We had seen the concept of platinum chase releases from Mcfarlane before, but 2024 was really the year where the concept rocketed and we saw what felt like a platinum chase for every regular release that came out. These ranged from simple black to blue repaints for Batmen, to clever re-use to give characters different costumes, to sometimes even releasing brand new characters to the line! I had a lot of fun seeing what characters and designs would be released in this fashion, in many cases that being obscure choices that otherwise likely wouldn't have gotten a regular mainline release, and for this list I won't be focusing exclusively on what figures I thought were best overall but what platinum chases I found really clever, surprisingly, or well done!
(Images Source) (Sergeant Rock Image Source)
Honorable mentions: Sgt Rock (toy soldier), Superman (False God), Green Lantern Corps
It was hard to not include these three on the list so I had to include them in the honorable mention slot. I had been wondering what the platinum chase would be for a character like Sgt. Rock in the Collector's Edition line, and having him turned into a classic toy soldier was a lot of fun. The Superman chase recreating the False God statue from BVS was a fun delight I didn't expect. Finally, I love the Green Lantern Corps release and its inclusion of multiple heads to bring multiple characters to the line, especially the more obscure alien characters that the platinum chase debuted to the line.
5. Hugo Strange as Batman
The iconic image of Hugo Strange as Batman has always been one of my favorites of the character and seeing it released as a Platinum chase was a ton of fun. The Hugo headsculpt is personally one of my favorites in the line with how well done it is, and the inclusion of the Bruce Wayne mask as an accessory was a fun inclusion from the comic.
4. The Question
No doubt this was one of the most sought after platinum chases of 2024 and many argued that it would have faired more than well as a mainline release. I lucked out in finding one in stores myself, and I think that the re-use of the Dark Knight Joker mold is absolutely genius. Some color changes and its impressive how it looks like a totally new figure as opposed to a repaint.
3. Effigy
I admittedly did not know who Effigy was when they released this platinum, but the figure release is so well done that I want to know more about this character. I love seeing villains put out in the line, with many platinums being villains, and Effigy is a perfect example of a well done platinum with newly sculpted forearm pieces to match his comic costume, nice reds for his paintwork, not to mention a wild headsculpt as well as well sculpted effect pieces.
2. Manhunter
Part of the first real wave of platinum chases in the line. Not a platinum version of another figure but a pure chase figure in the wave, the Manhunter caused a stir as another figure that many argued should not have been a platinum chase, especially being an army builder character. The Manhunter was very clever use of the Batwing mold with a newly sculpted upper torso, and a real surprise being the inclusion of an alternate damaged face plate lending this figure to real army builder potential...if you could find multiple that was.
1. Sportsmaster
Also released in the first wave of platinum chases for the line, Sportsmaster was one of my most anticipated figures of the year. I absolutely love the Justice Society side of DC comics and the villains that they face, Sportsmaster being one of my top favorites especially after the Stargirl tv show. The platinum release brought us Sportsmaster based on his modern comic designs that ingeniously uses the jacket-less Dark Detective mold with new arms, an assortment of sport based weaponry, and a signature that Mcfarlane will dig deep for releases in their line when given the opportunity!
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