Disney Pixar Cars - 2009 Comic-Con Mattel Exclusive Update

Mater and the Twins will be Revealed on April 11, 2009!

This is an update to tell you a few things about Mattel's 2009 Comic-Con Exclusive. I've seen it, and you are going to LOVE it! I won't be able to show you the complete images until April 11th, so mark that date on your calender. The set of Mater as a Fire Engine and Mia and Tia as Dalmations is going to come in a light-up diorama package. It will sell for $30 and as of today, the edition size is still undetermined, and the purchase limit has yet to be set. I reported back on January 18th that I heard the Edition Size was going to be 5000 for Comic-Con, and that 5000 would be available on MattyCollector.com. I've heard the purchase limit will be 1 to 4 sets per person.

As a collector and marketing expert, I'm going to give my input about these two numbers. First, the Edition size of 10,000 is far too high in my opinion. I would set it at 3000 for Comic-Con attendees and 2000 for MattyCollector.com. Here's my reasoning...The secondary market is what feeds all areas of collecting. If I purchase 10 sets, keep two for my collection and want to sell the other eight, then I want to make a decent profit when I sell them. If 10,000 exist, I'll have far too much competition on Ebay, and be lucky to make a $10 profit on each set. I won't want to waste my time, and certainly won't want to invest $300 ($30 times 10 sets) to buy ten sets. What does this transate to? Mattel will not sell out their supply!

Second, putting a limit of 1 to 4 sets per person at Comic-Con is a mistake. Do I think people should be able to buy any number? No! But, the idea of 1 to 4 is too low. Comic-Con attendees are the serious, most hard core collectors, and secondary market sellers out there. I'd set the limit to 10 Cases. The sets are going to be big. They may be packed to just two per case. Possibly four to a case. Let attendees buy a higher quantity for these reasons...They will buy more on the front end and have them presold to secondary collectors, they will buy more for friends, they will buy more for themselves. Allowing them to only purchase 1 to 4 is stupid! Doing what I suggest will certainly help to ensure Mattel will sell out at Comic-Con.

Finally, shipping these sets to buyers will run about $15 and make them more difficult to sell. They are big and will weigh a bit. So, keep the edition size low and let people buy more of them. I bought 6 Cases of Lightning Storm McQueens last year. I had to ship them home via UPS which added $3 in additional cost/unit to my total cost. Again, people like myself and others feed the secondary market and help keep the collecting going strong. Don't over produce and don't hamper the secondary market makers.

Alternator Valley will Preview Mattel's Comic-Con Exclusive April 11, 2009! Subscribe and don't miss a thing!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Toys R Us, Comic-Con and Kmart Collectors Days

Today, I waited and waited for the green light to report some super cool things to you all, but unfortunately, I got stuck at a long red light. So, I'm simply going to tease you by saying that I will eventually tell you some potentially incredible news about Toys R Us! I'm waiting for some verification about the news. I may be able to discuss this story in the next few days.

I'll also tell you I should have some super stuff for you about Comic-Con! China is a bit behind on Mattel's Comic-Con exclusive. I expect to have some very nice things for you by the middle, to the end of next week.

Finally, I will have something for you about the Kmart Collectors Days! It is something good, but something you can't buy. What could it be?! You'll have to wonder and wait to find out!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Mater's Tall Tales 1:55th Release Schedule

See as a new day dawns, who knows what surprises today will bring! Today, I have the Scheduled Release dates for "Mater's Tall Tales" 1:55th die cast toys. As goes with Mattel, remember that this schedule could easily change!

Never Fear, Rescue Mater is Here!

Release Schedule for 2009

• 9/1/09 - Burnt Lightning McQueen (Rescue Squad Mater)
• 9/1/09 - Nurse Kori (Rescue Squad Mater)
• 9/1/09 - Nurse GTO (Rescue Squad Mater)
• 9/1/09 - Rescue Squad Trooper (Rescue Squad Mater)
• 9/1/09 - Orderly Pittys (Rescue Squad Mater)

• 10/1/09 - Pittys with Torches (Mater The Greater)
• 10/1/09 - Doctor Mater (Rescue Squad Mater)

• 11/1/09 - Padre (El Materdor)

• 12/1/09 - Doused Lightning McQueen (Rescue Squad Mater)

Release Schedule for 2010

Tokyo Mater and Kabuto who challenges him to a Drift Race!

