Just Open It! #35: McFarlane Toys Super Powers Superman and Supermobile

Super Powers is one of my all time favorite action figure lines -- and is McFarlane Toys RUINING it with this reboot? Are there enough hits to justify some of the misses with Superman and his Supermobile? Tune in and find out!

[@KrazyJoesConcessionStand]

I have issues with the new Super Powers figures but I'm THRILLED they don't have power action. The power action was fun as kids but made the figures delicate and breakable. Ditching the power action for an adult collectors line was absolutely the right move. But I don't ike that they are making modern versions of characters for what is essentially an 80s throwback line.

[@aaronfrey4418]

I can deal with the lack of action feature, since those eventually wore out over time. But I wish they matched the size and sculpt of the originals and went with the classic looks instead of going more modern. How great would if be if they finished out the Justice League and Teen Titans with the missing members from that time along with all their villains.

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Agreed!

[@jzachery]

The cape master on eBay does awesome Super Powers style capes for the new Superman and Batman in this line, I highly recommend them. I never cared about the action feature, so that is a non-factor for me with this line.

[@stevebragg4256]

Yes, Capemaster is quality.

[@victorlazo238]

I know this has nothing to do with these specific figures but I find amazing this trend of re doing figures in this retro style. Hasbro has done it with Star Wars and most recently starting with Indiana Jones and McFarlane with DC and they are all lines made by the same iconic company: Kenner. Is amazing the impact that company had in a generation.

[@wondercub]

I wish the scale was in line with the old line and the first wave was the same as the original first wave. And I cant find them anywhere here in Tucson.

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

They're still sparse up here in Phoenix. I've been persistently visiting Wal-Marts and very lucky. As far as the character selection, considering the re-releases of the vintage TMNT and Real Ghostbusters figures and vehicles in the past year, a re-release of the OG Super Powers would be huge, and I'd be onboard!

[@wondercub]

@@KaraokeFanboyPress Hey maybe Ill send you money so you can buy them lol j/k thanks for the cool video dude!

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

@@wondercub Follow me on IG @amazingazcomics and drop me a line; I may head down for Tucson Comic Con next month, and if I see something in the meantime, we can make arrangements. Arizona toy collectors unite!

[@jzachery]

I feel like these figures homage the DC ToyBiz line from the 90's more than the actual Super Powers figures of the 80's.

[@porko882]

weren't they the same molds with except for some minor differences like the button on robin? I still remember getting the 89 Batman with the retractable belt.

[@jzachery]

@@porko882 Some of them were the same. Robin, Penguin, Superman. But the ones that were different were Aquaman, Hawkman, Green Lantern, and Flash.

[@marcacosta7594]

Homage to the ToyBiz line🤣🤣😆I love it, how true. Thanks for saying what we've all forgotten.

[@maximusprime3459]

The Toy Biz line was like knockoffs using cheaper (sometimes sloppier)sculpts of the Super Powers figures.

[@billyjoe6933]

I'm a little disappointed in the whole mcfarland super powers collection. I like them but could've been done alot better. Needs better capes and the action feature and they'd been ok.i hope he takes the criticism and fixes the problems and they sell like crazy

[@TheGreatDayne1983]

I’d take the cape off and store it in the side compartment and put a capeless Superman in the super mobile

[@OfficialEricElemen]

I still need some later original Super Powers figures. CYBORG!

[@switchlouis1932]

McFarlane himself said it's a jail cell but everyone including myself know no one fits in it

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

I know, too -- because I opened it!

[@teamlattie]

Dude pulled my vintage supermobile out. Was searching for 3d print parts as well on yeggi. Hopefully these new toys entice someone to scan it.

[@sheistdolo6086]

I got all the new drops on pre-order Can't wait

[@futuramayeah]

is that 80s Supermobile supposed to be his baby rocket, it looks like the same design? i don't know, i might have seen an old comic book featuring his origin

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

I did a little research -- the McFarlane Toys' Supermobile is the vehicle's first design, first appearing in Action Comics #481 to fight the android Amazo. The OG SP toys modified a bit. I like them both!

[@hankday28]

The Superman figure is ruined for me picked up and didn't realize it had 2 right feet so, yeah starting w QC issues no good!

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Whoa! I'd drop McFarlane Toys a line about that one.

