Mattel Question and Answer Thread

[Christophe]

Feb 1 Batch

1. Are there any plans on bringing playsets or dioramas to the jlu, dcih or dcuc lines? maybe separate small scale/scenic playsets to collect and put together to make one huge set?  (hint,hint)

Definitely something we are looking into, possibly as an execution on MattyCollector.com.

 

2. We always give Mattel lists of who we want to see in the JLU line. Is there anyone that Matty or TG would like to see as customs?

The customs are always a great way to see what fans are wishing for and how creative they can be. As for a list of customs we would want to see, that is tough since usually figures on our want list get slotted into the toy line – such as Blackhawk and Amanda Waller.

 

3. Why were the DCUC wave 5 line a "walmart exclusive" when majority of walmarts across the country do not even sell DC related toys?

Wave 5 was offered to Wal Mart stores as part of an overall program to bring DCUC figures to Wal Mart in general. As to which individual Wal-Mart stores carried DCUC figures, that is up to Wal-Mart to decide. We have communicated to Wal-Mart that our customers are looking fro DCUC at more of their stores and we hope they will start to carry 6” figures in more stores going forward. But in the end, it is a decision Wal-Mart (and all of our retail partners) make based on the buying habits of local customers.

So as always, if you are not seeing your favorite toy lines at your local store, ask for it by name!

 

4. Animated Wonder Woman is listed in future Infinite Heroes assortments. Is this the version from the 2009 DC Universe film as the Batman Gotham Knight 3-pack is? Are they part of the Crisis series or a whole other set?

We will have more information about this at NYCC!

 

5. Are there possibilities of civilian versions of the Justice Leaguers in JLU?

With enough fan support this is something we could do in time.

 

[texgnome1]

Well, after NYCC I have a few questions.  (BIG surprise lol)

1) When will the rest of the releases for 2009 be revealed?  By our counts, there are about 20 or so more figures that have not been announced. 

2) When will you be revealing the SDCC exclusives?  An alleged DCUC exclusive has already been "leaked", but no word on Cars, MoTU or JLU. 

3) For both Matty & ToyGuru, who were your favorite superheroes growing up?  Enquiring minds want to know!

[Jester]

First off, I would like to thank Toyguru for taking a few minutes and talking to me after the panel on Saturday. Now onto questions that I thought of once I got home 

1) Now that Mattel is expanding the figure line past characters that were in the JLU cartoon, where will you be getting the packaging art from?

2) What was Mattel's thoughts behind going with Wizard Shazam instead of Captain Marvel Jr?

3) Will you be getting back to bulkier characters with this Falls 6 pack?

4) Since Hourman and Justice Lords Batman was so hard to find here in the US, is it being considered to have a 2 pack of them as a Matty or a TRU exclusive ?

5) A few weeks ago if you searched "jlu" on Mattycollector.com it brought up pictures of previous releases. Can you give us any info on that and if/when it might go live.

6) I realize that this might not be your question to answer but maybe you could shed some light on this. Is Target going to update Target.com so we can order JLU online?

7) Will this years Mattel's SDCC exclusives be available on Mattycollector.com after the show?

[Luthor]

Is there any chance that Mattel would do other properties in the JLU style? 

[atkirk]

7) Will this years Mattel's SDCC exclusives be available on Mattycollector.com after the show?

A lot of collectors would like to know the answer to this one. I had good luck in getting the others, but if Matty is going to have them on sale via website it would save us the hassle of making other arrangements.

[Stew]

the new Q&A are posted on the front page of DCHall.

[Christophe]

Our March ones are up.

[texgnome1]

Good answers all around there.  Glad they haven't forgotten about Freddy.  And sounds like SDCC will have quite a bit ready for show.  Can't wait!

[Jester]

1 - Does Matty have any comments on the new repaints and the Hourman that have shown up on eBay in the last few weeks?

2 - Now that April is almost here and date set to announce the next wave of JLU and the SDCC exclusives?

3 - Will the SDCC exclusives be available on Mattycollector.com after the show?

4 -

[texgnome1]

I think number three was already answered in another Q&A.  They are supposed to be offered on MattyCollector.com after SDCC. 

I did have another question:

1) Who is involved in the decision making process for setting the lineup for each wave?  Is it just Matty & ToyGuru?  Focus groups?  How are the lineups picked?

[Jester]

I think number three was already answered in another Q&A.  They are supposed to be offered on MattyCollector.com after SDCC. 

Sweet, Tex!

[Christophe]

Good questions.

[Christophe]

We're up... Check the main page,.


Here are the next questions. Found it difficult to ask the other questions as they've either been covered in other qna's or they've been covered in the recent exchanges with TG.

1) Who is involved in the decision making process for setting the lineup for each wave?  Is it just Matty & ToyGuru?  Focus groups?  How are the lineups picked?

2) Is there any chance we'll see figures from the last two 6-packs (i.e. Crimson Fox, Shadow Thief) in later packs or as singles?

3) We've been seeing some common denominators for some of the figures since the JLU line was rebranded, but can you tell us? What considerations came into the choosing of the characters for the Fan Collection. Like for example did you choose to make the first wave all about returning the most-wanted accessories? How about the others.

4) Any hints on new sub-sets? We've seen Superfriends, LoSH, Beyond Characters, the Crime Syndicate. Got any hints to drop?

5) How do you now balance whether to put out show characters and comic-inspired characters?

[Jester]

Does Mattel have the rights to make figures of the Super Powers Golden Pharaoh and Cyclotron in either JLU or DCUC?

[Quatermain]

How soon will we be able to purchase online past released figures from the JLU line?