2007 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives
August 10, 2007: Superman Homepage at Wizard World Chicago 2007, Day 1 - Friday
By Barry FreimanThe first full day of Wizard World Chicago was a huge success for the Superman Homepage. Neal Bailey and I both attended for the website. Neal manned the Superfan Homepage booth (the website markets itself at conventions with its alternate URL, SuperfanHomepage.com, for legal reasons) which is located in the left rear of the convention center - and he'll be at the booth all day tomorrow and Sunday too. If you're attending Wizard World, stop by and say Hi to Neal, sign up to become a registered member of the Superman/Superfan Homepage (if you're not already one), pick up one of our super cool Superfan Homepage business cards, and of course purchase one of Neal's books. Neal will be providing additional convention reports throughout the weekend.
While Neal marketed the Superfan Homepage, I (along with my friend Anthony Lujan) covered the convention proceedings themselves. There were two booths that were of principal interest to Superman fans - the DC Comics booth of course and the Mattel booth.
At the DC booth, there were some very cool DC Direct action figures, statues, and accessories with a Superman theme. One of my favorite items is the forthcoming DC Direct JLA Trophy Room Kryptonite Display which includes light-up versions of green K, red K, blue K, and yellow K.
There's a Cyborg Superman figure in an upcoming Green Lantern line of DC Direct action figures as he's represented in the current Sinestro War storyline in the Green Lantern titles.
Already seen at Comic-Con last month, there are prototype figures of the Justice League as they're depicted on TV's "Smallville". The final figures are scheduled for release in April 2008 and include Clark, Victor (Cyborg) Stone, Ollie (Green Arrow) Queen, Bart (Impulse/Flash) Allen, and Arthur (Aquaman) Curry.
DC Direct is also releasing action figures from the upcoming direct-to-DVD "Superman: Doomsday" animated film.
The Mattel booth also had some very cool Superman related figures. In conjunction therewith, Mattel sponsored a panel presentation specifically to discuss its coming plans for DC Comics properties.
The big news which the Superman Homepage announced a while back is that Mattel now has the license for the entire DC Universe whereas it used to just be able to produce figures related to Superman and Batman (plus the Justice League Unlimited animated line). According to Mattel's Director of Action Figure Relations, this opens up to Mattel more than 3,000 characters.
Mattel will be gearing much more of its future DC related releases to the collectors' market. Mattel is aware that there are distribution problems with their DC figures and they are addressing these. To some extent, the Mattel rep explained, the problem with figure availability has to do with what stores like Target choose to order after they are presented with the entire line and that, often, they simply don't have the shelf space to order a whole line. The Mattel rep specifically mentioned that he'd heard that some of the harder to find DC figures at present may be available at "Big Lot" stores including the S3 Sculpt of the Cyborg Superman.
Mattel plans to release a series of Fighting Figures which will be released in 2008. These will be packaged with one hero and one villain. These are iconic representations of the DC characters. Among the two-packs planned for the first wave are Superman versus Lex Luthor, Superman versus the Joker (who comes accessorized with Kryptonite to even the odds), and J'onn J'onzz (Martian Manhunter) versus Lex Luthor.
The big DC/Mattel news is the DC Classic collection which are all new 6 inch figures. The plan for 2008 is for there to be five waves of five figures per wave plus variants. Each wave in this all new line will include what Mattel calls a "build-a-figure" - if you purchase each figure in the wave, you can build a whole other action figure. The DC Classics will be sculpted by the Four Horsemen and will be similar to the S3 Sculpt line released over the past year (which included two-packs of Superman and Bizarro, and Superman and Clark Kent).
The upcoming second wave of the DC Classics collection made its world premiere at the panel. It includes Superman Red and Superman Blue from the electric Superman storyline of several years back. Neither Superman Blue nor Superman Red are "chase figures" which essentially means they won't be particularly difficult to find. Also, they are considered only one figure for purposes of the "build-a-figure" feature. You don't need to buy both Superman Red and Superman Blue to "build-a-figure" - each will contain the necessary component. Note: The other figures in wave two aren't Superman-related but, for your information, are Firestorm (new and classic), Aquaman (new and classic), Black Manta, and Harley Quinn.
Mattel's representative promised that they are very aware of the demand for action figures based on the CW animated television show "The Legion of Super-Heroes". He said that Mattel is working on releasing action figures related to "Legion" and that they are considering the use of online stores or convention exclusives to expedite this.
The rep also said that the Mattel license also includes DC comics movies - including action figures for "The Dark Knight" and any future sequel(s) to "Superman Returns". Mattel indicated the license also includes past movies and that they are looking at things like figures related to the Christopher Reeve Superman movies, though nothing is planned for this as of yet. The representative explained that one complication is that, while they can do figures based on the movies, they would also need to work with the estate of Christopher Reeve in getting authorization from them (similar to what they had to do last year with the Marlon Brando Jor-El action figures that they did as part of the "Superman Returns" line). The representative said that they are "well aware of the demand for a Chris Reeve Superman figure."
