Comments on: JLU…and the Bold? One Collectors Suggestion.

By: Newton Gimmick

Newton Gimmick — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:12:22 +0000

Wrote about this a while back. The bottom line is Mattel has no interest in doing this. If they can’t even commit to releasing normal B&TB figures without holes all over them, I can’t expect they’ll do this. I also think that B&TB is dead at retail anyway. The 5 inch line is dropping prices daily, it’s never stocked at any store I go to and the figures that are on the shelvs don’t move. Then again, it’s mostly just Batman anyway. However the Action League stuff is taking over the aisle. So B&TB will live on, but I think the 5 Inch line is just about done.

By: NoisyDvL5

NoisyDvL5 — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:52:27 +0000

Great blog post!

I’d be up for it. I’ve yet to buy any of the Brave/Bold figures, but I’ve wanted. They just don’t go with anything.

Plus, I think bringing Brave & the Bold into the DC house would be good for it regardless.

By: CantinaDan

CantinaDan — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:35:20 +0000

Being one of those JLU “style” snobs I’d pass on mixing a new B&B line in with my JLU display, but I can be kinda picky. The only time I mixed was a short period when I displayed the old BTAS Clayface with my JLUs. I think if that proposed B&B line did happen it’d be more like starting a whole new thing for me (which, after all these years of JLU, I’d probably resist). But, then again, I’m not as big a DC fanatic as others. I say all this now, but if it did happen the real test would be that first time I actually saw them hanging on the pegs!
Regardless, its an interesting idea and regardless of whether or not I personally get sucked in I do love checking out all the new characters that get made in the different lines!

By: KingYuk

KingYuk — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:09:44 +0000

Personally, I would like DC Direct to step up and create the Brave and the Bold line targeted at the adult collector. There’s a large amount of adults who want B&B figures that look like the cartoon and the line aimed at kids is doing too good for Mattel to screw with it. DC Direct is the best solution. And since it will be focusing on the adults, it won’t compete with the Mattel line.

By: SpyMagician

SpyMagician — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:07:34 +0000

Great blog boss!

I would totally support one consistent Animated DCU line. I’m done with JLU, but do buy the occasional B&TB figure (Metal Men mainly so far). If the lines were merged, taking the best of both (the character selection of JLU combined with the better balance and construction of B&TB) it would draw me back in. Ditch the pegs but keep the accessories. Make sure characters have appropriate accessories when necessary and add a gimmicked one that kids can play with but collectors can discard if so inclined (much like the GI Joe Movie line).

Mattel’s DC product is currently splintered into too many formats and scales. With 12″ Movie Masters, 8″ Retro Action, 7″ DCUC, 6″ Movie Masters, 5″ B&TB, 4″ JLU, 3 3/4″ IH, and 2″ Action League, Mattel is asking to much of the DC collector.

Each scale has it’s pros and cons, but the biggest redundancy has to be among B&TB, JLU and IH. The first is a so called “kid’s line” the second a “collectors” line and the last is, well a struggling line at best.

I think one smaller scale covering a variety of formats and styles would work great. Just like what Hasbro has done with the 3 3/4″ scale for it’s Marvel Movie, Comic and TV properties. Sure, the Marvel Universe figures have more articulation, while the animated figures are gimmick laden.

But the key is one consistent scale. All those 3 3/4″ lines work together (hell, they even sort of work with Star Wars and GI Joe!).

Mattel needs to get focused on their DC lines. And as JM outlined, a great place to start would be with the Animated properties and smaller scale figures.

Spy

By: Emerald

Emerald — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:09:08 +0000

The industry still hasn’t come to realize that if a toy is cool enough, a collector will collect it. Being “for kids” or having “collector” printed on the package means nothing really.
The BATB figures have started to claim the DC portion of the toy aisle more and more and truly JLU’s presence seems obligatory. Having a DC Animated line could encompass not just JLU and BATB but any DC Animated movie vehicle Warner Bros. wants to promote as well, such as the upcoming DC Showcase animations (ala Spectre, public enemies, crisis, etc.)
Infinite Heroes is a line going no where. It seemed rushed to stores just to gain shelf space before Marvel Universe could one-up them. Problem being, that because of the lack in quality, Infinite Heroes was dead on arrival. I always thought IH & JLU should have merged as neither has legs to stand on much by themselves. One DC Universe Animated line under one SKU seems the only logical choice. Thanks for blogging this.

