Mattel’s DC Multiverse: The Beginning of the End

Mattel had a pretty lengthy run with DC. In this video I go over the line that ended it all.
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Thumbnail by theraysketches
00:00 Intro
01:06 2016
09:59 2017
17:59 2018
22:28 2019
26:06 Outro
#DCUniverse #Mattel #DCMultiverse

[@nicktroisi6347]

As a kid in 2016: I’m looking at these figures and I’m like wow these are awesome Now as an adult: Wtf, these are so ugly and lazy

[@collegerebel]

In spite of how dated DC Universe Classics are in the articulation department, you can't deny that their sculpting still holds up. I hope we get a new *6* inch line someday that's on par with Marvel Legends.

[@jonny.prime.the.collector]

To bad McFarlane has the license the only ones that are kinda on par is mafex and mezco

[@vicdamon3551]

What’s crazy is Mattel makes pretty good wrestling figures but they gave no love to dc

[@blackcomicnerd3657]

I'll always have a soft spot for DC Universe Classics. They got me back into collecting action figures as an adult back in 2009/2010. They started getting a little better with the Clayface Collect N Connect wave but by then it was too late.

[@justicierodelaliga]

Setting aside that most DC movies aren´t: 1. Family friendly and 2. Set for action figures for kids... ...yes, I do remember those years of Mattel and the figures were AWFUL. Particularly the sculpts. I´ve always felt tempted into getting a Wonder Woman figure but having it on hand always made me change my mind. I always felt sad for how these figures never sold. I´m sure that if the scultps were better they´d sold better. The idea of making figures based of the Arrowverse and beyond...now that was brilliant. Yet again, the scultps.

[@sushiatsushi1538]

I genuinely like this type of content about toys. Great to see non review and whats new to come content.

[@Perajurit_Faqihin]

Omg. I've always thought that Mattel's run was better than McFarlane simply because I prefer 6 inch scale 😂 But now that you've put it into perspective, it all makes sense now why DC stuff are in 7 inch. They're trying to stand out against Hasbro! Also, damn, can't believe we're in a the post DCEU era. We're about to get another reboot.

[@chancylvania]

I mean it certainly works. The first time I saw McFarlanes giant box it really caught my attention more so than marvels has

[@sigil777music]

Honestly, i remember at the time wishing that Hasbro would get the DC license. Not a fan of monopolies, ha, but I would kill for a “DC Legends” line, to go with Marvel Legends. That would have been awesome. Instead we got the complete death of 6” DC figures. While I do love a select few of the McFarlane figs (Captain Carrot & Clayface megafig being two favorites), I generally hate the 7” scale, and I don’t like the always slightly off look of the Justice League related figures (Hawkman, Red Tornado, etc). I wish the original DC Direct was at least still around, they made some great gigs as well.

[@SirPigsworth]

GREAT VIDEO!! Can’t believe this I only got this recommended now. I think showing/mentioning the Mattel Batman prototype by David Vonner would have made this video even more perfect

[@Aesopartemis]

Hate that they didn't release Black Canary 😔

[@lewis2871]

Loved DCUC. I started with Wave 1 and went all the way through. I have them on display now.

[@lewis2871]

HATED that they double jointed Classic Robin. Major mis-step. Double joins look stupid.

[@lewis2871]

The only thing they re-designed in the later year were those stupid looking hip joints.

[@andrepaul3483]

Mattel's selection is crazy with their DC line. DC Icons & the Mattel JLU line will forever have a special place in my heart,but DCUC is god tier.

[@user-dk9vt2eq3u]

Multiverse was what got me into 6 inch scale collecting. I liked all the live action figures. I'm now pissed DC is now 7 inch scale. McFartland sucks.

[@collegerebel]

Yeah, I hate Uncle Todd's toys too. I hope he loses the license by the end of 2025.

[@robobrando]

Honestly very excited for this. That whole multiverse era feels somewhat thankless following on from the Classics stuff and now being the interim between that and McFarlane. And then the quality was all over the place. Interested to see what you think.

[@blankusername1753]

can't wait for the Hal Jordan collection video

[@loslakers530]

I'll admit I bought some mattel figures, but as soon as mcfarlane took over I eas hooked!

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Representative of the largest wonderwoman action figure dolly collection,aquired from 5 below, mattel changed hands because of the fans jawing about the lack of modern engineering. Most wanted at least the level of engineering marvel legends was using on their action figure dollies. But all mattel could do was static statue like figures, even though they had their own exceptional use of materials and detailed work. I ♥️ a fw of the mattel stuff and wished they'd have got up to date , because the scale of that line was superb and superior in many ways compared with mcfartlane stuff ❤

[@clemsontgr84]

How to ensnare a nerd: previous gen action figures + Nintendo background music. 👏👏👏 Fun video, enjoyed it

[@AnthonyReviews]

Thanks!

