Super Powers, The Original DC Heavy Hitter Toy Line
While we are enjoying DC Month on Needless, we wanted to showcase a toy line that is not only fun to collect, but damn tough to collect! That might seem like an oxymoron but trust me, having collecting challenges can be fun! How important is this line to collectors and how did this line shape things to come are two of the questions we will address today and more! Read on for the details!
Kenner launched the Super Powers line in 1984 after winning the license from the Mego Corporation. The emphasis on this new line was the action feature for the heroes (hence the name Super Powers). Kenner wanted to showcase the characters powers and with that the line was born.
The figures as a whole were smaller in scale, which enabled Kenner to produce some unique playsets and vehicles for the line. Super Powers only lasted 3 years but Kenner put out some amazing products in that short span of time. One of the coolest features for the toys was the overall artwork and the inclusion of a mini comic in waves one and two. The toy line was also supported by a DC comic under the same name.
This line has become highly collected over the years and in reality, Super Powers kick started the modern action figure toy line for DC Comics. Mego had some excellent releases but this line was completely different. The emphasis was on the action features and of course the playsets/ vehicles. Some of the releases are incredibly expensive and tough to track down and the mail aways can be tough to locate as well. For many fans, it’s the appeal of the artwork that drives them to collect. This line started it all folks and for many collectors, having these vintage figures in a collection is priceless. The figures were ahead of their time in both sculpts and articulation. While the articulation was nothing compared to say GI Joe, these figures were fun to play with. This is another reason why collectors flock to this line.
Super Powers was indeed cancelled after 3 years but the impact this line had on future releases is mind boggling. Lets face it, without Super Powers we would not have had the DC Super hero line and who knows when and if the other lines would have taken off. I know that is a bold statement but once a company ventures into a new realm, others will mimic and improve what was originally done. Just look at the Alien toy line for example. Each company that acquired the license was a step ahead of their predecessor.
Just look at some of the sold prices on Ebay for Super Powers and you will see that collecting the line can be a challenge. While this line is important to action figure history, one needs to be aware of what came in the line as a whole. Below we have a checklist ready to be printed out or saved if need be. Also be on the lookout for some unreleased protos as those can be super tough to get but before you get to that point, finish the line first.
All images come courtesy of Kenner superpowers.com
FIGURES
(FIRST SERIES)
__ Batman
__ Robin
__ Superman
__ Aquaman
__ Green Lantern
__ Flash
__ Hawkman
__ Wonder Woman
__ Joker
__ Penguin
__ Lex Luthor
__ Brainiac
VEHICLES/PLAYSETS
__ Batmobile
__ Supermobile
__ Lex-soar 7
__ Hall of Justice
(SECOND SERIES)
FIGURES
__ Green Arrow
__ Red Tornado
__ Dr. Fate
__ Firestorm
__ Martian Manhunter
__ Darkseid
__ Kalibak
__ Desaad
__ Parademon
__ Mantis
__ Steppenwolf (Mail Away or Carded)
__ Clark Kent (Mail away)
VEHICLES/PLAYSETS
__ Darkseid Destroyer
__ Kalibak Boulder Bomber
__ Delta Probe 1
(THIRD SERIES)
FIGURES
__ Cyborg
__ Mr. Miracle
__ Plastic Man
__ Shazam
__ Golden Pharaoh
__ Samurai
__ Orion
__ Tyr
__ Mr. Freeze
__ Cyclotron
VEHICLES/PLAYSETS
__ Batcopter
__ Justice Jogger