Flea Market Hunting : Marvel Secret Wars

We found an original Marvel Secret Wars action figure of Daredevil. The sleek red-costumed version of the man without fear made its debut in the second series of these figures. Sadly our figure is pretty beat up but we're still happy especially since we got it for almost nothing.

According to former Marvel Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter, Mattel came to Marvel with the title "Secret Wars." Thus, comic series was born. The figures were Marvel's answer to Kenner's DC Super Powers line also launched in 1984. The Secret Wars figures were articulated only at the shoulders, hips and neck and had no special "action feature" (Super Powers figures had both knee joints and built in action features).

All figures came with "Secret Shields." The Heroes came with round shields and the Villains came with square shields. These shields came with a series of two-sided inserts that changed the scene when tilted. With a few notable exceptions, the most figures came with few other accessories and the accessories that were present (e.g., guns) were reused frequently.

Here is the amazing Super Villains Tower of Doom Playset, which hopefully we will find someday.

This is the original Print advertisement for the Secret Wars figures.