McFarlane Toys: The Walking Dead

[Buttmunch]

From what it sounds like from the interview with Todd on Toynewsi, the Walking Dead 7" figures won't be their own series. They'll be part of the color tops line. Basically they've remade the "Movie Maniacs" line with 1 or 2 figures from a single property bundled with other properties to form a single wave of figures. So that means we'll be a good couple of years just to get 1 versions of Rick, Daryl, Michonne, Glenn, Negan, Governor, Carl, etc if we even get that deep instead of variants of Rick over and over again.

The interview wasn't entirely clear if the Walking Dead would be subject to that or if its just the newer lines like Attack on Titan, Titanfall, Nurtardo, etc what will be bundled together. I'm hoping its just those because clearly the Walking Dead has proven it can support is own line of figures without having to go the Movie Maniacs route. If it really is bundled, then dang, they screwed us over that much more!

As for the comic figures deserving their own thread, I think they've survived in this thread since the beginning just fine. And really, once something has been made into a toy, you can really hardly count it as a spoiler anymore. Carl losing an eye? Rick losing a hand? Those could only be kept secret for so long to non-readers because of their prominence in the comic art.

 

[Chockles]

From what it sounds like from the interview with Todd on Toynewsi, the Walking Dead 7" figures won't be their own series. They'll be part of the color tops line. Basically they've remade the "Movie Maniacs" line with 1 or 2 figures from a single property bundled with other properties to form a single wave of figures. So that means we'll be a good couple of years just to get 1 versions of Rick, Daryl, Michonne, Glenn, Negan, Governor, Carl, etc if we even get that deep instead of variants of Rick over and over again.

The interview wasn't entirely clear if the Walking Dead would be subject to that or if its just the newer lines like Attack on Titan, Titanfall, Nurtardo, etc what will be bundled together. I'm hoping its just those because clearly the Walking Dead has proven it can support is own line of figures without having to go the Movie Maniacs route. If it really is bundled, then dang, they screwed us over that much more!

As for the comic figures deserving their own thread, I think they've survived in this thread since the beginning just fine. And really, once something has been made into a toy, you can really hardly count it as a spoiler anymore. Carl losing an eye? Rick losing a hand? Those could only be kept secret for so long to non-readers because of their prominence in the comic art.

That video interview comes across as though the walking dead line is bundled just like the other properties in the color tops line. To me anyways.

It seems he's only doing this so he can push his Spawn figure/s out. He gets pumped when he talks about that figure and the movie he's working on.

He already said the 2nd wave of color tops are done and whether it's a good decision or not he's decided long ago so it don't matter what everyone else thinks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Buttmunch]

Yeah, its really crazy. I'm hoping the color tops tank just so they have something to prove his ideas aren't always the best and maybe they should listen to the customers. Don't tell us what to buy, we'll tell you what we'll buy! Ignoring the 5" demand is just stupid business sense. Even making it an exclusive line to a retailer or online shop would work at this point.

The Walking Dead figures will likely sell the best, without a doubt. I don't know enough about the others to know how well they'd do, but if they can't support their own line, they aren't going to be near as big of sellers as the Walking Dead ones are. By the sounds of it, they'll be keeping track of which figures are selling and which aren't, so hopefully that will show the Walking Dead's appeal.

In theory the Color Tops is a great idea, and I like being able to quickly see when the next wave is available on the pegs because of the color change. Movie Maniacs was quite successful and the concept worked well. I just think throwing Walking Dead and even to an extent, Spawn, in there is a mistake. Both properties have had long lines with McFarlane. Walking Dead was cut very abruptly short and Spawn was done to death when it ended. Bringing Spawn back would probably sell decently enough on its own so I almost feel the two powerhouse licenses in these color top waves will hurt the small licenses. And who knows what online sales are going to look like. I'm certainly not buying full sets just to get the Walking Dead figures. Movie Maniacs are largely horror themed but these seem all over the place: Horror, comic, video game, anime, etc They really don't have anything in common. I think they'd be better off doing a Walking Dead line, a Spawn line, a video game line and an anime line. Group a bunch of video game characters together for example and have that be one line of the color tops. Then have a couple of different Anime shows in another. Etc.

