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[Zeroflamez]

Originally Posted by canprime

I think McFarlane's release strategy was initially a sucess, and helped to boost the line. Along with the lower price compared to other retail lines.


However I think, now, that strategy is starting to hurt the line. The initial "hey I loved that storyline" really differentiated the line, and offered figures of never released designs/characters. However the line has been mostly "Bat" related characters, and newer, storyline specific waves. That is great if the storyline is popular, or considered a classic. However a lot of it has been based on very recent storylines which don't necessarily have the deep love of more classic stories. So then how big is the fan base for these waves? I get the logic behind the decision, because how many people want the 1000th version of BTAS Batman, or classic appearance Superman? Especially in a collector focused line. But then you have to juggle the niche looks against the more classic looks, which a lot of fans still clamour for even though they may already have that look a few times over. Also it is time to get a wave that is less reliant of the Bat/Supes characters.



Then don't get me started on this garbage strategy of releasing the same mold twice with either a masked/unmasked head, or a different accessory. Also the fact that the unmasked version seems to usually be the general release, and the masked version is an exclusive? Really? I'm not interested in an unmasked BB Shriek, or Thomas Wayne, but that is the only thing available at general retail.


Anyway, the line has had a fair amount of "gems" but the current trend, in my opinion, has been a lot more "stinkers."

If desperate enough GameStop will just take the figures off shelves and sell them online for cheap like what they did for Lightning collection when they were flooding pegs. Retailers need to find the balance of availability and supply.

Originally Posted by wedge1021

I was just thinking along the same lines as this. Starting to get tired of the waves based on recent, obscure storylines that I've never heard of before. The designs look cool, but I don't want 8 versions of Batman, 6 versions of Wonder Woman, 4 versions of Superman, etc. I'm actually that collector that DOESN'T have all the classic designed figures, since I just started with DC figures when McFarlane took over the licence. I want to see more waves that are made up of classic comic designs, including heroes as well as villains. And as much as I loooove Batman, I think I've hit my limit on Bat-themed figures. Unless it's adding to the classic rogues gallery, then I'm all in.

And yes, the mold re-use strategy is wearing super thin. That, and store exclusives. But that's a problem every line seems to be caught up in these days.

If toy companies didn't feel they need to flood the calendar year with releases out of fear of People losing interest in their line, I think we'd see less re-use and variants. I get that mold re-use and variants have always been a thing but it felt like it was used more intelligently decades ago compared to now.