DC Direct is the brand of action figures released by DC Comics. The figures are done in the 6-7 inch scale.

Beginning in 1998 with three figures based on characters from Mad Magazine the new label has gone on to release several hundred figures based on popular and obscure DC and Vertigo characters.

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. Because of that, DC Direct focussed on lesser-known characters and comic series designed for mature readers such as Sandman, Preacher, and Transmetropolitan.

The lines of figures were not restricted to just DC Comics characters. Several Vertigo and Wildstorm series were converted to action figures. However, as time progressed and the label began focusing on releasing thematic series of toys, it eventually became centered on the more popular characters, such as Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman.

Because DC Direct sells primarily to the comicbook specialty market, the figures ship to stores on predictable dates, a rarity for toys. 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.

1998

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• Alfred E. Newman
• Black Spy
• White Spy

1999

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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

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Hard Travelling Heroes

Released February 9, 2000

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

Preacher

Released May 10, 2000

• Cassidy
• Tulip
• Saint of Killers

Mystics, Mages & Magicians

Released August 16, 2000

• Dr. Fate
• Spectre
• Zatanna
• John Constantine
• Starfire

DC Speedsters

Released October 11, 2000

• Kid Flash: Wally West
• Impulse
• Max Mercury

DC Androids

Released November 1, 2000

• Amazo
• Hourman
• Tomorrow Woman

Justice Society of America

Released November 29, 2000

• Golden Age Starman
• Golden Age Green Lantern: Alan Scott
• Golden Age Flash
• Golden Age Wonder Woman

Boxed Sets

• Hawkman & Hawkgirl - June 28
• Tom Strong & Pneuman - September 6
• Captain Marvel & Billy Batson - September 27
• Big Barda, Mr. Miracle, & Oberon - November 22
• Sandman "Arabian Nights" & "Dream Hunters" - December 13

2001

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Legion of Super-Heroes Series 1

Released January 3, 2001

• Cosmic Boy
• Saturn Girl
• Lightning Lad

Teen Titans

Released Feb 7, 2001

• Cyborg
• Raven

Wonder Woman

Released March 14, 2001

• Artemis
• Ares
• Cheetah

Justice Society of America

Released April 4, 2001

• Golden Age Dr. Mid-Nite
• Golden Age Hourman

Justice League of America

Released June 6, 2001

• Martian Manhunter
• Red Tornado

Supernatural

Released June 20, 2001

• Deadman
• The Demon
• Spectre - Hal Jordan

Flash

Released July 25, 2001

• Captain Cold
• Mirror Master

Green Lantern Corps

Released August 1, 2001

• Sinestro
• Star Sapphire

Planetary

Released September 19, 2001

• Elijah Snow
• The Drummer
• Jakita Wagner

JLA Villains

Released October 3, 2001

• Eclipso
• Gorilla Grodd

Just-Us-League Of Stupid Heroes

Released October 17, 2001

• Alfred E. Newman as Batman
• Alfred E. Newman as Superman

Sandman

Released November 21, 2001

• Sandman: Daniel
• Delirium
• Desire

Justice Society of America

Released December 12, 2001

• Power Girl
• Wildcat
• Solomon Grundy

Boxed Sets

• Aquaman & Aqualad - January 31
• Darkseid & Orion - June 6
• Flash, Kid Flash & Cosmic Treadmill - July 4
• Silver Age Wonder Woman & Wonder Girl - August 22
• Lobo with Dawg & Cycle - October 17
• Golden Age Superman & Lois Lane - November 7
• Silver Age Green Arrow & Speedy - December 5

2002

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Green Lantern Corps

Released January 30, 2002

• John Stewart
• Tomar Re

Green Lantern Corps

Released February 13, 2002

• Kyle Rayner
• Fatality

Just-Us-League of Stupid Heroes Series 2

Released March 6, 2002

• Alfred E. Newman as Green Lantern
• Alfred E. Newman as The Flash

Shazam!

