CYCLOTRON

SUPER POWERS (KENNER)

Okay, so I’m taking a brief intermission from McFarlane’s Super Powers to look at…Kenner’s Super Powers.  Look, I’m nothing if not a creature of habit.  When last I looked at the proper Kenner line, I looked at one of the line’s original characters made up by Kenner for the line.  Today, I’m looking at the other one!  Not content with two spinning heroes, Kenner decided to introduce a third, re-using a name that DC had already used, but on a completely un-related character.  So, anyway, here’s Cyclotron!

THE FIGURE ITSELF

Cyclotron was added to the Super Powers line in its final year, alongside Golden Pharaoh.  It was, of course, his first figure, but, like Golden Pharaoh, he also turned up in DC Universe Classics.  Curiously, though he’s had two figures, neither of the two comics Cyclotrons have gotten any figure coverage at all.  The figure stands 4 1/2 inches tall and he has 8 points of articulation.  His waist joint is more meant to facilitate the action feature, but can turn independently as well, so that’s a nice little extra bit of movement.  Also, while he’s got the neck joint, when his face plate is in place, the joint can’t be used.  Cyclotron has an all-new, totally unique sculpt.  It’s based on a Jack Kirby design, which is honestly pretty nifty.  It’s definitely got some early Wonder Man vibes to it, which I don’t mind.  The coolest element by far, though, is the robot face underneath the face plate; it’s a bit rudimentary, but it’s still super neat, and quite unique.  The color work on Cyclotron is honestly pretty unique, so he stands out from the rest.  The application’s basic, but clean, and fits well with the rest of the line.  Cyclotron’s only accessory is the face plate, and he also gets his “Power Action Cyclo-Spin”; you spin the torso counter clockwise a few times, and squeeze his legs to release it and send his torso spinning the other way.  It’s actually a pretty fun feature.

THE ME HALF OF THE EQUATION

Cyclotron’s an earlier addition to my Super Powers collection, and the first of the later run figures I got.  I was fascinated by his design, and found an eBay auction for one without his faceplate.  And I had that one for a good two decades, no faceplate at all, but there he was.  I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to complete him, but as I’ve neared the end of my Super Powers collecting, I’ve gotten a bit lucky on the parts front.  I managed to get a solid deal on a complete Cyclotron, so I could finally finish my original.  He’s goofy as hell, but also one of my favorites from the line.