To many SP collectors, the 3rd series card back redesign is known as both a step back for the overall line and a huge step forward as far as visual presentation.  No included mini-comics, no artwork behind the figure and no special offers meant that cost-cutting was taking place behind the scenes, and as a result the line would not be long of this Earth.  However, it also meant a wonderfully crisp and clean card design that showcased the amazing sculpts of the figures and the industry-leading artistry of The Masters…Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, George Perez and Jack "The King" Kirby.

For the bulk of those brave enough to take on a carded Super Powers collection, the 10-character populated 3rd series is the final hurdle…usually more of a financial strain than even a full set of 12-backs.   It’s also something not instantaneously achieved, since carded examples of all 10 pieces aren’t usually available at the same time even when haunting eBay.  Factor in a somewhat nice condition desired and you have a true challenge before you.

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – The 33-Back Production Set

Wow, really?  Another edition of The Super Powers Highlight, so soon after the last one?

Yes, you’re right…I must be sick.  

Today we’ll be looking at the right-hand toady of one of your more major villains…Grima Wormtongue…err…I mean, DESAAD!  Darkseid’s torture master was indeed part of the Super Powers line from Kenner toys back in the mid-1980′s, and when looking around my display hoping to be inspired to write another blog I realized I had a small Desaad focus amongst my collection.   Desaad, along with the rest of the Series 2 characters released was a major reason why the line was eventually canceled.  If you want to be cute you could say that he tortured the line to a slow retail death.

However, since I’m not keen on acting cute…to the pics! 

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Desaad

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and oh BOY is this trash a treasure…at least for me!  

Welcome, one and all, to another edition of the Super Powers Highlight.  Today we’ll be looking at some of the various shipping cases used to transport Super Powers figures to their intended retail destinations (way back when).

Yes, that’s correct.  We’re looking at boxes.  Three different boxes.

Used shipping cases are very difficult to come by, especially for vintage toy lines.  I don’t think I’ve seen pictures of any other Super Powers shipping cases on the internet, but I’m sure that some of the "high-roller big-baller" collectors have examples in their stashes.  I also know that at least one case of Canadian-release 33-backs was cracked open at some point, since there are AFA-graded U90 (the "U" stands for "uncirculated") MOC Shazams and Orions on eBay.  Sad that a sealed case had to be destroyed to make something desirable for those silly label collectors, but that’s a profanity-laden blog for another day.  I’m sure I’ll get to it, since I can’t stand stuff like that.

On to the pics!

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Shipping Cases!

Hello everyone, and welcome to another Super Powers Highlight!  Fresh out of the post office box today is one of my newest arrivals…and a pretty damn cool thing to boot!  This is the master color key for the Martian Manhunter mini-comic.  I was fortunate to add a couple of these to my collection this past week (the other being Red Tornado), but I selected this one to showcase here in my blog because it arrived with an extra added bonus…an alternate cover that differs from the final version included with the figure.  

Each page contains color code information for the printer, and as far as what is known each copy is one of a kind.  The colors on each page seem to be applied with a watercolor-type marker.  The seller only had examples from Wave 2 of the Kenner figure line, but he did tell me that at one point he had Wave 1 characters as well.  Upon inquiry I was told they were sold years ago at a convention.  If anyone knows the whereabouts of the Brainiac…well, you know where to reach me.    Without further ado…here are the images!

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Martian Manhunter Mini-Comic Master Color Key

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – 1985 Consumer Promotions Catalog

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Logo Concepts

Cuick, S.A.is the company that actually distributed the figures produced by Pacipa in early 1989 and then Playful in mid-1990.  As is common knowledge amongst collectors of the line, there are Super Amigos out there sporting both Pacipa and Playful logos in the lower right corner of the blister cards.  Pacipa was the initial recipient of the license from Kenner, and overall has better quality in the card printing, bubble strength and character selection.  None of the figures came with mini-comics, but all of them came with file cards.  Both companies are mind-boggling in what seems to have been actually released.  I’ll try and detail the major oddities before I get to the image onslaught later in the blog. 