[@chrisclearwater3521]

Hopefully they will correct some of these issues on the second wave , I still haven't seen any in the wild,

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

They're trickling into the Phoenix market as we speak. I thought the John Stewart Green Lantern sightings in California were already signs of Wave 2, but I heard a fellow toy fan call him a "chase" for Wave 1. If that's true, I chalk it up as another miss, marking Super Powers the latest victim of nostalgia for "adult collectors," and a sad departure from its legacy of introducing kids to comics.

[@chrisclearwater3521]

@@KaraokeFanboyPress yeah they can have my money I just can't find it

[@tronlorne9328]

Stfu they’re 10$

[@futuramayeah]

when i looked on walmarts website, the supermobile was 25 and the batwing was 20, but each had 7 to 17 dollar shipping, so i went to the store, and they were 30 dollars each

[@thescarletandgrey2505]

I can tell just by listening to your original Supermobile when you set it down it has more heft than the new one. I have the Batwing and it’s extremely light weight. I wonder how long it will hold up before the canopy breaks 😢

[@drexsonaljames8345]

Bro you just like a dude I went to elementary school with back in the early 80s name Jeremy lol... haven't seen him since elementary school because he had moved...to where idk...but I totally agree with everything you said...I bought Superman and Darkseid yesterday... and it brung back so many memories from my childhood...but I keep my action figures in card...so I'ma enjoy looking at them on my wall...I honestly think they were never meant to come out the card that's why I'm assuming that's the purpose of the tag in the cape

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Jeremy, if you're out there, drop James a line...! Thanks for the feedback -- and your point is an excellent one! I may mention it in an upcoming review...those cape tags may be a clue that these are meant to be show pieces, only. That would explain the lack of minicomics, too...!

[@drexsonaljames8345]

@@KaraokeFanboyPress hey no prob...I enjoy your reviews

[@futuramayeah]

people are selling replacement capes for supes and batman on ebay and i didn't know why,, now i know

[@futuramayeah]

i saw on some youtube show that wave 3 will have Wonder Woman and Reverse Flash and maybe Regular Flash too?

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

A Flash/Reverse Flash combo is an effective re-use of a mold, so I'm interested to see how they distinguish them. If I find them both, I'll probably open them together to compare!

[@rickyfrench1262]

Any word on aquaman?

[@masterjedi1980]

I am the same way. This line is an absolute must buy. The price point, the nostalgia, everything.

[@michaelbritt3137]

Great review brother!

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Thank you!

[@futuramayeah]

maybe that side compartment on the Supermobile is for his cape, he doesn't need it while he's driving

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Oh, I like that! Very cool solution to that crinkling when he gets in the cockpit.

[@briguy_3840]

I’m very conflicted on if I want these or not. Super Powers is my all time favorite toy line. I still have a few from when I was a kid. I love McFarlane figures, but these just miss the mark in a lot of ways. The hole in the cape, the quality of the cloth, and the lack of action feature really punctuate the inferior version these are.

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Their size, sculpt, and packaging definitely make them more of an homage to Super Powers, rather than a Super Powers proper line.

[@oldscoolcooldiecast1879]

Would you happen to know how many figures there will be in all or is at the moment and possibly the same with the vehicles in this line not sure if I want to go down the rabbit hole sort of speaking lol or not they do look interesting and hit on some memories as a child I always snook off to play with the neighbors not telling anyone lol I actually had super man and a few others

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

From what I've read, this is an indefinite line, with future figures already announced, in production, and I presume headed for the pegs this spring. My recommendation is to pick up John Stewart, since he isn't an OG, and see how you feel about his look and feel. He'll look great if you have some original Super Powers, or if you ever find some in the future.

[@stevebragg4256]

I'm sure the price would have been 5 to 10 dollars more if they had the action features.

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Very true, great point.

[@SuperMoshady]

I still have my Tim Drake Robin from the Batman Returns line. Looks great next to Batman

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

The gray/blue Batman from that line was my favorite figure for a long time, because it combined the comics colors with Michael Keaton's movie look. This "Hush" style Bats might be the BEST to stand alongside that Batman Returns Robin for their '90s aesthetic. Good call!

[@SuperMoshady]

@@KaraokeFanboyPress that was my favorite figure too 😆😆😆 Closest to the comic book Batman for sure. My original Super Powers Batman was long broken by that time.

[@SuperMoshady]

Found some great custom capes for these on ebay

[@pimpdaddysatan]

I bought the Batwing.. saw it first before anything else.. then I finally saw the figures in the store.. and they're freaking awful... The paint was horrible.. I'm not buying those..

