DC Direct
Encyclopedia
DC Direct is the collectibles division
of DC Comics
, the Time Warner
subsidiary
that publishes comic books and licenses characters such as Superman
, Wonder Woman
, Green Lantern
, Flash
, Batman
, Batgirl
and Hawkgirl
. DC Direct produces statues, props, replicas and prints for the direct market
, a distribution and retail network primarily serving comic book specialty store
s. DC Direct produces a number of action figure
s for this market as well, most of which are produced in the 6 to 7-inch scale.
, DC Direct has released several hundred figures based on popular and obscure characters based on properties published by DC Comics, including those under the Vertigo and WildStorm
imprints.
For the first several years, the most recognizable DC characters were not released. DC Direct focused on lesser-known characters and comic series designed for mature readers such as The Sandman, Preacher
, and Transmetropolitan
. Now, DC Direct has increased its production of recognizable characters such as Batman, Superman, The Flash, Batgirl, Aquaman and Robin. Figures were first grouped randomly, then thematically and now in official groupings that may be released over several years. The first three series in 1999 had a variant for each figure, but the practice was quickly dropped. Of those figures, only the variant of Death
has never been re-released. Currently DC Direct shares the licenses for many DC characters with other toy manufacturers, notably Mattel
which has the master toy license for all DC Comics properties, but DC Direct alone holds the licenses for Vertigo figures.
While most figures have been released on blister cards, some have been available in boxes and a very few in clamshell packaging. There have also been several boxed sets featuring multiple characters or a character with a particularly large accessory.
Because DC Direct sells primarily to the comic book specialty market, the figures ship to stores on predictable dates, a rarity for toys.
's Watchmen
that never got past the prototype phase. Rumored to be scheduled for release in July, 2001, a few of the figures were displayed at summer conventions: the Comedian, the Silk Spectre and Dr. Manhattan. There were two different prototypes of Dr. Manhattan - one solid blue, one with a translucent chest. It is unclear if other characters such as Nite Owl, Ozymandias
and Rorschach
were to also receive figures.
The proposed figures were to be part of a 15th anniversary celebration of the miniseries, as was a Watchmen hardcover. Moore and co-creator Dave Gibbons
decided not to take part in any such anniversary, in part because of a long-standing dispute over merchandising over the series. DC has since released a new line of Watchmen figures. This time the series is based upon the Watchmen
movie and the figures reflect the film's style rather than the comic book's. Currently there are figures for Rorschach, Nite Owl (Modern), Nite Owl (Classic), Silk Spectre (Modern), Silk Spectre (Classic), Ozymandias, the Comedian and Dr. Manhattan. Along with four variants The Comedian (Flashback), Rorschach (Prison Toys R' Us exclusive), Rorschach (with out mask) and Dr. Manhattan (translucent).
Division (business)
A division of a business entity is a portion of that business that operates under a different name. It is the equivalent of a corporation or limited liability company obtaining a fictitious name or "doing business as" certificate and operating a business under that fictitious name...
of DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, the Time Warner
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
subsidiary
Subsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
that publishes comic books and licenses characters such as Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
, Flash
Flash (comics)
The Flash is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 ....
, Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, Batgirl
Batgirl
Batgirl is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, frequently depicted as female counterparts to the superhero Batman...
and Hawkgirl
Hawkgirl
Hawkgirl is the name of several female fictional superhero characters, all owned by DC Comics and existing in that company's universe. The character is one of the first costumed female superheroes...
. DC Direct produces statues, props, replicas and prints for the direct market
Direct market
The direct market is the dominant distribution and retail network for North American comic books. It consists of one dominant distributor and the majority of comics specialty stores, as well as other retailers of comic books and related merchandise...
, a distribution and retail network primarily serving comic book specialty store
Specialty store
Specialty stores are small stores which specialize in a specific range of merchandise and related items. Most stores have an extensive depth of stock in the item that they specialize in and provide high levels of service and expertise...
s. DC Direct produces a number of action figure
Action figure
An action figure is a posable character figurine, made of plastic or other materials, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, video game, or television program. These action figures are usually marketed towards boys and male collectors...
s for this market as well, most of which are produced in the 6 to 7-inch scale.
