Introduced in 1966, Ideal released Captain Action on criminals across the toy shelf. With the assistance of the inventor that helped create G.I. Joe, Stan Weston, Captain Action shared many of the same features as Hasbro’s action soldiers. These articulated action figures stood 12” tall and could easily don a variety of outfits. However, Captain Action could fully transform into a completely different character by securing a mask on his head. To achieve this feat, Ideal designed the toy’s head with non-standard, narrow dimensions so the masks wouldn’t feel too bulky.
With the assistance of Stan Weston’s licensing company, Leisure Concepts, Ideal easily accumulated a strong selection of characters. So, they could sell accessory packs to turn Captain Action into the hottest pop-culture heroes like Batman, Buck Rogers, and Spider-Man. He even gained a side-kick, Action Boy, who could also transform into heroes like Robin. As the line progressed, Ideal even introduced an arch-enemy, Dr. Evil.
Ideal also felt that the Captain Action concept would sell with female superheroes. So, they introduced a sister line, the Super Queens Posin’ Dolls. Unlike the main line, these toys did not have swappable outfit sets or maks. Instead, they were individually sold as action figures of each character.
Aside from the various characters, Ideal complimented the action figures with a few playsets that also functioned as carrying cases. Captain Action even gained a vehicle that he could ride in.
Presenting the ten most expensive Captain Action and related toys from online auction sites
While the toy line’s run ended in 1968, Captain Action is still fondly remembered and sought out by collectors. With the age of these toys, along with the tendency for the clothing to degrade, these toys have become increasingly rare to locate in mint condition. Likewise, these toys have become more expensive.
Join us as we explore the ten most expensive toys, accessories, and playsets from the Captain Action toy line and its related lines. These prices come from documented online auctions. We will only review completed auctions of individual products to provide a clear understanding of their value.
10. Robin Uniform and Equipment for Action Boy
The first Robin began to accompany Batman on his adventures in 1940. While there have been multiple characters who have donned the black and yellow cape since then, Dick Grayson was still the only known Robin back in the 1960s. Most importantly, the live-action series starring Adam West was one of the most popular television series at the time. So, when Ideal produced a Robin costume for Action Boy, they based the design on Burt Ward’s version of Robin.
Along with the cloth outfit, the accessory set had a large array of accessories. Naturally, the costume was topped off with a utility belt, green boots, green gloves, and a mask. Action Boy also had a choice of climbing grips, a bat-shaped batarang launcher, two batarangs, and a bat grenade. So, Action Boy was fully decked out to fight crime.
One of these accessory sets sold on eBay for $4,639.99 on May 19, 2017. While this set was not graded, it was mint in the box, which helped it net a high final price.
9. Sanctuary Playset
No superhero would be complete without a secret lair. So, Ideal made certain to provide a secret lair playset for their hero, Captain Action. This was also true for Captain Action’s greatest and only enemy, Dr. Evil.
For Dr. Evil’s Sanctuary, the playset folded up into a four-sided volcano. Even though this was the secret lair for evil, the images on the sides of the box displayed multiple heroes, many of whom rarely would show up together. While Spider-Man swung into action on one side, Captain America was ready to lead the charge on another. Right next to Captain America’s panel was a section that showed Superman, Batman, and Aquaman.
Once players opened up the set, they could set an ominous blue chair in the middle of the volcano. So, Dr. Evil could sit in comfort, surrounded by machinery ready to capitalize on the volcano’s power.
One of these playsets sold on eBay for $4,995.00 on June 24, 2011.
8. Dr. Evil with His Disguises and Weapons
After Captain Action became a success, Ideal happily added to the line-up with a brand-new character ready to challenge their hero’s morals. Not to be confused with a similarly-named character from Austin Powers, Dr. Evil had nothing but vile plans in store for the world. Likewise, he wished for nothing more than to witness the defeat of Captain Action.
Like the rest of the toy line, Dr. Evil came with a wide selection of accessories, including a change of clothes. To blend in with average people, Dr. Evil could wear one of two different disguise masks. So, he could become either Dr. Ling or Dr. Thrope. Completing the disguise was a white shirt and a pair of sandals. Otherwise, this set included a reducer, a laser gun, a helmet, a desiccator, and a hypnotic eye.
One of these sets in mint condition sold on eBay for $5,000.00 on February 12, 2012.
7. Buck Rogers Uniform and Equipment for Captain Action
Since his creation in 1929, Buck Rogers has been one of the most popular science fiction heroes around. His exploits had moved from comic strips to full comic book series. While there was no current television series occurring around the late 1960s, Buck Roger’s 1950s series was still very popular. Thus, Captain Action was given an outfit that resembled the hero as depicted in the black and white series.
Along with the mask and futuristic outfit, the set had several accessories that would help Captain Action fully prepare for the 25th century. Completing the outfit was a space helmet and a pair of black boots. Then, there were two heat-sensing rockets, a canteen, an anti-gravitational belt, a flashlight, and a solar gun. The set even came with an official ring that the owner could wear.
One of these accessory sets sold on an online auction site for $5,235.26 on March 16, 2022.
6. Superman Uniform and Equipment for Captain Action
Running faster than a speeding bullet, Superman is one of the oldest and most renowned superheroes to appear in the 20th century. He first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938 and has remained one of DC’s most influential characters. As a literal alien that was raised on Earth, Superman symbolized the immigrant pride in the nation that they helped build. He has also been known to be a shining symbol of truth, justice, and the American way.
With such a high pedigree, there is no surprise that Superman was included in the roster for Captain Action. The pack that included the outfit, cape, red boots, and mask also had several more accessories. The accessory that stood out the most was the small figure of Krypto, the Superdog. The set also included a Phantom Zone projector, shackles, and an official ring that the owners could wear.