 

[Chockles]

Yeah, its really crazy. I'm hoping the color tops tank just so they have something to prove his ideas aren't always the best and maybe they should listen to the customers. Don't tell us what to buy, we'll tell you what we'll buy! Ignoring the 5" demand is just stupid business sense. Even making it an exclusive line to a retailer or online shop would work at this point.

The Walking Dead figures will likely sell the best, without a doubt. I don't know enough about the others to know how well they'd do, but if they can't support their own line, they aren't going to be near as big of sellers as the Walking Dead ones are. By the sounds of it, they'll be keeping track of which figures are selling and which aren't, so hopefully that will show the Walking Dead's appeal.

In theory the Color Tops is a great idea, and I like being able to quickly see when the next wave is available on the pegs because of the color change. Movie Maniacs was quite successful and the concept worked well. I just think throwing Walking Dead and even to an extent, Spawn, in there is a mistake. Both properties have had long lines with McFarlane. Walking Dead was cut very abruptly short and Spawn was done to death when it ended. Bringing Spawn back would probably sell decently enough on its own so I almost feel the two powerhouse licenses in these color top waves will hurt the small licenses. And who knows what online sales are going to look like. I'm certainly not buying full sets just to get the Walking Dead figures. Movie Maniacs are largely horror themed but these seem all over the place: Horror, comic, video game, anime, etc They really don't have anything in common. I think they'd be better off doing a Walking Dead line, a Spawn line, a video game line and an anime line. Group a bunch of video game characters together for example and have that be one line of the color tops. Then have a couple of different Anime shows in another. Etc.

I can maybe see why he did this color tops thing. Not because its easy to tell when they are out by looking at the shelves. Thats what estimated release dates are there for. Its not rocket science to tell when a release is out. A quick search is a fun part of it too.

He knows that some properties will sell more than others in the same wave, hence going this route is less risky for him and he only has to concentrate on what sells the most. If he sticks Daryl in there for example, we could get 50 variations (exaggerated number there lol) of him wave after wave

Downside is, not one property will get a full and deep line for a very very long time. Hes just stretching/spreading them all out. For us, instead of waiting like 2 sets of tv figures per year, it could come out one figure per month/wave or 12 figures of Daryl in the same year for example.

Like what he said, hes already done two waves, so its most likely he would get an idea how the numbers/data will come back with to know if its viable to continue. So if we still stick to our guns, all we have to do is dont buy the first few waves and bam, that would show the retailers and him that we dont care.

Then again, I do rather like the Naruto and hoping he announces the mass effect line in the US. That would only be the figures I get in the Color tops brand.
It all depends how often each wave of these color tops gets release. If its one new walking dead figure per couple of months, and they are different, it could turn out to be one of those unable to resist purchases.

 

[Buttmunch]

Also, that once every month or two is a bit worrisome. That means they aren't making a lot of these before moving on to the next wave. If they severely under estimate demand, early figures like Rick and Michonne could get hard to find really quick and go for crazy money early on. Once they get the number right, it would be nice to get figures regularly, on a DCC type of monthly schedule. This just doesn't feel completely thought out yet. Almost like they came up with the idea at the beginning of February and threw together something for Toy Fair. I mean it these are supposed to hit by summer, at least the first wave or two's line ups should be finalized by now. And they don't even quite know their articulation break down either! I just feel they came woefully under prepared for Toy Fair. As a retailer I'd want all of those questions nailed down before committing to this line. I'm thinking McFarlane's problems lately haven't been so much the product, but their communication and handling of it.

Plus I'd be asking what happened to that very successful 5" line

 

[RPM716]

All good things.... $18 @ TRU View attachment 247088 View attachment 247089 View attachment 247090View attachment 247091 View attachment 247092

Beth actually looks a lot better than some of the previous shots, that eye shadowing is just a little heavy. The price is probably the typical TRU markup, one near me was charging that much for Comic Series 4.

