JoeCanuck

You could always try a local guy like me

A lot of my 25th figures are from 9.99 to 15.99 depending on the figure and the vehicles are cheap starting at 14.99

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SHILL!!!!   

I would also suggest Hal.  I have used him for most of my 25th Joe purchases (especially US cards) this past year.

This is going to be a fail for Hasbro.

I'm not saying that out of some hope (I'm a completeist for 25th), but rather, that the reaction has been overwhlemingly "MEH" from the boards.

First, they are mostly just reissues with what appear to be cosmetic changes.  Some, like Flint & Viper are actually the most accurate/perfect rendition of the character to date.  So great, but the majority are just updates with no real sense of change to the toy.  Yes they have different body parts in some cases, and yes they were voted on by us.  However, we were told they would have new/different decos and in most cases those decos are minor changes that really don't improve the figure to a point where they are a "must have."  Oh, and don't get me started on those god awful stands.  That colour is awful.  There are many different subgroups that could have had new members added through repaints, or new groups entirely (Night Force, Night Watch CG, etc.)

Second, packaging.  I will hold off a bit until we get shots of the back of the boxes, the excess packaging is nice, but a waste.  I think that it was good idea in theory, but in practice it falls short.

Third, PRICE!!!  OUCH!!  So it looks like we are talking about what, $11 US each figure.  If you buy a case.  Are sites going to be willing to break up cases to sell individual figures?  What price then?  How many of us up here are willing to spend approximately $14-$16 each?

Overall it seemed like a nice idea at the time, but the length of time to execute this has severely hurt the prospects of this being a good seller.  Every figure has already had at least 2 releases already in some form, and most are not different enough to warrant the extra expense.  Also, the character selection, while chosen by us, is fairly weak now after 6 months of new releases.

Thank you Hasbro (honestly) for this, but I think I now better understand why these kind of situations are not really worth doing for large companies.

Well someone mentioned that a new Walmart opened up just north of Hwy 27 & 7.  It apparently had some really good deals on toys so I went and checked it out myself.  WOW!!!  This place just opened on Saturday Jan. 17th.

Here are some of the highlights:

12" Iron Man (Movie) with armour add-ons.  $9.94 (reg. $35) Probably about 50 of them when I went on Fri.
Marvel Legends, Hercules wave & Black Knight wave $5 each.  easily 100 between the 2 waves.
Indy vehicles $5 each  2 stacks in different locations.  Probably about 100 total
Hulk movie figs $4 each  easily 100.  Included the grey hulk, bi-beast wave.
Hulk Buster Hummer $10 each.  30 or more
Batman Batmobile (movie) $10.  20 at least.

Unless you wish to be disappointed, think rounded edges and sound effects.

I suspect that this is going to share an aesthetic closer to the VvsV era than the RAH era.

- R

Let's also not forget that this will be based on the movie PIT.  So whatever it ends up looking like on film, is likely how it will look in toy form.

I just finished it today and I am surprised there isn't a thread about it since it covers a couple of things about the movie, the toys for 2009, Resolute and pictures a movie toy.

I know there are rules about posting images, articles, intellectual property, etc.  So I will just post my two cents, and avoid spoilers.

The first article is with Ed Verreaux who is the production designer.  Apparently he worked on E.T. and Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Anyway, the article goes into a few details, especially interesting was a tidbit on how Duke & Ripcord end up on the Joe team.  An interesting, if somewhat worrying article.

The second article is with Ellen Mirojnick who is the costume designer.  Again some great insight into the costume process and the reasoning behind it.  I think the Storm Shadow reasoning is quite sound and reasonable.  Confirmed by her is the speculation that the "Accelerator" suits will be partly CGI.  However, the article does lead me to worry again.

The one movie toy pictured is the Scarab with a new Motor Viper who could easily be used in the 25th line.  The Scarab is a Hummer style SUV in black with weapons and a shielded windshield.  It is a nice toy, with little to make it seem "futuristic", but rather just a modified SUV.

The article on the upcoming year for the toys and Resolute were both good reads, and it looks like another good year ahead for us Joe fans. 

NOW,

The reason I said the movie articles worried me.....let me just say I have been an avid supporter of the movie and telling people to wait and see before jumping to conclusions.  However....

Both articles mentioned that the production was organized under a time constraint, with approximately half the usual time taken (or less) to get the production going.  On top of that, the production designer mentioned a few times that the movie was constantly being written during production, another worry.  Finally, if you read the article, the tone from the production designer throughout, does not inspire confidence in me.  For the first time I am actually concerned about the movie's success.

Don't forget that Hasbro has stated that DOC was the only mail away that was exclusive to the US.  Every mail away going forward will be available to Canada.

They already did that for Indiana Jones and Star Wars.  So I say bring on the mail away exclusives!!!