For those of you going to SDCC and are trying to get Death's Head:
Here is my experience from yesterday, so hopefully this will help.
I got to the booth at about 10:00 am. The inside line was full but moving quickly. There seemed to be a small queue line just outside to the left of the booth exit with a Hasbro attendant stationed there.
There is a little "info booth" looking seated area and there were two upper manager looking types sitting there. A guy was totally bitching them out. I couldn't hear what he was saying but it was a little intense. When he left I simply and very nicely asked how to access the booth without having won the exclusives lottery. The managers were super nice and said just line up where the attendant was and you'll be in soon!
So, I did and I was in and out of the exclusives area within 10 minutes.
Easy peasy.
If Dragon Man sells super-well, I hope it makes room for Magog down the line.
SDCC Post #1
I visited the booth twice yesterday - before and after the panel. The guys were busy but I did manage to get some nice quality time with them, all individually or when one was passing by another. I kept it very light because there were some really pushy people around that were bringing down the general lighthearted atmosphere. There were also some influencer types who kept trying to get the guys attention but all of the guys were very friendly, courteous, chatty and funny with me.
Here are the highlights:
-Dwight's favorite Fwoosh Trading Card was purple suit frilly arm Betsy Braddock.
-Ryan will open his card pack.
-Comic vs IP confusion/embargo on comic characters for a certain amount of time to distance the release of the MCU version: This isn't really a thing anymore, and can be on a case-by-case basis. They are aware that comic collectors want the comic versions that haven't been done yet. In talking with Dwight specifically, I asked for a character like Starfox - which version would get the priority. He said in this case it really comes down to where the figure might fit in the best - if it made sense for comic Starfox to go into a wave, then he would. Same for Harry Styles. Dwight asked for some of my recommendations, and I said Skurge, Attuma, M'Baku, America Chavez, Nebula, Wong (Dwight grinned because he was revealed about an hour and a half later) and...
-Mantis: I point blank asked if classic Mantis was doable becase her costume could be considered "revealing". Dwight said it would be a "conversation". I love that term when he uses it. I know exactly what that means. Dan mentioned her GOTG look with the jacket. I told both of them the way to get the classic look out there, similar to how Tigra in the bikini (not a human anymore) was offer Mantis in the classic costume but as the green plant hybrid. Dwight mentioned that being similar to Namorita - the flesh skin tone as opposed to the blue sink tone. The green skin tone may not be the classic human skin look as many of us want, but if a compromise has to be made, maybe that's the way to do it. I also pointed out Mantis's ancestry and her representation is important. Also, that she'd make a great 2-pack with Swordsman.
SDCC Post #2
-Shanna the She-Devil: In the same Mantis conversation with Dwight I had thanked him for getting us at least one version of Goblin Queen and Moondragon, and when discussing questionable costume female figures, Shanna must have been a fun topic in design meetings with Disney and Marvel with everyone since she's obviously on their radar. He said that has been "several conversations..."
-Firebird: Here's the history. Dwight knowns me as the Hellcat Guy because I used to pitch her to him all the time. Then I became the Moondragon guy. So he asked who I am now. I am now the Firebird guy. Dwight approved. We discussed the importance of her representation, how "easy" of a character she would be to make (in her classic costume) and her ties to the Rangers and WCA. After the panel I pointed out to both Dan and Ryan, using Crystal in the display case as an example, how easy and economical it would be to use that buck and yellow color for Firebird and Spitfire. I also mentioned to both of them that she, Living Lightning and Jim Hammond complete the WCA.
-Red Wolf: Dan asked for one recommendation. I said classic Red Wolf and Lobo, which I segued to classic western characters which segued to the Rangers and especially Phantom Rider and his horse Banshee. His initial reaction to Red Wolf was enthusiastic, but as I got to Phantom Rider he exclaimed "and his horse! The horses!".
-Warriors Three: When looking at the display case, I mentioned to Ryan and Dan that 2025 is the 60th anniversary of the Warriors Three and they'd look amazing flanking Odin. They agreed.
