Sub-holders: have you ever considered going on a release blackout?

[Man-Man]

With Mekaneck announced as October's figure and Mosquitor likely coming before the year is done, that leaves 2 monthly figures, one variant, and one beast slot left for 2012. Certainly, I do love reading the news/discussions and seeing the pictures/videos of new figures that come from SDCC, and that's what I intend to do again this year.

But a thought crossed my mind last week while opening May's stuff. What if I tried to ignore the reveals from Mattypalooza and be completely unaware of what comes in the last couple of months for the sub in 2012? Now, granted, I would likely have to avoid this site and any other media that related to SDCC and MOTUC, but it sounded interesting to receive figures in November and December and have absolutely no idea who was in the box.

So, could you withhold yourself willingly from knowing the rest of the 2012 lineup if it meant some genuine surprise at year-end?

[Swifty]

No. There are several stages of excitement from the reveal to the figures arriving on my doorstep. I would not want to deprive myself of that to shove everything into one reveal, especially when I might not be overly enthusiastic about the choices.

[TheFallen]

I love the idea but I enjoy this community way too much to keep myself away from SDCC until the New Year. Plus there are stages of reveals that add to the excitement, from the initial reveal to the bio reveal to the early reviews.

I will just hope for Secret Accessories and I will actively avoid any spoilers of them

[Bonehead]

Nope. Never.

Quite honestly it sounds stupid IMO. I want to know who's coming so that we can "fix" the figure if there is time.

[AuraBoyX]

Never. I love the reveals... They make my day.

[bamf1980]

Nope. Never.

Quite honestly it sounds stupid IMO. I want to know who's coming so that we can "fix" the figure if there is time.

I notice you edited your post immediately, yet left the one sentence that you should have removed unaltered.

Anyway, I think it's a great idea. It harkens back to the cheesy Franklin Mint stuff that grandmas and cat ladies like to order. New item each month, don't know what it is until you get it.

Trouble is, I don't think any of us could stay away that long, and the main reason is that we need to know what shipping drama, paint app drama, articulation drama, etc is on the way.

[Man-Man]

I will just hope for Secret Accessories and I will actively avoid any spoilers of them

I hope Mattel has some more planned for 2012. I love me some secret accessories, at least when done logically. Horde Prime's probably should have been the UK head, not the main one.

[bskcase]

I don't have the willpower to resist. I must know what figures are being made.

[slackrguy]

I don't go on a release blackout, but I do try to avoid pre-reveal spoilers. Guessing what it could be from the selection remaining (taking into account parts reuse, what would sell subs, etc..) is fun for me

I am gung-ho to see what the reveals are when they are revealed though.

[vertigoink]

I hope Mattel has some more planned for 2012. I love me some secret accessories, at least when done logically. Horde Prime's probably should have been the UK head, not the main one.

There are two still coming- you didn't hear that from me though.

EDIT


This is a funny example where everyone already knows what the two accessories are but don't realize it. Fun huh?

[mjw41]

I happen to like the reveals and look forward to them

[Lipster]

With Mekaneck announced as October's figure and Mosquitor likely coming before the year is done, that leaves 2 monthly figures, one variant, and one beast slot left for 2012. Certainly, I do love reading the news/discussions and seeing the pictures/videos of new figures that come from SDCC, and that's what I intend to do again this year.

We actually have 2 variant, 2 30th anniversary and we will finally see Granamyr and the newest weapons pack. I'm stoked!

[Jor-El]

Fraught with danger, considering something extra could be unknowingly released. :P

[TheFallen]

There are two still coming- you didn't hear that from me though.

EDIT


This is a funny example where everyone already knows what the two accessories are but don't realize it. Fun huh?

MAA arm cannon and Keldor swords?

Horde Prime staff and Draego-Man flame whip or shield?

[GigaMach]

I've considered it. I'd like to be surprised one with the toy in hand being the first I see of it, but...I dunno if I could do it even if I tried. There are a LOT of ways this can be ruined...and I couldn't even keep myself from looking up the Horde Prime leak! I'm terrible.

I think it's a great idea if you can do it. Maybe I'll try it for the last couple of 30th figs - Even knowing the names, I think I could still keep from looking...maybe...

