Well, as I get older and wiser I tend to look around at my many boxes of toys that I’ve acquired since college and wonder why I am still buying new ones when so many of my old one haven’t seen the light of day in many years.
The simple answer is that there is still a small part of me that loves toys. Not even necessarily a certain collection, or character, just toys in general. Unfortunately, most companies these days no longer turn out toys, but instead collector-focused shoddy crap that falls apart as soon as you touch it. But still, it gives us a deeper character pool to play with, and a more varied range of figures every year that a solely kid focused line could not do. This is the major reason I’ll continue to pick up Mattel’s DCUC line until it ends.
But as for any Hasbro toys, I’m done. I just bought my last one: Marvel Legends Union Jack. Ever since I started collecting comics back in the early 1980s, I’ve always been attracted to the goofy c-list and d-list characters that populate the margins of the comic universe. One reason I love Kenner Super Powers so much is that they not only embraced these characters, but went even more obscure and created their own! So over the years there have been figures that I never thought would ever be made that I just had to have: Morbius (except he needs his classic outfit!), Man-Wolf, Taskmaster, Black Knight, Wendigo, and Baron Strucker. Eventually, I’m sure Toy Biz would have made all of my "most wanted", including Jackal, Puma, Razorback, Carrion, Gladiator, and maybe even Swarm!
But even if Hasbro makes these, I won’t be buying them. Putting aside the incredible cost hikes these last few years for a moment (Union Jack was $15!), I just cannot support a company that mishandles so many lines when I’m feeling lukewarm on toys in general. Indiana Jones was dropped less than six months after launching. While this might not have even been more than a 1-2 year line, the incredibly bad planning behind it is inexcusable, especially since Hasbro has sat on the license since 1999 while awaiting for a 4th film. But bad character choices, case packouts, package design, distribution, shipping schedule, and horrible sculpt/paint jobs all prematurely killed it before they could even ship all the product already manufactured.
Then you have thing like the lack of a real animated style Boba Fett. I’ve always wanted a nice 3 3/4" version of the Holiday Special character. But what they put out was a repaint of the same sculpt they’ve used way too many times now, instead of a new sculpt that actually followed the streamlined animated style. They could easily do it- they’ve already put out two whole animated style lines! Gentle Giant made an incredible animated version as a statue. But Hasbro wants people to keep paying inflated prices for crummy merchandise. Thank God I’ve never cared about Clone Troopers!
Taking into account all that, the worst thing about Hasbro is that they’ve bought up all the great smaller companies (Kenner, Tonka, Galoob) and totally butchered what was great about them, leaving no competition for the great toys of yesteryear. I’ve missed Kenner for quite awhile, and I’ll miss Toy Biz now, too. But fondness for what they used to create alone cannot keep me buying lesser versions of their product.
Anyway, I’ve finally got my Union Jack, and even if he is basically a reused Spider-Man body he still looks OK. But my buck stops here. Sorry, Hasbro.
You realize that the $15’s for Union Jack was due to Target not Hasbro, right? They jacked the price up because it seemed everyone was fine paying $15 for the much larger Hulk ML line. Of course, they finally fixed that so-called mistake and now the Target Exclusive wave is $9.99 again.
And I honestly don’t think they mishandled the Indiana Jones line what so ever. Other than the early paint problems, which was due to the new factory… I thought the line was great. But Wal-Mart over-ordered and the line clogged pegs. And now it’s over, just as it was getting better. Hopefully we’ll have an Indy V in a few years so that Toht and others can be released.
And if you honestly think that Toy Biz would have made the figures you mentioned, I highly doubt they would have offered anything much different than Hasbro has so far. Considering Wave 1 and 2 of ML under Hasbro were Toy Biz figures that were already in production. Hasbro’s done a good job with ML so far. And especially SHS and the upcoming Marvel Universe.
There is a certain amount of disappointment inherent in collecting action figures produced by the big toy companies. A similar blog could easily be written about Mattel and their blunders. Smaller companies disappoint, too. McFarlane always seems to be canceling lines just when they’re getting good. Palisades, who always went above and beyond couldn’t keep it up.
But for all the negative, each of these companies has produced some kickin figures that I’m thrilled to have.
I certainly understand the feeling of your post. I’ve noticed that lately I collect with a certain feeling of resignation. That way when something actually does go right I’m pleasantly surprised.
I’m one of the people who actually really, really loved the INDIANA JONES line. Yeah, the sculpts could’ve been better and, sure, it would’ve been AWESOME to not have to weave through a thousand Mutt Williams’ and Indy variants while searching high-and-lo for the LAST CRUSADE line (which I managed to find) and the TEMPLE OF DOOM line (which I haven’t) but I really loved them. Maybe it’s because I love the character and films so much (yes, even CRYSTAL SKULL), I don’t know.
It’s a shame we’ll never get to see a Toht or a German mechanic or a Belloq in archaeology gear. And I didn’t know that it was mishandling of the line on Hasbro’s part until I started (religiously now, by the way) reading your site. I, for one, will miss the line quite a bit.
Ah, well…There’s always my beloved JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED series…
…for NOW, anyway.
I cant say I agree with all your statements- as by in large I am a Hasbro junkie– but most of the recent price hikes have been adjusted..back to a more normal price recently.
