Walmart to sell NFT-linked DC comic books via pop culture retailer Funko: CoinDesk

Quick Take

  • Funko will sell DC Universe-branded comic books with linked NFTs, which can be redeemed and minted on the WAX blockchain. 
  • Walmart selling NFT-linked physical goods helps to make phygitals more ubiquitous. 

Funko, the pop culture retailer behind Funko Pop! collectible figurines, has teamed up with Warner Brothers and the U.S. retail giant Walmart to sell NFT-linked comic books, CoinDesk first reported. 

These comic books come from DC’s “The Brave and the Bold” comic series, which include notable figures from the DC Universe, like Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash and The Green Lantern. Each book cover will be available as a physical item with a digital counterpart, otherwise known as a “phygital.”

Funko CEO Andrew Perlmutter told CoinDesk that this opportunity with Wamart provides a good way to test how the NFT business can expand into physical retailers. A common superstore in the U.S., Walmart selling NFT-linked physical goods helps to make this type of asset more common. 

THE SCOOP

Keep up with the latest news, trends, charts and views on crypto and DeFi with a new biweekly newsletter from The Block's Frank Chaparro

By signing-up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
By signing-up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Customers that purchase one of these phygitals can connect their wallet and claim their NFT, which will be minted on the WAX blockchain. Sales of these items will begin Oct. 7. 

Funko is not the only brand to get into phygitals. Luxury goods company Prada and sportswear firm Puma both have sold physical goods with digital counterparts.


© 2023 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

About Author

MK Manoylov has been a reporter for The Block since 2020 — joining just before bitcoin surpassed $20,000 for the first time. Since then, MK has written nearly 1,000 articles for the publication, covering any and all crypto news but with a penchant toward NFT, metaverse, web3 gaming, funding, crime, hack and crypto ecosystem stories. MK holds a graduate degree from New York University's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program (SHERP) and has also covered health topics for WebMD and Insider. You can follow MK on X @MManoylov and on LinkedIn.