Captain Action is the all time best Action figure ever made (in my opinion) and the first super hero based action figures to hit the market. It was an innovative and novel product line that was produced by the Ideal toy company. The captain could become one of thirteen super heroes by purchasing optional costumes. With a quick costume change he could become Batman, Superman or a host of other Super-Heroes.

As a tie-in DC Comics launched a  comic book based on the Captain and his exploits unfortunately it only lasted for five issues.

In its initial release the Captain Action product line enjoyed a boost in sales from the 1960s craze for TV super heroes (Batman, Green Hornet, Superman). However, unlike Hasbro's GI-Joe the Captain  lacked an identity of his own and  at last, that was the lines demise. Despite Ideals attempted to save the line it was canceled in 1968 like so many of the super heroes of his day and he was off the store shelves by the close of 1970.

 In the 1990's Playing Mantis re-lunched their own version of Captain Action. Playing Mantis offered reproductions of  some of the original Ideal costumes. Playing Mantis also offered a line of evil villains that the Captain's arched rival Dr. Evil could darn, called the Villain series. It is sad to say but due to poor sales Playing Mantis decided to cancel the line, and eventually dropped out of the 12" action figure market. Its a shame but I believe this was the last chance for the Captain to become a main stream product line.

Don't hang up that blue uni-tard yet; there are a few mom and pop toy makers (artist in my opinion) who are creating costumes, and accessories for the Captain that are far superior to anything that Ideal or Playing Mantis ever produced. The dedication of these artist are making the Captain a true cult institution.