The first and foremost glaring omission is the Pacipa Batman figure.  I have never even heard a whispered rumor of someone owning a carded Super Amigos Batman with the Pacipa logo in the corner, let alone viewed a picture of one.  Every single one I have seen has been a Playful release.  That is bizarre beyond words, yes?  To a lesser extent is the Playful release of Superman.  I have seen a (small) picture of one on a foreign public information site and do own a Riddler figure mis-carded on a Playful Superman card back, but other than those two examples I don’t believe there is one known in any collection anywhere.  Again, bizarre.

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Super Amigos Revisited!

One great thing about the set right off the bat is the inclusion of Hawkman.  Yes, you’d expect every company that had the Super Powers license to include  the "Holy Trinity" of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman…but Craftmaster managed to give good ol’ Carter his due.  Not only his own set, but with artwork that (to my knowledge) wasn’t used on any other manufacturer’s product packaging.

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Craftmaster Signature Stamp Sets

The reason why it’s such a significant piece is that, while definitely scheduled to be re-released on a 33-back card (as all the figures in the line were), Dr. Fate was never released at retail on this card back.  Further adding to the mystery is the fact that this piece is NOT a carded sample, at least as far as it’s been defined with every other 33-back example.  It would have had to have been hand-carded to a proof card and those differences are obvious to the experienced eye.  The easiest & quickest way to tell is via the hanger hole punch on the top of the card.  All 33-back proof cards have a thin punch similar to the Kenner Canada released figures, and production release 33-back cards have the thicker "balloon" punch that is apparent on all 3rd Series MOC examples such as Orion and Cyborg.

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Dr. Fate/Golden Pharaoh 33-back Hybrid

There were a few surprises when I looked through it, which goes along with how Super Powers is in general to collect.  It seems like every week something new pops up (product- or information-wise), and even almost 4 years in I have found that continues to hold true.  You’ll see probably the biggest "news" to be revealed by this on the 4th interior page, so enough waiting…on to the content!

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – 1984 Consumer Promotions Catalog

Today I’m highlighting the set of four temporary tattoos produced for the Warner Brothers Studio Store in 1993.   I was lucky enough to score all four at once, which is fortunate because I think I’ve seen one single example for sale on eBay in nearly 4 years.  They were originally $3 each as evidenced by the WBSS price tag.  The set of four consists of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Flash.  If others were produced (Green Lantern and Robin come to mind as other logical possibilities) then I don’t know about them at all.  One interesting feature of these is that the logo actually says "Super Powers Collection" which was supposedly only designated for the Kenner action figure line.  I have found a few other WBSS items that also have this. 

Enjoy the photos!

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – WBSS Temporary Tattoos

Wishing a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my toy collecting friends.  Take care and be safe!

Peace,

Chip

This also debuts a kind-of change for the highlight.  I have so many things to showcase that I’m being daunted a bit on coming up with a lot of text for each article.  I’ve decided that it’s easier to just caption the pictures and take as many pictures as I can.  If there’s anyone still reading my blogs, please pipe up if you like, dislike or have a different suggestion that would allow me to blog more with less effort yet still remain entertaining and informative.  I’d certainly appreciate it.

Now, on to the subject-at-hand…

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Firestorm 33-back Toy Fair Sample

For the casual Super Powers collector, you may ask…"What the hell is that?  All-Terrain Trapper?  The name sounds familiar…but I just can’t place it."  Well, friend…it’s simple.  Take your carded Orion or Tyr or Cyborg and flip it over.  Ta-dahhhh!  There it is!

Now that you know what the vehicle is…your next question is probably, "What the hell is that?  Cromalin?  Is that one of the Red Lanterns?"  (As much as I’m joking around, I KNOW there’s at least one modern comic fan that probably thought that.  Ugh.)

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – All-Terrain Trapper Cromalin

WOOT!

As if that wasn’t enough, ALSO in the mail today…the completion of the eleven previously-released characters on the 33-back Super Powers card SET (flanking the Samurai hand-painted carded Toy Fair sample).  Kalibak is here!  WOOT!

