Bionic Spring '77 Extra

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In the Spring of 1977 Kenner issued this supplemental catalog to retailers to showcase the innovations in their (then) biggest hit toy lines, the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman.

Bionic fever would wane the following year but this was truly a golden time from Bionic fans.

Check out the Kenner Bionic Spring '77 Extra



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[mego73]

Bionic fever got bowled over by Star Wars mania.

[Werewolf]

Kenner always had great looking art and packaging designs on their toys. I miss Kenner.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Agreed. Kenner never seemed to phone anything in.

I didn't have many SMDM toys, but I had Steve, and it was probably this version. And that Mission to Mars outfit. Oh how my tiny brain loved that red helmet visor...

Chris

[MIB41]

I can still remember what a fresh and exciting idea the Steve Austin figure was. It was so inventive and amazing to have a figure that had "skin" that rolled up to reveal "bionic" parts. I think that "wow" moment resinates to this day. And to even look through his eye was a fascinating effect for a kid. Very inventive and really showed how much toy companies were invested in the playtime value of toys back then. Definitely a favorite childhood memory for me.

[mego]

The SMDM goes on missions and kicks a**, while the SMDW goes to the bionic beauty salon.
The rampant sexism of these toys isn't surprising but it is still shocking.

[mego73]

They were selling to girls who enjoyed and still enjoy fashion and beauty aspects. To make everything about "mission" would deny that reality and lose them sales. The beauty salon was also supposed to be a bionic repair station. The purse she came with had stuff for missions, they gave her a car with action features for missions.

[Werewolf]

^Agreed. Kenner never seemed to phone anything in.

Totally. They never seemed to lazily slap copied recycled art or a quickly and poorly drawn sketch together and called it a day. Everything was always very polished as well as fun and exciting.

[starsky]

still one of my top 3 favorites!

[ThePlayerOnTheOtherSide]

I can still remember what a fresh and exciting idea the Steve Austin figure was. It was so inventive and amazing to have a figure that had "skin" that rolled up to reveal "bionic" parts. I think that "wow" moment resinates to this day. And to even look through his eye was a fascinating effect for a kid. Very inventive and really showed how much toy companies were invested in the playtime value of toys back then. Definitely a favorite childhood memory for me.

Yep that skin being pulled back to reveal the bionics is one of those WOW moments of toys from the 1970s. Great idea and it really made the Steve Austin figure memorable.

[HardyGirl]

I have many happy memories w/ my BW doll. I had the Mission Purse version, the beauty salon and 2 outfits as a kid. I used to play w/ my cousin Dane, his SMDM and Fuzzhead Joes for the bad guys. I really loved the joint Bionic TV episode events like Bigfoot and Fembots. It just all tied together so well, and the toys made you feel like you were a part of the show. Checking bionic systems, making up missions, making that "Da-na-na-na-na" sound...truly inovative shows and toys.

Those were the days....