DC Direct
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
DC Direct[1] is the exclusive collectibles division of DC Comics, the Time Warner subsidiary that publishes comic books and licenses characters such as Superman and Batman. DC Direct produces statues, props, replicas and prints for the direct market, a distribution and retail network primarily serving comic book specialty stores. DC Direct produces a number of action figures for this market as well, most of which are produced in the 6 to 7-inch scale.
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[edit] Action Figure Line of Business
Beginning in 1998 with three figures based on characters from Mad Magazine, DC Direct has released several hundred figures based on popular and obscure characters based on properties published by DC Comics, including those under the Vertigo and Wildstorm imprints.
For the first several years, the most recognizable DC characters were not released. Other toy manufacturers had the licenses, and since those agreements predated the formation of DC Direct, there was no clause in the contracts to allow DC to make their own versions.[citation needed] DC Direct focused on lesser-known characters and comic series designed for mature readers such as The Sandman, Preacher, and Transmetropolitan. Since then DC Direct has increased its production of recognizable characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. Figures were first grouped at random, then thematically and now in official groupings that may be released over several years. The first three series, all released in 1999, had a variant for each figure, but the practice was quickly dropped. Of those figures, only the variant of Death has never been re-released.
While most figures have been released on blister cards, some have been available in boxes and a very few in clamshell packaging. There have also been several boxed sets featuring multiple characters or a character with a particularly large accessory.
Because DC Direct sells primarily to the comicbook specialty market, the figures ship to stores on predictable dates, a rarity for toys.
[edit] Action Figure Production History
[edit] 1998
- Alfred E. Neuman
- Black Spy
- White Spy
[edit] 1999
Series 1
Released March 17, 1999
- Golden Age Sandman
- Wonder Woman
- Swamp Thing
Series 2
Released September 1, 1999
- Death
- Jessie Custer
- Plastic Man
Series 3
Released December 1, 1999
- Sandman:Morpheus
- Starman
- Spider Jerusalem
[edit] 2000
Hard Travelling Heroes
Released February 9, 2000
- Green Lantern: Hal Jordan
- Black Canary
- Green Arrow: Oliver Queen
Preacher
Released May 10, 2000
- Cassidy
- Tulip
- Saint of Killers
Mystics, Mages & Magicians
Released August 16, 2000
- Dr. Fate
- Spectre
- Zatanna
- John Constantine
- Starfire
DC Speedsters
Released October 11, 2000
- Kid Flash: Wally West
- Impulse
- Max Mercury
DC Androids
Released November 1, 2000
- Amazo
- Hourman
- Tomorrow Woman
Justice Society of America
Released November 29, 2000
- Golden Age Starman
- Golden Age Green Lantern: Alan Scott
- Golden Age Flash
- Golden Age Wonder Woman
Boxed Sets
- Hawkman & Hawkgirl - June 28
- Tom Strong & Pneuman - September 6
- Captain Marvel & Billy Batson - September 27
- Big Barda, Mr. Miracle, & Oberon - November 22
