WizKids Announces Sell-Out of DC HeroClix: Superman

[WizKidsNECA]

<img src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/80851/HCRealms.com/logos/sm_200x.png" align="left" style="padding-right: 5px">August 10, 2011 (HILLSIDE, NJ) — WizKids/NECA announces the manufacturer sell-out of their most recent set, DC HeroClix®: Superman. WizKids’ entire inventory of DC HeroClix: Superman, releasing September 28th, 2011, has been completely sold to distributors worldwide.

The DC HeroClix: Superman expansion will feature more than 50 figures in standard five-figure boosters. Celebrating over 70 years of history, Superman brings all of the action and amazing power that only the Last Son of Krypton can deliver, and where Superman treads his greatest villains and allies cannot be far behind! Popular sub-themes in the set will include: All-Star Superman, the World of New Krypton, the Legion of Super Heroes, the exciting and pivotal Flashpoint mini-series and more!

The DC HeroClix: Superman standard booster product also features an all new, in-pack Buy-It-By-The-Brick Robot Superman figure! For the first time ever, the Buy-It-By-The-Brick figure will be available in the brick itself contained within an unmarked 6 figure booster!

"The growth of HeroClix in 2011 has been extraordinary," said Lax Chandra, President of WizKids. "Sales for each set this year has outdone the last with Superman being our biggest release in many years. Despite the increase in our supply, retailers, retailers can't keep the product on their shelves. We would like to thank all of our retail partners and customer base for their continued support."

[PONX]

Someday heroclix will knock magic off its horse at my venue and give us back our time slot. Hopefully someday soon...

[CoacAdam]

Finally a new robot Superman! He better have the sickest regen in the game.

[fastcat99]

Woohoo! As long as I can get more than nine packs before it's gone from the shelves, I'm good.....................I'm good.

[RedDragon]

you better learn it fast, & you better learn it young! someday never comes!

[agrippa1737]

I wonder when we can see the check list?

[Widowmaker03]

If a product is off the shelf the day of release then that should be a key indicator that you aren't producing enough to meet demand. It sure would be nice if you increased your output to what it was around Arkham Asylum... stop being so conservative Wizkids

[TheUnstoppable]

So basically no more BBTB its now just a super-rare in a pack and still not enough to fill the shelves.......it seems to me just another corner cut. Cant keep em on the shelves and cant replace the busted or missing figs.....sorry if I am raining on the parade but jeez get the other probs solved before you tweek your system. Ok rant over everyone go back to being happy bout the set.

[TheRedHood]

It is my understanding that they are producing the most they ever have. It is those pesky new guys that are ruining it for us. :laugh:

seriously though is anyone surprised at this?

As long as I get my case, I will be happy.

Anyone else usually use brick figures for extra prizes? Usually whatever we buy for sealed, we get that many bibtb figures to use as prizes. Now that it is in the box, I don't think people will volunteer to give them up for it.

Personally I think it is a great idea to have them in the boxes, but it may hurt the brick and mortars, since they will be in online bricks as well.

[haibane13]

Here we go again . Wizkids reminding you that you ain't getting they're stuff cause someone else already go it , and it's all your fault .

[FFFAN]

Did Captain America sell out? Maybe orders for DC just aren't as strong?

[Mr. Cranberry]

Woohoo! As long as I can get more than nine packs before it's gone from the shelves, I'm good.....................I'm good.

As long as I can get more than two packs before they're gone I may be good.

[Mr. Cranberry]

It is my understanding that they are producing the most they ever have. It is those pesky new guys that are ruining it for us. :laugh:

They not so funny part of this is the new guys are the ones not getting the product. It is the established long time players that have the disposable income to buy everything they see before others can get any. So the new players do have a chance to get into the game.

[Silver Lantern]

Less energy announcing that the set is sold out, and more energy putting hot pokers to Muncho boy's rear to get him to post more previews please... :p

[Silver Lantern]

I wonder when we can see the check list?

9/21/11...

[spider_ham]

I like the idea that Superman Robots have a collation similar to the White Lanterns (one per brick) and will be possible to pull from loose boosters. It certainly make distributing the BIBTB figs easier, but will also increase their secondary market price, as they are not readily available on an individual basis.

[agrippa1737]

well, i would like to see a good "guess" list soon before I order.

[eMouse]

Sold out by the manufacturer is not the same as sold out at retail.

For those who might be newer players, WizKids has been using this strategy for a long time. All their stock is 'sold out'... to distributors (mostly Diamond).

[hoojeebo]

Hmmm. I'm sure the "more than 50 figures" part wasn't news, but it was to me. Which means it's about the size of GSX, I reckon, which I feel is just a liiiiiittle smaller than I want a set to be. Oh well, I'm still excited! Especially for all the unmade characters. That's really my only quibble with a slightly smaller set, that there's less room for fitting in more previously unseen characters into the game!

[eMouse]

Did Captain America sell out? Maybe orders for DC just aren't as strong?

