SDCC 2015: Mattel Returns to 6-Inch Scale with DC Comics Multiverse and Batman v Superman

SDCC 2015 Mattel DC Multiverse Justice Buster Collect and Connect Wave (1 of 9)

Mattel is putting 4-inch scaled DC figures on hiatus in 2016, and 6-inch scale is back in. And I’m wondering if there was some press release I missed, or if this change just happened and they didn’t really announce it. (Mattel has got the traditional Mattypalooza panel, but no DC panel at SDCC this year.) Both scenarios are possible – I am not actively seeking news. But if I tell myself there’s no way I would have missed a change this dramatic (as far as drama goes in toys), then it stands to reason that Mattel doesn’t want to acknowledge any questionable decisions they’ve made handling their DC license in recent years.

You could even say that they’re still putting some distance between what they’re doing now and what they did so well under the DC Universe Classics brand. For one, even though the Four Horsemen are back on DC, it’s not the same one to one relationship; Mattel is utilizing other design shops. If I had to guess, from the look of it, it’s Gentle Giant expanding beyond their work on WWE.

Second, they’re sticking with the DC Comics Multiverse brand name. And third, the line is rooted in modern, not classic character looks.

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Warner Bros. Reveals Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Batmobile and Big Three Costumes

Batman v Superman Dawn of Justice Batmobile and Costumes

We’d previously seen glimpses of the Dawn of Justice Batmobile and costumes for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman when the LA Clippers’ DeAndre Johnson visited the Batman Exhibit at the Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour Hollywood. Now we’re getting a closer look as Warner Bros. begins its hype-building machine at the Licensing Expo this week in Las Vegas.

They’ve sent us some nice high res shots of the Batmobile, including its interior, as well as the costumes – I imagine they’ll look brighter and more vibrant in these pics than they will in the final movie, due out March next year, if WB uses the same color processing they did for Man of Steel. I’m guessing we’ll be seeing the Batmobile and these costumes again next month, at San Diego Comic-Con. If so, we’ll get more pics then. Stay tuned!

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No Joke – Mattycollector Convention Exclusives 20% Off Sale – 24 Hours Only, Starting Tomorrow

Mattycollector convention exclusives 24 hour sale

Mattel is continuing to clear out remaining inventory at Mattycollector – on sale tomorrow for 20% off are DC Universe and Masters of the Universe Classics figures from San Diego Comic-Con and the “traveling conventions.” Most of these are from the past two years – but I’m surprised that Matty still has some of the Mo-Larr vs Skeletor 2-packs from way back in 2010 in stock. I’m a Robot Chicken fan, but maybe the Eternian Dentist was too much of a stretch for the hardcore He-Fans.

The sale at Mattycollector starts at 9AM PST tomorrow, April 2nd. It lasts for 24 hours, but judging from previous sales, your best bet is to get there at the opening bell if there’s something you really want. No April Fools, and happy shopping!

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Toy Fair 2015: DC Collectibles Unveils Action Figure Line-Up for the Year, Including Batmobile for Batman: The Animated Series Line

Remember way back when we used to ask “How about vehicles?” for our favorite 6-inch lines? It used to be that vehicles were considered too costly to make, but Mattel finally found a way to do it for the Batman 1966 line, and now DC Collectibles will add an animated Batmobile (including LED lights and a sliding hatch for the 2-figure cockpit!) for its 6-inch scaled line for Batman: The Animated Series this year. The solution, of course, was to set a “collector” price tag. The Mattel Batmobile was $50 as a Toys R Us exclusive. We’ll have to wait and see how much the BTAS Batmobile will crush our wallets.

DCC also announced more waves of the BTAS line, including Bane and Nightwing; more from The Flash and Arrow; and a new line of 6=inch action figures called DC Comics Icons, based on the art of Ivan Reis. Should be a good year for DC collectors, even with the void left by the demise of Mattel’s DC Universe Classics.

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Weekend Toy Run: Hot Toys Batman, Superman, and Iron Man Get Sideshow Cyber Monday Savings

Sideshow is upping the discounts on selected 1/6 scale Hot Toys figures from their DC and Marvel licenses. Many of these items were already on sale for 10 – 30% off (and many other items are still at those discount levels) for Black Friday but are now seeing even bigger discounts on Cyber Monday. See all the deals on Sideshow’s Black Friday / Cyber Monday sale page.

And be sure to check out the rest of the deals we found this weekend. Happy shopping!

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