I hope to get back to blogging soon…been kind-of out of it lately, but hopefully this will help spur things along.  

Until next time!

Peace,

Chip

I believe I owe Scott Neitlich an apology.  I’m sorry, Scott…you have it right.  Not only that, but you took the general criticism of the "loud but not numerous" AFi faithful and applied it directly to the Justice League Unlimited line in such a way that I have absolutely zero complaints from the big reveal yesterday.  Zero.

I knew that even if the overall assortment was something I was pleased with that 100% of the want list in my mind wouldn’t be there.  I could live with that as long as a concentrated effort in what I believe the "right direction" for the line was put forth.

Oh yes…was it EVER so strongly communicated!  Loud and crystal clear.

Toyman!  Kalibak!  Killer Frost!  Parademons!  Killer MAJOR wants!

Angle Man!  Warlord!  Demos!  Naked Green Fire!  Awesome show-accurate character representation!

Golden Age Flash, Hawkman, and Green Lantern!  Animal Man!  Adam Strange!  Blue Beetle!  Inspired comic choices!

(...)
Read the rest of JLU : Finishing the Show in 2011

You know, as much as I rag on Scott Neitlich (ToyGuru) for his efforts on the Justice League Unlimited action figure line, I have to give him the ultimate props on what he’s done with DC Universe Classics.  This line is what the Super Powers line could have been had it lasted, say, as long as Star Wars did and produced 100+ figures instead of the 34 that SP eked out in 3 years back in the mid-1980′s.

If there’s one thing I respect, it’s passion.  Scott and the Four Horsemen have translated their passion for Super Powers into action and not only re-created all (the rest are coming, folks) of the characters that Kenner came out with, but they also have applied that same vision to making the line that Kenner might have produced if they started development in 2007 instead of 1982.

I know a lot of you will hate this idea, but I’d absolutely LOVE them to make a Quadrex, Shockwave, or Silicon in DC Universe Classics.  A lot of the proposed Wave 4 characters have already been produced (Man-Bat, Vigilante, Blue Devil, Bizarro, John Stewart, Deathstroke), as well as some of the new deluxe "Power Plus" line that would have debuted in 1987 (Zan, Jayna).  Their passion certainly fuels mine in collecting DCUC, and it spills over into the other characters in that line.  Case-in-point :

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – DC Universe Classics!

I tried asking the tough, probing questions that the discerning readers of AFi wanted to be asked. Actually, I used the same questions that Lenzi came up with for Dan…they really made sense to my lazy disposition. Anyway, a very very Happy 5th Anniversary to Action Figure Insider!  Here’s to the next 5 years being even better!  Now…on to Mister Jason Geyer!

(...)
Read the rest of Jason Geyer : Five Years In

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Samurai Carded Sample

The advanced Super Powers collector also knows about at least a few of the more popular foreign releases…namely the Pacipa Super Amigos Riddler from Argentina, the Gulliver El Capitan Rayo from Columbia, and the Super Amigos Cyborg from the same Pacipa line as Riddler.  Most people even have the carded Cyborg in their collection instead of the (mislabeled) "rare" US-released Cyborg.

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – The Cyborg Mini Comic

Proof cards, on the other hand, are an entirely different beast.  Most Super Powers pre-production items are very difficult to come by.  First shots and proof cards are very rare with most items having 2-3 examples out there.  In most cases hardcopies and presentation boards are one-of-a-kind pieces.  I’m certainly fortunate to acquire what I’ve come across, and in the case of these two proof cards there are only two or three of each known to exist.  Since this blog will be primarily visual (there’s only so much you can say about these guys), I’ll get right to the pics.

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Cyclotron and Golden Pharaoh Proof Cards

As most people somewhat familiar with the Kenner US line know, there were 33 characters released at retail, with a 34th offered as a mail-in premium (Clark Kent).  Those that are a little more advanced in their obsession in collecting the line know of the Super Amigos Riddler released by Pacipa in Argentina.  However, once one delves a little deeper into the madness of acquiring everything toy-related released under that awesome logo, worldwide…you will learn about the good Captain, and wonder WHAT THE FLUFF were they smoking down there to come up with such ridiculousness?!

