CriticalMess.Net Mattel Q&A for February 1st, 2010
THREE DAYS EARLY!

Doosh ex Machina asks:
"I have a question re: the All-Star line. As someone who has come into DCUC collecting late in the game, there are several figures that I missed out on that I'd love to get.  I know there are others that have been hard to find in general (Classic Aquaman, Gentleman Ghost, or Walmart Wave 5 anyone?)... Will all of the figures released so far make it through to the All Star selection, and if not, what are the criteria for All-Stardom?"

The All-Star figures will continue to focus on the really big guns. Aquaman is possible, but other more collector-friendly figures will not be offered in this way. We may, however, find other easy ways to re-release these characters, such as multipacks.

Abstractharmony asks:
"Seeing the success of the MOTUC line and the success of the DCUC Line are we to assume that The Powers That Be at Mattel are happy with the 'new regime' in boys toys? and by extension has this perceived success allowed you to look at things under these licenses that you didn't initially think would ever be viable in their initial stages of planning way back when and can you give us any examples of this?"

We can’t discuss new acquisitions or unannounced figures, but MattyCollector.com and our 2009-2010 adult collector lines at retail (like DCU) have been a huge success and we’re excited for future offerings coming down the road!

Hyperion asks:
"Going back to beating this particular dead horse -- The first two collector 2-packs that were offered exclusively on Matty.com seemed to suffer from regular quality control issues (most notably the Starfire leg issue) as well as some serious sculpting choices that seemed to turn the collectors off.  Knowing that the special 2-packs will no longer be sold online and will be going to retailers, will this quality control issue be corrected to avoid a backlash at the retail level? And if so, do you anticipate ever offering the 2-packs for sale online for those who cannot find them at their various local shops?"

We won’t be going back into production on any of the 2009 DCU  MattyCollector.com product. We have a few case packs left and will bring those to SDCC. As for quality control, that is something we are always working on and look to continue to improve!

Related question: What of the current/future crop of 2-packs was considered for an online exclusive but with the cancellation of that particular program, have been selected for a retail 2-pack or broken and slotted for a regular wave (The rumored Platinum/Tin pack coming to mind.?

We did have several two-packs and JLU four-packs planned out, but the market simply would not support these SKUs. They will not be going to retail or developed. To put this one to bed, there has never been a Platinum/Tin pack. This is, as you say, a fan developed rumor.

Several Members ask:
As part of your tenure as DCUC chief, will you be pushing to include characters from DC’s various imprint titles and offshoot universes (such as Swamp Thing, Red Circle, Milestone, etc) in the renewal of the DCUC contract when it comes due?

Sorry, but we can’t comment on the acquisition of new properties, even as an expansion of a current one. 

TALK ABOUT IT HERE!