Welcome to another installment of AskDST, where DSTChuck tackles your Minimates questions and spills the beans on chase figures, the future of both the Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek lines, upcoming Marvel characters you might see soon and a host of other suggestions from you!

Sam Ford
Hey, I’m not happy. You’ve stated on numerous occasions that you’ll never re-release variants, right? Well you sure skirted around the Black Spiderman good, first with a Melee one then by adding blue lines and a removable hood. NOW you’re reissuing Spiderwoman by changing her and putting her in a two pack? NO! DO NOT DO THIS! It is unfair to the collectors that worked hard to get the variants, and it discredits your company, rending your word to be less than dirt. If people are complaining cause they can’t get variants, let them fight for them! Heck, I don’t have half of them, but that’s the nature of the beast. You’re cheating 3 people. Those that have the “un-re-releasable variants” because they worked for nothing, those that do not because now they don’t have to work, and yourselves, because now I will view everything that comes from DST with an air of suspicion, thinking “They lied to me twice before, what’s to stop them from lying about something important again”

DSTChuck: Sam I am sorry you feel that way. That’s certainly not the position we take here. As you say we have made changes to the figures, so we have not ever brought back the same figure from a short pack. While that may somewhat decrease the value in the secondary market, we think on those rare cases it satisfies the newer collectors or the thematic reason for brining it back while preserving the value of the in package or loose figures that collectors have sought out. It is never our intention to “lie” that’s why many times I have to say “never say never” or “We’ll see”.

Bobby Nailen
My five year old boys(twins) are avid collectors of minimates and are constantly customizing. They are now going through a drawing phase and are asking me to draw new designs for them. But these boys can draw and I would like to encourage them to design on paper. Is there anywhere I can download a design template like the ones you use for new characters, that feature blank figures? Thanks bobby Nailen.

DSTChuck: Sorry that’s not something we provide but we do post design sheets on our blog from time to time and I think those would give the boys some guidance and direction to work from. Good luck to them and have fun!

Brian Kulesz
Announcements have been made of upcoming Marvel minimates. This is in regard to the first appearance Angel. What I have read, it appears that this will be the chase. Is this correct? Please tell me I am wrong. I also saw a box set of first appearance X-Men minus the Angel. Making the Angel the chase where very few people will get it does not make sense. If I can’t get the chase Angel, I WILL NOT purchase this X-Men box set. That’s even if I can get the chase which is usually $25. How are the decisions made for what the chase figure is? A previous example would be the Vision. A ‘first appearance figure’ would have been appropriate with the chase being a translucent figure. Instead we got a chase Vision I knew nothing about. And didn’t care about. Another example was the Tarantula. A favorite classic Spider-man villain of mine that I wanted to add to my rogue’s gallery. It was a chase so I’ll never get it at the $25 price tag. On another note, I am finally! seeing the minimates that I have had on my wish list for years. Thank you for that.

DSTChuck: There have been several discussions about the Angel and the plan now is to make the switch so collectors that get the box set will be able to get the Angel a little more easily. I can’t really say there is an exact formula for how we determine which is the chase figure. I do think over the last year or 18 month, we feel we have a good handle on what type of figures we want to slot where and which slot fills which purpose BUT at times that makes line planning harder not easier. I am sure no matter what we decide some fans out there will be disappointed but I can assure you that’s not our intention. We’re not wringing our hands over here trying to think of ways to make collectors lives impossible.

Leon Helm
Can you get ice age minimates

DSTChuck: We have not yet really looked at franchises that skew younger but it’s something we hope to look at in time as the line grows.

Brian Petersen
With BSG MiniFlyers appearing in Previews a month or two back, would there be any consideration to bring BSG Minimates back to regular retailers? Box sets could get collectors up to date. Or would you guys possibly work with TRU Canada to get some of the exclusives to your fans of the North?

