Minimate Headquarters

C2E2 ’13: DST in Attendance

drgnrbrn316 — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:25:34 +0000

Diamond Select Toys will have a presence at this year’s Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2). As well as a booth at the show (booth #603), they’ll be featuring the Build-a-Minimate attraction, and the Minimate Museum will be making an appearance.

C2E2 takes place April 26th-28th in the West Building at McCormick Place (which I assume to be in Chicago).

Marvel NOW!

drgnrbrn316 — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:49:06 +0000

Art Asylum has some new pictures of the group line-ups for Marvel series 51, and the accompanying TRU series 16, both focusing primarily on Marvel NOW!, with an extra dose of Avengers vs X-Men thrown in for good measure.

courtesy of Art Asylum

Series 51 includes:

Superior Spider-Man & Nova (Sam Alexander)
Shanna the She-Devil & a Reaper (who looks like Sauron, so I’m wondering if the name is wrong, or if I’m wrong)
Nick Fury Jr (with Capt Rogers parts) & Heavy SHIELD Agent
Maria Hill (variant) & Heavy SHIELD Agent

courtesy of Art Asylum

TRU series 16 will include:

Iron Man & Hulk (with ROB)
Wolverine & a Reaper (who also bears a strong resemblance to Sauron)
Captain America & Scarlet Witch
AvX Emma Frost & Colossus

Overall, not a bad line-up. Spread over both series, you’ve got four characters who have never had Minimates before (six if you count Superior Spidey and new Nova as separate entities to their previous versions (which makes more sense in Nova’s case (I shouldn’t nest so many parenthesis))). You’ve also got a new Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, and Scarlet Witch with new looks. Another chance to build your own SHIELD army. Plus two more characters from the AvX storyline to help fill out the ranks.

These are all expected to ship in June.

Ask DST #204: Hunger Games, Predator, more

drgnrbrn316 — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:31:29 +0000

Art Asylum has posted the latest Q&A, regarding all things Minimate. Amongst the typical Marvel, DC, and Doctor Who questions, there’s some questions about several movie properties, as well as revisiting some lines from years passed. Below are the highlights:

No plans for Hunger Games, though there was some talk with the licensor back before it had made the transition from book to movie.
With another Captain America movie in the works, the likelihood of more comic-based Cap Minimates is pretty good.
No plans for Airwolf, though Chuck would be interested if there was enough demand for it.
Predator not very likely at the moment. DST had planned a line-up at one point, but nothing came of it.
BBC doesn’t have any interest in Doctor Who Minimates at the moment, and Underground Toys couldn’t generate enough interest to license it through them.
Peter Pan is the only Disney line planned currently.
Probably something new to announce at SDCC if not beforehand.
Marvel line plan for the year still not finalized.
DST cannot make a DC Minimates movie, due to rights, but they’d love to make another Marvel one.
No plans for more Fear Itself.
Due to the way the market has changed since the original rock Minimates were released, it is difficult to re-approach the line.
It took AFX stepping up to release the majority of the Alpha Flight line-up in such quick succession. It’s hard to plan for something like that to happen again.
No plans for more Back to the Future.
The lack of an action figure of a given character has no standing on whether or not they will get a Minimate.
There has been talk of making a horse, but no plans currently.
No plans for Bill & Ted’s Excellent Minimates.

More Thundercats on the Way

drgnrbrn316 — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:02:11 +0000

DST has a picture of the upcoming 5th Thundercats box set on their Facebook page, featuring Pumyra, Lynx-O, Bengali, and Ratar-O.

courtesy of DST

They’re listed as available for preorder, but I can’t seem to find where.

Ask DST #200, #203

drgnrbrn316 — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

The latest Q&A from DST has been posted, and since I somehow managed to overlook Ask DST #200, I’ll be posting the highlights from both below. 200 focuses on Minimates, while 203 is geared more towards Marvel Select with a lone Minimate question in the mix.

