Kenner Super Powers Mantis

Card design by http://polymerphelia.blogspot.com/

THE ENERGY VAMPIRE
Mantis began his life as a member the humanoid insect people of New Genesis. Dissatisfied with his life on New Genesis, Mantis migrated to the planet Apokolips. Darkseid has granted Mantis immense powers, second only to his own, in return Mantis pledged his undying allegiance to Darkseid!

In addition to his own immense power, Mantis is an energy vampire with the ability to absorb energy from other sources. However, once all of his power has been depleted, Mantis must immediately retreat to his power pod in order to recharge. Spending the majority of his time in his power pod, Mantis only emerges when he has a task to perform. Unlike Darkseid's other lackeys, Mantis does not revel in plotting and violence, therefore serving as the perfect soldier for Darkseid. This makes him a particularly dangerous opponent to any who oppose him!

Super Powers: Apokolips Diorama

Apokolips is the homeworld of Darkseid. From there, Darkseid plots the conquest of the universe through the acquisition of the Anti-Life Equation. Darkseid is considered to be not only the ruler of his people but also a god! He is perpetually opposed by the warriors of New Genesis. Despite this he has conquered a number of planets, creating an empire with Apokolips as the throne world.

Kenner Super Powers Mister Miracle

Card design by http://polymerphelia.blogspot.com/

MASTER ESCAPE ARTIST
The son of Highfather, Scott Free was traded as an infant for Darkseid's child, Orion, to end the war between Apokolips and the New Gods of New Genesis. Scott later fled to Earth where he took on the mantle of Mister Miracle, and is considered the greatest escape artist in the universe. He is the husband of former Female Fury, Big Barda.

The 3rd and final wave of the Super Powers Collection, released by Kenner in 1986, included an action figure of Mister Miracle. Mister Miracle features a "Power Action Wrist-Lock Escape," just squeeze his legs together and his arms pop free of the cuffs!

Super Powers: Armagetto Diorama

Armagetto is the filth-stewn slum where the Hunger Dogs dwell
and struggle to survive in the shadow of Darkseid's Palace.

Kenner Super Powers Orion

Card design by http://polymerphelia.blogspot.com/

THE SCOURGE OF APOKOLIPS
Orion is the son of the dreaded Darkseid. He was raised on New Genesis by Highfather as part of a treaty between the warring planets of New Genesis and Apokolips. Highfather exchanged his son for Darkseid's son, as a show of good faith. Orion fights the forces of evil as one of the greatest champions of the planet New Genesis.

Included in the 3rd and final wave of the Super Powers Collection and released by Kenner in 1986, the Super Powers Collection Orion action figure features a "Power Action Astro-Punch" action mechanism, turning the knob on top of his helmet, spins Orion's face from bad to good!

Jack Kirby and the Fourth World

If anyone has been wondering what I have been up to this past month... I have been visiting Jack Kirby's Fourth World! I have known about the war between New Genesis and Apokolips along with Darkseid's search for the Anti-Life Equation for many years. My first introduction to Darkseid was actually in X-Men/Teen Titans from 1982! Later, Darkseid and his minions became Superfriends villains on the Legendary Superpowers Show cartoon. Then the Fourth World was re-introduced to comics audiences with the reboot of Superman in 1986. Despite all of this background, I actually had never read Jack Kirby's original story lines from the 1970s. Over the past month I have been compiling and reading digital copies of Jack Kirby's complete original Fourth World saga! It has been a wonderful journey.