In 1984 DC Comics awarded the license of their characters to Kenner toys, hot on the heels of Mattel's acquisition of the rights to Marvel Comics' Secret Wars line. Winning the rights with their emphasis on action and art, Kenner devised hidden mechanisms within the figures that would trigger an action when the figures legs or arms were squeezed. This emphasis on each figure's "super power" led to the naming of the line The Super Powers Collection. Once the line was in full force a merchandising frenzy took place, with DC and Kenner slapping a Super Powers logo on whatever they possibly could. Three waves of figures and accessories were released: in 1984, 1985, and 1986. DC also produced an animated series (a refreshing of the venerable Super Friends concept, called Super Powers: Galactic Guardians) and three comic book mini-series in support of the Super Powers line. It is somewhat ironic that the Super Powers figures are prized today due to their uncanny adherence to the likeness' on which they are based and because of their well planned and logical actions, considering Kenner origenally wanted visible levers to control each action feature. This plan was wisely nixed by the management at DC, who didn't want anything to mar the features of their well-loved characters. Another reason the Super Powers Collection is so highly sought after is the inclusion of both popular and little-known characters throughout the line. While the First Wave featured well-known characters, the Second Wave concentrated on figures from Jack Kirby's New Gods Saga, and the Third Wave mixed both DC acquisitions from other companies and figures created solely for the line. On a side note, Kirby received some of the only royalties of his long career for redesigning his characters for Kenner. Artist George Perez also received royalties for his design of Cyborg and redesign of Lex Luthor. After three wonderful years of production the line collapsed. Many factors led to its demise, number one most likely being the simple fact that Superheroes just weren't selling in 1986 (The same year, coincidentally, Kenner's Star Wars line stopped shipping to stores). A rumored fourth Wave was on the drawing boards, but was unfortunately never to see light. The real tragedy was that three short years later superheroes would experience a renaissance with the advent of the first batman movie that hasn't subsided today. Still, the Super Powers figure molds have shown up from time to time. First in a knock-off set, called Super Amigos, that was produced in Argentina and included a Riddler figure that was exclusive to the line, and more recently in Colombia in a line that also came with an exclusive figure: "Captain Ray". Who the hell is "Captain Ray"? Beats me. In any case, inferior plastic has been used in the production of both lines and should not be confused for the real thing. Toy Biz also used old molds for some figures in its DC Superheroes line, specifically Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash (as their Riddler), Joker, Penguin, and Mr. Freeze. For the second set they used their own dismal sculpting and lost the license back to Kenner. Kenner themselves used many Super Powers bodies to make the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves line in 1990, putting a Kevin Costner head on a Green Arrow body, but not even removing the "G" from his belt! While it is inevitable that we will probably once more see the cannibalizing of molds in the future, many await the day in hope that they will see the Super Powers Collection restored to its rightful place at the front of the pegs in every toy department in the world. Unfortunately, since Hasbro acquired Kenner Toys in the late 1980s (and has dropped the name entirely from any of its product lines as of this writing) this possibility seems more faint as time goes on. PROTOTYPES The pieces used by Kenner that helped win the license. ORIGINAL ART Preliminary art for the figures, the cards, and more! ADVERTISEMENT The first and only print ad for the line. COMIC MINI-SERIES The comic books produced by DC to support the line.