If they didnt pick up the marvel license. I dont believe they would have gotten out these recent waves– as the last couple were stacking up on the pegs–
Also I blame alot of their star wars decisions on Lucasfilm- as from things Ive read they had to fight to even be able to use the colors-and even stated the year before it would be in realistic style- Lucas wants nothing in that animation style to even exist—
That GG maquette– is a repaint- of the original statue and is not on model with the holiday special either
And as far as Indy goes– yes they mishandled it because they thought their Star Wars audience would leap to IJ as well.. I said they were wrong then and I think sales have shown that. I do believe they should fire their market research staff and maybe hire some new guys that arent in Phillip Wises pocket and believe everything his site talks about.
Overall they do listen and although their are some horrible decisions– some of the risks they take have changed the toy landscape for the better, Attacktix, Unleashed, Mighty Muggs, Galactic Heroes-Transformers crossovers(although I hate them)-
All the other toy companies are just trying to catch up with the new movers and shakers– although Mattel may have a larger market share– Hasbro will always rule the Boys toys aisle and action figure market.
Even as far as original creations they just cant compare– He Man will never beat out Transformers and G.I. Joe.
I remember Toy Biz making a Swarm figure. Althiugh I couldn’t find a pic, here’s the description from Wikipedia:
An action figure of Swarm was released in 1997 as part of the Spider-Man: Spider Force toy line. It was molded in a translucent yellow plastic, and featured a removable cape and hood, and snap-on bee armor. This armor could also be assembled to create a “giant” bee accessory.
I understand what you’re saying, but I find it funny you blame Hasbro and then say you’ll continue to collect Mattel. Mattel has done everything you mentioned Hasbro doing, but twice as bad to four times as many lines.
I agree with ToyOtter… I said from the minute I heard that Hasbro was taking over the Marvel Legends line that they would end up ruining the line, and so they have. I haven’t actually boycotted buying these figures, but I haven’t bought nearly as many as I used to when ToyBiz produced them. The price hike has also played a part in why I haven’t bought many too.
Frankly they’ve improved the lines.
The plastic is of a better quality. Which means I haven’t had figures breaking out of the package or falling over cause their joints are weak.
And there hasn’t been near as many problems with paint slop and stuck joints due to paint slop. And nobody looks like they’ve been swimming in a sewer like ML10 “Sewer Swimming” Cyclops.
And the price hike was going to happen no matter who was making the line. The cost of plastic had went through the roof. Why do you think other similar lines are the exact same price point as Hasbro’s Marvel Legends right now.
Perhaps ironically, I just this week decided to stop buying Mattel’s figures. Their management, Q&A spin, and non-distribution are an embarrassment to the industry and a frustration I can live without.
I’m more of a Marvel person, anyway.
And that’s the point, isn’t it? I wonder if you’d feel the same way about Hasbro if they were handling DCUC. I suspect you wouldn’t as AFI is a decidedly pro-DC, and thus pro-Mattel, site.
As for me, I don’t like how Hasbro mishandled Indiana Jones any more than anyone else, but they gave me G.I. Sigma 6, which I think are the best pure boys action toys of the last 20 years, so they have my nerd heart.
I’m going to address this more fully in another post later today/tomorrow, but:
1) I’m more of a Marvel fan than DC fan.
2) “The other guy does it too/does it worse” is not a defense.
3) I’ve never been a fan of GI JOE, Transformers, He-Man, WWE, Naruto, etc. so past accomplishments buy no love from me.
4) I think Hasbro is a better toy company than Mattel.
5) I still can’t forgive Hasbro for what they did to Kenner.
One more thing. I’m not boycotting anything. A boycott implies that you will buy the toys again if/when something changes. I’m not buying any more toys from Hasbro. Period.
“re: 5) I still can’t forgive Hasbro for what they did to Kenner.”
Maybe you could elaborate on this topic a bit. I’m not savvy to all the details and would be interested to read (a blog entry perhaps) about the subject.
Not to get too deep on it, but Tonka bought Kenner with very little changes in the late 80s. Hasbro bought Kenner (and Parker Bros) along with Tonka in the early 90.
While they left Tonka and PB relatively alone, they slowly forced Kenner into doing things the Hasbro way, eventually killing the Kenner name altogether and shutting down their headquarters.
i can understand your frustration. im not a fan of hasbros sculpting, price hikes or downsizing of the build figures. so i also stopped buying. as far as mattel, while i am very upset at what has happened to the masters of the universe line, i do like their dc figures. but im not a dc fan so out of the 8 or so waves listed i can only see 2 or 3 figures i want. i didnt stop collecting, it was more like being pushed out of collecting. sad days.
I completely agree with your original post. I live in the UK and collecting Marvel Legends has never been an easy thing over here.
From the ToyBiz series one it was extremely difficult to find the figures as very few high street stores ever stocked them.
Up until series 10 I was paying on average $19.00 per figure! After that more stores finally got the message and collecting was sweet until Hasbro got their hands on the license.
Now it’s next to impossible to find this figure in the UK. Hasbro ML series 1 only ever came out in one high street store. Hasbro has now taken the decision to stop stocking ML to the UK.
I’ve tried to contact Hasbro customer service but soon realised my folly as the staff in the UK call centre hadn’t even heard of Marvel Legends!
It looks like now I have been forced to stop collecting Hasbro ML, so from now on Mattel DC universe will get my attention.
I’m really confused at Hasbro attitude regarding shipping to the UK. The price hike and lack of paints and articulation was bad enough. Now I’m finished.