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DC Universe Classics | |
6-inch figures | |
Based on: comic designs | |
Year Started: 2007 | |
Year Ended: n/a | |
Sold in: Retail stores | |
Production Order | |
previous DC Superheroes |
next DC Universe Signature Collection |
next DC Comics Unlimited | |
Sub-Lines: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (toyline) Green Lantern Classics DC Universe Young Justice Select Sculpt Batman:Legacy Edition | |
Re-release Lines: World's Greatest Superheroes All-Star |
See below for complete figure listings. Click on each figure for details.
DC Universe Classics is a sub-line of the DC Universe toy brand manufactured by Mattel. This is considered by many to be the main line of the DC Universe re-brand. These are 6-inch scale figures based on characters in the entire DC Comics library, an expansion from previous Mattel lines that only allowed for the use of Batman, and, later on, Superman characters. The entire line is sculpted by the Four Horsemen Studios.
Apart from the regular wave-by-wave release of figures, DC Universe Classics also has re-release series, first in the form of World's Greatest Superheroes, then later All-Star.
History[]
The line's history can be traced back to 2003, with the start of Mattel's Batman line. After failing at retail, the line was rebranded into DC Superheroes in late 2005, and those figures (from both the Bat- and Super-families) came with comics and dioramas rather than action features. Mattel was given the rights to produce all of the DC Comics characters on June 28, 2007. DC Universe Classics was first announced at San Diego Comic Con 2007, with the first wave of action figures on display. The line was scheduled for initial availability in January 2008. On Mattel's slide shows at SDCC, close ups of the second wave of action figures was shown, along with a line of 3" game figures under the name 'Battleague' (which later on became the 'Fighting Figures' sub-line). The second wave of 'Classics' figures (and variants) were shown in full at Wizard World Chicago, alongside the first wave of figures. The third wave of figures were announced in October, 2007, with photos being shown in the December 12, 2007 issue of ToyFare magazine. The fourth and fifth waves were announced in full at the 2008 New York Comic Con, and three of the five (or six, if you count the Collect and Connect figure) were shown in 2-up form at Wizard World Philadelphia in May of 2008. More figures were revealed at the 2008 San Diego Comic Con and on MattyCollector.com.
Collect and Connect[]
Main Article: Collect-and-Connect
DC Universe Classics began being packed with Collect-and-Connect figures in every wave. From waves 1 to 6, five figures came with parts (head/torso, left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg). From wave 7 onward the head/torso part got broken up so that six figures came with parts (though earlier waves had one other figure without a cnc part), while the seventh came with a stand. From Wave 17 through 19 only Six figures were released all had Collect and Connect parts. Wave 20 returned to Seven figures each contains a separate Collect and connect Part
Criticisms[]
As with DC Superheroes, many collectors reported difficulty finding figures in mass market retail stores such as Toys "R" Us, Target, and Wal-Mart. The issue came to a head with the Wal-Mart exclusive fifth wave, which was only available at certain Wal-Mart stores in limited numbers. causing demand to sky-rocket. Wave eight's Gentleman Ghost was also particularly difficult to locate, which made completing the fan favorite CnC Giganta nearly impossible. Availability also became a concern with the San Diego Comic Con exclusive Gleek figure, which was only available at the convention and was not offered on Mattel's website after the show. The figure quickly sold out, and there are currently no plans to re-release it.
Another issue with the line was quality control, as collectors reported problems with figures having stuck joints, bad paint applications, and mismatched parts. Some collectors were also concerned about scale issues, with certain figures coming out too large (Lobo) or too small (Sinestro, Big Barda), as well as the fact that Collect and Connect figures have a height limit.
Improvements and changes[]
Fan complaints and feedback have led to several product changes throughout DC Universe's history. With wave 8 came new basic mold parts that were designed to decrease incidents of limbs being assembled on the wrong sides, and also encourage better product performance to avoid joint 'weld' in the hips and biceps pieces. Unfortunately, recent waves have seen a return to poorer paint masking and 'welded' joints, due to lower grade plastics being used and general cost-cutting concerns.
A list of known changes or improvements:
- Smoother mold parts that encourage better pulls(removing parts from mold trays).
- Plastic seperations on the trays changing so that less parts had to be paint-adjusted for matching.
- Higher/tougher grade plastics being used on the articulation points to avoid 'joint weld'. In recent waves, this problem has reappeared.
- Feet molded without the extra 'ankle tilt' articulation by molding it as one solid peice. Doing so cuts down on the chances of feet warping due to the previous hollow assembly.