When they took questions from the audience, one person specifically brought up Lois Lane. With regard to the "Superman Returns" line, this person said he felt Mattel dropped the ball in not releasing a Lois Lane figure, that the "Superman Returns" line had limited utility with only Superman, Lex, and Jor-El in it. With regard to a Lois Lane action figure in the DC Classic line, the Mattel rep indicated that they are looking at that but there aren't any plans in place as of yet.
The Mattel license also includes future releases of the direct-to-DVD animated DCU film properties and Mattel is considering the viability of figures related to "Justice League: New Frontier" as well as other upcoming animated projects.
After the Mattel presentation, I asked the Mattel representative if there were any plans to release a new sculpt of the animated Supergirl in the "Justice League Unlimited" line in her final season blue and red costume. He told me that this is being considered.
I also visited with Superman Homepage friend, "The Adventures of Superman" co-star, and "Superman Returns" cast member Noel Neill, who is appearing at the convention - she's actually diagonally across from the Superfan Homepage table. As always, Noel was super-gracious and permitted both Neal Bailey and I to take pictures with her. I asked her if she kept in touch with any of the people she worked with on "Superman Returns". She told me she'd spoken with director Bryan Singer who had at one point told her that all of the cast were contracted for the sequel but that Singer himself wasn't. Noel joked with him that he was looking to renegotiate his deal. She then ran into Singer again more recently and he told her that he did in fact re-up with Warner Brothers for the sequel.
Noel shared with me that she actually didn't film her scene with actor Kevin Spacey. She read her lines in bed with the dogs and Spacey filmed his part in the scene separately. She also confirmed for me that none of her work ended up on the cutting room floor. According to Noel, there was apparently a scene in the original script with Noel's Gertrude Vanderworth visiting Lex Luthor in prison but this was never filmed. Noel joked that they could go back and do this as a flashback in the sequel since they killed her character off.
While prior commitments prevent me from returning to the convention tomorrow or Sunday, Neal Bailey will be there all weekend long and additional reports from Neal are forthcoming.
All photos by Barry Freiman and Anthony Lujan except photo of Barry Freiman with Noel taken by Neal Bailey.
2007 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News
Listed below are all the Merchandise & Miscellaneous News items archived for 2007.- January 2, 2007: New Superman Returns - Man of Steel Action Figures
- January 12, 2007: Up-Coming Dates to Remember
- January 16, 2007: Children's Treasury of Superman Musical Stories
- January 17, 2007: Theater for the New City Presents Kryptonite Hearts
- January 18, 2007: Fossil Releases Superman Rotor Watch
- January 22, 2007: Superman Musical Card Part of New Hallmark Range
- January 22, 2007: DC Skypecast - Featuring Steve and Neal
- January 25, 2007: Superman Rollercoaster Voted Best in the World
- January 27, 2007: New Mattel DC Super Heroes Action Figures
- January 28, 2007: Appearances, Movies and Theatre Notices
- February 1, 2007: Superman Returns to Radio
- February 1, 2007: Superman Returns Videogame Demo in Xbox Magazine
- February 11, 2007: DC News from Toyfair 2007
- February 13, 2007: Alex Ross Art Exhibition in Melbourne
- February 13, 2007: Seven Wonders of Illinois - Nominate the Superman Statue
- February 15, 2007: HeroClix Announces Legion of Super-Heroes Game
- February 21, 2007: A Closer Look at Mattel's Battleague
- February 21, 2007: Superman Easter Products
- March 2, 2007: Superman and Lois Lane to Reunite After 41 Years
- March 7, 2007: Superman Homepage Does the Wizard World Tour!
- March 7, 2007: Mego 8 inch Super-Heroes: World's Greatest Toys!
- March 14, 2007: Superman Homepage at Wizard World LA!
- March 14, 2007: It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Patricia Marand and Bob Holiday Together Again!
- March 16, 2007: Superman Superstore Massive Blow-Out Sale!
- March 16, 2007: Superman and Brainiac at Collectormania
- March 17, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY ONE (Neal)
- March 17, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY ONE (Jeffrey)
- March 18, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY TWO (Neal)
- March 18, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY TWO (Jeffrey)
- March 19, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY THREE (Jeffrey)
- March 20, 2007: Fossil Superman Rotor Watch Review
- March 23, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: Closing Report (Neal)
- March 27, 2007: Superman Showbag at Sydney Royal Easter Show
- March 28, 2007: Exclusive First Look! Last Days of Krypton Book Cover
- March 28, 2007: Ferrero Justice League Promotion in Mexico
- March 29, 2007: Grand Opening of American Super Heroes Museum
- April 2, 2007: DC Comics Easter Eggs in Brazil
- April 3, 2007: Superman Homepage at the Emerald City Comic Con 2007
- April 12, 2007: DC HeroClix: Justice League Coming in August
- April 13, 2007: Photos from the American Super Heroes Museum
- April 23, 2007: Justice League Unlimited at Hardee's and Carl's Jr.
