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Every once in a while a toyline is released that is just so well done it's hard to imagine any way it could be better. I think Kenner's Swamp Thing collection from 1990 falls into this category. A perfect combination of superhero and monster, the line had a total of 12 figures, 3 vehicles, and 2 playsets, making it the perfect size. It offered a whole lot of play value, while staying small enough that kids really could "collect them all" without their parents going bankrupt. The toys are not really based off the comics or movies, but rather the short lived (but awesome) animated series. The toyline also had really cool commercials filmed in black and white live action like old 1950's monster movies.
Swamp Thing himself was released in 6 different variants with 4 unique sculpts. Each figure has it's own incredibly well done action feature similar to Kenner's Super Powers line. There is Snare Arm Swamp Thing, Snap-Up Swamp Thing, the GITD cactus like Bio-Glow Swamp Thing, color-changing Camouflage Swamp Thing, Capture Swamp Thing, and Climbing Swamp Thing. Normally I don't care for so many variants of the main character, but the figures here are all so different and unique it doesn't bother me at all.
There were also 2 human allies, Bayou Jack and Tomahawk, and 4 evil "Un-Men"...Anton Arcane, Skin-Man, Dr. Deemo, and Weed Killer rounding out the 12 figures. Each Un-Men figure comes with a translucent "Bio-Mask" to further mutate their monster forms. The vehicles are amazingly cool fusions of machine and plant matter, and are some of the best vehicle sculpts ever done.
There were Swamp Thing's Bog Rover and Marsh Buggy, and Arcane's Bayou Blaster. Lastly there were the playsets, both amazingly done. Swamp Thing's Swamp Trap was a larger more impressive version of Kenner's Dagobah set. It features a working elevator to pop Swamp Thing up out of the bog, Venus fly trap monster, foam quicksand, tree snare, and just looks great on the shelf.
Lastly there was the Transducer playset. This thing is incredibly cool, and is cousin to the Remco Monsterizer. It is really elaborate, with dungeon-like base, rotating lab table, green liquid vat of monster juice, and even comes with a mutated giant insect figure! What's not to love?
I highly recommend this toyline to any superhero or monster fan. They can be easily found on the secondary market and are just incredibly well done and fun toys. I'll be uploading pics of the entire collection soon.
Swamp Thing himself was released in 6 different variants with 4 unique sculpts. Each figure has it's own incredibly well done action feature similar to Kenner's Super Powers line. There is Snare Arm Swamp Thing, Snap-Up Swamp Thing, the GITD cactus like Bio-Glow Swamp Thing, color-changing Camouflage Swamp Thing, Capture Swamp Thing, and Climbing Swamp Thing. Normally I don't care for so many variants of the main character, but the figures here are all so different and unique it doesn't bother me at all.
There were also 2 human allies, Bayou Jack and Tomahawk, and 4 evil "Un-Men"...Anton Arcane, Skin-Man, Dr. Deemo, and Weed Killer rounding out the 12 figures. Each Un-Men figure comes with a translucent "Bio-Mask" to further mutate their monster forms. The vehicles are amazingly cool fusions of machine and plant matter, and are some of the best vehicle sculpts ever done.
There were Swamp Thing's Bog Rover and Marsh Buggy, and Arcane's Bayou Blaster. Lastly there were the playsets, both amazingly done. Swamp Thing's Swamp Trap was a larger more impressive version of Kenner's Dagobah set. It features a working elevator to pop Swamp Thing up out of the bog, Venus fly trap monster, foam quicksand, tree snare, and just looks great on the shelf.
Lastly there was the Transducer playset. This thing is incredibly cool, and is cousin to the Remco Monsterizer. It is really elaborate, with dungeon-like base, rotating lab table, green liquid vat of monster juice, and even comes with a mutated giant insect figure! What's not to love?
I highly recommend this toyline to any superhero or monster fan. They can be easily found on the secondary market and are just incredibly well done and fun toys. I'll be uploading pics of the entire collection soon.
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