The Shimmering Chase: Unraveling the Mystery of the Superman #07 DC Heroes Chase Metallic Edition Funko Pop!

For Funko Pop! collectors, there are few greater thrills than landing one of the rare and elusive "Chase" figurines. These limited edition variants add an extra dash of excitement to the hobby, turning a simple piece of vinyl into a prized treasure. Among the most coveted Chase pieces is the metallic Superman #07 from the DC Heroes line. Let's take a flight into the world of this glistening grail and uncover what makes it so desirable.

The Dawn of the DC Heroes Line

Before we can appreciate the majesty of the Superman Chase, we must rewind to 2010 and the launch of Funko's DC Heroes Pop! line. This collection marked the first time the vinyl figurine makers had taken on the iconic DC Universe, giving collectors a new avenue to bring heroes like Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and The Flash into their homes in Funko's signature stylized design.

The standard Superman #07 figure kicked off the line in style, depicting the Man of Steel in his classic blue bodysuit, red cape, and slicked hair look. While a great piece, it was just the opening salvo. Funko had bigger plans in store that would elevate this Superman to the realm of the ultra-collectible.

The Chase Begins

In the same inaugural wave as the standard Superman #07 was released a chase variant - a metallic rendition that swapped the blue uniform for a sleek, silvery chrome deco. Only a limited number of these figures were produced compared to the standard version. Getting your hands on this shiny Superman was akin to striking gold.

For the uninitiated, Chase pieces are the ultimate limited editions in the Funko universe. They are exclusively found randomly inserted into mass-produced batches at the factory, with no way to guarantee getting one. Most estimates put the Chase ratio at around 1 in every 36 units across all retailers. So pulling that brilliant chrome Superman was a longshot - but an immensely rewarding one for lucky collectors.

The excitement of the Chase can't be overstated. It takes the thrill of variant and limited edition collecting and amplifies it thanks to the randomized nature. There's nothing quite like tearing open a new shipment of Pops, nervously peering into each box, just hoping to glimpse that radiant metallic sheen among the sea of standard pieces. It's an adrenaline rush fit for a superhero.

An Added Layer of Rarity

While already in short supply thanks to its Chase roots, the Superman #07 Metallic's path to grail status was cemented when Funko made the controversial decision to vault the entire DC Heroes line in 2011, just about a year after it launched. "Vaulting" meant that no more of these figures would be produced, instantly transforming the line into a limited collection with a finite number of pieces.

This vaulting severely restricted the supply of the metallic Superman Chase on the secondary market. Savvy collectors and sellers quickly recognized their potential windfall and started hoarding available stock. Within a couple of years, finding a pristine metallic Superman was like locating a desert oasis.

Today, over a decade later, that rarity has kept the figure's value extraordinarily high. Copies in good condition routinely sell for $250 to $400 on eBay depending on the seller. One recently graded and authenticated example was available on the secondary market StockX for the princely sum of $650! Those lucky few who managed to pull the Chase in 2010 and hold onto it have a valuable slice of Funko history on their hands.

Metallic Maketh the Chase

So just what is it about this particular Superman Chase that resonates so strongly with collectors? Why does this figure inspire such feverish desire above all others?

Part of it is undoubtedly the character itself. Superman is the quintessential superhero, making the pop culture icon's first-ever Chase a destined grail. But the real key to this Chase's magnificence lies in that glistening metallic paint deco.

The metallic finish gives the piece an elegant, regal quality that the standard Superman can't match. The liquid metal sheen mesmerizes the eye, demanding to be admired from every angle as the light catches innumerable shimmering facets. Even the typically mundane areas like the figure's hair take on a glamorous, almost mercurial sheen. It's a stunning effect that no flat deco can replicate.

Funko's metallic figures have been divisive among collectors. Some feel the mirror-like finish is too flashy or distracting. But for DC fans, the glimmering metallic line pioneered by pieces like this Superman Chase has been wholeheartedly embraced as a way to make their favorite heroes look larger than life. There's an almost intangible power imbued in seeing an icon like Superman rendered in such a brilliant, polished fashion.

This fusion of character and deco is a big part of why the Superman #07 Chase stands out in even the most discerning collections. It represents the perfect storm of legacy, artistry, and scarcity brought together in one galvanized 3.75" figure. While it may not be the absolute rarest or most valuable Chase ever, it could make a strong claim as the most quintessentially appealing to collectors.

A Monument to Collector Mania

Beyond just its physical qualities, the Superman #07 Chase has also become a totem for the mania, obsession, and community that makes collector culture so vibrant.

Picture the eBay bidding war stories behind some of those high sale prices. Imagine the fervor of two die-hard Superman and DC fans locked in a dramatic back-and-forth, hundreds of dollars on the line, all for the right to own this glistening grail. Or the "I finally landed one!" unboxing videos eagerly watched by collectors still hunting their White Whale.

This is the stuff that collectors live for - the feverish pursuit of that one alluring rarity that proves your unflinching passion and dedication to the hobby. Having this superlative Superman on your shelf is more than just owning a cool figure; it's a badge of honor, an undeniable sigil of your collector's spirit.

The communal buzz around the Chase also exemplifies the vibrant camaraderie side of collecting. While the rarity cultivates rivalries between those vying to own it, it also brings collectors together through common interests. Discord groups, Reddit threads, and online forums are ablaze with talk of this Chase. Members share news of new sightings and sales, offer tips for authenticating and spotting fakes, and endlessly debate over its merits versus other big-name Chases. The Superman Chase has become a conversational centerpiece for the collector community.

Then there are the entrepreneurs and traders who've managed to spin the Chase's popularity into business empires. Look no further than the Funkoachi, a SoCal teenager who famously amassed hundreds of these Chases early on through canny trading and flipping before cashing out his $35,000 collection to help pay for college. Stories like his are the stuff of urban legend in the collector world andShow the sheer value - both monetary and emotional - some place on attaining the Superman Chase.

A Luminescent Hobby Centerpiece

Whether you're an old-school DC fan, a latter-day Superman tragic, or just someone who appreciates beautiful and rare collectibles, the Superman #07 DC Heroes Metallic Chase figure holds a unassailable spot in the pantheon of must-have Funko Pops!

This Chase's universal desirability and limited availability have forged it into a white whale quarry for hunters and a gleaming centerpiece in the collections of the lucky few who've landed one. More than just a stunning sculpt, it's become a powerful totem representative of all the ecstatic highs, frustrations, camaraderie, and mania that makes collecting an all-consuming passion.

So keep an eye peeled on those eBay listings and swing by your local comic shop now and then. This shining chrome Superman soaring majestically on your shelf is sure to inspire a thrill that's anything but Funko-demonium.

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