356 replies to this topic

[cassel87]

are there a lot of other mini-mate series based on original mini-mate characters? is the success of the comic book really important?

[jkaris]

I may be wrong, but isn't this the first truly original Minimates line? I mean everything else MM is a licensed (i.e. Marvel, DC, Ghostbusters, etc).

But this (aside from scooping up the defunct Battle Beasts name) is 100% original. All new characters, all new storyline, etc.

[koppenschevelle]

I may be wrong, but isn't this the first truly original Minimates line? I mean everything else MM is a licensed (i.e. Marvel, DC, Ghostbusters, etc).

But this (aside from scooping up the defunct Battle Beasts name) is 100% original. All new characters, all new storyline, etc.

Minimates have had two original lines before Battle Beasts, MAX and Calico Jack's Pirate Raiders. Both were their own creation and had their own storyline, but it does feel like the Battle Beasts will have a much stronger with their own comic book, while if I am correct, I don't believe these previous two series had anything like that.

[cassel87]

Were those 2 original minimates series really popular? Just curious how important the comic is gonna be to the success of this line. Would there / is there a tv series for the new battle beasts?

[FANtomCore]

Were those 2 original minimates series really popular? Just curious how important the comic is gonna be to the success of this line. Would there / is there a tv series for the new battle beasts?

Don't know how popular those 2 series were, but I doubt they were as popular as MM's licensed stuff. The comic isn't as important as the toyline itself. It's more of a tool or marketing aid to help the sales of the toyline. The toyline is the main focus because that is the core product. But there are cases of comics outliving their toyline counterpart and vice-versa. Also there is no TV series, otherwise news would have already been brought to light about that, but seeing that the original BB didn't really have a cartoon either, it's not disappointing news to have no BB cartoon.

[cassel87]

So this is a little bit of a risky move for minimates without the popularity of the characters already established. In my opinion, the lure of minimates is seeing ur fav characters from movies comics or videogames in minimates form, sorta like super deformed. So... this might not be so easy or smooth a transition.

[DSTZach]

I figured you'd say something like that. I guess we're getting too familiar with each other, huh?
Haha
That's why I went ahead, and started a 1-1.25", more vending friendly sculpt.
And, if I may be so bold, I have faith that you may have a slightly different opinion when you see it on shelv... Er...

Haha, juuuuust kidding. When I finish my piece, I'll post a picture of it on here, and if you want it, I will send it out to you.
If not, I'll take pics of his smashed up remains, and our business will be concluded.

-Fe

Well, I would hope you wouldn't smash it up! Would love to see it, although I doubt we'd be able to accept anything on spec. But maybe Jkaris could use some sculptors for ROTB...

[DSTZach]

Gotta admit Zach, the Zik in your avatar makes him look a little cooler, now I will probably have to get two 2-packs somehow.

Also did you guys see this http://www.artasylum..._cci_cover1.jpg

It's a SDCC exclusive comic that will probably come with the 2-pack perhaps.

EDIT- It looks like in the Ashcan, the beasts were heading to Earth, and in the Exclusive, they end up landing at Comic-Con of all places xD

That's the SDCC-exclusive cover to issue #1. Ulises Farinas did it -- he's the guy who did the incentive battlefield cover, too. It doesn't come with the two-pack, but we'll have it for sale at our booth. We may hand out more ashcans, too, for those of you who are still on the fence. More info here:

http://www.artasylum.com/blog/2012/06/diamond-select-toys-reveals-comic-con-2012-exclusives/

And yeah, I just switched Vorin and Zik around a bit. We're really trying to play up the interchangability. More pics soon.

[ironmask]

Well, I would hope you wouldn't smash it up! Would love to see it, although I doubt we'd be able to accept anything on spec. But maybe Jkaris could use some sculptors for ROTB...

I'll keep that in mind, next time me and JKaris get into a pissing contest about beast toys.

:/

[lord]

So this makes 4 different covers for issue #1. We already know that issue #2 will have at least 2 covers. The life of a completist is not easy every day.

