I found it today. Saw it first at SDCC 2006, when I met Boy Wonder, prior manager of Mattel’s DC line. Never expected it would take a year and a half to find. And there it was, today, hanging with a complete set of DCUC Wave 2 (left those for someone else). Superman/Star Sapphire/Sand.
There IS a forumla for this. A combination that hits a 3 pack out of the ballpark compared to its neighbors. Its really not a mystery. Let me break it down for you.
1. Major Player to pull in the moms and grandpas. Superman. Check.
2. Two new characters. Star Sapphire, Sand. Check.
3. One of these had multiple appearances. Star Sapphire. Check.
4. One of them is a surprise but has a cool costume. Sand. Check.
5. At least 2 are male. It is a line for boys. Superman, Sand. Check.
6. One female is even better. Star Sapphire. Check.
7. At least 2 are heroes. It is a line based upon a hero oriented show. Superman, Sand. Check.
8. One villain is even better. Star Sapphire. Check.
Heh. Great blog, Erik. Nice to see it all quantified for the knuckleheads out there that complain about every 3-pack that comes out.
Peace,
Chip
Agreed on all points. Glad you found it.
this made me laugh:
2 males, 1 female. good mix.
2 goodies, 1 baddie. good mix.
2 male goodies beating up on 1 female baddie.
not a good message to be sending LOL
Figure that’s been released 600 times and even every kid has at least two, check.
Seriously, they gotta do some redecos on Superman and Bats if they keep shoving them into 3 packs. Looks like they may have finally learned this.
There is definitely more to this. I plan on using this general topic of JLU 3packs for several blogs.
I like the analysis.
But there have been others:
This one
The one with Parasite, Stargirl and Aquaman
The one with Deadshot, Barda and J’onn
The one with Aztek, Sinestro and Superman
The one with Ray, Shayera and GL
The one with Hawk, Dove and Wonder Woman
The one with Luthor, Mirror Master and Copperhead
The one with Fire, Ice and GL
Each one with two new characters at the time, at least one of which had a major role in at least one story.
I gave one example. I’m sure there are others. But some of these really miss the mark.
Parasite,Stargirl,Aquaman – Aquahook is not recognized by moms.
Deadshot,Barda,J’onn – the Martian is not either.
Aztek,Sinestro,Superman – very good.
Ray,Shayera,GL – not everyone sees Shayera as a new character.
Hawk,Dove,Wonder Woman – major character is a woman? Sale questionable.
Luthor,Mirror Master,Copperhead – where are the heroes?
Fire,Ice,GL – two many women.
Dude, you left the DCUC Wave 2 figures hanging there? What were you thinking???
DCUC2: I have most of the DCU I want in 6″ scale already, thanks to years of DC Direct. I’m planning to pick and choose DCUC to augment that. So it seemed unfair to rip apart a perfectly good set that a collector of the whole line might want.