October 29, 2004
-
Jakks Pacific Tour!
Prior to Lucha Va Voom (see previous post), Lili and I, Joel, ML Director Ken Kessel and WB Exec Kim Christianson were invited by Jakks Pacific – makers of the ¡Mucha Lucha! toys – to visit their head office in Malibu!
pics via millionaireplayboy.comThe Jakks people – Jeremy and Leanne – were great; explaining the whole toy retail/distribution dynamic and how it works with an animated series. We also got to see the awsome, AWESOME figures they have planned for the second series of ML Mix-A-Lot and Signature Moves figure lines.
Man, do these rule. What is great about Jakks, is that they watch every episode and pick up on the smallest of details. Hence we have an ‘El Pared’ figure, complete with shooting hat and body wall-armor…a ‘Skelantonio’ figure with his own bone cage…a ‘Potato Patata’ figure with a butt you can use as an ink stamp (as seen in the first ever episode!). And the sculpting is SO good. Great work, Jakks.
Potato Patata Jr (Signature Moves series): BONK!As we sat amongst all the new prototypes, then came the best surprise of all…”okay you can take all of these home with you”!
You should have seen Lili go…
Mr Hasbeena figure. As awesome as the Headmistress.Lili: Yes, I was overcome with pure unadulterated GREED. At one point, Kim was holding the Mr. Hasbeena prototype – the one and only existing piece in the entire world -and before she could sing her praises (or take it home, which was my fear) I butted in – “I’ll take that one”. And that one… and that one…
We learnt that the figures are designed in-house (and we were also given a tour of these facilities), sculpted by Sculpco in Cincinnati (who also do the Samurai Jack figures) and manufactured by Jakks in Hong Kong.
So you want to know where/how to buy these toys? The sad news is that no one knows when they will be available for purchase. Much depends on Jakks closing a deal with a large distributor (eg, Toys R Us, Walmart etc) whenever this may be. Or make us an offer on eBay. Only kidding.
Thank you to Jakks for the awesome tour and swag. We also came away with some WWE masks, belts, figures and this 80′s mulleted Collector piece: The Rockers!
Jeremy: You can have this one. It’s worth $50.
Eddie: Er.. no thank you. (puts it back down)
Everyone: (stares at Eddie shocked)
Jeremy: It’s OK. I know where his heart is.
Lili: (who can’t pass on a freebie) I’ll take it!
Two new mixes at AOTM: Totally Mashed Again and Rain or Shine (car mix)Tonight: The WB Animation Wrap Party!
Comments (4)
again… too cool!you should get one of those disco ball key chains i’ve seen, traditional or LED lightup as an accessory for Mr. Hasbeena… he’s so cool! of course, I’m a retro kind of gal anyway.
I meant THESE much better selection!!
Hi Stevie, That’s a GREAT idea!!! lili
WB Animation Wrap Party + Open Bar + Eddie, don’t mix well…Apologies to anyone I may have offended. And If I didn’t offend you, maybe next year…:)