Posted By Dan Greenfield on May 15, 2024 | 1 comment

Why McFarlane needs to make these toys — and why we’ll buy them…

By CHRIS FRANKLIN

In April, DC announced upcoming variant covers using artwork from the legendary 1982 DC Comics Style Guide by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez. I wrote an article for 13th Dimension asking fans to let DC know we all wanted an official release of this fabled tome for public consumption. And lo, and behold, now DC is partnering with Standards Manual to do just that! Now, I’m not arrogant enough to think that Dan or I, or anyone reading this, WILLED this into existence, but hey, if it worked once, let’s try it again!

DC on Wednesday announced a series of eight variant covers featuring artwork inspired by the classic Super Powers Collection action figures, originally produced by Kenner from 1984 to 1986 — click here and here to see the full lineup. These covers, created by longtime Super Powers historian/toy industry insider Toy Otter (Jason Geyer) and veteran comics (and Super Powers packaging) artist Alex Saviuk, not only recreate the beautiful Super Powers cardback template, but showcase digital renderings of never-before-released figures that could have, and SHOULD have been produced back in the 1980s.

But it just so happens that McFarlane Toys has been releasing some really nice and fun Super Powers products based on that classic line over the last several years. They’ve really tapped into the aesthetic of the figures and vehicles from that era, and fans new and old await each new announcement for the line, dropping them seamlessly into their existing collections. All of these covers represent figures that would be welcome additions to the new McFarlane line as well, so let’s discuss why we need these “imaginary” covers to become three-dimensional reality! (UPDATED 5/17/24: McFarlane has responded to the interest! Click here.)

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GOLD SUPERMAN

Superman #17

Let’s get this one out of the way, because McFarlane Toys has already produced this one! Currently hitting shelves is this variant Superman figure, with the blue replaced with gold.

Now this may seem an odd choice for a figure and a tribute cover, but Kenner originally proposed such a figure for release on the occasion of Superman’s 50th anniversary in 1988. Unfortunately, the line ended before it, or any variations of the main characters, were produced. So, it’s nice to see this in both physical and comic form. Let’s hope the rest of these follow suit!

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FIRST APPEARANCE GREEN LANTERN JOHN STEWART

Green Lantern: War Journal #12

While I would love to see this version of my favorite Green Lantern (thanks to Justice League Unlimited, which my wife and I podcast about on our JLUCast), I think this figure may be the least likely to get made of the bunch. Poor John’s first figure release has unfortunately become the biggest peg warmer in the new McFarlane Toys line, due to the series’ initial exclusivity to Walmart, and some strange case ratios. I hate this for future iterations of the character, but perhaps McFarlane could sneak this classic look for John in somewhere. Maybe in a three-pack with a couple of Guardians, or alongside his one-time wife, Green Lantern Katma Tui?

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CLASSIC POWER GIRL

Power Girl #12

We need more females in the Super Powers line! In both the original line, and the new McFarlane series, we only have Wonder Woman, so Kara/Karen would be quite welcome. Also, we’d be adding to both the Justice League International set that McFarlane has been building, and the nascent Justice Society of America subline that gave us one figure in the form of Doctor Fate in 1985. Rumor has it that a Superman inspired by the Fleischer Studios animated shorts of the 1940s is on the way, and since PG is the cousin of the Golden Age Superman… let’s make this a family affair! (Though this version is based on the Atlantean PG.)

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FIRST APPEARANCE POISON IVY

Gotham City Sirens #1

So far, the line has been completely void of female villains. While Catwoman is no doubt the first foe who leaps to mind, any iteration of Poison Ivy would be welcome. After all, Ms. Isley is a star of film and TV as well. And why not go in the direction of the variant cover, and give us the original, chestnut-haired Ivy as she was first depicted in Batman #181 (June 1966). We’ve had tons of red-haired, green-skinned Ivys, but barely any based on the classic design.

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FIRST APPEARANCE NIGHTWING

Nightwing #117

McFarlane has produced two Nightwing figures so far. The current blue/black look, and a repaint of that figure in his early 1990s costume. But the classic, George Perez version was a hope of many Super Powers fans back in the ’80s (including the author), and he’s still wanted now! Sure, we had Dick Grayson as Robin (and we’d love McFarlane to make a NEW version of that figure too), but we need the older Dick Grayson to lead our (hopefully) growing group of New Teen Titans, including…

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CLASSIC KID FLASH

The Flash #12

Wally West would give the original Super Powers Flash someone to pal around with and make a fine teammate for both Robin and Cyborg! McFarlane has done multiple iterations of the Scarlet Speedster, including one that looks more like Wally’s second adult Flash suit. But there’s no denying the awesome appeal of Carmine Infantino’s original Kid Flash costume, one of the best superhero suits of all time!

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CLASSIC WONDER GIRL

Titans #14

Rounding out the trio of Titans is Donna Troy, who would give her sister Diana some companionship, and is an essential part of any Titans team. Donna’s backstory may be confusing from jump, but her character and design have always been a favorite, especially the modified look by George Perez seen here. And while we’re talking Titans, McFarlane, please release a Cyborg for those of us who missed him in 1986 and can’t afford to take out a second mortgage to get one now.

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SHIRTLESS BATMAN

Batman #151

I had to save the best for last. Or at least Dan’s favorite! McFarlane has stated that there will always be variants of Superman and Batman on the pegs to keep the line selling to retailers, and what better variant is there than shirtless — or as Grant Morrison put it, “hairy-chested love god” — Batman!

1972’s Batman #244, by Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams and Dick Giordano

One of Neal Adams’ greatest visual contributions to the Dark Knight (and there are many), you don’t get more macho than this desert battling, sword-wielding Batman!

Batman #244

Of course, we’ll need a Ra’s al Ghul/Talia two-pack to go with him!

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MORE

— DC to Release Eight SUPER POWERS Action Figure VARIANT COVERS This Summer. Click here.

— Four More DC COMICS’ SUPER POWERS Variant Covers — REVEALED! Click here.

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Regular 13th Dimension contributor Chris Franklin is a graphic designer, illustrator, writer, and podcaster, who co-hosts and produces several shows on the Fire and Water Podcast Network, including JLUCast. He’s also a longtime fan of the Kenner Super Powers Collection, and still has all of his vintage toys. He made a custom Kid Flash while in high school, but he’d sure like an official release!