The results are finally in! Ok, ok, yeah I know, the results were in like 3 months ago, I know. But just in time for the end of 2008, here is the wrap-up of the inaugural Action Figure Insider DCUC Fan Bracket! First off, the lateness of this is all on me. Go ahead, yell, berate, throw your shoes at me, I can take it. I deserve it. But I promise, the next one will be better! Pinky-swear!
So here we are, the top eight winners of the DCUC Fan Bracket. Why the top eight, you ask? Well there’s 8 figures in a wave, my friend, including the C&C, so it just made sense. There actually is a method to our madness, at least this time. Plus, it gives Mattel a better feel for your top wants instead of just one or two final picks. So without further ado and in no particular order, here are the winners:
Black Canary
The pretty bird defeated Martian Manhunter soundly in a tough matchup of founding Justice League members. The fans want her. And as one of the few remaining JLA members yet to be made, I’m sure that Mattel is listening, as she is listed among the rumored list of figures in the Walmart system. So I’m sure we’ll be seeing Black Canary sooner rather than later.
Zatanna
The daughter of Zatara proved her worthiness against the Golden Age sorcerer Dr. Fate (who we now know is coming in wave 8). As a member of the JLA, I’m sure that Zee is on Mattel’s radar. We are supposed to see a female character in every wave in ’09, could Zatanna be on the short list? And the next question –which costume?
The Phantom Stranger
The Phantom Stranger beat out fan-favorite Animal Man by a surprising margin. Despite DC never revealing the full character’s origins, this mysterious assistant to the DC heroes and one-time member of the Justice League of America has been a fan-favorite for years. Can the fans convince Mattel that he deserves to be made?
Swamp Thing
Beating out surprising finalist Speedy, the Swamp Thing remains at the top of many fans’ want lists. The toughest hurdle seems to be whether DC will allow Swamp Thing to be produced by Mattel, as he is currently on the “no way" list by DC. Hopefully, this will change in the near future…
Black Adam
Teth-Adam dominated the bracket, beating out the classic Brainiac (who is listed on one of the new 2-packs). Many fans assumed we’d see Black Adam in the same wave, opposite Captain Marvel, but Mattel surprised us again by holding him back. Being spotlighted in the 52 series cemented Adam at the top of DC’s villains, and his name is also included on the rumored Walmart list, so it’s only a matter of time before we see him.
Poison Ivy
A key member of Batman’s rogues gallery, Ivy beat out the Cheetah in the finals. The fans want to see both ladies, and it’s possible we may see both produced by Mattel by the end of ’09. Poison Ivy remains one of the few major Bat-villains that weren’t made in the DCSH line, and she has been at the top of wish lists since the beginning. I’m sure she’s near the top of Mattel’s list too.
Deadshot
A popular member of the Secret Six team, Deadshot beat out Ra’s Ah Ghul and has stayed at the top of the fan polls and want lists. Deadshot is also shown on the Walmart rumor list, (the third character from the Bracket winners to be on that list hmmm) so I bet we see him somewhere in ’09.
Catman
And finally, our last spot went to the popular Catman, who beat out Mirror Master. Since appearing in the Secret Six with fellow winner Deadshot, Blake’s popularity and visibility has skyrocketed, assuring his place on Mattel’s short-list. Give us a Silver Age variant too!
So there it is! The results of the Bracket were interesting, if not surprising. Most of these characters, and the other characters in the finals, have been at the top of most fans’ wish lists since the DCUC line began. It is interesting to note that a few of the top characters have been announced (Mr. Terrific, Dr. Fate, classic Brainiac, Giganta) but that might be a coincidence more than anything. Regardless, I’m sure Mattel and the 4H love to see the fans’ opinions and interest in regards to DCUC characters.
Well, we hoped you enjoyed the AFI Fan Bracket as much as we did. There were some tough matchups and choices, right from the beginning. And some results were probably decided by the positions of the seeding. Overall, we think it was a lot of fun. Yes, we had some bugs to work through and we learned a few things, but now we know for next time…and knowing is half the battle! Wait that’s GIJoe. What is the DCUC tagline? Finding it is half the battle? Ha just kidding, Mattel!
Keep your eyes peeled and let us know what you want to see – another general characters bracket, or just villains? Maybe members of teams like Titans or JSA or Legion of Superheroes? Let us know, and watch for the next AFI DCUC Fan Bracket!
