When you
stand each figure in this line next to one another, you can
see that the upper torso, lower torso, arms and legs
essentially use the same parts with added adjustments where
necessary to match the characters’ likeness.
It’s really a unique approach when you compare to other toy
lines that usually display variations from figure to figure
which is not a bad thing, but with the DC Universe line each
figure looks comparable to one another giving the collector
a nice overall matching set of figures.
The figures for the most part stand in the 6 inch range with
some being taller and wider and some being shorter depending
on the characters they represent.
Giganta is the tallest figure in the line at 10 inches based
on how the character is drawn in the comics and in animated
movies and TV while Chemo is the widest emulating his comic
book and animated versions.
The articulation and movement of the figure’s limbs and body
parts is very similar to one another with 21 points allowing most figures
to be adjusted at for a myriad of human
like poses.
This gives collectors the opportunity to stage their figures
in mock displays and dioramas and to show off their figures
in various action positions.
You can adjust the head, middle chest, waist arms-at a
couple of points, elbows, wrists, legs-at a couple of
points, knees and ankles.
The paint jobs are very consistent from figure to figure.
Mattel’s painters use a very clean looking paint application
method that keeps the figures looking sharp and polished. I
rarely find a figure that has paint scheme issues.
The packaging is very uniform throughout most of the line.
The packaging card graphics stayed the same for the first 11
Waves and started to change with Wave 12.
Only since Wave 16 and the Green Lantern Classics Wave 1 has
Mattel altered the packaging size to a slightly
larger card and larger clear plastic bubble.
When you display unopened package figures next to one
another they too look very uniform and can freely stand
without tilting the package backward or forward.
Typically each wave in this line contains between 5 to 9
figures. Mattel produced and released 20 waves worth of figures.
There have been special figures and multi-pack figures of 2
or more that have been produced which were store, internet
and comic book show exclusives.
In addition since Wave 2 Mattel had added in each wave
variation figures whereby one or two or more figures would
be produced differently making two figures of a given
character for collectors to track down. Aquaman, Firestorm
and Superman each had variations in this wave.
Aquaman was produced in his traditional short hair style
resembling the classic version of the character with a
variant figure of him made to represent his 1980s style with
longer hair, different face and arm/wrist bracelets.
Firestorm came as Jason Rusch-African American with a
variant figure in his first incarnation of Ronnie
Raymond-Caucasian American.
Superman also came with a variant figure with his
Superman Red uniform representing a Superman storyline after
his original death in the 1990s. He was of course
produced with the Blue costume representing the other
version as well.
This has further increased the overall total figures in the
line and have given collectors a whole new avenue of figures
to chase after.
Mattel created the spin-off line called the Green Lantern
Classics including the likes of Star Sapphire, Kyle Rayner,
Manhunter, Black Hand that are essentially a part of the DC
Universe Classics umbrella concentrating on the Green
Lantern mythology of characters.
Each wave has an added bonus that originated in Wave 1.
Mattel capitalized on Toy Biz and Hasbro’s method of
including a body part to create an additional exclusive
figure to that wave.
Most figures in each wave would contain an extra part to
create a particular bonus figure fro that wave also known as
Collect and Connect. Some folks reference them as Build a
Figure as well taking the namesake from the Toy Biz and
Hasbro versions.
Wave 1 consisted of Batman, Demon, Orion, Penguin and Red
Tornado with Metamorpho-Rex Mason the Elemental Man as the
bonus Collect and Connect figure.
Each of the 5 figures in this wave would contain a
Metamorpho body part requiring collectors to buy all 5 in
order to get all of the parts to build the Metamorpho
figure.
It’s been great fun for us collectors to collect the entire
wave and construct the Collect and Connect figure.
Some of the greats in this concept are the aforementioned
Giganta and Chemo with others like Gorilla Grodd, Darkseid,
Kilowog, Solomon Grundy, Kalibak, Despero, Metallo appearing as the
feature figure in their respective waves.
Some figures in the wave do not come with a part. Those
usually included a figure base as the add in accessory along with
their appropriate weapons. Mattel wanted to ensure that a
core character be included in every wave with some of the
lesser known characters containing the Collect and Connect
part.
In Wave 7 the Atom Smasher was the Collect and Connect
figure with the Flash as the core character whom did not
contain an Atom Smasher part. He came with a clear bluish
base with the DC Universe logo in scripted.
In Wave 9 for example Chemo was the Collect and Connect
figure with Green Arrow as the core character in that wave
and did not contain a Chemo part. He too came with a clear
bluish base with the DC Universe logo inscripted.
This has been sort of trademark for Mattel with this line,
but they have also tried to pay homage to the legendary
Kenner Super Powers line from 1984 by making a figure from
that line to be the core figure without the Collect and Connect
figure part in other waves.