- Neck pegs that don't pop out as easily. The original pegs were balled on both ends, but the newer pegs have a flattened end inside the neck that prevents it from popping out(which limited head movement until recent waves).
- Different pegs in the shoulders and bicep points, decreasing the chances of having the shoulders or biceps incorrectly assembled.
- Different pegs on the hip joints, decreasing the chances of legs being assembled on the wrong sides.
- Different peg hole shapes(round vs octagonal) to help indicate to line workers which side the lower thigh and knee joints belong.
- New wrist joints that feature a buffer between the peg and fist in the form of a larger peg that sits inside the wrist, which preceeds a smaller peg that sits further in the arm.
- A third adjustment to the neck pegs that allow the flat portion inside the neck to click up and down, restoring neck articulation in recent waves.
- Better paint masking, mostly exhibited in the All-Star releases.
- Various figures losing articulation in trade for better aesthetic value. Among these changes are female toys losing hip articulation to preserve material stockings, and also losing the typical 'ab crunch' joint in trade for a horizontal axis joint between the upper and lower torso.
- Re-releases of certain characters with 'corrections' made according to fan request.
Figures[]
As stated above, the first wave of figures were shown at San Diego Comic Con, while the second wave was shown at Wizard World Chicago. At the outset of the line, the figures were slated to come five to a wave (with variants thrown in when possible), with five waves per year for five years. These plans have been altered to increase the number of figures per wave to seven, and to include retailer, convention, and online exclusives at various times throughout the year. Though the line has been criticized for its very limited inclusion of women (only three female characters appeared in the line's first six assortments), it has been confirmed that every wave from 2009 onward will include at least one of DC's leading ladies, and indications are that there are nearly no characters that are too obscure for incorporation in DC Universe Classics (as evidenced by the inclusion of Killer Moth). This gives fans of characters like Elongated Man, Soranik Natu, and Catman great hope that their favorite DC faces will have a shot at making an appearance in the line.
Wave One[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rex Mason, The Element Man |
1 | Orion | right leg | |
2 | Classic Detective/Crime Stopper Batman | right arm | ||
3 | Penguin | head/torso | ||
4 | Red Tornado | left arm | ||
5 | The Demon Etrigan | left leg |
Wave Two[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gorilla Grodd |
1 | Modern Firestorm OR Classic Firestorm |
/ | right leg |
2 | Aquaman OR Aquaman (Licensing Art Version) |
/ | right arm | |
3 | Harley Quinn | head/torso | ||
4 | Superman Blue OR Superman Red |
/ | left arm | |
5 | Black Manta | left leg |
Wave Three[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Solomon Grundy |
1 | Classic Sinestro OR Modern Sinestro |
/ | right leg |
2 | Deathstroke OR Deathstroke (unmasked version) |
/ | right arm | |
3 | Nightwing | head/torso | ||
4 | Robin | left arm | ||
5 | Green Lantern Hal Jordan | left leg |
Wave Four[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
L-Ron (in Despero's body) |
1 | Wonder Woman OR Artemis |
/ | right leg |
2 | Cyborg with accessory variant | / | right arm | |
3 | Captain Atom OR Captain Atom from Kingdom Come/Wildstorm Comics |
/ | head/torso | |
4 | Batman from Batman Beyond OR Terry McGinnis (unmasked) |
/ | left arm | |
5 | Ares | left leg |
Wave Five[]
Walmart Exclusive
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Metallo |
1 | Amazo | right leg | |
2 | The Atom | right arm | ||
3 | The Riddler | head/torso | ||
4 | Eradicator | left arm | ||
5 | Black Lightning | left leg |
Wave Six[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kalibak |
1 | Mr. Miracle OR Dr. Impossible | / | right leg |
2 | Hawkman | right arm | ||
3 | Killer Moth | head/torso | ||
4 | Superman OR Superman |
/ | left arm | |
5 | Captain Marvel ("Shazam!") | left leg |
Wave Seven[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Atom Smasher |
