DC Comics Bombshells refers to a line of figurines released by DC Collectibles depicting DC Comics superheroines in a retro 1940s look based on designs by Ant Lucia.[1] The line has further expanded to encompass variant covers of DC Comics[2] and licensed memorabilia such as art prints, T-shirts, mugs and their own ongoing comic book.[3]
Initial conception
The DC Comics Bombshells franchise began "in spring 2011 at a convention in Chicago where DC Collectibles found Ant Lucia's prints re-imaging DC superheroines as pin-up girls".[4] World War II history, fashion, and air planes were studied to conceive the franchise. DC Comics worked with Udon Entertainment to produce illustrations. In fall 2011, four character designs of Wonder Woman, Stargirl, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn were used to pitch the idea of a nine-inch statue line. DC later asked Ant Lucia to redesign their initial conception of a retro Wonder Woman. Tim Miller was requested to handcraft the sculptures. In 2013, the first sculpture of the franchise, Wonder Woman, was sold in stores.
Ant Lucia, the creator of the sculptures' and variant covers' designs, drew a heavy influence from World War II aesthetics and pin-up models.[1] He juxtaposed past pin up girl designs with current rockabilly culture. The sculptures created a convergence between modern ideologies regarding feminine agency and nostalgia for the golden age of comics. The Bombshells variant covers were able to cultivate a coherent narrative by placing contemporary characters in the past. Ant Lucia details his process on detaching the characters from their current history and the construction of their new placement in World War II era: "In our initial conversations, we brainstorm on who this character is and if they were set in this period, what elements would make up their costume".
DC Collectibles statues
The first statue was released in September 2013 with an initial assortment of twelve statues planned for the line. High interest in the line has meant that the line has continued beyond the initial twelve statues, with releases planned through 2019.[6] The DC Collectibles statues have matching "steel plate" bases. The earliest statues were shipped with the nameplates attached to the bases; some statues were shipped as single solid pieces. DC, however, began using separate pieces attached with pegs or magnets due to a high percentage of damaged early statues. Between 2013 and 2016, the statues had Edition Sizes of 5200 (during DC's New 52 era).[7] Beginning with 2017's Katana, the statues currently have Edition Sizes of 5000.[8]
Deluxe statues
The Deluxe statues have diorama-style bases instead of the shared "steel plate" bases of the regular statue line. Currently, they have Edition Sizes of 5000 each.
Comic books
DC Comics Bombshells
Based on the increased interest in the property, a digital-first ongoing series written by Marguerite Bennett and various artists began in July 2015, with a printed comic book following in 12 August.[3][9] The series ran for 100 digital issues, concluding in June 2017 and 33 print issues with the final issue release in August.
In her initial conception for building a narrative out of Ant Lucia's designs, Marguerite Bennett has stated: "We were able to retro-engineer this complete environment that lets them showcase their powers that lets them have good relationships and friendships that they wouldn't have been able to explore in another sphere....Going down to the smallest details that [Ant Lucia] puts into the statues and creating whole backstories for items".[10] Bennett also speaks on her decision to incorporate mainstream canonical backstories of characters in this new world.[11]
Merchandise
Based on the success of the initial statues, the Bombshells designs were licensed out to a number of other companies for a range of merchandise. DC Collectibles released a set of three busts (Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Mera) based on artwork by Emmanuela Lupacchino and sculpted by Jack Mathews.[31] Another company, Icon Heroes, released a Bombshells Harley Quinn bust. Cryptozoic Entertainment has released a line of PVC statues based on the Bombshells designs, as well as Mystery-Box mini figurines titled 'Lil Bombshells. Funko has released a range of Bombshells figures in their POP! and Rock Candy lines and a wave of Mystery Mini figurines. The Tonner Doll Company has also released fashion dolls of Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Batwoman in their Bombshells designs.
Action figures
Based on the continuing success of the line, DC Collectibles later released a line of articulated action figures based on the DC Comics Bombshells line as part of their 'Designer Series' range of 6.75-inch figures. The first wave of figures was released in April 2017 and features Bombshells versions of Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and Batwoman.[32]
Video games
Infinite Crisis – alternate Bombshells costumes were added for Harley Quinn in February and Stargirl in March 2015.
DC Universe Online – DC Comics Bombshells content was added to the game in August 2015. The story mission The Bombshells Paradox sees the Bombshells version of Talia al Ghul cause a tear in reality and leads to the players interacting with the Bombshells versions of Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman. Various cosmetic items based on the Bombshells look and a number of posters with Ant Lucia's original Bombshells artwork were also added to the game.
External links
References
- DC Collectibles A Bombshell of A Journey. DC Comics. January 22, 2015.^
- DC Announces Bombshell Variants for June. Comic Book Resources. March 14, 2014.^
- First Look DC Collectibles Newest Bombshells