488 replies to this topic

[Gothneo]

Well.. thats good news about the phaser.

[1701D]

I think theyre probably waiting for season 2. Lets face it. stranger Things, even The Next Generation never got toys until it was a proven success. Lets just hope that like Stranger Things, Discovery continues to be a major success going forward. I also think that they thought TKuvma was going to be a bigger character in Star Trek than he was, so it could be that they are working on a new selection of figures to launch the line with.

[Gothneo]

The whole Klingon story seemed to become a sub-plot... Still... back in the day we got a Klaang figure from the ENT Episode Broken bow, and Klaang wasn't any large character in the overall season... other than to kick everything off.

 

Though the Klaang was well done, and a nice bit of variety to the ENT crew.

[s8film40]

I think theyre probably waiting for season 2. Lets face it. stranger Things, even The Next Generation never got toys until it was a proven success. Lets just hope that like Stranger Things, Discovery continues to be a major success going forward. I also think that they thought TKuvma was going to be a bigger character in Star Trek than he was, so it could be that they are working on a new selection of figures to launch the line with.

Actually TNG did get toys early on, but to your point they didn't do well because it was too new. As for Discovery it probably doesn't help retailers that CBS has pretty much kept the numbers and performance of the show hidden. Unlike a traditional non streamed show where ratings are published for each episode we don't really know how the show is doing. It could be failing really hard for all we know and CBS just doesn't want to let anyone know for fear of killing off any hype that might be helping it. Also as you mention it can really be helpful to know what characters are going to become the popular one rather than just going in blind.

[Whirlygig]

I think they should still make a TKuvma.

 

Trek lines need as many aliens as they do humans.

 

DST never understood this, or were just too cheap to execute on sculpts for it.

 

Trek fans don't really seem to understand this, either. 

 

But go look at how much Star Wars fans are freaking out over the announced Zuckuss and other bounty hunters, who appear for a couple of frames in one scene of one film.

[1701D]

TKuvma should still be made but Id not launch your new figure line with him.

Burnham
Lorca
Saru
Tilly
Stamets
Voq
LRell
Emperor Georgio
Tyler

... is what Id start the line with before I got to some of the lesser seen characters like TKuvma, Mudd, Sarek, Cornwall...

I also think that because Disocvery is a success, to put out older characters from the older series beyond Kirk and Picard is a bit pointless since DST have just given us 15 years of those characters. Id say McFarlane are keen, Id like to see what they come up with.

[Whirlygig]

I disagree completely, and know I'm in the minority. A wave of complete crew all in identical uniforms may call out to you and I as mega fans. But pegs full of largely indistinguishable character bodies call out to exactly 0 other people. A better strategy IMO and if I ran this would be to have variance in each wave. It also draws the mega fan into collecting more instead of stopping after Wave 2 when they feel their complete crew is done. And it builds more sculpts in for the future on that initial investment. Instead...how about 1 male, 1 female, 1 mirror universe male, 1 mirror universe female, 1 klingon, and then as many other NON-Starfleet things as possible, for each and every wave until both MU and prime crews are complete? That's what I would do but I know it's asking too much.

But...does McFarlane really do large waves? I haven't gotten the sense that they do.

[1701D]

Well, they seem to do quite a few figures depending on popularity. Stranger Things and Walking Dead have had a lot of releases, Stranger Things this year especially. If Star Trek: Discovery continues to appeal to a new audience and fans alike as it has done this first season, then theres always the possibility that McFarlane will do more than just two figures a year.

I think they are also aware that by doing just two figures, they run the risk of interest in their product dying.

As for a line of identical figures? I dont think thats really important with Discovery. I dont think many could confuse Saru with Burnham or an Emperor Georgio with Lorca. Tilly, Burnham and Stamets could all come in different costumes as theyve been seen wearing variations of the standard Starfleet uniforms (prison garbs, away team combat gear, space suit etc...)

I think most consumers will want to see a mix of both the main cast and some cool aliens. Certainly Id love to see the Torch Bearer figure - that costume was gorgeous. Id love to see Mudd in his andorian helmet and also a Tardigrade. Most of all though, Id like to see the core characters that make the show great.

Burnham, Mirror Uniform Burnham, Space Suit Burnham, Lorca, Stamets, Saru, Admiral Cornwall, Tyler, Voq, LRell, Tilly, Georgio, Emperor Georgio, Sarek, Mudd, Tardigrade, TKuvma, Torch Bearer, Culber.... I cant see them doing any more obscure figures initially.

As for classic Star Trek... Spock, Data, Worf Id imagine are a given. Khan... Id love to see Archer, Phlox, TPol, Janeway, Sisko, 7of9, Odo, Borg Queen, Riker, Quark, Dukat, Uhura, Scotty, McCoy, Gowron, Martok, Shinzon, Gorn, Salt Vampire, Kor, Kang, Kurn, Chapel, Rand, Troi, Wesley Crusher, Tucker, Death of a Redshirt box set... not many really...

[Alteran195]

Give me the captains and I'm happy. Moreso if they make chair's down the line, but I doubt they will. 

 

I will be buying Kirk and Picard. I don't really like the DST Picard I have, and I'm hoping Mcfarlane's Picard fits in DST's captains chair.

 

I'd buy Lorca in a heart beat. 

 

Maybe Georgiou. 

 

I'd buy Sisko, Janeway and Archer of course. 

[1701D]

As for full crews? Meh, I just dont think thats ever going to happen with the classic Trek characters as most were not popular enough... Harry Kim? Belana Tores, Tom Paris, Nog, Rom, Kira, Dr Crusher... I love them all but do I really want action figures of them? Probably not.

