Scope of creative influence

[supreme-d]

So what characters are allowed to be made by Mattel for the DC Universe Classics line? Will I ever see any Vertigo characters? What about Characters like Swamp Thing or John Constantine, who used to be in the DCU? What about Milestone? Astro City? Most importantly though.. WHAT ABOUT WILDSTORM? Because I really, really want Grifter. And Spartan. And Backlash.

 

 

Sorry if this was already covered. I couldn't find it..

[Eric]

I'm not sure about the answers to your questions, but I think asking Mattel on one of the various sites that participate would be the thing to do. Most of them just posted more answers today, so if you post your question maybe December 15 will bring an answer.

 

Unless someone here has already asked and knows the answer...

[Cloud]

So what characters are allowed to be made by Mattel for the DC Universe Classics line? Will I ever see any Vertigo characters? What about Characters like Swamp Thing or John Constantine, who used to be in the DCU? What about Milestone? Astro City? Most importantly though.. WHAT ABOUT WILDSTORM? Because I really, really want Grifter. And Spartan. And Backlash.

 

 

Sorry if this was already covered. I couldn't find it..

Well part of you question is answered already.

Mattel only has the license for DCU and that excludes Vertigo and Wildstorm. I don't know why they were able to make the gold Captain Atom though. Technically he was in Wildstorm U but I head the gold look was in Kingdom Come as well.

As for Swampthing, Mattel does have the rights to make him. Not sure if he's gonna be a C&C or normal figure but Swampthing will be a cool figure though because he can't be reusing parts from existing figures.

[nonameshmo30]

I thought mattel got the rights to alllll dc heroes no matter who.Seems like i read when this first happend that mattel bought the rights to them all maybe im wrong

[Ares6009]

Probably a technicality vs demand thing. Mattel has the rights to DC characters, and by that,meaning DC proper, probably not to include DC off-shoots like Wildstorm and Vertigo. Second, aside from the collectors, no one really is familiar with those lines. Not that they are familiar with Killer Moth or Despero, etc, but at least you can sneak those in as long as you have bigger names along with them. That'll get the fans like me, who read DC, but not the other two. Also more likely to get a non-reader to pick them up if there is a common association.

 

That's my theory, anyway. Maybe, if the line continues to be successful, that'll change, but for now, you're best off with hoping DCD goes your way.

[dhoonib]

Probably a technicality vs demand thing. Mattel has the rights to DC characters, and by that,meaning DC proper, probably not to include DC off-shoots like Wildstorm and Vertigo. Second, aside from the collectors, no one really is familiar with those lines. Not that they are familiar with Killer Moth or Despero, etc, but at least you can sneak those in as long as you have bigger names along with them. That'll get the fans like me, who read DC, but not the other two. Also more likely to get a non-reader to pick them up if there is a common association.

 

That's my theory, anyway. Maybe, if the line continues to be successful, that'll change, but for now, you're best off with hoping DCD goes your way.

 

Well there are loopholes too, like if say Spider Jerusalem appears in a Superman issue they can use the character b/c in said issue especially if the character is drawn just a bit different. Its silly little things like that.

[supreme-d]

See, what I figure is that with the recent acquisition of Wildstorm as Earth-50 or whatever since the Infinite Crisis of Finality bs, those characters are now officially part of the DC universe proper. Then there's the recent DC/Wildstorm Dreamwar series, which was suppoused to promote the WS universe. Also, Mr Majestic took Superman's place for a couple issues of Action Comics a few years back.

 

Those points aside, even if they weren't any character recognition (despite the Wildc.a.t.s cartoon and the Gen-13 movie and the fact that the idea of a gay Superman/Batman makes DC exec's piss their pants at night), they would still be cool looking figures. However, I refuse to believe that the combined demand for a Killer Moth figure is greater than that of Gen-13's Caitlin Fairchild..

[MrBlisterfists]

perhaps not, but Killer Moth has ties to Batman.

 

LONG ties. that stretch back DECADES.