DSTChuck: I have to be honest with you, I think the last couple waves of BSG Minimates were a ‘thank you’ to fans and to TRU more then they were a full re-boot of the line. If the flyers do as well as we hope then you might see some figures there to go with new ships but after TRU Series 2 I think BSG is done in MM form for at least a good bit of time. My understanding from sales is we offer all the TRU domestic AND more stuff to TRU Canada so they must just not think the support is there, so your best bet is to go to TRU and email them and tell them you want your Minimates!

Jody Burke
I’ve been collecting Marvel mates from nearly the start, and my kids have joined in the fun. The only person left out is my wife. Like a lot of women (and some guys too) she’s been recruited into the legion of Twilight fanatics in the last year. Considering the popularity, has AA/DST looked into the possibility of Twilight Minimates??? I wouldn’t mind my own Alice Cullen/Ashley Greene mate.

DSTChuck: Perhaps your wife would like the Desperately Seeking Susan set? I know mine does! Twilight WOW what a franchise, right? Great stuff but just not sure if the fans of those movies/books would like Minimates. We’ve not had much luck selling Minimates in book stores and as you say there are more male Minimate fans then female fans - but you never know.

John Hooper
hey I have a few Questions on some not too far in the future product but first I must thank you for wave 31& 32 (when will that be out) can’t wait to buy Lockheed alright here is my first question in one of your old answers you said you were working on a new Nightcrawler Minimates so is I too late to suggest a sword (and an x-belt) and are there going to be any more dc Minimates I haven’t seen any news on them in a while (I wanted to see beast boy and other non made titans!) also are you guys planning any more Jim lee x-men

DSTChuck: I’m glad you like Lockheed - he’s one of my favorites. I don’t think we’ve said we’re definitely working a new Nightcrawler but we’ll keep swashbuckling in our thoughts. DC Minimates are 100% in DC’s court.  As for more Jim Lee X-Men… we’ll have to wait and see.

Richard Sales
Just got into collecting minimates - seen a picture on-line of the exclusive psycho set. Are these available to purchase from anywhere ( i do realize these were an limited edition set - but it’s my favorite film!)? Thanks - Richard.

DSTChuck: We’ve never made a Minimate set based on the movie Psycho, so you must be looking at a fan custom set.

James White
First I would like to say that it was great meeting you guys at SDCC. I had a great time. Here is my question. Is the star trek minimates line dead? Could we maybe see them show up in TRU? There are still so many characters that I would love to see? Thanks.

DSTChuck: One of the best things about doing consumer shows and the main reason I go is to meet as many fans as I can and chat with them whenever possible. I think Trek MM are in a deep sleep right now - not dead but ready to jump into action if the time is right.

Kyle Osterhoudt
Hello I was wondering if there were currently any plans on making a Minimate of the lizard from Spiderman. Thanks

DSTChuck: All of the members of Spidey’s Rogues Gallery are always in play for us to consider.

Poe Ghostal
Given that you took the time to design a special Minimates-style Ghostbusters logo, what are the chances of seeing that as an actual Minimate? I could see it working by using a white Slimer body with a red logo attachment.

DSTChuck: I think that’s only a long shot maybe.  Sony and the folks were nice enough to let us tweak the iconic logo and for that alone we’re very grateful!

Ross Fullarton
Hi. I’m from Scotland and I find it really hard to find all the Marvel Minimates that I can. Do you have any plan’s to introduce the line to Scottish Toys’R'Us stores?

DSTChuck: To be honest I have NO idea if we ever have a international distributor that handles Scotland - sorry.

Mayda Hernandez
Will you guys be making iron man 2 Minimates ? and can you also try to make G.I. Joe Minimates.

DSTChuck: We’d like to think Marvel will let us do MM for all the cool movies they have coming up — so lets hope so. We’ve spoken with Hasbro and at this time they are not interested in pursuing GI Joe or Transformers Minimates.