 

[Chockles]

Also, that once every month or two is a bit worrisome. That means they aren't making a lot of these before moving on to the next wave. If they severely under estimate demand, early figures like Rick and Michonne could get hard to find really quick and go for crazy money early on. Once they get the number right, it would be nice to get figures regularly, on a DCC type of monthly schedule. This just doesn't feel completely thought out yet. Almost like they came up with the idea at the beginning of February and threw together something for Toy Fair. I mean it these are supposed to hit by summer, at least the first wave or two's line ups should be finalized by now. And they don't even quite know their articulation break down either! I just feel they came woefully under prepared for Toy Fair. As a retailer I'd want all of those questions nailed down before committing to this line. I'm thinking McFarlane's problems lately haven't been so much the product, but their communication and handling of it.

Plus I'd be asking what happened to that very successful 5" line

haha exactly, that reviewer was just trying to be bum chums and not hitting with the harder questions. Not just the walking dead tv line, what would happen to all other full lines. Color tops replace them all? etc etc Why the mini big figures at all!!!

The fact that hes going to spread them all out in separate waves is a pain for me. Its hard as it is for me to buy the limited Mcfarlane stuff thats there in HK and now that the figures arent released as a full set, the shipping costs will just keep adding up every time (if my only choice is international ordering)
Plus retailers here might not sell these each on their own and force us customers to buy the full set, properties that we dont want.

I like the way things are now, you know how many figures are in each set and you just buy the full set. No fuss about missing any etc.

To me, he probs cant spend too much time on one property and neglect the others, and he wants as much licenses as he can get hold of cos he just lost the Halo one. Thats why he rather do each property one at a time and concentrate with each one with the same amount of time and effort. Good or bad? Depends how you see it.

Listening to him how disappointed he was with the construction sets made me smile.

 

[Dyson]

Beth actually looks a lot better than some of the previous shots, that eye shadowing is just a little heavy. The price is probably the typical TRU markup, one near me was charging that much for Comic Series 4.

The shadowing isn't as noticeable in person. The flash is really brining it out in the photo. Lemme try again

 

[Buttmunch]

Yeah, Shart and him seem to actually get along quite well, but he doesn't criticize any of his choices to him, so that probably helps. If I had that access to him, I'd want to be careful too, but I'd express to him my feelings as a fan on certain things and want to ask questions others might not be willing to. I'd probably just get 1 interview with him is all

I actually like the construction sets. They've had some odd choices (Wolves not far, Woodbury Assault Vehicle) and some great ones (Dale's RV). I think there are some key ones missing like the Governor's tank and Alexandria Gate but I assume they'll get to them eventually if the line keeps going. I can't image sales are all that great - especially GoT with how quickly they've been clearance out at a lot of places here. I think people are having a hard time with the building/diorama concept of the line. I think its great, but the actual construction of the sets could be vastly improved. The instructions are very poor and the sets are physically hard to build. My fingers hurt for a good day or two after putting together any of the larger sets because the pieces don't connect very easily like Lego. They do seem much sturdier though as they don't want to separate again once finally connected.

I'm thinking the Little Big Heads is a last ditch effort in keeping the building figures going (and not one that's going to work on think). Heck, I still see wave 1 of the bling bags at TRU. Wave 2 and 3 not so much, so they must have really over produced those first waves. Had the big heads been easily adaptable to the 5" figures for customs, they would do much better I think.

 

[Chockles]

Yeah, Shart and him seem to actually get along quite well, but he doesn't criticize any of his choices to him, so that probably helps. If I had that access to him, I'd want to be careful too, but I'd express to him my feelings as a fan on certain things and want to ask questions others might not be willing to. I'd probably just get 1 interview with him is all

I actually like the construction sets. They've had some odd choices (Wolves not far, Woodbury Assault Vehicle) and some great ones (Dale's RV). I think there are some key ones missing like the Governor's tank and Alexandria Gate but I assume they'll get to them eventually if the line keeps going. I can't image sales are all that great - especially GoT with how quickly they've been clearance out at a lot of places here. I think people are having a hard time with the building/diorama concept of the line. I think its great, but the actual construction of the sets could be vastly improved. The instructions are very poor and the sets are physically hard to build. My fingers hurt for a good day or two after putting together any of the larger sets because the pieces don't connect very easily like Lego. They do seem much sturdier though as they don't want to separate again once finally connected.

