McFarlane Toys Unveils the Final Wave of DC Super Powers Action Figures: A Nostalgic Farewell to an Iconic Line

Executive Overview

The toy collecting community is experiencing a bittersweet milestone as McFarlane Toys officially pulls back the curtain on the final wave of its immensely popular, retro-inspired DC Super Powers action figure line. Paying homage to the legendary Kenner toy line from the 1980s, McFarlane’s modern continuation has successfully captured the hearts of both veteran collectors and a new generation of comic book enthusiasts.

This concluding wave rounds out the expansive collection with an eclectic and carefully curated roster of characters: Superman of Earth, the lethal mercenary Deathstroke, the founding Teen Titan Wonder Girl (Donna Troy), the cybernetic champion Cyborg, the Martian champion Martian Manhunter, and a classic Silver Age version of The Flash.

Available to pre-order now exclusively via Entertainment Earth, this final wave marks the end of an era for a line that has spent years bridging the gap between vintage toy aesthetics and modern manufacturing standards. As the dust settles on this nostalgic journey, collectors are scrambling to secure the final pieces of a puzzle that has redefined modern retro collecting.

Detailed Chronology: The Evolution of the DC Super Powers Revival

To truly understand the weight of this final wave, one must look back at the history of the branding and the trajectory of McFarlane Toys’ revitalization efforts.

The Kenner Legacy (1984–1986)

The original Super Powers Collection was manufactured by Kenner and launched in 1984, alongside a companion comic book series published by DC Comics and an iconic Hanna-Barbera animated series, Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show. The figures were revolutionary for their time, featuring basic articulation paired with unique "action features"—squeezing a character’s legs together would trigger a punch, a karate chop, or a special movement. For millions of children growing up in the mid-1980s, these chunky, vibrant figures were the definitive tangible connection to the DC Universe.

The McFarlane Renaissance

Decades later, Todd McFarlane and his team at McFarlane Toys secured the DC license and breathed new life into the defunct property. Capitalizing on the booming market for nostalgia-driven collectibles, the company launched a modern iteration of the DC Super Powers line. Maintaining the classic cardback packaging style, retro logo design, and simplified articulation reminiscent of the 1980s originals, the line quickly became a darling of the collecting community.

Over multiple waves, McFarlane expanded the checklist far beyond Kenner’s original 1980s output, introducing modern characters, variants, and deep-cut heroes and villains into the vintage style. Now, with this final wave, the circle is complete.

Character Breakdown & Product Spotlights

The final assortment features a balanced mix of heavy hitters, beloved sidekicks, and fan-favorite antagonists, all rendered in the quintessential chunky, nostalgic Super Powers aesthetic.

1. Superman of Earth

• Lore: Virtually invulnerable with the powers of super-strength, super-speed, and flight, Superman remains the undisputed cornerstone of the DC Universe. Equipped with enhanced senses including heat vision, X-ray vision, super-hearing, and super-breath, this variant brings a unique multiversal flair to the final wave.
• Figure Details: Styled to match the classic Kenner proportions, this figure captures the quintessential Man of Steel look, complete with vibrant primary colors and classic cape sculpting.

2. Deathstroke

• Lore: Col. Slade Wilson was once a formidable operative for the U.S. military before agreeing to undergo an experimental enhancement process that elevated his mental and physical capabilities to superhuman levels. Opting out of a traditional military career, Slade leveraged his tactical genius and enhanced reflexes to become the world’s most feared masked mercenary, Deathstroke.
• Figure Details: Deathstroke’s inclusion is a major win for fans of the villainous side of the DC Universe. The figure incorporates his iconic blue-and-orange tactical armor, eye patch, and signature mercenary aesthetic translated perfectly into the retro Super Powers style.

3. Wonder Girl (Donna Troy)

• Lore: An Amazon from Themyscira—the mystical home of Wonder Woman—Donna Troy began her legendary superhero career under the mantle of Wonder Girl. Playing a foundational role in the formation of the Teen Titans, Donna’s rich and sometimes complex comic history has made her a beloved staple of the DC pantheon.
• Figure Details: Sporting her classic silver-braceleted, star-spangled uniform, the Wonder Girl figure fills a long-awaited gap in the retro line, standing proudly alongside her fellow Titans.