#200

Chance for Marvel NOW! Cyclops.
Talk of some sort of release for the clear round display bases in the future.
Star Trek Legacy only has one series planned, but if it performs well, there’s always room for more.
No plans for Stargate.
MAX performed well, Toys R Us just didn’t have the shelf space for it this year. It may return.
Probably won’t see other Star Trek vehicles besides the Enterprise, but there’s always a chance.
DST won’t be going out of their way to slip the losers from the Marvel series 50 polls into future line-ups, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be excluded.
Its entirely up to the retailer on whether or not they carry Minimates. DST makes pitches to all the big names every year, but so far no takers.
No plans for more Universal Monsters.
Underground Toys couldn’t generate enough interest to go forward with Doctor Who. DST tried approaching BBC directly about Doctor Who, but they didn’t seem interested either.
It’s up to Disney on whether they expand beyond just Peter Pan.
No plans for Rocketeer.
No plans for more Street Fighter X Tekken.
DST tries to keep a running list of the Marvel characters and teams that need to be made. Banshee is pretty high on the list.
Battle Beasts has evolved a lot since they first started work on the line, so the original gator likely won’t see an inclusion in the line.
Unofficial rule that a line has to go for four series before it could “qualify” for a collector’s case.
No plans for more Marvel single pack figures.
No plans for Maximum Carnage.
A third “Best of” series for Marvel has not been mapped out yet. It likely won’t be a yearly occurrence, but more of an “as needed” line.
Likely wouldn’t plan a series of Minimates based on the Inhumans.
No plans for Shonen Jump or Dark Horse Minimates. Or Kingdom Hearts.
Marvel movies are separate licenses from Marvel comics.

#203

When DST is allowed to show figures from their movie licenses is very much in the hands of the studio.

Here Comes the Cavalry

drgnrbrn316 — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:47:31 +0000

The final Minimates from the Iron Man 3 assortment have been revealed, and they’ll be fleshing out the army of armors used by Tony Stark in the movie.

Exclusive to Toys R Us will be the Mark 33 Enhanced Energy Suit (Silver Centurion), paired with the Mark 41 Skeleton Suit, as well as the Mark 17 Artillery Level RT Suit (Heartbreaker) paired with the previously revealed Tony Stark.

courtesy of Marvel

Iron Man 3 Minimates are expected to start hitting shelves in late April.

AFX Has an Infestation

drgnrbrn316 — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:08:54 +0000

Action Figure Xpress will have an exclusive Star Trek ship of their very own. This version of the Enterprise will come with an exclusive Kirk from the episode The Trouble with Tribbles.

courtesy of Art Asylum

Thankfully, it also comes with several miniature Tribbles.

The Trouble with Tribbles Enterprise will be available exclusively from AFX this May and is available for preorder now.

Minimates from the Mirror Universe

drgnrbrn316 — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 02:29:52 +0000

Entertainment Earth will be playing host to a Star Trek exclusive: the ISS Enterprise.

courtesy of Art Asylum

The ship is a repaint of the standard Enterprise and comes packaged with Mirror universe Kirk. Its disappointing that we’re getting a retread of a figure we already have, especially when there are so many characters from Star Trek yet to be realized in Minimate form, but its a good reuse of the ship and its understandable that Kirk is arguably the most well known character from the franchise.

This is expected to ship from Entertainment Earth in May, and is available for preorder now.

More Iron Man 3 Revealed

drgnrbrn316 — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:31:49 +0000

Art Asylum has revealed a couple more Minimates from the upcoming Iron Man 3 assortment of figures.

First is Tony Stark, wearing parts of the Mark 42 armor. He’ll be part of the Toys R Us assortment, paired with a yet-to-be-announced figure.

courtesy of Art Asylum

Next is an Extremis Soldier, who will come packed with the previously announced Iron Patriot. The Extremis Soldier will come with a gun and a vest, as well as an alternate hair piece.

courtesy of Art Asylum

The various assortments will hit shelves in April.

Luke’s Toy Store: Striking Dioramas Return

drgnrbrn316 — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:13:59 +0000

Luke’s Toy Store has relaunched its unique brand of display environments called Striking Dioramas! While the previous series was made of

cardboard, the new series features laser cut black acrylic, for a stronger, more professional appearance. The new series also features foot pegs that are compatible with mini-figures such as Minimates and LEGOs. Figures can be displayed as a static collection, or in dynamic action poses. The high resolution graphics are printed on durable vinyl film that features crisp details and vibrant colors.

Each diorama is 5″ wide, 3.5″ tall, and 3.5″ deep. Some dioramas in the series can be seamlessly displayed side-by-side to create larger displays!

The new series includes 13 brand new designs, plus a blank diorama with templates for you to create your own customized display. The 13 designs cover a wide variety of environments, from industrial bases and smashed concrete walls to alien planets and rainbow bridges. Striking Dioramas start at $13.99 and are available exclusively at Luke’s Toy Store: http://lukestoystore.com/dioramas-displays/