How do you describe your collection?
My collection is centred on the Kenner’s Super Powers line, although it really began with higher-end statues.
Around 2012 or 2013, I bought a Sideshow Collectibles premium format statue of the comic book version of the Joker. I had no idea collectibles like that existed, and I immediately fell in love with the quality and craftsmanship. I’ve always been a huge Joker fan, and I even have a tattoo of the character. Over the years, I’ve added pieces from companies like Hot Toys and JND Studios.
Today, though, Super Powers is my passion. There are 33 characters in the original series, and I love how they look displayed together. I also appreciate the artistry behind them. As a kid, I loved to draw, and I think that’s why the line appeals to me so much. José Luis García-López’s work on the DC Comics Style Guide, along with contributions from artists like Jack Kirby, gave the figures and packaging a distinctive look that still stands out today. I even own a reproduction of the original DC Style Guide because I find the artwork and design process fascinating.
The packaging is just as appealing as the figures themselves. The vibrant colours, the character artwork, and the iconic Super Powers logo create a display that’s instantly recognizable. Beyond the figures, I’ve always admired Kenner as a company. Their creativity, attention to detail, and willingness to innovate across so many different toy lines made them something special, and that’s a big part of why my collection continues to grow.
When and why did you start your collection?
Although I bought my first premium format statue around 2012, the real turning point came at the end of 2024. I was home sick and started watching toy collectors on YouTube, like Ronny from The Plastic Empyre. Those videos introduced me to a much bigger world of collecting and really sparked my nostalgia. Up until then, I’d always thought, “Why collect old toys when today’s collectibles are so detailed?” But watching those channels made me realize how important those vintage toys had been during my childhood.
Growing up in the 1980s, I was fortunate to receive toys for birthdays and Christmas. I still have my original 1984 Kenner Super Powers Joker, and it’s one of the most meaningful pieces in my collection. I also have a reissued 12-inch G.I. Joe from the 1990s that holds a photograph of a close friend who served in Afghanistan before returning to Canada, where he later passed away. It’s very important to me.
Once the nostalgia took hold, I started rebuilding my Kenner Super Powers collection. I wanted to own the figures I’d loved as a kid, and before long, my collection grew far beyond what I’d expected. I fell in love with all of the characters in the series. I even had the Super Powers Play-Doh set when I was younger.
Because vintage toy collecting is more challenging in Canada, where I live, than it is in the United States, I’ve built about 99 per cent of my collection through eBay. We don’t have the same number of toy shows or specialty stores, at least not where I live, so buying online has been the most practical option. I’d still love the experience of hunting for pieces in person, but eBay has made it possible to find the items I was looking for, even if it sometimes comes with higher prices and a bit of stress.
How do you display and store your collection?
I wanted the display to be as special as the collection itself. Once I realized I was going to collect the entire Super Powers line, I bought two display cabinets to make sure I’d have enough room. My brother and one of his friends even 3D-printed custom figure stands so every character could stand securely and be spaced evenly. It took some planning to make everything fit, but in the end the complete line fit perfectly into one cabinet.
I added an acrylic riser beneath Superman so he appears to be flying above the other figures, and instead of using a plain white background, I created one featuring the Super Powers logo. I wanted the display to have the same bold colours and energy as the original packaging. When it was finished, someone told me Kenner couldn’t have displayed the line any better themselves, and that was probably the greatest compliment I could have received.
The cabinet contains my complete loose Super Powers collection. I have almost 100 Super Powers figures in total. Every figure is complete. The only reproduction I have is Wonder Woman’s lasso, although I do have the original as well. I still take the figures out for photography from time to time. I also display a selection of McFarlane Super Powers figures and the Super Friends line, although I keep them separate because they’re a different scale. Beyond that, I have a few larger Gentle Giant Jumbo figures and other collectibles displayed throughout the room.
I also have a really beautiful Astro Boy from Hung Hing Toys. I can’t even call it a toy because it’s a work of art. It’s 12 inches tall and made of diecast metal. You can remove the solid exterior plates and replace them with translucent ones so you can see the mechanics underneath. It’s absolutely stunning.
I don’t believe in hiding everything away. I collect because I enjoy looking at it. Seeing the collection every day genuinely brightens my mood, so I’d much rather have it on display than packed away in storage.
What do you consider to be the Holy Grail of your collection?
I’d have to say my Holy Grail is the Kenner Super Powers Cyborg. It’s one of the most sought-after figures in the line, and I’m fortunate enough to own one. I also have a carded Shazam that’s been professionally graded at 90, which is extremely high. I never thought I would own something like that.
That said, the most important item to me isn’t the rarest. It’s my original 1984 Joker figure from childhood. Without that figure, I don’t think I ever would have started collecting Super Powers. It doesn’t have all of its original accessories anymore, but that’s never mattered to me. Anything from my childhood will always mean more than something I’ve bought as an adult. The nostalgia is already built into it because it was mine. Everything else we buy is really an attempt to recapture those memories.
As for the piece that has eluded me, it would be the Super Amigos Riddler produced by Pacipa in Argentina. Kenner never made a Riddler for the original Super Powers line, so Pacipa created one using the Green Lantern sculpt after licensing the line in South America. It’s extremely expensive and very rare, so it’s still at the top of my wish list. I do own a few South American Super Amigos pieces, including a very rare Estrela Batman from Brazil, which is based on Tim Burton’s Batman. But, the Pacipa Riddler remains the one I’m still hoping to find.
What advice would you give to someone interested in starting a Kenner Super Powers collection?
My biggest piece of advice is to collect what you’re genuinely passionate about, not what happens to be popular at the moment. If everyone online suddenly starts collecting a particular toy line because there’s a new movie coming out, don’t jump in unless it’s something you truly enjoy. Collecting should be personal. Do it for yourself, not because someone else tells you it’s the next big thing.
If you’re focused on building a particular line, I’d also recommend buying the best condition you can reasonably afford. When I first started, I wasn’t worried about whether everything was complete. Later, I found myself replacing figures or tracking down missing accessories, which ended up costing more in the long run. Tastes do evolve as you collect, but if your goal is a complete, high-quality collection, it’s worth starting with the best examples you can.
Research is just as important as buying. The more you learn about a toy line, the better decisions you’ll make. I remember seeing a carded Super Powers Batman listed for thousands of dollars and thinking the seller was out of their mind. It turned out to be a much rarer “33-back” release, the third and final year the figures were made. I simply didn’t know enough about the different card variations yet. Collecting has taught me that there’s always more to learn, and that’s part of what makes the hobby so rewarding.
Most importantly, enjoy the process. For me, collecting isn’t about investment or impressing other people. It’s about nostalgia, creativity, and the memories these toys bring back. I share my collection because I hope it reminds someone of a favourite toy they had as a kid or puts a smile on their face. At the end of the day, that’s what collecting is all about.
Explore more of Ryan’s Kenner Super Powers collection on YouTube and Instagram.
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