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – El Capitan Rayo

In this installment we take a look at a piece that, as of this writing, is the only one yet to be seen in the collecting community : the Estrela Joker.  Estrela is actually a pretty odd entity in the Super Powers world.  A Brazilian company that had the license for all the Kenner characters, they released an odd mix of Waves 2 and 3 after producing Wave 1 in it’s entirety.  The only characters released from Wave 2 were Darkseid and Green Arrow, and the only characters released from Wave 3 were Plastic Man, Shazam, and Cyborg.  A further odd occurrence is that the Wave 3 characters all were released with corresponding comics!  The comics are exclusive to Estrela’s line only and were not released anywhere else world-wide.  One wonders if there were comics for all the 3rd series characters before that plan was scrapped to get what were eventually did from Kenner.

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Estrela Joker

As one of the rarer characters to find MOC, I don’t think it’s been brought to light just how pencil-necked this geek really is.  Until I was finally able to acquire one I had no idea…going off the grainy figure line up on the back of the card it’s not as prominent.  Hopefully my pictures will bring a tear to your eye and a knot in your stomach as to how badly ol’ Clark has been mistreated here.

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Gulliver Superman

Up for showcasing today are both the Pacipa Brainiac & Playful Hawkman…"The Bubble Boys."  I decided to feature them together because they both share a trait unique from all the other Super Powers figures released worldwide over the years…contoured bubbles based on the shape of the figure.  Visuals work far better than words, so I’ll just show ya what I’m talking about as I blather on…

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Super Amigos Hawkman and Brainiac

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Super Amigos Shazam!

…and yes, there will be detailed blogging.

Peace,

Chip

This proposed list is directly based off of what type of product Mattel offered this year, which is why there are a few three-packs with two re-released figures in them and what seems to be a deluge of "Big Seven" inclusion.  I’m trying to duplicate what they’d actually DO if they went with the characters we wanted (and to GET what characters we wanted), so I basically copied the releases for the first 5 waves of 2009 and overlaid the new character combinations on each entry.  I tried to get as many of our poll characters into the assortments while being creative with re-releases and repeat character inclusion.

Overview: Justice League Unlimited is a Target exclusive at retail.
Exclusive 4-packs are released every quarter on MattyCollector.com

Wave 1 (released around February 2010)

Singles
Superman (battle damaged w/lightning effect)
Batman (with "shock knuckles")
Waverider
Big Barda (with cosmic rod)
Parademon

Three Packs
Green Arrow/Speedy/Vigilante
Martian Manhunter/Killer Frost/Heatwave

Six Packs
Secret Society II (Batman, The Key, KGBeast, Atomic Skull, Shadow Thief, Silver Banshee)
Legends of the League (Superman, B’wana Beast, Deadman, Commander Steel, Vibe, Crimson Fox)

Wave 2 (released around May 2010)

Singles
Hereafter Superman (with sword)
Savage Time Batman (armored)
Question (with mini-laptop)
Metamorpho (repaint as the 4 elements)
Romat Ru (Sinestro Corps)

Three Packs
Black Canary/Blue Beetle/GL Guy Gardner
Batman/Nightwing/Poison Ivy (TNBA)

Six Packs
Superman Revenge Squad (Superman, Vandal Savage, Green Lantern (trenchcoat), Toyman, Weather Wizard, Live Wire)
Justice Society of America (GL Alan Scott, Jay Garrick Flash, Hourman, Dr. Mid-Nite, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher)

Wave 3 (released around August 2010)

Singles
Catman (Justice Guild)
Power Ring (CSA)
Ultra Humanite (with chest of gold & jewels)
Brainiac (with Dark Heart "spider")
Fire (translucent green)

