Comments on: The Future of DC Infinite Heroes…?

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:58:05 +0000

I’m actually starting to warm up to the Infinite Heroes line but my concern is that this will become just another frustrating line to try to collect. Mattel’s foray into action figures has always seemed to be half-hearted to me. Back when the Star Wars figures first came out, Mattel gave us Battlestar Galactica, with minimal detail and didn’t even bother painting the facial features. It seems this “half hearted” approach is still continuing through terrible distribution, bad paint applications, and apparently no real desire to see any of their action figure lines become a mainstay in the toy isles.

By: Miniherofanatic

Miniherofanatic — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:50:17 +0000

With the recent interview revealing that Mattel intends to improve articulation and tweak the sculpts next year, I take it that they are indeed listening to comments and taking action very early in the line. Of course, I am hardly objective, being an admin for the Miniheroes Zone, a board devoted exclusively to 3 3/4″ superheroes like Infinite Heroes and the upcoming Marvel line.

http://miniheroes.proboards104.com/index.cgi
The Miniheroes Zone

By: doug

doug — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:34:10 +0000

I wonder if Mattel would do a Masters of the Universe line in this scale?

By: dave aikins

dave aikins — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:52:59 +0000

So I just saw the figures at Meijers and the price tag was $7 per figure and $15 per 3 pack. At THOSE prices there is no verdict other then CRAP.
$5 per fig and $10 per 3 pack was kinda okay to me, but these prices leave no doubt…

By: Brainlock

Brainlock — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:40:49 +0000

I picked up the 3pks, but have been hesitating on the singles. I can see myself buying more off-beat characters like Adam Strange and Guy, but I know the Marvels will be early on the “redo” list IF they improve the artic.

then again, I do have to drive almost an hour to get to a store that bothers to carry them!

By: TBoogie

TBoogie — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:42:44 +0000

I have faith in Mattel. They seem to be collector friendly and pretty good about learning from their mistakes. Remember the initial Batman line when they got the license? The sculpts were ok but the articulation wasn’t breathtaking. Now? Now, I think their DCU line is better than Hasbro’s current Marvel Legends line (just my opinion). I think we’ll see an improved Infinite Heroes line before we know it!

By: SpyMagician

SpyMagician — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:47:41 +0000

Glad you liked the custom MisterPL!

It’s the first one I tried for customs, but those WWE figures are not bad. The joints pop out easier than on the big figures so it makes disassembly with no heat a snap. Wrists, bicep and hip joints all come apart with a tug. Downside is they are not as sturdy as the bigger WWE Deluxe Agression, but they hold together well enough.

They do make decent Superhero base figures as the knee and elbow pads are fully removable. I used an MVP figure as the base for Guy Gardner, and all I had to do besides re-painting was dremel off the edge of the shorts on the thighs.

Hopefully Mattel improves IH, but until then I have 2 more WWE figures just waiting to be customized into Black Adam and Hal Jordan… ^__^

By: MisterPL

MisterPL — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:17:29 +0000

I picked up one of those wrestling figures (my first wrestling figure EVER, by the way) with the express intent of customizing a DC character out of it in this scale with articulation superior to what Mattel is currently offering in its “Infinite Heroes” line. Imagine the grin on my face when I saw the images at the top of this page. Nice work!

I also want to dive wallet-first into this line but I just can’t justify it. Even though it’s my favorite scale and my favorite comic book universe, there’s just no value in these things. Mattel needs to put more money into them – in articulation AND sculpting – before they’ll get my coin. Accessories would help, too.

The good news is that there’s a recent precedent for Mattel to up the ante in terms of said value. Collectors harped on The House of Barbie™ about how limited the articulation was on the first incarnation of Superman and Batman 6-inch figures. Look what we have now.

So until Mattel decides to offer 1:18 scale DC figures on par with what everyone else is producing, I’ll be making mine Marvel… and Star Wars and Indiana Jones and Hellboy and (God help me) even WWE.

