Buried deep within today’s newly-released details about DC Entertainment’s upcoming DC Universe digital service was this little tidbit:
Members will have exclusive access to all-new six-inch Justice League Animated action figures based on designs from the fan-favorite animated series (2001-2004), starting in fall 2018.
Thankfully we don’t have to wait long for additional information about those figures, as DC Collectibles has released images of the first wave in their Justice League line of animated toys. The first wave includes the full initial team line-up – Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern John Stewart, Hawkgirl, and Martian Manhunter – plus Aquaman, who was not a member of the team before they became Justice League Unlimited, but who did appear in several memorable episodes during the first two Justice League seasons.
This is not the first time that the animated Justice League has been immortalized in plastic. Mattel held the license from 2003 until 2011, producing 4.5” and 10” scale figures, vehicles, and playsets. By 2011 Mattel had produced hundreds of figures for the line, with nearly every character who appeared in the four seasons of Justice League/Justice League Unlimited represented, plus a handful of DC characters who were not on the show.
This announcement is a long-time coming, as DC Collectibles designer Paul Harding tweeted a photo of the Martian Manhunter figure, both loose and in packaging, back in February. The tweet was quickly deleted, but the seed was already planted. Also of note: J’onn’s left hand in the Harding photo is different from his left hand in the official photo, so like DCC’s other animated figures it’s likely these Justice League figures will include swappable hands. Hook-hand Aquaman fans rejoice!
DC Collectibles’ Batman: The Animated Series line has lately gone somewhat quiet when it comes to new characters being released, and there’s only so many “expressions packs” they can put out, so it makes sense that they would expand their animated line at this point. Hopefully the addition of these Justice League figures means we’ll get an even greater variety of characters coming in the animated style from DC Collectibles. I know I’d still really like a short-haired, orange-shirted Aquaman, Kyle Rayner Green Lantern, and The Flash based on their appearances on Superman: The Animated Series.
Check out the official press photos, plus the aforementioned Paul Harding photo of Martian Manhunter, below. These figures are expected to become available to DC Universe subscribers this fall.