Drew King
Hello. Well first I’d like to say thank you for Marvel Minimates. They are awesome and one of the greatest toy lines of all time. I was wondering if there was a chance of anymore 2099 characters showing up in the line and any of Alex Ross’s Spider-Man costume designs. I was also wondering about the possibility of other Minimate lines like Gargoyles, Ninja Turtles, or Masters of the Universe. Thank you very much for your time.

DSTChuck: I don’t think any of those are at the top of the list of what will be working on in the near future - sorry.

James Ciminelli
hi james again just suggesting again about the mortal kombat minimates series line and also i was thinking why not add a gi Joe movie series line but for the mortal kombat line could be really cool everyone would love them especially kids i should know i am one but we would love them because of the accessories all the swords or energy blasts please please write back i want to know what you think about my idea thank you so much ill write again james ciminelli

DSTChuck: James I do think there is a very strong following for Mortal Kombat, but we’ve really never been able to get video game licenses to work over here at DST. It’s something we try out a little from time to time so you never know.

Doug Wolford
Why was Hawkeye in the Dark Avengers #2 box set changed at the last minute? The original featured on the back of the box looks much, MUCH better than the one we got. Here’s a picture: http://i27.tinypic.com/1z69v9l.jpg

DSTChuck: I’m not sure what to tell you Doug, because there weren’t any changes made to the Dark Avengers Hawkeye other than a small change to his mask.

Alan M
Hi: I was wondering if there is any remote chance the second series of Ghostbusters Minimates (Ray and Winston) could be available before the November suggested date. Series I was amazing and I can’t wait to have the group completed. Also are you considering making the rookie Ghostbusters from Ghostbusters The Video Game?? That would Rock!! Keep up the good work!!

DSTChuck: I think GB2 will be in TRU in early September and just about the same for the second box set in comic stores. Right now we’ve go no plans for video game figures beyond the ghost set that’s already out there.

Adam Alexander
Rocky 3 minimates release date everyone’s taking pre orders but no date. is there a date? To throw this out there Stargate, Aliens from movie 2 and Predator from Predator 1.  I know for a fact would be a hit in Washington state that’s, I work around a lot of collector stores and toy stores and of course there talked about very heavily. But to be honest minimates a rare in western Washington - a lot of online activity. Is there plans for bigger marketing in Washington? if so I would definably be your guy (ha-ha) anyway thank you for reading my questions P.S. I’m not suggesting AVP, Predator 2 or any other of the Aliens movies would not be a good move, oh boy it would ,but those two movies would sell tones of Minimates good base start your loyal customer and friend Adam

DSTChuck: I am sorry but as much as we loved that set Rocky 3 Minimates will not be coming out. We have considered Stargate and I’ve commented on our interest in the Alien and Predator franchises in past ASKDST. I do know my trade show folks have suggested a show or two up in that area, so you never know.

J B
1. Will there be more terminator minimates in the future. 2. What box sets will be coming out in a couple months

DSTChuck: I think we’ve announced and shown all the T2 MM that we have planned so that’s it for now but you never know if the occasion arises in the future.

Brian Petersen
Will these wonderful promo posters ever be offered to regular retailers for sale or at least as promos? I really love the art. Especially the Dark Reign one!

DSTChuck: We can NOT sell them, but from time to time we’ve printed some up to give away at shows or offered downloads on our web site for fans and retailers.

Chris Rich
I am a long time collector of minimates and just can’t get enough of them. And that was why I am extremely disappointed and frustrated with Art Asylum. So I went to Comic Con Thursday the 23rd very excited for all the exclusives you were offering only to get there and discover over half the sets did not arrive in time!!! I came down only for ONE day for this? Also even a bigger disappoint was the Dark Avengers set (one I was most excited for) my Ares had TWO LEFT LEGS!!! So not only did I leave Comic Con disappointed realizing the amazing sets I was missing out on only by 1 day (such as Champions, T2 and the other Dark Avengers sets) and the one thing I was excited most about was defected!!! I would like to know how this situation can be rectified? Thanks in advance, Chris Rich

