December 1996

WHAT'S NEW?

Well, a lot of DC product is out there as we speak, so it should come as no surprise that there isn't any new product to report on. The FAO Schwartz "History of Batman" 3-doll set is now officially available, and the masses are gobbling up the new Total Justice and Superman Animated Series figures. Also available: the 100th edition Batman (packaged handsomely), the regular assortment of Batman figures, and the two new additions to the Superman: Man of Steel line in the form of a new Steel figure and a brand new Superman figure. Holiday sales make this a good time to buy up Batman vehicles, all of which look great and are fun to play with...so I hear.

CONTEST FIZZLE:

Thanks to the overwhelming response to last month's contest announcement (and that is pure SARCASM), I'm issuing the following ultimatum: just send me a list of ten DC figures you'd like to see made, and I'll send you FREE OF CHARGE a Batman villain from one of the Batman lines. Jeez! What else do I have to do? Stand on my head and sculpt a Deadman figure? This offer is limited to the first six people who are KIND enough to respond.

MARKET MADNESS:

The Penguin from Batman: The Animated Series has hit $100! This rarest of the rare figures is closing in on "untouchable" status. Get one before it hits another zero! As usual, all first series figures are solid investments. The Riddler is closing in on $50 and seems to be the figure most in demand. In other Batman market news, Ras Al Ghul and Pogo Stick Joker have fallen from grace! Not unlike the Forever Riddler and Two-Face, these guys have become store peg "danglers" and sell for about $1 over retail at shows and hobby stores. Throw them away, in other words. (Note: this is a joke. I do not endorse throwing away toys. Donate them to charity. Or, if they are Youngblood toys, burn them and laugh maniacally while doing so). The Total Justice Hawkman and Lex Luthor from the Superman animated series line remain strong sellers at $15 each, easy. Keep an eye on fractal armor Batman in the Total Justice line...word is he may have been shortpacked. The top five hottest DC toys:
1. Gold Armor Aquaman (try and find one! Total Justice)
2. The Penguin (Batman: The Animated Series)
3. The Riddler (Batman: The Animated Series)
4. Hawkman (Total Justice)
5. Phantasm, Catwoman, Poison Ivy (Batman: The Animated Series)

Until next time, I seek out the Penguin.

Column by Eitan Shapiro

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