[1] DC Universe Classics was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2007, with the first wave of action figures on display.
The line was re-branded as DC Universe All-Stars and included Superman (New 52), Superboy Prime, Batman (New 52), and Red Robin, but was later canceled due to fan criticisms and lack of retailer interest.
For collectors, the issue was pronounced with the Walmart-exclusive fifth wave, which was underordered by the retail chain,[5] but was later re-released and sold online at Mattel's website.
Collectors, concerned about quality control, said some figures they purchased had stuck joints, bad paint applications, and mismatched parts.
DC Universe Classics takes much of its inspiration from Kenner's Super Powers toyline from the 1980s, from character choices to their general design.
Through an online vote, fans of DC Universe Classics could choose from a list of six characters to appear in a future wave: Catman, Huntress, The Question, Ragman, Starman, and Vixen.
For its 2009 poll, the DC Universe brand managers and ToyFare staff picked another group of six characters to include in the line: Captain Marvel Jr., Geo-Force, Libra, Raven, Toyman, and Uncle Sam.
These plans were altered to increase the number of figures per wave to seven, beginning with the seventh series, and to include retailer, convention, and online exclusives at various times throughout the year.
[15] Unveiled in its entirety during the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con,[citation needed] the sixth assortment of DC Universe Classics contains several characters from Jack Kirby's Fourth World storyline.
[18] One villain in the wave, Mantis, has a 50/50 split comprising his comic book counterpart and his depiction in the Super Powers line.
Confirmed by Mattel and revealed for the first time in the November 2009 (#147) issue of ToyFare magazine, the twelfth wave of DC Universe Classics marks the switchover to a new theme and an updated package design.
The modern Cheetah variant was originally shown in pictures with no clothing, but she was eventually released wearing a black outfit.
Officially confirmed on May 17, 2010, the fifteenth wave of DC Universe Classics includes another character exclusive to Super Powers–Golden Pharaoh.
In the September 2010 issue of ToyFare, pictures of part of the sixteenth wave were revealed–The Creeper and Jonah Hex, as well as the Collect and Connect figure.
Wave sixteen features a new, larger package design, including the art of iconic DC Comics heroes.
The Collect and Connect figure for this wave is Bane, who features a new sculpture in a larger size, in relation to the DC Superheroes version.
Figures released in this wave included Batman (blue and gray), Firestorm, Green Lantern, Robin, "Shazam!
In addition, the two-packs included new figures (Abin Sur and Lightray), and new versions of recent DC Universe Classics releases (Orion and Hal Jordan Green Lantern).
Shortly before the 2008 Christmas holiday, four pre-orders for previously unannounced two-packs appeared on various online toy store websites.
Available both at San Diego and on MattyCollector.com, the set comes with the aforementioned twins, along with a bucket featuring Zan in his water form and Jayna as an eagle.
A fifth figure featuring The Joker repainted in an Alex Ross inspired black tuxedo design was scheduled to be released as well, but was cancelled.
On the April 28, 2011 episode of Attack of the Show!, it was revealed that the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con exclusive would be Swamp Thing, a character that was previously off-limits because for a time it was not part of the mainstream DC Universe.
[36] Exclusive to MattyCollector.com was a twelve-pack of the Legion of Super-Heroes, the first time characters from this team were released in the DC Universe Classics line.
Besides the twelve heroes listed below, the set also included a Proty accessory figure and a die-cast Legion flight ring.
Exclusive to Wal-Mart was a five-pack of members of the Crime Syndicate of America, packaged with a combination of modern (Owlman, Superwoman, Ultraman) and classic (Johnny Quick, Power Ring) incarnations of the characters.
[citation needed] In September, Mattel revealed on their Facebook page that despite not reaching their subscriber goal, the club would still go forward.
[38] Besides Metron, the first figures to be released through the club were Atrocitus, Flash (Jay Garrick), Starman (Thom Kallor), and Poison Ivy.
[citation needed] The DC Club Infinite Earths 2013 line up was unveiled at SDCC that year, and included Saint Walker, Phantom Stranger, Elongated Man, Larfleeze, and Wally West.
[citation needed] At New York Comic Con, it was revealed that Red Hood, Captain Marvel Jr., and Huntress would be released during 2013.
"Hook hand" Aquaman would be released in March, Ice in June, Superboy in September, and Damian Wayne as Robin in December.