One of these sets sold on eBay for $7,000.00 on April 14, 2018.
5. Super Queens Posin’ Doll Wonder Woman
Another one of DC’s most important superheroes is Wonder Woman, who first appeared in All Star Comics #8 on October 1941. As an Amazonian warrior, Wonder Woman can easily be compared to a god within the DC universe. Beyond being one of the most powerful beings in the comics, she had a magical arsenal. For instance, she wielded the magical lasso of truth that not only restrained enemies but also forced them to tell the truth. She also could deflect bullets with her Bracelets of Submission.
When Ideal introduced Captain Action’s sister line, the Super Queens Posin’ Dolls, they included an action figure of Wonder Woman. Unless the original line, this figure could not be changed to represent another hero. So, collectors only had to purchase this single product. While the package listed Wonder Woman as Diana Prince Nurse, she only had her hero outfit available. Otherwise, this figure came with a red, white, and blue shield with a star in the center.
One of these toys sold on eBay for $7,500.00 on September 06, 2016.
4. Batman Uniform & Equipment for Captain Action
To no surprise, Ideal included an outfit for one of the most popular heroes from DC, Batman. While Batman’s popularity had built up since Detective Comics #27 introduced him in 1939, his popularity had exploded with Adam West’s take on the character. The exploits of Batman on television even led to his first live-action film in 1966.
Unlike most heroes, Batman has no superpowers to put him ahead of the average man. Instead, his abilities came from extreme wealth and an overwhelming determination to defeat villainy. Thus, Batman dedicated himself to training and becoming the thing that criminals fear. His gadgets also expand his capabilities so that he can take on nearly any foe.
The Batman uniform set for Captain Action strongly resembled Adam West’s take on the character. Thus, he had a blue mask, cape, and boots. Aside from the uniform, face mask, hood, and boots, this set came with multiple accessories. There was a batarang, a grappling hook, a bat rope reel, a utility belt with 2-way radio, a flashlight, and a laser torch. Owners also received an official ring that they could wear.
One of these sets sold on an online auction site for $8,012.55 on November 07, 2019.
3. Super Queens Posin’ Doll Batgirl
Aside from Robin, Batman had many other sidekicks and related heroes. Over the years, the various bat heroes have become known as the bat family. However, back in the 1960s, there were basically only three different heroes related to Batman. Aside from the main duo, Batman and Robin, there was also Batgirl.
Batgirl made her heroic debut in Batman #139, which was released in April 1961. Even though she was the daughter of the police commissioner, Jim Gordon, Barbara Gordon decided to down the cape and cowl to become a crime-fighting vigilante. While she was accepted as a fellow crime fighter by Batman, she often operated on her own.
When Ideal introduced the Super Queens toy line, they included an action figure of Batgirl within the line-up. Unlike the Captain Action heroes, Batgirl was a stand-alone figure and could not transform into any other heroes. While the toy only had the Batgirl outfit, the front of the box listed her as Barbara Gordon Librarian. Unfortunately, she only had her outfit and no extra accessories.
One of these toys sold on eBay for $8,500.00 on October 08, 2014.
2. Super Queens Posin’ Doll Mera
As Ideal was including Aquaman within the Captain Action toy line, they decided to include one of DC’s newest characters within the Super Queens toy line. Mera, who first appeared in 1963’s Aquaman #11, was not a simple female version of the aquatic hero. Instead, she was his wife and complimented him with a completely different set of skills. In addition to the typical powers like strength, speed, and durability, Mera also had powerful hydrokinetic powers.
Unlike many of the other characters in the Super Queens toy line, there was not a second name on the bottom of Mera’s Box. Instead, the artwork depicted Mera holding a baby with Aquaman in the background. Aside from her outfit, Mera came with two accessories: a crown and a trident.
While she has become more significant over the decades, she was mostly treated as a side character in the 1960s. So, there is little surprise that her action figure has become one of the rarest toys from the line. With her rarity, there is little surprise that she sold on an online auction site for $17,925.00 on May 12, 2018.
1. The Spider-Man Uniform and Equipment for Captain Action
While most of Captain Action’s uniform sets were of characters from DC and television, there were also a few heroes that originated from Marvel. Thus, this toy line gave children and collectors the chance to stage battles between Superman and Captain America. It also included the recently introduced web-swinging Spider-Man, who would become one of Marvel’s most popular characters of all time.
Spider-Man first appeared on the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15 in August 1962. Unlike many other heroes, Peter Parker was not an adult when he became a hero. Thus, teenagers and youths easily connected to him. When not in costume, he often tackled issues that the average youth also had to deal with. So, it is no wonder that he became gained star appeal.
Captain Action’s Spider-Man costume pack had several accessories in addition to the costume. The costume itself included the red and blue uniform, red boots, and a hood face mask. The set also included a spider, a utility belt, a spider grappling hook with rope, a spider light, and spider venom spray. Moreover, owners could wear the official ring that the set came with.
One of these accessory sets sold on eBay for $24,556.80 on May 06, 2018.
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Made in collaboration with:
Chris Ingledue
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Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab Pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab,” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!
I have a spiderman captain action. I would like to send you a picture. I also have an 8 ft. Spiderman perched on a beam. I also have vintage marx toys of siderman some art work posters and more.
Hi I have a pair of red overalls with the Captain Action label on the neck, and they came with a CA doll, but he’s been blown up (he’s in 5 pieces). My question is, what set are the red overalls from please? I have searched high and low throughout the Internet and cannot find red overalls.
Thank you Louise