San Diego Comic-Con 2015 Figures.com Team Survey

[JeffSaylor]

The Pros and Cons of the Con...

CLICK HERE FOR A SDCC'15 PHOTO GALLERY TOUR!



San Diego Comic-Con 2015 has come and gone, but not without leaving the Figures.com team with some fond memories. What follows are five questions we asked the crew. Jeff Saylor, Scott Rubin, David Yeh and Phillip Donnelly covered the event, while Jess Horsley and Michael Klein chime in with their thoughts from home.

1. What did you see come out of SDCC that most excited you?


Jeff Saylor: ThreeZero's 1:6th scale Titanfall IMC Pilot was an OMG moment for me. Love the game and future military design. My pre-order is locked and loaded! NECA also continues to blow me away with their cool collectibles. That new 18" Alien (and Isolation!), Ultimate Commando, Jason Lives, even more Pacific Rim... so many amazing figures to look forward to. Oh, I can't forget the Deadpool and Ash Vs. Evil Dead trailers! Pure awesome.

Scott Rubin: As a huge fan of Robotech AND a collector of 3 3/4 inch action figures I could not have been more excited by Toynami's reveal at SDCC that they're making me very happy with all new small scale Robotech figures. And in this day and age of companies stepping over each other to make things look "retro" and deliberately off-model and light on details it's fantastic that Toynami is going in the opposite direction with highly detailed, proportional action figures with good articulation and accessories. While of course they're just prototypes the five figures on display looked awesome and I can't wait for them... and hopefully lots more from the property if the initial release goes well. I can only dream of collecting a long lineup of Robotech figures spanning all generations plus Sentinels, Shadow Chronicles, etc.

Phillip Donnelly: Superion in Transformers Generation 2 colors. It's a simple repaint, but it scratches an itch I'd been having since Combiner Wars was first teased back at Botcon last year. G2 Superion is the only combiner I had as a kid. Now I'll get to have it again, but it'll be better!

David Yeh: The Star Wars reel shown at the Star Wars Panel was the most amazing thing I've seen come out of the convention, over all the other trailers. It almost forced another tear out of this geek. Mattel's Filmation Masters of the Universe figures are also bringing me way back to what I've always wanted from a He-Man toy line, so that gets me really excited.

Jess C. Horlsey: I can't wait for more NECA, they're killing it with their 1/4 scale figures, horror figures and more mechs and monsters from Pacific Rim. And World of Warcraft figures in scale with my favorite super hero figures? Sold!!

Michael Klein: The most exciting things I saw at SDCC were the Bat Gremlin from NECA (a figure I've been hoping to see for years), the epic giant-sized Star Wars items like the Hot Toys and Hasbro Tie Fighters and Milllenium Falcon cockpit, the Hot Toys Maria Hill (the only main character from Avengers who never got a figure), and probably most of all the line-up of new Masters of the Universe product topped by the new Snake Mountain from Mattel. Oh and the awesome Deadpool Trailer!

2. What was shown or revealed at SDCC that was a "miss" for you?


Jeff Saylor: The biggest "miss" for me was the lack of new Star Wars: The Force Awakens product. With less than 6 months to go, it seemed like a missed opportunity to build-up on the excitement. I really expected Episode VII to be the star of this year's Comic-Con. As for physical product shown, the Thundercats announcement didn't do anything for me, though I'll be the first to admit I was never a big fan of the show. While I'm happy for the fans that are excited by the news, didn't we just get some nice Thundercats figures from Bandai?

Scott Rubin: It seemed like a no brainer that at Comic-Con this year we would get to see some cool toys on the way for Star Wars Episode VII, but alas, it was not to be. Hasbro had a token addition of the new TIE Fighter on display, but it's really a shame the fans weren't given more. This goes double since the hype machine for the movie has already given us several named characters and high res shots so it's not like they couldn't have shown a couple more toys without giving away more from the film. The rumors are there might be reveals at the upcoming Disney D23 Expo, but come on, this was Comic-Con. Lastly, I'm sure this was a directive by the studio; I can't imagine all of the license-holders aren't chomping at the bit to show off new Star Wars products.

Phillip Donnelly: The subscription line-up for MOTU. I'll admit I'm not the most ardent fan of He-Man, but you know a line's been on for a while when you're getting to the C-List figures. I recognized NONE of those characters.

David Yeh: Hard to say what was a miss, but I was disappointed with the lack of new Joes, Star Wars, and Masterpiece Transformers at Hasbro.

Jess C. Horlsey: I'm disappointed a bit that Hot Toys didn't have Drax from GOTG on display and even with Mattel ending DC Classics, I'm still waiting for someone to pick up and run with a new take on everyone's favorite DC characters...especially considering all the buzz sounding the new DC movies hitting theaters.

