{"id":14349,"date":"2007-11-18T19:41:17","date_gmt":"2007-11-19T00:41:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.oafe.net\/blog\/?p=14349"},"modified":"2013-11-30T19:53:38","modified_gmt":"2013-12-01T00:53:38","slug":"yo-hey-dc-direct-stop-ignoring-your-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.oafe.net\/blog\/2007\/11\/yo-hey-dc-direct-stop-ignoring-your-fans\/","title":{"rendered":"yo - hey, DC Direct! Stop ignoring your fans!"},"content":{"rendered":"

This month's ToyFare<\/i> published a letter from one Joe Lindsey of Fort Worth, TX. He wrote in with a whole list of questions, but here's the one that caught my eye:<\/p>\n

\"I read the argument over less or more articulation with DC Direct all the time. Why can't they just give us ankle and wrist articulation? They don't have to do 30+ points of articulation like Marvel, but 9 to 13 is crap. The Green Lantern Series 1 had ankle and wrist articulation and it was one of the best sets they have put out in a long time. Do they not realize why the Superman with 21 points of articulation is the best-selling figure ever?\"<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Well, first of all, good for you, Joe. It's always nice to see someone else calling companies on their crap, and you're right, 9 to 13 points is a joke for superhero toys. Secondly, you forgot waists. The all-important waists. Ankles and wrists would be nice, but next time you get an audience, throw in a request for more waists, too.<\/p>\n

And finally, where are you hanging out online that you ever see someone saying DCD figures need less<\/b> articulation? Those people have brain damage, and you shouldn't hang around with them. Come to our message board, here you'll meet and interact with many more sane people.<\/p>\n

Anyway, ToyFare<\/i> got an answer from DCD's Georg Brewer:<\/p>\n

\"The ankle joints can be a challenge to produce reliably and still be rigid enough for the figure to stand. We got mixed reaction on the aesthetics from the collectors in the form vs. function argument.\"<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Okay, the ankle thing we can maybe buy. Maybe<\/b>. But \"mixed reactions\" about the articulation? That's a load. Like Joe pointed out, the articulated Superman was the best selling<\/b> figure DCD ever produced. Why? Because of the articulation<\/b>, guys.<\/p>\n

The so-called \"mixed reaction\" you got is the same thing that led McFarlane Toys into its long, slow slide to mediocrity: a few loudmouthed fanboys, embarrassed by their own hobby and wanting to pretend they're buying statues, bitch and moan about articulation \"ruining\" a sculpt and drown out the voices of everyone else. It's like the Moral Majority thinking they're either moral or a majority.<\/p>\n

The numbers are right there. Superman sold out because he was articulated. He was re-released and sold out again<\/b> for the same reason. All the figures that were based on his mold<\/b> sold out. And all because of articulation.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Planetary<\/i> figures, some of the least<\/b> articulated figures you've ever made? You ended up selling them to discount stores where they still failed to sell at bargain prices. I have no doubt the character selection had something to do with that, but still: articulation.<\/p>\n

So ignore the whining, DC, and test the waters. Give us a series of recognizable, popular characters with the extra articulation. See if those joints keep the fans from buying, or if your \"mixed reaction\" is really just a handful of complaints that mean less than all the rest of us, who are willing to vote with our wallets.<\/p>\n

We already voted for articulation once, with Superman<\/a>. Where's the counter example, of an articulated figure that failed to sell?<\/p>\n

--yo
\nI'm waiting<\/p>\n

<i>And now, some more OAFEry:<\/i><\/H5>