Activated Marvel Super Heroes by PPC

[RSS]

images graciously provided by Hakes Auctions


Right after Mego and just before Secret Wars, Activated Superheroes are a forgotten series of Marvel Superhero figures produced by Processed Plastic Corp (sexy name eh?) or PPC for short.



PPC trade ad which includes the Activated Superheroes



These are well sculpted "army men" type characters (that remind me of similar figures produced in South American by Gulliver) with a gimmicky device that allowed the figures to fight. It's kind of low rent but also, absolutely charming. I'm very smitten with this line.


Activated Superheroes did receive a little bit of comic advertising in 1983, I remember being very excited about the idea of new figures but never saw them.



images graciously provided by Hakes Auctions


Eight Heroes were produced and four villains, all are excellent choices.


The amazing Bronze Age Marvel art on the packaging is probably a big help in this addiction. In addition to figure sets, they also created "combat sets" which included generic stuff like trucks and army men.



images graciously provided by Hakes Auctions




This is the kind of ridiculous toy you'd see when your family went on vacation, displayed amidst the pails and inflatable items at a "Stedman's" type store.


Activated Superheroes seemed to have had very limited distribution and sales, they are difficult to find on the collector market (a lot of people don't know what they are when they find them) and boxed sets like these are very pricey affairs.

If you collect these and want to share your input or photos of your stuff, I'd love to hear from you. kid70s*at*gmail.com

Get our book on Rack Toys and other goodies at our online store

For more Fashion Mockery and 70's toy love visit us at Plaid Stallions.com


More...

[Earth 2 Chris]

I ordered the sets of these Heroes World sold through half-page ads in Marvel Comics. If I remember right the ad said "We're Back! Marvel Super Heroes Action Figures" or something like that. There were only comic headshots of some of the characters. No drawings or photos of the toys. So I ordered them blind. When they came in, I was perplexed. One because they sent me two of the same set, and two, because they weren't really "action" figures. But I got over it real quick. I had never had any Marvel Megos beyond Spidey, Cap and Hulk, so I was elated to have all of these characters. My mom took care of the problem and contacted Heroes World and got me the other set I was missing. I played with these things a lot, but not a one survived. I have no idea where they went. I'd love to have a set, but as you said, they are kind of hard to find!

Chris