- April 24, 2007: Scientists Unearth Superman's 'Kryptonite'
- April 24, 2007: Superman Fan Animation in 2007 Let's Film Festival
- April 25, 2007: Guests Announced for Superman Celebration in Metropolis Illinois
- April 26, 2007: Scientists Discover Planet Orbiting Red Sun
- April 30, 2007: DC Comics Superheroes at McDonalds Argentina
- May 1, 2007: Superman Musical at UCLA's Freud Playhouse
- May 8, 2007: DC Superheroes Arrive at McDonalds Brazil
- May 9, 2007: Serbians Turn Out to See Kryptonite-like Mineral
- May 9, 2007: Metropolis Comic/Collectors Show - June 9-10
- May 11, 2007: Superman Musical on Stage in Illinois
- May 13, 2007: The Gospel According to Comic Books
- May 14, 2007: Technology Matching Comic Book Super Powers
- May 16, 2007: York Theatre Company Presents Superman Musical
- May 24, 2007: Free DC Comics Who's Who Mystery Box for Superman Homepage Readers!!!
- May 24, 2007: Exclusive Danny Fingeroth Interview
- May 26, 2007: Batter Up, Up and Away at the Metropolis Superman Celebration!
- JuneÊ7,Ê2007: Crocs Licensed to Produce Characters Superman & Batman
- June 10, 2007: Superman Homepage at Wizard World Philly!
- June 13, 2007: Review - Superman Musical at Drury Lane Theatre
- June 13, 2007: Metropolis Illinois 2007 Superman Celebration Report
- June 15, 2007: Report - 29th Annual Superman Celebration - 2007 Metropolis Illinois
- June 16, 2007: Wizard World Philadelphia - DAY ONE
- June 19, 2007: Wizard World Philadelphia - DAY TWO & THREE
- June 19, 2007: Review - Superman Musical by York Theatre Company
- June 20, 2007: Wizard World Philadelphia - PHOTOS
- June 22, 2007: Girl Badly Injured on Superman Ride
- June 25, 2007: Superman Homepage in Prism Comics 2007 Edition
- June 28, 2007: Superman Ride Accident Victim Stable
- June 29, 2007: DC Comics Inks Deal with Mattel
- July 1, 2007: Superman Homepage Logo Change
- July 1, 2007: Superman Homepage 2007 Survey Results
- July 1, 2007: Legion of Doom Show at Six Flags
- July 25, 2007: New Adventures of Superman DVD Contest Winners
- August 5, 2007: Legion of Super Heroes at McDonalds
- August 7, 2007: Audio Interview with Kevin J. Anderson
- August 7, 2007: Superman Video Trailers and Themes Available on Xbox 360
- August 8, 2007: It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's a baby, 4Real!
- August 9, 2007: Historical Superman Documents For Sale
- August 10, 2007: Superman Homepage at Wizard World Chicago 2007, Day 1 - Friday
- August 15, 2007: Mattel Recalls Millions of Toys
- August 16, 2007: Superboy Court Ruling and Legal Analysis
- August 29, 2007: Robert Sanchez and Steve Younis on Krypton Fan Podcast
- September 6, 2007: HeroClix Justice League Now Available
- September 6, 2007: Superman Rollercoast Wins Best Steel Coaster Award
- September 8, 2007: Warner Bros. to Unveil T-Works Online Experience
- September 14, 2007: Superman Potato Chips in Italy
- September 18, 2007: Animated Short - Superman vs The Lava Monster
- September 21, 2007: Superman-like Figure Spotted Flying Over Romania
- September 23, 2007: Superman/Superboy Court Hearings Set for Early 2008
- September 24, 2007: Superman on Film, Television, Radio & Broadway Book Launch
- September 25, 2007: WB and Salvage Debut Superhero Apparel
- October 9, 2007: Superman vs. Hollywood - New Book Exposes Truth
- October 10, 2007: Superman on Stage in Williamsburg, Virginia
- October 11, 2007: AirHeads Out of Control with Superman
- October 12, 2007: Hallmark Release Two Superman Christmas Tree Ornaments
- October 19, 2007: Superman Homepage Launches Speeding Bulletin News Videos
- October 20, 2007: Get Your Fathead Superman Today!
- October 22, 2007: Bruce Scivally Talks Superman on KGO Radio
- October 25, 2007: Superman Jewish Museum Exhibition
- October 30, 2007: Two New Superman Returns Figures From Hot Toys
- November 30, 2007: Superman Ride at Kentucky Kingdom to be Torn Down
- December 3, 2007: 2007 SHIELD Awards Results
- December 12, 2007: Heroes Alliance - Help Kids for the Holidays!
- December 13, 2007: Fossil Releases Two New Superman Watches
- December 20, 2007: Will Cleveland Finally Recognize Superman?
- December 21, 2007: WizKids Superman & Batman Duo Figure
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