DSTChuck takes your Minimates questions to heart in this latest installment of Ask DST! Find out what’s happening with Battlestar Galactica Minimates, Toys R Us exclusive Minimates, possible upcoming box sets and the final word on Ghost Rider Minimates plus more of your tough questions!

Harley Meeks:
Is there any chance of seeing classic incarnations of characters? Like the Original Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider? There is a ton of demand for some “secondary” characters in different incarnations. And I for one, would buy 10 of them.

DSTChuck: Harley, really 10 of them??!! Of course there is a chance we’d do a character like that. We have no plans to stop making Marvel MM and have more waves planned for this year.

Isaac Graham-Durham:
For Minimates did you ever think about making a Marvel vs DC series? Oh and um could you send me a Punisher Minimate because i was on minimate multiverse and you sent some of them 2 packs.

DSTChuck: We do not have any rights to DC Minimates, so no that’s not something we have thought about. I don’t recall just sending out random Punisher MM but you never know with DSTMatt!

Brandon Giles:
In a recent blog it was hinted that ” The truth is out there…” which lead many to believe that X-Files Minimates were on the way, which would be good by the way. Then in a recent Q&A the following was asked -
Conor Brosnahan: Hi there! Several boards are alight with the rumour that DST/AA are making X-Files items soon…are action figures planned?If they were made in same vein as your Star Trek figures,ie variants, or a ‘Mulder and Scully wave’…that would seriously kick my ass!
To which DST responded -
DSTChuck: I am sorry but right now we have no plans to make product for the X-Files.
Now, I’m confused is DST not doing 7″ scale figures but doing Minimates? Or is DST not doing anything with the X-Files? Did that DST blog with “the truth is out there..” actually allude to the T-1000 Minimate from the T-2 set? I could maybe see that being the hint since the actor Robert Patrick was an agent in the later seasons of The X-Files. Cruel joke anyhow, if that was the case. I hope DST will consider going after an X-Files license for figures and Minimates once they see that the interest is out there! Thanks as always.

DSTChuck: DST right now has no plans to make any X-Files figures of any kind. Does that help? Yes DSTMatt was being clever and hinting at the T2 MM.

Matthew Eylenberg:
Hello! I’m sure you’ve been getting this question for ages now, but I wanted to get a bit of clarification concerning the information I received from a Diamond Select Toys representative at the New York Comic Con 09. I was told that the New Caprica BSG Mini Mates line had indeed been canceled, but there was still going to be an effort to release them at some point. Can you clarify this? I would love to see this line released! Thank you for any information you can muster. -Matt

DSTChuck: I think we’ve been pretty up front on this but maybe this will make it easier. Canceled for US means we are never going to make the item. BUT we sell to retailers so if it looks like we might never (at least in that exact form) make an item we have to “cancel” their order and the item. If we think there is a chance we will make the item we will say “delayed” it means there is some hope, however slim. BSG MM are from a DST point of view, delayed.

Brian Panizzi:
With the Desperately Seeking Susan mates the luggage had a diamond shape inside was this a little homage to yourselves or just coincidental?

DSTChuck: Maybe you can send us a picture of that Brian, because from where we’re sitting it just looks like skulls on a hat-box.

Joshua Hesselgrave:
Hi again. As always, thanks for answering these and making yourselves available to collectors. I was wondering about the BSG series one Red Dress Six. I recently received a second figure of this and noticed a difference in the feet. All of what I’ve seen or heard of have all red feet, yet I have one that is flesh colored with red shoes painted on. I noticed this is how she looked in the promotional pictures that I’ve seen. Could you tell me anything about this? Was this a running change or a prototype or something else? Thanks again.

DSTChuck: We’re happy to do this every week and even if we can’t say “what figure is next” we respond to each unique question and hope you get something out of it and have fun with it. Did you end up with a loose figure? We have had some variation on the Six’s, I’d need to know where your Six came from to let you know if it’s a different one or just something we call a running change.

Alan Martinez:
Hi, have you guys set the date when the Ghostbusters minimates might be available??? Hopefully is sooner that later !!!

