The DC Comics Action Figure Archive

by Scott Beatty

For the legions that collect the immensely popular DC Comics action figures, we have good news: the official visual compendium of more than 1,400 characters has finally arrived. The DC Comics Action Figure Archive is the definitive reference for the serious enthusiast. Assembled by lead collector Scott Beatty and the experts at DC Comics, this sturdy hardcover features more than 600 full-color photographs and an easily navigable A-to-Z structure. Here, too, are previously impossible-to-find release dates, variants and "redecoes," as well as detailed information on action figure scales and articulation points. From Ace the Bat-Hound to Zauriel, with lots of Batman and Superman in-between, this collector's must-have guide doesn't miss a beat.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 20, 2007

About the author

Scott Matthew Beatty is a comic books writer.

Reviews

[Zorak]

i can’t imagine that this is the most accurate book on dc action figures or anything but as someone who is only casually into action figures and comic book related things, i thought it was pretty cool. this is another one i read way back when.

[Christopher]

Very fun, very cool. Needs more pictures! And more on the Swamp Thing and Warlord toys !

[Terry Collins]

This is the type of book well-meaning relatives buy comics fans or toy collectors for gifts. A series of photographs of action figures taken out of the original packaging in alphabetical order focused on the D.C. Universe. Becomes even more confusing when listing all of, say, the figures made of Batman - dating back to the Captain Action days (1960s). Perhaps an arrangement by decade might havge worked better, but this was a doomed project from the conception in my humble opinion. Worth flipping through, but honestly, there is not much meat to go onto the bones of this over-sized color picture book. So if grandma gives you this for your birthday, smile and be grateful - her heart was certainly in the right place.

[Jamil]

it's a sound idea, you know, a book showing all the superhero action figures they've made over the years, but man this is kinda shoddily planned and designed. like bargain basement chip kidd. i mean what's the point of text boxes and "fun facts" pointing to figures that aren't even pictured. that's just annoying.

also, why do so many alternate batman toys involve the color orange. i'm pretty sure that is a color that would severely clash with the gotham night.

anyway, if you one to flip through it and look at some toys, i guess it's cool.

[Scott Williams]

This book is organized alphabetically so that multiple versions of given characters can be seen together. I would have preferred a book organized chronologically. The photography is nice but I wish there was an image for every figure. There could definitely be a new edition featuring all the DC Direct figures of the 2000s.

[Nicolas]

I enjoyed what little there was to this reference guide, but I felt it was really lacking. Not a lot of background on the action figures and the vast majority didn't even have pictures. It was super cheap so I can't complain too much.

[Jen]

This is a great compilation of the evolution of DC action figurines. I would have liked to see all known figures featured with supporting images, but this is still a worthy collector's item.