51 replies to this topic

[robster]

Didn't add Megablocks to my list of booths to pop by! My bad. I usually see them at NYCC though.

 

J-R!

[Jay K]

Have to say, DST's showing this year for Star Trek was really, really awful. No Reliant (which is fair enough, but still...), but also, where's the Romulan Bird of Prey? Poor showing from them this year.

[robster]

Yeah,two items is kinda lackluster. Was expecting more in this anniversary year. At least a lot of other companies had a bunch of VERY nice things on display.

 

J-R!

[BadBunnyMike]

DSTs showings at SDCC has been pretty dissapointing for the last few years so i dont even get my hopes up for it anymore

[1701D]

I don't care what Zach says regarding the difference in product, at the end of the day they both have to deal with the same people at CBS and both produce Star Trek product but If you look at Ben Robinson from Eaglemoss and how interactive he is on Twitter (whilst having other lines to work on as well; Marvel, Doctor Who to name but two) with Star Trek fans AND Jon Van Citters, the Vice President at CBS Consumer Products and of all things Star Trek related, having an amazing dialogue with fans about the ships and with what it is that makes his Star Trek Starships collection so popular among us, then DST should really take note.

In contrast Diamond seem to be on the defensive all the time regarding their product and seem to take the fans for granted. If history has taught anyone associated with Trek, it's not to take us for granted. at the same time they've also been quite insular and behind with the times about how they show off their product and I think that's a shame because if they took the approach that Ben does from Eaglemoss and engage with the fans with the passion behind their product (not just Star Trek) then they'd have a different but successful Star Trek line.

I mean why not get Ben Robinson, Doug Drexler, Michael Okuda John Eaves and other legendary Star Trek designers to come in and help design the ship line? Why struggle on with a weak willed figure line when Mezco are proving to completely revolutionise Star Trek figures?

The success in DSTs Star Trek line lies with the affordable ships and the affordable props. You change the Star Trek line to fall into a proper collectors line, improving the detail and sculpts to the ships and continuing with the props and you design a whole new line that puts starships and props front and centre, you relaunch the line, employ cool graphic artists like Tobias Richter to do awesome and unique CGI shots of the ships, you go to Mike Okuda for his beautiful Lcars displays to promote the ships and you really make this line attractive again and really sell the line, then fans would invest in it.

I've been really underwhelmed at DST in general quite honestly. Their product seems outdated and the way they go about setting up their displays and booths at these various comic cons pales in comparison to other companies that are in the same business. NECA, MEZCO, DC COLLECTABLES... They all seem to have these stunning booths that really show off their product to the best it can be. DST seem to just shove it all on a shelf and say that'll do. Hardly taking pride in what it is they produce...

I hope it changes. Part of me feels that if DST were to get the licence to do new Star Trek then they'd pull their finger out a bit more but again, do they have the capability of getting these products designed, produced and out there to show off? From what I've seen they do love to drag their feet when it comes to showcasing new product... ie: the Reliant.

[Jay K]

Some pictures from DST's comic con panel (the only Star Trek items shown - confirmed the next figure is a Borg):

Cobra Phaser

Hi-res: http://i.imgur.com/vei5RQn.jpg

 

CG model of the Reliant

Hi-res: http://i.imgur.com/2t2igF6.jpg

 

Khan Select figure

Hi-res: http://i.imgur.com/CkHmkD0.jpg

 

Hi-res: http://i.imgur.com/HZ7fkor.jpg

 

Pictures taken from Action Figure Insider:
http://www.actionfig...llectdst-panel/

[Whirlygig]

I had caved and ordered Khan for the chair.  But in light of all the cooler stuff coming in the next year from every other company on the planet, I canceled it.  No plans to buy the Rom BoP or Reliant.  Would rather save the display space for other things these days.  Plus, as we've learned, what happens is we get a ship one year and then a few years later we get a much better version that should have been released in the first place...  Fool me once, shame on you...etc.

 

I would buy that TNG phaser in a heartbeat, but I can't shake this feeling it's going to be vaporware.  Borg figure?  Well that one I will bite on.

