DC Universe (toyline)

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DC Universe sublines Fighting Figures (Harley Quinn vs, Batman pictured), Giants of Justice (Superman pictured) and Classics (Crime-Stopper Batman pictured

DC Universe is a toy brand manufactured by Mattel. It currently has four sub-lines - Classics, Fighting Figures, Giants of Justice, and Infinite Heroes, with the possibility that the Justice League Unlimited line will be integrated into it as their Animated sub-line.

Contents

[edit] History

The line's history can be traced back to 2003, with the start of Mattel's Batman line. That line was rebranded into DC Superheroes in late 2005, and those figures came with comics and dioramas rather than action features. Also, Superman characters were featured in DC Superheroes. Mattel was given the rights to produce all of the DC Comics characters on June 28, 2007. DC Universe Classics was first announced at San Diego Comic Con, with the first wave of action figures on display. The line was first available in January 2008. On Mattel's slide shows at SDCC, close ups of of the second wave of action figures was shown, along with a line of 3" game figures under the name 'Battleague' (which later on became the 'Fighting Figures' sub-line). The second wave of 'Classics' figures (and variants) were shown at Wizard World Chicago, alongside the first wave of figures. The third wave of figures were announced in October, 2007, with photos being shown in the December 12, 2007 issue of ToyFare magazine. The fourth and fifth waves were announced in full at the 2008 New York Comic Con, and three of the five (or six, if you count the Collect and Connect figure) were shown in 2-up form at Wizard World Philadelphia in May of 2008. More figures are due for reveal at the 2008 San Diego Comic Con.

[edit] Sub-lines

[edit] DC Universe Classics

This is considered by many to be the main line of DC Universe re-brand. These are 6-inch scale figures based on characters in the entire DC library, an expansion from previous Mattel lines that only allowed for the use of Batman, and later on, Superman characters. The entire line is sculpted by the Four Horsemen Studios.

[edit] Collect and Connect

In 2005, Toy Biz introduced the "Build-a-Figure" (referred to as a "BAF" in the collector community) to the Marvel Legends line. Each individual figure in the series was packaged with a piece of a larger figure. Mattel is emulating this pattern in the DC Universe Classics line as "Collect and Connect" with five separate pieces - one packed in with each of the five figures. Variant versions of figures include the same piece as the regular version. The goal is for the Collect and Connect figures to be around 25% larger than the basic figures. This is only a ballpark figure, though - the Collect and Connect figure's size will vary based on the character's needs.

[edit] Figures

As stated above, the first wave of figures were shown at San Diego Comic Con, while the second wave was shown at Wizard World Chicago. At the outset of the line, the figures were slated to come five to a wave (with variants thrown in when possible), with five waves per year for five years. These plans have been altered to include retailer and convention exclusives at various times throughout the year. Though the line has been criticized for its very limited inclusion of women (only two female characters appeared in the line's first five assortments), it has been confirmed that every wave from 2009 onward will include at least one of DC's leading ladies, and indications are that there are nearly no characters that are too obscure for incorporation in DC Universe Classics. This gives fans of characters like Black Canary, Elongated Man, Starfire, and Catman great hope that their favorite DC faces will have a great shot at making an appearance in the line.

[edit] Classics Series One - Rex Mason, the Element Man Series

Batman heads this first line of figures. The Penguin, Red Tornado, and Etrigan were originally supposed to have variants, which were scrapped at different times. The Penguin's chase robotic penguin accessories were dropped for cost reasons, while Red Tornado's modern costume and a repainted Etrigan to better reflect the art of Jack Kirby were skipped in favor of getting the second series out as soon as possible. Mattel is looking into ways to get modern Red Tornado released. For some reason, some of the Batmen are labeled "Crime Stopper," while others are dubbed "Classic Detective." It is unknown if this is a variant or a running change. Along the same lines, the first shipment of figures shows the classic Red Tornado on the back of the package, while the second shipments show the modern incarnation. Release: December 2007

The Collect and Connect figure for this wave is Metamorpho, labeled Rex Mason, the Element Man.

Number Figure Accessories Description Articulation First Release Collect and Connect Piece
1 Orion Astro Harness Classic 21 points Series 1 Right Leg
2 Crime Stopper or Classic Detective Batman Grappling gun, batarang Blue and gray, yellow oval 21 points Series 1 Right Arm
3 The Penguin Umbrella Classic 18 points Series 1 Head and Torso
4 Red Tornado Snap-on tornado Classic 21 points Series 1 Left Arm
5 The Demon, Etrigan Classic 21 points Series 1 Left Leg

[edit] Classics Series Two - Gorilla Grodd Series

The electric-costume Superman from the late 1990s anchors this second assortment of figures. There are three characters with two versions each; the Supermen variants will be packed at a 50:50 ratio, while the modern Aquaman will be packed at a smaller ratio to the classic incarnation. The Firestorms will be done as a running change, with classic showing up in the first shipments and modern coming in later shipments. Release: March 2008

The Collect and Connect for this wave is Gorilla Grodd.

