Mattel has been making far sexier (and more expensive) dolls for many years. This is the first time they have out-and-out related their product to pinups, though (to my knowledge, that is). I think this is just a marketing gimmick, probably created to catch the attention of news shows and sites to remind us all that Barbies still exist (hey, it’s working already!) and now we too can own one of these “adult” dolls! They are probably feeling the heat from Fashion Royalty and Gene dolls and trying to recapture the attention of their more older customers.

That quote’s another good one, because it reminded me of what happened to Superman — from vigilante to supercop in a generation.

I think the real problem is if Mattel ever abandons it’s core market, girls, which is what comics have done. Then again, this part:

“She has gone from being a vaguely scurrilous revolutionary toy to being an authority figure,” says Lord. “Which is why she’s not as popular with kids as she is with many adults.”

Leaves me wondering if they’re already being abandoned by their core market.

Thanks for pointing to this, I always find different areas of fandom interesting.