Even before the start of this year’s San Diego Comic-Con Preview Night, DC Collectibles released a startling amount of information regarding their upcoming statue and figure lines. So, when it came around to the next day’s DC Collectibles panel attended by moderator Paul Malmont, Art Director Travis Hastback, artist Joe Ledbetter, artist Chrissie Zullo, Executive Creative Director Jim Fletcher, Special Makeup Effects Artist Rick Baker, and sculptor Paul Harding, much of the information they discussed was more of a reiteration from the day prior. Click here to check out The Beat’s article regarding the Wednesday press release.
One area that hadn’t been touched upon by the Wednesday release was that of the upcoming DC Universe, the “ultimate streaming service” as DC has tagged it. The service enables users to search for all kinds of DC media including movies, cartoon, original series, and comic books. The “ultimate DC membership” will also make available the purchase of merchandise exclusive to service users. The first of such exclusive merchandise is the upcoming Justice League Animated figures, which includes the Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, the Flash, Hawkgirl, and Aquaman. For current beta users, you can preorder the figures now.
At the panel, DC Collectibles revealed the “DC Gallery the Joker” bust. Designed, sculpted, and colored by Rick Baker himself. For his rendition of the iconic “Clowned Prince of Crime,” Baker said he wanted to go for more of a “toxic” look. When asked how he got total creative freedom for the Joker’s design, Baker said “win seven Academy Awards.” Measuring approximately 22.5” tall, the bust will be limited to fifty numbered pieces pulled from Rick Baker’s original old and will come with certificates of authenticity signed by the artist himself. This $1,500 item is due on sale October of this year.
Other noteworthy items were that of the expansion of the Batman: The Animated Series action figure line. “This is a real labor of love,” said Jim Fletcher, DC Collectible’s Executive Creative Director. All of the characters and accessories in the line were based off style sheets from the original animated show. The likes of the Scarecrow, H.A.R.D.A.C., Gray Ghost, Two-Face, and even the Batcyle will be releasing. As to why these pieces are being added to the line, Jim Fletcher also said, “We had people who told us they wanted to expand their collection,” meaning they wanted a larger variety of characters.