Yes...

http://wizkidsgames.com/blog/2011/05/20/wizkids-announces-sell-out-of-marvel-heroclix-captain-america/

And Giant Size X-Men...

http://wizkidsgames.com/blog/2011/02/22/giant-sized-x-men-sells-out/

And DC 75th...

http://www.gamesalute.com/?p=5257

And Hammer of Thor...

http://wizkidsgames.com/blog/2010/01/22/friday-update-featuring-drews-desk/

And probably every other set they've made since their relaunch. This is a strategy they use. Distributors get their preorders (A), then multiply their preorders by factor (B) based on prior sales rates and factors in keeping stock available for a reasonable amount of time. WizKids makes the set to meet the combined A*B order, plus C units to cover product distributed by WizKids themselves through non-retail channels (replacements, con sales, prizes, promotions), and thus is 'sold out' before the product ever hits the shelves.

This is how WizKids has been operating for a long time. Next time you look at a booster that's been collecting dust at your local FLGS or FLCBS, remind yourself that as far as WK is concerned, that set is 'sold out'.

[eMouse]

Hmmm. I'm sure the "more than 50 figures" part wasn't news, but it was to me.

The September 21st release date might be news. Last I'd heard, people were saying it was pushed back to the 28th with Halo?

UPDATE: Nevermind, the press release has been corrected to September 28th as the release date.

[spike1138]

Less energy announcing that the set is sold out, and more energy putting hot pokers to Muncho boy's rear to get him to post more previews please... :p

That's an image I didn't want in my head! :confused:

[WestCoastAvengers]

We need more previews.

[chrisgo316]

I see that the 21st date has been changed to the 28th again?

[eMouse]

I see that the 21st date has been changed to the 28th again?

Yep, looks like it's been corrected.

[vamroc]

It is my understanding that they are producing the most they ever have. It is those pesky new guys that are ruining it for us. :laugh:





My vendor was told the usual number of cases WK makes is around 700 but with this release the number of cases is in excess of 1600 and he was given the option of ordering 60 cases when his previous limit was 20.

[Puuka]

At this rate, we should see the announcement for the sellout of the Hulk set in two weeks and the first set in 2012 in five weeks from now.

[Puuka]

That's an image I didn't want in my head! :confused:

No, he didn't say "Pokers to Muncho boy's hot rear"

[Silver Lantern]

My vendor was told the usual number of cases WK makes is around 700 but with this release the number of cases is in excess of 1600 and he was given the option of ordering 60 cases when his previous limit was 20.

That's impossible. No way the usual # of bricks produced is just 1400...

[JayP]

glad i got a case! :laugh:

[Surfer13]

If a product is off the shelf the day of release then that should be a key indicator that you aren't producing enough to meet demand. It sure would be nice if you increased your output to what it was around Arkham Asylum... stop being so conservative Wizkids

I would wager that the numbers are greater than they were for Arkham Asylum.
It remains to be seen whether the product is gone from retailer shelves on release day.
This is only announcing that the product is no longer in the Wizkids warehouse.

They not so funny part of this is the new guys are the ones not getting the product. It is the established long time players that have the disposable income to buy everything they see before others can get any. So the new players do have a chance to get into the game.

Wait a minute... So the long-time players are all evil rich guys that have nothing better to do than go from store to store and buy up all of their product?
Someone tell my credit union to add 5 or 6 zeroes to my accounts.

If you don't have the disposable income, then too bad, but it's a game. Every dollar spent on it should be someone's "disposable income".

If you can't scrape together the money to buy a brick or whatever right now, then why should they think that you will be able to scrape the money together later?

And if you do not preorder, then how is it Wizkids fault?

If I didn't preorder Clix and ended up not getting any, then how much more of a reality check do you need?

If you are leaving your store owner to guess whether you will buy any, then that is your decision, and it is neither the store's fault nor Wizkids' that they can't read your mind.

[1BigMysteryVillian]

Great news!

Up, up, and away!

[mikeholla]

Hopefully there is a new uncommon Supes with a great sculpt to make up for grocery bags Supes from DC 75th. Its only fitting he gets a full set after that debacle! Bring on the Superman!

[Adam Fennimore]

I would wager that the numbers are greater than they were for Arkham Asylum.
It remains to be seen whether the product is gone from retailer shelves on release day.
This is only announcing that the product is no longer in the Wizkids warehouse.



Wait a minute... So the long-time players are all evil rich guys that have nothing better to do than go from store to store and buy up all of their product?
Someone tell my credit union to add 5 or 6 zeroes to my accounts.

If you don't have the disposable income, then too bad, but it's a game. Every dollar spent on it should be someone's "disposable income".

If you can't scrape together the money to buy a brick or whatever right now, then why should they think that you will be able to scrape the money together later?

And if you do not preorder, then how is it Wizkids fault?

If I didn't preorder Clix and ended up not getting any, then how much more of a reality check do you need?

If you are leaving your store owner to guess whether you will buy any, then that is your decision, and it is neither the store's fault nor Wizkids' that they can't read your mind.

yeah usually ill get a brick every other set and for the ones i dont get a brick of i get 4 boosters of. and way to minipulate that into blaming wizkids i mean they should produce more so they dont sell out over a month before its released i mean im just sayn

[Adam Fennimore]

Hopefully there is a new uncommon Supes with a great sculpt to make up for grocery bags Supes from DC 75th. Its only fitting he gets a full set after that debacle! Bring on the Superman!

hey at least it wasnt as bad as the brave and the bold one!

