I want Catwoman and a Darkseid Fortress before it all comes crashing down.
I was able to get one too.
I really hope they get to keep making this line. I know that DC Multiverse is a competitor to whatever Mattel makes, but these figures are a different story. I'm not holding my breath, but I can still hope.
Someone on one of the other toy forums was saying that McFarlane bought DC Direct which is why they got the molds to recreate the animated line. So that would be a line most likely to continue if it's possible to do so. I don't know whether that's accurate given that they're still DC characters or what the overall deal is there, as I don't know that Mattel is necessarily pursuing the animated or Super Powers line. Honestly, given the number of McFarlane DC figures I'm preordering now it feels like at least it's going out with a bang and there may not be much else I'm left wanting for if they don't find a way for McFarlane to still be doing DC Multiverse.
Wish the new Fortress set was bigger and more than just a computer-type prop. But either way, I would've loved this as a kid. This one's a little modern, but could probably go well enough with the vintage collection.
Someone on one of the other toy forums was saying that McFarlane bought DC Direct which is why they got the molds to recreate the animated line. So that would be a line most likely to continue if it's possible to do so. I don't know whether that's accurate given that they're still DC characters or what the overall deal is there, as I don't know that Mattel is necessarily pursuing the animated or Super Powers line. Honestly, given the number of McFarlane DC figures I'm preordering now it feels like at least it's going out with a bang and there may not be much else I'm left wanting for if they don't find a way for McFarlane to still be doing DC Multiverse.
So, here's the thing about McFarlane "buying" DC Direct. He may have bought the existing property from WB - molds, prototypes, real property (furniture, office equipment) - but he didn't buy the IP, so that doesn't automatically buy him access to DC character rights. The characters are all still owned by DC (Warner). If, at any time, Warner decided not to provide access to the characters DC Direct becomes.... "Direct" and is essentially worthless. DC was happy to have Todd there to pump out the product they had already sunk money into - statues, busts, figures, etc. Todd was happy too because it brought him closer to DC which could/should have helped him keep the DC figure license and gave him a direct route for his figure lines into comic stores and specialty markets. But that relationship guarantees nothing. DC could decide to partner with someone else entirely (the new Diamond owners maybe?) for their direct market statue, bust, and memorabilia licensing and leave Todd out in the cold.
They probably won't... but they could.
Whether Todd gets to continue any action figure line under the DC Direct company imprint will depend entirely on how Mattel's Master toy license with Mattel was negotiated and written. The contract may well allow for DC Direct to produce a line of Super Powers figures or animated figures or whatever, but it might not. The contract may require Mattel to sign off on any such projects by DC Direct before they move forward. But one thing that would be likely is that DC Direct would be limited to specialty outlets and would not be sold at main retail outlets.
People pointed out that Todd has been releasing DC Direct product to regular retail since he took over - and that's true, BECAUSE he's the one that also holds the retail figure license and has no interest in limiting his own ability to release his DC Direct product. If Todd is still producing DC Direct items there is every chance Mattel would be much more diligent in enforcing the "not at standard retail" arrangement for DC Direct the way it was before McFarlane took it over.
I know people are hoping for some secret special out for McFarlane to keep doing the figures they like but I really don't think it's very likely. I could be wrong. I certainly haven't read the licensing contracts between DC and Mattel, but I would be surprised if Mattel wasn't pretty diligent about limiting the competition.
One wonders if McFarlaneToyStore could be considered a "specialty retailer." If Mattel isn't going to do SuperPowers, animated figures, statues, etc. that could open an opportunity for Todd to negotiate to fill that gap. It may not happen, but it could also be negotiated into a "if you want this stuff, you come to me" position etc. Selling only through his store and perhaps Gamestop or BestBuy may give him some breathing room. Mattel's license isn't likely to impede Sideshow or Iron Studios or any of the statue companies, so that's another niche he could fill: affordably priced statues. We don't even know that Multiverse 7in figures are ending; I'd assume they are, but we've not heard anything for certain yet. If it does, so be it; to be honest there's really not much else besides a few Batman villains, and the Death of Superman / Batman Returns figures I really even want. I wouldn't assume Todd is out entirely until he says so, which given his personality I would assume comes in the form of him pivoting to something else to direct his attention toward rather than a hard declaration.
As has been said - there's almost no upside to Todd addressing the future of DC Multiverse now when the actual end is still a year away. Why formally put a bullet in thing and let it bleed out slowly?
It's better marketing to not address it head on, keep announcing new figures for release... maybe even slow roll a couple so you can still reveal some in like February of next year to keep people saying "see, the death of DC Multiverse was greatly exaggerated"
Then in May 2026 when it's all TMNT, Spawn and Mortal Kombat Klassics and no more DC. Todd can just say he's focused on those properties and talk about how excited he is for what's coming and casually brush aside not having DC Multiverse as an ongoing line anymore.
But the Super Powers line is more interesting. That is a line that seems maybe a little less retail space viable and maybe could be something Todd might be able to hold onto via DC Direct if Mattel doesn't throw a fit about it. The product for Todd that I think stands the best chance for him to keep making as specialty items are the Super Powers and animated series figure lines. I will be curious to see what happens with those.
And the idea that McFarlaneToyStore.com would qualify as specialty is almost certainly true. If he retains a hold on DC Direct licensing options and there's an avenue to release some of this product, his site will almost certainly be a part - and potentially a big part - of that plan I would imagine.
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