Tag: Matty Collector

Sold Out Matty Collector Figures Shipped To Big Lots

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biglotslogo

Most ghostheads know by now that US retail chain, Big Lots! has and is selling “left over” Mattel/Matty Collector stock. This inventory is original and second run Ghostbusters and MOTUC items which Mattel over produced and later sold as part of a cyber deal last year. Regardless whether these items actually sold out during the sale or Mattel decided to end the sale after that day or week, at some point the inventory went to the few Mattel stores in the country. Then later was sold to Big Lots! where they’ve been and are showing up this summer.

A reason this is important to ghostheads is because Big Lots! have been receiving the once expensive Ghostbusters II 12” inch 2 packs. Up to today, ghostheads have been finding the Egon/Ray set. Depending on the inventory a particular store is getting, other once sold out 6” figures are being found. Like slime Peter Venkman, Vigo, Vince Clortho, and even rare Retro-Action Citizen Ghost Peter Venkman.

Many stores have received this inventory, it’s possible a location hasn’t yet and maybe, just maybe your nearby store will receive more inventory. Up until yesterday, their was a link on Big Lots! web site which informed customers if a particular location received this weekly deal. Best to call a store or check your nearby locations.

After last month and more financial obligations this month I was finally able to visit the Toms River, NJ Big Lots! Unfortunately at the time the Toms River location didn’t have any of the 12″ Ghostbusters II sets. I spoke to a cashier who told me when a shipment had come in, someone bought 3 of them. Hopefully it was a ghosthead and ghostheads will own them without a markup. She didn’t think they would be getting in any more as MOTUC had starting coming in. In fact that shipment was put on the shelves yesterday.

The only and I mean the only Mattel Ghostbusters item for sale was a Retro-Action Peter (without mailer) from Citizen Ghost. I didn’t buy it as I already own all the Retro-Action The Real Ghostbusters figures. I thought of getting it to sell, honestly I have other things I should be selling and thought like back in the day, maybe a parent might buy the figure for a kid. I like to be hopeful.

“I thought it was going to be He-Man.”

Big Lots! had 6 MOTUC figures, which included some 2 pack sets and two of the same 12″ inch figure.

“I don’t want to grow up…”

Like others (which had nothing to do with Ghostbusters) I also went to Toys ‘R US in Toms River and was a bit surprised to see 7 Matty Collector Retro Action Janine/Samhain 2 pack sets. They’re sorta on clearance for about $30.

I’m trying to find a ghosthead or family member who if they have or do find a 12” Ghostbusters II Egon/Ray set and would be willing to sell one to let me know. I’m definitely interested in buying one, I may have to wait until September to purchase. In the meantime I may go back to Big Lots! this week.

Matty Collector Ecto-1 Pre-Order Deadline May Be Cut

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mattycollectorectographic
Ever hear of the crop tool Mattel?

I didn’t see this posted on a lot of websites, now that I have the time I wanted to pass along what Mattel posted on their Facebook page, which was later updated to suppress an already niche collector market.

“At this time, both of the 2014 subs and the Ecto-1 pre-sale are quite below our expectations. We want nothing more than to see both clubs and the amazing Ghostbusters vehicle move forward. But we can’t do that if we don’t hit the bottom level of sub holders. This is very similar to “Kickstarter” campaigns. Only for the subs and Ecto-1, due to the logistics of the toy making process, we need to lock in our quota and customer base early before we start spending on tooling and other fixed costs.”

“Because of this, Aug 19th is the DEADLINE for both subs and hitting the bare minimum on the Ecto-1. While we hope to keep the Ecto-1 pr-sale open longer after Aug 19th to gain additional pre-sales, if we don’t hit the minimum by Aug 19th, the Ecto-1 will also close down.”

I don’t know if Mattel will actually make good on their scare tactic, as the Ecto-1 pre-sale page still reads November 5, 2013 as the deadline. I understand the pre-ordering and gauging interest to see what it may cost to produce Ecto-1, which no ghosthead thought Mattel would even attempt to make with an understanding that Ghostbusters™ more or less is a dead (no pun intended) franchise to them.