I'm thinking the Little Big Heads is a last ditch effort in keeping the building figures going (and not one that's going to work on think). Heck, I still see wave 1 of the bling bags at TRU. Wave 2 and 3 not so much, so they must have really over produced those first waves. Had the big heads been easily adaptable to the 5" figures for customs, they would do much better I think.

I liked the construction sets too, however there was no way of getting these over here in HK. I had to import the ones I want over here and they became very expensive. Its a nice toy but plague with so many little issues and just didnt have the momentum to take off. Became too much work for many.
Shame, but if access to these and GOT were made easily, I could see myself continuing the line.

Im not a customiser so having those 5inch heads on those mini figs arent doing me any favours. I can see a small number of ppl that could continue their own 5inch line with those.

What interests me now is how would people react when they start rolling out the first 7inch figures, will everyone stick to their original decisions or change their minds after seeing them in person. Remembering that it will only be under 20usd that they would spend on one figure at a time, rather than a lump sum for a full set. Maybe they will think, its not much money, oh well, pick one up.

Everyone will start thinking that way and the next thing, its become a hit and sells out making us look stupid and Todd right all along. lol

 

[ApeManRyan]

It is pretty ****** the way McFarlane is screwing you guys who have been collecting the line from the beginning. I myself am disappointed in the decision and I just wish they would of done the 7 inch to begin with since that's my preferred scale. Most of my smaller figures are within that range and the walking dead line is a bit small to display around other figures. The big head in grab bags is just ridiculous. Dumb move on there choice and the construction sets I stopped buying honestly. As much as they were cool, they are killer to build. I was going to get a lot of the new ones but my TRU was so fully stock and trying to get rid of the older sets they haven't displayed the new ones until just now and I'm honestly just going to pass on them. I may get the hospital door set since that is just such an iconic moment but other then that I think I'm done with them. Series 9 I will pick up. I haven't collected all of them only the ones I could find and want but definitely will get the last wave and the Daryl on the new bike since I prefer that bike to the older one. the new 7 inch line I probably will just get rick and I'll continue to get the 10 inch figures if they keep up the good work since Michonne is the only one I own at the moment and she rocks. Sits nicely on my night stand. My TRU did get the new Vigilante Rick and I may definitely get that one.

 

[Dyson]

SO I got my $17 loot crate Pygmy Zombie

Hopefully these shots will answer your questions about customability


The head does go all the way down to the shoulders. I just pulled it up a bit so you could see the connector.

I've never held one of these construction characters before its kinda cool.

 

[ApeManRyan]

I'm at tru and they have series 9. My girlfriend is going to pick them up for me but not digging the price.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[WWEJedi]

Thanks for the pics Dyson. They do appear to be in scale. I think I could manage to get those to work. From what we saw, I would want Glenn, Rick, and Shane for customs. Might just grab them on eBay.

 

[joossa]

Wanted to share some recent pictures.

Got the Gravedigger Daryl version 1 at Walgreens this Saturday and not at the higher price at TRU. My TRU did not have the water walker, T-Dog, or Dale. They were @$17.99 each.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I unfollowed Todd on all social media. The guy is a prick. **** him and all his lines.

 

[Candle Jack]

Sorry, I'm late to the party ... am I reading this all right? Is the 5 inch line of TV series figures being "cancelled" and moved to the 7 inch size? If so, I might have to throw in the towel and be happy with what I've collected so far.

 

[WWEJedi]

I unfollowed Todd on all social media. The guy is a prick. **** him and all his lines.

Good. Now comes the part where we don't buy the 7" stuff... or anything else

I am in for Beth and T-Dog, changed my mind on the big head figures. So, two more McFarlane figures for me and I will never buy any of there products again.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I don't think I've seen one single positive comment on this whole thing. It's bad enough they axed the line but now there'll only be two mixed in with this colortops ********? McFarlane makes baffling decisions with his company. Baffling.

 

[Dyson]

If they do a 7" zombie I'll probably grab it as there is always room for THAT shelf.

but beyond that I'll be skipping the 7" line too. Its just the principal of it. I'll get any new of the Little Big Heads though.