Raven Wins ToyFare DC Universe Classics Fan Choice Poll

When the news of Raven winning the DC Universe Classics fan poll, guaranteeing her a spot in wave 15 next year, here were my initial thoughts:

The more I think about it, fan polls in which toy companies guarantee they’ll make the winner(s) don’t serve any purpose other than generating hype. When the companies pick who goes on the poll, they only pick guys that they would make anyways – otherwise, what happens if a character who can’t be made wins?

Then, fans of the ones who don’t win get disappointed because they know that their choices can’t get made before the winner, since that would negate the overall fan choice. And then there’s always the risk that the losers will never get made, based on how they did in the poll, when the poll is already stacked with the companies’ choices.

Of course, I’d feel differently if Catman won the first poll and Toyman won the second. 😀

After posting the ToyFare and Hasbro Star Wars fan poll news earlier, I was glad to see a poll where the majority of choices ended up getting made.  Let’s hope for the same with the recent polls from Mattel and Hasbro.

FansChoice_RavenDC Universe Fan Choice Announced

And the winner is…

My friends at ToyFare magazine ran a poll asking fans to help decide which character Mattel should add to the DC Universe Classics line. The votes have been tallied and the reader choice is:

Raven

Fans chose between Raven, Freddy Freeman, Toyman, Geo-Force, Libra, and Uncle Sam. Raven won by a landslide, so she joins DCUC Wave 15 in Winter 2010. To find out which competitor Raven beat by a two-to-one margin, pick up issue #148 on newsstands now!

—Matty

via MattyCollector.com Online Store.

DC Direct November Solicitations

DC Direct has sent over new pics and descriptions for items arriving in stores in the coming months. That Detective Comics box set, including figures and comics, may be hard for me to pass up.

harley.jpgww.jpgzatanna.jpgCOVER GIRLS OF THE DC UNIVERSE: HARLEY QUINN STATUE
DESIGNED BY ADAM HUGHES • SCULPTED BY JACK MATHEWS

The Joker’s love, Harley Quinn, is the latest statue to join the insanely popular COVER GIRLS OF THE DC UNIVERSE statue series! Due to the overwhelming success of this series, DC Direct specially commissioned fan-favorite artist Adam Hughes to design this statue.

Harley is posed wearing her trademark harlequin outfit and is holding an oversized mallet. And she is the perfect companion to the next statue in the series, Poison Ivy!

Hand-painted, cold-cast in porcelain and measuring approximately 9.5” high x 5.5” wide x 4.25” deep, this statue includes a 4-color Certificate of Authenticity and is packaged in a 4-color box.

Limited Edition. Manufactured to order.

Advance-solicited; on sale June 9, 2010 * Statue * $99.99 US

Additional stock of these in-demand statues will arrive in stores by year’s end!

Cover Girls of the DC Universe: Zatanna Statue
JAN090300
On sale December 16, 2009 * Statue * $99.99 US

Cover Girls of the DC Universe: Wonder Woman Statue
NOV080248
On sale December 16, 2009 * Statue * $99.99 US


BM.belt.jpgJLA TROPHY ROOM: BATMAN (MODERN) UTILITY BELT PROP REPLICA

The latest addition to the JLA TROPHY ROOM is one of the most recognizable and important parts of Batman’s costume – his modern utility belt!

This prop replica of Batman’s belt is made of faux-leather, includes eight pouches with real, working high-gloss gold snaps with Batman logo emblems and a real, working gold-plated metal buckle with a Batman logo emblem.

In addition to a Certificate of Authenticity, a metal display shelf on which the belt can be mounted is included, along with mounting hardware.

This mixed-media prop replica belt measures approximately 38” long, and the display shelf measures approximately 7.25” high x 22” wide x 5.25” deep.

Limited Edition. Manufactured to order.

* Batman’s (Modern) Utility Belt is a prop replica ONLY and is not meant to be worn.

Advance-solicited; on sale June 9, 2010 * Prop Replica * $350 US


det.comics.box.set.jpgDETECTIVE COMICS BOX SET
Five of Gotham City’s most colorful figures are collected in this special action figure box set, in both 3D and comics forms!

A 64-page original collection of classic stories featuring Batman, Robin, Batgirl, The Riddler and Bat-Mite is packaged along with an action figure of each character. The stories included in the special DETECTIVE COMICS CLASSICS book are “The Riddler’s Prison-Puzzle Problem!” from DETECTIVE COMICS #377, “Tall, Dark, Handsome – and Missing!” from DETECTIVE COMICS #384, “Hunt for the Helpless Hostage!” from DETECTIVE COMICS #385, “The Invader from Hell!” from BATMAN FAMILY #1, and “Bat-Mite” from WHO’S WHO: THE DEFINITE DIRECTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE #2.

Advance-solicited; on sale June 23, 2010 * Box Set * PI


sinestro.neon.jpgSINESTRO CORPS MINI NEON SIGN

Bring the excitement of BLACKEST NIGHT into your home or store with this affordable mini neon sign featuring the Sinestro Corps’ yellow emblem!

