General Marvel Legends

So, changing the subject for a moment, if anyone is going to NYCC, could you maybe ask the Legends team if they’ve considered developing a new suited body for civilians? The ones we have now are so dated, and short, and puny that they’re really showing their age.

What answer are you hoping for beyond the usual "It's always something we are considering and looking for an opportunity to work into the line" response?

It's a chance to have a conversation about the topic and bring it to their direct attention. Maybe they think people like the current bodies - this question allows someone to let them know many of us don't.

Because they are puny, too short and dated. The Murdock/Mandarin pinless upgrade addressed some issues (that buck is now able to stay standing), but I'd definitely like to see this issue addressed and that buck retired.

And for that matter, we need an updated female civilian buck. Most of my MJs, Jessica Jones' and Moiras are extremely bowlegged. VHS MJ's legs were great - let's see more of that, with different footwear.

Oh, I... see. So it's more of a "I'm here to let you know that most of us are unsatisfied with the currently available civilian bodies... make better ones"

While I don't disagree with the complaints, I'd also almost guarantee that Hasbro knows what those complaints are and doesn't REALLY care. I mean, they barely seem to care about valid complaints when it comes to the superhero bodies they use constantly. I imagine there's a scale here on how important any given type of body is, and they probably view suited figures more as fun filler stuff than anything they're going to ever dedicate lots of resources into. Plus, those bodies don't make back their investment as fast because they don't release as many suited figures as 'nude/spandex' figures.

Not to say don't give it to them. Definitely do. That's part of their job if they're forward-facing for the company and it's good feedback. But maybe temper that with the understanding it will probably not amount to much.

It’s an opportunity to open a conversation, and maybe bring it to their attention if it’s not already. You’re right, @Enforcer , I don’t expect any kind of response from them except the standard company line stuff we’ve heard before. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t or can’t be discussed.

I’m also not saying that if someone has a chance at a panel to waste their question on this. This is something more realistically talked about in the booth on a one-on-one situation.

When it comes to panels and one-on-one conversations, just ask what you want and what interests you.
I got lambasted for "wasting" a question about 1940's Timely/Atlas characters that I asked at SDCC during the panel. I also managed to get western heroes and horses in the question. To me it's not a wasted question to bring it up in front of the Marvel panel including Jesse or the audience in the room or the viewing audience watching the livestream. They are all topics brought up regularly on this site, Fwoosh and several other sites I follow. I wasn't representing AT, Fwoosh, Facebook or any other group. 1940s characters, western characetrs and horses are topic that interests me and I brought attention to them on a broader scale.
What question was I supposed to ask? When are we getting more X characters? What's the next HasLab? Why was Ryan laid off? I could have asked about classic Avengers and Moondragon's "wrong" costume - my usual go-to rants.

Anyways, just ask what you want and what interests you, even if it's double jointed elbows on female figures...

It's a little weird when questions at a panel get treated like some sort of resource that can be squandered.

Like, the truth is the team either has information they're willing to share, has information they aren't willing to share, or has no information on a topic. I feel like the majority answers about future releases amount to maybe (yes), maybe (we don't know), no (not right now), and no (not ever). But the part in parenthesis is usually unsaid.

I think any question could result in a sound bite that people will latch on to or get excited about. Asking about completing teams generally results in some sort of tidbit. Most of the hints the team will drop are probably decided well in advance, so the question which leads to it is mostly irrelevant.

I've never been in a situation to ask the team any questions, but I don't think if I did it would be something I know the answer would be vague or a standard repeat. "Can we get x character" or "We the fans don't like x decision/body" typically doesn't result in much noteworthy discussion or revelations. "What is the value for the Legends team in developing a new civilian body, or what does vendor pushback look like when civilian characters have been proposed in a wave or set? Are suits more of a priority over a casual Peter Parker look?" That might give more insight... depending how much they want to answer on that behind the scenes.

