it's necessary but on this scale in Marvel Universe? This is the primary reason why Marvel Universe has lost some appeal for me; I'm basically looking at the same figures, just different paints and head sculpts(sometimes).

Nexodusrex · 10-19-2010, 06:18 PM

Shin Densetsu · 10-19-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexodusrex

YESH I iz!*

*BTW didn't know there was a caption of Lando with Han like that, good choice!

Nexodusrex · 10-19-2010, 06:35 PM

to be honest, theres bound to be hickups in the beginning of a toy line. I mean, compare the first wave of Marvel Legends(Toybiz) with those figures later molds. They have been doing a much better job with what they have. They have admited the overuse of a couple molds, and an intent to rectify that, but they have used some of the older molds with fantastic imagination. Take a good look at the Skrull Soldier and you'll see Human Torchs body disguised very well. Webgear is great like that. Then theres the Juggernaut mold, which has been used for Thanos and soon Apocalypse. a Lil webgear can work wonders.
Black Spiderman has been overuse. though to be honest, a few of those figures are must haves. Archangel, Havok, SDCC Namor, Nightcrawler, Iron Spiderman. All of those are great figures utilizing the same body with little to no extras.
and the Daredevil body has been retired.

Shin Densetsu · 10-19-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexodusrex

to be honest, theres bound to be hickups in the beginning of a toy line. I mean, compare the first wave of Marvel Legends(Toybiz) with those figures later molds. They have been doing a much better job with what they have. They have admited the overuse of a couple molds, and an intent to rectify that, but they have used some of the older molds with fantastic imagination. Take a good look at the Skrull Soldier and you'll see Human Torchs body disguised very well. Webgear is great like that. Then theres the Juggernaut mold, which has been used for Thanos and soon Apocalypse. a Lil webgear can work wonders.
Black Spiderman has been overuse. though to be honest, a few of those figures are must haves. Archangel, Havok, SDCC Namor, Nightcrawler, Iron Spiderman. All of those are great figures utilizing the same body with little to no extras.
and the Daredevil body has been retired.

True but the line is no longer a new line. Hopefully by next summer, the mold reuse is decreased dramatically. Havok could have at least had sculpted trimlines, same with Archangel.

As for Daredevil's mold being retired, I think the retooled mold used for Nick Fury, Winter Soldier, and SHIELD Agents follows it.

siekone · 10-19-2010, 07:02 PM

I agree but what gets me more is all those frigging repaints, They hurt the pockets!!

Shin Densetsu · 10-19-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siekone

I agree but what gets me more is all those frigging repaints, They hurt the pockets!!

Them too!

Crazy Jetty · 10-19-2010, 07:02 PM

I look at the mold reuse as how they save the money for the brand new, one-off sculpts that can never be used again (Oddballs like Colossus, or Lizard. Hypothetical examples, mind you), and the proportionatly oversized and overweight figures, like Hulk, Juggernaut, and Blob.
At least their mold reuse isn't anywhere nearly as bad as Mattel's DCIH, or DCUC.

Tarquinius · 10-19-2010, 07:21 PM

You did forget one popular mold which is the Luke Cage Mold seen on:

Luke Cage
Thunder Ball
Pile Driver
Bull Dozer
Captain Marvel
Absorbing Man
Doc Samson
And a few others I can't remember...

Anywho, I do understand what you mean. Truth be told, I'm not sure when the original Marvel Universe ideas run out (i.e. what the intial line up was, it was obvious they had planned all of year 1 and 2 and maybe even beginning of 3?) and when they start to run with things...

When that point hits, they sholdbe smarter about what molds were successful and not. Just the general pitfall of planning out so far ahead...

But you're right. But...would you pay an extra dollar or two to see this happen?

Nexodusrex · 10-19-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarquinius

You did forget one popular mold which is the Luke Cage Mold seen on:

Luke Cage
Thunder Ball
Pile Driver
Bull Dozer
Captain Marvel
Absorbing Man
Doc Samson
And a few others I can't remember...