[@DarrenWatson64]

Two biggest reasons why Hasbro's Marvel Legends and McFarlane's DC Multiverse did better than Mattel's DC Multiverse 1. The actor likenesses, the body proportions, the paint applications, and the level of articulation are way better, whereas the design of even the newer Mattel DC Multiverse figures always feels like small heads on a bulky torso with thin and long limbs, and the paint apps look too bright and basic with lack of any shadowing. and 2. Every wave of figures they put out is self-contained and consistent with the theme of the BAF/CnC. For example, if they are making a BAF Rhino, it makes sense that the other characters in the wave are all Spider-verse characters because Rhino is a Spider-Man villain. And if they are making an Arkham City Solomon Grundy CnC, it makes sense that every figure in that wave are Batman characters and how they appear in Arkham City.

[@zeroh2hero]

I'm currently collecting these at the moment now that they don't make them anymore and I enjoy the heck out of finding them for a good price

[@vicdamon3551]

Mattel figures were so bad. I started collecting marvel legends in 2018 and tried Mattel and they were just so bad compare. I’m very happy with macfarlane today and think they are slowly getting better. I don’t collect everything from anything I collect and only pick and choose but macfarlane has put out enough good ones for me to have a great looking shelf of dc

[@graefx]

I remember getting the Ares CAC wave for $5 a figure. For just the CAC it was a decent deal. I got Duke Thomas thinking it had double joints and just felt so scammed. I kept thinking the Shazam movie figure was gonna be a new step forward to compete with Marvel legends.

[@seansanford7684]

I literally have a few of the standard Justice League figures, Hippolyta, Mera and a 12 inch Batman and Wonder Woman and I’m basically so greatful for McFarlane😂

[@Michaelengelmann]

I’m guessing he was poking fun at the “Save Martha” scene. That scene as well as other themes went over ppl’s heads. BvS, “Save Martha!” Humanized the alien to Bruce and it was also Bruce’s mother’s name so it took him aback & his fathers last word was “Martha.” And the MCU had its own “Save Martha” scene no one talks about. “I don’t care. He killed my mom” He was brainwashed Tony.

[@jorgedontola092]

1. This is a video about toys. 2. It went over nobody's heads. Everybody understood the scene. It's just dumb. And people rejeted such a dumb scene. It actually maked both characters look not smart at all. 3. The "I don't care. He killed my mom" actually proves the Martha scene colud have worked if it was written and acted better.

[@TrenchMan93]

I cant stand mcfarlanes line. Im sticking to the expensive mafex. Dc mattel could’ve been better, but was leagues better in quality control and affordability. Idk why todd made the figures 7 inch (allegedly so they scale with only his toys), but it ruined side by side collections.

[@vern82]

He made them 7 inch, so that we have to buy all the characters again. If he had kept the same scale as Mattel, we might have skipped some characters from mcfarlene, that we already have in mattel form

[@fredthetank8386]

My wallet thanks him for making them 7 inch. There have been so many Mcfarlane figures I would get if they were 6 inch. However since they are 7 I have passed on them because they don’t fit with my stuff.

[@TrenchMan93]

@@fredthetank8386shill boo.

[@sahzaman]

Great video you should make the continuation with mcfarlane lines ı would really want to hear whats happened there

[@LordByron2752]

Great video man.

[@I_dont_like_anime]

Fantastic Video

[@ToyCollector82]

The big problem with Mattel is that they never listened to fan feedback. Especially when Scott Neitlich was brand manager. By the time Scott left, it was too little too late for Mattel to improve articulation & sculpt. I don't mean to be harsh but I'm glad Mattel doesn't have the DC license anymore.

[@thedeadbatterydepot]

Sadly, I was disappointed also, Marvel legends was rocking them. I never got a flash because they where all bad face paints, the running looked so bad. The suicide squad movie figures where so bad I got none. Mcfarlane seems to look much better, most do. I got the king shark wave, that was awesome!

[@ShadesAtKnight]

Excellent detailed video.

[@midsectionmark8956]

Great video and very good points!! I do wish there was more props where it’s due in the video I understand some figures you were more disappointed in than I was. For example I thought the movie Justice League line was great except for Superman.

[@everything-comics1102]

If I was in charge of DC: -Classic Lego sets like we used to get in 2013-2016 -An Action figure line on par with Marvel legends, modern articulation, photo real sculptures, mainline heroes, flash, Batman, Wonder Woman etc. -more Fortnite collaborations with classic suits like we saw with Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. - Triple A video games with classic characters, Batman, Superman, Flash, all these cool characters - New Cartoons, Batman, Justice league, teen titans etc. -James Gunn needs to embrace characters like Barry Allen, Wonder Woman etc, show everyone these characters are cool, and marketable. Just give us comic accuracy and let the kids love DC again

[@mightytonj.5928]

Very Good, Interesting Video.

[@chancylvania]

Dc multiverse is where Mattel slipped in the shower and became stupid. Also dang I’ve been looking for a good 6 in hawk girl…and that last one looked like the perfect one. Shame it never released.