Three Packs
Shining Knight/STRIPE/Stargirl
Superman/Wonder Woman/Mongul

Six Packs
The Call of JLU (Batman Beyond, Future Barda, Micron, GL Kai-Ro, Aquagirl, Warhawk) 
The League Triumphant (Superman, Batman, Gypsy, Crimson Avenger, Johnny Thunder, Thunderbolt)

Wave 4 (released around October 2010)

Singles
Manhunter Robot
Owlman
Flash (Speed Force repaint)
Superman (space suit)
Static (Future JLU version)

Three Packs
Superman/Destroyer Darkseid/Lex Luthor
Batman/Wonder Woman/Circe

Wave 5 (released around January 2011)

Singles
Superman (with Krypto)
Batman Beyond (with Ace the Bathound)
Jonah Hex
Johnny Quick (CSA)
Brainithor

Three Packs
Batman/Catwoman (show-accurate Mattel re-release)/Batgirl (show-accurate Mattel re-release)
Superman (Darkseid’s Son Repaint)/Granny Goodness/Supergirl (newer release but old colors repaint)

Six Packs
Apokalips vs. Earth (Kalibak, Desaad, Steppenwolf, Flash, Green Lantern, Superman) 
Ultimen Attack! (Galatea, Longshadow, Downpour, Shifter, Wind Dragon, Juice) 

MattyCollector.com Exclusive 4-packs

Batman Beyond (Blight, Shriek, Inque, Stalker) – 1st Quarter 2010

Teen Titans GO! (Robin, Beast Boy, Starfire, Deathstroke) – 2nd Quarter 2010

Comic Book Inspirations (Animal Man, Spectre, Zauriel, Power Girl) – 3rd Quarter 2010

Green Lantern Corps (Salaak, Arisia, Galius Zed, Laravox) – 4th Quarter 2010

2010 SDCC Exclusive (available after the show at MattyCollector.com)
"Big Baddies" Three-Pack : Clayface, Lobo, Despero – $40 price point

Believe it or not, I had to leave a LOT of characters out that I wanted to be made.  Maybe I’ll do a 2011 one down the road.  LOL.

Peace,

Chip

(...)
Read the rest of JLU : Finishing the Show in 2010

(...)
Read the rest of I don’t really care for AFA-graded figures…

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Advertising Line Art

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Small Card Green Lantern

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Lily Ledy and Nibo

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – European Tri-Linguals

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Gulliver Juguetes

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Estrela Colecao Super Powers

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Colleccion Super Amigos

I almost hate to say this phrase, but it IS a site about a Mattel line : 

"Stay tuned!"

Peace,

Chip  

From left-to-right  :

Top Row – Super Amigos Batman, Robin (only one known so far), Superman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Green Arrow, and Plastic Man.

Bottom Row – Estrela Aquaman (only one known so far), Estrela Green Lantern (only one known so far), Future Warriors Dominator, Cyberdroid, Gladiator,and Vampirus, Nibo Penguin (only 3 known so far), Trilingual Brainiac w/sticker (only 2 known so far), Trilingual Green Lantern (only one known so far).

The Super Amigos are all in case-fresh condition with clear bubbles, and half of them are unpunched.  The rest of the figures are in fantastic shape, as well.

I’m utterly euphoric right now…it’s the best day I’ve had since I started collecting again back in November.

Peace,

Chip

I’m switching it up (still) before I get back to writing about the SP action figures and NOT covering one again this time.  Super Powers to me, is more than the action figures.  There are just a myriad of products with the logo and style guide artwork on them, and that makes for a really diverse and attractive collection to display, especially since most companies used different representations of the same characters from the style guide when they designed their packaging.  Nasta is one such company.

For a brief history on them…Nasta had the Superfriends license in the late 1970′s making trading cards, small travel games, etc.  That morphed into the Super Powers license during the mid-80′s, where the most common items produced were the sunglasses.

