Sunday, July 22, 2012

Bugging in

At first, this will seem like a Heroclix post; but it isn't.  So stick with me...

One of the innovations that's coming in Heroclix this years is figures that are vehicles, such as the Batmobile and the Invisible Jet.  It's a much anticipated development for players of the game, because there are some vehicles that are more iconic than most characters.  Just imagine the ratio of "People Who've Heard of the Batmobile/People Who've Heard of Grifter and Maul".

Here's a photo of the models for some of those vehicles, in fact:

The Batmobile is a pretty darned clever composite of the many Batmobiles over the years.  But I have a feeling it's that unprepossessing cop car, oh yes, that I will be using the CRAP out of. 


The eye-popper, of course, is "the Bug", Blue Beetle's airship, which is both beautiful and freakin' HUGE

One of the one hand, it makes perfect sense: it will go nicely with the new Ted Kord Blue Beetle figure that will be in the Heroclix 10th Anniversary set coming out, oh, next month.  On the other hand...

Ted Kord was killed off some seven years ago.  What's more, with the New 52, he's not in continuity at all.  Now, there never was a Ted Kord.  At least...

not on Earth-1.

And that's the point of this post.  While there are certainly nostalgia pieces in Heroclix, there's also a strong impetus from DC to use it to push the new 52.  It just seems a little strange that they would have the maker of Heroclix, Wizkids, create a "Bug" figure.  UNLESS... 

we're going to see Ted Kord again.  Specifically, as the Earth-2 Blue Beetle. 

What do you think?



7 comments:

Nathan Hall said...

Ted Kord was such a lovable loser. We need chubby guys who aren't afraid to laugh again.

Anonymous said...

People merchandising DC seem to grasp that the New 52 changes are a flash in the pan. How much merchandising have you seen of Wonder Woman's newest outfit?

– Jack of Spades

Gary said...

Much as I like the idea of Ted being on Earth 2, I'm pretty sure James Robinson has said that with the exception of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Atom and Hawkgirl, there will be no duplication of hero names.

So no Firestorm, no Green Arrow, no Batwoman, etc. I figure they'll get round Mr Terrific by having Terry Sloane not being called Mr Terrific.

Which isn't to say Ted won't appear, he just won't be Blue Beetle.

Sadly.

Bryan L said...

That figures, Gary. DC has a golden opportunity to right some mistakes, and they screw it up.

SallyP said...

I love Ted, and frankly, I'll take him any way I can get him. But gosharootie, that Bug is gorgeous!

CobraMisfit said...

Scip, you make a good point. Seems odd that they'd spend money on items for a character that has been out of the loop for 7 years, unless there's an expectation to see him/her again.

And yeah, The Bug is amazing.

Maybe we'll get to see "Blue Beetle: Incorporated" on Earth-2.

Anonymous said...

Blue. Beetle. Incorporated. NERDGASM!