Number Figure Accessories Description Articulation First Release Collect and Connect Piece
1 Firestorm Atomic/molecular structures Jason Rusch 23 points Series 2 Right Leg
1 Firestorm Atomic/molecular structures Ronnie Raymond 23 points Series 2 Right Leg
2 Aquaman, King of Atlantis Trident Orin (Classic) 23 points Series 2 Right Arm
2 Aquaman, King of Atlantis Trident Arthur Joseph Curry (Modern) 23 points Series 2 Right Arm
3 Harley Quinn Mallet and gun Classic 23 points Series 2 Head/Torso
4 Superman Snap-on electric bolts Superman Blue variant 23 points Series 2 Left Arm
4 Superman Snap-on electric bolts Superman Red variant 23 points Series 2 Let Arm
5 Black Manta Trident and stun-gun Classic 23 points Series 2 Left Leg

[edit] Classics Series Three - Solomon Grundy Series

Hal Jordan heads this third line of figures. Nightwing and Robin are redone in this third series after both previously having had figures when the line was DC Superheroes. The previous representations of these two characters were not sculpted by the Four Horsemen. The series was first seen in the December 12, 2007 issue of Toyfare.

The Collect and Connect for this wave is Solomon Grundy.

Number Figure Accessories Description Articulation First Release Collect and Connect Piece
1 Sinestro Lantern Classic 23 points Series 3 Right Leg
1 Sinestro Lantern Sinestro Corps 23 points Series 3 Right Leg
2 Deathstroke the Terminator Gun, sword, bo staff Classic 23 points Series 3 Right Arm
2 Deathstroke the Terminator Gun, sword, bo staff Slade Wilson unmasked 23 points Series 3 Right Arm
3 Nightwing Escrima sticks Modern 23 points Series 3 Head/Torso
4 Robin Bo staff, batarangs One Year Later costume 23 points Series 3 Left Arm
5 Green Lantern Lantern Classic Hal Jordan 23 points Series 3 Left Leg

[edit] Classics Series Four - Despero Series

Wonder Woman anchors the fourth wave of figures. Toy Fair 2008 saw the unveiling of her and Cyborg. The rest of the lineup was unveiled at New York Comic Con 2008. Mattel made good use out of its acquisition of the rights to the Charlton characters in a move that surprised fans.

The Collect and Connect for this wave is Despero.

Number Figure Accessories Description Articulation First Release Collect and Connect Piece
Wonder Woman Axe, shield, and spear Classic 21 points Series 4
Wonder Woman Bow, arrow belt Artemis variant 21 points Series 4
Cyborg Laser, sonic blaster, and claw attachments Classic 21 points Series 4
Captain Atom Classic 21 points Series 4
Captain Atom Kingdom Come variant 21 points Series 4
Batman Beyond Batarangs Classic 21 points Series 4
Ares Sword, Spear, Mace and Axe Classic 21 points Series 4

[edit] Classics Series Five (Wal-Mart Exclusive) - Metallo Series

A surprise announcement at the 2008 New York Comic Con was that not only would Wal-Mart begin carrying DC Universe Classics figures starting with wave three, but that they would receive a store exclusive wave in August 2008.

The Collect and Connect for this wave is a meched out Metallo. According to the Four Horsemen's panel at Wizard World Philadelphia, Metallo was originally sculpted to be part of DC Superheroes but was held back when Mattel was awarded the full license to the DC library.

Number Figure Accessories Description Articulation First Release Collect and Connect Piece
Atom Ray Palmer 21 points Series 5
Amazo Classic 21 points Series 5
Black Lightning Modern 21 points Series 5
Eradicator Reign of the Supermen 21 points Series 5
Riddler Question mark cane Hush-inspired 19 points Series 5

[edit] Classics Series Six - Kalibak Series (tentative)

Though no pictures have been seen outside of Mattel's New York Comic Con presentation as of yet, it has been confirmed that the sixth wave will go to all major retailers and contain several much-anticipated characters. On May 26, 2008, a picture surfaced of a figure of Kalibak. Given one of the other characters revealed for this wave, it seems very possible that he will either be included in the wave as a standard figure or as the Collect and Connect figure. For now, we will refer to him as the Collect and Connect until other information is provided.

Number Figure Accessories Description Articulation First Release Collect and Connect Piece
Hawkman 21 points Series 6
Mr. Miracle 21 points Series 6
Superman Recovery suit, mullet 21 points Series 6

[edit] Classics Exclusives

[edit] San Diego Comic Con

The first ever DC Universe Classics exclusive figure was announced at the 2008 New York Comic Con. It was none other than the main man himself, Lobo. He will only be sold at the Mattel booth at the 2008 San Diego Comic Con. His inclusion in the line had been in question for quite some time, as DC Comics did not feel as though he was a character they would want in a mass market toy line, due to his persona in the comics.