• 1/1/10 - Dragon Lightning McQueen with Oil (Tokyo Mater)
• 1/1/10 - Kabuto (Tokyo Mater)

Dragon McQueen looking Fierce!

• 2/1/10 - Sedan Sensei with Mustache (Tokyo Mater)
• 2/1/10 - Godzilla Tuner (Tokyo Mater)

I haven't seen "Tokyo Mater," and am curious to see more of the characters from that great short! If the prototypes for the "Mater The Greater" samples I've already shown you are any indication, we've got some superb die casts toys coming! As an interesting tidbit for you to ponder..."Tokyo Mater" will introduce you to the most new characters of any "Interstitial!" Thus, my continued speculation that all these characters will lead us roaring into the..."THE GLOBAL RACE!" You can be assured I'll bring you the latest news and photos as I get them.

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Disney Pixar Cars - To Attend Comic-Con, or Not Attend...This is the Question

If you haven't been to the San Diego Comic-Con and you want to see Movie/TV Stars, weirdos, buy the hottest collectibles and enjoy the finest SoCal weather, then you should make a point of attending this year in July!

How do you decide if you want to attend the New York City Comic-Con? That's easy!! Do you want to freeze your butt off? I grew up in Boston and moved to Florida to escape the cold, so heck no! Is there going to be an exclusive Cars die cast being sold? Nope, and I'd probably just buy it on Ebay if there was one. Are there any huge stars making an appearance that you'd just have to see or die? Nope, not a single one! So, the answer is clear and simple...I'm skipping!

Remember, I reported that Mattel's Comic-Con Exclusive for this year will be Fire Engine Mater with Mia and Tia as Dalmatians (Check archives from 1/18/09)! This is the best picture you'll see until I get the real stuff from Mattel. By attending you get to pay retail, and you'll also get to preview all the upcoming releases that will be on display at the Mattel booth! July in San Diego delivers the finest weather you could want! Additionally, if you want to see Movie/TV Stars, you'll get them in abundance at the San Diego Comic-Con! Last year I saw Lucy Lawless, the cast of the Sara Connor Chronicles, Director Mc G and the cast of Terminator 4, and Director of The Shawshank Redemption, Frank Darabont! I missed Kiefer Sutherland, Hugh Jackman, Keanu Reeves and more! These are reasons to attend the San Diego Comic-Con! Believe me, you won't be dissapointed!

Mark Your Calender: Friday, February 5th I'll Preview Mater the Greater Prototypes! If you have yet to Subscribe to Alternator Valley, do so now and you'll be notified every time I publish another article!

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Disney Pixar Cars - SDCC 2009 Mattel Exclusive

Well, Martin spilled the beans about this year's San Diego Comic-Con Mattel Exclusive! It is going to be Fire Engine Mater with Mia and Tia as Dalmations! They will be done in the 1:55th scale. Mater is going to be totally "Plussed" with a red Rangsberg finish, a working telescoping ladder, and rubber tires! Mia and Tia will be dolled up in a white Rangsberg finish and be equally "Plussed" up! They'll come as a set and are expected to retail for $30.00. The edition discussed has 5000 as Comic-Con Exclusives, with another 5000 as MattyCollector.com Exclusives! Photos and the latest News will be posted as I get it!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Tokyo Drift May Be A Lead In To Cars 2 The Global Race

I told you I heard how incredible Mater's Tall Tales "Tokyo Drift" turned out! It may be the last interstitial, and a very important one. It may give us a clue as to a bridge between Cars and Cars 2! I heard it was a much longer Cars Toons episode at approximately five to six minutes long. This is twice as long as the first three. I was told it is the best of "Mater's Tall Tales!" I also heard it has dialogue that may indicate John Lasseter is using this as the bridge to "The Global Race" by taking us to Japan!

With this intriguing info, let me tell you a bit more...the die cast toys from "Rescue Squad Mater," "Mater The Greater," "El Materdor," and "Tokyo Drift" are expected to be part of the "MAINLINE." They are expected to start showing up in the summer next year. I've also heard we MAY see a NEW Collector Guide with Dragon Lightning McQueen (He's in Tokyo Drift), similar to the recently released Collector Guide with Night Vision Lightning McQueen! Yes, I wish I had pics of Tokyo Drift! For now, enjoy the news. Once I can post pictures, you can be sure I'll happily share them!

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