SCULPTOR RAY VILLAFANE SIGNS EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT WITH DC DIRECT

June 13, 2006 - DC Direct has announced that sculptor Ray Villafane has signed an exclusive deal with the company to work on upcoming DC Direct products.

"Signing someone of Ray's caliber is a real coup for us," explained Georg Brewer, Vice President of Design and DC Direct Creative. "We are always looking to have the most talented sculptors work on the greatest characters, and bringing Ray into the DC Direct family is part of that goal."

Villafane attended the School of Visual Arts in New York. In 1991 he graduated with a BFA in Illustration and a degree to teach kindergarten - 12th grade art.

Despite a promising career in illustration, Ray followed his passion for working with children and became an art teacher in Northern Michigan. After 12 years of teaching, in 2003 Ray felt it was time to move on and refocus on his art. Ray decided to try his hand at sculpting. Within three months he had landed his first professional job.

His career as a sculptor took off overnight and within a year, Ray's clients included Bowen Designs, McFarlane Toys, Sideshow Collectibles and DC Direct.

After two years of juggling his sculpting and teaching, Ray decided to focus strictly on his work for DC Direct.

"Joining DC is very exciting," Villafane said. "Working on such timeless characters is an honor. The individuals with whom I've had the opportunity to work with at DC have been nothing short of great. I am confident that working closely together we will help bring about some of the best collectibles and action figures that the comic book industry has to offer."