The figures were called DownHill and Street Luge had MAGNETIC boards/feet a year before the Dudes got their own magnets. The Dudes released this year in 2000 were plug-feet and didn't roll.
SHOCKINGLY, these retailed for $10 a pop in 2000, single pack Dudes, Skate Crew, or Skumm figures never cost that much.
I think they're neat to check out since these more posable and traditional action figures serve as a prelude to the Tech Deck Dudes
DOWNHILL (2000) figures:
Biker Sherlock
Dave Van Bummel
John Dread
Street Luge Figures (2000)
Don "Waloo" Autry
Rat Billy
Beagle Jarvis
The card back for the figures
The line had a playset too: I think it has 2 exclusives making the total 8 figures.
Rodney is phasing into a different dimension.
I think these didn't last because they're generic. Who are these guys? They're not based on pro skaters, skate mascots, nor are they lively characters. They're just boring masked guys with random names that aren't memorable. X-Concepts kept making Tech Deck Dude crews following 2000. In fact, if the Downhill and Street Luge figures didn't introduce the magnetic feet concept, who knows if dudes would've gotten their iconic magnets after they ceased making Street Luge and Downhill action figures?
In the absence of Downhill/Street Luge, X-Concepts LLC started releasing SKUMM figures in 2001.
Tech Bike & Kart Figures (2001)
After Downhill and Street Luge, X-Concepts LLC tried to bring back the concept of articulated magnetic action figures as "Magnetic Riders", including them with Tech Karts or Bikes.
Tech Bike & MX Motorcross figures from the 2002 X-Concepts LLC catalog
I am unsure if these lines ever hit shelves:
I think these action figures didn't last long because nobody wanted a figure with their finger bike, kart, or board. The gimmick of the boards or bikes was to do tricks with your own hands. Therefore, the figures were left to the side.
By contrast, Tech Deck Dudes sold so well due to their personalities, people didn't care about the boards. The dudes, their expressions, and their cards were the key draw.
I think this is why X-Concepts LLC/Tech Deck decided to try the whole articulated action figure idea out one more time: including more personality, monsters, and masks into the concept...
SKUMM (2001-2002)
The third time's always the charm, right? Well, not really for SKUMM.
X-Concepts tried to tweak the 12 points of articulation figures and turn them into regular guys, robots, and monsters with helmets, streetwear, detachable heads. Cool concept compared to their bland predecessors.
This SKUMM Metal Mulisha figure is a KB Toys Exclusive with a genuine leather jacket and gloves.
He's the only SKUMM/magnetic action figure line collab or store-exclusive I've seen.
He retailed for six bucks but didn't come with any bikes, but they used the back to promote the Metal Mulisha Tech Bike and the X-Concepts BMX/FMX ramps.
In 2002, they tried to make SKUMM a hit toy line with a tie-in Comic Book Series and jousting Motorcross figures.
SKUMM Comic Book Mini-Series (2003)
Apparently, these came out in 2003 through a publisher called Digital Webbing. Here are the covers:
Issue #0
They even had variant covers:
Issue #1 (Variant A and Variant B)
Issue #2: (Variant A and Variant B)
Issue 3 (Variant A and B)
SKUMM Unreleased Prototypes (Probably from 2003?)
I found a lot on Worthpoint with SKUMM prototypes for a revamped version of the line. These never hit the shelves, as the toy line was likely deep in the red after low sales, a failed jousting line, and the unsold comic series which you can find complete for $5 now.These actually seem intriguing, dozens of detachable parts and weapons? Kids might've dug it.
Since these are unreleased, I have no idea how many they made of these.
X-Concepts LLC probably just cut their losses and stuck to their top sellers. The Tech Deck boards and bikes were still a smash hit, the Skate Crew mascot figures were selling like hotcakes, and the Tech Deck Dudes were about to evolve in 2003 and hit their peak over the next 1-2 years.
Since these are unreleased, I have no idea how many they made of these.
X-Concepts LLC probably just cut their losses and stuck to their top sellers. The Tech Deck boards and bikes were still a smash hit, the Skate Crew mascot figures were selling like hotcakes, and the Tech Deck Dudes were about to evolve in 2003 and hit their peak over the next 1-2 years.
So, why put these into mass production if the last series sat on shelves and the comics were low sellers?
SKUMM also had an unreleased playset as seen in X-Concepts LLC's 2002 catalog:
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