The Dark Knight Rises Movie Masters: Official Discussion

[jmhotcakes]

What I thought...anyone in Boston area finding catwoman yet?

Just Banes and Batmans at both Targets in the Somerville area. I've been to a few TRU and Dalmatia too. Nothing. Check Newbury Comics! I found my Alfred there.

 

[jmhotcakes]

Just Banes and Batmans at both Targets in the Somerville area. I've been to a few TRU and Dalmatia too. Nothing. Check Newbury Comics! I found my Alfred there.

*walmarts too

 

[jmhotcakes]

Could anyone tell me the difference between the goggles up and goggles down versions of Catwoman. Which one to get?

 

[mikey1974]

Could anyone tell me the difference between the goggles up and goggles down versions of Catwoman. Which one to get?

the difference is basically exactly what you said there. both figures are identical in body and head,except one has the goggles up on top of her head in the "cat ears" position,and one has the goggles flipped over and down over her facemask.

as far as which to get? i guess it's just your personal choice. but it seems,due to findings and ebay sales and such,that the Goggles Down version might be the rarer of the 2.

 

[jmhotcakes]

the difference is basically exactly what you said there. both figures are identical in body and head,except one has the goggles up on top of her head in the "cat ears" position,and one has the goggles flipped over and down over her facemask.

as far as which to get? i guess it's just your personal choice. but it seems,due to findings and ebay sales and such,that the Goggles Down version might be the rarer of the 2.

I heard that with the goggles up version the goggles are on backwards or something. But thanks for the info.

 

[zim]

Look at this review and i think it will answer everyone's question regarding the goggles on Catwoman. It was posted earlier on this board but the first video i saw i could swear the kid said the up version did go down and was the right side up. This one says they go down but are upside down.

Catwoman YouTube Review

FAIL MATTEL There was absolutely no reason for this!!!!


This is what i would have done if i were the TDKR brand manager :

Batsignal:

I would release the batsignal as a stand alone product and include the broken glass piece from Gordon. Or made that an exclusive (see who gets it below). So if your big box store had the exclusive, you would have both the regular and damaged glass but the same price as the regular. I don't find the the bat signal appealing. But additional parts (see below) would have justified the increased price tag from $12.99 last year and would appeal to a lot more people. Even at $17.99, the TDKR MM would be good value for all. So 2 versions regular and exclusive

Batman:

Kept the packaging the same as last year (or close to) for MOC collectors (who like to pin figures to the wall in package) done in the TDKR colors and theme. Done a cloth cape (or regular if not given as an exclusives see exclusives section below) but done well not that monstrosity in the 2 pack. Included a TDKR logo stand and added some additional hands and some accessories.

Bane:

Kept the packaging the same as last year (or close to) for MOC collectors (who like to pin figures to the wall in package) done in the TDKR colors and theme. Added bare arms and made the coat easily removable (and paint all of the backs properly). Included a TDKR logo stand and some accessories.

Catwoman:

Kept the packaging the same as last year (or close to) for MOC collectors (who like to pin figures to the wall in package) done in the TDKR colors and theme. Added a gogles down head or hinged the gogles up head. Included a TDKR logo stand and added some additional hands and some accessories like a whip.

Alfred:

Kept the packaging the same as last year (or close to) for MOC collectors (who like to pin figures to the wall in package) done in the TDKR colors and theme. Included a TDKR logo stand and added some additional hands and some accessories.

Gordon:

Kept the packaging the same as last year (or close to) for MOC collectors (who like to pin figures to the wall in package) done in the TDKR colors and theme. Made him part of the regular wave. Included a TDKR logo stand and added some additional hands.

Ras/Blake:

Kept the packaging the same as last year (or close to) for MOC collectors (who like to pin figures to the wall in package) done in the TDKR colors and theme. Included a TDKR logo stand and added some additional hands and some accessories.


Distribution

Wave 1 - Same case breakdown for everyone with some modifications for big box exclusives (see below, exclusives section). Would sell tons of cases this way and keep product from shelf warming.

1 Batman
1 Catwoman
1 Alfred
1 Bane
1 Gordon
1 Blake


Wave 2 - This would release when Ras the secret character would be officially revealed


1 Batman
1 Catwoman
1 Alfred
1 Bane
1 Gordon
1 Ras

Wave 3

1 Batman
2 Catwoman
2 Blake
2 Ras

Wave 3 Rev 1

1 Batman
1 Catwoman
2 Blake
2 Ras
2 Bane

Exclusives

Mattel keeps moaning about how they need lots of bats to appeal to mom and grandma. This would be the best way to give them that.

Walmart:

Should never have been given an exclusive, they do not deserve it. . but if you have to, give them a batman with cloth cape single instead of Gordon, replacing the regular bats in their case with this.

Kmart:

What they have, Batman with blue prints (replacing the regular bats in their case with this).

TRU

Would get what they have a battle damaged batman with shirtless bane (with nipples).

Target

What they have regular Batman with movie ticket
5 pack 4" as they have
Exclusive bat signal.


