So, just days after the last Q&A question submission deadline, I have a question that will probably be answered before the next round, thanks to the Collector's Club:

Did Hasbro get back "lost" molds from Brazil?

For those of you not checking with the convention news, the artwork for Snake-eyes V2 is featured prominently on the brochure. That, alone, was not enough to get my hopes up. I figured "eh, they've found a decent body double and are recasting the head. Or maybe Ray Parks (sp?) will make an apperance, if the movie wraps up shooting on time."

But now, for the first Con set figure revealed, they show a mold last seen in Brazil in 1995 (according to yojoe.com)! AND they mention characters whose molds were last seen at the same time and place, who have only had one mold each!

Long have we been told by various Hasbro reps that certain molds, especially ones sent to South America, are lost forever. But the current Joe team seems to have a lot of love for the old line, and it would not surprise me if they went the extra mile to find these "relics".

Maybe I'm overreacting and the Gristle mold was sent to India right after it was last used, and we're in for no more big surprises. But I have to admit, my hopes are up.

Thoughts anyone?

While Hasbro used to talk about "lost" molds, it seems more and more likely that these molds were in their possession all along and they were just unaware of it. (Hasbro went so far as to remold Mutt when they found the Lowlight mold that was last used at the same by Hasbro in Europe.) Mace appeared in 2004 and that was the first indication that the Brazil molds were in Hasbro's hands. It seems there was a fairly free flow of molds back and forth between Hasbro, Estrela and then Funskool for many years. The ultimate whereabouts were likely buried in mountains of paperwork that went back for decades. All it took was someone who cared to spend the time to find these things. My guess is that there are a LOT more molds available than Hasbro or even MC realizes at this point. The question is whether it's economically feasible for them to be dug out, cleaned up and moved into production.

(As an FYI, Funskool claimed to have over 100 figure molds in their possession in 2003. That's a ton that we haven't seen or maybe even know about. But, that tells you the volume of molds that are likely available should someone take the time to find them and deem them worthwhile for use.)

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If the swat set has V2 snakeyes in urban camo, I will seriously consider begging someone to get it for me.

- R

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Mike, you were just the person I'd hoped would reply!

Personally, the thought of some of those once-used-then-forgotten molds being in the hands of the collectors club makes me very happy.

So, just between us (and everyone), what do you think the odds are that they actually have the SE V2 mold?

I'd say possible but not likely. And even if they found it, would they even be useable at this point being over 20 years old. Maybe, but probably not. If you look at the stuff that has gotten back into Hasbro's hands and has been released, most of the stuff that is being re-used is from the latter part of the line. Older figures like Firefly have required new tooling for some of the recent releases.

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Snow Serpent turned up and came out all very well...if only a little over priced.

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Impossible to say. If it showed up, I would not be surprised. If it never shows up, I would also not be surprised. If you look at the contemporaries of the SE v2, the evidence isn't conclusive. Some of his contemporary molds subsequently appeared in the US, Europe or India. Many, though, did not. I don't think it's unreasonable to hope that the mold does exist. But, there is simply no evidence that conslusively points to that being the case.

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Honestly at this point the question of having or not having the Snake-Eyes V2 mold is a moot point. Master Collector has shown repeatedly that it is capable of remolding parts which are lost or damaged. If they WANTED to produce a V2 Snake-Eyes they could easily remold the head and chest and use other figure parts for the remainder of the figure. I honestly don't think anyone would complain if he had on boots instead of footy pajamas.

But there are other molds which aren't as universally loved as SE V2 which I hope have been rediscovered. I'd love to see 90% of the tail end of the line reissued and recolored.

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Oooh! I'd forgotten about Snow Serpent showing up unexpectedly. If I'm recalling correctly, that was one of the mold that at one time was considered "gone for good" by a Hasbro rep (I'm thinking Darryl DePreist, but not sure).

This really has me wishing that at least TRU were continuing the RAH format. I mean, I LOVE the 25th, but they're just a tad on the expensive side when compared to what RAH was going for 2-3 years ago. And I just plain can't afford the GIJCC figures (but I'm always happy for those who can when a great figure comes out).

So Funskool said they had over 100 molds? Was that before or after they returned Flint, Crimson Guard Immortal, Night Viper, etc? It would be neat if they started making figures again in time for the international release of the movie. If it's not simultanious, that is.

Mike, thanks again for what info you bring.

So what does a mold look like?

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Regarding Snake Eyes v.2, the Collectors' Club folks have come right out and said that the art being used there is simply being used because it's a cool image, NOT because it reflects any particular characters (or guest stars)... don't read anything into the art.

Same thing happened with the Crimson Baroness art used last year...everyone was sure she was one of the exclusives, but it's just cool art, nothing more.

Justin

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A big block of metal weighing about a ton. From what Lanny and Brian have said all they have to go by from Hasbro is a few sheets of paper with mold #'s and sometimes a name. Though the list is not always right. As Brian said at the roundtable last year when they ran a test of the "Iron Grenadier" mold they were sent the test shot and it was actually IG Destro. They said that happens alot. So they have to run test shots on the molds to know what they are and check the molds condition. As alot of the Funskool molds are in BAD condition as they (Funskool) did not clean them properly or treat them well) and many molds were damaged or needed repair. They have also stated the majority of figure molds are in China while the majority of vehicle molds are in the U.S.

I know I would love to see many of the Sky Commando's get re released!

Michael
Bulletman Big B
All Hail DOB!!

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You are correct in their abilities...though if you look at the parts the Club has never retooled a part simply because it's missing or dammaged...the more obvious reason for retooling parts...specifically heads...is so that they'll fit into the bodies the club has access to.

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Master Collector said the Renegade heads were all remolded because none of the original toolings could be used though. Right?

Josh is right...according to the Collectors' Club they have tooled several new parts due to missing molds. The Renegades and Overlord come to mind immediately, but I seem to remember others out there, too. Chuckles maybe?

Justin

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