By: Beast

Beast — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:22:27 +0000

“yeah, but Star Wars figs are $7.99 at some stores. For me it’s about price point, as well as quality. If it can’t be done for $5, then don’t do it. If the Marvel figures are better and still $5, then there’s your answer to Mattel. If the Marvel figures are $8, well, there you go…”

You get what you pay for. For $5.00 you get crap.

By: Hourman

Hourman — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:19:45 +0000

I’m not buying them. With the cartoony proportions and the big hands and the bland sculpts, I just ain’t interested. The Marvel line in the same scale blows them out of the water completely and shows up just how inadequate the DC line is. SO my DC dollars will continue to go toward JLU and DCUC.

By: dave aikins

dave aikins — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:15:59 +0000

“Nah. Take a look at G.I. Joe and Star Wars.

Detailed sculpts. Paint. Articulation. Acessories.”

yeah, but Star Wars figs are $7.99 at some stores. For me it’s about price point, as well as quality. If it can’t be done for $5, then don’t do it. If the Marvel figures are better and still $5, then there’s your answer to Mattel. If the Marvel figures are $8, well, there you go…

By: OddJob

OddJob — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:32:54 +0000

I echo the sentiments here. I saw these in person and woefully underwhelmed. Still haven’t picked one up even though I think the character selection is grand. I’m a big fan of the smaller scale stuff. But the price and the lack of accessories just isn’t good enough for me combined with the weak sculpts.

By: Beast

Beast — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:46:41 +0000

Nah. Take a look at G.I. Joe and Star Wars.

Detailed sculpts. Paint. Articulation. Acessories.

By: superfriend

superfriend — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:19:06 +0000

I get that Happy Meal toy feel looking at them too. It just doesn’t seem worth 5$. Then again, I don’t normally buy stuff in this scale, so maybe I would feel the same about paying for GiJoe and StarWars.

By: Beast

Beast — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:10:03 +0000

“I try to tell my students “Keep It Simple Students” for best results and, as it applies to DCIH, these are perfect toys.”

Maybe perfect Happy Meal Toys.

Regardless, thankfully Mattel doesn’t agree with you. And we’ll see some decent figures in 2009. If the line manages to last that long given how badly it’s been handled by Mattel.

By: ZAXILLA2

ZAXILLA2 — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:08:08 +0000

Great custom, SpyMagician! I definitely think that’s how the figures should look. I’m really torn with this line. I’ve bought a few figures so far, but haven’t taken them out of the box yet. I even picked up the GCPD 3 pack and then put it down again. I think I might have to see what the future holds before I truly invest in this line.

By: jzachery

jzachery — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:02:09 +0000

I agree with bnjmnrlyr on the articulation. I just wish they were in a slightly larger scale.

By: bnjmnrlyr

bnjmnrlyr — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:42:08 +0000

Personally, and by now I have fully realized that I am completely the minority here, I love these figures just the way they are. I don’t like gobs of articulation in a figure. Between 5 and 9 is optimal for me. I don’t need super accurate and hyper detailed sculpts. I have absolutely no use for a bucket full of accessories as tehy always end up lost down an air vent or up the vacuum anyways.
I try to tell my students “Keep It Simple Students” for best results and, as it applies to DCIH, these are perfect toys.

By: superfriend

superfriend — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:50:54 +0000

One other thing that hurts this line is that the closest TRU has them priced at 6.99. 7$ instead of 5$. I’m used to buying Justice League at 5$. The 7$ price is a turn off.

By: jzachery

jzachery — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:15:04 +0000

Initially I was excited about this line… until I saw them in person. Just not my thing, too cheap looking, more articulation would make it worse. I’d have liked them to be in scale with JLU and Super Powers. 2 lines that prove you don’t need over articulation to make a quality figure.
I’m passing on Marvels new line as well, just not my thing. I have almost an entire DCU in JLU, why change? I like the style better, it’s more classic, and I’d rather have a scale that can mix and match between all the DC lines of around the same size. Super Powers, Batman, JLU, etc.