[Darkspecter]

I couldn't do it for the reasons listed (various levels of surprise), but also some others:

- making sure figure is assembled correctly
- suggestions on colour/deco/accessories (sometimes they are taken into account by Mattel, like Snake Man-At-Arms)
- some items are not sold in the sub and you would miss out on the sale (stands, Weapons Paks, Vehicles, SDCC figure, outside sub figures like Bubble Power She-Ra and Granamyr)
- You might want TWO of a figure if they're a two-in-one figure like Queen Marlena/Captain Glenn and Trap-Jaw/Kronis.

Those are all the reasons I can't stay away!

It would be really cool to get a package and wonder who's inside though!

[KingRandor82]

I couldn't do it for the reasons listed (various levels of surprise), but also some others:

- making sure figure is assembled correctly
- suggestions on colour/deco/accessories (sometimes they are taken into account by Mattel, like Snake Man-At-Arms)
- some items are not sold in the sub and you would miss out on the sale (stands, Weapons Paks, Vehicles, SDCC figure, outside sub figures like Bubble Power She-Ra and Granamyr)
- You might want TWO of a figure if they're a two-in-one figure like Queen Marlena/Captain Glenn and Trap-Jaw/Kronis.

Those are all the reasons I can't stay away!

It would be really cool to get a package and wonder who's inside though!

And here's another one: not knowing when your account will be charged, or how much for!

[vertigoink]

MAA arm cannon and Keldor swords?

Horde Prime staff and Draego-Man flame whip or shield?

Someone got my lame arse joke yay!

[chuc98]

Nope. Can't control myself. I MUST see everything as it's revealed!

[MrRoboto]

Doesn't bother me. Reveals and actually having the figure on hand are two different kinds of excitement so to speak. Secret accessories would've been nice if it was 1985 but i don't mind them all the same.

[Barbecue17]

I couldn't do it for the reasons listed (various levels of surprise), but also some others:

- making sure figure is assembled correctly
- suggestions on colour/deco/accessories (sometimes they are taken into account by Mattel, like Snake Man-At-Arms)
- some items are not sold in the sub and you would miss out on the sale (stands, Weapons Paks, Vehicles, SDCC figure, outside sub figures like Bubble Power She-Ra and Granamyr)
- You might want TWO of a figure if they're a two-in-one figure like Queen Marlena/Captain Glenn and Trap-Jaw/Kronis.

Those are all the reasons I can't stay away!

I agree with all these statements. I really don't get the whole surprise element. I guess I like to be surprised by reveals, but I rather prefer it when my money isn't already on the table or committed. My local Walmart sells these little plastic easter eggs which have little plastic figures of different DC or Marvel characters in them: if I want a surprise, I'll drop 97 cents on one of those. For $20 dollars plus shipping, I'd like to know what I'm getting ahead of time to plan ahead.

[redsquadron]

I'd like to know who I was getting. In the case of the the GI JOE sub I'll be happy for the last figure to be a "surprise" as it's free, but the other twelve... no way. Same with MOTUC.

[SunDevil]

I know this would not be a popular idea but I'd be fine with a SINGLE figure from the 2013 sub being a complete mystery right up until it reaches your door. I mean Matty keeping it a mystery until then. Like I said, probably not popular. I think most sub holders want most of the figures so it's likely we would want the 'secret' figure. Mattel would have to use some discretion, however, and give us either a long-awaited Filmation character (Strong Arm, etc.), a vintage classic (Blast-Attak, etc.) or something else that would PROBABLY go over well being 'secret'. Can't please everyone but I think it would be an interesting experiment!

As for me avoiding all media until the fall MOTUC figures arrive, I actually like the idea but I'd have a very hard time avoiding this site.

[Uki]

I'd love to do that, but I also enjoy my time in the community. Of course, sometimes this place gets so darned negative, I could go for it. Still, in the end, everyone's better side tends to resurface.

[shadowfall1976]

I don't have a sub, but if I did I would imagine that there would be a disappointment after waiting month to month and getting a figure I absolutely didn't want....

I prefer to let my excitement build from first being ecstatic on reveal days, to the ultimate joy of the figure finally arriving, and opening that mailer, to finally putting it on display.