DSTChuck: We’re going as fast as we can and hope to have some on sale by the time SDCC rolls around. It might be right down to the wire though.

Brian Kulesz:
I have purchased 1 case of every Marvel minimates set that has come out except for the movie minimates. I have no interest in those. I have been supportive of this line of toys buying these and at least 3 box sets when they come out. Do you ever take surveys to see what we as consumers want in new minimates? I am so tired of Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Spiderman and Wolverine minimates. This may be what sells but it won’t keep me around. My top minimates would be Banshee and Sunfire to round out the ‘New X-Men’, Yellow Jacket, Tigra, Black Widow and Black Panther for my Avengers team, Klaw and Kang for villians and an Alpha Flight box set would be awesome. I’d be happy with Squirrel Girl or the Great Lakes Avengers if I didn’t have to buy another Spiderman or Wolverine.

DSTChuck: We’re glad for any support fans give us and if the movie figures are not up your alley then I completely understand. Any toy line needs to balance several factors when they put a line plan together. There are of course the hard core collectors, the casual collectors, kids, folks that are new to the line and many more. With MM we do the best we can to serve all masters. We hope when you look at the overall picture of what we produce you will see there is a plan and at least some of what we’re doing will appeal to you. If you’re looking for a line that will not have any Spidey or Wolvo, I have to say, we’ll always be doing some of them. Simply put they far outsell any other character hands down.

Luke Porter:
Hi, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions! I was wondering if the Heroes and Villains minimate 4-packs be available at Toys R Us, or only at specialty stores?

DSTChuck: The heroes and villains sold as a four pack will be a specialty market exclusive.

Josip Kramaric:
What I need to know is when will I be getting my Inhumans royal family, and also with the release of unification Spock could this mean that we might possibly see new star trek minimates in the future?

DSTChuck: I really don’t know if we’ll ever get to all the Inhumans BUT if you’d told me four years ago we’d be working on wave 30 I’d say that’s crazy. DST has no involvement with the new Trek movie.

Alan Cannell:
Hi there,I recently purchased a bruce lee ascension of the dragon minimate through an online auction. The figure is awesome, I was wondering if you could give more product information about it please. Your website is so freaking cool, I want to collect more minimates. Can you by them through retail stores in Australia as I cannot find them. Any help will be of great. When will the ghost buster range be released? Keep up the great work!!!!! Thanks Alan.

DSTChuck: The original waves of Minimates Art Asylum produced were much larger and included, Bruce Lee, several Rock acts as well as Dark Angel. Once Marvel was produced the size and format were changed to pretty much the Minimates you see today.

Luis Castillo:
Hi! I just wanted to know if the hulk from the Ultimates is larger than 2 inches? Also, if gambit’s card is going to have details put or just like that all pink? thank you!

DSTChuck: Nope all Minimates will use the same core body. We’ll have to see about cost and feasibility before settling on Gambit’s card.

Maryl-lyn Cooper:
I read the post about making Ghostbusters minimates, but you only mention Venkman and Spengler. Do you plan on making all 4 Ghostbusters?

DSTChuck: YES. We will make all four ‘busters as well as MANY ghosts.

Cole Cameron:
Hey AA! I have a positive suggestion. How about Quinten Tarrantino’s first movie Reservoir Dog as minimates? I would like all eight of the gang members as minimates. I know there are kubrick Reservoir Dogs but what do you say. Please write back. Cole

DSTChuck: Based on the current interest level in Res Dogs, we have no plans to make any Minimates.

Harley Meeks:
What are the chances of a Classic Marvel team 4, or 5 pack of the Champions? I think the demand for characters from that team would for a very hot item. Original Ghost Rider, Hercules, Black Widow, Iceman, Angel (with feather wings) would make a lot of people VERY happy. (Like me) I lust after an Original Ghost Rider.

DSTChuck: Minimates are pretty much sticking to the packaging formats you see right now. Single packed counter displays “army builders”, two packs and four packs….so a 5 pack is out. However Champions is very possible.