- Sandman "Arabian Nights" & "Dream Hunters" - December 13
[edit] 2001
Legion of Super-Heroes Series 1
Released January 3, 2001
- Cosmic Boy
- Saturn Girl
- Lightning Lad
Teen Titans
Released Feb 7, 2001
- Cyborg
- Raven
Wonder Woman
Released March 14, 2001
- Artemis
- Ares
- Cheetah
Justice Society of America
Released April 4, 2001
- Golden Age Dr. Mid-Nite
- Golden Age Hourman
Justice League of America
Released June 6, 2001
- Martian Manhunter
- Red Tornado
Supernatural
Released June 20, 2001
- Deadman
- The Demon
- Spectre - Hal Jordan
Flash
Released July 25, 2001
- Captain Cold
- Mirror Master
Green Lantern Corps
Released August 1, 2001
- Sinestro
- Star Sapphire
Planetary
Released September 19, 2001
- Elijah Snow
- The Drummer
- Jakita Wagner
JLA Villains
Released October 3, 2001
- Eclipso
- Gorilla Grodd
Just-Us-League Of Stupid Heroes
Released October 17, 2001
- Alfred E. Neuman as Batman
- Alfred E. Neuman as Superman
Sandman
Released November 21, 2001
- Sandman: Daniel
- Delirium
- Desire
Justice Society of America
Released December 12, 2001
- Power Girl
- Wildcat
- Solomon Grundy
Boxed Sets
- Aquaman & Aqualad - January 31
- Darkseid & Orion - June 6
- Flash, Kid Flash & Cosmic Treadmill - July 4
- Silver Age Wonder Woman & Wonder Girl - August 22
- Lobo with Dawg & Cycle - October 17
- Golden Age Superman & Lois Lane - November 7
- Silver Age Green Arrow & Speedy - December 5
[edit] 2002
Green Lantern Corps
Released January 30, 2002
- John Stewart
- Tomar Re
Green Lantern Corps
Released February 13, 2002
- Kyle Rayner
- Fatality
Just-Us-League of Stupid Heroes Series 2
Released March 6, 2002
- Alfred E. Neuman as Green Lantern
- Alfred E. Neuman as The Flash
Shazam!
Released April 3, 2002
- Captain Marvel
- Black Adam
Fighting Forces
Released April 24, 2002
- Sgt. Rock
Justice Society of America
Released May 15, 2002
- The Shade
- Vandal Savage
Legion of Super-Heroes Series 2
Released May 15, 2002
- Brainiac 5
- Mon-El
Magic & Mystery
Released May 29, 2002
- Phantom Stranger
- Tim Hunter
- Mordru
Classic Heroes
Released June 19, 2002
- The Question
- Phantom Lady
- Uncle Sam
- Blue Beetle
The Authority
Released August 14, 2002
- Apollo
- The Engineer
- Jenny Sparks
- The Midnighter
Just-Us-League of Stupid Heroes Series 3
Released September 4, 2002
- Alfred E. Neuman as Green Arrow
- Alfred E. Neuman as Robin
Smallville
Released October 2, 2002
- Clark Kent
- Lana Lang
- Lex Luthor
Crime Syndicate
Released November 13, 2002
- Ultraman
- Superwoman
- Power Ring
- Johnny Quick
- Owlman
Boxed Sets
- Silver Age Superboy & Supergirl - August 7
- Mad Magazine 50th Anniversary - September 4
- Promethea and Sophie - September 18
- The Brave & The Bold #28 Gift Set - October 2
[edit] 2003
Legion of Super-Heroes Series 3
Released January 29, 2003
- Star Boy
- Sun Boy
- Ultra Boy
- Chameleon Boy
Green Lantern Corps
Released February 19, 2003
- Silver Age Hal Jordan
- Guy Gardner
- Effigy
Superman Series 1
Released March 19, 2003
- Superman
- Bizarro
- Brainiac 13
Superman Series 2
Released June 4, 2003
- Supergirl
- Cyborg Superman
- Doomsday
Kingdom Come Series 1
Released July 16, 2003
- Green Lantern
- Hawkman
- Superman
- Wonder Woman
Kingdom Come Series 2
Released November 19, 2003
- Batman
- Kid Flash
- Red Robin
- Shazam!