Released April 3, 2002

• Captain Marvel
• Black Adam

Fighting Forces

Released April 24, 2002

• Sgt. Rock

Justice Society of America

Released May 15, 2002

• The Shade
• Vandal Savage

Legion of Super-Heroes Series 2

Released May 15, 2002

• Brainiac 5
• Mon-El

Magic & Mystery

Released May 29, 2002

• Phantom Stranger
• Tim Hunter
• Mordru

Classic Heroes

Released June 19, 2002

• The Question
• Phantom Lady
• Uncle Sam
• Blue Beetle

The Authority

Released August 14, 2002

• Apollo
• The Engineer
• Jenny Sparks
• The Midnighter

Just-Us-League of Stupid Heroes Series 3

Released September 4, 2002

• Alfred E. Newman as Green Arrow
• Alfred E. Newman as Robin

Smallville

Released October 2, 2002

• Clark Kent
• Lana Lang
• Lex Luthor

Crime Syndicate

Released November 13, 2002

• Ultraman
• Superwoman
• Power Ring
• Johnny Quick
• Owlman

Boxed Sets

• Silver Age Superboy & Supergirl - August 7
• Mad Magazine 50th Anniversary - September 4
• Promethea and Sophie - September 18
• The Brave & The Bold #28 Gift Set - October 2

2003

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Legion of Super-Heroes Series 3

Released January 29, 2003

• Star Boy
• Sun Boy
• Ultra Boy
• Chameleon Boy

Green Lantern Corps

Released February 19, 2003

• Silver Age Hal Jordan
• Guy Gardner
• Effigy

Superman Series 1

Released March 19, 2003

• Superman
• Bizarro
• Brainiac 13

Superman Series 2

Released June 4, 2003

• Supergirl
• Cyborg Superman
• Doomsday

Kingdom Come Series 1

Released July 16, 2003

• Green Lantern
• Hawkman
• Superman
• Wonder Woman

Kingdom Come Series 2

Released November 19, 2003

• Batman
• Kid Flash
• Red Robin
• Shazam!

JLA Series 1

Released November 26, 2003

• Aquaman
• The Flash
• Green Lantern - Kyle Rayner
• Superman
• Wonder Woman

Exclusives

• ToyFare Kingdom Come Red Arrow

Boxed Sets

• Metamorpho - January 22
• Silver Age Batman & Robin - Febraury 12
• Birds of Prey - March 5
• Classic Teen Titans - August 20
• Silver Age Batgirl & Joker - August 27

Super Friends Deluxe Sets

• Superman & Lex Luthor - April 2
• Wonder Woman & Cheetah - April 30
• Green Lantern & Sinestro - May 7
• Aquaman & Black Manta - May 21
• Batman & Scarecrow - December 17
• Robin & the Riddler - December 17

2004

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Kingdom Come Series 3

Released February 11, 2004

• Wonder Woman in Armor
• Deadman
• Magog
• The Flash

Legion of Super-Heroes Series 4

Released February 18, 2004

• Ferro Lad
• Timberwolf

Japanese Imports Series 1

Released February 25, 2004

• Batman
• Robin
• Joker
• Harley Quinn

Superman Series 3: Return of Superman

Released April 14, 2004

• Superman in Recovery Suit
• Superboy
• Steel
• Eradicator

Hush Series 1

Released May 19, 2004

• Batman
• Poison Ivy
• Joker
• Huntress
• Hush

First Appearance Series 1

Released June 30, 2004

• Batman
• Wonder Woman
• Flash - Jay Garrick
• Shazam!

Legion of Super-Heroes Series 5

Released August 11, 2004

• Colossal Boy
• Invisible Kid

The Dark Knight Returns

Released August 25, 2004

• Batman
• Robin - Carrie Kelly
• The Joker
• Superman

Teen Titans Series 1

Released September 15, 2004

• Wonder Girl - Cassandra Sandsmark
• Robin - Tim Drake
• Deathstroke the Terminator
• Blackfire

