The Rumor Buster

May 2011 Hasbro Q&A – Super Hero Squad is retailer exclusive

Head on over to the Rumor Buster forum to discuss this most recent Q&A and all your other toy related topics.

1) What is the future of the Super Hero Squad action line now that all but one of the announced movie theme packs have been released, as have most of the announced 2-packs?

Super Hero Squad is becoming a retail exclusive program this Fall.

2) Several Iron Man 2 figures either never saw a release (specifically the unmasked Tony and Rhodey, movie Black Widow), or saw limited release (Ultimate Iron Man, Mandarin, Comic Whiplash, Comic Iron Monger), so are there any plans to incorporate these into either the Armored Avengers line
or Marvel Universe line?

No there are no plans.  Unfortunately, these items were dropped from the line.  We will work to include these characters in future lines where possible.

3) Although you only had limited time to prepare, will there be more X-Men First Class merchandise in addition to the two 3.75 inch figures?

That’s a possibility.  Keep your eyes peeled for more news to come.

Target Has Super Hero Squad Clearance Mania

Several members have been able to verify what looks like a great Target Super Hero Squad sell-off.  2-packs are under $5, the Helicarrier is $15, Hovercars between $10 and $14, Iron Man 2 3-packs and vehicles like the Spider-Splasher and Claw Cruiser are all a shave under $7.  While this may drastically change the composition of your Target toy aisles (at least until the fall reset), it’s a great deal for many collectors who may have put off buying the vehicles or may just want to stock up on a few sets.

Unreleased Super Hero Squad Venom Unearthed

MeetThyReaper sure knows how to surprise people, as he does with his recent acquisition of the unreleased Spider-Man 3 Super Hero Squad Venom.  He’s got several pictures of the unpainted piece up and posed next to Puma, which, dutiful Super Hero Squad fans will remember is the figure that was to include this unreleased Venom.  As you’ll see, there’s clearly a size difference which will likely once and for all squash that pesky rumor  that the figure was killed because he was too small.   The rumor was floating around since May 2008, though we did point out how absolutely unsourced it was, and pointed out the logic errors with that deduction so it’s nice to have a more final word on the matter.

Super Hero Squad Green Goblin, Spider-Woman and Sentry on HTS

Think pointed out that Hasbro Toy Shop has the new Super Hero Squad Spider-Man/Green Goblin, Spider-Man/Spider-Woman and a re-release of the Spider-Man/Sentry set up, all for pre-orders shipping April 4, 2011.  And to make the sale even better, Hasbro is offering free shipping and handling until noon eastern time today.   And if you’re STILL on the fence, jemilynne reminds us that the coupon code disc10 gets you 10% off!

Red Emma Frost and Unflocked Beast Super Hero Squad Figures

There’s a couple new mystery Super Hero Squad figures appearing on eBay lately, specifically a mysterious diamond Emma Frost, with a red corset as opposed to her normal white one.  She’s got the original Emma’s face paint, but is translucent like the Collector’s Pack 3 version.   There’s also a mysterious grey-haired Beast figure that looks to be, thanks to RRNN’s keen eyes, an unflocked version of the Beast/Apocalypse figure, complete with glue peeking out from between the toes.

No word yet on the legitimacy of red Emma Frost, but we’ll keep digging.  If she’s turns out to be a legitimate figure, she’ll be one of the most-released Super Hero Squad female figures to have been produced, with three separate releases, tying with the Phoenix figure.

Super Hero Squad Avengers Attack and Defeat Of Dr. Doom 7-Packs

And sweaty jim sox scored an awesome find last week over on the boards, pointing out the Avengers Attack and Defeat of Doctor Doom Super Hero Squad 7-Packs

• Avengers Attack 7 Pack
  Includes:
  Crossbones, Captain America, Wolverine, Red She-Hulk, Leader, Black Costume Spider-Man, Iron Man

• Defeat Of Dr. Doom 7 Pack
  Includes:
  Volcana, Reptil, Falcon, Dr. Doom, Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man

These sets are out at Toys R Us for $22.99, which is a controversial price point for many.  Out of the 7 figures in each pack, several are repaints or repacks, with each set having one technically “new” figure, Red She-Hulk or Volcana, who makes her action figure debut without her long beloved Molecule Man.

For new collectors, this is an easy way to get internationally released figures like Crossbones and long-out-of-production figures like the Leader, or to start off a collection with an instant assortment of figures.  For other collectors, many of the characters can be purchased at retail, so it’s an expensive indulgence just to get two new figures and some minor repaints.

Thor the Mighty Avenger Super Hero Squad Figures

Thor has gotten the lions share of attention from the Super Hero Squad’s upcoming assortment of three packs, from the Asgardian Vault and Asgardian Smash sets up for pre-order now to a new set featuring a smaller Frost Giant (albeit, a repaint of Skaar aka the Son of Hulk) and Lady Sif, it looks like 2011 will be a good year for the Asgardian Avenger, if Toy Fair is any indication.
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