When it comes to... interesting use of dedicated question time - I'll always chuckle at Boog who ends his Zoom chats with the team by naming off a wishlist that his ACBA paid (?) subscribers submit. 5 minutes of just saying character names while the Hasbro team's eye glaze over in real time. There's some membership value lol

All of these toy companies are working so far ahead of where we are right now, that asking about a character you want to see is usually pointless. If you stumble onto one they are planning, you might get a cheeky response, or you might not. If I were in a position to converse with the team, I'd just share the things I like that they're doing like the new Wolverine and just let them know that I want to see that articulation setup in more figures even if practically speaking that sort of feedback isn't going to pay immediate dividends. I guess I'm a bigger believer in positive reinforcement as opposed to "This figure sucks, why did you release it? Why are there pins on this one? Why did you go with this obviously inferior costume over a better one?"

Big time. Those sort of comments lead to a more antagonistic dynamic with the team, as we've seen. I get that comic book and action figure fans can skew towards the anti-social at times... but generally you don't get great feedback by approaching any vendor and saying "You suck. What you made sucks. I hated this." Like, I just imagine someone going up to and old lady who makes them cupcakes or something and just looking them in the eyes and saying "That cupcake sucked. It did NOT have the sprinkles I liked. Why are your cupcakes so bad now?" What would they do with that? What's the expected response?

Constructive. Always beneficial. Positive reinforcement also helps.

Misfit said:

All of these toy companies are working so far ahead of where we are right now, that asking about a character you want to see is usually pointless. If you stumble onto one they are planning, you might get a cheeky response, or you might not. If I were in a position to converse with the team, I'd just share the things I like that they're doing like the new Wolverine and just let them know that I want to see that articulation setup in more figures even if practically speaking that sort of feedback isn't going to pay immediate dividends. I guess I'm a bigger believer in positive reinforcement as opposed to "This figure sucks, why did you release it? Why are there pins on this one? Why did you go with this obviously inferior costume over a better one?"

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100%

From what I've heard on the grapevine, this is the most useful type of fan interaction. Knowing what we liked beyond just 'everyone bought that Wolverine' is handy. Gives them an -actionable- direction to move in. Saying "I really like Shatterstar" does not help them. Either they're already planning it, or they're not. Me saying I want this character is fun for me, but not particularly moving for them.

Obviously, some people JUST want to make the team aware that at least one person out in the world is rooting for Kylun. Cool. Do it. It's your time and your speech. But if you actually do want to hit on lasting, useful interactions, go for positivity and go for more universal ideas (I like when accessories are painted, I like pinless limbs, I really like X-Men villains, I like sculpted boot tops). Things that apply across the breadth of the line is just more useful feedback on the macro.

JakeEkiss said:

It's a little weird when questions at a panel get treated like some sort of resource that can be squandered.

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I get it. I've been to non-toy industry guest speakers or creator talks where they're really getting into some good discussion about the work or industry, and then the final time eater questions come from the guy who wants to know if they like dogs or cats, or why they chose red for the font on the title card of their Google Slide, or they see the video guest has a Mets mug, how do you feel about the fact the Yankees are better?

Yep - keep it light and fun.
When I chat one-on-one with Dwight, I try to be as upbeat and jovial as possible. He usually asks which figure is my favorite and least favorite of the year, something they can improve on, etc. I pitch characters, teams, storylines and he has always responded well to me. We joke, share family stories - that sort of thing.
This year in particular it took some time to actually get to Dwight. I only had one day at SDCC and I had a bunch of stuff to do, so I kept going back to the booth and chat with him when he was free. He was almost always surrounded by influencer-types just lobbing question after question at him, and not in the nicest way. When I finally got to him, he thanked me for waiting, which was really nice of him to say meaning he noticed me in the booth prior. We had a great chat as usual. Whether he took anything I had to say back to Hasbro to discuss with the team - I have no idea. All I know is he gave me his undivided attention. Maybe it's because he recognizes me from years before, maybe that's just his way of doing things but whatever it is, I felt happy leaving the booth. Would he have been so nice if I was a total demanding ass to him? Probably, but that just isn't my way.

I had a nice conversation with Dwight at Toronto Fan Expo in 2019 (where they revealed Alpha Flight). I told him I really like extra heads for figures, and frankly, it would often get me buying multiples, and he seemed to take that in fully. In the past five years since, they've been great with giving extra portraits. While of course my statement is not the sole reason, a little anecdotal support from one buyer I'm sure didn't hurt.