Here’s an interesting tidbit from BBTS – they are closing out some MattyCollector.com DC exclusives, including the DC Universe Classics Swamp Thing, which was Mattel’s San Diego Comic-Con DC exclusive in 2011. And get this – Swamp Thing is listed at BBTS for pre-order at $15.99, while he was $30 when sold at the show and later on MattyCollector.com. Of course, don’t expect the Un-Men with him, as they were an exclusive pack-in for the figures sold at SDCC.
I haven’t seen any news on this from Mattel or from any other retailers (granted I didn’t look that hard so let me know if I missed something), so at this point I’m assuming this is a BigBadToyStore deal direct with Mattel to clear out the warehouse of these DC items.
Mattel is releasing a number of items at closeout prices. These include the JLU Three-Pack – Toyman, Firefly, Dr. Destiny at $21.99, the JLU Three-Pack – Vandal Savage, Batman, Future Superman at $11.99, the Justice League Unlimited 7-Pack with Gypsy, Dr. Mid-Night and more at $17.99, the DC Universe Swamp Thing at $15.99, the Retro Action DC Super Heroes Sinestro at $9.99 and the JLU Justice Guild Four-Pack at $13.99.
Speaking of the New 52 – if 1/12 is your preferred scale, then it’s a good time to build up your DC Universe Classics collection. A while back it was hard to land even some of the mainstays of the New 52, but now Superman, Batman, and more are available at the normal $15.99 price at Amazon.com, qualifying for free shipping for purchases over $25.
Wonder Woman completes the trinity but is being sold by a third party for $19.99. She’s still being fulfilled by Amazon, so the free shipping still applies. Happy shopping!
Play Imaginative is taking steps to establish itself as serious competition to Hot Toys in the 1/6 scale superhero market. Although its Marvel Iron Man 1/6 scale figures will have to be imported to the states, they’ve made inroads with its DC license. Superman in his New 52 costume is the first figure revealed since they made a splash with the Super Alloy Jim Lee Batman. He comes with a heat vision alternate head, the overall articulation looks impressive, and the crystal base reminiscent of the Fortress of Solitude has an innovative feature – a fan to give his fabric cape a real-time windblown look.
Interestingly enough, the diecast feature of the Super Alloy line puts these figures at a premium over most Hot Toys. I wonder if they will develop a less expensive (but still high end) line.
DC Collectibles revealed four exclusives for San Diego Comic-Con via USA Today. They found the Superman in the Aardman style ($24.95) most interesting, but the four-pack of Green Lantern characters in the 3.75-inch scale ($49.95) is what caught my eye. It’s got Sinestro in his Green Lantern costume, Arkillo from the Sinestro Corps, Black Hand, and the feline fiend from the Red Lantern Corps – Dex-Starr.
Also of note, Hugo Strange from Batman: Arkham City ($29.95) – the only other Hugo Strange I know of was back when DCC was still DC Direct, but that was just his head on a Batman figure. This will be the first time I’ve seen him in action figure form in something resembling his normal lab coat / doctor’s get-up. Rounding out the exclusives is a 3-pack of Supergirl, Batgirl, and Wonder Girl in animated style ($49.95)
Here’s some deals for DC Universe Classics customizers:
Batman Legacy Catwoman Collector Figure – $9.88 – this classic Catwoman from the Batman Legacy line was a highly sought after version of Selina Kyle but ultimately peg-warmed – she’s got a nice blank body, high-heeled boots, skirt, and a cape
DC Universe Young Justice 6″ Artemis Figure – $9.28 – the 6-inch Young Justice line tanked at retail – the show getting canceled didn’t help, but the $20+ price point was the clincher – Artemis comes with a mostly blank body with the exception of some buckled boots, but as a deluxe figure she also has a compound bow, quiver, and arrows
DC Universe Young Justice 6″ Aqualad Figure – $8.33 – accompanying Artemis is Aqualad from the deluxe Young Justice line, also discounted deeply – another blank body aside from the Aqua-buckle and fins on his calves, he comes with a bunch of translucent water accessories and also has some useful bare feet
I Am Your Fodder highlights action figures that are cheap and would make interesting customizing fodder.
