Diamond Select Toys
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Toy manufacturing, Collectibles |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Diamond Comics Distributors |
| Fate | Entered chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in 2025 |
| Headquarters | Timonium , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Action figures, plush toys, banks, busts, statues, replica props, Minimates miniature figures |
| Owner | Diamond Comics Distributors (affiliate) |
| Parent | Diamond Comics Distributors |
| Website | www |
Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles, LLC was established in 1999 by its affiliate Diamond Comics Distributors with the aim of creating collectibles designed specifically for adult enthusiasts. The company holds licenses for a broad array of popular culture properties, including Marvel Comics, Star Wars, Star Trek, Transformers, Ghostbusters, Halo, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Indiana Jones, Battlestar Galactica, 24, The Muppets, and Back to the Future. Its product portfolio encompasses action figures, plush toys, banks, busts, statues, and replica props, with many licensed collections also available as Minimates miniature figures. In 2025, the company entered chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
Minimates
The Minimates line originated from New York-based design studio Art Asylum, which began creating 3-inch figures in 2002 before transitioning to smaller 2-inch and 2.5-inch formats through collaboration agreements. Utilizing its Marvel license, Diamond Select Toys introduced the 2-inch Marvel Minimates series in 2003—now the longest-standing superhero toy line with 41 waves released to date. In 2007, Diamond Select acquired significant assets from Art Asylum and broadened the Minimates brand with new sub-lines such as Calico Jack's Pirate Raiders and Minimates M.A.X., featuring vehicle-based sets tied to licenses like Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Back to the Future.
Marvel Select and other Select lines
Developed jointly by DST and Marvel Comics' toy division, Toy Biz, the Marvel Select line debuted in 2002 at a 7-inch scale aimed at specialty retailers alongside mainstream market products. While Toy Biz was responsible for development and manufacturing, Diamond Select oversaw design, marketing, and sales. Early releases concentrated on secondary characters from Ultimate Marvel and Marvel Knights. Eventually, DST assumed full control over development and production, expanding the lineup to include primary Marvel heroes.
Initial figures prioritized detailed sculpting over articulation and featured elaborate diorama-style bases that necessitated larger packaging. Over time, these bases were minimized or omitted for bulkier characters such as the Hulk. Articulation improved progressively, complemented by increased accessories and interchangeable components replacing oversized bases.
The "Select" branding was also applied by DST to other 7-inch scale collections including Universal Monsters, The Munsters, Alice: Madness Returns, and the revived 2013 Star Trek Select. Variants of Universal Monsters, Munsters, and Star Trek Select lines were offered exclusively through Toys "R" Us, often featuring smaller or alternate accessories.
Femme Fatales and Gallery PVC statues
The Femme Fatales series showcases 9-inch PVC statues representing prominent female characters from independent comic titles such as Dawn and Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose. This line has expanded to include original artistic renditions of legendary female icons like Little Red Riding Hood, Alice, Anne Bonny, Medusa, and Snow White. Licensed figures encompass characters such as Darkchylde, Lady Death, Kabuki, and Alice from Alice: Madness Returns. Upcoming additions are set to feature Atom Eve from Invincible and Seven of Nine from Star Trek: Voyager. Several Femme Fatales figures have also been adapted into Minimates form.
Beginning in 2015, Diamond started producing Femme Fatales statues inspired by female characters from Batman: The Animated Series. Presently, both male and female PVC statues are marketed under the Gallery label, which also includes Marvel character statues drawn from both comic book sources and the MCU.
Resin busts
Diamond creates resin busts for a selection of licensed properties, such as Spider-Man from Spider-Man: Homecoming and figures from Batman: The Animated Series, broadening their lineup with finely detailed collectible pieces.
Premier Collection and Milestones resin statues
Their product assortment also includes mid-tier resin statues that are larger and more elaborate than their PVC versions, targeting collectors who desire superior craftsmanship at a reasonable price level.
Current Diamond Select Toys licenses
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Former Licenses of Diamond Select Toys
References