The number 52 has had much significance in the DC Universe lately. The weekly comic book series entitled 52 ran from mid-2006 through mid-2007, and ended with there existing 52 separate universes within the DC multiverse.
However for DC action figure fans, it appears that 54 is a pretty important number, too.
This August Mattel will launch their new 3-3/4 DC Universe: Infinite Heroes action figure line. This is a toyline that I have waited much of my life for. That sounds like hyperbole, but it’s really not. It’s no secret that I love the 3-3/4" scale. And it is also no secret that I love the DC characters. For me DCU:IH is like the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup of action figure collecting. Two great tastes that go great together.
What’s that all have to do with the number 54?
This weekend, at the New York Comic Con, Mattel announced that this line would see 54 figures released in 2008.
Fifty-FOUR!
That’s a lot of figures, especially for a line that isn’t scheduled for release until August. It’s certainly an ambitious launch.
Wave 1 of the single carded assortment was confirmed (Adam Strange, Captain Marvel, Black Adam, Black Hand, Zoom and Guy Gardner) as well as two three packs (Commissioner Gordon and two GCPD Swat cops & Flash, Weather Wizard and Mirror Master). We know that six packs are coming as well as a TRU-exclusive 8 pack (which is believe to be Green Lantern-related from a recent article in Lee’s).
This line truly deserves the DC Universe branding.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love the DC Universe Classics line and the absolutely brilliant work being done there by the Four Horsemen design team. But, DCU:IH is the line I’ve been dreaming about for longer than I can remember. Probably since MEGO stopped production Comic Action Heroes back in the 1970s.
I know the new line is catching some flak in some circles because of the detailing (or perceived lack thereof), size and even the proportions. Personally I love that the line has a more, for lack of a better term, toyetic quality to them. These aren’t collectibles. These are toys that can be enjoyed by kids and collectors alike. I know I’ll probably be fighting to keep these out of my daughters hands! And that’s ok!
I’m excited to see where this line goes. There’s been hints that some of the boxed sets will actually tell some sort of story. That sounds cool and I can’t wait to see how that plays out.
So, to Mattel…Thank you for Infinite Heroes. May the line live up to it’s name!
Totally agree Jeff! I’m diggin these, and my son is excited about this line as well. He likes DCUC, and the Joes, but these are the ones he really wants to collect and play with. I think DCIH looks like a ton of fun!
Hey Jeff,
News of this line has been like a roller coaster ride for me:
- A 3 3/4″ line of DC figures? Cool!
- From Mattel, home of Impossible to Acquire Exclusives? Crap.
- Character variety that includes the JLA, JSA, the GL Corp, and Marvel Family? Awesome!
- A first wave that doesn’t have a single heavy hitter? Concerned.
In concept, I’m with you; I’ve been waiting a long time for this. In execution – especially based on the prototypes shown so far – I’ve got my reservations. I really WANT to get excited about this line but my history collecting Mattel product (or trying to) has me cautiously optimistic at best.
I will say that the glossy prototypes shown at Toy Fair seem to have been replaced in some cases by figures with better paint apps. I’m still not nuts about the limited articulation. Hasbro’s Star Wars line has been spoiling me and I’d gladly pay the extra buck or two for fewer traditional hinge joints and more ball-hinge joints that allow for a greater range of poseability. These are, after all, some of the most dynamic characters ever created, right?
I am hopeful that Mattel will follow up with 3 3/4″ Movie Masters figures. I know they’re offering playsets for “The Dark Knight” that come with such figures and the Batman figure looks great. Offering DC movie figures in this scale would rock.
But you’re right; 54 figures in five months seems ambitious. I just hope the retailers support it. Since the JLU line has one foot in the grave, they’ll need something at that pricepoint. This certainly fills the bill.
Fingers crossed.
Yeah what the guy above me said.
I’m still a bit miffed that somehow this line gets all the stuff that JLU didn’t or “can’t” while they continue to throw us some JLU bones.
I can’t decide if it’s the influx of jerks on the boards, or other companies putting out better figures, or just general compancey that’s getting me about to give up on JLU all together.
