Sweet gravy and biscuits! The best action figure line out there just found a way to get even better. Fans piled into the Mattel DC panel to get a glimpse of what’s in store from Scott Neitlich, Bill Meneke, Eric Treadaway and “Cornboy”. Much of what was shown had already leaked on the Internet but a few surprises were in store.
The rumors are true! Series 9 will include:
Green Arrow
Wildcat (w/ blue variant)
Black Canary
Black Adam
Guardian
Mantis (Kirby and Super Powers versions)
Deadshot
Chemo C and C figure
All nine figures were on display at the Mattel booth and they were the best from an already impressive line. Green Arrow has extra articulation in the wrists and specially sculpted hands to accurately hold the bow and arrow (finally!). Black Canary has real fishnets. Chemo is massive, solid and translucent.
Also on display was the Batman and Clayface 2 pack as well as the Superman and Silver Age Brainiac TRU exclusive set. During the Q and A fans were promised the long awaited brown Man-Bat in Wave 10 and contest winner Question in Wave 11. A fan asked why the gold variant of Dr. fate still had a yellow cape and gloves. Bill and Scott replied, “If you want it all gold, there’s still time.” The fans there definitely wanted him that way.
In Infinite Heroes news, Animal Man will be the first figure to sport new articulation. From the sample shown, it looks like he will have ball joint elbows, knees and ankles. They should go a long way towards matching Hasbro’s new Marvel Universe line. And save those Anti-Monitor points for San Diego because they’ll get you a 3 ¾” Anti-Monitor and a chance to win one at 30″!
The Brave and the Bold has been a breakout hit and fans are eagerly awaiting new figures form what Mattel promised would be a kids only line. We’ll see Green Arrow and Plastic Man plus a full set of minis (so DC can finally have its own Superhero Squad).
JLU continues at target and Mattycollector.com. In addition to the waves fans know, there will be an OMAC, Ultraman, Plastic man and Cyborg as well as a 3 pack of Apache Chief, Samurai and Black Vulcan. Matty Collector will launch a Legion of Superheroes 4 pack including:
Saturn Girl
Cosmic Boy
Brainiac 5Lightning Lad
And a Shazam 4 pack:
Shazam
Mary Marvel
The Wizard
Black Adam
Mattel ended the panel with an ‘accidental’ glimpse of a new DC Universe Classics Joker. What was that about?