Are 1:12 figures the next big thing?

[Darklord Dave]

As more high profile players like Star Ace and threezero come into 1:6 the popular licenses are getting snatched up.

So where can companies go to develop new product? The 1:12 or 6" scale has long been popular with action figure collectors, but it has never really crossed over into the collectors market in a big way. But with Mezco, threezero and 3A getting into the scale in a big way I think it could really break out and be the next big thing.

The mixed media aspect appeals to collectors and the size allows a collector to display far more figures in the same space. This scale can also allow for vehicles and environments (I will NOT call them playsets) much more easily than 1:6, as we've seen with Mezco's Dredd cycle.

The resurgence of Mego-like figures seems to have done well for Bif Bang Pow and some other companies. These figures are great for the retro-minded collector, but aren't the best for most 1:6 collectors who are driven less by nostalgia and more for a desire for detailed, perfect reproductions of favorite characters.

It's been thought that cloth costumes don't scale down well and this 1:9 scale was as small as you could go. Even there the costumes are more toy-worthy than collectible-worthy without the detail that most 1:6 collectors would demand. Will we see 1:12 scale 3 piece suits that require a lot of layered clothing?

What do you want to see in 1:12? Is it the same you want to see in 1:6?

Will you rebuy the same character in 1:12 that you already have in 1:6?

Do you want vehicles and environments for your 1:12 figures?

Licenses Mezco has locked down for their "One:12" line:


Mezco Batman and threezero Titanfall pilot.

 

[teemu]

I want to see

MARVEL COMICS Classic costumes

Evil DEAD II Ash

 

[Brendan352]

If licensees I like are made and the prices are right I wouldn't have any problems with getting same/similar characters to what I already have or plan to get.

 

[Furyan]

I started at 6" figures and have slowly grown to 1/3 scale statues,dont think I could go back to 1/12 scale. That said they wouldnt take up nearly as much space which is appealing.

 

[Unclechopchop]

Oh we can only hope! So they can start charging $150-$200 for each one while 1/6 figures jump to $500+!
This hobby will kill itself, mark my words.

 

[Darth Madden]

I was a huge 1/6 fan for years but got out of it (except for a few Star Wars) because the costs were just getting way out of hand. I mean $250 is just crazy so I moved on to PF and statues where I thought I got more value for my money. When I saw this Batman and saw how great it looked I had to try it and it is fantastic. It doesn't take up a lot of room its 1/2 the size and almost 1/4 the price with about the same quality so I think if Mezco can keep them all on the level of Batman and around the same $65 cost they will have a winner on their hands. I can't see myself buying Star Wars in this scale (I doubt a One:12 Darth Vader or Stormtrooper would work anyway because of the armor) but I just might pick up a few of the other ones. I think 1/12 is here to stay.

 

[H1mcgdnrc]

If the price stays nice.

 

[Underworld54]

Mezco got the Herculoids license? When did this happen?

 

[karamazov80]

If 3A could do geek film and television licenses on the order of some of the Ashley Wood stuff they've already done, then I would definitely be interested. The Boba Fett prototype they developed a few years ago was phenomenal looking. But Mezco isn't really approaching high end in my book, so it doesn't appeal to me. Not sure about character requiring multiple layers of clothing, etc. Seems like 1/6 figures run into problems in that area, so I would imagine this would create constraints on the possibilities here.

 

[SwedishHeat]

So, if 1/12 is $65 now. .. . what happens 5 years down the line when it's $150 for a 1/12 figure?? Are we going to start collecting 3 inch figures??

$65 is already crazy for a 6-inch figure.

 

[Raymond F.]

Agreed and those things above? They look junky to me. Regular old plastic figures look better as 6 inches and you can get a better looking batman like that for 20 bucks

 

[karamazov80]

But Mezco's not really high end. I think the price is way too high, considering what you seem to be getting there. But nice figures can be done in that scale. 3A uses mini Truetype bodies, and could theoretically produce pieces like this:

Rivals, and might even exceed what SSC put out at 1/6 scale. . .would probably cost over $100 though, at which point you have to wonder what the audience would be for this kind of thing.

 

[Ce Ilhuicamina]

I like 1/12 figures when they are complement of something way bigger that would be unreasonable expensive at 1/6, like the Titanfall Atlas or Hot Toys The Bat but I can't say I'd appreciate a 1/12 figure by itself when they come from more "grounded" in reality licenses like Breaking Bad for example no matter how good they could possibly be.

A particular company I'd like to see in 1/12 scale is Ori Toy with its Acid Rain line. Their 1/18 vehicles are really really good, their action figures are very good as well but still a bit on the toyish side, which isn't bad at all but I think they could make a superb job with 1/12 figures.

 

[koon]

I almost went MotU...

 

[VintijDroidGutzz]

I want to see

MARVEL COMICS Classic costumes

John Romita Spidey

Sal Buscema HULK with ripped shirt

 

[CABIN WOLF]

I really wish that we got the Star Wars line from ThreeA. Up to this day I still want this Boba from them and imagine getting these carded. 1:12 scale figures would be awesome but I guess the price will be a great factor for collectors of the 1:12 or 6" inch line. Would really love this treatment towards Star Wars and GI Joe.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Michael Crawford]

The quality of the new Mezco Batman is exceptional - they have a winning concept on their hands, and if it's managed correctly, can do great. These aren't a replacement for sixth scale, but a whole different ball park. People who only stick with one scale aren't going to be interested, but for toy collectors - those that love these things first and foremost because they are toys - will appreciate the work.

The issue will be in getting the costumes to look right. Have micro fabrics gotten to the point where they can manage to keep multiple layers in scale? Or can they come up with some design that gives the impression of multiple layers ( ever worn a dickie?) without actually having multiple layers? I know they fully understand the importance of getting this right, and I don't think we'll see them release something that isn't up to the standard expected.

As to the price, I find it amusing that people would have trouble with $65 for a figure of this quality with this many accessories, but consider the Batman Black and White statues, same scale, same price, reasonable. This isn't a big run figure, and MOTUC are now $30 with almost no accessories. Their first release has sold out all over the place and is currently running $100 on ebay - I'd say that indicates the price point is appropriate. Whether they can maintain that will depend on their choice of characters/licenses, and if they can keep the quality up.

 

[the angry orc]

I have no problem paying $55-$65 for them if the quality is there. I have been doing it for a while with 3A stuff so the price did not seem too mind boggling. Of course I paid $300 for my last 1/6th so I really have no sane person's frame of reference anymore for 'is it worth it'. I just know what I am comfortable with at this point.

 

[SwedishHeat]

As to the price, I find it amusing that people would have trouble with $65 for a figure of this quality with this many accessories, but consider the Batman Black and White statues, same scale, same price, reasonable. This isn't a big run figure, and MOTUC are now $30 with almost no accessories. Their first release has sold out all over the place and is currently running $100 on ebay - I'd say that indicates the price point is appropriate.

Let's see them try and sell a Green Lantern for $85 with less accessories than Batman, and we'll find out what's appropriate.

 

[jra81984]

I think the reason 1/6 scale works so well is because things are extremely hard to replicate if they get any smaller. Certain details would be lost. The display factor of 1/6 is also greater for me. It is much harder to see a 1/12 scale figure from across the room.