A series of small statues of comic strip characters appears to be having a big impact on collectors. Modeled after products that were popular in the 1930s and 40s, the new statuettes, which comprise a series entitled Classic Comic Characters, are designed and manufactured in a style consistent with the earlier figures. The first of the statues, Krazy Kat, Popeye and Prince Valiant, were produced in a limited edition of only 550 numbered copies. Each statue was a complete sellout on the basis of advance orders. "We are blown away by the response to these little figures," commented David Scroggy, Dark Horse Comics Vice President of Product Development, "and we will be acknowledging this demand by increasing the edition quantity of later releases to 750 copies. We have already solicited the first three releases as an edition of 550. We intend to stick with this quantity as advertised, even it means we won't quite be able to supply everyone who ordered one a copy. With our fourth release, The Phantom, we are increasing the print run to 750 numbered copies, which we feel is still very limited given the worldwide popularity these characters." The first three in the series were originally scheduled for a January release. However, due to a redesign of the litho-printed tin boxes the statues are packaged in, the on-sale date of the series has been adjusted. The new on sale schedule is as follows:
	Krazy Kat May 31 Popeye May 31 Prince Valiant June 14 The Phantom June 28 Ignatz July 12 Olive Oyl July 12 Mandrake the Magician July 26 Lil' Abner August 23 Daisy Mae August 23 Dick Tracy September 6

Dark Horse's Classic Comic statues were inspired by "syroco" sculptures. In 1944, King Features and Farina Cereal teamed up to produce an amazing set of advertising premiums featuring comic strip characters. They have come to be known as "syroco" figurines named after both the then-new wood-like resin material they were made from and the company that produced them. These figures are now highly prized by collectors.

Dark Horse's new series of statues bear an uncanny resemblance to the original series. Produced under license from King Features and other property owners, the new editions are being created in 3D by the talents at Yoe! Studio, one of America's top creative design shops. Measuring between 4" and 5", the statues are sculpted in the original style, described by Craig Yoe as "primitive but charming".

Each numbered statue comes packaged in a full-color tin box, including a small booklet about each character and its creator, and a vintage-style pinback button of the character.

"We have worked hard to create a superior package for these very special items," Scroggy remarked, "and we think we have met the challenge with help from our manufacturing team."

Upcoming characters not included on the new release schedule include Beetle Bailey (October), Sarge (October), Little Orphan Annie (November), Terry and the Pirates (December), and The Dragon Lady (December). Other characters are licensed and will be scheduled in the immediate future.

Dark Horse Comics sees this as a long-term program with characters planned well into the future. Stay tuned for the latest developments.

[Updated 2/28/2000]