CrossGen is using an in-house toy group to develop board games, articulated statues, solid statues, busts, and other toy products based on its properties.  Some product prototypes were exhibited at the summer conventions, including a board game and a statue based on Mordath, the main villain from Sojourn. 

 

Mordath Statue Prototype

CrossGen CEO Mark Alessi lauded the prototypes.  'We wanted to do the front-end development ourselves,' he said.... 'There have been some pretty tremendous sculptors out there who have done some great work, and I've heard from many fans that this is comparable to the best that have ever been made. '

 

Alessi told us that talks are underway with Hasbro about moving forward on some of the products, but that he expects it to take some time for them to reach market.  'We think we'll have a break-out year in merchandising toward the tail end of 2004, if that's what it takes time-wise for production and packaging  and distribution and getting them out to the stores,' he said.  'And in 2005 I think we're going to scare the heck out of people.'