I've yet to go to a convention yet, so I can only look at MC from a products standpoint. Things I like:

1. New characters. Hasbro only thrown us two new characters in the 25A line: the Jet Pack Cobra Officer and the Red Ninja Leader. That's it. Those figures could just be considered slight bastardizations of existing army-builders, too.

I am soooooo sick of Storm Shadow and Duke that it's difficult to articulate it anymore. The '07 convention set alone gave us a boatload of newbies: Captain Bristow (Night Stalkers Leader), the Night Stalkers, Doc II, Lt. Moore, and Sparks. I just hope the '08 sets pumps more desperately needed new blood into the line.

2. High Quality figures. MC has pulled some dramatic turn-arounds on horribly colored molds and made them into new and improved figures. '94 Viper turned into Iron Anvils, anyone? An old, and forgotten, figure given a new chance to shine.

3. Nods to collectors. While I personally had no interest in ever spending any $$$$ on an original Cobra Mortal, it was pretty cool of MC to help collectors get some representation of the character into their collections at a cheaper price.

4. Improvements on existing molds used as the same character. The convention Steeler (which I like and apparently few others did), Rock 'n Roll, and Zap were better than the store releases of the comic pack versions (which used the same heads). The MC versions had better coloration for the heads and it made a world of difference for the final product.

5. Great packaging. Personally, I'm not into packaging. If given the choice, I'd rather buy a baggie full of figures and save the money. But, for those that collect packaging, their certainly getting their money's worth. Good artwork and slick printing make for some truly beautiful designs.

6. Last, but certainly not least, are the detailed and informative articles by Wheeler.

a few more:

* apparently, The collectors club DOES listen to its fans. ailbet slow, but the acknowledgement of a costume contest, the continued addition of customizing seminars, and tweaking the con, means that someone is reading the internet boards, and taking things under consideration.

* Guests: I only started going to the con in 06, but between Slaughter, Hama, Trimpe, Lane, and Wingham, the guests were great, and inviting Piper was a plus, even though he wasnt part of the mythos, he was a great and entertaining guest. I can only imagine who is comming this year...

* effort: I do applaud the effort the club makes to research the molds to see what would look right on a figure. As a beginner customizer, i would never have thought to switch out forarms, caves, thighs, and specific torsos to make a prefect figure, let alone repaint them. They also do research on molds to see what would look right and whats available.

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Okay, I'll chime in.

The quality of the figs. For a small-run 'garage' operation, I'd assume the toys would be flimsy and fragile like them RAH II TRU figs. But the MC stuff I've gotten as always been rock-solid stuff, very nicely made and painted. Totally feels like, and even better, than stuff I'd expect to get at regular stores.

Agreed on the new characters. I can't say every character has been somebody I've given two shakes of a dog's nutsack about; but at least *somebody's* trying lately.

And I think everything else I have to have a null or negative opinion on, so lemme pop over to the other thread.

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Their April fool's joke.

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yeah, you have to admit, it did effectively fool, and piss off, the entire 3 3/4 inch crew....

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well, it did disappoint for like, a minute, and then the figured it out for me

it wasn't quite as... i don't know, maybe the word is 'convincing', as it could have been.

and the club admonishment for searching out the photo early was really condescending...

..i label it 'big-tex-wild-phail'

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.........I used to think you were cool.....

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hey, i thought you were only 'chatting' these days...figured you were a safe target...




//you really thought i was cool? score!

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These are all based on my personal experiences, your expereinces may vary......

1. Customer Service- Every time I have had and issue and addressed it to the club it has been answered and fixed promptly. I have in particular had excellent repsonses from Lanny, he is a great guy and will bend over backwards to help out fellow collectors.

2. The Convention- I wholeheartedly agreee with KingofPain on this one, the size is just right. Having been to several Wizardworld Chicago convnetions I'm glad the Joe Convention isn't that size. You just get a little tired of fighting through waves and waves of fanboys and not having room to breathe.

3. The Exclusives- Their figures are always top-notch with great paint apps and detailing. It's nice to see AAH style figures still being made.

4. The Free Figures- I'm a big Adventure Team fan, so getting a new and different AT figure every year is a big plus! Hey Lanny, how 'bout a Desert Adventurer in '09?

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