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Captain Action as Flash Gordon |
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hen Caption Action debuted in the 1960s, there was no such thing as an action figure. So, in designing a toy for boys, the Ideal company naturally took their cue from Barbie, creating what now seems a curious concept: the superhero fashion doll. The 12-inch Captain Action--supposedly a hero in his own right, complete with sidekick (Action Boy), villain (Dr. Evil), and lair (Action Cave) --could be dressed as any number of cartoon heroes by buying outfits sold seperately.
Over the years, as the price of plastic has gone up, these toy heroes have gotten smaller. Eight inches in the '70s. Three and a half in the '80s. Now in the '90s, when collectors are being sold to as much as kids, the nostalgic 12-inch figure has returned. And so too has Captain Action, thanks to Playing Mantis (also makers of the reproduction Johnny Lightning cars).
This time around, each costume comes complete with a doll, pre-dressed, in a handsome display-box that features artwork of the hero by '60s comic book artist Carmine Infantino. And Playing Mantis is doing what long-time fans of the original line could only dream about for the last 30 years--issuing new characters. Now Green Hornet has his Kato, and Flash Gordon his Ming the Merciless.
True to the space-race-influenced era of the original, the Captain Action as Flash Gordon reproduction doll is dressed as an astronaut for the "U.S. Space Team." An astronaut with a laser gun, that is. Meanwhile, the new Dr. Evil as Ming the Merciless doll features the villain's full-blown 1930s Mongo raiment, true to the comic strip (even in the '60s).
When worlds collide
Today, without $300 to spend on an old Captain Action doll and another $300 for an original Flash Gordon outfit, this new Playing Mantis reproduction is a dream come true for fans of either character. The retro-style Ming is a particularly unexpected bonus.
But fans should be careful what they wish for. As a set, the '60s Flash doesn't quite work with the '30s Ming. Devotees of classic toys will be thankful for the rigorous recreation of the Flash outfit, but seeing the more appropriately dressed Dr. Evil, who doesn't wish Captain Action had shown more fashion sense? One gripe about Ming, though: the metallic-gold cape isn't in line with the fabrics used by Ideal. (And judging from pictures, it looks as though Playing Mantis will get even less authentic with their next original villain, the Phantom's Kabai Singh. The new stuff is too good, guys. Hold back!)
Flash Gordon fans who have no familiarity with the Captain Action dress-up concept may be confused. And when they take Ming's mask off, they'll probably be scared. Collectors with higher standards should seek out Mego's insanely great nine-inch Flash and Ming dolls from 1976 (in the $100 range). Or, with only $25 to spend, look for one of Mattel's three-and-one-half-inch figures from the 1979 animated classic.
But even non-fans have to love the retro-appeal of Playing Mantis' effort. These toys are a great antidote to the barely-posable mini-sculptures that action figures have become. More importantly, they clean out the bad taste left by the skate-boarding Flash Gordon toys of a few years ago, leaving the breath Mongo-fresh.
Captain Action was my older brother's toy. I was fascinated with the mysterious, half-dressed Phantom hand-me-down that hung with my GI-Joe Adventure Team. So, these new toys are a dream come true for the child that I still am. -- Chris
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