Mattel DC Figures

[Niko (protozoalord)]

So then the question becomes “what is a deep cut”?

Main continuity superhero like Sideways, Loose Cannon, or Shade the Changing Man?

Different genre like Amethyst, Warlord, or Jonah Hex?

Outside of the main continuity like Superman: The Dark Side, Batman from Gotham by Gaslight or New 52 Earth 2 Flash?

All valid selections. All head scratchers to the general public and even some comic fans.

Tough question, but first of all: Most A-lister variants usually don't count as deep cuts. Never will. Those can anchor waves, and always have with lines like Marvel Legends. We will get those no matter what.

The definition of deep cut is entirely relative to the possible depth, and how deep a line is. This line is just starting though, and until we have an evergreen line-up of the Justice League mainstays (that is to say, a foundation), EVERYTHING ELSE is a deep cut. At the start, essential B-lister heroes like Firestorm, Power Girl, Blue & Gold, The Atom, etc. are all kind of the go-to deep cuts. Marvel Legends is only able to so comfortably do Spidey and Avengers waves of two A-lister variants and a bunch of random goobers BECAUSE they have built out the foundations for the collections those guys add to.

Once they build the foundation, or if they have an up-front roadmap for the A-listers, that's when we can start getting the trail mix. For my personal sensibilities, I'd have an even thirdsies between nicher villains (Killer Moth, Eclipso, Captain Cold, Psycho-Pirate), main characters of major comic runs more so beloved by the hardcore nerds (Warlord, Death, Amethyst, Tommy Hitman, Animal-Man, Jack Knight), and the final third being that kind of guy you would find in the back of a group shot of a Justice League comic or JLU episode. You know those guys.

Intentionally not factoring in specific "themed" waves, as we don't have any clue what their wave layouts will look like yet. Those would change a lot.

 

[Atomic Knight]

Tough question, but first of all: Most A-lister variants usually don't count as deep cuts. Never will. Those can anchor waves, and always have with lines like Marvel Legends. We will get those no matter what.

The definition of deep cut is entirely relative to the possible depth, and how deep a line is. This line is just starting though, and until we have an evergreen line-up of the Justice League mainstays (that is to say, a foundation), EVERYTHING ELSE is a deep cut. At the start, essential B-lister heroes like Firestorm, Power Girl, Blue & Gold, The Atom, etc. are all kind of the go-to deep cuts. Marvel Legends is only able to so comfortably do Spidey and Avengers waves of two A-lister variants and a bunch of random goobers BECAUSE they have built out the foundations for the collections those guys add to.

Once they build the foundation, or if they have an up-front roadmap for the A-listers, that's when we can start getting the trail mix. For my personal sensibilities, I'd have an even thirdsies between nicher villains (Killer Moth, Eclipso, Captain Cold, Psycho-Pirate), main characters of major comic runs more so beloved by the hardcore nerds (Warlord, Death, Amethyst, Tommy Hitman, Animal-Man, Jack Knight), and the final third being that kind of guy you would find in the back of a group shot of a Justice League comic or JLU episode. You know those guys.

Intentionally not factoring in specific "themed" waves, as we don't have any clue what their wave layouts will look like yet. Those would change a lot.

Agreed. Yet there’s a balancing act at work too. A foundation is critical. But DCUC ran through most of the A and B+ list in 36 months. Some of that was spent chasing Super Powers. Ugh. If they do that again, we may be back to Todd sooner rather than later.

 

[secondwhiteline]

If anything, DCUC did way fewer A and B+ tier figures than you would expect, especially considering they shied away from a lot of stuff that had been in DC Superheroes before it. Counting Batman Beyond, there were only 5 Batmen in the 20 regular waves of the main line - that's NEVER happening again. They were anchoring waves with Hawkgirl or Green Arrow or Mary Marvel, which: also NEVER happening again. There's no way the collector's line isn't going to have a Batman or Superman in every single wave, the way Marvel Legends has a Spider-Man or Iron Man or Wolverine in every comic wave.

The thing is, there are enough Batmen and Supermen to keep a line running forever. Every A-list hero has a million looks. Even the B-tier ones have a ton of designs. There is absolutely no reason this line can't just keep going on and on with sane wave compositions and case packouts.

 

[Atomic Knight]

I’m really not talking about multiples of Batman or Superman. I’m talking about the core members of the Justice League, the Titans, and the top tier of the JSA. None of which should be a stretch to make. But cram all of that into three or four years and you haven’t shot yourself in the foot. You’ve just shot your balls off. If Mattel wants to keep this going for 20 years like Hasbro Marvel Legends, they’re gonna need some balls.

 

[Niko (protozoalord)]

I hate few things more than the 'it's magic, so do whatever' thing. Personal preference. She-Ra's sword polymorphs, so it makes -some- sense in continuity that He-Man's can change as well. I just personally don't like the idea. But I also dislike the idea that 'bigger sword hit better.' It's never been true in real life and so it doesn't really make sense in a magical world either.

Then again, I am known for strong sword opinions and I am very aware of that.

I agree with the idea of "big thing hit better" being stupid.

I grew up with many anime (namely, some mecha anime) where swords just entirely change in size just for the cool factor with 0 explanation, so I'm very used to it. I also adore when magical/mythological weapons are practically living characters in of themselves with some sort of pseudo-sentience and often physical properties that morph depending on situations, with inconsistent descriptions as a result. Gae Bolg, Stormbringer, Vampire Killer, etc.