By: Miry Clay

Miry Clay — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:45:33 +0000

I am torn…

I WANT to support this line, I want to have Cap and Batman team up and clobber some Stormtroopers and Cobra goons. I like the scale. I for the most part like the character selection, especially with the 3 and 6 packs.

And there in is part of the problem. Will Jim Gordon, Flash, Zoom, Mirror Master, and the rest be re-released with the promised improvements? In times when there are a lot of good toys competeing for my dollar, are they really going to ask me to buy these characters twice, or to accept the first 5 waves at a lower level of posability than the promised future waves? Let’s face it, at this point these even lack the now 25 year old biscep swivel.

And yet, if too many folks pass on the line, it will never get the chance to reach it’s promised potential. But does if it’s not up to par, doesn’t it deserve to die?

As I said, I’m torn.

By: Norman

Norman — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:26:34 +0000

The problem with more articulatio is that they get loose too quick. i bought some WWE figures and their legs would wear out way too soon. My only complaint with this line is the size, too small for that price.

By: Beast

Beast — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:53:52 +0000

“DCIH will also need to add accessories to truly compete. Even at $5 the lack of accessories really hurts the perceived value.”

That’s another problem. The lack of accessories for most of the characters. Where’s Green Lantern’s lantern for instance. And doesn’t Commissioner Gordon not even come with a gun?

By: Lt. Clutch

Lt. Clutch — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:43:00 +0000

Toy Biz debuted on the scene in 1989 with its Batman movie and DC Super Heroes line. I remember supporting those lines even though they paled in comparison to Kenner’s Super Powers or Mego’s super hero figures. But once they came out with their Marvel and X-Men stuff, articulation and detailing improved with each new wave of figures.

And eventually, we ended up with Marvel Legends.

Toy Biz Batman Movie = Marvel Legends

Hard to believe, isn’t it? I’ll be behind Infinite Heroes for the same reasons.

By: SpyMagician

SpyMagician — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:33:08 +0000

I don’t think the comparison to JLU holds. The Animated style does not lend itself well to articulation, it’s all about clean cartoon lines.

I don’t think any semi-realistic or comic book based superhero line can compete without more articulation.

Even Star Wars upped the ante on articulation. Like it or not, the bar has been raised…

DCIH will also need to add accessories to truly compete. Even at $5 the lack of accessories really hurts the perceived value.

By: The Tekwych

The Tekwych — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:28:34 +0000

The JLU line has survived at 1:18 with only 5 points of articulation and it is surviving as a collectors line so there is some president for a less articulated collectors line. The surprise announcement by Hasbro that they will be offering a Marvel line at the 1:18 scale with full articulation shook a few people at Mattel. They have moved forward their articulation ramp up and are looking at the possibility of reusing some of the 4HM facial sculpts. I will be buying the full line as this scale fits the rest of my collection better than the DCUC line. I love the scale, the scope of characters being offered and the chance for vehicles and playsets. I don’t need the super articulation that Hasbro’s ML went to in some cases but better shoulders and the addition of ankles and wrists at a minimum would help me to justify spending the money

By: Beast

Beast — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:09:37 +0000

Well said.

I think the biggest hurdle the line has in reaching 2009 for the promised “Better Figures” is the figures themselves. Mattel doesn’t seem to know who they’re marketing the line to. The figure selection isn’t going to appeal to the kiddies, who might have bought the known characters such as Batman, Superman, etc.

And while the character selection is pretty nice when it comes to the adult collectors, the sculpting, painting, and articulation just arn’t up to snuff. And some of them may be a bit put off that they have no A-Listers to display with the numerous B/C-Listers.

So the figure line is going to face a tremendous uphill battle with both segments of the collecting community. Which means it’s likely to die a horrible screaming death, especially once the Marvel Universe line hits the racks in March.