It’s time for another batch of your Star Trek questions, so get ready to discover the truth about Nemesis Crusher, get some clues about which ships are up next and what action figures to expect in 2009!
J.B.:
Hi DST, a few questions for you.
1. Do you have an ETA on when we should see the Borg Wave…Spring?
2. When can we expect to see the Timeless Geordi’s in the mail?
3. Can you please list the accessories that will be include with DS9 Wave 2 & the Worf/Gowron set
4. Just a reminder to please post pics of TNG wave 5 when available. Thx!

DSTChuck:
1. Yes the Borg wave should be in stores around May of 09, they will be listed in the January issue of Previews.
2. We have already started to ship out the Geordi’s they are going out in the order they arrived in the office.
3.We’ve already posted pics of both TNG 5 and DS9 2 so how’s that for a timely response.

Terry la Fleur:
Star Trek DS9 Series 2 Season 7 Kira is in a Starfeet uniform. Do you plan to release her in her Bajoran uniform?

DSTChuck: We’d like to someday but to be honest the sales of both DS9 waves were pretty light. We’ll see if there is some creative way to get the figure done.

Kenneth Riley:
Dear Sir, I like to know. Are you going to make Star Trek 12inch figures. For next year. I was just asking. Please write back. Take Care Kenneth

DSTChuck: We’ve had lots of stops and starts with the 12″ Trek line and to be 100% honest with you I’m not sure right now what we’re going to do.

James Spry:
I was wondering when we are going to see more about the TOS Tricorder. What will the differences of the Science and Medical Tricorders be besides the view screen and the sounds? Specifically will the hand scanners be the same for each, or will they be different? I am trying to decide which to purchase, if not both, but would love some additional information. Thanks, I love your products!

DSTChuck: James I think we’ve already shown some pictures of the prototypes and as soon as we have something from the factory to show, we’ll put it on the blog. To answer your question on the hand scanners — yes they are different.

Casey Thrower:
Are there any plans for an Enterprise C and B?

DSTChuck: Not at this moment. We’ve planned out the next two ships and neither is an Enterprise! How’s that for a hint?

David Ellis:
Hey DST i was wondering if this idea would be worth while: basically we all know that Enterprise figures wouldn’t sell - however, when AA had the license they never got round to producing the following: Salt Vampire, Dr Phlox, Hoshi Sato and the helm station with Ensign Mayweather. What about producing a limited box set including for a one time only - the original AA coins painted a metallic gold - but not just any box set - what about putting it in a metal commemorative case with padding in it to secure the figures reminiscent of the Enterprise weapons case used in the Enterprise series. It wouldn’t be a cheap item but i think it would be something fans would love to have.

DSTChuck: The problem with any injected manufacturing is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). That’s the lowest production number the factory will accept to put an item on their assembly line. SO whether it makes money or doesn’t, in general a plastic item needs to sell at least that (tricks aside) and for a custom package you’d be looking at huge development cost and production cost plus the MOQ. Sorry, but based on current sales of Trek and the HUGE SRP would carry, while it’s a neat idea, I don’t think it’s viable.

Joseph Milton:
Where can I find the Tribbles you discussed in your blog? Are they available for purchase yet? Thanks Joe

DSTChuck: The Tribbles will be on sale end of January or early February in comic stores and online retailers. I am sure some of them have it up for preorder already.

Brandon Shea:
So I am curious after reading the Oct 3, Q&A for Star Trek you said “I think after DS9 Series Two we’re going to take break from a main line release of DS9.” “Right now we do not have plans for the Voyager ship or a wave of Voyager figures so sorry, they will most likely not be out in 2009. “ ”Right now we’ve moved our full waves of figures away from TNG. We could still do two-packs or go back to the line in the future but it’s going to be a little while. So does this mean you will only be focusing on TOS and TOS movies in 2009? Or will you be doing a mix from all Treks? And will the minimates continue the new mix of series, movies, etc? Thanks for answering, Brandon

DSTChuck: Well we’ve got the Borg waves for next year and honestly that would only leave a slot for one more wave of figures if we planned for three waves in 2009. If we do go with a third wave (and that’s not been decided yet) I have to be honest with you - we’re leaning toward TOS.