Anywho, I do understand what you mean. Truth be told, I'm not sure when the original Marvel Universe ideas run out (i.e. what the intial line up was, it was obvious they had planned all of year 1 and 2 and maybe even beginning of 3?) and when they start to run with things...

When that point hits, they sholdbe smarter about what molds were successful and not. Just the general pitfall of planning out so far ahead...

But you're right. But...would you pay an extra dollar or two to see this happen?

Actually the Luke Cage mold is all around and rather well done and its reuse hasnt been 100%. Many have used different legs, or arms. Its a great mold that hasnt gotten old yet.

as for the Nick Fury/DD Differences, they actually use different upper and lower torsos, so its alot better.

another mold I hope they retired is the Wolverine Mold. they have yet to really use the Astonishing Wolverine Mold from XMO. Its a fantastic Mold thats only seen 2 figures(Astonishing Deluxe 2pack and X-Force 3pack Wolverine). The next time I see the old Wolverine Mold, Iw ant it to be Dakens newest uniform

Tarquinius · 10-19-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexodusrex

Actually the Luke Cage mold is all around and rather well done and its reuse hasnt been 100%. Many have used different legs, or arms. Its a great mold that hasnt gotten old yet.

This is true. I guess the main complaint I launch against this, and can be universally said about any mold reuse, is that it makes characters too proportionally similar.

Should Luke Cage be as tall as Doc Samson? I'm not entirely sure, but thats how the MU line presents it. So thats what my fear is. The longer its out there, the longer that stuff like this gets too lost in the mold

MeLikeJinx · 10-19-2010, 09:41 PM

The only problem I have with MU and the reuse of the same mold is that it totally messes up the sense of scale. Wolvie is too big, Spidey and Nightcrawler are too tall, Magneto is a shrimp, characters that use the same mold are always the same size when they are not supposed to be, etc, etc. With Joes scale is almost irrelevant cuz they are all pretty much human size, but with superheroes and mutants that kind of thing is important IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu

Yet I think lines like GI Joe, and Star Wars do a much better job of mold reuse. Sure, mold reuse is common and to be expected, but with GI Joe, there are far more different bodies to choose from and used.

Plus with G.I.Joe they use webgear and accessories to distract you from the mold reusage... for MU all you pretty much get is an inexplicable M16 with Grenade Launcher. LOL.

Enigma2K2 · 10-19-2010, 10:28 PM

They're so small, how can you tell?[/sarcasm]

DrewBlank · 10-20-2010, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeLikeJinx

for MU all you pretty much get is an inexplicable M16 with Grenade Launcher. LOL.

That gun has shown up nine times now. They should give it a Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe entry.

Tarquinius · 10-20-2010, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewBlank

That gun has shown up nine times now. They should give it a Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe entry.

Lol I have this querky picture in my head:

In China where they produce these freaking things...rolling off the line

Ok Strike-Force Wolverine...got your bubble card, HAMMER File OH and here's an M16

Okkkkk Thanos, got your bubble card, stand....OH and here's an M16.....

Nexodusrex · 10-20-2010, 05:26 AM

Well I think they are fantastic, and also

trebleshot · 10-20-2010, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu

Alright so I'm a fan of Marvel Universe. Each year tends to provide more and more exciting releases.

However, I find that I am more excited when I see the new stuff from Con panels. I found that I was more excited by the prospect of the line, and when it was announced. Am I disappointed? Yes.

Here's why. A lot of figures I have seen from over a year now, use 2 things:

Daredevil's body
Black costume Spiderman's body

Following those 2 are Wolverine, then Classic Iron Man. Wolverine's body sculpt has only been ideal for 1 release thus far, out of the 5+ or more, DAKEN! That's...pretty disappointing considering the mold is utilized better by the character the mold was not originally designed for.

Anyways, we've seen many a great character released disappointingly in action figure form, using Daredevil's body(and/or the retooled version used for the SHIELD agents, Punisher, Winter Soldier, et al), and black costume Spiderman's body. I understand the molds are expensive and Hasbro needs to cash in to make up for it. I get that.