If we go exclusively for mini-comics lore, the sword should be small and puny and stay that way no matter what. He-Man is just built different, the sword is practically an accessory.

Within more contemporary lore with the Council of Elders turning themselves into the Power of Grayskull or whatever and the sword being a conduit of that power into Adam, I don't mind it morphing in size. I haven't seen much She-Ra media yet, but the Sword of Power also changes the size of Cringer and often its wielder, so it's not too out of the realm of possibilities for it to also change in size. Either way, I'd like this version's default to feel like a natural part of He-Man, and Mondo's is fairly close to the perfect size for that. Size shifting would just be a dumb excuse to make it smaller or larger to emphasize it or He-Man depending on scene and context.

I'm very surface level on He-Man lore and only started deep diving this month (Simultaneously doing bits of mini-comics, Filmation, and MYP at the moment) though, so maybe all these thoughts will change as I get deeper.

Alcala Power Sword is the coolest design though, regardless of size.

 

[TheSameIdiot]

Pixel Dan with a hands on look at MOTU Chronicles...

This may be a good idea of what we’ll see in the DC collector line, at least in terms of style and articulation. Just imagine it is Warlord, or even better Shining Knight and Winged Victory…

The butterflies could use some work, but there's a lot to like here.

 

[Xavion2025]

So then the question becomes “what is a deep cut”?

With respect to DC? Any character that isn’t a version of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, or a Batman villain.

No, seriously. Think about it. We’re not exactly drowning in Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Atom, Hawkman, Black Canary, Red Tornado, Hawkgirl, Zatanna, Firestorm, JSA, or New Teen Titans after 25 plus years of DC figures, and that’s just the Silver and Bronze Age.

Jebus, I’m sitting here talking about female Legionaires, and I still don’t have a fully poseable Wolfman/Perez era NTT Starfire in my collection.

 

[Atomic Knight]

With respect to DC? Any character that isn’t a version of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, or a Batman villain.

No, seriously. Think about it. We’re not exactly drowning in Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Atom, Hawkman, Black Canary, Red Tornado, Hawkgirl, Zatanna, Firestorm, JSA, or New Teen Titans after 25 plus years of DC figures, and that’s just the Silver and Bronze Age.

Jebus, I’m sitting here talking about female Legionaires, and I still don’t have a fully poseable Wolfman/Perez era NTT Starfire in my collection.

Point taken. And I actually think you’re being generous by including Wonder Woman and Aquaman. Also, although most Bat villains get done. Only a few get multiples.

I’ve always been of the opinion that we as fans and collectors shouldn’t have to worry about the Justice League, Justice Society, or the Titans. Plus associates and villains. Easy, low hanging fruit of the heritage hero. But apparently WBD, Mattel, Wal Mart and Target think differently.

 

[Xavion2025]

I mean, I get it. This has been DC’s Achilles Heel since I first started reading comics in 1974…the inability to get their second and third tier characters “over” as they say in the wrestling business.

I guess what I’m really trying to say is that this new line doesn’t have to go THAT deep to be something fresh and exciting. (Yes, I am contradicting some of my earlier posts in the thread. I like to think of it as the ability to learn from other viewpoints, but call it what you will. )

Also, please don’t misunderstand me. I know that endless versions of Batman and related are released in DC lines for a reason. They sell. I fully expect to see PLENTY of them in the new line.

I’ve always been of the opinion that we as fans and collectors shouldn’t have to worry about the Justice League, Justice Society, or the Titans. Plus associates and villains. Easy, low hanging fruit of the heritage hero.

This is really all it would take to make me happy. Sure, I’d love to see some deeper cuts, but let’s at least build the foundation of a complete DC line. It could take several years if the line is successful, but as long as we’re making steady progress, I would be on board.

 

[Atomic Knight]

This is really all it would take to make me happy. Sure, I’d love to see some deeper cuts, but let’s at least build the foundation of a complete DC line. It could take several years if the line is successful, but as long as we’re making steady progress, I would be on board.

I’d guess 80%-ish of the core buyers would be happy in this space. Maybe even me. As long as it’s consistent. And using the All Star Squadron and the JLU, you can reach out in many directions.

 

[Damien]

I agree with the idea of "big thing hit better" being stupid.

For the record, I responded to all this in the MOTU Chronicles thread, since it started with talking about the MOTU Chronicles power sword. Seems the best place for it so as not to continue to derail this convo. No obligation for you to READ what I said, but just in case you thought I was ignoring you here.

 

[joshsquash729]

Your mom's a deep cut.

 

[Damien]

Your mom's a deep cut.

Careful. There's people 'round here that get like... the most butthurt you've ever seen in your life... when you talk about peoples' moms. It's not a funny joke. It's evil and vile and mean and disgusting and fucking shame on you. SHAME.
What if everyone's moms are reading these posts right now? How will you feel knowing that you've emotionally and probably physically somehow violated every AT members' moms?

Grow up, JOSHUA.

 

[AceofKnaves]

You can say mean shit about my mom.

She’s got it coming.

 

[Damien]

She’s got it coming.

She's got a lot of people coming, I've heard.