Thanks to the wonder of the internet, you can now learn about huge San Diego Comic-Con announcements the second they happen. However, the one aspect of the con that remains tricky is landing the exclusive collectibles that have become as important to SDCC as all the news that comes out of it. You could very easily bankrupt yourself trying to track down all the limited-edition comics, collectibles, ephemera, and other merch that is available at the con each year on the secondary market. In fact, the demand for these things is so high that it’s hard to get what you want even if you are in attendance at the show. Fortunately, none of this expense is your concern right now. Instead, let’s take you to Comic-Cons past for an exploration of the greatest SDCC exclusives ever. On second thought, you probably will want to spend some money after reading this. Our apologies in advance… Star Wars: Revenge of the Jedi Figure Collection Aquaman: Between Two Dooms Figure Set In 2018, Mattel offered this DC Multiverse exclusive that featured an impressively sculpted figure of Aquaman battling Black Manta and Ocean Master. Presented in comic-inspired packaging, this release confronted collectors with that age-old problem—display the figures loose or keep them mint in the box? Bruce Lee Game of Death Funko POP! In 2018, Funko released two POP! collectibles featuring a high-kicking Lee (one standard, one gold colored) that recreate the actor and athlete in his most iconic pose and outfit from his final film, Game of Death. SDCC 2019 Mattel Hot Wheels Spider-Machine GP-7 TMNT: The Last Ronin #3 Variant A standout exclusive at the 2021 San Diego Comic-Con was this variant cover of the third issue of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin comic by Ben Bishop. The story is a brooding affair that is a far cry from the turtles’ cowabunga-packed TV heyday, and also a must read for even the most novice fans of the decades-spanning franchise. Spider-Man: Homecoming SDCC Exclusive Tony Stark Funko POP! Tony Stark was such an integral part of the first Spider-Man film in the MCU that Funko decided to commemorate the character in this Funko POP! collectible from 2017. Here, Tony is holding an Iron Man head, lest you forget about his superheroic alter ego. Always with the ego, that Stark. Tron Figure in VHS Packaging Starro Suicide Squad Mask Long before James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad brought Starro into the mainstream, the sinister alien starfish-esque foe was the subject of a highly desired SDCC exclusive from Mattel. Released in 2010, this retro-styled mask is a wonderful reminder of how weird DC Comics can get at times. Batman ’66 Photo Cover Variant Comic Holy collectibles, Batman! In 2013, DC Comics partnered with Mattel for this exclusive variant cover for the excellent Batman ’66 comic—based on the iconic Adam West series—that utilized the latter company’s action figures. Marvel Hot Wheels Thanos Copter SDCC Exclusive Marvel’s Wong Funko POP! In 2019, Funko offered an SDCC exclusive Wong POP! as part of their Avengers: Endgame line of collectibles. Since he is one of the MCU’s most lovable characters—thanks to personality traits like grousing about Doctor Strange and participating in underground fight leagues—we think there’s no such thing as too much Wong. Needless to say, we snatched up this POP! as soon as we could. Super 7/Funko Alien Early Bird Package Super 7 initially teamed with Funko for their ReAction Figures, with their first offering being Alien figures that were prototyped by Kenner in 1979 but never produced since, oh yeah, the movie was most definitely not for children (the fact that the Alien merch they actually made sat on toy store shelves didn’t help matters either). At the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con, they paid homage to the company’s infamous Star Wars Early Bird Certificate package. Complete with a display stand, the Alien version of the kit marked the arrival of a new era for retro collectibles. Hot Wheels Spider-Mobile 2017 SDCC Exclusive