An example would be Wave 12 which was the Darkseid Wave with
Desaad having been a figure from the Super Powers line
emulating that figure with its accessory-a clear
bluish base with the Super Powers logo emblazoned on the
base.
They have produced some exclusive figures as mentioned
earlier which were only found at select retailers like Toys
R Us, Wal-Mart, Mattel’s Mattycollector site and
San Diego
Comic Con.
Some great items have been the Abin Sur and Green Lantern 2
pack, Cyborg Superman and Mongul 2 pack, Animal Man and
B’Wana Beast 2 pack, Superman and Parasite 2 pack and the Gotham City 5 pack which
featured Batman, Superman, Catwoman, Lex Luthor and Two
Face.
Mattel has found ways to bring back big name character
figures and past hot figures to ensure that collectors who
missed out have the opportunity to acquire them later on.
They’ve brought back the likes of Green Lantern, Superman,
Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Robin, Captain Marvel-Shazam,
Black Adam, Deathstroke, Joker and have gone so far as to
creating a subset line called World’s Greatest Super Heroes
and All-Stars to incorporate some of these into. It keeps things fresh
and exciting and introduces the figures to many new
collectors.
Some collectors have incorporated this line into their
action figure collections wholeheartedly while some collect
only this line of figures. Some have focused on specific
characters or particular waves while some have concentrated
on the Collect and Connect figures only.
When you
think about what Mattel has been able to produce, a
collector can assemble the main components of the Justice
League of America, the Legion of Doom, Green Lantern Corps,
Teen Titans, Batman’s rogue gallery, Superman’s host of
villains and many, many more. Even the large Legion of
Super-Heroes team has been tackled in a Mattycollector
online exclusive box set.
It’s really any collector’s choice on which way they want to
collect this incredible line of figures.
Although Mattel announced in the late summer of 2011 that
the DC Universe Classics line would end, it does not mean
that they will stop producing 6 inch scale DC Universe
figures.
We will continue see Mattel producing DC figures with
different brand names and labels in the same scale as the DC
Universe line for example Batman Legacy and DC
Comics Unlimited which utilize
the same kinds of sculpting/tooling. There will also
be exclusive Club figures on Mattycollector further
offering newly produced figures.
If you want to expand on things with the DC Universe figures,
they are
compatible with the
Marvel Legends figures and other 6 inch scale figures.
I find
that the best way to start collecting these figures is to
examine and look for the current offerings at toy stores like Toys R Us, Target, Wal-Mart,
K-Mart.
Checking out comic book stores and comic book shows is
another source for DC Universe figures.
After checking these sources you can try looking for them
online. Check Mattel’s collector web site-Mattycollector.
They usually have offerings every month and you can actually
subscribe on an annual basis to avoid missing out on any
exclusive items that sell out before they are available to
non-members.
The monthly sales typically start in and around
the 15th/16th of each month.
Browsing
through Big Bad Toy Store’s web site may be an option.
They usually carry current and some past waves that are no
longer available at retail stores. Sometimes they
create their own assortments allowing one to pick up figures that were only found in one particular wave. It’s
their way of mixing and matching things up which do not
conform to how Mattel released the figures originally.
Amok Time’s web site has a nice selection too. They’re a
competitor similar to Big Bad Toy Store.
Entertainment Earth’s web site is yet another option like
that of Amok Time and Big Bad Toy Store.
K-Mart’s web site typically has DC Universe figures available and
should be checked out. Toy R Us’ web site may yield some
success too.
Wal-Mart’s web site tends to sell out of DC Universe fairly
quickly so you have to be fast when you hear of news of
latest releases becoming available.
If you’re
looking for older waves primarily, Ebay is typically my preferred choice. There’s a lot of
collectors/sellers/dealers always looking to move in and out
of product and DC Universe is a product line that they know
will sell for them since so many collectors want them.
On Ebay
sellers primarily focus on auctions which typically run for
7 days or 10 days and then end.
It's really hard to keep direct links on my site for items
that do not run consistently. Some sellers do run
listings on Ebay that refresh every 30 days and start all
over again so it's not impossible for you to individually
keep track via their watch list feature and view what you've
been watching in your My Ebay page.
In any regard
I try to acquire these figures in lots or sets. It's more
economical this way since you're paying a price per each
figure at less than you would pay for them one by one.
Shipping costs can be pricey buying them one by one as well.
It's really your choice on which figures you want to go
after as you may not want
everything in a given lot or set.
Be careful to check out any
listings carefully on either of those sites. Some sellers’ terms are not right for
everyone and sometimes the items are not what you expect.
Happy Collecting!!!
Johnson's Collectibles
