Welcome to the April installment of LRM’s Retro-Specs! Zombies are in style. We can see this from The Walking Dead and fighting Nazi Zombies in Call of Duty games. The archetypal concept is nothing new. The 80s brings films such as The Fog, Return of the Living Dead, The Evil Dead, Pet Cemetery, etc. Elements from the 80s continue to make a comeback with the aforementioned pop culture/zombie-oriented classics. There is a toy line that I forgot about until recently. It does not have a long life-span, is preceded by another tie-in, but both need to be brought back in some way. As we also know, much like Battle Beasts (which can be its own column) holograms are all the rave of the 80s. Let’s throw those in and take a look back at an obscure, but awesome toy line: Super Naturals and Visionaries: Knights of the Magic Light. 

The Super Naturals From Tonka

Super Naturals actually come before Visionaries. They are even more obscure. However, I actually like them better than the Visionaries. Finding a release in 1986, Super Naturals are exactly as they sound. No humans here. Only mummies, skeletons, ghosts, etc. Like Visionaries, they do have tie-ins. There is a nine-issue comic release. They do also have mini-comics to help share their stories that also come with each character. Their story is more interesting than Visionaries as well.

Once you put all of the comics together, we know that you again have the heroes and villains who are sealed in Tomb of Doom (sounds 80s-ish). They find release 100 years later. Of course they are destined to battle now that they are beyond the grave. The battle of good (Lionheart) versus evil (Evil Warriors and Skull) ensues.

Revisiting Visionaries: Knights of the Magic Lights From Hasbro

This may be a toy that you have to see pictures and commercials to remember. The toy line did not last long, which I will get into later. Trying to capitalize on the cartoon boom and success of shows such as He-Man and Thundercats, Visionaries: Knights of the Magic Lights debuts in 1987. Unfortunately, there are only 13 episodes. The cartoon accompanies a brief comic series and a toy line from Hasbro. 

The Visionaries are from the planet Prysmos with technology that is no longer functional. Because of this they rely on magic. As always you have the heroes (Spectral Knights) and the villains (Dark Lords). Those wanting to obtain magic must enter a tournament where they must outlast a number of trials. Surviving results in the wizard Merklynn giving the individuals their animal totems into their armor.

The animals reflect their personalities, which they can transform into. (Animals seem to be the big thing for the 80s). Some have magic staffs they can use, but must have a charge from Iron Mountain. Those without staffs can cast magic spells onto vehicles. The female knights have shields that work similarly to the staffs. So pretty much the idea is to sell toys. Obviously. 

Why The Toys Are Awesome

I actually do not remember much about the Visionaries cartoon or comic. However, I definitely remember the characters. I have some Visionaries, but more Super Naturals. They. Are. Awesome. Such an 80s toy. Why? Well, I mention animals, but holograms and glow in the dark weapons are the big 80s feel. The toys are the typical 80s bulky figures.

They have a flat chest with a hologram on them. The hologram is actually well done. It reflects what the character initially looks like before the Tomb of Dumb. Then, with the slightest movement, the hologram changes to the skeleton/ghost/mummy counterparts in pure 80s fashion. Of course their weapons are glow in the dark. Why wouldn’t they be? 

There is a second series known as Ghostlings. These are a bit cheaper and I definitely have a few. They are creepy. You have to remove their cloak to reveal the larger hologram. The holograms are actually extremely well done and make the toy. The color, detail, and movement of the hologram with the dark background is captivating.

Each character has a hologram that is unique to them. For instance, one character is initially a one-eyed warrior, yet turns into a skeleton with movement of the figure. Skull has his missing eye floating around. The toys are awesome and deserve a longer life.

The Visionaries are a smaller scale due to how expensive the Super Naturals are to make. They have similar hologram abilities. They are not as exciting, but still look great! Visionaries have each character’s animal as a hologram on their staff, shield, and/or vehicle as well.

Why They Didn’t Last

Let’s start with Super Naturals. There are unfortunately a couple areas leading to their downfall. The six-inch figures come with extreme details. Because of this, they are expensive to make. Due to their cost to make and lack of sales in stores, the line only gets one wave. Part of the issue I think is also that it did not have the marketing to help, possibly due to the cost of making the toys. They do have the small character comics, however there is no cartoon or larger scale comic tie-in.

Visionaries come out later in 1987. The size of the figures are slightly larger than a G.I. Joe. Hasbro has a stronger backing which consists of a tie-in cartoon and a six issue comic from Marvel. Even with this backing power, the toy line only earns one wave and the cartoon has 13 episodes. I think both got lost in the mix of 80s cartoon and toy booms. 

Why They Should Bring Them Back

I have already mentioned the role of zombies in current pop culture. Add in the age of nostalgia and this is a great time to reboot the Super Naturals and Visionaries! This is also easier to do now that Hasbro owns Tonka. Combine these aspects with better planning, marketing, etc. and I think we could be in for a fun boost of nostalgia love!

ALSO SEE: Fighting Crime In A Future Time With The Real COPS Of The 80s I LRM’s Retro-Specs

Do you remember the Super Naturals and Visionaries toys? Even though there were not many of them, did you have any? Do you think they should bring them back? Leave your thoughts in the usual spot, and thanks for reading!

Sources: Nothing But Nostalgia, Horror Land, ScreenRant, 20 Years B4 2000

 

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