Figure Accessories Description Articulation First Release
Lobo Chain, dog, gun Dreadlocks 21 points SDCC 2008

[edit] Toys Я Us Two-Packs

Because of poor distribution when DC Universe Classics was still DC Super Heroes, many fans did not get a chance to even see (let alone purchase) several of the figures offered. As a solution, Mattel will be releasing, exclusive to Toys Я Us, two-packs that will give collectors a way to purchase the figures without breaking the bank - and they will sometimes include a brand new figure in with an older one, as an added bonus. Two waves have been confirmed for 2008, with only one of the waves having been revealed thus far.

Wave One

Figures Accessories Description Articulation First Release
Azrael and Batgirl Both re-releases 21 points DC Super Heroes
Orion and Lightray Removable helmet (Orion) Classic 21 points Two-Packs, Wave 1

[edit] Comparisons to Super Powers

Often considered to be the greatest mass-market DC Comics-based line of action figures ever produced, Kenner's Super Powers toys have largely stood the test of time. Debuting in 1984 and lasting for 34 figures over the course of three waves, it has been the benchmark that all DC-based toylines are compared to. Approximately ten years after Super Powers' untimely end, Hasbro offered Batman Total Justice, a collection of impossibly preposed, barely articulated modern interpretations of DC characters, which ultimately fell flat with collectors. Mattel created figures based on the popular Justice League Unlimited cartoon series and produced over twice as many characters as Super Powers, but the designs were not comic-based. Both of these lines had been compared to Super Powers but neither was able to capture the essence of the ultimate DC Comics line.

DC Universe Classics takes much of its inspiration from Super Powers, from character choices to their general looks. At this time, nineteen of the Super Powers characters have been recreated for DC Universe Classics and DC Superheroes, and though several of the Super Powers figures will not likely be reproduced (Cyclotron, Golden Pharaoh, and Samurai among them), DC Universe Classics will offer additional characters - at the very least, more female figures are being produced than Super Powers offered back in the '80s - which will more than make up for these oversights.

[edit] DC Universe Fighting Figures

These are 3-inch scale figures with identical sculpts to the 6-inch figures with limited articulation, display stands and action features and/or weapons. These were previously going to be called Battleague figures and marketed as game figures but were later on consolidated into the DC Universe line as collectible figurines. It has been speculated that this line will no longer be shipping to make room for Infinite Heroes.

[edit] DC Universe Giants of Justice

While the Fighting Figures are half the size of the main line. These are double-sized versions of characters previously released as 6" figures. It is a continuation of the Mattel 12" Batman and Mattel 12" DC Superheroes line.

[edit] Giants of Justice Series One

The first Giants of Justice were released practically unannounced. As soon as the line was mentioned by Mattel, they were already showing up in Toys R Us locations and eBay.

Figure Description
Batman Costume repainted grey and blue
Killer Croc Classic
Superman Classic

[edit] DC Universe Infinite Heroes

This newly announced addition to the DC Universe stable takes characters that would appear in the flagship Classics line and puts them at a more collectible 3.75-inch scale. The indication as of now is that the figures will be available both as singles and three-packs, with quite an array of characters already on tap (early statements from Mattel put the total character count for 2008 at around forty-five figures). Recent word from Mattel is that there will be several six-packs, as well as retailer exclusives. One of these six-packs is rumored to contain characters from the Green Lantern mythos, while the other is said to revolve around Gotham City. However, Mattel has also stated that they are trying to make sure that the characters included in the Infinite Heroes line are not included in the Classics line in the same year to avoid having multiples of the same character on the shelves at once.

[edit] Wave One

As of now, the first wave of figures (set to hit shelves in August 2008) contains the following characters:

[edit] Singles

[edit] Three-Packs

[edit] GCPD

[edit] Flash Rogues

[edit] Upcoming Figures

Other figures that have been seen in prototype form or read about in case breakdowns include:

  • Batman
  • Batwoman
  • Bizarro
  • Black Canary
  • Black Lightning
  • Captain Marvel
  • Catwoman
  • Dr. Fate
  • Green Arrow
  • Hal Jordan
  • Hawkman
  • Jay Garrick
  • Killer Croc
  • Lex Corp Goons
  • Power Girl
  • The Question
  • Scarecrow
  • The Spectre
  • Star Sapphire
  • Supergirl
  • Thanagarian Soldiers
  • Wildcat
  • Wonder Girl

[edit] See also

Mattel
Batman
DC Superheroes

[edit] External links

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