1 | Ocean Warrior Aquaman | upper/middle torso | |
2 | Kid Flash | right arm | ||
3 | Blue Beetle | right leg | ||
4 | Booster Gold (classic) OR Booster Gold (modern) |
/ | left leg | |
5 | Big Barda or Big Barda (without helmet) | / | left arm | |
6 | Captain Cold | head | ||
7 | The Flash | Figure stand |
Wave Eight[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Giganta and The Atom |
1 | Commander Steel | upper/middle torso | |
2 | Dr. Fate (classic) OR Dr. Fate (modern) |
/ | right arm | |
3 | Mr. Terrific | right leg | ||
4 | Vigilante | left leg | ||
5 | Parademon as seen in Super Powers or Parademon | / | left arm | |
6 | Gentleman Ghost | head | ||
7 | Hawkgirl | Figure stand |
Wave Nine[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chemo |
1 | Wildcat (black) OR Wildcat (purple) |
/ | head and upper torso |
2 | Deadshot | right arm | ||
3 | Guardian | right leg | ||
4 | Black Adam | left leg | ||
5 | Mantis as seen in Super Powers or Mantis (comic version) | / | left arm | |
6 | Black Canary | lower torso | ||
7 | Green Arrow | Figure stand |
Wave Ten[]
Walmart Exclusive
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Imperiex |
1 | Robotman | upper/middle torso | |
2 | Beast Boy | right arm | ||
3 | The Joker | right leg | ||
4 | Power Girl | left leg | ||
5 | Man-Bat | left arm | ||
6 | Forager | head/lower torso | ||
7 | Batman | Figure stand |
Wave Eleven[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kilowog |
1 | Katma Tui | upper/middle torso | |
2 | The Shark | right arm | ||
3 | Deadman OR Deadman phasing variant |
/ | right leg | |
4 | Cyborg Superman | head/lower torso | ||
5 | The Question | left leg | ||
6 | Green Lantern John Stewart | left arm | ||
7 | Steppenwolf OR Steppenwolf as seen in Super Powers |
/ | Figure stand |
Wave Twelve[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Darkseid |
1 | Eclipso | left leg | |
2 | The SpectreOR glow-in-the-dark variant |
/ | right arm | |
3 | Copperhead | head/lower torso | ||
4 | Dr. Mid-Nite | left arm | ||
5 | Desaad | Figure stand | ||
6 | Mary Marvel (Mary Batson) in white OR Mary Marvel (Mary Batson) in red OR Mary Marvel (Mary Batson) in dark red |
///File:Wv12-marymarvel(darkred).jpg | upper/middle torso | |
7 | Iron | right leg |
Wave Thirteen[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Trigon |
1 | Negative Man or an unbandaged variant | / | right arm and staff |
2 | Superboy | left arm | ||
3 | Cyclotron | Figure stand | ||
4 | Blue Beetle | left leg | ||
5 | Cheetah (classic) OR modern 'nude' OR in current costume |
// | right leg | |
6 | Blue Devil | upper torso/cape | ||
7 | Donna Troy | head/lower torso |
Wave Fourteen[]
Walmart Exclusive
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ultra-Humanite |
1 | Kamandi | Upper Torso | |
2 | Obsidian | Left Arm | ||
3 | Tyr (darker-skinned) OR Tyr (lighter-skinned) | / | Figure stand | |
4 | Gold | Left Leg | ||
5 | Hourman | Head/Lower Torso | ||
6 | Zatanna | Right Arm | ||
7 | Green Lantern Alan Scott | Right Leg |
Wave Fifteen[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Validus |
1 | Golden Pharaoh | Figure Stand | |
2 | OMAC | Right Arm | ||
3 | Jemm, Son of Saturn | Left Arm | ||
4 | Raven | Left Leg | ||
5 | Martian Manhunter OR his 'alien' form | / | Head/Waist | |
6 | Starman (classic) OR Starman (modern) |
/ | Right Leg | |
7 | Sinestro Corps Batman | Torso |
Wave Sixteen[]
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bane |
1 | Jonah Hex | Left Leg | |
2 | The Creeper | Right Arm | ||
3 | The Riddler | Left Arm | ||
4 | Robin (Dick Grayson) OR his 'vintage' variant | / | Head/Lower Torso | |
5 | Mercury | Upper Torso | ||
6 | Azrael Batman | Right Leg |
Wave Seventeen[]
Wave 17 is the first fully themed wave. It features characters from 'Blackest Night'.
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anti-Monitor |
1 | Star Sapphire: Wonder Woman | Upper and Middle Torso | |
2 | Sinestro Corps: Scarecrow | Right Leg | ||
3 | Blue Lantern: The Flash | Left Arm | ||
4 | Indigo Tribesman: The Atom | Right Arm | ||
5 | Orange Lantern: Lex Luthor | Left Leg | ||
6 | Black Lantern: Hal Jordan OR White Lantern: Hal Jordan | / | Head and Lower Torso |
Wave Eighteen[]
The second themed wave consists of Super Friends characters.
