Are Pinoy DC fans ready for a licensed apparel store?

Okay, we may be all guilty of buying tees with either Green Lantern or Superman logos in tiangges or having our favorite comic book cover printed in a blank shirt. If you can recall, even the Pinoy holding the world record of owning the most number of Superman items bought unlicensed merchandise from Baclaran to Divisoria.

Maybe it is because they are much affordable compared to those available in comic-specialty shops. Or perhaps, we just don't know where to look for the licensed merchandise.

Pretty soon, these excuses will be a thing of the past because there is now a store carrying official licensed DC Comics merchandise. To meet fan demand, Pacific Licensing Studio (PLS) and The SM Store recently launched "Justice League: Heroes United at the SM Store," featuring your favorite DC superheroes in their updated New 52 look.

The event exhibited some of the merchandise that included shoes by World Balance, bags, shirts, caps-and even personal care items such as toothbrushes and bandages. The group behind Justice League at SM Store really should be credited for coming up with a variety of products, even redesigning a "character shop" and hang tags to show to consumers that they are serious in carrying the name of DC Comics. Because they are targeting the mass market, prices of items are cheaper by 10-20% than those found in boutiques.


Take a peek of the merchandise here:

During the open forum though, it was brought up that girls would also prefer logos without the glittery effects in stereotypical pink. It was also brought up that most of the merchandise are designed for kids but they said they are open to the idea of producing hoods, plus size shirts and even underwear.

Pacific Licensing Studio also plans to bring in licensed items inspired by the hit show Arrow, the animated series Young Justice and video game Injustice. There is also an exciting grand event they are preparing for this year but we are asked not to disclose it yet. 

The good thing about the Q & A, which was attended by members of Justice League PH cosplayers and pop culture bloggers, it turned into a focus group discussion. From the exchanges, I realize that fans of the comics are willing to buy licensed items as long as the design matches their tastes. It also best to come up with products that are not only affordable but also could not be easily imitated.

Here are some of the items at the store: