Integration

Tony_Bacala · 03-12-2025, 10:31 AM

I have zero knowledge of the license situation beyond what the press release said, and don't follow what else is being chatted about on the internets, but, at Toy Fair they did say they were talking with DC about the future, but didn't know what that would be yet. This wasn't Todd, was a rep I toured the booth with. Don't take it as concrete, who knows what folks know at different levels of the company right now.

Personally, if anything continues, I would bet it's some version of DC Direct. That was independent, owned and operated by DC / Warner Brothers for a long time. Then it was shut down, and merged into the McFarlane machine around time he got the license. Some of the people from the original DC Direct came over, and some still there.

That would allow things like the statues to continue, things not in Mattel's wheelhouse or meant for mass production and space at Target/Walmart.

However, some of the action figure lines in recent times were under that branding. Super Powers, The Animated Series, Todd's Mods that I can see on a quick scan. Looks like Retro 66 & related are NOT DC Direct branded.

What I guess - the larger figure lines like Super Powers, Retro, Animated - stop. DC Multiverse, Collector Edition, Digitial Edition action figures - stop. Super Niche & higher end stuff under the DC Direct brand - continue.

Also possible that Mattel picks up the Super Powers, Animated, Retro lines where Todd leaves off, or if things get real crazy - they work together and give each other royalties, set guidelines for what/when/where/how-much so they don't each each others lunch, however that works out.

But yeah, if I had to bet, action figure lines stop, statues and niche stuff continue under DC Direct.

03-12-2025, 10:31 AM	#2575
Tony_Bacala Administrator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 7,661	I have zero knowledge of the license situation beyond what the press release said, and don't follow what else is being chatted about on the internets, but, at Toy Fair they did say they were talking with DC about the future, but didn't know what that would be yet. This wasn't Todd, was a rep I toured the booth with. Don't take it as concrete, who knows what folks know at different levels of the company right now. Personally, if anything continues, I would bet it's some version of DC Direct. That was independent, owned and operated by DC / Warner Brothers for a long time. Then it was shut down, and merged into the McFarlane machine around time he got the license. Some of the people from the original DC Direct came over, and some still there. That would allow things like the statues to continue, things not in Mattel's wheelhouse or meant for mass production and space at Target/Walmart. However, some of the action figure lines in recent times were under that branding. Super Powers, The Animated Series, Todd's Mods that I can see on a quick scan. Looks like Retro 66 & related are NOT DC Direct branded. What I guess - the larger figure lines like Super Powers, Retro, Animated - stop. DC Multiverse, Collector Edition, Digitial Edition action figures - stop. Super Niche & higher end stuff under the DC Direct brand - continue. Also possible that Mattel picks up the Super Powers, Animated, Retro lines where Todd leaves off, or if things get real crazy - they work together and give each other royalties, set guidelines for what/when/where/how-much so they don't each each others lunch, however that works out. But yeah, if I had to bet, action figure lines stop, statues and niche stuff continue under DC Direct. __________________ Transformers at TFW2005.com!