I foolishly skipped Mattel’s DC panel at SDCC this year. In my defense, in years past, it was usually a rehash of the DC portion of the Mattypalooza panel with some kid-oriented toys on top of that. I had no idea that this year they’d be announcing the demise of the spiritual successors of DC Universe Classics at retail, the Batman Unlimited and DC Unlimited lines, and that they’d be launching two new retail lines in 2014. Now that online retailers have put up their pre-orders for them, I’m getting my first real look at DC Total Heroes and DC Comics Multiverse.
DC Total Heroes is Mattel’s re-envisioning of 6-inch action figures for retail. Each of the four figures (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and Sinestro) from the first wave sports their New 52 looks, but veers from the DC Universe Classics aesthetic to a new, somewhat animated look. With a reduction in articulation and paint apps, Mattel was able to reduce the price point, with online retailers charging $12.99 per figure. That seems to be one of the key selling points of the new line.
Here’s the description for Superman – and you can insert the appropriate hero’s name for each of the others:
As part of the DC Total Heroes line, this Superman action figure features at least 14 points of articulation and stunning detail for an amazing price that won’t break the bank for collectors and young collectors alike! The 6-inch tall Superman action figure comes in a displayable blister card packaging that features comic-style artwork. Take home the Man of Steel for your collection today!
DC Comics Multiverse marks Mattel’s return to the 4-inch scale action figure, after DC Infinite Heroes was retired a few years back. The Multiverse, at least according to the first series of figures, is comprised of characters from the Batman Arkham City and Arkham Origins video games, making the “comics” in the line name somewhat of a misnomer. Also, I think it’s technically one universe since Origins is the prequel to Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, but I’ll assume this wave is themed and we’ll see other themes or even random universe colliding in this line.
The first series consists of Azrael, Mr. Freeze, and regular and armored versions of Batman from Arkham City, and Bane and Deadshot from Arkham Origins.
- DC Comics Multiverse at Entertainment Earth – $11.99 per figure
- DC Comics Multiverse at BigBadToyStore – $9.99 per figure
Here’s how Mattel describes the Arkham City Batman:
Geared for the adult collector looking for outstanding detail, it’s the DC Comics Multiverse Batman Arkham City 4-Inch Action Figure! This 4-inch tall articulated figure features Batman’s look from the video game Batman: Arkham City. The DC Comics Multiverse Batman Arkham City 4-Inch Action Figure offers a high level of detail, deco, authenticity, and articulation!
So, what do you think? I’m guessing there’s probably a Soapbox Sunday topic for these new lines.
Pitiful, just pitiful.