 

there are PLENTY of longstanding DCU figures that need to be done before they should even be considering WildC.A.T.S., or The Authority, or Gen13.

 

if they do Apollo and Midnighter before the Doom Patrol, that would be a tragedy.

 

hell, if they did Apollo and Midnighter before Young Justice, that would be a tragedy.

 

I can understand the demand, and I hope they get to those figures eventually, but there's seventy years of DC, Fawcett, and Charlton to wade through, as well.

 

I'm not saying Wildstorm is too 'new'. Far from it, but I think all things considered, there's plenty that I'd rather see sooner than later.

 

and Wildstorm ain't one of 'em.

 

besides, we all know the only Wildstorm Character that's worth a damn is Grifter!

[supreme-d]

I'm still waiting for my Grifter Mattel...

[CybertronianArtifacts]

See, what I figure is that with the recent acquisition of Wildstorm as Earth-50 or whatever since the Infinite Crisis of Finality bs, those characters are now officially part of the DC universe proper. Then there's the recent DC/Wildstorm Dreamwar series, which was suppoused to promote the WS universe. Also, Mr Majestic took Superman's place for a couple issues of Action Comics a few years back.

 

Those points aside, even if they weren't any character recognition (despite the Wildc.a.t.s cartoon and the Gen-13 movie and the fact that the idea of a gay Superman/Batman makes DC exec's piss their pants at night), they would still be cool looking figures. However, I refuse to believe that the combined demand for a Killer Moth figure is greater than that of Gen-13's Caitlin Fairchild..

 

 

I thought mattel got the rights to alllll dc heroes no matter who.Seems like i read when this first happend that mattel bought the rights to them all maybe im wrong

 

Nope. The Vertigo Comics line is considered an adult line, and so was not included in the license (no Swamp Thing, Constantine, Spider Jerusalim, etc.). Wildstorm, though technically part of DC, is not part of DCU proper, so no Wildstorm characters (Warblade, Grifter, Spartan, etc.).

 

It was recently hinted that if a charcter from one of these "no-fly zones" got enough play in the main DCU (a single cameo or guest shot isn't enough), he could become eligible for DCUC. So I may still get that Static I've been waiting for.

 

I cannot understand all the hate for Killer Moth. Sure he looks weird, but is really awesome. I was excited to get him.

 

Out of all of Wildstorm, I'd accept Majestic, and Majestic only!

 

God no Static, please!

[ARROW]

I cannot understand all the hate for Killer Moth. Sure he looks weird, but is really awesome. I was excited to get him.

I was too. I think the problem people have is association.

I've known the character since my childhood, having read stories from the compilation " Batman: From the 30's to the 70's" with the wonderful Carmine Infantino art. I doubt many folks are even aware of that book, or have read back issues from that period.

[supreme-d]

I'm not hating on Killer Moth... that much. I mean, Moths are scary too. I just think that based on half-naked, skin-tight body-suit, giant chesticles cheesecake factor alone, I think more people would rather have a Caitlin Fairchild.

[Jmacq1]

I suspect that licensing agreements aside, Mattel won't touch Wildstorm or Vertigo simply because that'd be intruding far too much into DC Direct's turf. They've gotta leave something left over for those guys besides just "artist specific" versions of characters.

[Dragon66]

Also, if they were to do the Wildstorm characters, they have to give Jim Lee a portion of the merchandising. As far as Vertigo, there are a few characters that definitely be done for DCUC. After all wasn't Animal Man and Doom Patrol two of the original Vertigo Titles? I do realize that they were reintegrated back into DCU proper a while back, but the Vertigo arguement doesn't exactly hold for certain others. Maybe I just want a Swamp Thing BAF, who knows?

[Superpowers1980]

I really don't see the appeal of Vertigo characters along with the regular DC Universe. They don't fit in, hence they have their company under DC. People continusly ask this question and they keep saying they aren't doing those characters and/or don't have permission to create figs based on them. Swamp Thing is another story, while I really don't need or care for a Swamp Thing, I certainly DON'T want a BAF version of him, if he is a special exclusive then that is cool but he certainly doesn't warrant a BAF spot. Wildstorm fits in better with the DC Universe and I wouldn't mind seeing them as figures, they are comic and action based characters similar to the DC characters. A Majestic would be awesome. Also, who wouldn't want a Static figure. His recent incarnation in DC is a positive one, his show was good and Superman was in an episode, plus he is good in the current Teen Titans lineup. Now he should be made into a figure, he is worthy.

