Now that there’s been a little bit of time to settle in after Comic-Con International, let’s take a look at some of the collector-minded revelations from Mattel (fear not, we’ll get to Hasbro soon). Thanks to MattyCollector for the images; you can find many more pictures at the Matty Facebook page.
For this collector, nothing made me happier than the news about the forthcoming DC Universe Classics Legion of Super-Heroes 12-pack. A massive undertaking that’s frankly unlike anything anyone’s attempted before, the set will be a MattyCollector.com exclusive next spring.
While I’m a bit disappointed that there’s only one female team member, I’m hopeful that it means that further sets are planned or that distinctive-looking individual members like Dawnstar or Blok (a perfect Collect and Connect candidate, really) can make it into the main line. On the plus side, the set comes with Proty. Can’t complain about that.
Let’s take it line by line. So, first line: Batman: The Brave & The Bold. The line continues with standard figures, a giant Proto Bat-Bot and several new Action League two-packs (which include previously unmade characters like Bronze Tiger).
On the Imaginext tip, kids will get to see Hawkman, Flash, Killer Croc (with fanboat), the Batboat, and an Oa playset (which includes Kilowog and B’Dg).
Justice League Unlimited continues at Target, once more mixing singles and three-packs. Three-pack highlights include Batman/Joker/Gray Ghost, Deimos/Warlord/Supergirl, Adam Strange/Animal Man/Starman, Golden Age Flash/GA GL/GA Hawkman, Blue Beetle II/Fire/Booster Gold, Guy Gardner/Martian Manhunter/Batman, Toyman/Aquaman (classic)/Superman, and Firestorm/Angle Man/Killer Frost. MattyCollector.com two-packs include Kalibak and Darkseid and a double-dose of army-builder Parademons.
The Action League brand will extend over to the DCU side with tiny two-packs featuring Superman/Bizarro, Batman/Joker, Firestorm/Black Lantern Firestorm, Green Arrow/Prometheus, Flash/Captain Boomerang, GL Hal Jordan/WL Sinestro, GL John Stewart/RL Atrocitus, GL Tomar Re/Sinestro Corps Low.
Mego-esque Retro-Action figures continue with waves available online and at TRU. Flash, Captain Cold, Wonder Woman, Cheetah, Captain Marvel, Black Adam, Martian Manhunter, and Darkseid make up the offerings. MattyCollector exclusives built around the GL movie include Sinestro Corps Sinestro and Guy Gardner.
For the DC Universe Classics line, there’s a lot of action this year and on into 2011. In addition to already-announced Waves 14 and 15, Mattel confirmed the Wave 16 line-up to be Azrael Batman, The Creeper, Dick Grayson Robin (with modern and classic versions), Jonah Hex, Mercury of the Metal Men, classic Riddler, and a Collect and Connect Bane. There will also be a Green Lantern subline, with the first assortment consisting of Kyle Rayner, Black Lantern Abin Sur, Sinestro Corps Mongul, Black Hand, Manhunter Robot, Sinestro Corps Low, Sinestro Corps Maash, and a Collect and Connect Arkillo.
For the most part, I’d have to say I’m happy with what we’re seeing. I really like the character selection in DCUC Wave 16, and the Green Lantern Corps is actually a nice surprise. JLU looks to be in good shape, so long as Target actually puts the damn things out.
Frankly, I could get behind more sublines for DCUC as long as it wasn’t overdone.
Over time, one of the biggest fan complaints about DC Direct’s line of figures was the lack of complete teams. It’s interesting to note that in DCUC’s relatively short life, they’ve put a lot of work into getting some big chunks of teams out there. By Wave 15, the seven original JLA members will be accounted for (most of the Satellite Era as well, though Mattel really needs to do a fan-friendly Atom re-release at some point, as well as the Perez-costumed Zatanna). Also by Wave 15, you’ll have the seven New Teen Titans from the original line-up (granted, Beast Boy needs to be in his Changeling outfit, but nevertheless, the characters will be there). You’ll also have about half each of the Metal Men and original Doom Patrol, two teams that DC Direct never even started. That’s not bad.
How about you, readers? Like what you see? What’s missing, in your estimation? Let’s hear it.
August 3rd, 2010 at 6:40 pm
For me, it’s JLI series 3. We’re still short of some figures, like Captain Marvel, Mister Miracle, Barda, Oberon, L-Ron, Max Lord and Guy Gardner.
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