First, let me be on record as stating that I hate working holiday weekends.
That out of the way, with the Thanksgiving holiday out of the way, we’re back from our brief hiatus. So, what’d we miss, what’d we miss….
Poll results. Okay, we asked you who you loved, who you didn’t from the recently announced Marvel series 34. Here’s what you all had to say:
Marvel Series 34: Who Do We Like? (choose all that apply)
- Cyclops (68%, 173 Votes)
- Rogue (60%, 153 Votes)
- Beast (49%, 123 Votes)
- Jean Grey (47%, 119 Votes)
- Hellfire Guard (30%, 77 Votes)
- Black Queen Jean Grey (30%, 77 Votes)
- Black Queen Selene (28%, 70 Votes)
Total Voters: 253
In one of those rare occurrences, you had the ability to vote for more than one answer, theoretically allowing you all to pick the ones you wanted and leave off the ones you didn’t. Assuming that’s how it played out, the bulk of you are quite happy to have Cyclops in this assortment. Jim Lee’s version of Cyclops is probably the definitive look for the character for many comic fans, so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise.
The updated Rogue captured the second slot, again, not much of a surprise when you consider that a lot of collectors thought this is how the first one should have looked.
Third, and barely pulling in votes from half of our voters is Beast. I suspect the dip in voters might be attributed to the look of this Minimate. The minimalist camp likely isn’t thrilled with all the bulked up parts on this latest Beast, which may have hurt the voting a bit.
Next, and again only pulling in just short of half the voters, is Jean Grey. Considering the uproar when Black Queen Jean was announced before this figure, I’d have expected more votes for 90s Jean, but I guess we were dealing with a very vocal minority. Jean has been dead for pretty much all of my comic reading experience, so this is the definitive look for me, since she wore this particular outfit on the 90s cartoon. I for one am thrilled.
A significant dip for the next on our list, this one coming in at a tie: Black Queen Jean and the Hellfire Guard. Apparently, the Hellfire Club doesn’t appeal as much to fans of the 90s X-Men, though I suspect that its hard to get excited about an army builder figure, and with a couple of Dark Phoenixes, a regular Phoenix, a New X-Men Jean Grey, two classic Jean Greys, and a 90s Jean Grey, collectors might be a little burned out on the character, not to mention she barely wore this guise.
Rounding out the list is Black Queen Selene. Given her prominent role in the current Necrosha event, I’d have expected a bit more interest in the character, but I imagine the lack of voter interest stems from her place in this particular series. The fact that Selene has done more with the Black Queen identity than Jean Grey, yet she’s delegated to the variant position might also sit badly with collectors.
So, that’s Marvel series 34. For the next poll, let’s look at a topic that’s on a lot of minds: Toys R Us. I think I’ve been pretty vocal about my stance on TRU’s Minimate deal. In fact, I’ve been told I’ve been too vocal. So, let’s hear what you guys have to say.
What’s Your Take on the Toys R Us Deal?
Read carefully before voting. There’s some subtle differences in some of your choices, so make sure you’re picking the one that best conveys your feelings on the matter. We’ll be back on Monday to see where the general consensus lies.
Loading ...
December 1st, 2009 - 11:30 AM
Living in Los Angeles I have nearly an endless supply of Toys R Us store options. I’m only limited by my willingness to deal with insane traffic.
Having said that, Los Angeles seems to be a mecca for toy scalpers. Maybe it is because Mattel is headquartered here, I don’t know. Maybe it is because comic fandom is more openly accepted due to the movie industry here. Or maybe Los Angelenos are just plain crazy. If I can time it right, I can usually find the TRU Minimates. But if I miss the shipment by two or more days, I’m stuck resorting to Ebay. Mr. Scalpey McScalpey-pants visits TRU regularly for Minimates now.
December 1st, 2009 - 2:47 PM
I’ve memorized where all the closest TRU’s are to me and check them which is a good thing in my eyes. Loving the exclusives that you can only get there and that most TRU waves contain characters that come out before the actual waves, and that it makes army building a bit easier. (c’mon Skrulls, Hydra Agents, and Shield Soldiers) I honestly don’t know the level of interest in my area (North Carolina) but it seems as if I’m the only one interested so it gives me a bit of a headstart, especially since none of the comic stores carry them here. Hoping for more box sets (gonna hunt for the Secret Wars set on my days off) and more awesome exclusives.
