Marvel Secret Wars Toy Commercial
I remember when Secret Wars was a big, exciting thing. Spider-Man with a black costume? Cool! And as cool as the comic was, it was even better when actual toys were released for the series. And I don’t care what anyone else says, the vehicles — even the bizarre Doom Roller — were great designs and nothing but fun. And even the action figures aren’t looked on all that favorably. Consider this from John Marshall’s book, Action Figures of the 1980s:
“What really made the Secret Wars line stand out was the amazing, astonishing, incredible awfulness of the entire series, especially in comparison to Super Powers.”
I don’t remember the figures as being that bad. I guess I’ll have to track down one or two of the figures and take an honest look at them (rather than just go by childhood memories).
When I began collecting action figures in earnest back in the early ’90s, I was on the prowl for Secret Wars figures. Oddly, I managed to find Kang and Magneto at a local Evans department store (8 years after their release) for $1.98 each!
Compared to Super Powers, Secret Wars didn’t really measure up with their painted, not sculpted, details like belts and armor details. The “Secret Shields” were kind of dumb. However, the vehicles and playsets kicked all sorts of ass. I still want a Tower of Doom to this day.
I’ll echo a bit of what De said – Secret Wars is a much simpler line – who would ever think of Mattel and recycled parts on a toyline, hmmm? – than Super Powers, but the sculpts (all three or four of them) are generally strong.
My sadness was finding out in an old toy magazine that the next assortment would have had the Hulk. Would love to have seen that.
I used to have this and the turbo cycle, I had captain America and Hobgoblin.
I’d love to find a Secret Wars Hobgoblin.