Little by little it seems more collectors are getting turned onto DC Collectibles’ DC Icons line. It didn’t have the built-in fanbase like Batman: The Animated Series, and the more accurate 6-inch scale turned off more than a few folks.

But after a strong showing at New York Toy Fair, interest in DC Icons is definitely on the rise. So how does DC Collectibles keep the momentum rolling? Maybe it’s just a matter of following these five suggestions.

 

Keep a wide focus

Depending on your perspective, the DC Universe’s greatest strengths is the various takes on its characters. For most collectors, their DC is solely based on whenever they started getting into comics. That means there’s some folks who won’t budge for post-Crisis or Silver Age, but will grab everything Golden Age-related. Conversely, others are just going to stick to New 52 figures.

With four figures per wave, it’s going to be tough for DCC to find the ideal formula, but a good mix would probably see two to three characters from every era without a major emphasis on the post-Crisis and New 52 time frame.

As we’ve already seen with the Justice League 7-pack, DCC isn’t afraid to do multi-packs, and that would be a great way to tackle yet-to-be-covered eras like a Golden Age Justice Society or Perez/Wolfman New Teen Titans.

Take advantage of what
Mattel and DC Direct missed

When Mattel initially got the WWE license, a lot of collectors — including me — wanted nothing to do with it. After all, Jakks made a nearly comprehensive line covering all areas of wrestling, but there were some highly coveted stars Jakks could never get around to. When Mattel debuted figures of Ricky the Dragon Steamboat, the Von Erichs, and especially Randy Savage, folks started paying attention and investing in the line.

Ironically, Mattel’s DC Classics line was pretty all-encompassing of various eras in their 6-inch line, but there’s still some gateway avenues DCC could tackle to attract new collectors, like the All-Star Squadron, the Geoff Johns-era Justice Society, The Outsiders, the Flash Rogues, the JLA (maybe someone would be interested in an Aztek figure?) and of course much, much more from the Legion of Superheroes.

Get a hold of the QC issues

DC Collectibles has a sadly well-deserved reputation for the occasional shoddy quality control in pretty much all of its lines. DC Icons has already had some problems with collectors’ Flash and Batman ears chipping, loose elbows and biceps on the Green Lantern figure, and floppy chest joints, which I experienced with my Black Adam.

But to get those collectors who’re still sitting on the fence, DCC has to make sure it tightens up the QC because nothing will derail a line faster than consistent breakage issues.

Make the deluxe figures “can’t miss”

Green Lantern marked the first Icons deluxe figure. Having an armored construct was a neat idea, but for most folks, the constructs included in the accessory packs were more of what we wanted. Cyborg has some nifty-looking arm attachments and a generator, while Static comes with an electrified manhole cover.

Granted, DCC hasn’t made the deluxe prices ridiculously expensive, but making Cyborg and Green Lantern available in the Justice League pack definitely won’t convince collectors that supporting the deluxe versions is a preferable way to get those characters.

The deluxe figures need to be more like Batgirl, who comes with a batcycle, another head sculpt, and a windswept cape. Sure, it’s more expensive, but a useful deluxe accessory definitely helps justify the extra costs.

Beyond accessories, DCC has yet to tap into another obvious lure for the format — 2-packs. Let’s get Dick Grayson Batman and Damien Robin, Earth-2 Hourman and Atom, Superboy and Miss Martian — the options are endless.

 

Avoid the SuperBats trap

Yes, we’re in a Batman and Superman world right now and it’s really easy to focus on the big dogs, but DC is more than the two flagship characters. With four waves, Lex Luthor, the Joker, Harley Quinn, and two versions of Batman and Superman have been done, but DCC needs to make that more of the exception.

Don’t ignore Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and especially The Flash’s Rogues who’d look just as good in this line.

If Grail can get such an awesome-looking figure, there’s no way the other villains can’t get the high-end treatment. Just think: Black Manta, Cheetah, Sinestro, and dare-I hope-for-a-12-inch Giganta figure that would actually tower over Wonder Woman and more than three of Flash’s Rogues? Let’s make it happen, DCC! You’re our only hope.