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DC Direct is the exclusive collectibles division of DC Comics, the Time Warner subsidiary that publishes comic books and licenses characters such as Superman and Batman. more...

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DC Direct produces statues, props, replicas and prints for the direct market, a distribution and retail network primarily serving comic book specialty stores. DC Direct produces a number of action figures for this market as well, most of which are produced in the 6 to 7-inch scale.

Action Figure Line of Business

Beginning in 1998 with three figures based on characters from Mad Magazine, 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. Other toy manufacturers had the licenses, and since those agreements predated the formation of DC Direct, there was no clause in the contracts to allow DC to make their own versions. DC Direct focused on lesser-known characters and comic series designed for mature readers such as The Sandman, Preacher, and Transmetropolitan. Since then DC Direct has increased its production of recognizable characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. Figures were first grouped at random, then thematically and now in official groupings that may be released over several years. The first three series, all released 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.

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.

Action Figure Production History

1998

Alfred E. Neuman; Black Spy; White Spy;

1999

Series 1 Released March 17, 1999

Golden Age Sandman; Wonder Woman; Swamp Thing;

Series 2 Released September 1, 1999

Death; Jessie Custer; Plastic Man;

Series 3 Released December 1, 1999

Sandman:Morpheus; Starman; Spider Jerusalem;

2000

Hard Travelling Heroes Released February 9, 2000

Green Lantern: Hal Jordan; Black Canary; Green Arrow: Oliver Queen;

Preacher Released May 10, 2000

Read more at Wikipedia.org