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

I'll be posting my Batwing review shortly, and you're right -- the vehicles are the stars of the show, here. Fortunately, they're compatible with classic Super Powers, too.

[@KhanCussion]

To keep a price point, no special powers. Things cost more these days. They do look good.

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Totally understandable...could that explain the capes, as well? Just a more affordable material, there?

[@pablor491]

The figures are a complete miss for me because they're absolutely not the same scale as the originals. Such a shame, the vehicles are really cool

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

I honestly didn't notice the scale issue until these comments. I really hope supplemental characters can stand alongside my classic Super Powers and blend in...

[@pablor491]

@@KaraokeFanboyPress I really hope they listen to the fans and course correct, they have people like me waiting to throw money at them for years to come

[@BolianAdmiral]

Yeah, literally the only thing I want from this new line is the Batwing. I can’t stand the lol of that new Batman… the original was so much better.

[@pablor491]

@@BolianAdmiral the weird thing is that the original super powers Batman fits way better than the new one. It's like they changed the figure size towards the end. Also Batman's head on the new figure looks horrible.

[@maximusprime3459]

The Super Powers line needs a lil more variety. More villains, more female characters and teams, and less Superman and Batman variants.

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Agreed!

[@justinreaves430]

i have it moc

[@ArmandoDy]

Walmart is getting pallets of those in right now. Check your local Walmart for page punchers and the black Adam figures on the same pallet. Look for the big display. They might give it to you since they throw the displays away. Great video 📹 👍 👏 👌

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Thanks for the feedback and the heads up!

[@namehereandthere]

I hate to say, but these seem destined for the clearance aisle. Cheaply applied face paint on both Batman and Superman. Cheap capes with permanent holes in them. Overpriced vehicles in tiny boxes.

[@tronlorne9328]

Wanna bet ? That’s not happening.

[@namehereandthere]

@@tronlorne9328 yes, I do want to bet. I will bet you $1000 that within the next year, you will see loads of these in the Walmart clearance aisles going for $5 or less. Want to take that bet?

[@brademerick9181]

I'll take that bet . they don't sell here . Lots of them on the shelf . The vehicles are sooooo tiny compared to the Kenner ones. The Kenner (or even Toy Biz ) Batwings were so much better than the tiny Batwing from this set . They had all of the Darkseid figures on clearance here at $3.00 and I didn't even want to spend that much on starting a new collection of figures . I've got all of the originals except for Cyborg ( and the South American Riddler figure ) and I'm good with that . @@tronlorne9328

[@brademerick9181]

You are correct , they can't give them away here . Darkseid clearanced out here at $3.00 and still took months to get rid of .@@namehereandthere

[@tstewart3034]

Hey, I emailed you.

[@chrisclearwater3521]

As a customizer of action figures , I've been buying the cheapest most beat up super powers and toy biz copies on the secondary market for a couple years just so I could make my own characters, this is a good price point and I will buy a lot of these just to customize them,, if anyone out there is interested in dipping their toe in the water and easy way to start is make it Superman a bizarro and make a Batman a space Ghost,, get creative and go from there and make any character you want but these are great bucks to work with,, if your Careful with the packaging, and a little creative you can make your own carded custom figures,, just an idea that's why I'm excited about this line not for what they offer but for what I can do with it

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Awesome insight!

[@futuramayeah]

Todd must not be a Superman fan, he made the cockpit cover for the Supermobile, Red tinted, any Superman fan knows that if you put a red filter over the yellow sun like they did in Smallville season 9? that negates Supes' powers, so basically they made a vehicle to drain his powers. they should have made the cockpit cover clear i guess.

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Whoa, I didn't know that! The OG Supermobile had a red cockpit cover, too. Those Superman robots in the Fortress of Solitude must've been malfunctioning the day they helped Supes build it!

[@TheBigBigSean]

I'm going to just stick with collecting DCUC Super Powers. Mattel did a great job updating the Super Powers line. These new McFarlane Super Powers don't seem to understand what makes Super Powers appealing to modern collectors. Here's a hint: Darkseid and Batman did not look like that in 1984-85.

