The themes did well enough. But by VvV, they WERE losing steam. It's hard to say what the problem was. It'd be real easy to blame the buyers but the big Corporations had a lot to say in how ALL the themes were marketed. THere were conspiracy theories like, "Walmart purposely bought up Wave6 of VvV (the elusive Torch wave) and they made sure Hasbro did a stupid theme so they could make way for the CORPS figure which cost less but turn around a larger profit FOR Walmart."

I never figured out the theme thing until VvV when everyone on JBL was talking about 'themes' and hasbro wanted to churn a theme out every year (or two). That's when I realized Spy Troops and JvC were JUST a theme (just as S6/Robot Rebellion were). It's hard to say what is considered successful in Hasbro terms. Were the small joes REALLY floundering?

The rescaling of Sigma6 was another Big3 move as well as Hasbro's to get more kids into it. Unfortunately, the bottom dropped out when the cartoon was pulled.

DTC was pretty much a disaster in every way possible. Sure, the figures were half-half in terms of design and quality, but online-only??? That was an exercise for Hasbro to see if the so-called 'adult fanbase' CAN support the line. The answer is NOPE.

It's hard to say NOW just how much stroke the Big3 have with Hasbro. I feel that it's lessened somewhat with the several online store offerings (the enviromental packs, for example).

As for the movie toys, I'm guessing it's geared for the kids. It'll sound LAME on my side, but if my vehicles can't shoot a rocket or something, it's kinda boring. I got spoiled with the coolness of the NAC and Thunderwing firing away it's rockets. Then to go back to a re-release pink Conquest or Bronze Rattler and it's like, 'meh'. That's just how I feel on it and I'll have to duck fast to evade those tomatoes you guys are ready to sling!

IF you guys looked at the offerings that Hasbro is doing for the movie, you'll see there'll be backpacks, costumes (adult and kid), shoes, hats, Battleship, Monopoly, and a ton of other toy tie-ins. Hasbro is going all out on this one. I just hope it works.