I think this plan would move cases, limit peg rot and keep collector's, retailers and big box stores happy and help prevent scalping. A lot of the accessories could be repurposed from other batman figure lines or DCUC, Bodies reused as they have done. The bat signal as a stand alone would sell really well and probably make them more profit then as a CnC and make it more accessible to people who want it and don't want to buy the entire series.

The batman excluisves for the main 4 - Target, Walmart, Kmart and TRU would add some interest to last years batman and keep the product moving and prevent peg rot (this in also combined with less batman in a case instead of 4 like target did). Completists would get all and others would pick what they want i.e a movie ticket, cloth cape with no battle damage, blue prints, battle damage and and a cloth cape.

4 Inch (priced between $5.99-$7.99)

I would have cancelled the QuickTek 4" line the one for $9.99. No one is buying it.

I would Limit the basic 4" to 12 designs and release wave 1 with one of each, wave 2 and 3 with 6 of the designs with 2 of each. Mixed with a strategy of course.

-Regular Movie TDKR (looks very close to the MM)

-Bane bare arms with movie clothing,

- Keaton, All black with yellow chest logo and belt (similar to the one in the 9.99 QuickTek but without the gold belt)

- Blue logo/Gray classic

- Grey/Blk with Yellow (logo)

- All black with red logo

- Catwoman goggles up (not to compete with targets pack)

- Ras

- Joker redone with a more movie looking face

- Thug redone with a more movie looking face

- Two Face redone with a more movie looking face

- Scarecrow redone with a more movie looking face


10 inch

I would cancel this as most collectors buying this scale and larger would go for a product from Hot Toys or Dc Collectibles, they do a better job. But if you had to, i have a ton of ideas but to name some, i would employ perhaps sounds, cloth, heads, accessories. Try do white vision eyes that turn to normal, stands, etc. Lots of these ideas floating in my head.

Other Stuff

-RC vehicles - batpod, tumbler and batcopter

-Hot Wheels 1:50 3 pack for all retailers:

-Tumbler battle damaged/ TDKR batcopter/Batpod with silver handles like the SDCC one but without the mini batman

-I'd reissue the 6" figure batpod from last year

-Do a tumbler and batcopter that fit the 4 inch and.or the 6"


I feel this line up would be a lot more exciting then what was put out.

 

[PolishTank]

Does anyone know anything about this thing?:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BATMAN-Bat-...9521?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item3f17ef7851

Is this in scale with the MM figures? Because in the description it says that this Batpod comes with a non-removable 6" Batman figure.

 

[zim]

Does anyone know anything about this thing?:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BATMAN-Bat-...9521?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item3f17ef7851

Is this in scale with the MM figures? Because in the description it says that this Batpod comes with a non-removable 6" Batman figure.

yes, but the figure being non-removable is a fail for Mattel. I've seen this at retail but i can't remember where. It all starting to blend together.


On a different note, i found 4 banes at different stores that had the back of the package open. Nothing was taken, looks like someone or some people were checking to see if it had a painted back or not. This is really low. He/she could have been trying to steel CnC pieces but the parts and fig were all there and only bane at different stores

So i can only imagine the dumbass going to checkout with a figure with an open back or does he take tape with him.t: The strange part walmart doesn't care about being vandalize or have stuff stolen and they would sell it without questioning, even though security saw him. Toy manager doesn't care. Apparently there are folks who steal figures (full content) out of the package and/or the CnC pieces. So don't be surprised if your cnc piece is missing when you pick one up. There are sloppy joes like this guy and some that should work for the factorys that packed them

not pleased

Mattel needs to recall these unpainted back figures and exchange them. And also add pressure on big box retailers to crack down on this behavior. They have cameras in store that can catch them. Doing this is a serious cry for help. The toy manager at one to whom i gave the package said it happens all the time, and took it to CS to retape. Another time they throw the packaging away and move on with their life. Poor guy getting that one and needs to return will be interrogated at CS about the tape and how it is tape and they accuse you of opening it. This happens with all hasbro products when you go to return them. Then they stand there eyeballing each one, using their out door voice making it sound like you are trying to con them humiliating you.

 

[BREAD WARRIOR]

Does anyone know anything about this thing?:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BATMAN-Bat-...9521?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item3f17ef7851

Is this in scale with the MM figures? Because in the description it says that this Batpod comes with a non-removable 6" Batman figure.

Haha did anyone read that things description?

"This Bat-Pod is racing down the Gotham City streets catching up with The Joker, Mr. Freeze and the Green Goblin..."

 

[mikey1974]

actually the Catwoman goggles are not a failure. she has them flipped up that way in the film so that they make the cat-ears. the pointy parts cover her temples when she has them flipped down.

basically this - when they're flipped down,the goggles curve to fit her face/head,and the 2 pointy parts go along this curve:

but when she flips them up, they stick out,like cat ears:

meaning that not only does she flip them up,but she turns them backwards,to make the cat ears,cause if she just fliiped them up and DIDN'T turn them backwards,the curved temple areas wouldn't be pointing out,and the goggles would look like curved rectangle on top of her head. so the figures are accurate to how she looks in the movie.