JLA Series 1
Released November 26, 2003
- Aquaman
- The Flash
- Green Lantern - Kyle Rayner
- Superman
- Wonder Woman
Exclusives
- ToyFare Kingdom Come Red Arrow
Boxed Sets
- Metamorpho - January 22
- Silver Age Batman & Robin - February 12
- Birds of Prey - March 5
- Classic Teen Titans - August 20
- Silver Age Batgirl & Joker - August 27
Super Friends Deluxe Sets
- Superman & Lex Luthor - April 2
- Wonder Woman & Cheetah - April 30
- Green Lantern & Sinestro - May 7
- Aquaman & Black Manta - May 21
- Batman & Scarecrow - December 17
- Robin & the Riddler - December 17
[edit] 2004
Kingdom Come Series 3
Released February 11, 2004
- Wonder Woman in Armor
- Deadman
- Magog
- The Flash
Legion of Super-Heroes Series 4
Released February 18, 2004
- Ferro Lad
- Timber Wolf
Japanese Imports Series 1
Released February 25, 2004
- Batman
- Robin
- Joker
- Harley Quinn
Superman Series 3: Return of Superman
Released April 14, 2004
- Superman in Recovery Suit
- Superboy
- Steel
- Eradicator
Hush Series 1
Released May 19, 2004
- Batman
- Poison Ivy
- Joker
- Huntress
- Hush
First Appearance Series 1
Released June 30, 2004
- Batman
- Wonder Woman
- Flash - Jay Garrick
- Shazam!
Legion of Super-Heroes Series 5
Released August 11, 2004
- Colossal Boy
- Invisible Kid
The Dark Knight Returns
Released August 25, 2004
- Batman
- Robin - Carrie Kelly
- The Joker
- Superman
Teen Titans Series 1
Released September 15, 2004
- Wonder Girl - Cassandra Sandsmark
- Robin - Tim Drake
- Deathstroke the Terminator
- Blackfire
Japanese Imports Series 2
Released September 22, 2004
- Batman
- Poison Ivy
- Penguin
- Riddler
First Appearance Series 2
Released December 1, 2004
- Superman
- Green Lantern - Alan Scott
- Robin - Dick Grayson
- Hawkman
JLA Series 2
Released December 1, 2004
- Firestorm
- Elongated Man
- The Atom
- Adam Strange
Hush Series 2
Released December 8, 2004
- Nightwing
- Catwoman
- Superman
- Harley Quinn
- The Riddler
Exclusives
- ToyFare "Hush" Jason Todd
Boxed Sets
- Silver Age Penguin & Catwoman - February 4
- Silver Age Batwoman & Batgirl - August 25
[edit] 2005
Kia Asamiya Imports Series 1
Released January 2005
- Batman
- Two-Face
- The Joker
- Catwoman
Teen Titans Series 2
Released March 2, 2005
- Superboy
- Kid Flash: Bart Allen
- Brother Blood
- Ravager
Green Lantern
Released March 16, 2005
- Hal Jordan
- Kilowog
- Ganthet & Guardian
- Black Hand
- Parallax
Justice Series 1
Released March 30, 2005
- Superman
- Superman Variant with red eyes and angered look
- Sinestro
- Cheetah
- Bizzaro
- Flash
Hush Series 3
Released April 20, 2005
- Stealth Jumper Batman
- Commissioner Gordon
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Ra's Al Ghul
- Scarecrow
First Appearance Series 3
Released May 25, 2005
- Composite Superman
- Nightwing
- Batgirl
- Riddler
Japanese Imports Series 3
Released June 29, 2005
- Batman
- Bane
- Batgirl
- Catwoman
Crisis On Infinite Earths Series 1
Released July 7, 2005
- Earth-2 Robin
- Psycho Pirate
- Supergirl
- Harbinger
- Monitor