By: R2FU

R2FU — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:50:47 +0000

JLU is dead at retail – the 6 packs are still gathering dust at the old Target left over clearance aisle. Brave and the Bold is geared to kids, and is sold out at all my local Toys R Us stores and Target stores. I have actually seen kids run up and ask their Mom to buy the Batman figures. My neices and nephews love the snap on gear for the figures and vehicles and spend quite a bit of time playing with these.

The collector oriented line is DC Universe so exposure of the TV Show featured characters should work their way into the DC Universe line. For those adults who wish to collect more Batman Brave and the Bold, another NEW line of figures would be nice, however in this Recession I think you would run the risk of oversaturating the Retail market with Batman Brave and the Bold products. Why not offer a highly detailed BATB style line of figures direct through Matty Collector or have Diamond/Previews offer a monthly assortment of Mattel figures.

I agree with you Julius that a new line of Brave and the Bold product would be nice, however don’t kill the kids line.

By: darrell frazier

darrell frazier — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 10:37:48 +0000

I actually like the Brave and the Bold figures. They stand up well, they display well together, and they are reasonably priced. I have all of the heroes from the line, and hope they keep making them. My biggest gripe is that by labeling them as a kids line, there is no promotion on the toy website, no news, no display of upcoming figures, nada. I just saw the weird new Solomon Grundy zombie gangster figure on a peg, and had never heard anything about it. I think Mattel decides what they think a collector has a right to collect and then they promote accordingly. The same is true of the amazing new Green Lantern jet from the Imaginext line. That thing is cool with it’s little 2 inch tall Hal Jordon, but had you ever heard about it ANYWHERE? No. We try to support Mattel’s product, but they don’t do a lot to encourage fans.

By: ActionJon

ActionJon — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:49:37 +0000

I agree with your points, and I found it interesting that if even an action figure enthusiast doesn’t quite tell the subtle differences between some packages, what would a simple employee notice? They always bundle everything together, it’s not their fault anyway, there should be some kind of sticker like you said to make it more visible and distinct.

On other accounts, this is the kind of advise coming from the consumer that companies sometimes pay thousands in consulting or just a lot of time spent internally discussing… executives with executives.

By: Lt. Clutch

Lt. Clutch — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 05:32:35 +0000

I’m for combining both lines but would go with Jason’s idea of incorporating the newer Infinite Heroes articulation rather than the older and more static JLU designs. The chunkier look of the TB&TB characters is also better suited for this kind of approach.

By: Brainlock

Brainlock — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:48:50 +0000

You want a line that mixes the best of JLU and B&B?
We already had it: The Batman.
and when that line started expanding it’s roster beyond umpteen Bat-variants and the occasional villain, it got canned for B&B.
(That’s right, I still want my TB Lex, GA, QC Clark, Sinestro, Guy, Lucius, non-execdrin headed Robin/Dick Grayson, Shadow Thief, et cetera! even a Lois!)

By: Shellhead

Shellhead — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:17:57 +0000

Forget both of these lines and devote the resources to more DCUC!!! Sorry, never saw the appeal of JLU or BandB. Other than the Aquaman figures (my favorite DCer), I’ve never bought any of them.

By: JuliusMarx

JuliusMarx — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:13:48 +0000

The new creation would be B&B figures in that style, but the size of JLU.

By: JuliusMarx

JuliusMarx — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:12:42 +0000

Not exactally. I want Brave and the Bold figures in B&B style (without the peg holes) in the JLU scale as a sister line running along side JLU. I still want my JLU figures!

