Spotted Online – Swamp Thing Pre-Damaged
When Mattel posted photos of the new DC Universe Classics* Swamp Thing action figure at Facebook I don’t think it was with the expectation that fans would point out that the toy was broken at the wrist.
Very unfortunate that Mattel tried to go with anything other than their standard articulation for this figure, because before the toy is even released it already looks like there’s a flaw in the basic concept as the rubber is already cracking. Poe Ghostal brought up Manglors and likely made more nerds than just me semi-excited, but his point that the rubbery skin is potentially a problem is . . . well, Mattel’s own photo demonstrates that this is a real problem.
Looks like one SDCC exclusive I can do without. Too bad, because the idea of a Swamp Thing was kinda appealing, but between the odd joint/no-joint look of the toy — and the damage in the photos that are supposed to get us excited about the toy — this went from cool to forgettable basically overnight.
Another good idea, bad execution. Matty tried this before with the DC Universe 6inch Clayface. Has an “Endoskeleton” and what appears to be a silicone outer body. Although very cool, you can tell it is very easy to tear. If they were to use a true silicone shell, it would be better. Great idea though!
It’s upsetting that I’ve been wanting a Swamp Thing DCUC figure pretty much since the line was first announced. Matty said that this was not the same material used for Clayface’s arms, it was supposed to be much more suited for this sort of system, but who knows.
I guess it’s possible that somebody at Mattel was being careless, or just testing how much the material could stretch, but then why would you post the photo online?
Oh, and I forgot to mention how nasty that folded skin looks on his stomach when you use the ab crunch.
I’m a swamp thing fan mostly from the cartoon but i wanted him in dcuc early on even with this issue I’m excited but not about the price with the issue.
My question is the old swamp thing cartoon’s toys had rubber over mask things and those didn’t rip or even crack even after years of my childhood abuse and i played outside, why not use a like material?
Hang on–isn’t this a prototype? How do we know if this is one from the production line?
“Hang on–isn’t this a prototype? How do we know if this is one from the production line?”
After SO MANY QC failures over the years, are you willing to risk that this one time it’s just a prototype issue and that the way the toy will be manufactured/packaged won’t make this potential issue worse? Mattel is trying something new! That always goes well /sarcasm
Yes, many people will buy it. In fact, it will sell out. And many many of those people will have torn Swampys, either right out of the box or in a couple months’ time. And the net will be full of nerd rage for years, and Mattel’s bank account will be full of nerd money forever.
It happens every time, and it doesn’t require Nostradamus to figure that one out.
I think I’ll hit eBay and grab a couple more Kenner Swamp Things instead.
Those Kenner Swamp Things were bawsshawgg. My favorite was the one with the zipline arm.
Looks like they tried to cut some corners by creating a rubber suit to go over the regular ol dcuc large buck. Unless maybe a CNC buck like atom smasher or something, don’t know. Either way, the sculpt is just phenomenal, I wish they could have made him an action figure.