And what they’re trying to do is nothing like a “Kickstarter” campaign. Did they even look to see how Kickstarter or similar web sites actually work? We have no idea how many customers are pre-ordering their Ecto-1 or the new 6” figures most ghostheads don’t need. That is a difference between Kickstarter and similar sites to Mattel’s business strategies. None of us really know how this Ecto-1 will turn out, we’ve barely seen a model of it. They cut the deadline to try to increase pre-orders and try to reach their goal in less then 4 months.

Yes it take times to create and make these expensive, quality collectors toys. Their could have been a 4 month pre-order earlier in the year so Mattel would have the time for the “logistics” in “the toy making process.” Then their would have been plenty of time before Matty Collector would actually sell them and at this years comic con we could have seen an early prototype, not some cardboard graphic and a “foam” block.

Unless something changes I won’t be pre-ordering the Ecto-1 and I don’t need 6” figures with removable packs just so they can sit nicely in the car. I’m a real Ghostbuster, I don’t scare easily.

Matty Collector News: Ecto-1 For 6 Inch Figures

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November 2013 edit: Omitted SDCC “prototype” images.

As expected on Friday, July 19, 2013 Mattel unveiled what was under the black cloth. Despite the hype (from what I could observe on-line) very few ghostheads would have expected “a new car” with new 6” figures! Mattel are working closely with Sony to bring ghostheads a highly detailed Ecto-1 as part of the Epic Creations line. Mattel showed off the beginnings of what this could look like, as well as a full color cardboard profile.

Due to the size and (supposed) expense to a (limited) fan base Matty Collector is taking pre-orders until November 5, 2013. I’m not sure why the display reads Aug 15th. That’s the scheduled sale date for their Ecto Goggles. I don’t know if it will be possible, at $215 USD just for the Epic Creations Ecto-1, I would prefer to wait to see what it will look like and how it’ll work before spending that amount of money (before shipping) on a pre-order. If their could be a way for the toy to have lights and sounds, one or the other, or none at all and keep the cost down, I think most ghostheads would be ok with that. if it meant this Ecto-1 would definitely get made.

This news has brought a mixed reaction from the fan base. With the 30th anniversary coming up it feels like Mattel and Sony needed to do something in a different category. After all Mattel is a toy company. It seems like if supposedly the 6” line didn’t sell well outside ghostheads, why do an Ecto-1 now? You almost know if this couldn’t happen, Mattel wouldn’t need to gauge interest in two new (not all 4 yet) figures that include removable packs so they can sit in the car and the packs can be stored on the pull out rack.

Matty Collector News: Nutrona Wand Prop Toy

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sdccmattywand

Next year marks the 30th anniversary of Ghostbusters and besides a 30th Anniversary licensing banner from Sony, nothing “30th anniversary” had been announced. Despite reputable quotes in recent interviews from both Dan Aykroyd and Ivan Reitman ghostheads still don’t know if their will be a Ghostbusters III.

Without a new movie or something else that would push the Ghostbusters franchise forward, Mattel stopped making new Ghostbusters figures and were slowly working on what many fans thought would be the last prop toy, the Ecto Goggles.

Before this week it would have been a safe bet to say that ghostheads were looking forward to hearing more about those at this years San Diego Comic Con. While ghostheads like myself have discussed possible Matty Collector prop toys going forward (this was when before everyone knew the Ecto Goggles would be next) most fans couldn’t have suspected Matty Collector, an adult collector’s division of Mattel was going to show off a new prop toy that almost or does overshadow the Ecto Goggles.

Neutrino (really, Nutrona) Wand

The Nutrona Wand as any ghosthead knows is the part of the proton pack that when switched on can trigger the confinement streams to catch the slimers. Matty Collector’s version can sorta do that, in your imagination.

