If you were born in the late 70s through late 80’s, you probably remember having (or playing with someone elses) a Super Powers figure. The iconic line featured vibrant card art influenced by José Luis García-López‘. Even today, the cardbacks and toy boxes remain one of the most visually appealing and is easily recognized vintage toy collectors.
Kenner’s History with the Super Powers action figures
As sales of the the iconic Star Wars action figure line dwindled, Kenner was eager to find the next licensing opportunity for their 3 ¾ inch figure offerings to compete with both Mattel’s Masters of the Universe as well as Hasbro’s G.I. Joe lines. In 1984, following the closure of Mego Corporation who had previously been producing their World’s Greatest Superheroes line, Kenner Products was awarded the licensing rights to produce DC Comics figures in their iconic smaller scale.
(Fun fact: Kenner’s very first Super Powers figure was a prototype of Shazam! (aka Captain Marvel) who was mounted to a stick for demonstration of the figures ability to ‘fly.’ This prototype was used in Kenner’s presentation to DC that would ultimately land them the license to one of the greatest toy lines ever created!
After seeing the success of the first series of figures, Mattel took notice and obtained licensing from Marvel to create their Secret Wars figure line.
The fall of Kenner’s vintage Super Powers action figures
Kenner’s Super Powers line began to fade away in 1986- likely due to the fact that many of the figures that were being produced were relatively unknown by children. Heroes like Batman and Superman were of course well known, but other figures offered in the line often sold very poorly.
Let’s take a closer look at the figures and playsets offered in the line:
Series One:
Kenner’s first wave of Super Powers action figures brought 12 new figures to the market. This first wave offered figures of mostly well-known characters, and served as a key driver of the lines early success.
- Aquaman
- Batman
- Brainiac
- The Flash
- Green Lantern
- Hawkman
- The Joker
- Lex Luthor
- The Penguin
- Robin
- Superman
- Wonder Woman
Series Two:
- Darkseid
- Desaad
- Doctor Fate
- Firestorm
- Green Arrow
- Kalibak
- Mantis
- Martian Manhunter
- Parademon
- Red Tornado
- Steppenwolf
Series Three:
- Cyborg
- Cyclotron
- Golden Pharaoh
- Mr. Freeze
- Mr. Miracle
- Orion
- Plastic Man
- Samurai
- Shazam! (Captain Marvel)
- Tyr
Mail-Away Exclusive Figures:
- Clark Kent
Kenner Super Powers Action Figure Vehicle List:
Batcopter- Batmobile
- Darkseid Destroyer
- Delta Probe One
- Justice Jogger
- Kalibak Boulder Bomber
- Lex-Soar 7
- Supermobile
Kenner Super Powers Playsets
Hall of Justice
Foreign figures:
- El Acertijo (Riddler – Super Amigos)
- El Capitan Rayo (Captain Lightning – Gulliver Juguetes)
- Hombre de las Nieves (Abominable Snowman – Gulliver Juguetes)
Unproduced Kenner Super Powers figures:
There have been a number of prototypes and other documentation found that show Kenner’s plans for the line, had it not been cancelled. Below is a list of the planned but unproduced figures. Some of the figures have been found in prototype form, while others only appeared in documentation.
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Unproduced Man-Bat prototype figure. Photo used with permission of Hakes.com
Man-Bat
- El Dorado
- Quadrex
- Shockwave
- Silicon
- Blue Devil
- Bizarro
- Creeper
- Metallo
- Executioner
- Supergirl
- John Stewart
- Kid Flash
- Manhunter
- Vigilante
- Mister Mxyzptlk
- Black Vulcan
- Reverse Flash
- Deathstroke
- Obsidian
- Black Racer
- Atomic Knight
Unproduced Super Powers Vehicles and playsets:
-
Tower of Darkness Prototype. Photo used with permission of Hakes.com
Brainiac Brain Ship
- Cyrborg Crawler
- Fist Fighter
- Jump Jet
- Snooper Scout
- Super Glider
- Plastic Man Car
- Fortress of Solitude
- Tower of Darkness
Kenner’s Super Powers Catwoman?
Kenner Non Super Powers Catwoman Prototype
While rumors have circulated that Catwoman was also planned, nothing has been found to support this claim. The figure was incorrectly represented in Tomart’s Action Figure Digest as a Super Powers prototype, however evidence has been found that the prototype was for a later Batman line.
Other Super Powers merchandise
While Kenner’s action figures were certainly the pinnacle of Super Powers merchandise, there was no shortage of other products available. You can find a huge range of products branded with the Super Powers logo- Sunglasses, slippers, and even Happy Meal boxes! It’s definitely a great line to collect, with a wide variety of really obscure items to chase!
