Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Here’s Ask Diamond #40! :)

When can we expect announcements with respect to any boxed sets or two-packs in conjunction with the "Xander/Cordelia" wave?

We’ve announced all the box sets we plan to put out this year, so it will be a little while.

Could you please give us an updated release schedule for the regular line, deluxe line and playset for 2006?

Dawn & Glory two pack will be in stores 5/17. The rest of the Buffy/Dawn wave (including the Summers Family Album) is still on schedule for late May. Vampire Angel puppet is June. Deluxe Angel/Spike should be out for SDCC and Xander/Cordy out for Wizard World Chicago. The OMWF Tara bust is shipping in August and the Prom Buffy/Angel is September. I think that’s it for stuff we’ve put in Previews.

Does DST have any thoughts on and/or plans for completing "episode specific" sets of action figures?

We do what we can but if you mean what are the chances of going back and doing say OMWF Tara - chances are not good.

I know this has been asked, but why not a line a baddies?

Sales of secondary characters have not been strong and most of the villain sculpts are very unique, therefore very expensive.

Can you tell us again where DST stands on "Lesser Characters"? I mean I think characters like Jenny, Clem, and Kate would sell great if the sculpt was there?

We’ll do them if we can and if they make sense, however our research shows sales would be far from "great."

Was Joyce a sculpt or a scan?

Free sculpt - although every figure is a sculpt. Some just start from scans.

What’s Diamond’s view on Connecting Diorama Bases? (Such as the ones seen in the Charmed line). A possibility for future Buffy/Angel lines maybe?

No chance of something like Charmed - many of the current BTVS bases can be displayed together if you choose.

Are either a Passion [Giles/Jenny] or Band Candy [Giles/Joyce] 2-Pack on the cards for you at the moment?

Nothing on the schedule at this time.

Will the line after Xander/Cordy be featuring the wall bases?

Yes.

Hasbro has done polls for which fan choice figures would be made next for the Star Wars line. The choices range from well known characters to background characters. Has DST ever considered doing something like this?

We have no plans for an official poll, but we get e-mails and feedback from fans at shows.

Would Fred ever be a possibility for figures again? Or did problems with the Fred/Illyria figures put you off?

No plans right now for more figures of Fred.

Will the Deluxe Angel & Spike Bloody Chase variants be available to purchase from the DST Store, and if so, will they be offered individually or in a set?

We’re thinking in a set.

How long will it be until you announce the next line?

Sometime close to when Dawn & Buffy go on sale (so very soon)!

What was the reason behind making all the Tara’s exactly the same except for different colored outfits? Was it a money issue?

That sculpt was done by Moore Action Collectibles.

Will we ever get a Tara figure in a different styled outfit?

No plans right now for more Tara figures.

I was just in the DST online Store and I noticed that the Serenity figures are all sold out except for the Jayne prototype. Does this improve the chances for a second series?

Nope, it just means we sold some of the stock we had.

With the upcoming release of the Xander line, will you also release a human form of the "Wish" version?

Not planned at this time.

How many Willow busts do you have planned at this point?

More then one and less then four. :)

What is going to happen with the Initiative Xander figure?

We’ve tossed a few ideas around not 100% sure which we’re going with yet. We know how Buffy fans hate to hear the word "cancelled," so we have something in the works.

When will the next ornaments be announced?

We’ll announce sometime in the next month or so!

Are there any new details on the Bookends & Snow Globes?

Both are in for approval - how’s that for an update?

Would you ever consider making a Kendra figure at all?

Yup, she’s a favorite of mine to be sure!

Is the Hawaiian Angel and Spike Deluxe two-pack the only "Deluxe" two-pack or boxed set that is going to be released in conjunction with the Deluxe Angel and Spike series?

Yes.

Do DST employees get free figures?

Sometimes, yes!

Also, in light of the acc. request topic, if enough people requested a weapon chest pack, or just as an accessory, would that be a possibility?

We’ll see what the results are, but if lots of people put that down then of course we considered it.

 CMK