Secret Files Series 1 - Batman Rogues Gallery
Released August 3, 2005
- Black Mask
- Mr. Freeze
- Killer Croc
- Man-Bat
- The Penguin
Superman/Batman Public Enemies Series 1
Released September 14, 2005
- Superman
- Batman
- Shazam
- Captain Atom
- Metallo
Justice Series 2
Released September 14, 2005
- Black Manta
- Parasite
- Aquaman
- Black Canary
- Batman
Kia Asamiya Imports Series 2
Released October 12, 2005
- Batman
- Evil Batman
- Harley Quinn
- Poison Ivy
Elseworlds Series 1
Released December 14, 2005
- Red Son Superman
- Red Son Wonder Woman
- Crimson Mist Batman
- Thrillkiller Batman
- Thrillkiller Batgirl
Exclusives
- Justice variant Superman retailer exclusive
- ToyFare Public Enemies Superman as Shazam
- ToyFare Emerald Shield Green Lantern
Boxed Sets JLA Deluxe Gift Set - September 7
[edit] 2006
The Long Halloween
Released January 5, 2006
- Batman
- Catwoman
- Joker
- Two-Face
- Mad Hatter
Secret Files Series 2: Unmasked
Released January 16, 2006
- Clark Kent / Superman
- J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter
- Joker / Red Hood
- Bruce Wayne / Batman
- Barbara Gordon / Batgirl
Identity Crisis Series 1
Released February 15, 2006
- Hawkman
- Green Arrow
- Zatanna
- Deadshot
- Dr. Light
Knightsaga/Knightfall
Released February 22, 2006
- Batman - Jean Paul Valley
- Mask of Tengu Batman
- Nightwing
- Bane
- Catwoman
Identity Crisis Series 2
Released March 15, 2006
- Batman
- Black Canary
- Elongated Man
- Flash
- Captain Boomerang II
Justice League Classified
Released April 5, 2006
- Wonder Woman
- Green Lantern
- Aquaman
- Flash
- Martian Manhunter
Looney Tunes Golden Collection Series 1
Released April 19, 2006
- "What's Opera, Doc?" Elmer Fudd
- "What's Opera, Doc?" Bugs Bunny
- "The Scarlet Pumpernickel" Sylvester
- "The Scarlet Pumpernickel" Daffy Duck
Justice Series 3
Released May 10, 2006
- Wonder Woman
- Green Lantern - Hal Jordan
- Plastic Man
- Joker
- Poison Ivy
Silver Age Superman Series 1
Released May 24, 2006
- Perry White
- Jimmy Olsen
- Lois Lane
- Lex Luthor
- Superman Robot and Beppo
Superman/Batman Series 2
Released June 21, 2006
- Supergirl
- Superman
- Batman
- Darkseid
- Corrupted Supergirl
JLA: The New Frontier
Released June 28, 2006
- Superman
- Green Lantern: Hal Jordan
- Blackhawk
- Wonder Woman
- Green Arrow
Crisis On Infinite Earths Series 2
Released July 6, 2006
- Robot Brainiac
- Anti-Monitor
- Flash: Barry Allen
- Earth-2 Superman
- Battle-Armor Lex Luthor
Looney Tunes Golden Collection Series 2
Released August 9, 2006
- "Baseball Bugs" Gashouse Gorilla
- "Baseball Bugs" Bugs Bunny
- "Scrambled Aches" Roadrunner
- "Scrambled Aches" Wile E. Coyote
Green Lantern Series 2
Released August 9, 2006
- Guy Gardner
- Salaak
- Sinestro
- The Shark
- Manhunter Robot
Elseworlds Series 2
Released August 23, 2006
- Red Son Batman
- Red Son Superman (old)
- Gotham By Gaslight Batman
- Kingdom Come: Spectre & Norman McCay
- Kingdom Come: Jade
Justice Series 4
Released September 6, 2006
- Hawkman
- Zatanna
- Solomon Grundy
- Shazam!
