The merchandise arm of DC Entertainment has been responsible for some of the most beautiful items I own. So, I am always excited to see what’s next at DC Direct. To start with, it was confirmed at Toy Fair that Dc Direct will get a new logo to match the rebranding of DC Entertainment and the logo revealed earlier this year. All new DC Direct product going forwa`rd will have the new logo. So, here is what’s new from DC Direct.

Batman: Arkham City: Destined, I’m sure, to become one of my favorite lines of all time, the line based on the smash hit sequel to the best Batman game ever shows no signs of stopping.  Series one is selling out in stores now. Series two, first seen in October at New York Comic-Con, is due at last in April, and consists of  Catwoman, Hush, Detective Mode Batman, The Mad Hatter and the Riddler. Series three has finally been revealed in full. Due in September, it consists of Clown Thug (2 Different versions), Ra’s al Ghul, Azrael, Batman and the Penguin. I am thrilled to report that the three Deluxe figures shown at NYCC ARE BEING MADE. These are larger figures in scale with the main line. Mr. Freeze and Killer Croc are due in June. The absolutely MASSIVE Titan Joker is due in November.

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The Dark Knight Rises: I’m sure it will come as no surprise to anyone to learn that DC Direct is producing tie-in product for this Summer’s Batman film. DC Direct will be producing product based on the film’s three main characters: Batman, Bane and Catwoman. DC Direct will be producing busts, 12″ statues and 6″ figures. The busts and 6″ figures are due in June. The 12″ statues are due in July.

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Batman: Black and White: This popular line of monochromatic statues designed by some of comics’ top creators continues. The statues are listed by the artist responsible. Here is the lineup announced so far. February: Batman by Mike Mignola (a re-do of one of the most popular statues previously released), March:  Batman by Sam Kieth, May: Batman by Jim Lee (New 52 costume), July: Batman by Darwyn Cooke, August: Batman by Jock (AWESOME “Mid-Air” Sculpt), September: The Joker by Brian Bolland (NOT SHOWN AT TOY FAIR) and October: Bane by Kelley Jones (NOT SHOWN AT TOY FAIR).

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The New 52: Justice League: Ok, full disclosure time. I have been in love with these figures since I first saw them in prototype form at SDCC. I fell further in love with them as I gazed at them in the case at NYCC. But now, having seen them out in a case and in front of my face, I am head over heels for them. Designed by the incomparable Jim Lee based off his designs for the New 52, these figures comprise the newest incarnation of the Legendary Justice League. They will be released incrementally over the course of 4 waves. Wave 1, due in May consists only of Batman. Wave 2, due in June, consists of Green Lantern and Aquaman. Wave 3, due in August, consists of The Flash. Wave 4, due in October, consists of Wonder Woman and Cyborg. And, Wave 5, due in January 2013, consists of Superman. A Parademon prototype was also shown, but no release date for it was given.

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The New 52 Busts: DC Direct is readying a series of busts based on the heroes of the New 52 Universe. The schedule announced so far is as follows: July: Cyborg, August: Batgirl and Grifter, September: Wonder Woman and October: Superman.

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Green Lantern: There are several products being released for Green Lantern this year. First up is the Green Lantern vs. Parallax statue, due to be released in March. There is a series of statues based on the upcoming Green Lantern Animated Series. The three statues announced so far are: Green Lantern in May, Atrocitus in June and Saint Walker in August.

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A Superman Patina statue based on Jim Lee’s art will go on sale in May to compliment the Batman statue released in February.

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Heroes of the DC Universe Busts: This popular line of busts designed by Gary Frank continues with two more releases. Batman (Pre-New 52 Batman Inc. costume) will be released in March. Swamp Thing is in stores now.

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1:4 Scale Museum Quality Statues: Two incredibly intricate statues are being released featuring characters from the Batman family. Out February 29th is the Catwoman statue, which features her standing on top of the Batsignal. She has goggles which fit over her eyes and her trademark whip. Batman himself will join the range in September. He is in the Pre-New 52 Batman Inc. costume. He is on a sort of dilapidated rooftop base. Both of these statues look spectacular. The detail is amazing.

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Ami-Come: These beautifully reimagined designs of DC’s heroines and villainesses continues with new releases this year. Here is the lineup announced:  February: White Canary, March: Wonder Woman, Raven (Angel of Azarath), April: Raven (Demon Daughter), May: Hawkgirl, June: Black Flash, August: Arisia, September: Brainiac, October: Harley Quinn V.2.

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MAD Magazine: DC Direct also handles all of the merchandising for Mad Magazine characters, such as Spy vs. Spy. Here is a look at the Mad product coming soon.

The “Just-Us” League of Stoopid Heroes: To celebate Mad Magazine’s 60th Anniversary, DC Direct presents this line of action figures featuring Mad icon Alfred E. Neuman in Justice League costumes. Here is the line-up. Series one, featuring Alfred as Superman, Alfred as Green Arrow and Alfred as Aquaman, is due in July. Series two, featuring Alfred as The Flash, Alfred as Green Lantern and Alfred as Wonder Woman, is due in September. Finally, Series three, featuring Alfred as Batman, Alfred as Robin and Alfred as the Joker, is due in November.

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Spy vs. Spy: It wouldn’t be proper to do product based on Mad Magazine and not include arguably their most iconic characters. Thankfully, DC Direct agrees, and so Black Spy and White Spy will be coming our way in 9″ vinyl form and will be sold together with weapons.

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seven prequels, one for each of the main characters. DC Direct has announced they will be doing figures to match the prequels, and they actually had prototypes of