Sam English:
Hey DST. Firstly, thanks for everything you do for us. My question is in regards to Star Trek TNG5. I know a delay of a few montsh can often be unavoidable, but 2 years? What has held this assortment up for such an extroadinary amount of time? & do you believe the latest November due date is actually plausable? or there is a high chance they will be pushed back again? Thanks for your time.

DSTChuck: Sam, I am SO sorry that you and all the other fans have had to wait so long for this wave in particular. It’s embarrassing for the company and myself. There have been so many issues with this project it’s scary. It’s kind of our policy not to call that stuff out. It’s really no one’s fault but “ours” - anything else would just sound like passing the buck or making excuses. We’re getting these figures done and they are on the way. We’re doing every thing we can to prevent something like this from ever happening again.

Justin Avery:
Hey, I am a big fan of your Star Trek starships, but I was wondering if you had any plans of making a Klingon Bird of Prey, I know that I would for sure buy one.

DSTChuck: It’s on the list of possible ships we’d like to work on — BUT which one??

Alan Gragg:
I think the plans for the STTNG Enterprise are awesome. I was curious to know if you have future plans to add enemy ships to your line-up, such as Klingon D-7, Original Romulan WarBird, as well as newer versions of these?

DSTChuck: We’d like to add a bad guy ship at some point… we’re just worried about sales potential. As it stands the Enterprise ships we have done have sold well for us but not great…we’re pretty sure we’re going to take a “risk” on one soon though.

John Mitchell:
We’ve seen some of the updates on the Enterprise D. What is the status on the Enterprise D AGT version? Any plans to do a Reliant from Wrath of Khan? Any other ships at all?

DSTChuck: So far sales has not found a buyer for the AGT version. We’re still developing it though, so if a buyer comes forward, we’ll be ready. Yes we are in pre-development on the next two ships.

David Ellis:
Any chance of seeing season 2 - 4 uniformed Dax and Sisko (plus the rest of the main cast of DS9) Quark and the other secondary/main characters of DS9 - will they ever be made or are sales not strong enough to continue the DS9 line beyond series 2? Series 2 of DS9 - are sales strong enough to get even this series out? cheers, love the work, keep on improving

DSTChuck: We’ll see what we can do to round out the cast of DS9 a little more, but its going to be a struggle.

Kevin Gomolchak:
Will you guys ever be allowed to make figures, props, and ships from the new upcoming Star Trek Movie? Looking also at how things have been progressing, will there be two packs for the other Star Trek movies?

DSTChuck: Maybe at some point but it’s not something we’re going to obsess about. We’ve got our hands pretty full as it is.

Will Bueche:
If this has not already been revealed by now: What is this “Half Borg” that DSTJen mentioned on her blog? Is it the ill-fated Ensign Lynch? I don’t recall seeing pics of a “Half Borg” at the trade shows, but it sounds promising. Second Borg question: DSTJen also mentioned that the Borg Queen is not in this wave. Does this suggest there may be a better sculpt underway to make her more like the snake-like, sexy Borg Queen we all know and love?

DSTChuck: All Borg Series 1 figures will be revealed VERY soon.

Martin Paternoster:
Why were the TOS Tricorder and WOK Phaser releases delayed?

DSTChuck: The TWOK Phaser project had a change of factories that has caused a delay and the Tricorder had issues with the costing. That’s about all I’d want to say. Like I outlined earlier I’d rather not make excuses — those always sound hollow. It’s our job to get you toys when we say we’ll get them to you — and we’ve had a rough year.

Charles Smithhart:
Hi- Are we ever going to see the 7 inch Salt Vampire figure that was supposed to be released in the 3rd wave of TOS Trek figures?-Charles

DSTChuck: Never say never, but he’s not on any production schedule right now.