[darthfoley]

I hate the stupid Vertigo/DCUC split. While not all Vertigo characters would be a good fit, Swampy definitely has history with the DCU proper and should be included, whether as a BAF or not.

 

Static I couldn't care less about. Milestone characters (and Wildstorm, for that matter) are an easy pass.

[Ganesha]

I'm not hating on Killer Moth... that much. I mean, Moths are scary too. I just think that based on half-naked, skin-tight body-suit, giant chesticles cheesecake factor alone, I think more people would rather have a Caitlin Fairchild.

 

Judging by the amount of Power Girls warming pegs around here, I'm thinking no.

 

Keep the Wildstorm stuff out of the DCUC line please. They're not icons.

 

Make a seperate line for the kids that grew up in the 90's with those X-men ripoffs.

[Jmacq1]

Keep the Wildstorm stuff out of the DCUC line please. They're not icons.

 

Neither are any of the DCUC characters that aren't named "Batman, Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Lex Luthor, Catwoman, or the Joker" but that doesn't stop Mattel from making them.

[BlackLantern]

Keep the Wildstorm stuff out of the DCUC line please. They're not icons.

 

Neither are any of the DCUC characters that aren't named "Batman, Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Lex Luthor, Catwoman, or the Joker" but that doesn't stop Mattel from making them.

 

 

Green Arrow and Captain Marvel aren't icons? Maybe not as known as Superman and Batman, but definately icons. DCUC would get boring if they did not throw in someone like Killer Moth or Vigilante every once in a while. I think the Killer Moth idea was great, but now it warms pegs, and that sucks, but still a great figure. We all could have done without certain figures, such as Captain Cold, but on the other hand, some people like Captain Cold. The point is, priority characters are your opinion. Even if 99% of people agree, there will always be someone who has a different opinion. That is just how the world works. I am happy with them releasing the main icons as All Stars and keep giving us characters like Cheetah and Zatana.

[Jmacq1]

Keep the Wildstorm stuff out of the DCUC line please. They're not icons.

 

Neither are any of the DCUC characters that aren't named "Batman, Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Lex Luthor, Catwoman, or the Joker" but that doesn't stop Mattel from making them.

 

 

Green Arrow and Captain Marvel aren't icons? Maybe not as known as Superman and Batman, but definately icons. DCUC would get boring if they did not throw in someone like Killer Moth or Vigilante every once in a while. I think the Killer Moth idea was great, but now it warms pegs, and that sucks, but still a great figure. We all could have done without certain figures, such as Captain Cold, but on the other hand, some people like Captain Cold. The point is, priority characters are your opinion. Even if 99% of people agree, there will always be someone who has a different opinion. That is just how the world works. I am happy with them releasing the main icons as All Stars and keep giving us characters like Cheetah and Zatana.

 

I wasn't criticizing Mattel's character selection in terms of fulfilling collector's wishes/wants and not being afraid to take risks (or the practice of repacking All-Stars to keep core characters on the shelves). I was criticizing the posters inference that all the characters that have been made in DCUC were "icons" and/or that a character has to be an "icon" to get into the line which is laughable. Green Arrow? Ehn...maybe, though I would argue that his "Robin Hood" imagery is more iconic than the actual character itself. Captain Marvel would be closer, but he's basically a Superman ripoff (even if at one point in the past he was more popular than Superman). To me an "Icon" is someone that the average person (not necessarily a comic fan) throughout nearly the entire world will recognize on-sight, and probably know some basic info about as well (things like secret identity, origin, powers, primary love interest, arch-enemy, etc... not necessarily all of them, but some of them). That's a very, very small group. Even Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman are stretching it.

