IL MULTIVERSO SI COSTRUISCE
The Collect-to-Build (CtB) line is McFarlane Toys' official trademarked designation for its Build-a-Figure model, introduced in 2020 alongside the 7-inch scale DC Multiverse figures. Each standard figure in a designated wave contains a body part or accessory required to construct an exclusive, often oversized buildable figure. Spanning comic storylines, feature films, video games, and animated television series, Collect-to-Build waves offer dedicated action figure collectors a complete-set incentive.
Cronologia
Panoramica
Collect-to-Build (CtB) is McFarlane Toys' official trademarked Build-a-Figure (BAF) model, designed primarily around its flagship 7-inch scale action figure lines.
Launched in 2020 when McFarlane Toys acquired the DC licensing rights to produce the DC Multiverse line, the Collect-to-Build format requires collectors to purchase an entire assortment wave of individual figures to assemble a bonus, exclusive character.
Under this distribution model, each standard action figure packaged in a Collect-to-Build wave includes a specific piece—such as an arm, leg, torso, or specialty accessory—needed to assemble a featured figure. These bonus characters are typically distinct entities, such as oversized monsters, comic book hybrid villains, movie-accurate creatures, or non-humanoid builds like mountable horses. While initially tied exclusively to the main DC Multiverse 7-inch line, McFarlane Toys later extended the trademarked Collect-to-Build format to other sub-lines, including the DC Direct Batman: The Animated Series line.
Storia
McFarlane Toys introduced the Collect-to-Build model in 2020 with the launch of the DC Multiverse line, debuting with The Merciless Wave based on the 'Dark Nights: Metal' comic event.
Between 2021 and 2023, the format expanded rapidly across diverse media sources, incorporating feature films ('The Suicide Squad', 'Batman & Robin'), classic comic arcs ('Blackest Night', 'Flashpoint', 'The Dark Knight Returns'), and video games ('Batman: Arkham City').
Retailer-exclusive Collect-to-Build waves were also introduced, such as Target Gold Label releases featuring characters like Jokerbot, Titus, and Starro the Conqueror. In 2024, McFarlane Toys broadened the scope of the format by incorporating it into the DC Direct 'Batman: The Animated Series' line, releasing animated-style waves featuring buildable characters like Lock-Up, Maxie Zeus, H.A.R.D.A.C., Jonah Hex, and Officer Renee Montoya. By mid-2026, McFarlane Toys evolved its line strategies by reintroducing standalone collector assortments loaded with soft-goods capes, weapons, and extra heads, while continuing short-run Collect-to-Build waves across DC lines and expanding the concept into non-DC licenses such as Mortal Kombat Klassics and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
I PEZZI DI COLLECT-TO-BUILD
Pezzi Iconici
### The Merciless The inaugural 2020 Collect-to-Build figure, depicting the Earth -12 Batman/Ares cosmic hybrid from Dark Nights: Metal. ### Bane A highly detailed 2021 buildable figure from Batman: Last Knight on Earth featuring the suspended Batman head inside a lantern. ### King Shark (Nanaue) A massive cinematic buildable figure featured in the 2021 wave based on James Gunn's The Suicide Squad.
### Batman's Armored Horse A unique non-humanoid build-a-figure from the 2022 Dark Knight Returns wave designed for 7-inch figures to mount. ### Starro the Conqueror A Target Gold Label exclusive buildable cosmic entity based on the 2021 Crime Syndicate comic series. ### Mr. Freeze A nostalgia-focused movie buildable figure representing Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic portrayal from the 1997 film Batman & Robin. ### Plastic Man A 2024 JLA wave buildable figure featuring specialized interchangeable stretch-arm accessories.
Collezionismo
For action figure collectors, McFarlane Toys' Collect-to-Build format creates a strong incentive to purchase full release waves rather than individual characters. Because the completed Build-a-Figures—such as Darkfather, Solomon Grundy, or Atrocitus—are exclusive to their respective waves and never released as individual standard figures, fully assembled CtB characters command strong interest on the secondary collector market.
Target Gold Label exclusive waves (such as Starro the Conqueror, Titus, and Jokerbot) carry an additional layer of exclusivity due to limited retailer distribution. While McFarlane Toys expanded its focus in mid-2026 toward standalone Deluxe and Collector Edition figures featuring soft-goods capes and extra accessories, short-run Collect-to-Build waves remain central to the brand's release schedule, extending into external licenses including Mortal Kombat Klassics and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
By 2025 and 2026, McFarlane announced the expansion of the Collect-to-Build format beyond DC into Mortal Kombat Klassics and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic lines.
