Welcome to the latest installment of my week-long series of “intereviews” with the line-up of the fourth wave of DC Universe Classics. My guest today is the bold and beautiful Princess Diana, a.k.a. Wonder Woman.
WW: Thank you.
Thank you, Princess. And let me add that it’s great to finally have the third member of the DC Universe Trinity in a 6″ figure from Mattel.
WW: Yes, it’s been a long time coming. But they’ve done a great job, I think. (more…)
While the line’s existence was announced months ago, DC Direct raised a few eyebrows this week when it released the first photos of its upcoming “History of the DC Universe” line. Inspired by the 1986 book by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, the figures are based on Perez’s art. The figures appear to share certain body parts, such as torsos and limbs, resulting in the inevitable conclusion by some collectors that this is DC Direct attempting to cash in on the popularity of DC Universe Classics. (More pics below the jump.)
The figures appear to have at least the following articulation: ball-jointed heads, shoulders, torso and perhaps even hips; swivels at the biceps, forearms, waist, and calves; and hinged joints at the elbows, knees [and wrists – update]. That’s a lot more than your average DCD figure–the only one I can think of having anything close to that is the 2003 Superman figure. (more…)
Welcome back to my week-long series of “intereviews” with the members of DC Universe Classics Wave 4. For those unfamiliar with the format, I basically pretend the figures are real and “interview” them, sneaking in my review in the process. Writing genius or borderline psychosis? You decide!
My guest today is Batman Beyond. BB, you’re an interesting choice for a DCUC figure, given that you were originally created for your eponymous cartoon and have only made a few brief cameo appearances in the DC comics universe. Why do you think you were added to the roster?
Well, I’m pretty popular among fans of the DC animated universe. And I did get a figure from DC Direct in their Superman/Batman line a couple years back, though it was a ‘roided-up Ed McGuinness version. And obviously there were tons of figures based on the cartoon.
But, if we’re going to be candid here, I suspect the real reason I got in is because I’m an easy retool. I’m the basic large male body with new head, belt, and forearm sculpts. (more…)
Welcome to the first of a week of “intereviews” with the members of DC Universe Classics Wave 4. My first guest is Captain Atom. Captain, please tell us a little about yourself.
Certainly. I was originally created by Charlton Comics in 1960. I was working on an experimental rocket when it exploded, atomizing my body but giving me superpowers that allowed me to re-form my body, in addition to many other powers. After DC Comics bought the rights to the Charlton characters in the early 1980s, I was re-introduced as an Air Force officer in the Vietnam War who had been framed for a crime I didn’t commit–shades of A-Team, no?–and rather than being executed, I was allowed to participate in an experiment that threw me into the future and gave me superpowers, including the ability to grow this nigh-invulnerable silver metal shell and to control energy. (more…)
I’m working on a week’s worth of what I’m going to call “intereviews” (clever, no?) of DCUC Wave Four, so instead I’ll just point you to a few things I found interesting over the last few days. (more…)
POE: Now that Mattycollector.com is here, is there any chance we might see a Halloween or holiday-themed figure or repaint exclusives at some point (DCUC, JLU, MOTUC etc.)?
MATTY: That is a cool idea, but nothing is planned right now to tie into any specific holidays. It is a bit tough to do that since most fans want a traditional version of Superman. If there is enough demand for Batman with a jack-o-lantern and Superman with a Santa hat we could certainly look into it (but honestly, we’d rather spend the tooling dollars on all new characters).
Any new estimate on when the Target-exclusive Movie Masters 6″ Batpod will start showing up? (more…)
We’re back with another round of Ask Matty!
POE: Was the entirety of DCUC series 3 produced before the transition to the new vendor’s factory?
Matty: Yes. Wave 4 is the first Wave from the new vendor.
At this point, how many body types are there for DCUC figures, and would it be possible to list them?
Lets see, we have male medium (Captain Atom, Black Manta, Atom, others), male small (Sinestro by default though a production error), parts of male teen (Robin, Kid Flash), large brute (Lobo, Despero), part of standard female (Wonder Woman and Harley), Male suit (Riddler, Clark Kent), and there may be another. We are still working on female teen, super thin male, large female, small female and a few other surprises.
What process is used to paint intricate details such as the logo on the Sinestro Corps’ Sinestro’s chest on production figures?
It is called “tempo” which is the same process we use on CARS and Hot Wheels to apply decals. It is essentially a computer created “sticker” that is heat sensitive so it sticks to the plastic to look like a paint op in the end.
Would Mattel consider creating a new BAF Doomsday, or is that unlikely since he’s already had a figure?
Definitely on our short list. (although we would likely use the same sculpt, just scale him up to size.
Now that Mattel has a working relationship with DC Comics, is there any possibility of new DC-produced Masters of the Universe comics?
Could be down the road but nothing is in the cards at the moment to announce quite yet.
ODD: I spent twenty minutes making a list of movie sequel subtitles before settling on this one. The things I do for you people!
END: October is Halloween Month at PGPoA, and I am so not ready. The site’s design is prepped, thanks to the hard work of Webmaster OB1 (sounds like one of those novelty geek rappers), but I’m having to work on bringing the mojo. But fear not, the mojo shall be brought, even if I have to draw it out with leeches. (more…)
Mattel’s Scott Neitlich, a.k.a. ToyGuru, put up a post and poll on ActionFigureInsider, asking collectors what the company should do regarding chase figures in DC Universe Classics.
Got a question for fans around the world on the chase figures we are doing in the DCUC line. It is no secret that across the toy industry costs have gone up, manufacturing has risen and the overall cost to bring a 6 inch figure to market has skyrocketed in the the last year.
We are hitting a snag on our chase figures and want to run a possible direction by the fan base to keep the chase figures going.
The chase figures (because of the low quantity) are really making it difficult to keep the line at a low price at retail. We are charged a premium by our vendors for low run figures (which is why SDCC figures cost more to the customer).
One direction we have thought of to keep chase figures in the line is to put the chase figures up on MattyCollector.com about 2-3 months after the wave hits retail at a premium price (about 30.00 a figure).
$30 a figure? Woof…that’s $10 more than most online retailers are charging for chase figures in the earlier waves, and $10 more than already-controversial price for Masters of the Universe Classics. (more…)
My review of the DCUC Lobo figure is up over at OAFE. Enjoy his hugeness.