[@tstewart3034]

just by knowing MY history, I think I can say by age, occupation, and involvement in the pop culture industry, I find it really interesting how grown adults can be "let down" and actually complain about action figures that cost $9.98. Literally, 5 figures in, and people are "unhappy" and even complaining that the pack colors arent THE SAME!!! You want comics, action features, perfection, etc. all at $9.98? Even at Hot Toys prices, I cant bring myself to complain about a toy. Now Sideshow and Prime 1 Statues... I get wanting perfection from a 2k statue. But $9.98?

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

I'd love to pick your brain on your expertise in the industry! Thanks for the feedback. To be clear, I like Super Powers, and I think my upcoming reviews of wave 2 will amend some of these first impressions. That said, to your points: "Grown adults" are the target audience for these toys, evidenced by the brand itself. And, since Mattel has been able to accomplish the figures/weapons/original comic combo at $15-$20 with Masters of the Universe Origins, I'd happily pay that price point if these figures included a comic, as well. McFarlane's Page Punchers line includes (granted, reprinted) comics, so it seems possible at the $10-$15 range. The holes through the capes seem unnecessary. Buy a shirt for $10, discover a hole in it, however small, and tell me you don't think of that hole every time you put that shirt on! They've prioritized packaging over that small measure of quality control, and I'm baffled by it, since the plastic molds in each bubble seem capable of holding their figures in place. It's like this: most fast food value meals are about $10 nowadays. If you go through the drive thru and order your meal with a Coke, but they give you Sprite...well, Sprite's good, too, but it's not what you expected and paid for, and you have a right to react within reason. That's my impression here, and, fortunately, a 15 minute KZbin rant is about as much energy as I give it before I add these toys to my shelves in gratitude that I can afford the hobby at all.

[@tstewart3034]

Nothing personal, I love your enthusiasm for toys since I found your channel. Do you have an email on your home page?

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

@@tstewart3034 I didn't take your comments personally at all, and I often have the same thoughts when I watch reviews of things! I don't mind sharing my email: [e-mail]. I appreciate your watching.

[@tstewart3034]

@@KaraokeFanboyPress check your email

[@switchlouis1932]

I have them all including the John Stuart the flash and Batman who laughs is out also now in some markets however I'm kinda ticked off at the fact that the batjet was $20 when I initially bought it however it's changed to $30 like the supermobile that's not cool to change the price 1 month in wtf?

[@rickyfrench1262]

I believe it’s $20 if you buy it online then go pick it up. It’s $30 if you just go in the store to but it. I went 2days ago and they wanted $30 even tho I showed them it’s $20 even when I would scan it through my Walmart app so I told her no thanks went home bought 2 of them for $20 each and picked them up. Go figure . Totally bs

[@samuelrux3880]

Great review! I was never a fan of the original Super-Powers line, even though they had an impressive amount of characters produced compared to Marvel's Secret Wars line.

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

Thank you!

[@stephencarey7036]

I love the new mcfarlane superpowers figures

[@SuperMoshady]

Mcfarlane perfected the basic stance and they have a far superior face sculpt than the originals. These are superior figures despite the lack of action features. Even the capes are great imo. Except for that hole 🙄

[@TheBigBigSean]

"These are superior figures" Nah.

[@SuperMoshady]

@@TheBigBigSean disagree 🤷

[@pimpdaddysatan]

The action feature was stupid.. and I wouldn't want that on a figure I'm collecting or posing.

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

I think I miss the action feature because Super Powers was an important line for me as a kid, and I'd hoped these figures would target the kids of today, introducing them to DC's iconic (and maybe less so) characters. McFarlane's standard figures are awesome for adult collectors -- but they lack a "playable" element for kids. I think a modern take could appeal to fans of all ages, and maybe they DO, and I'm just a victim of nostalgia...!

[@pimpdaddysatan]

@@KaraokeFanboyPress growing up as a kid, probably a few years older as Fisher Price Little People & Star Wars were the first toylines then GI Joe, MOTU, and Gobots all came on strong after my initial introduction to action figures. GI Joe was always the most superior Toyline ever created, and part of that was the articulation. I hated toys with cheesy punching actions or levers on their backs, or squeeze their legs, etc.. that's not playing, that's being limited. So even as a kid I knew those gimmicks sucked and ruined good figures. 👍

[@KaraokeFanboyPress]

@@pimpdaddysatan As a huge MOTU fan, I couldn't imagine a Ram Man that couldn't ram, or a Sy-klone that couldn't spin, etc. -- but you definitely had great taste in toys. GoBots are due a comeback, especially after Tom Scioli's recent, awesome IDW comic!