[1701D]

What Id really love for McFarlane to do is an electronic lights and sounds USS Discovery... 20 inch replica built from the digital CGI model, display stand included. Features spinning spore drive disk.

[Alteran195]

A fan can dream...

[Gothneo]

As for full crews? Meh, I just dont think thats ever going to happen with the classic Trek characters as most were not popular enough... Harry Kim? Belana Tores, Tom Paris, Nog, Rom, Kira, Dr Crusher... I love them all but do I really want action figures of them? Probably not.

Hmmmm.... I think your mixing main crew/cast characters and supporting characters a bit. *technically*, we did get a full main crew for TOS, TNG, and DS9... and if your willing to mix and match, we also got one for ENT... though Phlox is only in an away suite.  Nog, Rom, and even Chapel and Rand aren't considered core crew/cast.... but I would still take 'em!

 

I disagree completely, and know I'm in the minority. A wave of complete crew all in identical uniforms may call out to you and I as mega fans. .

Kids love the aliens... its why, as you pointed out Star Wars does so well.... and I do agree... its why I was pointing out what AA did with Klaang.

 

Give me the captains and I'm happy. 

 

I'd buy Lorca in a heart beat. 

 

Maybe Georgiou. 

 

I'd buy Sisko, Janeway and Archer of course. 

 

Me too... actually, because of the way S1 of DISCO went... they might as well make MU versions of everyone!

[s8film40]

As for full crews? Meh, I just dont think thats ever going to happen with the classic Trek characters as most were not popular enough... Harry Kim? Belana Tores, Tom Paris, Nog, Rom, Kira, Dr Crusher... I love them all but do I really want action figures of them? Probably not.

At this point Im not even considering buying one single figure unless theres a definitive promise of a full crew. Even then I may wait until they are all released just to be safe.

My worry is theyre going to release Kirk and Picard and since everyone already has those they wont sell well and then theyll simply come to the conclusion theres no market for Star Trek figures.

[1701D]

Kids love the aliens... its why, as you pointed out Star Wars does so well.... and I do agree... its why I was pointing out what AA did with Klaang

In what alternate reality are kids remotely interested in Star Trek? Its not this reality thats for sure...

The whole reason Art Asylum then Diamond Select and now McFarlane not Playmates, Hasbro or Mattel have the licence is because Star Trek doesnt appeal to kids.

Star Wars does so well in toy stores due to Star Wars ALWAYS doing so well in appealing to kids through great marketing and storytelling through the movies and animated shows since its inception. It changed the way movies were marketed and since then has done incredibly well to appeal to both parents and the kids of those parents. Its a right of passage that if youd grown up on Star Wars, youd pass that down to your kids because every incarnation of that franchise has been geared towards appealing to the younger generation.

If I had kids, Id not want them watching Discovery thats for sure. Far too violent, far too graphic and honestly, its far too dull and complex for kids that just want to be entertained and for a family to share together.

Star Trek has never had that kind of popularity and ultimately when Star Trek could of been that generational show during TNG, that is passed down from parent to child, the franchise stopped trying to appeal to kids and new audiences that would have got their parents to buy them Star Trek toys. Instead of an animated series that was spun off TNG with a new crew, new ship, new exciting aliens, Star Trek got darker, more political and more mature and complex in its storytelling through DS9, Voyager and by the time Enterprise came along, no kid wanted Trek, no kid cared about an ageing TNG crew from the 80s on the big screen and whilst the 2009 movie was the bright reimagined Star Trek kids would of really got onboard with... one movie wasnt going to be enough when most movies of the day had multi-platformed releases and tie ins. Abrams plan to make Star Trek that mega-franchise with multiple areas of merchandise, including an expansive toy line, was thrown out by CBS and that was it.

If you want a toy line that has a great mix of vibrantly coloured aliens and not just the main cast in their standard uniforms then Star Trek is not the toy line for you. CBS and Paramount need to step up and produce a Star Trek animated show and all the bells and whistles that comes with doing something like that. A show that appeals to both the old fans and their kids. A show that is a shared family experience like Star Wars is.

Quite honestly, if Picard and Kirk dont sell well this year, we probably wont be seeing anything from McFarlane next year and like most of the more recent toy companies coming in to do Star Trek toys, itll flop.

[1701D]

God, I miss the 90s... Playmates Star Trek, Kenners Jurassic Park, Ban-Dais Power Rangers, Lego... it was a glorious time.

[JonWes]

TrekCore have a nice video with this article. Working proto of the Discovery phaser which seems to operate similarly to DST phasers. It looked solid and very slick and theyre aiming for a $34.99 price. Burnham and whatever figure shes coming out with are still going through approvals. Sounds like TKuvma wont launch with Burnham. Id love him down the line though.

http://trekcore.com/...scovery-phaser/

[Gothneo]

Thanks for that link JonWes!

 

That phaser is right on target! It has more... and better features than the Anovos $500 replica!

 

Quite frankly thats what I was expecting from Anovos for $500... but no sound, and limited lights... plus you have to use a hex key to remove the battery pack?!! I will gladly wait for the McFarlane version and save my money. 

[Jedigreedo]

I was hoping they might have a couple more figures than just Kirk and Picard to show off, but the packaging is neat. I was expecting a box like SWBS, GoT, etc., but I like the cardbacks. The blue background reminds me of the Galoob TNG figures, so they look good and are hitting a nice nostalgia factor.

[Damon1984]

I have a hard time figuring out the Leg joints. I thought they would go for T-joints (which would be a bummer), but on the pics it looks like as if the figures could bend their legs sideways as well. Hm. Sculpt-wise Kirk and Picard look pretty awesome, that's for sure. But McFarlane figures are known to have really lackluster articulation. Can't deny that I'm curious, though.