Straight from Mattel

“Negative vibrations from ectoplasmic entities bumming you out? Give them a positive blast with your Neutrino Wand! Developed with Sony Entertainment, this authentically detailed wand delivers vibrations and a force kickback when blasted, light-meter animations on the base that ramp up or down depending on how high you’ve adjusted the proton stream setting, and an extending tip that lights up with orange, red, and yellow LEDs (does not actually shoot a beam).”

“The wand’s buttons and switches are loaded with lights and sounds sampled directly from the Ghostbusters™ films, including the main power on/off switch and the proton stream on/off switch, length-adjuster knob, and “blasting” button. And if total protonic reversal is your thing, then you’ll want to cross the streams and see what happens! Fire two Neutrino Wands at each other and watch the lights change color as the light-up meter transforms to a unique pattern and new sounds and vibration are triggered.”

Mattel’s version of the Nutrona Wand has some inaccuracies from screen used versions. However, at $130 the bells and whistles are priced fairly right. The Nutrona (Neutrino) Wand is currently scheduled for a Fall 2013 release.

If having just a Nutrona Wand wasn’t enough Matty Collector has been displaying a mysterious Ghostbusters item that has ghostheads asking what’s under the black covering? Smaller version of the Proton pack? Mini ECU? Ghostbusters III prototype toys? Belt Gizmo™ prop toy? I speculated from the lines its similar to the “crate” packaging Matty Collector uses with its Ghostbusters prop toys.

Either way we’ll all know sometime today when Mattel is supposed to unveil this new Ghostbusters collectible!

Photo Source: Ghostbusters News

Retro-Action Firehouse

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retroactionfirehouse

No one could expect Mattel to come with their own molded plastic version of the firehouse separately. The expense alone would be cost prohibited. The “Retro-Action” Firehouse comes as mostly folded cardboard and when open stands at 22 inches. It’d have to be tall to display the Retro-Action The Real Ghostbusters.

While the firehouse is meant to be a facade for display or possible play time, Matty Collector went the extra mile. Printing the first floor of The Real Ghostbusters firehouse interior. The red doors open revealing a graphic of Ecto-1 in the garage bay. You can also see into the rear office area.

To provide further realism, the “Retro-Action” Firehouse has a “no ghost” logo sign that hangs off the building, like its cartoon counterpart.

On a related note has anyone else ever wondered why there are snowflakes around the window packaging?

Matty Collector Retro-Action Samhain

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retroactionsamhain

Samhain is one of the few The Real Ghostbusters ghost characters who remains popular among ghostheads. Besides appearing in an episode and a special during the series, he was seen five other times, including the title sequence from season 4 onward. Samhain was featured in both NOW c o m i c s Issue 17, Chanted Evening and IDW Publishing Ghostbusters. In The Box Part I & II Samhain appeared in video game form, well, the ghosts resembled him in appearance. (New Ghostbusters II) Despite never having a regular episode about Samhain during the Extreme Ghostbusters, Samhain appeared in both the introduction and ending titles. Toy company, Trendmasters even made a Samhain figure in the late ‘90s. Something Kenner never did a decade earlier, despite the character’s massive popularity.

When I first heard about and saw this Janine & Samhain Retro-Action 2 pack in pictures i thought it would have made more sense based on how the set is presented overall if Mattel had given us The Sandman instead. Although it was a dream state Janine dreamed about being a Ghostbuster in Mr. Sandman, Dream Me A Dream. Obviously it doesn’t take long to see that the odds are in Samhain’s favor over Mr. Sandman in just about everything ghost related.

Matty Collector Retro-Action Janine

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retroactionjanine

Note: I decided to treat Matty Collector’s Janine & Samhain 2 pack like they had been packaged separately. Because of length too, I’ll be writing about Retro-Action Samhain and the diorama firehouse in a separate update.

I never really knew if Matty Collector’s Retro-Action The Real Ghostbusters were successful on a financial level for the company. If you believe Mattel (outside of ghostheads) the most popular figure was a 6” Peter Venkman. Unfortunately almost at any given time I saw the Retro-Action The Real Ghostbusters at my local Toys ‘R Us long after I probably shouldn’t have. Which is why when Mattel announced at the 2011 San Diego Comic Con a Retro-Action Janine & Samhain 2 pack I was :::dramatic pause::: taken back and thoroughly surprised. And also to include Slimer and a firehouse diorama, wow! Someone at Matty Collector was thinking outside the firehouse.