Victor Mosconi:
I love your Marvel Minimates line! You bring out great characters and excellent sets. However, I keep waiting for a certain figure and I have not see it produced, yet others have that I think should be farther down on the list. With that said when will we see a Marvel Hercules Mini-mate? He has his own series, he’s an Avenger and he deserves his own Mini-mate. While we’re at it, how about an Ares Mini-mate too, great adversary for Herc and an Avenger too! Thank and hope to see both of these figs soon! Victor

DSTChuck: We have considered both characters before, so they are very possible.

Zachary Silva:
Do you guys still sell the ghostbusters minimates?

DSTChuck: We JUST started developing the line so you didn’t miss anything. We hope to get them in stores this summer, so keep checking back for updates.

Steve Creger:
Have you guys ever considered making original, non licensed Minimates, like a cowboys/indians set or assorted soldiers or something? Also, what accessories will the New Captain America minimate come with? Thanks in advance :).

DSTChuck: Yes we have considered them, but to date the buyers have not shown much interest. The new Captain America will include his shield, gun, knife and alternate hair plus a shield-holding harness.

Scott Potis:
Hey there DST guys! I have a few questions:
1.) Now that you have started giving away mates at Toy Fair, SDCC, NYCC, etc…, will we see some at Wizard World?
2.) Are there any restrictions on making a M.O.D.O.K, now that we are getting AIM agents?
3.) You spoke about a possible glider for Green Goblin at NYCC. How exactly would that work without breaking the contract rules with Marvel?
4.) Speaking of your contract with Marvel, does that ever get changed/negotiated, or is it “set in stone” until the line ends (which hopefully is not soon!!! )
5.) Last question, have you considered/contacted a vendor about making a Wolverine movie boxed set like the “Hostile Take-Over”?

DSTChuck:
1. Most years we have done MM give aways at shows including several Wizard shows. There is a good chance you will see something in Chi-Town this year.
2. I have no idea how we would do a Modock but if we chose I a have no doubt Barry, Robert and Uriel would figure it out.
3. Robert was being optimistic, so we’ll have to wait and see.
4. I would not say set in store, Marvel has been great to work with if a need has arisen that makes sense but for all intents and purposes, it does not change. That’s the reason for having the contract.
5. Our sales guys are always reviewing our line with the buyers and the key MM buyers certainly know they can contact sales if they want to have a specific idea considered.

Mark Wecker:
Are there any chances of Fight Club, Full Metal Jacket, or Clockwork Orange ‘mates?

DSTChuck: We never say never, but Magic 8 Ball says “Not good”

Christopher Franey:
Hey there loving all I see about minimates. Thank you very much for the comic book Spirit minimates, never thought I’d see those. Can’t wait for the AFX box set, great line up. When should I start patrolling Toys R Us for those upcoming Wolverine Origins exclusives and the “Heroes/Villains” wave Wonder Man and Union Jack? If you can, could you put in a word to Toys R Us to get some minimates in at the Yuma, Az TRU? They are bone dry and it makes me sad. Thank you for all the minimates so far, it has been a good year, and its only February.

DSTChuck: Once of the main reasons we really wanted the make Spirit movie ‘mates was the deal allowed us to make the classic comic versions, so hopefully there are fans out there for it. Which AFX box set? The new shipments to TRU will be happening very soon! My understanding from sales was Minimates were going to be in stores chain wide - so there is hope for you. BUT I would say to anyone go into stores (any store) and tell them you want MM. Send emails to the home office, let your voice be heard. I promise it will have more effect on what we can make then emailing almost anyone else - the buyers have a tough job, but they decide what’s in stores. As for this year, glad you like what you have seen But you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Rob Smithson:
Prior to Toy Fair you told us in a Q&A that the Battlestar Galactica Minimates were on hold but that you planned “to show at Toy Fair” and that you “have a couple ideas.” Toy Fair came and went and we saw no pictures of the remaining BSG minimates. You have now simply said that you “would very much like to finish the Cylon set as well, that’s why we have been saying it’s on hold.” Why did we not get to see these great looking ‘mates at Toy Fair? Also, how does the ’search’ for alternate ways of getting minimates released go for something like BSG, where there is a fan following but probably not that much mass market interest? Thanks for all the information you guys always share with us less-knowledgeable minimate lovers!

