Do you ever feel like there are things lurking around you? As children, we became terrified of the monster under the bed or in the closet. In the late 1980s, toy company Tonka took the mysterious realm of super natural activity and stories to a whole new perspective. They gave children and adults an untold story of Super Naturals comic books, action figures, vehicles, and even a playset. Through their creative design, these unique toys brought many different play opportunities to people all over the world.
Although this toyline often gets overlooked and forgotten, it remains in the memories of many fans and collectors. People remember collecting these toys when they first released and many seek out these toys today in the vintage toy market through online sellers to locate their loved toys of the past. Follow along in our blog with us as we mention the mysterious world of Super Naturals, the holograms, hauntings, and awesome ghost warrior characters.
Join Us in Seeing the Untold Story of Super Naturals
Join us as we journey through the eerie world of Super Naturals toys. We will mention the background for the toyline. Along with this, we will also mention each category through the toyline with descriptions of each item and the comic books released for the franchise.
Background of Super Naturals Toys
First up when mentioning the untold story of Super Naturals toys, we will journey back in time to the beginning of these ghostly creatures. Tonka not only released action figures through their toyline but also vehicles and a playset. Beginning in 1987, Tonka released this line of toys to the store shelves. These unique toys featured holographic mystical stickers on each of the figures. They also included both heroic and villainous characters, creating a cool action dynamic, perfect for imaginative storytelling and play opportunities. The hologram chest pieces change when exposed to light, giving off their spooky and mysterious appearance. This holographic feature allowed the characters to change through multiple abnormal supernatural appearances.
The thematic storytelling of the toyline fits right in with the supernatural and fantasy themes of the decade. Along with the action figure craze, these gave a new unique factor to the toy market. Instead of just releasing the typical action figures, vehicles, and playsets like most toylines, these also feature ghostling figures. In addition to the typical action figure appearance, these ghostling figures appear like ghosts who switch to different characters through the holographic decal. They attach into a plastic sheet-like cloak for the character to give off their special ghostly appearance.
These figures also feature glow in the dark hands and weapons. When the lights go out, these figures still keep their spooky role with glowing hands and swords. These heroic and villainous characters got trapped in the Tomb of Doom, to then get released hundreds of years later. As told on the back of the packaging, these now ghostly characters battle again at their release. The heroes, led by Lionheart, take on the villains, led by Skull. Unfortunately, these toys only released for a short time and discontinued after the first wave of toys.
Forces of Evil Figures
Now, we will mention the actual toyline released by Tonka beginning with the action figures. We will first mention the Forces of Evil Super Naturals figures. These include the three evil warrior figures for the toyline. These figures each released with a shield and holographic intricate design on bubble packaging with a cardboard back. The front of the packaging shows a dark, mystical scenery of trees surrounding the enclosed figure. The trees intertwine and spike out until they reach the top, creating a deep tunnel-like illustration.
Also on the front of the packaging, the name appears along with the character’s power changing abilities. Each figure comes with a mini comic as well to give more of a backstory for the characters and see them in action through illustrated images and dialogue. Then, the back of the cardboard packaging shows the six action figures’ images and descriptions, the three good figures and our three evil figures we will mention here.
The three evil characters include Skull, the leader, alongside the ruthless Burnheart and Snakebite. Skull comes with his skull shaped shield. An eyeball appears on the shield with light reflecting the image. The body of the figure also appears with hologram features and shows the Pirate turn into a Skeleton with his X-ray eye and other one missing. Skull comes with a mace-like weapon that also matches the shield, giving the appearance of being made out of bones. Next, Burnheart comes in all black and silver armor. He comes with a shield of fire which shows a fierce hologram image. The figure also comes with a weapon and changes into a fiery spirit from an evil knight. Lastly, we will mention Snakebite. This character turns from an evil Snake Charmer to a Deadly Cobra with his shield and whip.
Forces of Good Figures
Next up, when journeying through the untold story of Super Naturals toys, we will mention the Forces of Good figures. These include the other three action figures released for the toyline. Led by Lionheart, the Forces of Good team also includes Eagle Eye and Thunder Bolt. The back of the packaging mentions the brief storyline told for the figures. It shows an image of the figure in the corner as well. The front of the good figures packaging appears the same as the evil characters with the eerie tree background and drooping logo. Our first figure, Lionheart, comes in all shiny gold armor with his shield, headpiece, and lion face chest piece. The chest piece of armor gives the appearance of a lion face emerging from the character. Lionheart changes from a heroic King into a Powerful Lion as shown on the front of the packaging and the holographic decals.
Next, Eagle Eye changes from a Chief to a Soaring Eagle. This character comes dressed in chief attire with braids in the back and leather looking clothing. The belt on the figure even shows the shadow of an eagle to demonstrate his inner spirit. A chest piece is included along with a shield that shows the image of an eagle head. Also, a feather head piece comes with the figure along with his spear weapon. Lastly, for the Forces of Good Super Natural figures, Thunder Bolt changes from a Viking to a Lightening Warrior. He comes clothed in blue Viking attire and long blonde hair to match the appearance. He comes with his shield and hammer-like giant weapon. The shield shows a hand and a lightning bolt, matching the theme of this mystical heroic character. Each figure shows great detail and fun accessories for ultimate storytelling and play.