Action figures
Beginning in 1998 with three figures based on characters from Mad MagazineMad (magazine)
Mad is an American humor magazine founded by editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines in 1952. Launched as a comic book before it became a magazine, it was widely imitated and influential, impacting not only satirical media but the entire cultural landscape of the 20th century.The last...
, DC Direct has released several hundred figures based on popular and obscure characters based on properties published by DC Comics, including those under the Vertigo and WildStorm
WildStorm
WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999...
imprints.
For the first several years, the most recognizable DC characters were not released. DC Direct focused on lesser-known characters and comic series designed for mature readers such as The Sandman, Preacher
Preacher (comics)
Preacher is a comic book series created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon, published by the American comic book label Vertigo , with painted covers by Glenn Fabry....
, and Transmetropolitan
Transmetropolitan
Transmetropolitan is a cyberpunk comic book series written by Warren Ellis with art by Darick Robertson and published by DC Comics. The series was originally part of the short-lived DC Comics imprint Helix, but upon the end of the book's first year the series was moved to the Vertigo imprint as DC...
. Now, DC Direct has increased its production of recognizable characters such as Batman, Superman, The Flash, Batgirl, Aquaman and Robin. Figures were first grouped randomly, then thematically and now in official groupings that may be released over several years. The first three series in 1999 had a variant for each figure, but the practice was quickly dropped. Of those figures, only the variant of Death
Death (DC Comics)
Death is a fictional character from the DC comic book series, The Sandman . The character first appeared in The Sandman vol. 2, #8 , and was created by Neil Gaiman and Mike Dringenberg....
has never been re-released. Currently DC Direct shares the licenses for many DC characters with other toy manufacturers, notably Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
which has the master toy license for all DC Comics properties, but DC Direct alone holds the licenses for Vertigo figures.
While most figures have been released on blister cards, some have been available in boxes and a very few in clamshell packaging. There have also been several boxed sets featuring multiple characters or a character with a particularly large accessory.
Because DC Direct sells primarily to the comic book specialty market, the figures ship to stores on predictable dates, a rarity for toys.
Unreleased
There was a proposed series of figures based on Alan MooreAlan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
's Watchmen
Watchmen
Watchmen is a twelve-issue comic book limited series created by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colourist John Higgins. The series was published by DC Comics during 1986 and 1987, and has been subsequently reprinted in collected form...
that never got past the prototype phase. Rumored to be scheduled for release in July, 2001, a few of the figures were displayed at summer conventions: the Comedian, the Silk Spectre and Dr. Manhattan. There were two different prototypes of Dr. Manhattan - one solid blue, one with a translucent chest. It is unclear if other characters such as Nite Owl, Ozymandias
Ozymandias (comics)
Ozymandias , is a fictional character and the main antagonist appearing in the comic book limited series Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, published by DC Comics. Named Ozymandias in the manner of Ramesses II, he is a modified version of the comic book character Thunderbolt from Charlton...
and Rorschach
Rorschach (comics)
Rorschach is a fictional comic book character and antihero that was featured in the acclaimed 1986 DC Comics miniseries Watchmen...
were to also receive figures.
The proposed figures were to be part of a 15th anniversary celebration of the miniseries, as was a Watchmen hardcover. Moore and co-creator Dave Gibbons
Dave Gibbons
Dave Gibbons is an English comic book artist, writer and sometime letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries Watchmen and the Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything"...
decided not to take part in any such anniversary, in part because of a long-standing dispute over merchandising over the series. DC has since released a new line of Watchmen figures. This time the series is based upon the Watchmen
Watchmen (film)
Watchmen is a 2009 superhero film directed by Zack Snyder and starring Malin Åkerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson. It is an adaptation of the comic book of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons...
movie and the figures reflect the film's style rather than the comic book's. Currently there are figures for Rorschach, Nite Owl (Modern), Nite Owl (Classic), Silk Spectre (Modern), Silk Spectre (Classic), Ozymandias, the Comedian and Dr. Manhattan. Along with four variants The Comedian (Flashback), Rorschach (Prison Toys R' Us exclusive), Rorschach (with out mask) and Dr. Manhattan (translucent).