Japanese Imports Series 2

Released September 22, 2004

• Batman
• Poison Ivy
• Penguin
• Riddler

First Appearance Series 2

Released December 1, 2004

• Superman
• Green Lantern - Alan Scott
• Robin - Dick Grayson
• Hawkman

JLA Series 2

Released December 1, 2004

• Firestorm
• Elongated Man
• The Atom
• Adam Strange

Hush Series 2

Released December 8, 2004

• Nightwing
• Catwoman
• Superman
• Harley Quinn
• The Riddler

Exclusives

• ToyFare Hush Jason Todd

Boxed Sets

• Silver Age Penguin & Catwoman - February 4
• Silver Age Batwoman & Batgirl - August 25

2005

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Kia Asamiya Imports Series 1

Released January 2005

• Batman
• Two-Face
• The Joker
• Catwoman

Teen Titans Series 2

Released March 2, 2005

• Superboy
• Kid Flash: Bart Allen
• Brother Blood
• Ravager

Green Lantern

Released March 16, 2005

• Hal Jordan
• Kilowog
• Ganthet & Guardian
• Black Hand
• Parallax

Justice Series 1

Released March 30, 2005

• Superman
• Sinestro
• Cheetah
• Bizzaro
• Flash

Hush Series 3

Released April 20, 2005

• Stealth Jumper Batman
• Commissioner Gordon
• Alfred Pennyworth
• Ra's Al Ghul
• Scarecrow

First Appearance Series 3

Released May 25, 2005

• Composite Superman
• Nightwing
• Batgirl
• Riddler

Japanese Imports Series 3

Released June 29, 2005

• Batman
• Bane
• Batgirl
• Catwoman

Crisis On Infinite Earths Series 1

Released July 7, 2005

• Earth-2 Robin
• Psycho Pirate
• Supergirl
• Harbinger
• Monitor

Secret Files Series 1 - Batman Rogues Gallery

Released August 3, 2005

• Black Mask
• Mr. Freeze
• Killer Croc
• Man-Bat
• The Penguin

Superman/Batman Public Enemies Series 1

Released September 14, 2005

• Superman
• Batman
• Shazam
• Captain Atom
• Metallo

Justice Series 2

Released September 14, 2005

• Black Manta
• Parasite
• Aquaman
• Black Canary
• Batman

Kia Asamiya Imports Series 2

Released October 12, 2005

• Batman
• Evil Batman
• Harley Quinn
• Poison Ivy

Elseworlds Series 1

Released December 14, 2005

• Red Son Superman
• Red Son Wonder Woman
• Crimson Mist Batman
• Thrillkiller Batman
• Thrillkiller Batgirl

Exclusives

• Justice variant Superman retailer exclusive
• ToyFare Public Enemies Superman as Shazam
• ToyFare Emerald Shield Green Lantern

Boxed Sets

JLA Deluxe Gift Set - September 7

2006

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The Long Halloween

Released January 5, 2006

• Batman
• Catwoman
• Joker
• Two-Face
• Mad Hatter

Secret Files Series 2: Unmasked

Released January 16, 2006

• Clark Kent / Superman
• J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter
• Joker / Red Hood
• Bruce Wayne / Batman
• Barbara Gordon / Batgirl

Identity Crisis Series 1

Released February 15, 2006

• Hawkman
• Green Arrow
• Zatanna
• Deadshot
• Dr. Light

Knightfall

Released February 22, 2006

• Batman - Jean Paul Valley
• Mask of Tengu Batman
• Nightwing
• Bane
• Catwoman

Identity Crisis Series 2

Released March 15, 2006

• Batman
• Black Canary
• Elongated Man
• Flash
• Captain Boomerang II

Justice League Classified

Released April 5, 2006

• Wonder Woman
• Green Lantern
• Aquaman
• Flash
• Martian Manhunter

Looney Tunes Golden Collection Series 1

Released April 19, 2006

• "What's Opera, Doc?" Elmer Fudd
• "What's Opera, Doc?" Bugs Bunny
• "The Scarlet Pumpernickel" Sylvester
• "The Scarlet Pumpernickel" Daffy Duck