4. Cyborg

• Lore: Vic Stone’s life changed forever when a tragic laboratory accident destroyed his body. Through advanced cybernetic science and his father’s ingenuity, Vic was rebuilt as a powerhouse cyborg. He has since utilized his technological integration as both a core member of the Teen Titans and a foundational pillar of the Justice League.
• Figure Details: The retro aesthetic shines particularly bright with Cyborg, whose mechanical limbs and robotic detailing are rendered with the simplified charm of 1980s toy design, making him a standout piece on any cardback display.

5. Martian Manhunter

• Lore: J’onn J’onzz, a proud native of the planet Mars, was accidentally transported across the cosmos to Earth by a brilliant scientist’s experimental teleportation beam. Stranded on a new world, J’onn adopted the human identity of John Jones while using his incredible shapeshifting, telepathic, and Martian abilities to protect his adopted home as Martian Manhunter.
• Figure Details: Featuring his classic blue harness, cape, and distinctive green complexion, this Martian Manhunter figure completes the classic Justice League lineup for the Super Powers line.

6. The Flash (Silver Age)

• Lore: Barry Allen is The Flash, universally recognized as the Fastest Man Alive. Serving as a living conduit for the Speed Force—a strange, extradimensional energy field that fuels all speedsters—Barry commands blinding acceleration, utilizing his powers to protect Central City and the wider universe from cosmic threats.
• Figure Details: This Silver Age variant pays direct tribute to Barry Allen’s classic comic book appearance, featuring the traditional bright red suit, yellow belt, and signature winged ear-caps.

Supporting Context, Metrics, and Market Impact

The conclusion of the DC Super Powers line arrives at a fascinating crossroads for the global action figure market.

The Economics of Nostalgia

In recent years, market data from toy industry analysts indicates a massive surge in demand for retro-scale collectibles (typically operating in the 4-to-5-inch scale with limited articulation). Consumers suffering from "modern fatigue"—weary of skyrocketing prices for hyper-articulated 7-inch figures with dozens of interchangeable parts—have increasingly gravitated toward simpler, display-friendly toys that evoke childhood memories.

McFarlane Toys capitalized on this trend by pricing the DC Super Powers line significantly lower than its flagship DC Multiverse counterparts, making it one of the most accessible and high-velocity product lines in the company’s portfolio.

Retail Exclusivity and Distribution Strategy

By routing the distribution of this final wave exclusively through Entertainment Earth, McFarlane Toys has streamlined the fulfillment process while ensuring that dedicated collectors know precisely where to secure their pre-orders without scouring brick-and-mortar retail aisles plagued by inconsistent stocking issues.

Official Statements and Industry Reception

While Todd McFarlane has not yet released a lengthy valedictory address regarding the end of the line, industry insiders and early promotional reveals have sparked widespread discussion across major collecting forums, YouTube toy channels, and social media platforms.

The general consensus within the collector community is one of profound appreciation. Fans have taken to platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) to praise McFarlane Toys for keeping a vintage aesthetic alive in an era dominated by hyper-realism.

"When McFarlane first announced they were bringing back Super Powers, many of us thought it would be a brief, single-wave novelty," noted one prominent toy reviewer. "To see them sustain this line long enough to deliver deep cuts like Martian Manhunter, Cyborg, and Donna Troy—all while keeping the cardback art pristine—is a massive achievement for retro toy preservation."

Future Outlook: What’s Next for McFarlane’s DC Lines?

While the DC Super Powers banner is officially lowering its flag with this final wave, the closure of one chapter invariably opens another within the expansive McFarlane Toys universe.

1. Focus on DC Multiverse & Collector Editions: With resources freed up from the Super Powers line, industry watchers anticipate an even heavier push into the DC Multiverse 7-inch scale, alongside specialized multi-packs (such as the recently announced 1966 Batman & Robin Collector Edition 2-pack) and expanded sub-lines focusing on specific publishing eras, such as the Green Lantern Corps.
2. The Secondary Market Boom: As is typical with final waves of popular toy lines, pre-orders for this swan song are expected to see heavy demand. Collectors who missed out on earlier waves will likely drive up secondary market values for the entire collection, cementing the modern Super Powers run as a modern classic.
3. Potential for Future Revivals: Though this is billed as the "final wave" of the current run, the toy industry is notoriously cyclical. Should demand remain high and secondary market interest surge, the door could theoretically remain open for niche convention exclusives or future special-edition boxed sets.

For now, collectors have their marching orders. The final wave is available for pre-order exclusively via Entertainment Earth, offering a final opportunity to complete a collection that has successfully captured lightning in a bottle for fans of vintage DC lore.