December 1st, 2009 - 2:52 PM
@Zenaku
Where in NC do you call home? I’m from NC, and I know of at least a couple of Multiverse members from throughout the state.
I’d be thrilled if the army building sets and the exclusives were showing up in my area, but we aren’t getting anything Marvel outside of Wolverine.
December 1st, 2009 - 7:04 PM
I’m living in Canberra, Australia & while we DO have Toys ‘R Us here, the they don’t stock MiniMates . . . so i am forced to rely on 3rd parties to help me out.
Big shout out to LM who has helped with a number of the TRU exclusives.
The TRU deal isn’t perfect, but at least the collecting community helps to make up for it.
December 1st, 2009 - 7:06 PM
oops – posted this in the wrong section. My bad guys!
Back on topic: This wave, along with thw ‘Wolverine’ wave 28 are my favourite waves for this year i think (even though we wont see wave 34 till mid next year).
December 1st, 2009 - 8:21 PM
My area in Florida (Tampa)seems to suck as well…getting a lot of Wolverine Movie mates still and the BSG and Terminators are just sitting there , even after the Black Friday rush…though some of the Ebay sellers with the new exclusives ARE located in my area!!! And why oh WHY don’t they just sell the new waves on their TRU site?!?…(and there is no where to even order the Secret Wars Box Set for the past month or so, so what was the point of being the exclusive outlet for that product??) And the sad thing is this company has been around FOREVER and things should be going wayyyy better then getting customers into your stores or on your site and offering them NOTHING!
December 1st, 2009 - 9:50 PM
I call the Asheville area my home, Johnson City TN is counted as my second home, which gives me a broader range of TRU’s bwahahaha.
December 2nd, 2009 - 3:05 AM
I just moved from NC to WA state, myself. I’d have to agree, there was only one TRU near me(in Cary), and one comic shop in Durham(SciFi Genre) that really bothered to sell them regularly. Not a lot of love for Minimates around there, for having apparently a decent amount of fans…
December 2nd, 2009 - 9:05 AM
IMHO, TRU, overall sux sour frog @$$. I encountered one decent one in Madison, WI but don’t live there anymore. The Fayetteville, AR TRU is a ghost town except for the holiday season. The one in Dubuque, IA had one of the worst employees. It was one of those that was closed around 2004. They could tell me when a truck was coming in but could never knew what products were on the truck. I never understood that. In my experience, the employees are collectors either for themselves or for friends. Most of the merchandise never sees the sales floor. (You can probably make this claim for any retail outlet though.)The website is so 1990′s. I have absolutely given up on TRU. The exclusive minimates are so frustrating because I know I will never get an opportunity to add them to my collection. A good example is the X-Factor Angel. I’ll never acquire it so the X-Factor box-set isn’t even a consideration for me. I did order the Secret Wars box set only because I wouldn’t have to set foot inside my local TRU. I’m beginning to have my doubts that I’ll even get that now. I do have a suggestion. We need a way to take care of each other with TRU exclusives. If I am looking for a figure I can post and someone can come to my rescue. Maybe something like this already exists. If it does, let me know.
December 2nd, 2009 - 9:23 AM
@ Agent Smith
There kinda is a place you can barter with other collectors. If you check out Minimate Multiverse, they have a Want/Have topic in their Flea Market section. You post a list of extra stuff you have on hand and a list of stuff you want. There’s even a feedback system in place so you know which members you can trust to uphold their end of the bargain.
http://www.minimatemultiverse.com/index.php?showtopic=7272
I would try to set something up like that here, but their system seems to work pretty well, so I’m not one to reinvent the wheel.
December 2nd, 2009 - 9:49 PM
I’m in Oregon the only T.R.U. sell 3 different marvel and 1 terminator , total thats it ! most of my stuff comes from a smaller store out side my school they at lest sell more but is cost more (a lot more)