[DSTZach]

are there a lot of other mini-mate series based on original mini-mate characters? is the success of the comic book really important?

This is our third original Minimates line -- fourth if you count Femme Fatales, which was one set of our characters and one set of established comic book characters. Both Mobile Action Xtreme and Calico Jack's Pirate Raiders had animated episodes you can see on our YouTube channel, but no national presence like a comic book.

http://www.youtube.com/collectdst

Both lines sold pretty well at Toys "R" Us, but TRU is switching over to Battle Beasts this year. A comic book is the best advertisement for a toy line short of a movie, cartoon, or maybe a video game, so yes, having a comic should help sales. We almost put out an original line of zombie Minimates, but we shelved it when we got the Walking Dead license, because that line will get better coverage and have better sell-through. (To be fair, it's one of the best-selling comics outside of the Big Two.)

[DSTZach]

So this makes 4 different covers for issue #1. We already know that issue #2 will have at least 2 covers. The life of a completist is not easy every day.

No, only three covers for issue #1. Two Farinas, one Brereton. The ashcan, if you count that as another variation, has the Brereton cover, so it's really just a smaller version of the regular issue.

[lord]

I was counting the Luke's one too. And don't take me wrong. The more variant the best it is for a collector like me. We can never have enough material to collect.

[cassel87]

Both lines sold pretty well at Toys "R" Us, but TRU is switching over to Battle Beasts this year. A comic book is the best advertisement for a toy line short of a movie, cartoon, or maybe a video game, so yes, having a comic should help sales. We almost put out an original line of zombie Minimates, but we shelved it when we got the Walking Dead license, because that line will get better coverage and have better sell-through. (To be fair, it's one of the best-selling comics outside of the Big Two.)

is it possible that down the line if the comic / toys take off to make a battle beasts cartoon? that would actually be pretty cool. the toy comes first, and then the tv show.

[DSTZach]

I was counting the Luke's one too. And don't take me wrong. The more variant the best it is for a collector like me. We can never have enough material to collect.

Holy cow, I forgot about that one! Yes, Luke's has a cover, possibly another big comics retailer does, as well, although I don't think that one's been announced. So yes, more for you to collect, lord.

[DSTZach]

is it possible that down the line if the comic / toys take off to make a battle beasts cartoon? that would actually be pretty cool. the toy comes first, and then the tv show.

Anything is possible.

[cassel87]

i call first dibs on the voice of dingle-berry the dogfish, the dirty old pervert.

[b00sted]

pics of Zik and Vorin up on the facebook page. got to say looks a lot better than the press shots

[koppenschevelle]

Yeah, seeing in hand photos of Zik, he looks much better then the press photo. He now looks like a succinct, cohesive figure. And nice to see translucent wings. I am excited for this 2 pack. And still very excited to see what is shown of this line at SDCC.

[Bruticus82]

I thought I used to be able to access a Diamond Select Battle Beasts Website that showed some figures, had character bios, some pics from the comic, etc. But I can't seem to find that site anymore, and the main page just has that completed countdown timer, but doesn't seem to redirect you anywhere or have any links.

Does anyone have a direct link to the Diamond Select Battle Beasts website? The one that showed you figures, character bios, etc.?

[lord]

You will find what you need here: www.battlebeast.com

[Bruticus82]

You will find what you need here: www.battlebeast.com

Thanks!

[b00sted]

anyone else still excited for SDCC? I am pretty stoked to finally see some pics of Series 1

[koppenschevelle]

anyone else still excited for SDCC? I am pretty stoked to finally see some pics of Series 1

I am very excited! At C2E2, we saw control art with several figures that looked very nice, but they seemed like only a portion of what series 1 will be. We haven't seen anything about Merk, but based on the comic artwork, I am really looking forward to him. And Gruntos is awesome looking. I am especially interested to see how the four legged figures, like the spider and scorpion, turn out. I am anxiously waiting for SDCC in just a few weeks. I am hoping they make a figure of that yellow lizard in the ashcan comic.

[b00sted]

This will be my first look at the line other than the promo's