Funko Executive Reveals Why Superman Villain Ultraman Was a Chase and Not His Own Figure

Fans of Superman were puzzled by an unexpected decision in the first series of Funko Pop! figures for DC Studios’ successful debut movie within their new DCU. The enigmatic character Hammer of Borovia, who plays a minor role in the film, was given his own place in the collection, while the main antagonist Ultraman was made into a rare 1/6 Chase figure accompanying Hammer.

During the San Diego Comic Con (SDCC), TopMob had a chat with Jason Bischoff, Funko’s Vice President for Licensing and Business Development. In this conversation, Bischoff explained the reason behind selecting Ultraman as the Chase figure rather than providing him his own designated spot in the collection.

Bischoff disclosed that typically, they create items 12 to 14 months ahead, sometimes even up to 16 months, and it so happened that Warner Bros. team wasn’t always aware they would be marketing those products simultaneously. Consequently, the Funko team had to exercise caution and consider what information was under embargo.

Funko’s Bischoff explained the reason behind the introduction of new rarity stickers and tiers in their collections, stating that fans desired a sense of exclusivity with a more luxurious feel, which was addressed by the company. This change also helped them to keep a closer eye on piracy issues.

The following is a transcript of the discussion that took place between Russ Milheim from TopMob and Jason Bischoff of Funko during San Diego Comic-Con 2025.

This conversation happened at SDCC 2025 between Russ Milheim (from TopMob) and Jason Bischoff (of Funko).

Or even more concisely: At SDCC 2025, TopMob’s Russ Milheim interviewed Funko’s Jason Bischoff.

Why Ultraman Was the Chase in the Superman Funko Pop! Line

“We Had to Be Careful and Mindful of What Was Embargoed.”

People who have seen Superman will recognize that the Hammer of Boravia disguises Ultraman, who is a clone of Superman, beneath his armor. However, it’s interesting to note that the Hammer of Boravia received the main Funko Pop! figure treatment for the movie, while Ultraman was designated as the 1/6 chance chase figure.

TopMob: “I’m very curious about the selection process when it comes to, and this might be outside of you… When I looked at the Superman line, I was a little like, oh, that’s interesting, that with the Hammer of Boravia, he is in the main line, and then Ultraman is the chase. And I would have thought it would be flipped. So what is the process in deciding, okay, these are how the chases are gonna work and how they’re designated?”

As a passionate movie reviewer, I’ve had the privilege to collaborate closely with an exceptional merchandising team. On almost every call with our partners, I find myself joining them in this exciting journey. Warner Bros., being one of our key partners, is no exception. The process isn’t rocket science; it’s much like creating collectibles for a movie that might hit the screens 12, 14, or even 16 months down the line.

In other words, you make do with what’s available to you, whether it’s resources or data. As for the Hammer of Boravia and Ultraman during that period, our colleagues at Warners were still deciding what would be released prior to the film, and they hadn’t necessarily planned to sell merchandise featuring those items simultaneously.

In simpler terms, we needed to be cautious about what was under embargo (restricted from release or distribution), but since The Hammer was the initial piece of the puzzle, it wasn’t embargoed. Similarly, Ultraman was the second piece. We wanted to maintain that order and significance in our presentation, which is why we referred to Ultraman as the “chase” (pursuit or following).

The Future of Funko Fun Days

“This Year Was an Experiment.”

TopMob: “I want to ask about Funko Fun Days, which a lot of people were, I don’t think disappointed is the right word, but just shocked that it wasn’t at Comic Con this year and that you did it ahead of time in Los Angeles. Is that, you think, a permanent direction for that event, or is there a return to San Diego in the cards? You can’t confirm, but like, is the intention to maybe come back to San Diego, or is that an official shift for that program?”

Jason Bischoff: I’d put it this way: “This year felt like a trial run.” And here’s some fantastic news: “Fans seemed to adore, almost like the magical outcomes,” definitely gaining some insights, but more like hands-on lessons. For instance, “they weren’t keen on the heat, yet they were thrilled with the program.” They truly cherished “the exclusives.” They loved “the behind-the-scenes action.

Let’s focus on continuing what our fans enjoy most, which is reminiscent of “Quest for the Grail”. After all, our audience is key, so it’s important to prioritize their preferences. The specific location or context can be determined later on.

Why They Introduced Those Rarity Stickers for Funko Pop!s

They Wanted to Add “A Bit More of a Premium Touch.”

TopMob: “You guys introduced the rarity stickers recently. What sparked that change? And just in that introduction, because Funko, for so long, has been known as the premium, like exclusive, kind of chasing collectibles and rarity. So what sparked that initiative to be like, we want to actually structure this?”

Bischoff: You’ve asked an excellent question. Essentially, we aim to achieve multiple objectives simultaneously. From a trend standpoint, you’re absolutely correct – our goal is to lead the market. To put it another way, we wear our position at the top for good reason. We strive to be at the cutting edge of collecting and to cater to collectors in their preferred locations or platforms.

It seems fans have been asking for something special with a touch of exclusivity for quite some time, and their feedback was gathered through social media monitoring as well as events like [SDCC]. This desire sparked the initial idea. Other factors were also considered, such as the success of graded rarity in our digital pop series. We wondered if we could apply the same concept to a formal classification system, perhaps even enhance it. And that’s exactly what we did.

Additionally, it’s important to consider the anti-piracy aspects as well, ensuring that our products are not only perceived as premium but are genuinely backed by authentic technologies. The premium labeling system we use is powered by Octane Five, allowing you to scan the QR code and verify that the product you purchased or brought from the market is indeed genuine.

Where Funko Is at With Nintendo and Jason Bischoff’s White Whale

“We Are Constantly Knocking on That Door…”

TopMob: “Where are we at with Nintendo?”

As a movie reviewer, I can’t help but feel like a fan knocking eagerly on Nintendo’s door. The anticipation is palpable, as we all yearn for a peek into their world. For now, they remain an elusive and highly sought-after entity in the gaming industry. Yet, our admiration only grows stronger, as we continue to dream of one day stepping through that door and joining them on their creative journey.

TopMob: “What is the white whale that you are chasing, in terms of what you want Funko to still get access to?

In simpler terms, Bischoff is expressing his desire for richer character development. He’s a fan of DC Comics, Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, and so on. What he’s really yearning for are those deep, lesser-known aspects that might require a bit of time to understand. For instance, he’d love to see stories about older versions of Superman like ‘Superman 1 Million’ or ‘Superman Prime’, which are from a decade and a half ago.

TopMob: “Yeah, now you’re gonna laugh at this question, but I was obviously happy that the Spinosaurus finally got a Funko around. Sick world. Yes, we talked about. We did. We did. Now, will you guys go back and do Jurassic Park 3?”

Bischoff: I can’t verify it, but let me put it this way: Our Jurassic series took a different direction this year – only dinosaurs, no human characters. The response has been fantastic! Dinosaurs are definitely hitting the mark. Since you’re a fan of Spinosaurus, keep your fingers crossed. We haven’t seen him on Camp Cretaceous lately? Just keep an eye out for updates.

As a movie enthusiast who appreciates all things quirky and collectible, I encourage you to revisit my interviews with the Funko Fusion team from last year’s San Diego Comic-Con. For a comprehensive recap, don’t miss out on my coverage of their booth setup in 2024. Here, you’ll find fascinating insights and an immersive look into the world of Funko Pop! figures.

2025-08-03 00:07