Integration

Jmacq1 · 03-16-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewBlank

Where are the vehicles in the Marvel Universe line? Counting variants, Hasbro has released more than 150 Marvel Universe figures, but not a single vehicle, playset or large-sized animal. By the time the 1980s G.I. Joe line passed a 150 figures, it had dozens of vehicles, playsets, accessory packs, robots, cannons and the U.S.S. Flagg. I'm not saying go crazy and start putting out ATVs with SHIELD logos painted on the front, but the occasional flaming motorcycle or Avenger's Quinjet might be a nice touch. Where would the Star Wars line be without X-Wings and TIE Fighters?

Good question, but it's beginning to look like vehicles are being phased out of the toy aisles...at least vehicles of any significant size. Hasbro didn't debut a single new "starfighter size" item at Toy Fair, and even their "big" offering for the year (The Republic Attack Shuttle) is smaller than the offerings of previous years. There were a few new "mini-rig" style vehicles, though.

Likewise, vehicles appear to have been struggling in the G.I. Joe brand lately as well. I hate to say it, but I'm beginning to wonder if vehicles aren't going the same route as playsets when it comes to the "play patterns" of kids these days.

By the same token I'd also add: Vehicles are far less important to the Marvel Universe mythos than G.I. Joe or Star Wars. I'd argue about the only "absolutely essential" vehicle would be Ghost Rider's motorcycle, because it's such an inseparable aspect of the character. Yeah, having Blackbirds and Quinjets and such would be nice, but they're not absolutely necessary.

To put it another way: In Star Wars and G.I. Joe the vehicles are a necessary and inseparable part of the plot, and in some cases almost become "characters" in and of themselves and are heavily involved in the action of the story. In the Marvel Universe, vehicles are most often just a way to get a superhero team from point A to point B where they can all jump out and beat on the bad guy. They're just a conveyance, not so much a critical part of the action (usually).

03-16-2011, 08:19 AM	#201
Jmacq1 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 697	Quote: Originally Posted by DrewBlank Where are the vehicles in the Marvel Universe line? Counting variants, Hasbro has released more than 150 Marvel Universe figures, but not a single vehicle, playset or large-sized animal. By the time the 1980s G.I. Joe line passed a 150 figures, it had dozens of vehicles, playsets, accessory packs, robots, cannons and the U.S.S. Flagg. I'm not saying go crazy and start putting out ATVs with SHIELD logos painted on the front, but the occasional flaming motorcycle or Avenger's Quinjet might be a nice touch. Where would the Star Wars line be without X-Wings and TIE Fighters? Good question, but it's beginning to look like vehicles are being phased out of the toy aisles...at least vehicles of any significant size. Hasbro didn't debut a single new "starfighter size" item at Toy Fair, and even their "big" offering for the year (The Republic Attack Shuttle) is smaller than the offerings of previous years. There were a few new "mini-rig" style vehicles, though. Likewise, vehicles appear to have been struggling in the G.I. Joe brand lately as well. I hate to say it, but I'm beginning to wonder if vehicles aren't going the same route as playsets when it comes to the "play patterns" of kids these days. By the same token I'd also add: Vehicles are far less important to the Marvel Universe mythos than G.I. Joe or Star Wars. I'd argue about the only "absolutely essential" vehicle would be Ghost Rider's motorcycle, because it's such an inseparable aspect of the character. Yeah, having Blackbirds and Quinjets and such would be nice, but they're not absolutely necessary. To put it another way: In Star Wars and G.I. Joe the vehicles are a necessary and inseparable part of the plot, and in some cases almost become "characters" in and of themselves and are heavily involved in the action of the story. In the Marvel Universe, vehicles are most often just a way to get a superhero team from point A to point B where they can all jump out and beat on the bad guy. They're just a conveyance, not so much a critical part of the action (usually). Last edited by Jmacq1; 03-16-2011 at 08:23 AM..