-Randomly She-Hulk in the display case fell over. Ryan and Dan the digital sculpting team member had to unscrew the case to stand her up again. I mentioned that Titania probably did it, which got a grin from both of them.
SDCC Post #3
-Werewolf By Night: Using WBN as an example, I asked Dwight if the character designs were similar enough, would they or could they offer the character with both interchangeable comic and MCU heads? Not necessarily from the design standpoint, but would Marvel/Hasbro/Disney allow it? He said it could be "an interesting conversation" and maybe a possibility. He also corrected me that the comic design and the MCU versions a very different, that the comic version is more of the Jackal body (and I immediately said "and Vermin" which got a smile) and the MCU version has much harrier/furrier in the shoulder chest neck area, so it wouldn't be a simple head swap.
-X-Men BAF wave: I asked Dan if there was a surprise X-BAF wave coming since we usually get a dedicated X BAF wave every year. He then pointed out the three revealed Deadpool figures as a wave, and all the X product we've gotten this year (Wolverine anniversary, Cable, Wolfsbane, etc.) He said they switched things up this year. I told him I was expecting at least Hepzibah of Raza to show up in an X wave this yar to add to the Starjammers.
-Classic Carol Danvers Ms. Marvel: I told Dwight it was really unnerving that during all their SDCC interviews last year that classic 70's hairstyle Ms. Marvel artwork was ever present behind them in the booth signage, and that she and classic Falcon the only characters used in the marketing that hadn't gotten figures. He agreed. Then I asked when they get to her, would it be the traditional bare leg version or would they be forced to do the blue leg look in the marketing campaign. He said that would be "a few conversations". Carol led to...
-Deathbird: I asked Dwight if Deathbird, my Top #1 wanted figure, is on the radar, since we got Lilandra. He pointed out she's in X-Men '97 as well, so she's become more prominent.
-Jack of Hearts - I asked Dwight what is the likelihood of expensive deco crazy Jack of Hearts as opposed to other, plain armor versions of Jack. He said the traditional Jack would make for an amazing looking figure and that the collective budgets would have to be just right for everything to align.
Well done, @beamish! That was some great questioning, and it sounds like fun conversations. I know you likely did this already, but please thank the team for all their hard work. I gripe about Thor's world's lack of representation, but truly they do excellent work on the line as a whole, and should be made aware.
Thanks Beamish! I feel if anyone should talk to the team it's you since you have diligently done the "One a Day" thread forever!
I like what I've seen from the line in 2024. As an X-Men guy I know there isn't much there, but I feel 2025 should be a big year since they will have time to tackle X-Men '97. What we did get was good. Generally the quality is there. Lots of new nicely made bodies, and Dragon Man bodes well. "Made to Order" sounds good and that figure is good. Seems like The Fantastic Four is really getting love. I wonder if they would ever say "Eff It" and put Engine of Vengeance on there. Why not?
Punisher wins the day. PWJ was my early intro to comics in 1992 and this hits hard. Amazing new body. Wonder who else goes on there. Anyone got a recommendation for Dr. Strange comics? I was never a fan really, but that set really looks amazing.
Well done, @beamish! That was some great questioning, and it sounds like fun conversations. I know you likely did this already, but please thank the team for all their hard work. I gripe about Thor's world's lack of representation, but truly they do excellent work on the line as a whole, and should be made aware.
Thanks!
If you haven't seen the panel from yesterday, DO IT! When referencing Odin, Jesse Falcon specifically mentioned wanting to "fill out the ranks of the Asgardian action figures". I take that as a HUGE sign that we will be seeing some Asgardians in the future.
Well done, @beamish! That was some great questioning, and it sounds like fun conversations. I know you likely did this already, but please thank the team for all their hard work. I gripe about Thor's world's lack of representation, but truly they do excellent work on the line as a whole, and should be made aware.
Thanks!
If you haven't seen the panel from yesterday, DO IT! When referencing Odin, Jesse Falcon specifically mentioned wanting to "fill out the ranks of the Asgardian action figures". I take that as a HUGE sign that we will be seeing some Asgardians in the future.
Yep, I watched it live and saw that as well. Hope springs eternal.
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