The State of 6 inch MLs in the Philippines
October 6, 2008With Hasbro producing real crappers and having their products warm the pegs for months on end until the retailers decide to just melt the plastic in the toys to make more cheaply made shit, there is no doubt in my mind that Hasbro knew they had to do something drastic to keep the 6″ ML series alive. I guess in a way, we should be thankful, because after all the crap they’ve produced, they still keep trying to improve their line, and they said they’d keep the whole thing going.
But at what cost? Pretty high, I’d say. At $9.99-$15 a figure, SRP. And those prices are for the fortunate Americans who have access to a Target or Wal-Mart.
I present to you now the bane of Philippine ML collecting- EXCLUSIVES!
How does Hasbro keep the line that produced tons of peg warmers alive and kicking? Well, they did a few things-
They raised the prices to ridiculous levels, to a point where buying toys becomes even more of a ridiculous luxury. Remember the good ole’ days when an action figure was P399? Yeah, I don’t either. Maybe we wouldn’t feel so bad if we get our money’s worth, right? But no, we get even cheaper plastic.
As a marketing strategy, they make entire series EXCLUSIVES. What does that mean? That means a certain series will only be sold through certain retail outlets, such as Wal Mart and Target. How this helps them, I’m not sure exactly. But it probably does cut down costs quite a bit, as they don’t produce enough for worldwide distribution.
So there’s a shortage, and people from the Philippines can’t exactly get the off the shelves. Only those with deep pockets can afford to have entire sets shipped over. And that’s what? P12,600 plus shipping? Sorry, but us regular folks just can’t keep up with that.
What happens now? People like have to let the latest series go? That’s just wrong. I don’t want all the figures, I just want one or two. I find it extremely unfair. 
The Red Hulk series is exclusive to Target. From there, I just want the Black Spider-Man.
From the Ares series, a Wal Mart exclusive,I want a few. Heroes Reborn Iron Man, Vision and Crossbones-
From the Nemesis series, a Wal Mart exclusive… well, I actually want the entire set except the fucking BAF.
But alas, ’tis not going to come to fruition as the are exclusives. Plus with their ever-increasing prices, maybe I’ll just go back to collecting comics exclusively. Or follow the original plan and collect just characters that have something to do with the Daredevil/ Marvel Knights mythos? Yeah.
Previous Comments
@Liz
Those are prototype shots, and as such, they would always look awesome. The actual mass produced product is probably 50% of the quality of that.
The Punisher one got Happy Mealized.
Speaking of Black Bolt, I’m using the Marvel wallpaper of War of Kings. It’s FUCKEN’ AWESOME.
And the collection is pretty good. Last figures I got were Forge, Wolverine in classic yellow and blue jumpsuit, Ronin and Elektra.
Posted by comicology at October 14, 2008, 9:36 pmYes, I know. That’s why I’m still generally very, very careful about buying figures. I have a quite a few already, but I still don’t go out and get them very often - only if I really, really, really love the character and if the figure or toy is really well made. I haven’t made the full commitment to collecting.
I’m also really excited about War of Kings. For many, many reasons, of course, but mostly because I’ll read anything with Black Bolt in it. I Black Bolt, I love Black Bolt, I love Black Bolt.
How much are you willing to spend on a figure? What’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
Also, slightly off topic here, but I’ve been asking everyone I know (well, everyone who reads comics anyway) about something. I’d like to get your input too. -> http://existentializzy.livejournal.com/4416.html
new lj, by the way, no longer junkland_red. 
@Liz
How many figures do you have? I would love to get each and every fig that comes out, but as it is, I just can’t afford it. It started out as an obsession with the Daredevil characters, then I got my first X-Man and it just kinda snowballed out of control from there.
Who’s in your collection now?
Yeah, Black Bolt’s awesome. I’ll probably just get the TPB of War of Kings though. Too many on my damned pull out list.
The most I’ve spent on a single figure would be P2,700 for MOC Juggernaut. I sold him again for P3000. The next would be Deadpool for P2,500.
I will, most definitely, check your LJ when I can. And I shall add you there, too, kk?
Posted by comicology at October 15, 2008, 9:29 amI have Lightray, Orion and Darkseid from the DC Direct New Gods Series 1, because I’m all about the Fourth World and Jack Kirby. Of course they also have Mister Miracle and LOVE Scott Free to pieces but I haven’t gotten that figure yet because there’s also a DC Direct set I can get that comes with Big Barda and Oberon. I was planning to get that until I saw that those figures weren’t as good. Sigh. So I have to get Mister Miracle Series 1 and wait for Series 2 to get my Barda. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Big Barda. The good news is the figures from that line are great and not at all expensive.
For me, the problem with the toys and figures from the Marvel line available at our local toystores is that there doesn’t seem to be a lot of consistency. Some of them are great looking and really well made but some make you go, “Wow. That looks nothing like her/him.”
I can’t bring myself to spend over a thousand for figures. I keep thinking about the books I could buy instead!
Yes, thanks for replying. I kinda figured you’d go with DD and Karen. I’d love to hear about the other couples you like. Maybe you should write about them. Oh, and yea, add again. I’ll add you too.
@Liz
Oh DC Direct characters! Mattel makes expensive shit, though. The reason I didn’t pick up the first couple waves of the DC Universe line was because of the price. But now that Hasbro has upped the price but not the quality, I’m thinking of switching to DC.
My biggest problem with the DC figures is that there are too many lines- each goddamned successful storyarc or crossover gets its own line of figures, and the scale and style between each one are so different.
How much did you score the DC figs for?
Soon, there will be a wave of 3.75 inch figures- just like G.I. Joes- from Hasbro. Those will be easy on the pocket, but won’t be as detailed or as pretty as the 6 inchers. Like something else in life, a 3.75 inch thing isn’t as good as a 6 inch thing.
DD and Karen pairing is just the first to pop out of my head. I will comment a bit more on your LJ when I get some time to compose my thoughts, but I’m thinking Kyle and that green girl whose name escapes me at the moment, Hal and Carol, Ralph and Sue, and of course, the original comic book family- Reed and Sue.
Posted by comicology at October 15, 2008, 1:26 pmJade. The green girl’s name is Jade.
I got them all for 800 bucks each, actually. I couldn’t believe it since they’re all great looking figures. I really really really regret not buying the Mister Miracle one right away. Ah well, more to look forward to. Maybe I can get him the same time with Barda. I plan to complete Series 2 of the New Gods line.
Are there any DC figures you’re aiming to collect?
Posted by Liz at October 15, 2008, 2:54 pm@Liz
Yep, Bat-family from the DC Universe line. Nightwing, Robin and once they release a contemporary-looking Batman.
Ah, yes, Jade. I actually knew that, but didn’t type it in as I was afraid I was wrong.
I cant’ write about comic book couples now as you’ve already done it. What I will do, though, is link to your article. And say I wish I had written it. Bwahahhahaa!
Posted by comicology at October 15, 2008, 3:55 pmOh sure, feel free to link. But, really don’t let my having written about it stop you from writing about it, too. I’m sure you have interesting things to say about the matter.
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Sanctified mother of crime, that is a good looking Black Bolt.
How is your current collection going anyway?
Posted by Liz at October 14, 2008, 9:14 pm