DC Direct announces a new division - DC Unlimited - to offerer licensed non DC products to both speciality and Mass Market retail. The first two licenses will be World of Warcraft and Afro Samurai.
DC COMICS ANNOUNCES NEW STRATEGY TO LICENSE AND DISTRIBUTE POP CULTURE CHARACTERS
DC Comics announced plans today to license and distribute collectibles based on the world’s greatest pop culture characters and stories under a new brand name, DC Unlimited. The first series of DC Unlimited products will be unveiled at New York’s American International Toy Fair, and will be distributed to all retail outlets, including mass market and specialty channels.
DC Unlimited, the new brand launched by DC Comics to license and promote the world's greatest pop culture characters and stories, is proud to announce the release of a line of action figures based on World of Warcraft, the popular Blizzard Entertainment Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG). The collectibles will be unveiled this month at New York's American International Toy Fair and will be distributed worldwide in both mass market and specialty channels.
The Warcraft franchise has been a pillar of gaming culture for over a decade and remains the world's largest-selling strategy video game with over 19 million copies sold. With over 7.5 million subscribers worldwide, the game creates a unique and interactive environment, allowing for thousands of simultaneous player adventures. World of Warcraft has also been America's top-selling PC game since its release in November of 2004.
"Blizzard has created an impressive and interactive universe for World of Warcraft," said Cheryl Rubin, Senior Vice President - Brand Management at DC Comics. "We are proud to be able to deliver DC Direct's expertise in creating and distributing authentic collectibles to World of Warcraft under our new DC Unlimited brand."
DC Unlimited's World of Warcraft collectibles will include PVC vinyl, scaled and articulated figures varying in size. The initial launch will feature a four-figure assortment of 5-8-inch figures, with an additional two-figure set of two 10-12-inch deluxe figures covering the larger characters.
The initial set of figures will include a Blood Elf Rogue, Orc Shaman, Undead Warlock and Dwarf Warrior. The deluxe figures will include a Draenei Paladin and Illidan Stormrage. The first wave of figures is slated to hit comic book, pop culture, mass market, specialty and toy retailers in Fall 2007.
DC Unlimited, the new brand launched by DC Comics to license and promote the world’s greatest pop culture characters and stories, is proud to announce the acquisition of a license to release a line of action figures and collectibles based on the Studio Gonzo produced "Afro Samurai" animated series. The series debuted on Spike TV January 4th and will be released on DVD in May by FUNimation Entertainment. The collectibles will be offered in the U.S. and Canada by DC Unlimited, with the first series of products debuting at the American International Toy Fair, held in New York in February 2007.
Adapted from Takashi Okazaki’s manga, the series chronicles Afro Samurai’s relentless quest to avenge his father’s brutal murder. Featuring music by renowned hip-hop artist The RZA and starring Academy Award-nominated actor and executive producer Samuel L. Jackson as the Afro Samurai, the series is a groundbreaking fusion of American hip-hop and classic samurai story. Other voice talents working on the series include Ron Perlman ( " Hellboy " ) and Kelly Hu ( " X2 " ).
"The opportunity to bring Afro Samurai to action figure and collectible fans was something we couldn’t pass up," said Cheryl Rubin, Senior Vice President Brand Management at DC Comics. "The combination of Afro Samurai’s hip, cutting-edge animation with the quality and attention to detail that DC Unlimited is known for is a perfect match."
DC Direct, best known for their authentic collectibles generated directly from the source material, will launch a line of Afro Samurai collectibles that will include fully articulated 6.75 " and 14 " action figures, resin busts and statues - all spotlighting the characters from the popular anime. The first wave of figures will include Afro Samurai, his sidekick Ninja Ninja and his deadly adversaries Kuma and Justice. The first wave of figures is slated to hit comic book and pop culture specialty retailers Fall 2007.
"With its innovative fusion of hip-hop and anime, Afro Samurai is such a unique title we knew we needed an exceptional partner to create figures befitting the animation," said Bob Brennan, Director of Licensing at FUNimation Entertainment. "DC Unlimited’s reputation, superior design and attention to detail combined with their passion for this property made them the natural choice for this line."
Pictures of some WoW prototypes were
shown at the UK Toyfair More will be shown at US Toyfair.
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