I dig comic books. It should be obvious that I love comics. Not only am I writing this column, but I’ve been writing a column on Comics Nexus for years now. So it’s fair to say that comics are a passion of mine.
One of the coolest things about comics is the potential for them to break out of the medium. The Avengers is a four-quadrant hit, which means it’s as big a hit as can be. And those characters started as four-color two-dimensional images. Smallville was a show that ran for ten years and built quite a following.
And then there’s the merchandise. When I was a kid I had a Mego Spider-Man and it was the coolest thing ever. I still have the costume somewhere, though the figure died long long ago. I’ve also got fond memories of the barely adequate Secret Wars figures that Marvel put out. Every character had a shield, not just Captain America!
Things have come a long way since those days. And now that I’m fully entrenched in adulthood, I find myself baffled at how revenue streams for comics are being underutilized. There are so many awesome things that fanboys would be willing to buy, if only they were actually a reality.
Since DC Direct has become DC Collectibles, I figured now would be the time for me to offer up some things that I’d really like to see produced and things I know that I’d happily spend my money on.
Here are some that spring immediately to mind.
Omnicom App for iPad – Back in the good ol’ days of the 5YG, Legion readers were introduced to the Omnicom which was sort of a iPad/Kindle/Nook type device. Basically it was how people in the 30th Century got their news and gossip and how they did their research. And this was over 20 years ago that they predicted it.
Now that we’ve actually got iPads and whatnot, it really makes sense for an app that reproduces the look of the Omnicom. Honestly, it’s be a great thing for DC in general. Since the Omnicom had historical information, the Omnicom app could basically be like the Who’s Who in the DCU, but as an app. You could get profiles of the characters, appearances and important stories (with links to where you can purchase those stories in trades.)
I don’t know too much about tech, but I doubt that writing up of the profiles would take too much time. And it’d be a solid endeavor that would last forever. Or at least until the next relaunch.
More Lantern Power Battery Props – I’m probably the only one who’s still interested in the Lantern Power Battery Props, but I am still interested. I’ve got Red, Yellow, Hal Jordan and Alan Scott. In fact the only I’m missing is Abin Sur. But I’d really like to add the rest of the Corps to my collection. I’ll even buy Black and White, just make it happen.
Cosmic Rod replica prop – I’m sure that Jack Knight has enough diehard fans who’d plunk down good money for a Cosmic Rod replica prop (either Jack’s staff or Ted’s rod.) I know that at one point DC Direct was going to produce Ted’s Cosmic Rod, but decided against it. And this was back when Starman was still being published.
Now that Jack Knight might be lost to the sands of continuity, it’s highly unlikely that this will ever happen. Still, it’d be cool if DC decided to throw the fans a bone on this one. I’d probably even buy two.
Rond Vidar anything – Rond Vidar has my favorite Green Lantern costume ever. Like seriously, ever. Part of it is because of how dramatically it was introduced (during a battle with the Time Trapper) and part of it was the art team (Giffen & DeCarlo.) But mostly it’s because it looks so damn cool and unique.
I’d really love a Rond Vidar DC Direct figure. I’d be happy with a Rond Vidar statue or bust. But if we’re being honest, I’d like a Rond Vidar costume. Even if it was just pajamas or long johns, I’d be a happy dude. Again, I know I’m in the minority, but I can dream, can’t I?
Cheeks The Toy Wonder – How did Cheeks the Toy Wonder never get produced as a plush toy? That’s just lazy.
Mother Box Phone Case – Again, this is a case of people not thinking outside of the box. Jack Kirby created the Mother Box back in the 1970’s, and today people can’t live without their cellphones, which are capable of doing everything. We basically have Mother Boxes in our hands today.
If DC Collectibles were to create cell phone cases that mimic the look of the Mother Box, fanboys would rejoice. They could even make the Mother Box customizable, by having the Kirby Circuits as stickers, so you could design your own Mother Box. I’m telling you these would sell like crazy.
There you have it. Those are the products that I think DC Collectibles should jump on. And that’s just what I came up with at the spur of the moment. I’m sure that if I actually sat down and let my mind wander, I’d come up with plenty more ideas. And some of those might actually be viable.
Anyway, that’s it for me. It’s Wednesday, go and buy some comics.