- Black Adam
Infinite Crisis
Released September 27, 2006
- Power Girl
- Alexander Luthor
- Superboy Prime
- OMAC
- Mongul
Looney Tunes Golden Collection Series 3
Released October 11, 2006
- "Water, Water Every Hare" Gossamer
- "Water, Water Every Hare" Bugs Bunny
- "Big House Bunny" Bugs Bunny
- "Big House Bunny" Yosemite Sam
Dark Victory
Released November 8, 2006
- Batman
- Robin/Penguin 2-Pack
- Commissioner Gordon
- Scarecrow
Re-Activated
Released November 22, 2006
- Superman
- Batman
- Wonder Woman
- Lobo
Crisis On Infinite Earths Series 3
Released December 6th, 2006
- Classic Batman
- Earth-2 Huntress
- Dr. Light II
- Superboy Prime
- Weaponer of Qward
Boxed Sets
- Superman/Batman Collector Set - June 21
- Superman Through the Ages - August 16
[edit] 2007
JSA
Released January 17, 2007
- Hourman - Rick Tyler
- Mr. Terrific - Michael Holt
- Hawkgirl - Kendra Saunders
- Dr. Mid-Nite - Pieter Cross
- Golden Age Atom (2-pack)
Justice Series 5
Released February 7, 2007
- Martian Manhunter
- Martian Manhunter clear variant
- Green Arrow
- Red Tornado
- Lex Luthor
- Brainiac
Superman/Batman Public Enemies Series 2
Released February 28, 2007
- Future Superman
- Nightwing
- Steel IV (Natasha Irons)
- President Luthor
- Hawkman
Elseworlds - Series 3
Released March 21, 2007
- Kingdom Come: Aquaman
- Kingdom Come: Nightstar
- Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl
- Elseworld's Finest: Batgirl
- Red Son: Green Lantern
Boxed sets
- Batman/Scarecrow: Fear - January 10
[edit] Scheduled Future Releases
Superman/Batman Series 4: With A Vengeance
Due April 11, 2007
- Batzarro
- Bizarro
- Superwoman
- Batwoman
- Batman Beyond
- Kryptonite Batman
First Appearance - Series 4: Brave New World
Due April 25, 2007
- Martian Manhunter
- The Atom
- Warlord
- Aquaman
- Blue Beetle with rumored variant
52 - Series 1
Due May 2, 2007
- Animal Man
- Batwoman
- Booster Gold
- Isis
- Supernova
Infinite Crisis - Series 2
Due May 16, 2007
- Superman
- Batman
- Firestorm
- Wonder Woman
- Donna Troy - Troia
- Donna Troy - Wonder Girl
Justice League of America
Due August 8, 2007
- Black Canary
- Black Lightning
- Red Arrow
- Superman
- Vixen
Justice series 6
- Armored Batman
- Armored Green Lantern
- Hawkgirl
- Scarecrow
Batman & Son
Due October 17, 2007
- Batman
- Damian
- Joker
- Ninja Man-Bat
- Robin
Shazam!
unscheduled
- Captain Marvel
- Mary Marvel
- Captain Marvel Jr.
- Dr. Sivana with Mr. Mind
- Billy Batson & Hoppy
Superman series 1
unscheduled
- Superman
- Bizarro
- Ursa
- Zod
New Frontier series 2
unscheduled
- Batman & Robin
- Flash
- Martian Manhunter
- Dr. Fate
All Star Batman and Robin
rumored
- Batman
- Robin
- Batgirl
- Joker
- Black Canary
Boxed sets
- Batman Through the Ages - Due March 28, 2007
- Justice - Due October 31, 2007
[edit] Unreleased
There was a proposed series of figures based on Alan Moore's classic Watchmen that never got past the prototype phase. Rumored to be schedule for release in July, 2001, a few of the figures were displayed at summer conventions: the Comedian, the Silk Spectre and Dr. Manhattan.[2] There were two different prototypes of Dr. Manhattan - one solid blue, one with a translucent chest. It is unclear if other characters such as Nite Owl, Ozymandias and Rorschach were to also receive figures.
The proposed figures were to be part of a 15th anniversary celebration of the miniseries. Moore and co-creator Dave Gibbons decided not to take part in any such anniversary, in part because of a long-standing dispute over merchandising over the series.[3] Moore has since pulled his creator-owned project The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen from DC due to creative control issues, and there is little reason to hope that the parties will resolve their differences sufficiently to produce these figures.
[edit] External links
- DC Direct website
- DC Direct toy reviews
- Paradise Bar & Grill DC Direct action figure serial
- Illusion News - Video Interview with DC Direct Reps