The adjustable base unit can sit on a tabletop or be mounted to a wall.

Powered by a plug-in, UL-adapter, the sign itself measures approximately 9″ wide x 8″ high and has a base measuring approximately 5.5” in diameter. Packaged in a 4-color box.

Advance-resolicited; on sale June 9, 2010 * Neon Sign * $89.99 US


GLring.jpgGREEN LANTERN HONOR GUARD RING PROP REPLICA

Don’t miss out on this exciting new metal ring prop replica, inspired by the contemporary design of the rings worn by the exclusive Honor Guard of the Green Lantern Corps!

Cast in silver metal with a green enamel inlay, the ring also features decorative ridges around the band. The ring comes packaged in a two-part box foil-stamped with the Green Lantern logo and with protective foam inside.

Available in a men’s ring size of 11, although the ring is a prop replica ONLY and is not meant to be worn.

Limited Edition. Manufactured to order.

Advance-solicited; on sale June 30, 2010 * Prop Replica * $35 US


GLmulti.jpgGREEN LANTERN: LEGACIES MULTI-PART STATUE:
PART 3: JOHN STEWART AND GUY GARDNER

SCULPTED BY MIKE LOCASCIO

This multi-part statue is a must-have for Green Lantern fans! Green Lanterns from different eras appear together on a Lantern-shaped base, along with their predecessors, the Manhunters, as well as the Guardians of the Universe.

The statue is made up of four separate pieces (sold in three parts), which form a single statue.

Solicited this month is Part 3 of the multi-part statue, featuring John Stewart and Guy Gardner, two fan-favorite Green Lanterns who stood in for Hal Jordan before becoming members of the Corps in their own rights. This part of the statue follows Part 1, featuring Hal Jordan and both classic and modern versions of the Guardians of the Universe, and Part 2, featuring Kyle Rayner and an original Manhunter robot.

The bases of each piece slide together to form a Lantern-shaped base, on which all of the characters stand. Each of the three parts includes a piece of the fourth portion of the statue, which can be easily assembled to form Alan Scott, who rises up from the center of the piece. All three parts of the statue are needed to make Alan Scott.

Part 3 of this statue measures approximately 10” high x 10.5” wide x 5.5” deep, while the entire multi-part statue measures approximately 16” high x 10.5” wide x 11.75” deep when fully assembled.

The GREEN LANTERN: LEGACIES MULTI-PART STATUE is limited-edition, hand-painted, cold-cast in porcelain, includes a 4-color Certificate of Authenticity and is packaged in a 4-color box. Manufactured to order.

Advance-solicited; on sale June 30, 2010 * Statue * $195 US


hdcu.group.jpghdcu.ca.jpghdcu.ko.jpghdcu.mm.jpghdcu.sm.jpgHISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE SERIES 4 ACTION FIGURES
BASED ON THE ART OF GEORGE PEREZ

DC Direct presents the fourth series of HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE action figures, featuring four more fan-favorite characters!

All based on art from George Pérez’s seminal HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE comic book, the figures included here are Silver Age Martian Manhunter; Captain Atom in his original blue and red costume; Kobra in his original costume; and Superman as Nightwing, from Superman’s time in the Bottle City of Kandor, when he took on the alias of Nightwing.

Includes:

Captain Atom • 6.75” h
Superman as Nightwing • 6.75” h
Martian Manhunter • 6.75” h
Kobra • 6.75” h

4-color blister card packaging.

Advance-solicited; on sale June 16, 2010 * Action Figures * PI


raven.jpgWOMEN OF THE DC UNIVERSE 3: RAVEN BUST
DESIGNED BY AMANDA CONNER
SCULPTED BY JACK MATHEWS

New Teen Titans member Raven is the latest character to join the popular WOMEN OF THE DC UNIVERSE bust series! Raven appears as her mysterious, hooded self in this rendition from illustrator Amanda Conner.

The Raven Bust has a base identical to that of fellow Teen Titan Wonder Girl from Series 2 of the WOMEN OF THE DC UNIVERSE bust line.

This hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain bust measures approximately 5.75” high x 3.5” wide x 4.25” deep and is packaged in a 4-color box.

Limited edition. Manufactured to order.

Advance-solicited; on sale June 2, 2010 * Bust * $60 US


wow.coins.jpgWORLD OF WARCRAFT HORDE COLLECTIBLE COIN SET

Whether looting dead mobs or completing a quest, now is the time to hold and horde solid precious metal coins from the game in your hand.

All three coins included in this special World of Warcraft collectible set are plated in precious metals, and each coin features a Major Horde Leader on one side and the leader’s corresponding city on the opposite side.

