It’s often been said that half of the thrill of collecting is the thrill of the hunt. As far as toy collecting goes, that thrill is usually well-tempered by the archnemesis in the greasy hat, unshowered and pawing through the latest shipment of Justice League Unlimited figures, hoping to turn a profit on eBay. At this point in the rollercoaster of the economy, I can hardly blame him. I can still kinda blame him for not showering, though. Cartoonishly visible stink-lines are not dignified, greasy hat guy.
So, I don’t hunt as much anymore, as much as I click on screens and wait a little while for my prey to arrive on my doorstep. I might have to pay shipping, but I retain something far more important : my faith in humanity. That’s gotta be worth at least ten bucks a week.
That being said, my toy desires are as real as the next collector’s, and there are a few collections that I’d really like to complete in 2009.
First off is Sideshow Toys‘ 1/6th scale Lord of the Rings Fellowship collection. Over the past few years, they’ve made some of the best LotR collectibles possible, including most of the main cast of characters – Aragorn, Legolas, Frodo, Sam, Boromir, and Gandalf. We’re still missing Merry, Pippin and Gimli, however. How in the world am I supposed to venture to Mordor missing three of the most interesting characters in the movie? We already have the Hobbit-scaled bodies from the previous two Hobbits, and I know there wouldn’t be much occasion to re-use a Dwarf body, but it’s 
Gimli! These are things that we need announced by year’s end, or I’ll be forced to sell my incomplete fellowship. I can’t be the only one.
While we’re on the subject of 1/6th scaled figures, where’s Wonder Woman, DC Direct? After Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Batgirl, Black Canary and Power Girl, you’ve definitely mastered the female form in this scale. ‘We don’t know what to do with her hair’ is no longer a valid answer, since Black Canary has flowing locks, and you did them up awesomely. Wonder Woman in 2009, guys! I need to complete my trinity. While you’re at it, I wouldn’t mind an Atom, a Zatanna, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Darkseid, and maybe even a Dr. Fate. If you DO make Wonder Woman, make her look like Lucy Lawless.
Toynami’s Futurama line has been described as ‘glacially slow’, with about 6 figures a year, each containing a piece of a 6-piece build-a-figure. After a dozen figures, we’re still missing Professor Farnsworth. Sure, we get at least two versions of Bender, Leela, Zoidberg and Fry – but none of the head of Planet Express! The Futurama cast of characters is so immense that Toynami could 
be making 6 figures every month and still not run out of interesting figures for a few years. The robots alone could fill a year – Preacherbot, Hedonismbot, Malfunctioning Eddy, Roberto, TInny Tim, the whole Robot Mafia, just to name a few. Can we PLEASE get a Professor this year? And maybe a Mom?
While they haven’t been announced yet, I’m pretty sure that Character Options’ Doctor Who line will eventually encompass all of the early Doctors – William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee (Doctors one through three, respectively), as well as Doctors seven and eight – Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann. Hell, throw the Rowan Atkinson spoof-Doctor in there, too. A full complement of Doctors is needed.
Also, Amok Time’s 1/6th scale Elvira figure seems to have vanished from the known universe, and I really wanted her to pull all of my Sideshow monsters together.
As far as lines that don’t yet exist go, it’s high time that a Venture Bros. line was made. It’s another series that has a ridiculous number of well-designed, unique characters (many with costume variants), and a ton of army builders. In a perfect world, the 7” line would go to Mezco, who are awesome with accuracy and articulation. Their Hellboy movie and comic lines are perfect examples of these high production values and great turnaround times. I don’t think there’s a single character I’d pass up. Brock in tuxedo, as a Murderfly, in Rocky Horror, wearing a sleeveless shirt, or blood-stained – yes, all of them, please. Half-finished Led Zeppelin tattoo included.
Also? Thundercats, already? It’s my understanding that Fox currently owns the rights, and with the way they’re beating up people to retain licenses for things (and the potential release of the 1960s Batman TV show on DVD), anything is possible.
Mattel’s DC Universe Classics, Justice League Unlimited and DC Direct in general – you’re doing fine. Despite numerous complaints that your quality control is poor, I’ve bought every figure and only had almost no problems. I’m always surprised at the variety of characters, so keep on going. You’ve totally taken the place of Hasbro’s Marvel Legends, which have completely self-destructed since the move from ToyBiz.
Diamond Select, just finish up the Deep Space Nine crew, already. We need a Quark like nobody’s business. 12-month delays between figures aren’t cool. Make Quark come with a small section of his bar. Make EVERY figure come with a small section of his bar. And a dabo table.
Above all else : KEEP ON GOING! Nothing is more disappointing than an unfinished toy line. Palisades’ [adult swim] and Ren and Stimpy lines are the sad orphans of my collection, and will never find completion. What’s the Aqua Teen Hunger Force with just Master Shake? Stupid is what.
Toy demigods, if you make these things, it’s my promise that I will collect them.
