For those NOT on Facebook or not in the group where its being talked about........... Thought I'd post this link and story about why not 12" Joes for the 50th Anniversary.......

https://patchesofpride.wordpress.com/20 ... g-ignored/

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Like the song said... sad, but true.

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Interesting read. I agree with most of what Derryl says, although I would like to think he's overestimating the popularity of those 12" Titan figures. Admittedly, I'm biased because I can't stand those things, and I hate the amount of space they take up in the action figure aisle. Them and those silly Mashers.

I agree with one comment that was made that Hasbro should look into doing their own version of MattyCollector, but I don't see that happening -- unfortunately. Honestly, I think Hasbro is relying on the G.I. Joe and Transformers Clubs for that sort of merchandise, and for the most part, I think the Club is turning out some impressive product.

But the sad truth is -- it's a different world out there. And action figures in general don't seem to have as much place in it as they used to.

I get the sense that those 12" guys look at the Sideshow offerings with the same derision that they do the small ARAH versions of those characters.

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They want the same thing we want. They want it to be the 60's/70's when 12" G.I. Joe was on every shelf, same as us wanting it to be the 80's/90's when 3 3/4" G.I. Joe was stocked to the rafters at all the stores. Its a different time now and no amount of begging and pleading is going to change that. We (all of us, 12" and 3 3/4" collectors) have to accept that and either take what new stuff we can get from places like The Club and Sideshow or stick to the aftermarket and get the old stuff we grew up with.

I do agree that Hasbro really screwed the pooch on the 50th anniversary. At least they gave us 3 3/4" collectors something (as half-assed and sloppily thrown together as it was). But the 12" guys, the ones that started it all didn't get diddly and that is truly sad. A limited edition single 50th anniversary 12" Joe sold through TRU would have appeased the remaining 12" collectors.

But like Derryl said, the market isn't there and that's a simple fact.

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When Hasbro released those last few 12" figures a few years ago, they were the same figures that were available in the late 90's and early 2000's.
That's not what they wanted, they wanted vintage style Joes.
Like Depriest said, the kids were not there and the figures didn't sell which confirmed to Hasbro that the 12" Joe wasn't profitable anymore. The same thing could happen to the 4" line if they keep on overstocking the first waves...

The razor and blade business model seems to work fine for Barbie and her clones, but it seems that little boys don't care about changing their hero's shirt anymore unless it came in a DLC pack in the XBox store.

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And, there you have the problem, Redmao. If it isn't a video game, most boys aren't interested. Or, that's ONE of the problems, anyway.

Thanks for the link, Roguetiger.

Derryl mentions the products SideShowToys and Hot Toys made, and their sales as a indicator of the market.

What he fails to mention is that collectors of 12" figures WANT military/movie/western/Police, etc, etc figures, NOT bigger versions of little Joes. Nevermind the $120+ prices for SideShowToys and $200+ for Hot Toys.
And 3 3/4" collectors want 3 3/4" figures. Even when Hasbro made 12" RAH figures, they sold poorly.
Yeah, there's a little crossover, but not enough. Especially when those 12" RAH figures, in the case of Hasbro AND a few SideShowToys pieces, BARELY look like the character they are supposed to be.

And those 2011 figures they did were junk. As the author of the article said "Most of this Joe’s gear was rehashed from previous sets, and overall, quality seemed noticeably down. Sales were (predictably) lackluster."
They didn't use their newest body, color was so pale they looked dead, the accessories were OLD rehash, not recent items, and the prices were $20 and up. Heck, I bought one or two at TJMaxx that Christmas for under $15, what they should have been priced at to begin with.
Of course, it didn't help that Big Lots had better 12" military figures for $10-12 at the same time.

I'm not saying Derryl is wrong, or that he's right. But there IS demand for 12" military figures FOR kids!! They may not fly off the shelves, but kids want something.
Sales of the 5-POA is proof of that. I hate them, but there are kids that love them. Plus kids AND parents like the price. Imagine if kids that have these got their hands on a HOF or Classic Collection figure with all that articulation? They'd play all day long!
Why are the 5-POA selling? THAT'S ALL THERE IS!!

Can't Hasbro make something in the middle? Enough detail and accessories for an adult collector/parent, at a price that a kid/parent can afford? Look at Mattel's wrestling figures; They have shoulder, elbow and knee joints, why can't G.I.Joe?

There's a reason Hasbro is now the #3 toy company, and falling....

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That's exactly what I said when people complained that Hasbro wasn't making any 50th 12 inch.

"Why are the 5-POA selling? THAT'S ALL THERE IS!!"

Now -- THERE'S an interesting notion that I hadn't considered. Excellent point, Joebros!

Yup. That's what I thought.

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