The 24 karat gold-plated coin features the Orc Warchief: Thrall of Orgrimmar and measures approximately 1.625” in diameter. The sterling silver-plated coin features the Forsaken Queen: Lady Sylvanas Windrunner of Undercity and measures approximately 1.375” in diameter. And the copper-plated coin features the Tauren High Chieftain: Cairne Bloodhoof of Thunder Bluff and measures approximately 1.25” in diameter. All coins are approximately 0.125” thick and are removable from the box. A non-removable commemorative metal plaque with the Horde emblem is also included.

Ready to be displayed on a desktop or wall, the set is presented in a black, hinged wooden box with a glass window and a flocked, vacu-formed tray. The box measures approximately 6.25” wide x 3.25” deep x .75” high. The product is packed in a protective self-shipper.

Limited Edition. Manufactured to order.

Advance-solicited; on sale June 23, 2010 * Collectible Coin Set * $69.99 U.S.


WORLD OF WARCRAFT ALLIANCE COLLECTIBLE COIN SET

Whether looting dead mobs or completing a quest, now is the time to hold and horde solid precious metal coins from the game in your hand.

All three coins included in this special World of Warcraft collectible set are plated in precious metals, and each coin features a Major Alliance Leader on one side and the leader’s corresponding city on the opposite side.

The 24 karat gold-plated coin features the Human Military Leader of the Alliance: King Varian Wrynn of Stormwind and measures approximately 1.625” in diameter. The sterling silver-plated coin features the Dwarven King: Magni Bronzebeard of Iron Forge and measures approximately 1.375” in diameter. The copper-plated coin features the Night Elf High Priestess: Tyrande Whisperwind of Silvermoon and measures approximately 1.25” in diameter. All coins are approximately 0.125” thick and are removable from the box. A non-removable commemorative metal plaque with the Alliance emblem is also included.

Ready to be displayed on a desktop or wall, the set is presented in a black, hinged wooden box with a glass window and a flocked, vacu-formed tray. The box measures approximately 6.25” wide x 3.25” deep x .75” high. The product is packed in a protective self-shipper.

Limited Edition. Manufactured to order.

Advance-solicited; on sale June 23, 2010 * Collectible Coin Set * $69.99 U.S.

Ghostbusters, MOTU Classics, and Dark Knight Figures On Sale October 15

It’s a big day on Thursday on Mattycollector.com. Five items go up on sale at Noon EST:

While you’re there, why not order one of the DC Universe Classics 2-packs?  Mattel recently announced in one of the Ask Matty Q&As that the Animal Instincts 2-pack in December will be the last.  I can only conclude that the earlier 2-packs, Space Heroes and Battle for Earth 3, haven’t performed as well as they’d like, since they’re both still available.  If you’ve been on the fence, show some support and maybe we can get Mattel to continue making DCUC 2-packs with more obscure characters!

Good luck on Matty tomorrow!

DCD Blackest Night Series 1 Preview – Newsarama

Newsarama has a preview of the first series of DCD’s Blackest Night figures, due at your local comic book stores next Wednesday.  Although I’ve only cherry-picked DCD in the past, I may be picking up all of these.  I’m a sucker for Green Lantern stuff, and while my primary collection is DC Universe Classics, it helps that these are all aliens, making scale differences forgivable.

I really think that this is going to be a big winner for DC Direct. There’s obvious visual appeal, there’s the popularity of the current story, and there’s the fact that it digs deep in support of the universe. Newer characters abound, and Arisia gets represented in the third assortment. If you’re into DC Direct overall, you’re going to want these. If you’re really into Blackest Night, you’ll probably want these. Things may be dark in the DCU, but it looks pretty bright for DCD in the near term.

via Blog@Newsarama » Blog Archive » Super-Articulate: DC Direct Blackest Night Series 1 Advance Look.

The Batman Vault by Running Press

900627_press06-001

Alright, this isn’t quite an action figure, but I’ll make an exception for one of the characters that helped make me an action figure collector. The Batman Vault looks like it’s tailor-made for the Bat-fans out there, me included! When I was a kid, a very long time ago, I had a mask much like the one in the bottom center of the picture above. I wore it so much that it smelled of my saliva. Ah, memories!


Sideshow Collectibles proudly presents ‘The Batman Vault‘ by authors Robert Greenberger and Matthew Manning. Jump in the Batmobile and get ready for a wild ride–this is a complete and in-depth look at the development of America’s most popular super hero. From his vigilante days to his television stardom, from Dark Knight to mentor, this memorabilia- and anecdote-packed collection follows the masked man on his crime-fighting career, and charts the history of the comics and movies that bear his name. How can one man be at times so vengeful, compassionate, determined, inspirational, and a true hero when he doesn’t possess special powers? Over the decades since his first appearance in the 1939, Batman and his alter-ego Bruce Wayne have thrilled readers with their adventures, close calls, dramatic storylines, and even death! Ultimately, the history of Batman is the history of America from the twentieth century to today. With removable artifacts and never-before-seen sketches, notes, and plans, ‘The Batman Vault’ is the perfect gift for the genuine fan of all ages.

Running Press also has The DC Vault, covering the broader set of DC heroes, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and many others.

Scroll Up