 

I was messing with my Ghostbusters minimates recently only to discover that the translucent plastic pieces had started to degrade and become sticky.  I then checked all my other minimate lines and anything translucent has the same problem at various stages of development based on how old it is.  This was pretty upsetting.  Kinda turned me off to minimates in the future, at least where this type of plastic is used.  And I really question the Vinymates concept.  Ok, DST wants in on the "vinyl minis" action, good for them (a bit late to that party guys).  But ... we already have so many other options for stylized minis, and if we want minimates style...why wouldn't we just buy minimates?

 

On top of that from everything I've read on the 'net while people like the DST Ghostbusters, they still tend to feel, or at least 50/50 feel, that the Mattel were superior.  I haven't received any of my DST GB preorders yet to see for myself.  Actually, one just arrived today according to tracking (SDCC Marshmallow Ray ordered via TRU's site)...  

 

I am not sure what's keeping them afloat these days.  Not much to get truly excited over if you ask me.  But then I don't pay much attention to the world of comics-based toys.  That must be enough to sustain them.

[JMW326]

I am pretty hard on DST about Star Trek and I believe with good reason but their Ghostbusters figures are top notch and miles above anything Mattel did. I also just picked up the select X Files and they are pretty great.

Now for the Star Trek showing at SDCC... Well they have let us down again. As for the 50th anniversary of Star Trek? Well... DST dropped the ball again by not having any product ready. There is no telling how long it will take to actually get the TNG phaser or the Reliant. After seeing what QMX and Mezco are doing with Star Trek it's really hard to get excited about anything DST is doing. They are behind the times and falling farther behind with every release.

[Jay K]

Plus, as we've learned, what happens is we get a ship one year and then a few years later we get a much better version that should have been released in the first place...  Fool me once, shame on you...etc.

 

I have to say, I really do agree with you here. Certain ships don't count (meaning the old Art Asylum ones that were updated, NX-01, 1701-E etc), but immediately what comes to my mind are the Enterprise-D, and the Klingon Bird of Prey. My local shop (Forbidden Planet) have a few E-D's in stock, and giving them a once over in the box, the difference is major.
As for the Klingon Bird of Prey, paint-wise there was no difference, but the second version did come with the landing legs that appeared on every prototype at every show beforehand.

For me now, I'll be waiting for reviews before buying. The only exception would be a Defiant, but I'm more likely to win the lottery I think. lol

[1701D]

I'll get the Reliant but not the BoP.

Truth be told I'm really only going to buy the Reliant and if DST ever get around to them: The Defiant, Voyager and perhaps the Enterprise C.

[Razorgeist]

Well at least thats something about the Reliant.

[VorlonKosh]

Any more mega blocks stuff at comicon?

[1701D]

I have received the Enterprise... Good lord it's a big set, oh my!

[Jay K]

Ben Robinson says that StarTrek.com will have all the information (new Eaglemoss announcements) that would've been revealed at the cancelled comic-con panel up on their website on August 5th.
I predict an extension to 150 issues, prototypes of the Kyushu, and the Jellyfish and Franklin.

[Alteran195]

I really can't wait for the Franklin. Has the special after th NX Refit been announced yet?

[djc242]

Ben Robinson says that StarTrek.com will have all the information (new Eaglemoss announcements) that would've been revealed at the cancelled comic-con panel up on their website on August 5th.
I predict an extension to 150 issues, prototypes of the Kyushu, and the Jellyfish and Franklin.

yes yes yes

[Jay K]

Not 100% sure, but I believe it's the Jellyfish followed by the Franklin, if I remember correctly.

[Razorgeist]

Oooh definitely want a Franklin.

[bgiles73]

After watching Star Trek: Beyond the other day, I am really missing traditional action figures for Star Trek. Who does the license reside with now after Hasbro dropped the ball. Megabloks is for Mattel now. Could Mattel maybe be the answer? The 6" Batman vs Superman figures aren't horrible and might be worth a shot for Star Trek. And yes, I know Mezcotoyz's One:12 line is nice, but I don't think I would be comfortable handling those as often as I would just a regular plastic action figure. Something in the $20 range would be great!

[robster]

Was the EM panel cancelled? Funny,that's not what they told me! LOL! Just another thing to show that the guys at the EM booth really didn't have a clue what was going on. Wish Ben was there when I popped by,to get some straight answers,lol!

 

Well,we can always hope someone will pick up the license for new movie Trek stuff.

 

J-R!