Posted By Dan Greenfield on Aug 6, 2024 | 2 comments

PART 3 of a new, daily feature on August’s Super Powers variant cover line-up…

Throughout August, DC Comics will be publishing eight variant covers in honor of the 40th anniversary of Kenner’s Super Powers line of action figures, vehicles and playsets. Artists Jason “ToyOtter” Geyer and Alex Saviuk combined forces to create covers that homage the packaging, with the kicker being that none of the figures shown were actually made — though they should have been. (Geyer did the figures and the packaging; Saviuk, who was similarly involved in the original Super Powers line, did the “Style Guide” art.)

Our hope is that McFarlane Toys — which has revived Super Powers — will pick up this baton and actually make the figures. (And they’re not saying no. By coincidence, they’ve already made the Gold Superman that’s in the variant set.)

Since we can’t get enough of this whole project, we’re featuring Jason Geyer’s development art for each cover, every day for eight days, along with the final versions — backs and fronts. (His commentary is adapted from Facebook posts he’s done.) We’ll be publishing them in the order they will be released by DC.

Next up? NIGHTWING (Nightwing #117, due Aug. 21):

“Today we’re looking at Dick Grayson, aka Nightwing! Or to put it more specifically for the meme crowd: Disco Nightwing!” said Jason. “Designed in 1984 by the late, great George Pérez, Nightwing was Dick’s graduation costume when he moved on from being Robin and was unveiled in the seminal Judas Contract storyline of the New Teen Titans. (Side note: He wore this costume for 8 years, and the next one (blue/gold/mullet) for only 3. Guess which version has more figures?)

“Like many, this story was my gateway drug to DC’s premiere superteam of the 1980s; I had been haphazardly reading issues of NTT as my best friend bought them. (I got Marvel, he got DC, and we read each other’s books after hitting the comic shop before taking our respective issues home.) And the big reveal of Nightwing was one of those character evolutions that just felt right (and obviously stuck!)

“Some have pointed out that he has a “goofy grin” on his face, but I wanted more of a happy, confident smirk; Dick Grayson is the antidote to Batman’s grimness, whether as Robin or Nightwing, and SHOULD be one of the characters that are lighter in demeanor. Especially as a toy! I just can’t picture him not smiling. Anyway, I loved making this figure! And if anyone should have a solo movie…”

Thanks, Jason!

Other than Shirtless Batman, this is my favorite of the eight covers. And if any of these figures are going to be done by McFarlane, I’d wager that Nightwing has the best chance. Thanks to the award-winning comic-book run by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo and co., Dick’s popularity is at an all-time high. Plus, with two Nightwings in the line already (modern day and the aforementioned blue/gold combo), clearly he’s a McFarlane fave. They have a head sculpt at the ready and now they have a collared body sculpt thanks to the newly released Booster Gold. Fans would snap this up in a hurry.

NEXT: Green Lantern. Click here.

—

MORE

— The Brilliantly Clever Vision of the SHIRTLESS BATMAN SUPER POWERS Variant. Click here.

— This POISON IVY SUPER POWERS Variant Cover Scratches That Retro Itch. Click here.