Mattel’s Scott Neitlich (a.k.a. Toy Guru) just gave us the answers to the 10th batch of questions fans have asked. Around the 1st and 15th of every month, Mattel provides us with official answers to several questions we have gathered from the online community. This is the latest batch…

AFHUB: I don’t mean to make a comparison, but how is it possible for DC Direct to ensure that what they announce for release on a certain week gets released on that week, while Mattel’s delivery schedule seems to be a moving target all the time?

MATTEL: Because Mattel product is available to a larger number of retailers, it makes it difficult to time the release of product the way you could if you sold to comic book shops only (as DC Direct does).

AFHUB: So far we’re only seeing 1 female character in 3 waves (of DCUC). When do we see other females like Wonder Woman, Black Canary or Zatanna? Is there a male-to-female ratio or formula being followed?

MATTEL: There is not a specific formula, but we are dedicated to doing many female figures. While there may not be one in every wave, while other waves may have multiple female figures. Never fear, the female heroes and villains of the DCU will make it to the shelf. One of our figures at Comic Con will be a female figure.

AFHUB: Will you be making key civilian characters for DCUC like Alfred, Commissioner Gordon or Lois Lane?

MATTEL: Eventually we would like to. At the moment there are too many exciting super heroes and villains to get to first.

AFHUB: What are the case mixes for DCUC wave 3 going to be like?

MATTEL: Case mixes for Wave 3 are still in flux so we do not have an answer right now.

AFHUB: What happens to prototypes that get shown in conventions and then later gets pulled (e.g. Brown Man-Bat)? Is there a possibility that you can auction off these rare pieces so collectors can get a chance to own them? If not, why?

MATTEL: There are a variety of legal reasons that prevent us from selling or auctioning prototype toys. We do however frequently create one of a kind items that are auctioned off for charity such as the Dream Halloween event held every year in Manhattan Beach California.

AFHUB: It appears that the latest copy of Toyfare magazine indicates that JLU will now be a Target-exclusive line. How will this affect your overseas market? Does “Target exclusive” mean that in the US, it’s only Target that will be carrying the line and they will continue to be available to countries like Hong Kong or Philippines?

Toy Guru: The JLU line will be an in-store exclusive only.

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Check out some the past Mattel Q&A sessions by following this link:
https://www.afhub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=540

Got questions for Mattel? Post them here:
https://www.afhub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=485

My personal thanks again to Scott Neitlich for keeping us posted.

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