This Superman example has a variation to the card that I’ve not seen on other ones.  First off, the Toys-R-Us price "tag" is actually part of the printed card.  I have seen ones on eBay that don’t have it and have regular stickers from other stores affixed to them

Unlike the other two characters released, this one actually makes sense, as Superman actually wore glasses to help sell his secret identity as Clark Kent.  The card back artwork is fantastic…great image of Superman with the glasses and the classic shot of him speeding through the air, off to stop an alien invasion or rescue a cat from a tree.

I don’t recall ever seeing Batman wear glasses when he was cavorting around as Bruce Wayne, and even if he did I doubt they be as grossly gross as these.  Last I checked, Bats doesn’t go on tour with Billy Joel…so I’m not sure why some young lad would want these over the Superman ones.

Again, the card back artwork is cool but different, with the classic "cowl and city backdrop" image we’ve all seen thousands of times as well as an odd image of Batman lunging away from the camera so we don’t see most of his face.  

As you can see by looking at all three examples, even though the lenses are purportedly "break resistant" that doesn’t mean they’ll actually stay in the damn frames.    I’m also not sure if you can pop them back in as I’ve never seen a loose set of any character up for sale.  You can also notice that, while the Superman has it’s UPC code on the front, both Batman and Wonder Woman have them on the back.  I have yet to see different examples show up, so I’m not sure if they exist.

Again, fantastic art on the card back.  The classic head shot on the left, and a neat image of Diana leaping through the air and seemingly enjoying herself a whole hell of a lot while doing it.   

…and that brings us to the flashlight.  This is the only one I’ve seen for sale since I started collecting Super Powers, and I love the little thing! It’s one of those same small flashlights you’d find at a tourist trap location, such as any store in Myrtle Beach (ahem).  The difference is that this one has the Caped Crusader himself on it…perfect for those lil’ detectives-in-training that want to solve crimes around the backyard.

Once again…the card art is really what makes these things desirable for me.  It’s a really cool display to have them all on the shelf together, even tho some dude obviously went a little crazy with the hole puncher…not noticing that the card already had a hanger hole pre-punched in it.  Moron.

To me, the Super Powers ancillary products are equal to the action figures as far as collectability…due to the consistent and excellent artwork pulled from the DC Style guide.  There will always be a few bookcases filled to the brim with these items in my collection, and when assembled they make for an awesome display.  I hope you enjoyed this small look at one tiny corner of that realm.

Peace,

Chip

Well, my new friend Jason Sanders read that, sent along two photos of some really rare pieces…and told me it was okay to share.  

Up first is a French release bi-lingual carded Electro.  As you can see, the French dual logo cards have a neat rounded-top bubble.  This example is in fantastic shape, and is an AFA (boo! hiss!) grade of 80.

And finally we have something even rarer than most pre-production items…a test-shot of Electro’s head!  For the uninitiated, this is NOT a "prototype" as stated erroneously by most eBay sellers.  Test-shots are simply that…mold tests using whatever color plastic happens to be available at the time.  Vintage line examples are difficult to come by, and the fact that this is one of a rare third-series figure makes it even more sweet to see.

A big thanks to Jason for allowing me to display his cool stuff, and thanks for reading!

Peace,

Chip

Note that all the figures come with stands, as well.  I’ve only ever seen two of the carded Gulliver releases come up for sale, and they’ve both been very expensive.  Hopefully one day I’ll have a full set, but I’d need to buy ONE first, right?  

I’ve found two new Holy Grails to hunt for for my collection…the Spider-Man Castle and Dr. Doom Fortress.  Just too cheesy and awesome!  Now, on to the search!  Until next time…

Peace,

Chip

For those that aren’t familiar, in that picture are the following : PlayFul Super Amigos Penguin (alternate card artwork than any other release), Gulliver Robin (alternate card artwork than any other release), 33-back Green Arrow (one of the rarest production releases from the Super Powers line…certainly less than 10 known to exist), and one of the catalog-exclusive Secret Wars 2-packs (sealed baggies!).

A big "thank you" to Joe G. for trading me the Robin & Penguin.  He’s a stand-up guy and really appreciates my passion for this line.  Hopefully sometime in the future I can repay him 10-fold.  He’s one of the reasons I stay at AFI…a really cool cat. 