Up until this set was announced the only impression we had from Mattel about Janine was based on the promotional art work featured on the card back of the Retro-Action The Real Ghostbusters. The artwork shows Janine’s new look from season 6 Janine, You’ve Changed and continuing.

I thank Mattel/Matty Collector for not being lazy, basing their Retro-Action Janine on the promotional artwork and the later seasons.

Matty Collector Retro-Action Citizen Ghost Spectral Peter

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citzenghostcard2

The uniforms worn during the Gozer battle had too much ectoplasmic radiation and needed to be destroyed. Peter (ironically?) was suppose to take care of this, but didn’t. By the time he realized he still needed to the ectoplasmic uniforms had absorbed more PKE from the new Ectocontainment Unit because of a small leak. The PKE imprinted on the Ghostbusters uniforms, becoming green, ghostly versions of The Real Ghostbusters. They even copied the proton packs!

Matty Collector Retro-Action Citizen Ghost Peter

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citizenghostcard

For some semi good reason Mattel decided to make a slightly different Retro-Action figure, a Peter Venkman from the first season episode Citizen Ghost. Citizen Ghost is a cartoon sequel episode to the Ghostbusters movie. It’s also an unofficial pilot of sorts to how a Ghostbusters cartoon became known as The Real Ghostbusters. A flashback shows The Real Ghostbusters coming back to a badly damaged firehouse wearing their Ghostbusters uniforms with marshmallow “stains” still on them. Fortunately before the guys went off to fight Gozer the new colorful uniforms had arrived.

Matty Collector Retro-Action The Real Ghostbusters

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retroactioncardback

November 2013 edit: Removed a sentence about a personal blog post which I opted not to bring over.

Recently I bought a The Real Ghostbusters figure I look forward to receiving and writing about. As I don’t have all the figures in that series this felt like a really good time to write about Matty Collector’s Retro-Action The Real Ghostbusters.

Matty Collector produced and first sold Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston in 2010. They were available in chain toy stores such as Toys ‘R Us, collectible shops, and through on-line retailers. In 2011 Matty Collector produced and first sold a Janine and Samhain 2 pack which included a small Slimer and a firehouse diorama. Which was also available at Toys ‘R Us, collectible shops, and through on-line retailers.

Mattel also offered two different Peter Venkman figures from The Real Ghostbusters episode, Citizen Ghost. Both Peters wear movie style uniform and come with movie style proton packs. The second Peter Venkman is the spectral version of the Real Peter Venkman.

In the next Retro Action The Real Ghostbusters updates we’ll look at the Janine/Samhain 2 pack and the Citizen Ghost Peters.

Matty Collector First Impression: The Gatekeeper

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zuulbox

I haven’t written a single Mattel Ghostbusters toy write up before now. Personal events in my life prevented me from buying any of the Matty Collector figures until December 2010. Also, following how I like to organize site content and its updates I wanted to write about every Kenner toy I own first. As I don’t own the Kenner figures I’d like to write about currently, that’s on hold.

With Matty Collector’s next to last 6” Ghostbusters figure for 2012 I felt I needed to step up and give my first impression of Zuul: The Gatekeeper figure.

Shipping: Before I even get to the figure let’s talk about how this latest figure was shipped. I wasn’t originally thrilled when Mattel switched to Digital River to send out orders through USPS. By now I’m use to it, if Mattel has to send my package from California to New Jersey perhaps they could better protect the mailer box that’s suppose to prevent the figure from getting damaged. Should make sense, I bubble wrap my valuable items when selling through a “popular internet auction site.” Mattel’s distributor would rather scrunch up some brown packing paper in the box then secure a mailer box from sliding around for 2,747 miles. Which is why when I could finally open the mailer, (more on that to come) I was none to pleased to see the bottom corner of the blister card dented. I don’t think it left the warehouse that way. As the box wasn’t really secure it couldn’t possibly be handled properly coast-to-coast.

