By Nicholas Eskey
I didn’t need to attend this year’s DC Collectibles’ Press Room to know that this is an exciting year for both DC Entertainment and DC Collectibles. I did attend, though, so I could get up close with some live merchandise (and free food of course). Though the jury is still out critically about the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie, box office-wise it did really well for the company. The Wonder Woman role alone, though I believe somewhat short, generated a lot of buzz. Speaking of which – Wonder Woman is celebrating her 75th anniversary this year, and you can guarantee we are going to see a lot more of her.
Next month’s release of Suicide Squad has been riding the media train for going on two years now; both excitement and controversy are shaping this movie to hit records in the box offices. Speaking of controversy, the imminent premiere of the animated movie Batman: The Killing Joke is generating hype all of its own. With powerful movies this year, DC Collectibles has no end of merchandise to unveil this year.
So let’s take a look at some of what’s on offer!
First, looking at the soft side of things, DC Super-Pets are a hit with comic kids or collectors. If you believe in the saying that “pets and their owners look alike,” then you’ll quickly get these references. All designed by Art Baltazar, we have Ace, Batman’s loyal and crime-fighting dog; Jumpa, Wonder Woman’s kangaroo; Osito, Bane’s bear; and Joke Fish, the Joker’s… erm, fish. The heroic Ace and Jumpa are releasing this month, and the villainous Osito and Joke Fish are releasing in October. Retail: $15 each.
Moving to the world of action figures, DC has a lot in the works. Both The Flash and Arrow are adding a figurine each to their repertoire. Each 6.75 inch poseable character comes with 15 points of articulation; interchangeable hands; and props including bows and arrows. Sculpted by Steve Kiwus and Phil Ramirez respectively, they will be releasing in December of this year. Retail: $50 for the two pack.
Getting a little more nostalgic, we have figurines coming from Batman: The Animated Series, as well as Superman: The Animated Series. Featured were Batman, Robin, The Riddler, Catwoman, Superman, and Lois Lane. Not shown by DC at the show (sadly) but still planned are Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Talia Al-Ghul, Ventriloquist and Scarface; as well as three figures from Batman Beyond. All of them measure 6 inches in size, and will be releasing between August of this year and March of next. All but a few will retail for $28 dollars.
The Batman Expressions Pack, which comes with interchangeable hands, grapple hand, batarang, capes, heads, night vision goggles, respirator, tranquilizer, camera, knife, bat, and deluxe stand, will retail for $40. The Batsignal with Batman and Robin three-pack will retail for $70, the Batman Beyond three-pack will retail for $65, the Superman and Lois Lane two-pack will retail for $55, and the impressive Batwing Vehicle (measuring at a whopping 36 inches) will retail for $175.
Moving on to sculptures, and of course DC Entertainment is known for its fine attention to detail. The first thing that caught my attention was the Suicide Squad sculptures. Shown were Jared Leto’s Joker, Harley Quinn, Boomerang, Katana, Killer Croc, and Deadshot. Designed by either James Marsano, Adam Ross, Sam Greenwell, and Alternon, they measure 12 inches and are made of resin. Retail: $150, except for Deadshot which goes for $100.
DC’s Bombshells have been a huge hit over the last couple years [remember the Black Canary statue that took SDCC by storm? – Ed.] The statues and the comic have helped to nudge the market at a more female-orientated demographic. The successful Bombshell statues will be adding busts to their line: Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Mera are looking heroically off into the distance. Each measure 7 1/16 inches and will release in November of this year. Retail: $60 each.
Riding the success of the statue and comic, DC will be adding the Bombshell Action Figures, which reference the statues quite accurately. The Wonder Woman, Batwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn figures are based off of some of DC’s most recognizable characters. This first run of the series measure 6.75 inches, have 15 points of articulation, and all come out in April of 2017. Retail: $28 each respectively.
A personal favorite of mine is an item that I could not (unfortunately) photograph. As most of you know, the Batman: Killing Joke movie is based off of the 1988 graphic novel by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland. The cover featured a severely grinning Joker behind an SLR film camera, poised to take a photograph, and DC will be replicating the iconic cover of the graphic novel with a statue based off of Bolland’s art. The collectible shows the Joker from head to toe, and every detail is apparent. That one will be coming out in roughly July of next year.
Finally, but most important of all, DC is celebrating Wonder Woman’s 75th birthday with a plethora of merchandise. Aside from her action figures and Bombshell Bust, there are three pieces I am most excited about. Teaming up with Mattel and the Barbie brand, Wonder Woman will be getting a special doll to mark the occasion. Inspired by the costume worn in the movie, this Wonder Woman Barbie doll comes with battle dress, chest plate, royal blue hooded cape, headdress, bulletproof bracelets, golden lasso, sword, and shield. This Amazonian Warrior Princess will retail for $80, and available only online.
Mattel is also producing with DC the DC Comics Multiverse Wonder Woman Figure + Invisible Jet. Her original flying invisible craft and herself is retailing for $15, online only.
The most exciting is the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Wonder Woman Polystone Statue. This figure produced by Prime 1 Studio measures 93.4 inches in height, roughly the size of a small child. If you’re expecting her out this year, unfortunately you’ll have to wait until Summer of 2017. Be prepared for the hefty price of $2,099.
Thank you DC Collectibles for giving us all a chance to see these wonder beauties in person, and stay tuned everyone for all of their eventual releases!