I’m glad to hear that your daughter will want to play with them. That is great! In order for another generation to establish the memories of toys that sustain them, they have to have the toys to play with. Far to many things that kids have to play with don’t require any imagination or input from the child. My favorite memories were seeing my oldest son playing with his GI Joes and Star Wars figures and making up his own adventures in his mind.
Now, my grandchildren are playing with all the action figures I have given them and, I hope one day, they will do the same with their own kids.
I’m so afraid of this line! LOL. I’m so excited for it! I agree this IS the line I’ve been waiting for forever! I think it will take alot to top JLU, especially after this weekend, but I have room for both. I like the ‘toy’ quality to them too. I wanted to collect the 25th ann. GIjoes, but they are too articulated and it took away from quality (IMO). These look much better. I’ll get every single one if what I see is what I’ll get:)
Here’s a list of the figures that have already been confirmed or are strongly rumored:
1. Batman *
2. Robin (Tim Drake) #
3. Batwoman *
4. Wildcat *
5. Question *
6. Shazam (Captain Marvel) *
7. Black Adam *
8. Green Arrow *
9. Black Canary *
10. Killer Croc *
11. Hush *
12. Catwoman *
13. Flash (Jay Garrick) *
14. Supergirl *
15. Bizarro *
16. Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) *
17. Gotham City SWAT (hooded) (might be exclusive to 3 or 6 pack) *
18. Lex Corps minion (might be exclusive to a three pack)*
19. Black Hand *
20. Gotham City SWAT (cap) (might be exclusive to 3 or 6 pack)*
21. Weather Wizard *
22. Power Girl *
23. Professor Zoom/Reverse Flash *
24. Dr. Fate #
25. Cyborg #
26. Grace #
27. Aquaman (new) #
28. Katana #
29. Atom (Ryan Choi) #
30. Geo-Force #
31. Unidentified Bald Guy with harness (Heat Wave?) #
32. Adam Strange *
33. Captain Atom #
34. Mr. Terrific #
35. Unidentified Guy with ribbed chest (Major Force?)#
36. Guy Gardner **
37. Flash **
38. Mirror Master **
39. Wonder Girl *
* Confirmed from Toy Fair prototypes
# – Seen on Mock-up packaging
** – mentioned or shown at NYCC
2 eight packs have already been confirmed as Green Lantern and Batman (Gotham City) themed.
Who are the rest? Here’s my guesses:
40. Superman variant
41. Joker
42. Lex Luthor
43. Another Batman variant
44. Wonder Woman variant
45. Doomsday
46. Sinestro
47. Black Manta
48. Cheetah
49. Hourman
50. Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
51. Starman
52. Blue Beetle (Jamie Reyes)
53. Riddler
54. Killer Moth (Hey! I can dream, can’t I?)
I canNOT wait for this line. they better distribute em in Hong Kong. I swear I’m buying everything from this line. Though I’m probably not going to get two of everything like JLU LOL
54? In one year? That’s 20 more than we got in 3 years of Super Powers. Man, if I cave on this line its going to be expensive $$$. Adam Strange and Guy Gardner are already going to be pulling at me if I see them in the isles.
I’m pretty excited for IH as well.
Besides being a 3 3/4″ DC line with what looks like great character selection, all things I love, it has another couple of great advantages:
1. it’s not saddled with some stupid “game” like Superhero Showdown was.
2. it is prudently based on the idea of re-usable, interchangeable tooling (again unlike the ill-fated Superhero Showdown)
About the only negatives I see so far:
1. No 4 Horsemen? You let Mattel’s in-house staff do an at best adequate job on sculpt and design on this line while you waste the 4H on that sure to be doomed Battlleage Attactix rip off? (sure, if the 4H were on board IH would be a scaled down DCUC, but what’s wrong with that? LOL!)
2. No ball jointed hips: This could change, as the protos still look somewhat unfinished, but the lack of ball joint hips will haunt the line down the road as eventually somebody will need a horse or motorcycle…
Still, I’m more excited for Mattel product than I’ve been in years! DCUC is probably my top line currently and I know I won’t be able to resist IH!
Spy