[wehrmanm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeBellew

Yep, the problem for us old-timers doesn't lie with the toys themselves, it lies with us. It's not like Hasbro is charging us $13 a pop for defective shit that falls apart or disintegrates on opening. The toys in and of themselves are fine. It's our perception of them that causes the issues. There's a compulsion to keep buying, to continue collecting, but when what they're offering isn't something you want to buy, it triggers a weird resentment. You feel somehow "cheated". Like you're being forced to buy shit you already have or had. That's on us and it's ridiculous of us to feel that way. No one is forcing us to buy any of this. We need to realize that not everything is specifically for us, handle our compulsions and not take it personally when they release toys that don't appeal to us.

Very pleasing to wake up and read this measured and reasonable take. I would subscribe to this newsletter.

As someone who collected years ago and was brought back in by classified, this line scratches an itch that I didn't know needed it.

I'm preordering all the Retros, largely because I have very few 3 3/4" figures. They're not perfect, and there are small things I don't care for, that I know are supremely petty (I dislike the overall bubble size on the packaging compared to the originals) and, even if reasonable (I revile Duke's chest strap as something that looks out of a superhero series instead of military), is still overall small in the running scheme of things. There's also a really small part of me that simply thinks "why not use the original 1980's molds?" that I'm sure y'all could answer far more easily and it would make perfect sense.

There's a whole other level of dissatisfaction that goes way over my head - I don't know what "diaper crotch" is, and I'm not spending that much time researching Duke's codpiece to find out what's supposed to make me mad about it. But maybe that's a reasonable critique, too? I dunno - the sales figures are all that matters, and from what I've read, the great irony is the one item that remains pretty easy to find is the HISS Tank - the item most people seem to be pleased with.

If collectors are upset, it's a day that ends in Y, speaking frankly. If collectors are upset and *not buying* the product, that's where Hasbro is going to have to change their overall strategy. Unfortunately, the product availability seems to suggest - both in Retro and in Classified - that Hasbro has zero incentive to change anything about their behavior.

[Josh Z]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybergaurdian

There's a whole other level of dissatisfaction that goes way over my head - I don't know what "diaper crotch" is, and I'm not spending that much time researching Duke's codpiece to find out what's supposed to make me mad about it.

It's pretty self-explanatory. His bulky waist piece looks like he's wearing a diaper. It's kind of impossible to miss. Many of the 25th Anniversary figures were designed this way and those parts have aged terribly.

[sbartek1974]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeBellew

Yep, the problem for us old-timers doesn't lie with the toys themselves, it lies with us. It's not like Hasbro is charging us $13 a pop for defective shit that falls apart or disintegrates on opening. The toys in and of themselves are fine. It's our perception of them that causes the issues. There's a compulsion to keep buying, to continue collecting, but when what they're offering isn't something you want to buy, it triggers a weird resentment. You feel somehow "cheated". Like you're being forced to buy shit you already have or had. That's on us and it's ridiculous of us to feel that way. No one is forcing us to buy any of this. We need to realize that not everything is specifically for us, handle our compulsions and not take it personally when they release toys that don't appeal to us.

Thanks alot Smoke! I'm going to go and take a hot shower and curl up in a ball and suck my thumb while I reevaluate the course of my life and get my head out of my own egotistical ass.

[Zap Rowsdower]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeBellew

Maybe, but you're assuming all collectors think exactly like you and adhere to popular consensus on Hisstank. I know this much, kids seem to like these toys, as I've seen kids looking at them in the aisles. My personal favorite anecdote is when I was returning my wave one figures: I'd just barely pulled the toys out of the bag and laid them on the counter when a couple of kids with their parents at the customer service desk snatched them up and asked if they could have them. Anyway, who knows. All I know is these toys may not be for me, but that doesn't automatically mean they're not for anyone else either.

No, I'm assuming everyone would better appreciate elbows that can make a 90 degree bend and legs that don spread when the figure sits. Everything else being equal, how would better mechanical construction possibly be less enjoyable to kids or new collectors?

