Mattel DC Figures

According to Robo's most recent weekly rewind, McFarlane is negotiating to continue their DC Multiverse line. If that's true (not doubting Robo, just McFarlane), there's no way Mattel's line is 7".
 
I can't imagine two mass market adult collectible DC lines running at the same time, especially in a post-tariff world. It works with Marvel Select and Marvel Legends because Select is supposedly limited on the number of releases they can drop in a year so it doesn't take away much from the "main" line.
 
Hmm. I’d be OK with two lines, if Todd kept doing whatever it is he’s been doing and Mattel focuses on a ML-style “full-scope” line.
 
If Todd getting to keep his line means Mattel makes 6" figures then I'm all for it, I just worry that it would result in severely lower sales projections for both companies and unhealthy lines.
 
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Mostly I’m just hoping that Mattel doesn’t shy away from anything because “Todd did it already”. I basically want any classic/iconic stuff Todd did *redone* by Mattel in their own house style. I don’t mind redundancy at all in that regard. I want a Fleischer Studios-deco Superman who can team up with Captain America, and a First Appearance Batman who can slink around with Ditko Spidey.
 
TheSameIdiot said:
According to Robo's most recent weekly rewind, McFarlane is negotiating to continue their DC Multiverse line. If that's true (not doubting Robo, just McFarlane), there's no way Mattel's line is 7".
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I haven't seen this week's Weekly yet. Is this based on something new, or is this from the interviews a few weeks back where Todd said on camera that they are still negotiating with WB and Mattel? I'm highly skeptical that Mattel would consent to McFarlane continuing to do Multiverse in any fashion. Maybe they get to keep doing the DC Direct items like Super Powers, DC Retro and BTAS, but I think it is more likely they just keep non-toy items like statues and props that aren't a direct competition and Mattel has no interest in.

It just doesn't make any sense to me that Mattel would want to compete directly with McFarlane on action figures if they have any say in the matter.
 
I don't see any way Mattel wants to make a 6" DC line with McFarlane running a 7" one concurrent with it. Certainly not one with no restrictions. 8-10 figures a year like Select is allowed maybe. Even that is a stretch.
 
PanchaMaestro said:
I don't see any way Mattel wants to make a 6" DC line with McFarlane running a 7" one concurrent with it. Certainly not one with no restrictions. 8-10 figures a year like Select is allowed maybe. Even that is a stretch.
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I think if anything he gets to keep making his Super Powers line and that's it.
 
Yeah, or statues. I just don't see him making adult collectible action figures anymore because that would be stepping all over Mattel's toes.
 
Yeah... Mattel paid for a Master license, there is no chance they are letting Todd directly compete with them with a retail figure line. Any negotiations that are happening are about lines that Mattel would not view as direct competition to them Either something like the statue line hes doing for Marvel at major retail or other lines at direct market specialty only. Multiverse is D-E-A-D
 
So what do we think a strong “first wave” would be from Mattel to get the ball rolling? When DCUC launched, it had several waves of DC “Select Scultps” or whatever they called them, with many heavy-hitters already “out there”. This time, they will be starting from scratch.

I think I’d start here, with a six-figure BAF wave:
-Batman: late-80s style black/grey with oval. Popular, recognizable, but not many people’s “absolute favorite”, leaves room to do the inevitable more Batmans. Modern-ish large-muscular body build for later use.
-Superman; Fleischer style. Partly my bias, but also a classic look that is distinct from the movie look. Old-school spandex-with-wrinkles big guy body, for use later.
-Wonder Woman: Rebirth. Probably the most currently-popular for her, leaves room for classic looks later. Large, muscular female body, for use later.
-Brainiac: 80s “Milton Fine” version. Never been done in this scale, leaves room for more popular versions down the line. Modern, skinny-with-muscles body for use later.
-Steve Trevor: WWII dress uniform. Deep-ish cut, never done in this scale/style. Larger/fit male suit body, for use later.
-The Wrath, from Batman Special #1, 1984. Suuuuper deep cut, but salable as “anti-Batman”. Same large-muscular body as Batman, also the “budget” figure in the wave.
BAF: Granny Goodbess. And they should go all-out on her.

So there. Recognizable-but-not-most-requested looks for the Trinity, a companion character for each, three never-dones, one incredibly deep cut as a statement of intent, and a bananas BAF of a never-done, much-requested character.

And build from there. They’ll need a few more base bodies, but this would be a really great start. Then they should spin Batman off into a Spidey-like sideline, and limit Bat-characters in main waves to one-or two-per at most.
 
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