Michael Klein: Honestly, I was completely unimpressed by the trailers for Suicide Squad, Batman Vs. Superman, X-Men Apocalypse, and Fantastic Four. I still can't get behind the decisions about Joker or casting and story decisions for the others. Compared to what Marvel Cinematic Universe has coming, they just can't keep up.

3. If you were at SDCC, what was the coolest thing you did? If you weren't there, what's one thing you saw in news coverage that made you say "aww, wish I could've been there for that?"


Jeff Saylor: After three days crammed shoulder-to-shoulder with people inside the stuffy convention halls, I really enjoyed getting outside to explore all the fun activities. It's like a whole other Comic-Con where a pass isn't required to have a good time. The chance to win real money at the American Horror Story: Hotel was a blast (even though I didn't win), the Black Ops III: Zombies Escape Room Challenge was entertaining, as were all the photo opportunities, such as starring in Point Break and pictured with all the bizarre KFC Colonel Sanders statues scattered about town.

Scott Rubin: This year's Comic-Con may have been a little lighter on booth "experiences" but it made up for that with a ton of fun photo ops both inside and outside of the exhibit hall. I had a great time getting my picture taken jumping out of a plane for Point Break, alongside sorority stab victims for Scream Queens, and digging through Ash's belongings in the Evil Dead trailer.

Phillip Donnelly: That Vikings car/boat thing that was driving people to the convention center. It's not everyday you see a police escort for a vehicle displaying more than your average amount of severed heads. Plus, people who rode it got a free horn shaped mug.

David Yeh: Some of the coolest things were the outside Pop-Up locations around San Diego. Disney Infinity Pop Up Shop gave away free figures from 3.0 as well as lithographs of concept art for Star Wars and Inside Out. NBC's Heroes Reborn installation had a gallery of props and costumes from the original Heroes and a photo opp putting fire into your hands. The BIGGEST, COOLEST thing that I absolutely didn't see, however, was the surprise Star Wars Concert for those who attended the Star Wars panel.

Jess C. Horlsey: Wish I'd have been there for the Star Wars panels (I normally can't stand panels!!) and the new Last Man Standing 12" figure from ThreeZero based on Dan LaVisi's brilliant art book and sci-fi world.

Michael Klein: I really wish I could have been at SDCC to see the Skeletor's Lair that Super 7 setup, along with snagging some of the sweet He-Man exclusives. (Editor's Note: Next best thing, take our Skeletor's Lair photo gallery tour HERE!)

4. What's your favorite exclusive from the con?


Jeff Saylor: Funko's bloody Jaws and Quint ReAction figure set. For one of my all-time favorite movies, there just aren't enough cool Jaws collectibles. This set hit my nostalgia button big time. NECA's Pacific Rim chibis are also high on my list. Very cute and unique. Plus it doesn't hurt that they were actually shown in the movie - you could say that they are prop replicas!

Scott Rubin: Harkening back to my answer to #1, my favorite exclusive from San Diego Comic-Con 2015 was the humble Robotech Super Deformed VF-1S Stealth Fighter from Toynami. It's a cool variant that wasn't necessarily a "must-have" for fans, and it hit a perfect price point at under $20. There were several other cool, inexpensive exclusives this year too like Gentle Giant's micro G.I. Joes, Hasbro's Ant-Man, and Action Figure Express' Glow in the Dark Alien Minimate.

Phillip Donnelly: The Tina Fey and Amy Poehler action figure set from Bif Bang Pow!. Yes, I know I'm weird. Yes, I know they're not the most articulate of figures or the greatest of likenesses. There's just something greatly amusing in knowing I have action figures of these two awesome comediennes. And they're in scale to my G.I. Joe and Star Wars figures.

David Yeh: My favorite exclusives are the bloody Jaws Funko ReAction figure and the G.I.Joe Microfigures from Gentle Giant.

5. What was your favorite freebie?


Jeff Saylor: I confess, I developed a hording addiction to Super 7's Skeletor's Lair Skeletokens. Oooo, shiny! And despite the long line, the free Simpsons Squishee was also a real treat.

Scott Rubin: As usual, I brought home a lot of crap from Comic-Con... and frankly over time most of it will get tossed. However, in the sea of buttons and postcards, sunglasses and bags there are a couple standouts in the foam chainsaw from the Ash and the Evil Dead experience and the similar circular saw/weapon/thing from Sharknado 3 (Oh Hell No)!

