ComicMix at Toy Fair: DC Showroom Tour
Here at ComicMix, we’ve already shown you Mattel’s "Infinite Heroes" and other DC Universe products, but there were even more comics-inspired collectibles on display just a block away at DC’s showroom in New York City’s "Toy District".
From upcoming lines of Minimates, action figures inspired by classic stories and box sets to statues, busts and "trophy room" replicas, there was, well… a lot to absorb. Heck, they even had Superman’s Cape.
After the jump, check out our complete photo tour of DC’s showroom, including several characters receiving their first action-figure treatment in comics history!
First up are the DC Minimates, with Series 7 and Series 8 on display in the showroom. Series 7 will hit shelves next month and includes, among other characters, Lobo and Ambush Bug! According to DC, they’re calling quits on the Minimates line after Series 8, so there’s no telling what the future has in store for the miniature DC line.
One of the highlights of Series 8 is a two-pack with Sinestro and Green Lantern Saalak, who played a big role in the recent Sinestro Corps War storyline.
The "Batman: Secret Files" Series 3 line will include several notable villains, including this great "Hugo Strange as Batman" figure.
Upcoming themed box sets will feature characters from Batman: The Long Halloween, The Killing Joke and the Superman alternate-history tale Red Son. While most of these sets repackage earlier figures along a theme, the Killing Joke set will feature two brand-new figures created for the set.
Series 3 of the Green Lantern line will include a new Cyborg Superman figure, as well as one of my personal favorites: "Batman as Green Lantern."
Another highlight was this "Toyman" figure (pictured below) from Series 8 of the Alex Ross-designed line of figures based on his Justice miniseries. The line based on Justice is DC’s longest-running current seriesof figures.
Five years after the first line of smallville figures hit shelves, the second series is due out in May andincludes many of the television series’ "Justice "League" members.
Series 2 of the "New Teen Titans" line will include several characters long in demand by fans: Jericho and Terra, as well as an "unmasked" Deathstroke.
According to DC Direct’s Jim Fletcher, the difficulty in bringing the first wave of figures based on Jack Kirby’s New Gods tales was as follows: "How do we interpret Kirby and still keep it Kirby?"
In order to do so, designers of this brand-new line went so far as to include the Kirby-esque "squiggles" found throughout his character art in the actual sculpt of the figures. the attention to detail in these figures was actually very impressive, specifically in the alternate, unmasked "Extra Angry" head for the Orion figure.
The first series of "Dc Showcase" figures features the first appearance of Jonah Hex in .licensed action-figure form, as well as a Superman figure with a trio of alternate heads and hands. Want a "Big Brain" Superman? You’ve got it. Want "Ant Head" Superman? That one’s here, too. Why you would want them, I’m not sure — but they’re included.
Series 2 of the Darwyn Cooke-inspired "New Frontier" line will include a great Martian Manhunter figure, as well as another personal favorite of mine, Dr. Fate. You can read our review of Justice League: New Frontier here on ComicMix.
Series 2 of DC’s "Justice League of Maerica" line, based on the Brad Meltzer/Ed Benes ongoing storyline, will include new villain Dr. Impossible, as well as a nice Amazo figure.
DC’s line of 1:6 Scale "Deluxe Collector Figures" had quite a few worth noting, including Green Arrow, Bizarro Harley Quinn and a set of Green Lantern Corps characters.
This Green arrow figure comes with several dozen arrows, including the "Boxing Glove Arrow", of course.Sorry folks, the "Cat Arrow" will not be included.
Okay, so these figures aren’t actually for sale. They’re the models used to create each of the 1:6 Scale figures.
So, why did I include them?
Well, the models you’re looking at were used to create the Superman figures in earlier lines, and they even have "opposable spit-curls" — which I thought was worth pointing out.
And here are the Green Lantern Corps figures. According to DC, you won’t actually be able to buy them separately — each Green Lantern Corps figure will include four different, interchangeable heads for each member of the Corps pictured here.
Now we’re on to the statues and busts. Pictured below is the "JLA Build-A-Scene" statue. Each set of characters will include a piece of the Red Tornado statue pictured in the background.
Dc had heaps of statues and busts on display, including a great Wonder Woman statue flanked by 1:2 scale busts of Batman and Joker.
The last release of the "Women of the DC Universe" line will be The Huntress, pictured below.
The "Batman: Black and White" line of statues includes this statue based on Neal Adams’ Batman, as well as designs based on versions by Bob Kane, Frank Miller and George Perez.
Hawkgirl is the most distant release of DC’s "AME-COMI" vinyl statues that blend anime-style art with DC’s female superheroes and villains.
DC’s new "Trophy Room" line of products includes Superman’s Cape and Belt, which includes a hidden pocket "for your glasses"; Joker’s Cane, which includes a removable "gas pellet" and spray nozzle; and of, course, your very own, all-metal Bat Signal — for those times when you need to call in some support on your nightly crime-fighting rounds.
And yes, I couldn’t resist giving Superman’s Cape a little tug. That one’s for Jim Croce.
Oh, and don’t forget about this "Multi-Colored Kryptonite Display" — just in case Superman keeps foiling all of your diabolical plans.
Last, but certainly not least, is DC’s line of World of Warcraft figures, based on the uber-popular MMORPG.
Exelent!!!! is a nice exposition…