[eMouse]

they should produce more so they dont sell out over a month before its released i mean im just sayn

It's generally what they try to do with every set.

Captain America - 'Sold out' May 20th, released July 13th
Giant-Size X-Men - 'Sold out' Feb 22nd, released March 16th
DC 75th - 'Sold out' December 17th, released December 15th

Product sitting in their warehouse is lost money.

A 'manufacturer sell-out' is not the same as a 'retailer sell-out'.

Distributors order more than is preordered because they know WK does a single run. Distributors are also set up to warehouse overstock. By announcing the 'manufacturer sell-out', WizKids creates a bit of paranoia and increased demand for that overstock. Players think, 'maybe I should buy an extra booster/brick/whatever the store has on hand'. Stores think, 'maybe I should see if I can get an extra case'.

Now, WizKids has made no such announcement for Halo, even though it's currently scheduled to come out the same day. I think I'm much more likely to see boosters of Superman sitting on the shelves on the 28th than boosters of Halo. Why? Because retailers are probably going to have much more stock of Superman on hand, if they've even ordered Halo.

[DrugSex]

I hope i can get a brick of that wonderful set.

[MaxFortune]

Hmmm. I'm sure the "more than 50 figures" part wasn't news, but it was to me. Which means it's about the size of GSX, I reckon, which I feel is just a liiiiiittle smaller than I want a set to be.

The word around the campfire is that sets will be somewhat smaller but set releases will be more frequent starting with either a) the Hulk set or b) the first new set in 2012, depending on who you're listening to.

[Zaymac25]

The press release says "six figure booster", is that correct or a misprint?

EDIT: Nevermind, I assume the booster with the BIBTB fig is just six figs.

[The Arachnid]

So, the sky is falling again? Thanks. And what is up with the Bibtb fig being inside the booster, some lucky schmuck is going to be laughing manically when he pulls his one and only booster.

[badseed02]

so somebody is gonna get a six figure booster with out buying a brick ....ok

[Flash019]

so somebody is gonna get a six figure booster with out buying a brick ....ok

Are you unhappy with this? This lets the new players potentially get a sweet BIBTB figure. It encourages them to buy more boosters. And they'll feel good about pulling him too.

[wolfmanchuck]

I am really want a new plastic man :)

[tyroclix]

I am really want a new plastic man :)

That is a figure better designed by a fan. No Plas has come near to playing like the character.

[incredible]

Less energy announcing that the set is sold out, and more energy putting hot pokers to Muncho boy's rear to get him to post more previews please... :p


You do know what this means, right?

NO MORE RAINBOWS!!!!!!!!!!!

[tyroclix]

so somebody is gonna get a six figure booster with out buying a brick ....ok

Yeah. Its pretty much just a chase with a frequency of 1 per brick.

[TH0MAS5]

Sealed will be fun when you get the BIBTB figure in your two Boosters

[eMouse]

Since it's known which figure is the brick figure (or will be known), it'd be easy to declare that when you do sealed you can't use the brick figure, should you happen to pull one.

[clameire]

Are you unhappy with this? This lets the new players potentially get a sweet BIBTB figure. It encourages them to buy more boosters. And they'll feel good about pulling him too.

Not unhappy with it, but the figure should be renamed because she is no longer "buy it by the brick exclusive" but some kind of like a special easy to get if you buy a brick "chase"

[Casby]

They are making LOT more Superman than previous sets because this will be the final DC set and it needs to last longer into the future alongside all the later Marvel sets in 2012.

DOOOOOM!!! :eek:


Well, until they make the "DC relaunch" set. Which might be a relaunch set, but might not be, depending on how the comics relaunch goes and what needs to be tweaked between September-December until DC recovers to a stable sales position.

The sky won't fall. It will just slip and wobble a bit then settle again. Some of the clouds might fall out but this is what hardhats are for. :cheeky:

[TH0MAS5]

Since it's known which figure is the brick figure (or will be known), it'd be easy to declare that when you do sealed you can't use the brick figure, should you happen to pull one.



Why?



Sealed has always been luck of the draw anyways.

[eMouse]

Why?



Sealed has always been luck of the draw anyways.

I'm just saying if the presence of the brick figure was deemed an issue for sealed play.

I once ran a MechWarrior event as sealed, then once armies were built handed out the participation prize and told everyone to field it with their built armies.

[Super Patriote]

The six case for the store is already inpre-order so no problemo for us :p

But people start to reserve it , since they announced they out of stock, hehe

If they can announce the pre-order for Hulk, Infinity gauntlets and the others... My christmas time will never see so much Heroclix in the shelves... :cool:

[Death2thePelican]

My store is finally getting in on heroclix tournaments so the Superman set should be fun. I wonder how we'll know which piece is the BIBBB piece anyways, and whether it'll be legal to use.