Phillip Donnelly: The Transformers Action Stage Diorama from Entertainment Earth. It's a licensed diorama of the Ark from G1! Now I don't have to use my imagination any more when I "display" my Transformers figures together. And by display, I mean accurately represent the Autobot/Decepticon conflict at the core of the Transformers mythos through reenactment by action figures. I'm not still playing with them, no! And I'm definitely not making the laser and explosion sounds, either.

David Yeh: Favorite freebie of course were the Disney Infinity figures from the Disney Infinity Pop Up Shop. These figures have a $14 value so getting them for nothing is a great get. I also loved the Skeletokens given out by Super 7 Store and Mattel for their pop-up shop, Skeletor's Lair.

A big "THANK YOU!" to all of our readers and all the fantastic toy companies for making this an amazing San Diego Comic-Con! Until next year...


CLICK HERE FOR A SDCC'15 PHOTO GALLERY TOUR!

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To buy action figures, take a look at BigBadToyStore.com, TheToySource.com, Toynk.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, MonkeyDepot.com, and EntertainmentEarth.com.

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[Slaargorath]

1. Most excited:

Mattel's MOTUC Collectors Choice line. YES!!! Now THESE are the MOTU figs I have been waiting for! After subscribing to a line full of boring dregs of the "Classic line" last year even though I didn't want them just to keep the line going, finally we get to some characters that I have been really, really wanting. A huge YES to NEW figures of characters never made in toy form before!

Also the MOTUC Snake Mountain (although it's not quite as impressive as originally, now that Mattel have since announced that it will be getting shrunken. BOO!!! )


2. Biggest miss:

A tie between NECA's wasting the "Horror" slot on endless boring variants and rehashes of Freddy, Jason, Michael Myers and Leatherface (just not interested in any of them AT ALL), and Diamond's ongoing failure to continue their outstanding line of realistic & articulated 7" Star Trek figs (NOT Megos! ) that they started with Art Asylum way back when.

Also NECA's failure to announce any more 18" Pacific Rim kaiju.

And the overdone lack of detail on Mattel's MOTU Filmation line. "Bald" Beastman looks like he's wearing a life preserver or a lump of Playdough around his neck, LOL!

And I was hoping for more new announcements for Kotobukiya's Star Wars line (my preferred Star Wars line instead of Hasbro's too-puny Black) Their release schedule is soooo painfully slow. I'd really love to see them kick this line into high gear and pump out the characters!


3. One thing you saw in news coverage that made you say "aww, wish I could've been there for that":

The Star Wars panel. I'm actually not that huge of a Star Wars fan, but seeing the classic cast up there would have been so awesome. And they must be doing something right if they've got even me hyped for the new movie. I've got a feeling that this is going to be really good!


4. Fave exclusive:

NECA's Classic Planet of the Apes Series 3. This Classic Apes line is a real dream come true for me, and it's great to see them using every opportunity to get those prototypes released, one way or another. Bravo!


5. Fave freebie:

What, they had freebies there too? You'd never know it from the prices they're asking on ebay!

[Blanka]

See, there's a few things about your complaints that are just getting to me. And to be honest, they're quite confusing.

Jess C. Horlsey: I'm disappointed a bit that Hot Toys didn't have Drax from GOTG on display and even with Mattel ending DC Classics, I'm still waiting for someone to pick up and run with a new take on everyone's favorite DC characters...especially considering all the buzz sounding the new DC movies hitting theaters.

What are you even talking about, man? Were you not paying attention at the Con? DC Multiverse is being brought to us by Mattel. And more impressive is that DC Collectibles is bringing us the DC Icons line. Mezco has DC figures coming. There are several different outlets for fantastic DC figures coming. What exactly is it that you're looking for?

Michael Klein:

Honestly, I was completely unimpressed by the trailers for Suicide Squad, Batman Vs. Superman, X-Men Apocalypse, and Fantastic Four. I still can't get behind the decisions about Joker or casting and story decisions for the others. Compared to what Marvel Cinematic Universe has coming, they just can't keep up.

Again, what the hell are you even talking about? You are so ridiculously in the minority that it seems you're going against the grain just to be "that guy". First off, what "story decisions"? We literally know next to nothing about the plot other than what we've seen, and what we've heard rumored. You know nothing yet, so how can you judge? Secondly, the DCEU is in its infancy. This will only be their second and third movies, behind Man of Steel. How can you declare a winner when the race hasn't even started yet? Keeping up with Marvel. That is absolutely the most absurd critique I've heard yet. Two years in a row, it has been DC/WB's Con. That's not keeping up to you? Or were you this negative when Iron Man first came out, too? I'm all for voicing your opinion, but make sure they're valid first. And not so over the top nitpicky that they can be so easily dismissed.