Some pretty interesting DC Universe Classics and Masters of the Universe Classics news…

BigBadToyStore has posted four new DCUC two-packs:

• Clayface and a muddy, black-and-gray repaint of DCUC1 Batman (link)
• A re-release of the DCSH blue Supergirl and Lex Luthor (link)
• Golden Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl (link)
• And classic Superman (with Eradicator head with red eyes) and classic, green-headed Brainiac (link)

But here’s the thing–collectors have to order these sets for them actually to get produced. Over at Action Figure Insider, Mattel’s Toy Guru posted the following information about these exclusives:

Hey toy fans,

So here is the deal with the new DCUC 2 packs and new IH Mallah’s Revenge 6 packs that has shown up on some internet sites.

These are currently “proposed” packs which we would very much like to get to. What are the factors holding them up you say? Well fan interest that is what!

To generate this, we have offered these packs to online retailers in hopes of generating enough pre-sales and support going into production. If we do recieve that and can hit the minimum order quantity we need to go into production, these packs will roll out throughout 2009. Here is the skinny:

Batman vs Clayface

Batman will be in his black and gray costume with “mud splatter” effects. Clayface will be an exact reissue of this hard to find figure.

Superman vs Brainiac

This is proposed as a standard Superman figure (Eradicator head on the Wave 6 Superman body with red heat vision eyes) vs. Classic Brainiac (green head) with an all new head and coller piece. Brainic will come armed with Luthor’s gun from the 2007 figure.

Supergirl vs. Luthor

This will be a reissue of the Blue outfit Kara Supergirl and the power suit Lex, but perhapes with a little surprise in the accessories!

Golden Age Hawk Pack

Two new figures to start your golden age collection.

So again, all of these packs are pending fan interest. Because they are not being carried (at this time) by any of the large box stores, we need to generate a minimum order before we can turn on the green light and go into production.

And while many may ask “why not sell these on MattyCollector.com?”, well, that is because we have other more intensive packs with more obscure characters from the DC universe planned for the Matty.com offerings which are already going forward – check out the new issue of Toy Fare for a sneak peak at Alex Luthor and Ultraman. These 4 packs are meant to get harded to find figures back in collectors hands. (vs the Matty packs are all news characters in each pack).

If these packs do not get produced, we will try to work these characters back into the line down the road. But for now, the best way to show support for these packs is to place pre orders with your favorite online retailer today!

Also, look for a surprise reveal on MattyCollector.com right after Xmas this year!

Toy Guru

So if you really want these sets to see the light of day, you should pre-order them now.

I’ve got Lex Luthor and Supergirl and I’m not interested in the Golden Age Hawkperson pack, but I did order the other two sets. However, I think Mattel should consider not making Batman muddy, giving him the classic bat symbol instead of the yellow oval, and giving Superman normal eyes. That would make those particular two-packs much more appealing to collectors.

Now, that said, I do find this a little curious. Nothing implies the impending doom of an action figure line so much as when the manufacturer tells us they need to get enough orders to sell it–remember Darkstalkers? However, my gut tells me that’s not what’s happening here. This seems more like Mattel trying something new for the collectors to see how it works out.

One question I have is this: if, say, two or three of the packs get enough pre-orders, but one doesn’t, will they still produce the packs that do have enough orders?

Meanwhile, He-Man.org got an early sample of MOTUC Skeletor and took lots of photos. Check ’em out. I can’t wait for this figure. And I’m glad to see He-Man.org got the first sample this time around. Now, if only Mattel could see their way to sending me a sample…