Superhero Funko Pop!: Marvel and DC lines, exclusives and numbering
Superheroes have been part of Funko's Pop! line from the start, and Marvel and DC figures are still among the most visible Pops on shelves. This guide covers how the superhero lines are organized, what the labels on the box mean, and how exclusives, chase variants and numbering work, all based on Funko's own product pages and published references. It contains no product reviews or ratings, just how the lines are organized.
How the superhero lines started
According to Wikipedia, the Pop! line was created in 2010. A DC Comics preview debuted at San Diego Comic-Con that year, the full line was revealed at the 2011 New York Toy Fair, and sales began in 2011. Wikipedia lists Marvel Entertainment and Warner Bros. among Funko's major licensing partners, and Marvel and DC among its franchises. Funko also ran fan subscription boxes: Marvel Collector Corps, launched with Marvel in 2015, and later the DC-themed Legion of Collectors.
Marvel vs DC at a glance
| Marvel | DC | |
|---|---|---|
| Bobblehead? | Most Marvel Pops are bobbleheads, per Wikipedia | Not singled out. Most Pop! figures overall are not bobbleheads |
| Funko site sub-fandoms | Marvel, Spider-Man, X-Men | DC Comics |
| Subscription box history | Marvel Collector Corps (2015) | Legion of Collectors |
| Comic Covers numbering | Own sequence, starting at 01 (Scarlet Witch) | Own sequence |
Formats you'll see
Funko's Comics & Superheroes collection groups products into several formats. Standard Pop! figures are about 4 inches tall, according to Funko's product pages. Other formats include:
- Pop! Comic Covers. A figure mounted in front of a reproduction of a famous comic cover. Cardboard Connection's checklist covers DC, Marvel, Star Wars and other brands.
- Pop! Deluxe, Pop! Super, Pop! Plus, Pop! Premium and Pop! Rides. Further sub-types listed in Funko's superhero collection filters.
- Pop! Multipack. Several figures sold together, such as the Pop! Marvel 5-Pack listed on Funko's site.
- Bitty Pop! Miniatures about an inch tall, announced in January 2023.
Exclusives
An "exclusive" is a figure sold only through one channel. Wikipedia notes that Funko's convention exclusives began at San Diego Comic-Con in 2006 and now appear at shows such as New York Comic Con and Emerald City Comic Con. Retailer exclusives are sold through specific stores, including Target, Walmart, Hot Topic and GameStop. Funko's own site filters products into four groups: Convention Exclusives, Funko Shop Exclusives, Loungefly Exclusives and Retailer Exclusives. Each product page carries the label. The Comic Covers checklist, for example, lists exclusives for Target, Walmart, GameStop, Entertainment Earth and PX Previews, plus convention editions.
Chase variants
A chase is a rare variant of a regular figure, randomly packed into shipments. Wikipedia reports that chase ratios started at 1 in 36 and have since moved to 1 in 6. Chase variants can differ by color, mold, a flocked finish, glow-in-the-dark paint or translucent plastic. Funko's site tags eligible products "Chance Of Chase."
Numbering: box number vs item number
Superhero Pops carry two different numbers, and they are easy to confuse:
- Box number. The number printed on the box, which places the figure in its line. Funko's page for Pop! Batman (Hush), a DC figure, lists box number 460.
- Item number. Funko's product or catalog ID. The same Batman (Hush) figure has item number 66906.
Box numbers are not global. Cardboard Connection notes that in Pop! Comic Covers, each comic brand has its own sequence, so Marvel and Star Wars both start at 01. Its checklist also shows that some numbers are repeated, and a reader correction notes that Gambit is #31, not #21 as listed. When identifying a figure, record both numbers along with the line name and any exclusive sticker.
Vaulted figures
Funko marks retired products as vaulted. Its Batman (Hush) page, for example, is listed as vaulted, meaning it has been officially retired from production. Vaulting is relevant to anyone completing a set, since a vaulted figure is no longer produced. The same page also shows how inexpensive many vaulted figures can be on the secondary market. Rarity labels don't guarantee value.
Superheroes and the wider market
eBay's 2025 trends report shows continued interest in superhero properties. Searches for Fantastic Four characters rose sharply, and Amazing Spider-Man and Batman were among the most-searched comic series. For the bigger picture, see what collectibles are in demand. For the figures' construction, see what's inside a Pop!.