| Superhero action figures first stormed the doors of | | | | friendships and that good will triumph over evil. |
| department stores and toy stores nearly 35 years | | | | Perhaps, most importantly, they stretched our |
| ago. Constructed of various kinds of plastic and | | | | imaginations and made us believe that anything was |
| clothed in uniforms, costumes and capes G.I. Joe, | | | | possible. These mighty action figures were invincible |
| Superman, Spiderman, the Lone Ranger and others | | | | to everything but time. Time finally did them in. Or did |
| marched, flew and rode off store shelves and into | | | | it?For more and more people, these action figures |
| our lives. After short stops under the Christmas tree | | | | are returning to superhero status. The Star Trek |
| or at birthday parties, these action figures found their | | | | crew along with Power Rangers, the Star Wars |
| way into toy boxes and playrooms around the | | | | characters and transformers are popping up in |
| world.These action figures did their superhero work | | | | offices, dens and family rooms everywhere. These |
| of incredible feats, saving scores of lives and | | | | action figures have become collectibles.The most |
| neutralizing villains. They accomplished these heroic | | | | popular of these action figures include G.I. Joe, |
| deeds on lazy summer afternoons and rainy Saturday | | | | Captain Action, the Six Million Dollar Man, the Lone |
| mornings in front of the TV set. Too often, they | | | | Ranger and the Mego line of action figures. These |
| also needed our help after school when we were | | | | include characters from Super Heroes, Planet of the |
| supposed to be doing homework.These superheroes | | | | Apes, Star Trek, Happy Days, CHIPs, Monsters and |
| were always our friends and they helped us through | | | | others. |
| our childhoods. They taught us to share, to value | | | | |