A good day, and now I can sleep.  

Peace,

Chip

Peace,

 Chip

As most Secret Wars collectors know, the line had been canceled after series two and Mattel decided to ship off the three figures currently in production to overseas markets.  Of course, what that means today is that the three said figures…Electro, Constrictor, and Iceman, usually command pretty steep prices on the collector’s market.  That’s not the only thing those characters have in common, though.  None of the three actually appeared in the Secret Wars maxi-series, which was a common theme to the Mattel Secret Wars figure line.  It makes you actually wonder what they were thinking back then…did they want a Marvel Figure line to combat Kenner’s Super Powers line, and they just figured they’d use the big Marvel event title to hitch their star to?  Mysterious decision.  Not only that, but a LOT of major players in both the series itself and the Marvel Universe proper were ignored in favor of more obscure characters.  However, looking at the line today that definitely contributes to the charm of it.  Based off of Secret Wars, yet really having nothing to do with Secret Wars, it’s a fun line to collect.  Most of the pieces are readily had (though not with clear bubbles, especially series 2), and there are some rarities that aren’t THAT difficult as well as most of the vehicles being affordable.  Electro is one of the rarities that isn’t THAT difficult to obtain.  One seems to pop up every month or so on eBay.

(...)
Read the rest of Secret Wars Highlight – Electro

Seriously.

I was done with this blog.  Finished.  Just putting the "Peace, Chip" on the end.  

I hit "Save Draft."

It came back empty.  

So…given who I am and my certain sense of humor, I have to say the following :

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Red Tornado

Anyhoo…no, you’re not seeing double, and you don’t need your eyes checked.  This blog is about Two Riddlers.  Why two, you ask?  Well, for most average Super Powers collectors, it is known that the line is essentially 35 figures, and not 34 as indicated by the backs of the final series’ cards plus Clark, of course (Thanks Joe!).   For most anal-retentive-obsessive-compulsive Super Powers collectors, it is known that the line is essentially 36 figures (and possibly 37)…but we’ll get into that "abominable" mess at another time.

So, about that 35th figure.  Well, the Pacipa Toy Company of Argentina decided to throw their own little curve ball over the Super Powers plate and make a nifty repaint of the Kenner Green Lantern figure.  Thus, "El Acertijo" (The Riddler) was created.  As I stated before, most people would actually search this guy out to "complete" their collections and for most of them it’s a grail piece.  Difficult to obtain, and usually costly.

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Dos Acertijos!

For those that don’t know, Gulliver Juguetes was a Brazilian toy company pretty much known for one figure…El Capitan Ray.   This Wonder Woman is part of their Super Powers line of figures (naturally), however Mister Lightning is not on the back of the package.  The lovely Amazon warrior was obviously released first, and the cardback shows only 7 figures in the first wave.  More on them later on.   Gulliver released two waves of Super Powers figures, Secret Wars figures, and their own line of characters, the Future Warriors.  However, I don’t know anything about that last line at all.    Heh.  Anyway…

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Gulliver Wonder Woman

With the second series of Super Powers figures, many fan favorites and then "B-Listers" were produced, as well as a multitude of New God goodness. The "heaviest hitter" in that wave was Martian Manhunter.  What makes this figure pretty neat to highlight is that, to this day, it remains one of the best sculpts of an action figure ever.  Likeness, accuracy of costume, etc…this is not only one of the best figures of the line, but it could also hold up against some of today’s aisle offerings (Hello, Infinite Heroes!  I’m looking your way!).  

(...)
Read the rest of Super Powers Highlight – Martian Manhunter

I thought this was interesting.  It applies more to vintage collecting (the article is actually in reference to coin collecting), but a lot of Mr. Buffett’s theories can be applied everywhere from Super Powers to Justice League Unlimited.  I noticed that I was exercising all the principles he identified the way I’ve been collecting vintage action figures right from the start.

Warren Buffett on Collecting

Thoughts?  Anyone doing this without realizing they were doing it?

Peace,

Chip