Justice Series 3

Released May 10, 2006

• Wonder Woman
• Green Lantern - Hal Jordan
• Plastic Man
• Joker
• Poison Ivy

Silver Age Superman Series 1

Released May 24, 2006

• Perry White
• Jimmy Olsen
• Lois Lane
• Lex Luthor
• Superman Robot and Beppo

Superman/Batman Series 2

Released June 21, 2006

• Supergirl
• Superman
• Batman
• Darkseid
• Corrupted Supergirl

JLA: The New Frontier

Released June 28, 2006

• Superman
• Green Lantern: Hal Jordan
• Blackhawk
• Wonder Woman
• Green Arrow

Crisis On Infinite Earths Series 2

Released July 6, 2006

• Robot Brainiac
• Anti-Monitor
• Flash: Barry Allen
• Earth-2 Superman
• Lex Luthor

Boxed Sets

Superman/Batman Collector Set - June 21

Scheduled Future Releases

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Looney Tunes Golden Collection Series 2

Due July 19, 2006

• "Baseball Bugs" Gashouse Gorilla
• "Baseball Bugs" Bugs Bunny
• "Scrambled Aches" Roadrunner
• "Scrambled Aches" Wile E. Coyote

Green Lantern Series 2

Due August 9, 2006

• Guy Gardner
• Salaak
• Sinestro
• The Shark
• Manhunter Robot

Elseworlds Series 2

Due August 23, 2006

• Red Son Batman
• Red Son Superman (old)
• Gotham By Gaslight Batman
• Kingdom Come: Spectre & Norman McCay
• Kingdom Come: Jade

Justice Series 4

Due September 6, 2006

• Hawkman
• Zatanna
• Solomon Grundy
• Shazam!
• Black Adam

Infinite Crisis

Due September 20, 2006

• Power Girl
• Alexander Luthor
• Superboy Prime
• OMAC
• Mongul

Looney Tunes Golden Collection Series 3

Due October 11, 2006

• "Water, Water Every Hare" Gossamer
• "Water, Water Every Hare" Bugs Bunny
• "Big House Bunny" Bugs Bunny
• "Big House Bunny" Yosemite Sam

Dark Victory

Due October 25, 2006

• Batman
• Robin/Penguin 2-Pack
• Commissioner Gordon
• Scarecrow

Re-Activated

Due November 2006

• Superman
• Batman
• Wonder Woman
• Lobo

Crisis On Infinite Earths Series 3

Due December 6th, 2006

• Classic Batman
• Earth-2 Huntress
• Dr. Light II
• Superboy Prime
• Weaponer of Qward

Boxed Sets

• Superman Through the Ages - Due August 16

JSA

Due January 17, 2007

• Hourman - Rick Tyler
• Mr. Terrific - Michael Holt
• Hawkgirl - Kendra Saunders
• Dr. Mid-Nite - Pieter Cross
• Golden Age Atom (2-pack)

Justice Series 5

Due February 14, 2007

• Martian Manhunter
• Martian Manhunter translucent variant
• Green Arrow
• Red Tornado
• Lex Luthor
• Brainiac

Superman/Batman Public Enemies Series 2

Due Febuary 28, 2007

• Future Superman
• Nightwing
• Steel IV (Natasha Irons)
• President Luthor
• Hawkman

All Star Batman and Robin

• Batman
• Robin
• Batgirl
• Joker
• Black Canary

Rumored Figures

• Booster Gold
• Blue Beetle 3
• Warlord

Unreleased

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There was a proposed series of figures based on Alan Moore's classic Watchmen that never got past the prototype phase. Rumored to be schedule for release in July, 2001, a few of the figures were displayed at summer conventions: the Comedian, the Silk Spectre and Dr. Manhattan.^* There were two different prototypes of Dr. Manhattan - one solid blue, one with a translucent chest. It is unclear if other characters such as Nite Owl, Ozymandias and Rorschach were to also receive figures.

The proposed figures were to be part of a 15th anniversary celebration of the miniseries. Moore and co-creator Dave Gibbons decided not to take part in any such anniversary, in part because of a long-standing dispute over merchandising over the series.^* Moore has since pulled his creator-owned project The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen from DC due to creative control issues, and there is little reason to hope that the parties will resolve their differences sufficiently to produce these figures.

External links

• DC Direct website

DC Comics | Action figures