Yet I think lines like GI Joe, and Star Wars do a much better job of mold reuse. Sure, mold reuse is common and to be expected, but with GI Joe, there are far more different bodies to choose from and used.

With Marvel Universe? Not so much, yet. A good number of figures are just the same repainted body with a different head sculpt! All the girls so far? Same body!. Spiderman? 2 bodies to choose from, one retooled with spiderarms and a new upper body!

Hopefully Winter Soldier is the last to use the Daredevil mold(yeah I know it's a retooled one but still). Hopefully the black Spidey mold is retired too.

Mold reuse works for military-esque figures, be it GI Joe or Rebel Alliance/The Empire, and again, I understand it's necessary but on this scale in Marvel Universe? This is the primary reason why Marvel Universe has lost some appeal for me; I'm basically looking at the same figures, just different paints and head sculpts(sometimes).

Hi, I'm Hasbro. Have we met?

On a serious note, I don't think it's really an issue with reusing a mold - rather, which molds get reused. Sometimes the mold works great for other characters and sometimes it falls flat. There are several examples in this thread already, so I won't go into a whole good/bad list here.

I have faith that there will be less mold reuse as the line grows older. As more new molds are created, they can be reused for other characters and help mix things up. Who knows, maybe Hasbro will get to the point where the number of molds & parts in MU will allow them to do everything in an accurate scale.

Also, a major fuel to the super hero repaint fire is the ever-present costume change. These days it almost seems mandatory that every super-hero or team change his/her/its outfit at least once every other year. Granted, in certain cases, that idea is built into the character (Tony Stark). Or even joining a new team (X-Force) results in a new outfit.

Add to that the fact that we as fans have our own favorite outfits and that because we are a fandom, we're never unanimous in our opinions.

So as far as I'm concerned, ditch the bad molds and keep reusing the good ones until something better comes along.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexodusrex

Well I think they are fantastic, and also

Ah, the inescapable black hole of Internet logic.

firmpulse · 10-20-2010, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu

Havok could have at least had sculpted trimlines, same with Archangel.

THIS. i am so incredibly tired of the simple skin tight body suit with no sculpted detail. it's freakin BORING

ericdbright · 10-20-2010, 09:28 AM

I don't mind the mold reuse so much for other characters. I pass on this line because nearly every wave has a Spiderman in it when there's a separate Spiderman line already. Almost every wave has an Ironman, too. Youd think they'd not put IM in MU waves and put them in the IM2 movie line to pump up sales for figures fans have wanted. Why not spread the love from IM, Spidey, Wolverine and the other X-Men, Hulk, and Capt? There are plenty of characters and versions of these figures that you don't have to have Spidey and IM in every wave and intersperse other characters.

Shin Densetsu · 10-20-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarquinius

You did forget one popular mold which is the Luke Cage Mold seen on:

Luke Cage
Thunder Ball
Pile Driver
Bull Dozer
Captain Marvel
Absorbing Man
Doc Samson
And a few others I can't remember...

Anywho, I do understand what you mean. Truth be told, I'm not sure when the original Marvel Universe ideas run out (i.e. what the intial line up was, it was obvious they had planned all of year 1 and 2 and maybe even beginning of 3?) and when they start to run with things...

When that point hits, they sholdbe smarter about what molds were successful and not. Just the general pitfall of planning out so far ahead...

But you're right. But...would you pay an extra dollar or two to see this happen?

Hell we are paying what, $9+tax at Walmart for these now? Might as well use different molds, I would pay more if Hasbro did that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexodusrex

Actually the Luke Cage mold is all around and rather well done and its reuse hasnt been 100%. Many have used different legs, or arms. Its a great mold that hasnt gotten old yet.

as for the Nick Fury/DD Differences, they actually use different upper and lower torsos, so its alot better.

another mold I hope they retired is the Wolverine Mold. they have yet to really use the Astonishing Wolverine Mold from XMO. Its a fantastic Mold thats only seen 2 figures(Astonishing Deluxe 2pack and X-Force 3pack Wolverine). The next time I see the old Wolverine Mold, Iw ant it to be Dakens newest uniform

Have not bought Luke Cage yet, so I'm not aware of the body reuses of that mold.