By: jzachery

jzachery — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:41:20 +0000

I was recently going to post something similar but couldn’t quite articulate it.
To me, JLU is no longer Justice League Unlimited, it’s more DC Animated Universe (Inclusive of JLU, BTAS, STAS, Batman Beyond, Superfriends, Titans, Legion of SH, DCU Proper, etc) I think it would make sense to have a Brave and the Bold line done in the JLU style, or at least compatible in scale and not so extreme in style as the current B&B figures.
I would love the versions of Green Arrow, Robin, Catwoman, Huntress, etc that they are showing. Not to mention they are showing a ton of characters that I’d love to see as figures, Crazy Quilt, Aqualad, Katana, etc. Mattel has already said that since it’s a kids line they probably won’t even release the females, so why not put some of these alternate versions in the JLU line? They’re totally classic and I’m all for it!!! Great blog Julius, you’re not crazy:)

By: Ryan Boverhuis

Ryan Boverhuis — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:31:57 +0000

great
finally someone could illistrate something that might work for me a collector that has complainded about the JLU line on matty’s facebook that they no longer let me write post! and it would work for the company.
i’ve been so made at mattel for the last year for making it increadably imossible to get the figures in my area (the nearest target is an 1/2 hour away and never stocked) that i want and not mention the Hal drama.
but like an idiot i still have a panic attack about mattys online figures!
i bought shazam, green lantern, batman’s bad guys and legion; all great figures that i enjoy! and i hate the fact that i miss out on the doom pack.
but anyway your idea sounds like it would work and i got to tell ya that its been easyer for me to find superpowers and batman figures of the same scale than to find the rare JLU figures and ive been also playing withe the toybiz dc heros with my JLU figs.
great idea, so what now with your idea?

By: H-Balm

H-Balm — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:27:16 +0000

So, I can’t tell… do you want the “new” creation to be sized like B&B or JLU?

You might have a good point, I thought all those Star Wars were the same “line”. I never noticed they were different.

By: toyenthusiast

toyenthusiast — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:15:20 +0000

“The Brave and the Bald”

By: Jeff Cope

Jeff Cope — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:09:34 +0000

Even though I don’t collect JLU, I support this. I probably would pick up some Brave & the Bold figures, but I really dislike the plug holes. If they were done in JLU scale and w/o plug holes I would certainly pick up characters here and there.

By: demoncat

demoncat — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:09:32 +0000

your not crazy for i kind of like the idea of jlu and brave and the bold merged for one it would save Mattel time and money since jlu seems to not be doing so hot. though mattel has stated brave and the bold is just for kids.so merging the two lines could cause adults to wind up competing with kids to get the characters secondly though the idea is good certain characters that appeared on jlu have not been cleared for brave and the bold and due to their behavior in the comics Dc and warner like with Lobo would say no to them being on brave and the bold and figures . plus that would get around the no females in the line espically with wonder woman cleared to appear on brave and the bold.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:04:57 +0000

Yes, I totally agree. I wish they would do this.

By: JoeAce

JoeAce — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:00:04 +0000

Let me see if I can picture your idea. Batman: Brave and the Bold styled figures but done in the JLU scale and without the hex holes. The new body style will mean that they can stand on their own and the JLU style will be gone for good. Some JLU collectors may not be happy with that idea since the new figures will not match in style even though they are the same height. New female figures in the line would have to be able to stand as well and not be weak ankled. That’s what KILLED JLU for me, the weak ankles.

Personally, I hope Mattel devotes time into fixing the problems with the new articulation of the DC Infinite Heroes. Maybe keep the new hips and ankles but go back to the old knees?

I fear that JLU and DC Infinite Heroes may not be around next year unless the reveal at the New York Toy Fair is a huge hit and prices drop at retail.

By: Jason Geyer

Jason Geyer — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:36:28 +0000

Excellent idea, but I would add the suggestion to ditch the execrable Infinite Heroes all together and take their place with a 3 3/4″ B&B line that keeps the design but has at least 9 points of articulation.

All new sculpting only, though. Stop with all the new head and paint deco only figures.