[zbs]

Anyone know where I can find pictures of O face Duke in interesting positions. I remember seeing some funny pictures people made. I need a little comic relief at the moment.

[Breakerfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeBellew

Yep, the problem for us old-timers doesn't lie with the toys themselves, it lies with us. It's not like Hasbro is charging us $13 a pop for defective shit that falls apart or disintegrates on opening. The toys in and of themselves are fine. It's our perception of them that causes the issues. There's a compulsion to keep buying, to continue collecting, but when what they're offering isn't something you want to buy, it triggers a weird resentment. You feel somehow "cheated". Like you're being forced to buy shit you already have or had. That's on us and it's ridiculous of us to feel that way. No one is forcing us to buy any of this. We need to realize that not everything is specifically for us, handle our compulsions and not take it personally when they release toys that don't appeal to us.

This is true. I will add how many of us are guilty of buying what we were hunting for, throwing it in a box somewhere to be forgotten and moving on to the next thing. I know I have been guilty of that a time or two in the past. More more moremoremore.

And oddly, I've seen a lot of people who, when the figure they want doesn't come out or comes out different than how they want it, suddenly don't want any of the items they have to that point been enjoying. It's like collecting it all was a waste and they rage quit. I never understood that.

[cappeca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeBellew

Yep, the problem for us old-timers doesn't lie with the toys themselves, it lies with us. It's not like Hasbro is charging us $13 a pop for defective shit that falls apart or disintegrates on opening. The toys in and of themselves are fine. It's our perception of them that causes the issues. There's a compulsion to keep buying, to continue collecting, but when what they're offering isn't something you want to buy, it triggers a weird resentment. You feel somehow "cheated". Like you're being forced to buy shit you already have or had. That's on us and it's ridiculous of us to feel that way. No one is forcing us to buy any of this. We need to realize that not everything is specifically for us, handle our compulsions and not take it personally when they release toys that don't appeal to us.

That's because we don't buy toys, we subscribe to a line. We need issues to be good, to be worth of our money. So, in a way, yes, they should be made for us, and it's not our problem if this mold tree they used doesn't have the good parts we want. It's a little bit compulsion, but a little bit of personal investment also. You're not forced to buy anything, but you *are* willing to buy everything related for maybe two to five years in a row. That's where the cheated feeling and the rage quitting comes from. You are not wrong on your assessment, but it makes everything black and white, as if our subscription was not something toy companies actually go for, as if they had no responsibility. By that approach, the only safe move in this game is not to play. Don't get invested unless you've seen the whole line. No wonder people are going back to vintage toys.

[ozzie92]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46 Zone

Those GH legs are too thick for that torso for me. It would also make him almost as tall as RB. I prefer the DATD Flint build. I'll just paint one up I guess.

I used the RET FF legs on mine. Smooth holster/sheath, perfect IMO.

[Slaymaker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty777

Why cant Marauders just frickin release a collared fatigues shirt like Duke wears already?? Been waiting on that since day one.

Like this? This is 100% Marauder build...in fact it was his geared up 1st Sgt at Joe Fest, I tweaked it some - (added a backpack strap because I hate backpacks that don't have straps and changed the green color to a more olive green) - and a wash as I always do - but 100% MTF

Just realized he needs a flag patch added!!!!



can see all my work at https://www.facebook.com/slaymakerssoldiers/

[ozzie92]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandingo Rex

I guess you’re right, it was Shooter’s torso combined with Stiletto’s legs. But regardless, aside from MAYBE new lower arms on Scarlett, the only tooling they dug out was used most recently in the 50th. Roadblock is about the only “older” build used from that 3pk, and unfortunately they used those same lame legs.

Thanks for the correction.

...but see, that’s proof that mixing of mold trees CAN happen. Instead, Mustache actually believes his own hype that these are amazingly classic replicas that everyone will love as much as he does. smdh...