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Apache Chief |
1 | Black Vulcan | Left Leg | |
2 | El Dorado | Upper Torso | ||
3 | Toyman (Super Friends) | Right Arm | ||
4 | Captain Boomerang | Head & Lower Torso | ||
5 | Samurai | Left Arm | ||
6 | Bronze Tiger (interchangeable human and tiger heads) | Right Leg |
Wave Nineteen[]
The third themed wave consists of Justice Society characters.
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
S.T.R.I.P.E. | ||||
1 | Sandman | Left Leg | ||
2 | The Atom | Head/Lower Torso | ||
3 | Stargirl | Right Arm | ||
4 | Lord Naga | Upper Torso | ||
5 | Magog | Right Leg | ||
6 | Hawkman | Left Arm |
Wave Twenty[]
The fourth themed wave consists of post Brightest Day/ Blackest Night characters.
Collect and Connect | # | Figures | Piece | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nekron | ||||
1 | Hawk | Upper Torso | ||
2 | Dove | Lower Torso | ||
3 | Red Arrow | Left Arm | ||
4 | Green Arrow (Brightest Day) | Right Arm | ||
5 | Sinestro (height-corrected) | Head | ||
6 | White Lantern The Flash | Right Leg | ||
7 | Reverse Flash | Right Leg |
All-Stars Wave One[]
DC Universe Classics All-Stars (not to be confused with the "All-Star" series of re-releases) is the 2012 followup to DC Universe Classics. At the SDCC 2011, Mattel revealed that they were restarting the DC Universe Classics line at the retail level. The inspiration for this decision were the New 52 changes being made to DC Comics' characters.[1] However many speculate that the line may have been cancelled due to the fact that it should have started pre-order shipping late 2011 through early 2012.[2] The figures were shown at San Diego Comic Con 2012 in July. The figures no longer have any Collect-and-Connect parts.
Package | Figures | |
---|---|---|
Batman (The New 52) | Batman | |
Superman (The New 52) | Superman | |
Superboy Prime | Superboy Prime | |
Red Robin | Red Robin |
All-Star Exclusives[]
These are figures that appear exclusively in the All-Star series of figures, which apart from these, is made entirely of re-released figures for the purchasing of newer collectors.
Package | Figures | Sold through | |
---|---|---|---|
Batman | Batman (modernized) | Toys 'R' Us | |
Green Lantern | Green Lantern Hal Jordan (metallic/modern costume) | Toys 'R' Us | |
The Flash | The Flash Barry Allen (cherry red/gold) | Toys 'R' Us | |
Renegade | Renegade | Toys 'R' Us | |
The Flash (large body) | The Flash Barry Allen (larger body/smaller logo) | Toys 'R' Us |
DC Universe VS Masters of the Universe: Classics[]
Mattel also released 2-packs featuring counterparts from the DC Universe and the Masters of the Universe series. The figures are either redecos or straight re-releases of DC Universe Classics and Masters of the Universe Classics figures.
Package | Figures | Sold through | |
---|---|---|---|
He-Man VS Superman | Superman (rerelease), He-Man (new) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Lex Luthor VS Skeletor | Lex Luthor(re-release), Skeletor (new) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Aquaman VS Mer-Man | Aquaman (new), Mer-man (new) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Hawkman VS Stratos | Hawkman (re-release), Stratos (new) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Green Lantern VS Zodac | Green Lantern (re-release), Zodac (new) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Bizarro VS Faker | Bizarro (new), Battle Armor Faker (new) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
She-Ra VS Supergirl | She-Ra (re-release with new sword), Supergirl (re-release) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Two-Packs[]
Package | Figures | Sold through | |
---|---|---|---|
Batman Figure Pack | Batgirl (re-release), Azrael (re-release) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
New Gods Figure Pack | Orion (new head), Lightray (re-release) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Green Lantern Figure Pack | Classic Green Lantern Hal Jordan (new), Green Lantern Abin Sur (new) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Superman Enemies Figure Pack | Mongul (re-release), Cyborg Superman (re-release) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Space Heroes Two-Pack | Adam Strange (new), Starfire (re-release) | + | Mattycollector.com |
