I had the privilege of sitting down with Marvel Toys’ Robert Guo today, and by sitting down I mean talking over the phone. Robert is Marvel Toy’s factory representative and has been with the company developing their toy lines for the past 4 years. Today he discusses the long lost Green and Yellow X-Men Classics Rogue variant and the part he played in its creation. The full details of this figure will await a future press release to coincide with the upcoming charity auctions.
Hoss: Thank you Mr. Guo for taking the time to discuss this unique figure.
Robert Guo: It’s not a problem.
Hoss: So could you tell us a little about your job and what your duties entail?
Robert Guo: Well, without getting too detailed, I’m the middleman between the factories in China and Marvel Toys home office here in New York. I make sure everything runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible by keeping the factories informed and our own overhead down.
Hoss: So you’re responsible for the Scarlet Witch then?
Robert Guo: Scarlet Witch? I don’t understand.
Hoss: It was supposed to be cancelled.
Robert Guo: The Scarlet Witch was not cancelled.
Hoss: No, I know that, but it was going to be.
Robert Guo: I’ve never heard of that before.
Hoss: Moving on. So could you tell us about this variant Rogue figure then?
Robert Guo: Where do you want me to start?
Hoss: How about, how was this figure conceived?
Robert Guo: The plans for it were already developed during the X-Men toy line run, but we had to push everything out as soon as possible to make the deadline for the Hasbro changeover and we weren’t able to get this toy into production in time for it to be picked up by the shipping companies.
Hoss: How did the plans come about for it to be produced anyway?
Robert Guo: I’m not exactly sure as my role in manufacturing is disconnected from the people who make those decisions.
Hoss: As I understand it, this was supposed to be an end of the line, kind of thank you figure, right?
Robert Guo: Exactly, as our company was shifting focus this was designed to be the last thing we did and something we produced for the employees and people who’ve been a part of the Marvel Legends line.
Hoss: So what specific role did you play in its manufacture?
Robert Guo: With a toy like this it’s understood that the company will lose money on it. My job was to make sure that it could be done as cheaply as possible and stay under budget.
Hoss: So could you tell us about it, it’s just a simple repaint right?
Robert Guo: Repaints are never simple, no part of manufacturing a toy is. Paints have to be matched, confirmed, and mockups made long before the toy is ever produced. These things take time and a lot more money than people associate with toys.
Hoss: Is the figure packaged?
Robert Guo: Yes it is.
Hoss: Does it have any sort of unique packaging?
Robert Guo: No. Unique packaging doesn’t fit in the budget.
Hoss: Is it the long hair head or the short hair head and does it come with glasses or the jacket?
Robert Guo: It has the longer hair with the jacket but no glasses.
Hoss: Do you have any pictures? Jesse didn’t send any.
Robert Guo: Yes, I can take a picture for you.
Hoss: Great, could you also send any promotional pics?
Robert Guo: No unfortunatley, I have nothing to do with that.
Hoss: You know the forum members are going to murder me for not having promo pics, right?
Robert Guo: I’m sorry but there’s nothing I can do about that.
Hoss: As I understand it, ya’ll are no longer able to produce any Marvel Legends figures or related lines. How did this particular figure slip under the radar?
Robert Guo: We’re not able to produce Marvel toys for sale, this is an employee gift and we will not be receiving any money from the auctions so that is how we were able to do this without conflicting with Hasbro.
Hoss: Could you tell us about those auctions?
Robert Guo: I’m unsure of all the specifics, but a limited number of these toys will be sold through eBay and their charity services.
Hoss: When will that be?
Robert Guo: I’d expect that information to be released soon or you could ask Jesse.
Hoss: How many of these figures in all were produced?
Robert Guo: I’d rather not say.
Hoss: Do you have one?
Robert Guo: Yes
Hoss: Did you open it?
Robert Guo: Yes
Hoss: Do you know who else has one?
Robert Guo: Yes, I know some of the people but not all.
Hoss: Is it possible that additional figures could end up for sale from Marvel Toys employees?
Robert Guo: I guess it’s possible, but I don’t really know if that would happen or not.
Hoss: If I asked you to sell me yours would you be mad?
Robert Guo: It’s better not to ask.
Hoss: Now as I’ve been told this whole thing was finished in December, why wait until now to do the auctions and release the info?
Robert Guo: I believe the decision was made to wait until after Hasbro had released their first wave of toys so that news of this wouldn’t detract from what they’re doing.
Hoss: Do you ever look at the fwoosh message boards?
Robert Guo: No, but I will today. How do you spell it?
Hoss: it’s f-w-o-o-s-h-n-e-t dot com, just avoid the Hasbro section entirely, that place is icky.
Robert Guo: I’ll remember that when I bring it up.
Hoss: Thank you for your time today, Mr. Guo.
Robert Guo: Thank you.
Note: * April Fools!
Discuss: http://www.thefwoosh.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38425