DSTChuck: We did not place the BSG in the main display so as not to cause confusion to fans, but we (and sales) did show them to the folks that needed to see them. As for the responses to the Q&A I don’t see any contradiction or difference in those responses..? As for how the search goes, it goes aggressively. Keep in mind we make no money on canceled products, we only lose money PLUS we’re fans of these as well, so we want to see our hard work come out for all fans.

Randy Jennings:
I’m really looking forward to the Terminator Minimates! You’ve done a great job with secondary characters like Dr. Silberman, etc. What kind of exclusives can we ever hope for on this Terminator line? Like a Comic Con 2-pack or a mail-away figure? Consider this 2-pack idea for Comic Con: A Jim Cameron figures, packed with Stan Winston. It could be an exclusive of behind-the-scene legends of the T2! Winston just passed away, what a better way to honor the man!

DSTChuck: I think on a line like this we’ll keep the exclusives pretty tight. We like to use exclusives to round out a line and we think we’ve got much of T2 covered BUT we are thinking of some ideas.

Joe Casson:
1. I was wondering if you would consider doing post - Civil War Thunderbolts minimates. The fact that a lot of these characters are villains posing as heroes means you are essentially getting both a hero and a villain. The series could be Radioactive Man / Moonstone, Songbird / Penance, Swordsman / Mac Gargan Venom, Swordsman / New version of Bullseye.
2. Dark Avengers minimates would be good too, any word on those?
3. Any chance of some more Ultimates minimates, with Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, and Wasp and Hank Pym?

DSTChuck:
1. I like the way you think, but a few of those would be very tough sells.
2. We try and mix classic with current editorial with all the Marvel stuff we do, so we’re very aware of the Dark Avengers story line.
3. We’ll have to see how that fits into our plans for the rest of the year.

Christine Colley:
I am a tad confused, what is the story on the Ghost Rider wave of Minimates? About a year ago, I ordered some through one of your distributors, but the order never materialized. I was under the impression that the wave had been cancelled. However… the Ghost Rider wave is still available for pre-order on a couple of sites. What gives? Also, why must you do ‘exclusives’ with Toys R Us or Target? Where I live, there isn’t a TRU or a Target. The nearest stores are about a half hour away and I have transportation “issues”..ie only one car and hubby takes it to work. But all in all, I LOVE YOUR MARVEL MINIMATES!!! They are the potato chips of action figures!! Keep it up!

DSTChuck: Sorry to say in every way shape and form the GR movie mates are not going to happen. I tried! We have not done a exclusive for Target in years, as for TRU… we had been in ongoing discussion with TRU for over a year about brining MM back to their stores. For the overall direction we wanted to take the line and the brand we felt we needed a partner with a solid number of locations for the public and a mix of types of clientele. TRU was the perfect partner in so many ways. I am sorry there is not one near you but part of our deal with them is the web site for TRU will be able to offer anything we sell to the stores SO you might have to pay some freight BUT you will hopefully be able to get these figures. MMM chips.

Brian Felgar:
Hey Chuck- Just read the hammering you took in the Trek Q&A. I wanted to let you know in the least kiss-assey way possible that there are a lot of people out here who still appreciate what you’re doing. It’s a bummer that some lines have gotten shelved, but to have kept Minimates going as a line for as long and broad as you have is a credit. You stayed in the game longer than Marvel Legends for crying out loud! Anyway, here’s hoping Minimates (and the rest of your lines) weather bad economic times and keep cranking out the hits. Thanks again.

DSTChuck: Hey Brian, that’s cool and the Trek stuff is just as cool. You fans have a lot of choices when you decide what to spend your money on and we’re just happy some of you choose to spend some of that money and time with our products. Trek fans are very dedicated to their property just like MM fans are. I’ll answer the good and the bad here, I respond to all of them (as long as no lines are crossed), and do the best I can to explain why we decide to do what we do, and the process behind it. I just can’t even tell you how excited and amazed I am that we’re working on our 30^th wave of Marvel Minimates and that we’ve been able to work on such a wide breadth of properties.