CriticalMess.net Mattel Q&A for March 15th, 2009

Mirthquake asks:
"With potential 'done-in-one' groups, like the Doom Patrol or Metal Men, would you be more likely to put those out as single figures, two-packs, or box sets?" 

It is much more likely these figures will be released as singles as box sets tend to need a major A list figure like Superman or Batman to sell into retailers. Most retailers have never heard of the Doom Patrol so they would be very cautious to take a pack of 4 figures that only appeal to collectors and not kids and moms as well. (since a box sets is traditionally a large gift item, even in a collector based line). So any gift sets will likely need a good A list hero or villain to anchor the set.

Multiple members ask:
"With the disappointing postponement / cancellation of the GA Hawks two-pack, is there any chance that when it is released, it can have alternate heads for Hawkman, featuring the cowl and WW2 twin-beaked helmet, as a little "consolation" prize?"

Unfortunately the DCUC figures were not tooled to have removable heads, and the Hawkman figures from Wave 6 has been produced and shipped. We are looking for ways to bring back the GA Hawk pack. The best way to see this pack is to continue supporting the line and demand more cool characters from retailers!

Multiple members ask:
"Are there plans for the rest of the Silver Age Teen Titans (i.e. ponytail Wonder Girl) the same size as the Kid Flash figure? Likewise, will there be a larger Wally Kid Flash sometime in the future which fits better sizewise with the New Teen Titans?"

Yes, we hope in time to get to all of the major variants of the Teen Titans to let fans complete the teams of different eras. (and that goes for the other major teams as well!)

Multiple members ask:
"Is it feasible to cast Chemo in swirly, pearlised translucent plastic or to add air bubbles or do something to effectively simulate his bubbling in some other way?
Perhaps it could be possible to manufacture the Chemo like the Doctor Who Hath Peck figure? On this figure the entire breather unit is moulded in clear plastic and the 'liquid' is a clear laquer that's aplied to the outer surface (on a larger object it could be aplied to the inner surface or the 'liquid' could be a solid clear insert. Finally the metalic colour of the mask is painted - giving the impression of a clear, liquid filled container trapped inside a breathing mask."

We are looking into manufacturing “tricks” like this and hope the final version of Chemo can include something like this. It may all come down to cost issues in the end. But our creative juices are flowing!

Abstract Harmony asks:
"You stated at the NYCC that you had looked into the Thundercats license but that this was unavailable to you. Was that because another toy company holds the license or because the copyright holders for Thundercats do not want any toys released? Are you also able to tell us, if it is another toy company, who that is?"

Mattel does not own nor has it ever had the Thundercats license so we can not publically comment any further on this property. 

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