There are a number of steps that must be taken to produce a line of action figures, form concept art, to control art, to sculpt, to test shot, to paint master, to production sample, to final production piece. Below are a set of sample mold heads, a Robin paint master (with the paint chips used for quality control) and a Cyclotron test shot. Test Shots are first samples to be pulled out of an injection mold to make sure there are no defects in the molding process. Usually the first shots are made out of whatever plastic is lying around to save costs, but the Cyclotron is molded in his final production colors. Molding in the major colors of a character saves paint and therefore costs in final production.


Kenner used a repainted Mego Comic Action Hero Robin to demonstrate a thumbwheel/"hitting action" feature for a proposed batman figure. Kenner also repainted Glamor Gals dolls as superheroines, ironically making one a Supergirl who was never to be awarded a Super Powers figure of her own.


Shown is a Star Wars figure repainted as Captain Marvel and a preliminary Superman sculpture next to a test shot of the actual Super Powers Superman. The crudeness and sloppy paintwork on these prototypes is incredible in light of the fact that these actually won Kenner the license.



These pictures and many others are featured along with the full story on the origins of the Super Power Collection in issue #24 of the great Tomart Action Figure Digest. Click on the picture to order this back issue from Tomart.

 

To see more Super Powers Prototypes, go to the 4th Wave page.

 

Also, Michael Mesinger's Super Powers page showcases many prototype production samples.

 




Back to ToyOtter


ImageMap - turn on images!!!


[Home] [Super Powers] [DC Direct] [batman:The Animated Series] [Superman:The Animated Series]
[Total Justice/JLA] [Hasbro/DC] [Bibliography] [Links]


Select images © DC COMICS and/or KENNER/HASBRO Toys; Inclusion on this page is for informative and non-profit use only. No harm is intended.

All images, format, content, and design are copyright © 1996-2000 Jason Geyer unless otherwise noted. No part of these pages may be reproduced without express written consent of Jason Geyer. Licensed character names and images are copyright © their respective companies. But hey, ask me; you just never know what I'll say.