Ghostling Figures
Now we will mention the Ghostling figures that released for the Super Naturals toyline. A total of eight different Ghostlings released, all with different cloak colors and holographic designs. Each with a unique name, these Ghostlings brought a new design creatively to the toy market in the 80s. These figures come in the same bubble packaging with cardboard back as the other good vs. evil forces figures. Each Ghostling comes with a mini comic book as well. Glow in the dark hands and sword are included with each figure, giving off their spooky appearance when the lights turn off. When the lights are on, this spooky appearance remains with the hologram detailing of the characters and the ability to remove the ghost character from his cloak.
The eight figures that released include Hooter who changes from a wizard to a wise owl, Mr. Lucky who changes from a magician to a giant rabbit, Rags who turns into a ragged mummy from an Egyptian, and Scary Cat who turns from a wicked witch to a hissing cat. The other four include See-Thru who changes from a scientist to an invisible man, Spooks who turns from a court jester to a silly spook, Vamp-Pa who turns from a vampire to swooping bat, and Weird Wolf who turns into a teenage wolf from a weird punk. Since these figures released to stores at a cheaper price than the other figures, many people collected them. These also stood shorter than the other figures as the cloak only showed the head and torso for the ghost characters to snap into.
Animals
Now, when mentioning the untold story of Super Naturals, we dive into the two animals that released for the toyline. One released for the Forces of Evil and one released for the Forces of Good. These animals allowed for transportation and companionship while journeying and fighting different battles. Both animals come in box packaging with an image of the character on the front. It also mentions the different features and abilities for both items on the front and back of the box. The detail shown in each character gives more of their fierce personalities.
For the Forces of good, Lionwings pounces around ready to assist the heroic warriors in any upcoming battle. Lionwings comes with detachable wings and removeable armor. It’s poseable legs allow for cool stances for fun play and display. The hologram on the armor of Lionwings gives him the same mystical appearance and blends in with the characters well. The armor shows great detail through the little designs and bright maroon coloring. Tonka’s creative designing shows clearly in these characters that created fond memories for many children.
The other great animal for the toyline, Dark Dragon, takes his spot on the Forces of Evil side. This dark colored dragon fits right in with the evil characters. It also features removeable armor with the hologram decal. A skeleton appears on this hologram decal to give off the deadly, spooky look. Detachable wings and poseable legs help this Dark Dragon fly around and swoop down to pick up his Forces of Evil characters. This dragon is covered entirely in detailed scales and purple armor. These two animals stand as great additions to the Super Naturals toyline.
Vehicles
Just like the animals, two vehicles released for the toyline with one for each side. These good and evil vehicles only add to the untold story of Super Naturals. With these vehicles, we know a bit more of the storyline for more play opportunities and overall understanding. These vehicles both feature incredible detailing and creative designs. They transport action figures to defeat any enemies along the path.
First up, for the Forces of Good side, we will mention the Ghost Finder vehicle. This vehicle features many cool details including spooky skull-like faces on the rims of the wheels, the bright red color with sticker decals on the sides, and the hologram images. These hologram decals show the car as if it came to life with eyes and ghosts taking over. Also attached to this Ghost Finder, an Eagle Rocket Launcher and Battering “Ram” Basher give the vehicle awesome weapons to assist the heroic ghost warriors when fighting against their enemies.
Then, the Bat Bopper vehicle released for the Forces of Evil. This vehicle, covered in dark purple adds to the evil side of this toyline. Bone-like details appear on the back and sides of the vehicle giving it this eerie design. Two skeletons pop up out the sides of the vehicle behind where the figures sit. Then, the front of the vehicle also features bones forming an evil smile of teeth below a hologram image of ghosts. It’s mace weapon at the back and big wheels allow it to travel through any terrain and defeat any enemies that lurk around.
Tomb of Doom Playset
Lastly, for the toyline by Tonka, Super Naturals also included a playset titled Tomb of Doom. This Tomb of Doom playset takes the spot where all the characters got released from in the storyline as told on the back of the figures’ packaging. This playset allows all figures to battle each other and utilize the Tomb of Doom with all the special features. It stands tall with the appearance of stone and detailing of characters on the top. The “Pathway to GhostWorld” hologram shows up, revolving the tomb floor along with the removeable skull flashlight at the top of the playset.
Many different spots for figures to hide or place captured enemies appear on the sides of the playset. The hologram turns around into a spot to place a figure to transport them into the ghost world with the turn of a key. The playset also comes with a tomb on wheels to transport characters anywhere needed for battle. On the bottom of the box packaging, an image of all figures to collect appears and shows each figure on either the good or evil side for clear storytelling.
Comic Books
Reaching the end of our blog of the untold story of Super Naturals, we will mention the comic books. Although this short-lived comic series never got the chance to expand the storyline more, nine issues did release to go along with the toyline by Tonka. Fleetway published this volume of comic books the same year the toyline released. The comics released from October 31, 1987 to February 20, 1988. Along with the nine issues, a preview comic also released to give fans a glimpse of what was to come. This comic series told a different expanded storyline from the toyline but featured cool action-packed scenes and characters. The incredible illustrations show the characters in graphic design cartoon-like format with art by Vivas, John Cooper, and Jim Watson. All nine comics add to the short-lived spooky franchise.
Do You Have Old and Used Super Naturals Toys?
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About the Author
Chris Ingledue is the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. His vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day he works in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year; scouring the internet – like we did the Sears Catalog of yesteryear – for the next great treasure, awaiting the arrival of the postman as if he was Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. For Chris, every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!