David Ellis:
1) The prototype ultimate Kirk and Spock figures - are the hands going to be the hands with the final version because i dunno but they look a bit weird holding the phaser and communicator
2) Will the ultimate Trek figures come with display stands?
3) Have you got any new Original series (not movie) 2 pack’s on the horizon?
4) If you do go back to do more TOS characters that are not variants could you please consider designing totally new bodies for them? like Art Asylum did with their TOS line back in 2003. If I’m honest, I don’t buy any new Star Trek figures from you because i feel cheated with the amount of head swaps and re-used bodies you use to create other characters. I know it’s expensive to create new bodies but i believe you have to spend money to make money. I’ve heard a lot of people say they simply think the figures are a rip-off and choose to buy figures from NECA and McFalane instead.

DSTChuck:
1. I don’t know which photos you’re referring to so I can’t say but everything shown so far has been prototype.
2. Yes, they include display stands.
3. Maybe
4. We do the best we can with the sales projections and cost that we have to deal with. If we’re re-using parts we do the best we can to only do it when it makes sense. It’s every collector’s decision what to do with their money and if they do not like the product we produce then of course they should buy something they like more.

Nikk Kay:
Hi there, can I just say that I am a huge fan of your Star Trek figures, especially the original series ones, but I was wondering if you have any plans to release just a normal yellow shirt Kirk, because I would love to get one but the best I can find is the Amok Time one with the slashed shirt, Thanks

DSTChuck: The standard yellow shirk TOS Kirk has already been released BUT we are considering bringing some of them back for next year.

Jeff Peebles:
I would love to see a TOS two pack of Mark Lenard as The Romulan Commander and as Sarek. One head sculpt that can be used at least twice. Could this even be considered? If not how about a Spock in Dress uniform w/ Sarek to compliment the Kirk in Dress uniform with Kahn ?

DSTChuck: We’ve thought about that one for sure. It’s not on the schedule right now, but you never know.

Sam English:
Oh DST, what happened to the Nemesis Beverly Crushers hair? soo many years the fans waited for this figure, only for her to be changed over a year into production to be less accurate? The Nemesis hair was even sculpted as a seperate peice for the production samples (which I bought). There is nothing I wouldn’t have done for your company, I even started watching Battlestar Galactica & the Stargate shows just so I could support your business. It makes me feel stupid to have tried soo hard, when you bring out merchandise like the Nemesis Beverly which is a slap in the face to all her fans & collectors in general. Why would you have done this to us? Is there any chance she could be altered mid run? I don’t mean to sound too negative as your company has done soo many amazing things for sci fi in general, but as Beverly Crusher is my everything, I’m struggling to understand this one. Thanks. Sam.

DSTChuck:
I’m going to give it to you straight. The factory used the wrong hair and we’re not happy about it either. We did not see it until the day before you did… We contacted the factory right away but since the production run is so small, the figures were all done and packaged…They missed one of the stages of sending samples back to us, and we figured any small errors (if there were any) would be fixable when we saw packaged samples. We’re VERY sorry, I know this stinks!

Brandon Giles:
1. Will DST’s new deal with Toys R Us make the chances of some cool alien figures more possible? I would love to get some Romulans,Klingons ,Cardassians, Ferengi, Jem Hadar, Xindi,etc.etc.etc.
2. How will this change future lines? Will we still be getting a couple characters here and there in a wave? Now would be a good time for a Star Trek Legacy Series!
3. Will DST go back and reissue stuff that has been done before? Now would be a good time to refit the Enterprise E with LED’s and some light up nacelles!
4. Would DST be open to dong some 3 3/4″ figures since this scale is popular at retail (and if Toys R Us showed interest?) It’s doing pretty good for Hellboy by Mezco- and they will soon be doing Heroes and Cinema of Fear in this scale too!
5. And Last will Ultimate Quarter Scale figures be available at Toys R us? I could see Toys R Us wanting some cool store exclusives- a Taun Taun for that Hoth Han would be awesome!

DSTChuck:
1. MAYBE
2. Very little change will take place in our planning.
3. You may see some older items come back
4. We have no plans right now to explore the 3 3/4 scale
5. Yes, Toys R Us is going to carry the Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale figures.