[@Supermanfan99]

Nothing beats the DCUC line. Not sure why it died out. I had so much fun collecting it.

[@danielduquette5588]

I loved the Essentials line because it came at a time I was able to start collecting, and could start at the ground level/1st wave. With McFarlane continuing the DC-eased line borrowing from the essentials style, I hope he brings back the essentials. As a collector line, could do 1 or two waves a year (max). And let us finish out the Watchmen team (Nite Owl & Silk Spectre 2 pack).

[@youngattorney3722]

The DC Multiverse line before the license was given to Todd was awful. I still remember that Dick Grayson Batman. Holy hell.

[@user-qj9uq8du2z]

Say what you will about Dean Cain, but his Superman show "Lois and Clark" was a favorite of 6yr old me. I've been hoping each year that they will make a figure...no luck yet.

[@andrewjenck9152]

Great video! Would love to hear your thoughts on ToyBiz Marvel Legends.

[@calebdonaldson7044]

Has anyone told you sound like matpat?

[@thepeanutgallery6100]

I miss the Mattel lines I liked them more than the MacFarlane lines but the MacFarlane lines are alright. But I also didn't like the live action characters Mattel made either.

[@Seeker_Blade]

I’m definitely glad Mcfarlane has the license. So much better in every way

[@SourRobo8364]

Eh, things could be better.

[@quodnomenmihiest6283]

I'm not a fan of the diapers on the McFarlane figs.

[@bunnyfreakz]

@@SourRobo8364 Mattel still worse most of times.

[@darkk_darkk]

Nah we can do better than McFarlane yes it’s definitely a step up but his figures are terrible they look nice but that’s it, plus Dc multiverse has waay too many variations of Batman minus well call the line Batman multiverse.

[@alessiorando100]

​@@SourRobo8364 of course things could be better but it's undeniable that thanks to McFarlene Toys the DC Multiverse line has hugely improved.

[@marionlawless]

As someone old enough to be a SuperFriends viewer, those figures were off model in so many ways.

[@jorgedontola092]

My favorite superhero is Batman and until today I own no figures from the character due to Mattel being awful. I hated BvS but wanted the figures and my rage came to it's peak when I noticed the regular Batman had wider shoulder sthan the Armored Batman even though the regular Batman suit is supposed to be inside of the Armored one!

[@ragingtothemax]

it was so weird watching this line go from really great and fun DC characters to total crap then start to get really good. I was hoping it would be onpar with marvel legends as they kept going but unfortunately they didn't. The only one I had from mattel dc multiverse was dkr batman and that was a cool figure. I do quite enjoy the new dc multiverse though. I know some people have their complaints about Mcfarlane toys (too much batman) but there is a lot of effort and improvements through out the short amount of time they have had the license. Some stuff is out of their control though like with the toy guns. But thankfully he is solving that with the munition packs and this new pack is more blunt with "hey put this with your DC figures"

[@heylookaseacunt200]

are mattel dc figures still being made or sold?

[@comicnerd420]

No McFarlane has the license now

[@jefferyjones8399]

Honestly, I like them better than the McFarlane stuff.

[@seansimz7279]

most of the figures look like bad fondant cakes lol

[@Michaelengelmann]

BvS Ultimate Edition is how it was originally supposed to come out. WB wanted BvS, Snyder didn’t, but still made it. WB botched it. Snyder wanted MoS2 & a solo Batman movie.

[@JustiisLeague]

A 6 inch Michelle Pfeiffer Catwoman. Please.

[@TheEdorizo]

McFarland is doing way too many Batman and at the moment he is cuddling too many action figures of the DC line right now he should take a couple weeks break so he does not drown the market with DCs it should different statues a little bit

[@ICEMAN24824]

I stay with DC icons figures and never again collect anything else McFarlane its a big let down his figures suck as well

[@warsthemarvel8608]

If I was a DC (which I’m not, I’m a Marvel guy) then easily I’d choose Mattel’s DC Multiverse over McFarlane’s. McFarlane’s figures are oversized, shitty articulation and the quality control is a joke, the only saving grace is the sculpt but that’s it. Mattel > McFarlane’s

[@theotherguy21]

Have you ever had a mcfarlane dc figure

[@warsthemarvel8608]

@@theotherguy21 nope but I have seen the reviews

[@theotherguy21]

@warsthemarvel8608 💀ok so you haven't had one your self your opinion doesn't matter I've seen sharimis prime a guy who does mostly legends review dc figures and his reviews make them look ass compared to how they are In your own hands

[@warsthemarvel8608]

@@theotherguy21mate if you own a McFarlane figure have you experienced QC problems like arms coming off easily or pieces or legs?

[@theotherguy21]

@warsthemarvel8608 literally the only time I had a issue was with the conner Kent super boyi own a decent amount too

[@JosueAguilar_01]

Still think they should #ReleaseTheAyerCut

[@Kevin.Herbert]

McFarlane dc multiverse is way better in my opinion