Friday 19 November 2010

Behold I return with answers...

Hello everyone, apologies for the frankly abysmal lack of updates, I don’t know what happened, I went away to NY comic con and next thing I know it’s nearly bloomin’ Christmas. Is that a sign of getting old – losing track of time?

Oh well, time for me to answer some reader mail:

Q1) Where have you been???

A1) Where haven’t I been! It’s been a crazy couple of months but I’m back now.

Q2) With the themed packs already talked about, could the CMFC finally redo some characters and give us alternate versions of classic, A-list characters?

A2)
This is definitely a possibility. However, at the moment we have not agreed with Marvel or internally if we’ll do Marvel subsets. Despite there being a few different groups that could be done, it’s not sure whether Marvel will have any spinoffs at this point. If we did, the idea of alternate costumes (say classic X-Men) would certainly be on the list.

Q3)
Why have EM decided against producing multiple versions of characters unlike every other marvel product out there?

A3) Simply put, we’ve listened to a lot of feedback and in general it has seemed that new characters are favored over redos. This does not mean characters are ruled out, only that the general consensus is that there are still enough characters wanted by collectors to not need redos. If you’re after alternate versions of characters (such as Age of Apocalypse Wolverine) then this also has been discussed, but more support – in the office and online – seems to be for new characters.

Q4) Do the forum members reflect the figures of subscribers and collectors that you know are selling? Why cant subscribers, who must give details with address and email, get something in the post to decide on how the collection should go? As inexpensive as printing our bills.

A4) It is very difficult to know if the forum (and here) truly reflects the numbers of collectors we have. Obviously not everyone that collects the series (especially non-English speaking collectors) is on the forum. In general, I think the forum (and blogs etc…) represent a significantly wide variety and number of people to reflect our collectors. Clearly not everything can be taken at face value; however, the forums are certainly more representative than the 8 or so guys (myself included) who sit at Eaglemoss making the decisions.

To answer the second point, we’ve run a number of web-based surveys in the past asking about the collection, and did initially send out questionnaires in magazines. It’s not a prohibitively expensive act (except possibly offering a freepost service) and is in general something us ‘creatives’ leave to marketing. I will pass on the request for this and see if we can make it happen.

Q5) I would love to see an 'Art of' book or magazine feature that collected all production pictures of sculpts, WIPs, paint tests, different sculpts, the design process etc. Will something like this ever happen? Art books seem to be hugely popular now. I would gladly lay down £25-£40 for a book.

A5)
A while back I looked into this and although it did seem possible it looked like it would be a lot of work. We use many different sculptors/painters for the collection and their input would be vital. We’d need to take a lot of time collecting more images from. It was debated in the office whether this type of book would actually sell. Plus it’s not something we at Eaglemoss tend to do, so there’s a little resistance to different ideas. I’ll bring it up in our next meeting.

Q6)
I love specials, I really do, but can we not have forced megas and large characters just for the sake of filling up the gap and making us pay a fortune. I really don’t know how many more giant characters I would be genuinely interested in purchasing and would prefer more double packs or to move onto theme packs instead.

A6) Despite some of the comments I’ve seen, I guarantee that we don’t simply do big specials to charge you guys more. We look at all the characters that could be specials and try to balance the sizes. We’re bound by our licensors to make sure our figures are a good representation of the character and often that means Marvel or DC recommending a height. I’m working hard with our marketing team and sculptors to try and get the best value-for-money I can for you guys. If a figure can be sold out a lower price, I’ll argue for this.

Double-packs are tricky because despite the size of the characters some costs are simply doubled – these could be the fact we need two separate molds, two separate production lines for painting etc…

I’m keen to have double-packs so I’ll be looking at our 2011-2012 special line-up.

Q7) How about a competition to tour the CMFC studio?



A7) I guess this is possible but the winner may be a bit disappointed. We’re currently just an office in London working on a number of magazines. The actual sculpts are made elsewhere but perhaps I could talk to one of the sculpting companies about touring their facilities.

Q8) What costume was chosen for the Beetle figurine? (Hopefully the second choice he displayed).

A8) Yes, you are correct the second choice. Pics will hopefully follow in the next few weeks.

Q9) A while back, Rich, someone suggested occasional guest-slots on the blog by other members of the Eaglemoss staff as a way of ensuring more regular contact without loading more work onto you. Have you considered doing this?

A9) I’m happy to let my co-workers take over this blog anytime they want. Unfortunately, we’re all in the same boat and snowed under with work. I’ll see if anyone is interested.

Q10) Rich, the comments on here regarding a second character with Lockjaw were not exactly wildly enthusiastic. Are you any closer to deciding whether or not to release Lockjaw individually or with either Maximus or Luna?

A10)
Umm no is the short answer. I’m not really any closer to a final decision. Essentially you guys have confirmed what I thought: Lockjaw could (and perhaps should) be offered as a separate special. We’ll see if/when he can fit into the run and then try and work out his size/cost. I’d like to believe we could do him justice and make him £10.99 but only time will tell.

Q11) In regards to an earlier post by Robert, who's sidekick would YOU like to be and why? (Well we know so much about each other, how about you share some of your views Rich?)

A11)
That is a tricky one, I mean first-up I’d clearly like to be the star rather than the sidekick. But then if I have to be a sidekick I guess it’s a tough choice:

Spider-Man- Not sure I could put up with the ‘witty remarks’. Plus I’d probably get written out of continuity when Mephisto reverses another wedding/relationship.

Wolverine- NO WAY. Just look at the number of partners that end up dead or hideously scarred.

Hulk- I tend to wind people up a little, not a good idea with Hulk – I’d end-up smashed.