Battle for Earth 3 | Alexander Luthor (new), Ultraman (new) | + | Mattycollector.com |
Color of Fear | Romat-Ru (new), Karu-sil (new) | + | Mattycollector.com |
Justice in the Jungle | Animal Man (new), B'wana Beast (new) | + | Mattycollector.com |
Fists of Clay | Batman (muddied) (new), Clayface (re-release) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Clash in the Cosmos | Superman with Heat Vision (new), Brainiac (new) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Kryptonite Chaos | Supergirl (new), Lex Luthor (new) | + | Toys 'R' Us |
Dynamic Duo | Batman (new), Robin (new) | + | Wal-Mart |
Undersea Assault | Aquaman (new), Black Manta (new) | + | Wal-Mart |
Fates Intertwined | Hawkgirl (re-release), Gentleman Ghost (re-release) | + | Wal-Mart |
Power Struggle | Superman(new),Parasite (DCSH series 5) (re-release) | + | Wal-Mart |
Hal Jordan VS Thaal Sinestro | Green Lantern (new),Sinestro (DCUC Hal Jordan VS Thaal Sinestro) (height-corrected) | + | Toys R' Us |
Mad Love | The Joker(new),Harley Quinn (DCUC Mad Love) (new) | Toys R' Us | |
Mightiest Mortals | Captain Marvel "Shazam!"(re-release),Black Adam (re-release) | + | Toys R' Us |
Knightfall | Azrael Batman(new),Batman (Battle-damaged) new | + | Toys R' Us |
War of the Green Lanterns | Yellow Lantern Hal Jordan(new),Blue Lantern Kyle Rayner new | + | Toys R' Us |
Multi-Packs[]
Package | Figures | Sold through | |
---|---|---|---|
Gotham City 5 (5 pack) | Batman, Superman, Lex Luthor, Catwoman, and Two-Face |
++ ++ |
Wal-Mart |
- A Green Lantern 5-pack was released in keeping with what was dubbed the Green Lantern Classics line.
Package | Figures | Sold through | |
---|---|---|---|
Crime Syndicate of Amerika (DCUC 5-pack) | Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring, and Johnny Quick |
++ ++ |
Wal-Mart |
Package | Figures | Sold through | |
---|---|---|---|
Legion of Superheroes (DCUC 12-pack) | Brainiac 5 Timber Wolf Superboy Chameleon Boy Matter-Eater Lad Lightning Lad Cosmic Boy Wildfire Saturn Girl Collosal Boy Karate Kid Ultra Boy Proty (pack-in) |
++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ |
Mattycollector.com |
Convention Exclusives[]
Package | Figures | Sold through | |
---|---|---|---|
Lobo | Lobo with Dawg | SDCC 2008 Matty Collector | |
N8526 "Wonder Twins" | Zan and Jayna | + | SDCC 2009 Matty Collector |
Gleek | Gleek | SDCC 2009 only | |
Plastic Man | Plastic Man | SDCC 2010 Matty Collector | |
Plastic Man (suitcase body) | Plastic Man (suitcase body) | SDCC 2010 only | |
Starro Spores | Starro Spores | SDCC 2010 only | |
Swamp Thing | Swamp Thing | SDCC 2011 Matty Collector | |
Un-Men | The Un-Men | [[]] | SDCC 2011 only |
SHAZAM! | The New 52 SHAZAM | SDCC 2013 Matty Collector | |
Doomsday | Prison SuitDoomsday | SDCC 2014 Matty Collector |
Unreleased figures[]
Version | Character | Left from | |
---|---|---|---|
Batman | Batman | DCUC wave 1, replaced with Batman (DCUC wave 1) | |
Red Tornado (modern) | Red Tornado | DCUC wave 1 scheduled variant | |
Superman (classic) | Superman | Bizarro 2-pack, upcoming Super Powers | |
Bizarro (classic) | Bizarro | Bizarro 2-pack | |
Wonder Woman (classic) | Wonder Woman | upcoming Super Powers | |
Guardian (modern) | Guardian | DCUC wave 9 scheduled variant | |
Aquaman (metallic gold shirt) | Aquaman | unknown (Cancelled running change from Wal-Mart Black Manta 2-pack) | |
Captain Marvel (flat colors) | Captain Marvel | unknown (speculated as a possible all-star release) | |
Plastic Man (Flashpoint) | Plastic Man | Removed from All-Stars wave one | |
Black Supergirl | Supergirl | Possibly removed from All-Stars wave two |
External links[]
- DC Hall of Justice - reviews
- DC Universe Classics at Poe Ghostal's Points of Articulation
- DC Universe Classics Reviews at Articulated Discussion
- DC Universe Classics at Batman: Yesterday, Today, and Beyond
- DC Universe Classics Toy Archives @ Legions Of Gotham
- DC Universe Classics at Toy News International
- DC Universe news at Toyark.com
References[]
- ↑ http://www.actionfigurepics.com/2011/07/san-diego-comic-con-2011-mattel-dc-universe-classics-wave-20-and-club-infinite-earths
- ↑ http://toynewsi.com/news/DC Universe All-Stars Dead On Arrival.
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