 

Other folks don't have quite so stringent requirements for their definition of "iconic" but I think it's safe to say that there are plenty of DCUC characters that have been made that aren't "icons."

[pooda]

Keep the Wildstorm stuff out of the DCUC line please. They're not icons.

 

Neither are any of the DCUC characters that aren't named "Batman, Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Lex Luthor, Catwoman, or the Joker" but that doesn't stop Mattel from making them.

 

 

Green Arrow and Captain Marvel aren't icons? Maybe not as known as Superman and Batman, but definately icons. DCUC would get boring if they did not throw in someone like Killer Moth or Vigilante every once in a while. I think the Killer Moth idea was great, but now it warms pegs, and that sucks, but still a great figure. We all could have done without certain figures, such as Captain Cold, but on the other hand, some people like Captain Cold. The point is, priority characters are your opinion. Even if 99% of people agree, there will always be someone who has a different opinion. That is just how the world works. I am happy with them releasing the main icons as All Stars and keep giving us characters like Cheetah and Zatana.

 

I wasn't criticizing Mattel's character selection in terms of fulfilling collector's wishes/wants and not being afraid to take risks (or the practice of repacking All-Stars to keep core characters on the shelves). I was criticizing the posters inference that all the characters that have been made in DCUC were "icons" and/or that a character has to be an "icon" to get into the line which is laughable. Green Arrow? Ehn...maybe, though I would argue that his "Robin Hood" imagery is more iconic than the actual character itself. Captain Marvel would be closer, but he's basically a Superman ripoff (even if at one point in the past he was more popular than Superman). To me an "Icon" is someone that the average person (not necessarily a comic fan) throughout nearly the entire world will recognize on-sight, and probably know some basic info about as well (things like secret identity, origin, powers, primary love interest, arch-enemy, etc... not necessarily all of them, but some of them). That's a very, very small group. Even Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman are stretching it.

 

Other folks don't have quite so stringent requirements for their definition of "iconic" but I think it's safe to say that there are plenty of DCUC characters that have been made that aren't "icons."

 

 

i agree up until the flash....he's the ONLY known speedster known to non-collectors/readers.

[Jmacq1]

i agree up until the flash....he's the ONLY known speedster known to non-collectors/readers.

 

Flash is the best-known speedster character, certainly...but I'm not sure how many non-collectors/readers would recognize him on-sight. In other words, if you walked up to them out of the blue, showed them a picture and said, "Who is this?" would they be able to guess correctly? I'm sure some would (maybe even more than I'm thinking), but not nearly as many as would recognize Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, or the Hulk. Characters like Flash and Green Lantern (and Aquaman) are right on the border between "Top Tier" and "Not quite top tier" in terms of overall popular culture awareness.

[Dragon66]

i agree up until the flash....he's the ONLY known speedster known to non-collectors/readers.

 

Flash is the best-known speedster character, certainly...but I'm not sure how many non-collectors/readers would recognize him on-sight. In other words, if you walked up to them out of the blue, showed them a picture and said, "Who is this?" would they be able to guess correctly? I'm sure some would (maybe even more than I'm thinking), but not nearly as many as would recognize Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, or the Hulk. Characters like Flash and Green Lantern (and Aquaman) are right on the border between "Top Tier" and "Not quite top tier" in terms of overall popular culture awareness.

The Flash did have a show on a major network and some people would recognize the costume from the kid in "Daddy Day Care", so I would think he is more recognizable to non-collectors than most other characters.

[Rollo Tomassi]

I think most people have a rudimentary recognition of the major JLA members from watching cartoons as a child. Either the Super-Friends in the 70's and 80's or the Bat/Supe/JLI cartoon in 90's.

 

I think it would be interesting to do a multi-city questionaire where you took images of 20-25 comic book characters ranging from Superman and Batman down to some really obscure C and D-listers and see just exactly how many people recognize say Zatanna for instance. Or Hawk and Dove. or B'Wana Beast. Or the Legion. Then record their ages, genders, perhaps their education levels, etc. If you got enough results from enough cities, it would be an interesting study.