Cost: It might be coincidental this time, while Mattel’s warehouse ships the 6” figures the same way every time I’ve placed an order, none of which have ever arrived damaged, this is the first time the price was raised to $25.00. I was also charged sales tax for the first time.

Mailer: I’d like to say the mailer box didn’t disappoint, it did a little. It wasn’t even the Shandor Building/Temple artwork with creative licensing “Tron” face. Which was used previously with the 12” Ghostbusters. I liked that Mattel was taking a creative direction that made sense. As they made the decision to make The Gatekeeper a SDCC exclusive, it was probably done to make it more “special.” Hopefully this didn’t add to the cost. The problem is this mailer unlike the generic white ones was a little harder to open. All the mailers open by sliding/pulling out a cardboard tab. I struggled with it, having to be careful not to rip the cardboard near the top of the box.

Card: The rooftop design used on every 6” card works really well with Zuul/The Gatekeeper figure. Second to Vinz Clortho. It’s a shame other figures couldn’t have had a front card that fits the “personality” of the characters. I get its a cost saving measure. For display purposes fans aren’t thinking of Mattel’s bottom line.

danaszuul

Figure Impression: If not known by now I’m the type of toy collector who keeps my figures, vehicles, and other toys in their packaging/boxes. Their are exceptions, not too many.

I knew beforehand this figure wouldn’t exactly look like Sigourney Weaver. I was hoping a little more facial recognition would appear in the final figure. If Mattel didn’t have the correct likeness rights, they could have at least made sure not to have the hair paint bleed a little onto the forehead. It isn’t too extreme on my figure, it’s their. The color of Zuul’s outfit could be closer to the costume, considering it kinda has a color shifting fabric, the paint is close enough.

The Gatekeeper’s scale (as evident by the legs) is on par with Sigourney Weaver’s height, in particular to the scale/height of Peter Venkman and Vince Clortho.

Articulation: I’m not bothered that The Gatekeeper has very little articulation. The reason The Gatekeeper can’t move too much isn’t clear from Mattel. I get for sitting that is the figures purpose, to sit without really moving. Around the waist, that is understandable. Why couldn’t the arm or hand (not facing the front of the packaging) move. Did Mattel even watch the scenes in Ghostbusters this figure is based on? Even sitting The Gatekeeper’s legs should be bendable with articulation at the knees. The head can turn, it’s almost like why bother.

Not sure if this was an afterthought or Mattel wanted to give fans too the option of having The Gatekeeper stand. A second lower part of Gatekeeper is included. Easy to change positions as one would only have to twist/pop the upper half of sitting Gatekeeper. The problem again is standing Gatekeeper can’t bend the legs. Since the arms/hands don’t move, this figure can just stand. I’ve read it doesn’t quite stand without a little help.

Accessory: Mattel chose to provide one single large accessory (I don’t count the second, lower part of The Gatekeeper) instead of smaller ones. The large accessory is a “stone” bench seen on the rooftop in Ghostbusters. For the uninitiated its where The Gatekeeper and The Keymaster prepared for the coming of Gozer. Enough said.

Before I could see the figure or accessory in person I thought the stone looking bench was smaller. If Zuul/Gatekeeper could only stand I could take it or leave it. I know its plastic, a darker stone texture would have added to the look. This would have helped make a display better. The cost of a bench could have added to the cost of this next to last figure. I would have preferred medium to smaller accessories. ie: ice box, carton of eggs that open with some cooked eggs or a small bag of Stay-Puft marshmallows.

Overall: Mattel could have marketed this 6” figure as more of a display, small statue with lack of articulation. With only one accessory, the extra $3 might have been understood by fans. Even without exact likeness, I’m glad Mattel created a Dana/Zuul/Gatekeeper figure. It’s probably the only one we’ll ever see.