As for Nick Fury VS Daredevil, I think the retooled body is an improvement but not enough to make it a lot better. I could take it on Winter Soldier since he at least had an all new head sculpt and left arm.

My gut feeling is that we will see the ASX costume from the XMO deluxe pack/X-Force 3 pack with the head from the XMO tiger stripe Wolverine, or an all new head.

BTW what does Daken's new uniform look like?

Quote:

Originally Posted by firmpulse

THIS. i am so incredibly tired of the simple skin tight body suit with no sculpted detail. it's freakin BORING

Indeed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericdbright

I don't mind the mold reuse so much for other characters. I pass on this line because nearly every wave has a Spiderman in it when there's a separate Spiderman line already. Almost every wave has an Ironman, too. Youd think they'd not put IM in MU waves and put them in the IM2 movie line to pump up sales for figures fans have wanted. Why not spread the love from IM, Spidey, Wolverine and the other X-Men, Hulk, and Capt? There are plenty of characters and versions of these figures that you don't have to have Spidey and IM in every wave and intersperse other characters.

Well see that's the thing man, while there are is a Spiderman, Wolverine and Iron Man in nearly every other wave, nearly every other wave uses the same bodies most of the time.

boombatty · 10-20-2010, 01:18 PM

I think I hear the Wahmbulance coming....

Mold reuse isn't going away...ever.

So really no use complaining about it. The only way to get it to go away is to stop buying the figures in the line. Otherwise no point in arguing. It is simple economics driving the practice. A long long time ago there wasn't mold reuse just like there wasn't fees to use your ATM card. But then someone figured out a way to milk the cash cow for even more and wallah!

The real question is what is the next method they will use to increase the profit margin?

Shin Densetsu · 10-20-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boombatty

I think I hear the Wahmbulance coming....

Mold reuse isn't going away...ever.

So really no use complaining about it. The only way to get it to go away is to stop buying the figures in the line. Otherwise no point in arguing. It is simple economics driving the practice. A long long time ago there wasn't mold reuse just like there wasn't fees to use your ATM card. But then someone figured out a way to milk the cash cow for even more and wallah!

The real question is what is the next method they will use to increase the profit margin?

No one is saying mold reuse should end, in an ideal world(and much better economy), mold reuse would be less. What this thread is about isn't about ending mold reuse, but that it's simply too much. Bear in mind I collect GI Joe where mold reuse is a common thing, but not on the level of Marvel Universe.

Did I stop buying Marvel Universe the way I used to? Yes. I was a borderline completist with the beginning waves. Now? No.

Now hopefully 2011 will be different, most of the figures look great and the 2011 Captain America comic series looks fine and dandy sans action gimmick parts(but the US Agent shield and Bucky jetpack look cool).

boombatty · 10-20-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin Densetsu

No one is saying mold reuse should end, in an ideal world(and much better economy), mold reuse would be less. What this thread is about isn't about ending mold reuse, but that it's simply too much. Bear in mind I collect GI Joe where mold reuse is a common thing, but not on the level of Marvel Universe.

Did I stop buying Marvel Universe the way I used to? Yes. I was a borderline completist with the beginning waves. Now? No.

Now hopefully 2011 will be different, most of the figures look great and the 2011 Captain America comic series looks fine and dandy sans action gimmick parts(but the US Agent shield and Bucky jetpack look cool).

You have me beat, I am a total completist and it kills me. I also collect GI Joe and I am a 90% completist I'd say. Oh the humanity.

Amalberga81 · 10-20-2010, 09:05 PM

for me i dont mind for mold or sculpt, i just want they stop repaint and reissue figures for Marvel universe, im already tired to see same figures in every new lines...just believe in your self that all marvel fans want see other character that still not shown up...

