Ask DST #154: Minimate health-related questions, oh and something about Marvel, Halo, MAX, etc.

Art Asylum has the latest Minimate-related Q&A up, featuring questions about what Minimates dream, how they maintain their shape, how they cope with depression, and more. Below are the highlights:

• DST is pitching some more fan-poll ideas to Toys R Us.
• There’s a chance that more Fear Itself characters may show up, but given the difficulty of getting the reference material, probably not many more.
• The Star Trek shuttlecraft was shelved due to low interest, but DST was approached by potential buyers about them doing an Enterprise, which spawned the one shown at Toy Fair. If it performs well, perhaps it will open the door for more vehicles.
• Fantastic Four/Future Foundation has been considered for more figures. There’s still one assortment for 2012 that hasn’t been finalized.
• DST has a list of army builder figures that they pull from.
• DST has been lucky in the past to incorporate orphaned figures into future assortments, so there’s always a chance for Firelord and Air-Walker. (Editor’s note: tell that to Toad and Ben Grimm, to name a few.)
• Pretty much done with Sony for the time being.
• No plans for Young Avengers in 2012.
• Maximum Zombies are on hold, with focus shifting to the Walking Dead.
• DST tends to take lessons learned from past releases and apply them to future releases, and even other lines.
• In regards to an Alpha Flight box set, in the past, it has not been uncommon for box sets to have tie-in 2-packs.
• There’s a chance on Avengers vs X-Men, all depends on timing.
• DST is unaware of any demand for Kang in Minimate form.
• At the moment, DST is happy with doing just the crossover titles for Capcom. If sales pick up, there’s a chance that the scope could expand for the line.
• No plans for Dogpool or Age of Apocalypse Nightcrawler.
• DST doesn’t have the rights to the Walking Dead TV series, nor are they pursuing the rights. They feel that there’s enough material in the comics to flesh out a line.
• MAX APC is on hold while DST discusses the line with TRU.
• Typically when a figure is re-released, DST tries to take the opportunity to improve upon it so it isn’t just a straight re-release.
• No plans for any more HALO vehicles. The HALO line is planned out through series 5, with anything beyond that a wait-and-see.
• DST feels they’ve only scratched the surface of Minimates, and feel like the brand still has legs.
• No plans for wood Minimates.
• DST has not conducted sleep tests on Minimates to see what they dream. DST is not even sure if Minimates sleep. (Ed. note: Think about that tonight as you drift off to bed, the army of hundreds if not thousands of minifigures staring at you, watching, waiting.)
• MAX series is on hold while its future is discussed.
• No plans for Age of Apocalypse.
• There’s always a chance that previously released characters make their way back into the rotation, so worry not, new collectors. (Ed. note: Good, because I missed out on Spider-Man, and I was worried.)
• There are far too many characters to choose from and far too few slots to fill for everyone’s favorite character to be released, but they try.
• No plans for Ultimate Spider-Man, but that could always change. (Ed. note: The question was regarding the new show, but I was under the impression that all the TV and movie stuff was under a different umbrella than the comic book stuff. Still, anything Spider-related might be too good to pass up for Chuck.)
• Minimates feel no need to exercise, since they’ve been able to maintain their figure after all these years. If their health was poor, they might feel compelled to start, but the line is healthy as ever.
• Most Minimates are doomed to a life of obscurity. Try to empower them and be supportive.