Batman- Couldn’t deal with the ‘Robin must wear tights rule’.

Captain America- See Wolverine. Bucky’s tend not to last too long.

Sooo many characters just don’t do sidekicks, hmm, I guess if we’re talking about Marvel I’d go for She-Hulk’s sidekick. Let’s face it she’s a total babe, very protective of her mates and has some zany adventures.

If DC I think I’d probably just go for being a Red Lantern – I can be a bit of a stress head and the rage can build-up. Does that count?

Right, that’s enough questions for now (sorry if I didn’t answer yours).

On to sneak peeks, check out Spiral, Wrecker, and Quasar. Please note Spiral is not on base in final position.







Enjoy the weekend everyone.

410 comments:

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Miguel Angel Jiminez said...

Well if yoo insist
181 Bloodstone
182 Princess Python
183 X-PERSON
184 Brother Voodoo
185 Molten Man
186 Molecule Man
187 Howard The Duck
188 Thundra
189 Swordsman
190 X-Person
191 Werewolve by Night
192 Yondu
193 American Eagle
194 Basilisk
195 Firebrand
196 The Recorder
197 Crossbones
198 Jigsaw
199 Kid Kolt
200 Stan Lee
201 Skurge
202 Psycho Man
203 X-Person
204 Red Wolf
205 Dr Faustus
206 Mesmero
207 Stingray
208 The Grandmaster
209 White Tiger
210 Killraven
211 DING!! ..er.. that's the microwave see ya later
203

Miguel Angel Jiminez said...

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_pS46YRMIQ

Robert said...

By the time a 400th figure came out, Ted, we'd be picking them up and saying, "I remember this guy. Red and blue costume. Webs. No, don't tell me, give me a minute. I know this. Really, I do."

SinisterVenom said...

New Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 update.
Now confirmed as playable characters are C.Viper for Capcom, if I have done my homework correctly, she is from the Street Fighter series making her debut in Street fighter IV.
For Marvel it's our very own Mistress Of The Elements herself, Storm! Great to see her make it but with only 4 places remaining on both sides, things are getting tight!
Fingers crossed we get Venom, Gambit, Carnage or Mr. Sinister, they would make great additions.

Please can we have an update tomorrow Rich? And while you're there, have a word with the guys on the main site too huh? They have the time to advertise the Omega Red special but they can't update the ordinary figures line up, which is still showing all issues up to 135 when I'm picking up issue 139 next week. Surely they should be showing all up to 145 by now?
SV

Robert said...

Aw, Ted included the Recorder in his list. He may be made of muck but he has a heart of pure gold.

Bullseye81 said...

My top ten unannounced figurines would be
1- Spider-girl (thanks LAWay, i'm glad to see some support for my most wanted character)
{the rest are in alphabetical because it changes frequently}
-Crossbones
-Hammerhead
-High Evolutionary
-Jigsaw
-Moonstone
-Sebastian Shaw
-Spider-man 2099
-Whiplash/Blacklash
-Wolfsbane

Specials
Madame Web
MODOK (honourable mention to Onslaught)

Double
Cobra and Mr.Hyde

To answer LAWay's question, i collect every figurine and will continue to do so. Like Max, i live in Canada so subscribing is impossible for me but i do have a subscription through my comic shop and he automatically orders every figurine for me. Up to this point i have every figurine released so far except for a few of the variants (Jean Grey, Quicksilver and Hulk). I honestly can't think of a figure that if it were released would cause me to stop collecting. I'd love to say Uncle Ben would, but in all honesty i'd probably still get him (i just wouldn't be too happy about it).

I hope there's an update tomorrow, and i'd be even happier if we saw a sneak peak of Prowler or Songbird.

Miguel Angel Jiminez said...

I was watching the wife make a start on the annual gift wrapping marathon, when i spotted a Thing in a crate,( quite literaly) A Marvel figure factory kit,on the back it shows this cool mosaic poster you can make if you collect them all..Then i noticed my darling giving me that look . " you do realise that is for your son" she said. I was about to say hmmm are you sure he's not too young for this, when i realised i am one sad b*****d

LAWay said...

Thanks for the MvC3 update SV. C.Viper was expected with Marvel to make the most of their already built characters. Storm is a surprise I think. News so early their website isnt even updated! lol

I heard a daft rumour about Venom may not feature in the game because he would be too complicated to make in 3D.

-------

I love the spider-girl comics and believe she is just as deserving a spot despite being an 'alternate universe' type character. I mean she has had hundreds of comics herself as the main star, not a lot of characters in the collection already can say such a thing.

Good to hear most people on the blog buy most, if not all the figurines. Means there is a long life to this collection yet.

Robert said...

I cut and pasted this from last week. Fingers crossed we get an update today.

QUESTIONS FOR RICH
1. Even if you can't go into details, do you know how Karnak, Triton, etc. ended up on eBay and are you taking any action?
2. Are you or Eaglemoss surprised that the collection has lasted to (at least) 180?
3. Can you confirm for MrSinister which Mockingbird costume we will see?
4. Not really a question but a request: could you officially recognise Bagman's Fearless Front Facer award, please?

Thanks.

SinisterVenom said...

You're welcome for the MVC3 news Leigh, I do like to keep on top of the Marvel games updates :) However if that really is the reason they havn't announced Venom yet then I think it's a poor excuse. Sounds to me like they're being lazy, they shoud think of it as a challenge! I mean come on, they can make the likes of X-23, Super-Skrull and Shuma-Gorath but they can't do Venom? Nonsense!
As you may already know, I'm collecting all the figurines too. I have them all so far except for Omega Red, I'm still waiting to recieve him.
Fingers crossed for an update today!
SV

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