 

[MrMan]

actually the Catwoman goggles are not a failure. she has them flipped up that way in the film so that they make the cat-ears. the pointy parts cover her temples when she has them flipped down.

basically this - when they're flipped down,the goggles curve to fit her face/head,and the 2 pointy parts go along this curve:

but when she flips them up, they stick out,like cat ears:

meaning that not only does she flip them up,but she turns them backwards,to make the cat ears,cause if she just fliiped them up and DIDN'T turn them backwards,the curved temple areas wouldn't be pointing out,and the goggles would look like curved rectangle on top of her head. so the figures are accurate to how she looks in the movie.

There's a better chance in me growing a tail than finding this figure in a store

 

[mikey1974]

you will. it's only approaching mid-June.

 

[GuruAskew]

The goggles-up version still has the piece placed on backwards during assembly across the whole production run of the figure. Kinda like how every Batman Begins Movie Masters figure has had the forearms/gauntlets reversed. All easy fixes luckily.

 

[DrexBat21]

*walmarts too

So Catwoman can be found at Targets yet, or is it a waste of time?

 

[Stina]

I feel this line up would be a lot more exciting then what was put out.

You should work for Mattel!

 

[GuruAskew]

You should work for Mattel!

Mattel has done most of the things he complains about for perfectly valid reasons.

1: Batsignal as standalone piece: retailers are reluctant to buy larger shelf-space-hogging items. When the whole thing is assembled it will be much larger than any one figure plus it will include an electronic component. If Mattel could barely make the Bat-Pod work (a retailer exclusive frequently means a lack of across-the-board support from retailers in general) when it's an action-oriented accessory what makes you think stores would order a bunch of boring Bat-Signals? The build-a-figure model is perfect for this item.

2: Packaging consistency: Retailers don't want consumers to see the same thing they saw collecting dust 4 years ago. You don't need to be a marketing major to see the appeal of packaging that strikes the consumer as new. Do Star Wars, GI Joe and Transformers packaging look the same as they did 4 years ago? No. These companies know what they're doing. Furthermore, even the most whiny OCD griper isn't refusing to buy them because the packaging doesn't match, they're just buying them and turning around and whining online about it. Well, one person is at least.

3: Case packs: Mattel is giving retailers what they want and in a Batman line THEY WANT BATMAN. Do you honestly think its a good idea to pack an Alfred for every Batman included as well? Is Blake gonna sell as well as Bane and Catwoman? They'll probably ease up on Batman in future cases but they're gonna want him constantly on shelves for kids and casual buyers.

4: figure improvements/additional accessories: we'd all like gadgets and accessories for the figures and not including them is a cost-cutting measure I don't support, but for the most part it's the nature of action figure collecting. They're gonna make us buy variants with one piece swapped out (whether it's a head or goggles or even a slight repaint) rather than giving us one base figure with interchangeable parts because it moves more figures and that's the goal: to sell a product. Mattel isn't the only company doing this by a long shot.

 

[WarrenPeace2012]

There's a better chance in me growing a tail than finding this figure in a store

Not true. These things are hitting NOW! I walked in to Toy's R Us today and there she was! A goggles down Catwoman waiting for met: Surpisingly, I found the goggles down version instead of the goggles up which worked out perfectly. Keep checking your TRU every Wed and Fri. You will find her, trust me. Gordon on the other hand....

 

[MrMan]

Not true. These things are hitting NOW! I walked in to Toy's R Us today and there she was! A goggles down Catwoman waiting for met: Surpisingly, I found the goggles down version instead of the goggles up which worked out perfectly. Keep checking your TRU every Wed and Fri. You will find her, trust me. Gordon on the other hand....

Well I found 3 Gordons this past weekend. No rhyme or reason.

 

[WarrenPeace2012]

Well I found 3 Gordons this past weekend. No rhyme or reason.

Share the wealth man! What state did you find them in?

 

[Yurka]

Is Catwoman a TRU exclusive? I haven't had any luck or heard of anyone finding her anywhere else yet.

 

[WarrenPeace2012]

Is Catwoman a TRU exclusive? I haven't had any luck or heard of anyone finding her anywhere else yet.

She's not an exclusive to TRU, but it seems like that's the best place to get her because their trucks come on specific days. As for Walmart and Target, she should be there but no telling when she'll pop up

 

[MrMan]

Share the wealth man! What state did you find them in?

2 in West Memphis, AR and 1 just north of Memphis, TN

 

[WarrenPeace2012]

2 in West Memphis, AR and 1 just north of Memphis, TN

Coolness. I'm still looking here in NJ but I'm sure I'll find him soon. I just hope that it's not 2 Gordons for every Walmart and that's it, cause that would suck.

Anybody who needs a Catwoman PM me.

 

[Tha OG Crip]

what scares me is that my walmart said its in the system as a non
replenished item... so you might be right - 2 and thats it!!!

 

[RyanC]

what scares me is that my walmart said its in the system as a non
replenished item... so you might be right - 2 and thats it!!!

Just Gordon? Did they check if the other figures were classified the same way? Thanks for the info.