Superhero Times: a service of Action Online
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With San Diego Comic Con only 10 days away, figure fans are chomping at the bit for a sneak peek at what will be revealed at the show and Figures.com is here to deliver…
Mattel has already revealed that the fan-favorite Four Horsemen Studios will continue to sculpt the DC Super Heroes - soon to be re-branded DC Universe - line and new figures such as Hawkman and Cyborg will join the DC Super Friends line of pre-school figures.
Now, Mattel revealed a few more details on future figures, including the rumored DC Universe Build-A-Figure!
Figures.com: Explain the process used to determine what exclusives Mattel sells on the summer convention circuit?
Mattel: Every year is a little bit different. We look at what properties are hot with collectors each year, what movies are coming out soon that we might want to support, and most of all what will be fun and exciting. Each year we hope to top our offerings from previous conventions. We definitely listen to fan input when we make our selections so don’t be afaid to let us know what you think!
Figures.com: The new Cartoon Network licenses were on display and had a large presence at New York Toy Fair. What can fans expect to see from Mattel and Cartoon Network at San Diego Comic Con?
Mattel: You’ll have to wait and see on this one…
Figures.com: Mattel was recently awarded the Master Toy License for next year’s live action motion picture SPEED RACER. Arguably the star of the show is Speed’s MACH 5. What types of toys – Hot Wheels and action figure – can fans expect to see based on this cult-classic car?
Mattel: We will have some Speed Racer product at the Comic Con booth for the fans to see but at this time we can’t say everything that will be in the line. I can tell you this. Speed Racer has legs throughout a few of our Mattel brands not just Hot Wheels.
Figures.com: Any plans for Racer X’s Shooting Star or other competing SPEED RACER movie vehicles in Hot Wheels or other toy forms?
Mattel: Come to the booth at Comic Con and you may be surprised. Want to mention the actual life-size Speed Racer Mach 5 will be at Comic Con in the Warner Bros booth.
Figures.com: 2008’s THE DARK KNIGHT brings Batman back to theaters in his continued fight to save Gotham city. What new movie figures – heroes and villains – can fans expect to see?
Mattel: We’ll (be giving) fans a (better) insight to our plans on (this and other) lines at our fan panel (at SDCC) on Friday from 11:30-12:30 in Room 10...
Figures.com: Will any new DC characters be showcased at San Diego and if so, can you provide us a sampling of what’s to come?
Mattel: Yes, we will be showing off our new line up of DC Super Heroes which expands beyond the Superman and Batman universe. (Editor's Note: See "teaser" shadow below).
Mattel: The (DC) Universe is open and holds a lot of possibilities. However, we also have to be thoughtful about how we prioritize the projects – we can't do all of them at once. We're open to anything that makes sense within our strategic plan...
Figures.com: A Mattel DC Universe Build-A-Figure concept has been rumored on the internet. Can you confirm this to be true and, if so, can you tell us some potential Build-A-Figures?
Mattel: The new relationship (with the DC universe and characters) gives us the flexibility to make the most of a build-a-figure program, so we'll be chasing that opportunity sooner than you think…
Look for more information and hundreds of photos next week when Figures.com brings fans ALL of the action figure and collectible news from the largest pop culture show in the world: San Diego Comic Con!
Be sure to vote for which DC Comics characters YOU want to see made by Mattel in our fan poll HERE!