Enigma2K2 · 11-08-2010, 11:42 AM

Well, as long as they're reusing GOOD molds....

... wait, this is Marvel Universe we're talking about... never mind.

10-19-2010, 05:56 PM	#1
Shin Densetsu OPTIMUS GUINNESS Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8,542	Alright so I'm a fan of Marvel Universe. Each year tends to provide more and more exciting releases. However, I find that I am more excited when I see the new stuff from Con panels. I found that I was more excited by the prospect of the line, and when it was announced. Am I disappointed? Yes. Here's why. A lot of figures I have seen from over a year now, use 2 things: Daredevil's body Black costume Spiderman's body Following those 2 are Wolverine, then Classic Iron Man. Wolverine's body sculpt has only been ideal for 1 release thus far, out of the 5+ or more, DAKEN! That's...pretty disappointing considering the mold is utilized better by the character the mold was not originally designed for. Anyways, we've seen many a great character released disappointingly in action figure form, using Daredevil's body(and/or the retooled version used for the SHIELD agents, Punisher, Winter Soldier, et al), and black costume Spiderman's body. I understand the molds are expensive and Hasbro needs to cash in to make up for it. I get that. Yet I think lines like GI Joe, and Star Wars do a much better job of mold reuse. Sure, mold reuse is common and to be expected, but with GI Joe, there are far more different bodies to choose from and used. With Marvel Universe? Not so much, yet. A good number of figures are just the same repainted body with a different head sculpt! All the girls so far? Same body!. Spiderman? 2 bodies to choose from, one retooled with spiderarms and a new upper body! Hopefully Winter Soldier is the last to use the Daredevil mold(yeah I know it's a retooled one but still). Hopefully the black Spidey mold is retired too. Mold reuse works for military-esque figures, be it GI Joe or Rebel Alliance/The Empire, and again, I understand it's necessary but on this scale in Marvel Universe? This is the primary reason why Marvel Universe has lost some appeal for me; I'm basically looking at the same figures, just different paints and head sculpts(sometimes). __________________ 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

10-19-2010, 06:26 PM	#3
Shin Densetsu OPTIMUS GUINNESS Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8,542	Quote: Originally Posted by Nexodusrex YESH I iz!* BTW didn't know there was a caption of Lando with Han like that, good choice! __________________ 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

10-19-2010, 06:50 PM	#5
Shin Densetsu OPTIMUS GUINNESS Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8,542	Quote: Originally Posted by Nexodusrex to be honest, theres bound to be hickups in the beginning of a toy line. I mean, compare the first wave of Marvel Legends(Toybiz) with those figures later molds. They have been doing a much better job with what they have. They have admited the overuse of a couple molds, and an intent to rectify that, but they have used some of the older molds with fantastic imagination. Take a good look at the Skrull Soldier and you'll see Human Torchs body disguised very well. Webgear is great like that. Then theres the Juggernaut mold, which has been used for Thanos and soon Apocalypse. a Lil webgear can work wonders. Black Spiderman has been overuse. though to be honest, a few of those figures are must haves. Archangel, Havok, SDCC Namor, Nightcrawler, Iron Spiderman. All of those are great figures utilizing the same body with little to no extras. and the Daredevil body has been retired. True but the line is no longer a new line. Hopefully by next summer, the mold reuse is decreased dramatically. Havok could have at least had sculpted trimlines, same with Archangel. As for Daredevil's mold being retired, I think the retooled mold used for Nick Fury, Winter Soldier, and SHIELD Agents follows it. __________________ 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

10-19-2010, 07:02 PM	#6
siekone The Collector Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 93	I agree but what gets me more is all those frigging repaints, They hurt the pockets!! __________________ [/URL]

10-19-2010, 07:02 PM	#7
Shin Densetsu OPTIMUS GUINNESS Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8,542	Quote: Originally Posted by siekone I agree but what gets me more is all those frigging repaints, They hurt the pockets!! Them too! __________________ 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

10-19-2010, 06:18 PM	#2
Nexodusrex Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dayton Ohio Posts: 1,470