DSTChuck: I am very sorry you had a bad experience and not to pass the buck here but those issues had nothing to do with DST. We sold those to the retailer for them to sell at the show. All those products were produced by DST in plenty of time for the show, and the retailer did all he could be he had delays in the freighting of the items. In fact he went to great expense to get them shipped there for Friday so he’d have some there. Heck DST even helped him unpack before the show opened. I think its just one of those unfortunate things that happens when you have so many variables. I am sure if you contact them and tell them what happened, they will be happy to work something out for you! If you ever have a defective Minimate, contact DST customer service and we’re happy to help out whenever we can.

Cade Zube
Hi my name is Cade, I am 9 years old and I love minimates. I have a lot of them. I was wondering if you could make a minimate that looks like me? If the answer is yes I can send a picture of me so you can make it and sell them everywhere. thanks ,Cade

DSTChuck: Hi Cade, welcome to the club! I am sorry we can’t help you but I bet if you head on over to some of the Minimate community sites that are out there, you’ll see some upper talented folks doing some great work that might be able to help you out!

Raul Najera
One of the most appealing aspects of the minimates is the diversity of licenses acquired. I was wondering if there’s ever been thought of pursuing the license to produce minimates based on World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)? The possibilities would seem endless with their large roster of current wrestlers/valets and rich history of past wrestlers. Pre-ring attire, championship belts, and small weapons like steel chairs and Triple H’s sledgehammer would really enhance the line. Maybe a minimates scaled wrestling ring could be produced as well. I really think there’s untapped potential there. Thanks.

DSTChuck: At think at this point we’ve talked to almost every license holder about Minimates at some point. LOL! Even WWE, but nothing to report there right now.

Dominique Cordero
Hi, huge Minimate fan from the MMMV boards here! Love what you guys have done with the line so far. Just have a couple of questions:
1. Not sure if anybody’s asked this before, but ever considered a full wave or box set of Spawn minimates? Is it possible if say, you collaborated with McFarlane Toys for the license? Or is the Kubrick line preventing the possibility of them?
2. What would you guys recommend as the best scale for Minimates? As far as accessories and vehicles go they seem to lie anywhere between 1:18 and 1:36 or something. Is there a specific scale you guys follow when designing them?
3. I liked the laboratory play set prototype from SDCC, but am really looking forward to the possibility of more similar-styled ones someday. Ever considered, say, a cityscape or warehouse-type play set?
4. You’ve hinted at the possibility of more sets based on Paramount movies before. Are you planning on releasing any other sets after Beverly Hills Cop? If so, how soon can we expect news of them? Looking forward to your answers! Thanks in advance!

DSTChuck:  1. Yes they have asked before and yes, we’ve considered it but nothing really is going on with it at this point.
2. I don’t think at the time the line started we had a specific scale in mind. I’d think something close to 1/36 would do the trick.
3. If the set we worked up does well, we’d love nothing more then to do several more.
4. Its possible but nothing is set in stone yet.

Brian Petersen
When will we be able to complete the Warren Ellis Thunderbolts Minimates with Songbird and Swordsman?

DSTChuck: It’s possible but not definite that we’ll do both of those figures.

Sinjin Beem
Hi what I’m sending you about is a suggestion to please, please, please, please, please make some Minimates of The Tick and his villains. I know you probably will not but If you do Im certain many people will rejoice for what you did. I would love absolutely go crazy if you made the Might Blue hero of justice and his many many villains. I hope you will do this or at least write back. Minimate and Tick fan, Sinjin Beem

DSTChuck: Right now we have no plans to sign the Tick license - you never know but no plans right now.

Scott Smith
Who’s is the artist that has been doing the characters on foreground of the Marvel Minimates boxes?

DSTChuck: It is the same design team that does the design work on the figures. Hope you like them!