I do think Mattel is beginning to understand that they can make some money if they’re willing to back off their child-based, mass market ideology and diversify into the collector’s market. The first three waves of DCUC show that–there are no lame gimmick figures (Bruce-to-Batman), no lame repaints (Joker, camo Bane)–and each case comes with all five of the wave’s figures and one extra figure (preferably a variant). Because of this pack-out, I’ve preordered cases of all three waves already.

Now, I haven’t been to the retail stores recently, so I don’t know about distribution. But assuming the retailers are getting the same cases as the comic shops, there shouldn’t be too many extra Batmen clogging the pegs (though I’m a bit worried about Superman Red/Blue in wave 2).