Super7 SilverHawks Figures - CONFIRMED

[Ornclown]

I'm guessing more than likely they will have varying body types for the characters as needed.

Yeah, this makes the most sense.

One of my biggest concerns is how Super 7 is going to handle the wings. This is one of the defining features of the Silverhawks, and if they get it wrong (i.e. Sorceress) it will be a lasting scar.

The villains are the real stars of Silverhawks. Unlike Thundercats where the heroes were all pretty unique, the Silverhawks were all kinda the same in look and in powers. Silverhawks though IMO had a better villain cast. There was just so many neat designs for the villains.

Agree 100%

The Silverhawks had some of the best villains of ANY 80's cartoon series. Period.

[Adam_Prince of Eternia]

I’d say the Silverhawks series suffers from some of the same weird voice acting issues that Thundercats had at times, although maybe a bit more. I just picked up the second volume of the DVD’s and have been watching some episodes. I’ve been enjoying it, really... I think if you consider the time period it was released in and give it a break, it can be enjoyable for what it is. The concept and the characters are just very appealing to me and I loved the toys as a kid. So, yeah, maybe you had to have found it early in childhood to have that connection to it. I can see why people think the show is so bad, though. Nonetheless, I love it. 😃

-Johnny C

I think SilverHawks is the inverse of ThunderCats in that its toys are better than its series. The theme song and opening sequence promise something that the series does not deliver. You would think the show would be as dynamic as the character designs and animation, but instead, it is a chore to watch, and a slog to get through.

[Mark M]

The villains are the real stars of Silverhawks. Unlike Thundercats where the heroes were all pretty unique, the Silverhawks were all kinda the same in look and in powers. Silverhawks though IMO had a better villain cast. There was just so many neat designs for the villains.

In all the episodes of Silverhawks I watched the villains were a lot more interesting than the heroes.

[Mikey]

Silverhawks is one of the series I haven't seen yet, but would like to check out along with DC's Static Shock and Zeta Project.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Yup. I, admittedly, love the vac metal look as well and wish it was going to be repeated on the new line. I get that it’s not a viable option, however (perhaps ReAction will get the treatment?). I will be interested to see what they come up with though..... I trust they’ll get the shiniest metal look possible. Doesn’t stop me from waxing nostalgic for that lustrous vac metal though.

The reveals can’t come soon enough!

-Johnny C

I agree. If it were possible to do vac metal on the Ultimates figures without the aforementioned problems, I would certainly prefer that look overall. But from a realistic, pragmatic standpoint, since those issues with vac metal on highly articulated figuresdo exist in reality, I'm glad that they are going with an option to avoid those problems.

[JohnnyC]

I think SilverHawks is the inverse of ThunderCats in that its toys are better than its series. The theme song and opening sequence promise something that the series does not deliver. You would think the show would be as dynamic as the character designs and animation, but instead, it is a chore to watch, and a slog to get through.

Totally. Although, SOME episodes are better than others.

I always try to remember the age group it was intended for, though, and I keep those rose colored glasses real shiny, lol. As an adult, yeah they’re pretty bad. I think anytime you really love something like this, you know it’s limitations but somehow give it a pass. But you’re right, the toys were awesome in comparison.

-Johnny C

[Iluvart]

I find it interesting that both Thundercats and Silverhawks were animated by the Japanese studio Pacific Animation Studio, which was one of the two studios that formed after the end of Topcraft studios, with the other one that formed being Studio Ghibli.

[JohnnyC]

The theme song and opening sequence promise something that the series does not deliver.

It’s funny though, I actually think the same thing about Thundercats. In both series, the intro’s are so beautifully animated- artistic, fast paced, exciting... but the actual episodes of both are so clunky in comparison. I guess we know where the money was spent, lol.

-Johnny C

[Night Stalker]

This was addressed in a recent interview. The issue with vac metal isn't the cost. It is that on highly articulated figures, it tends to get damaged / flake off easily when there is rubbing at the joints, etc. So they are going with the shiniest paint that they can.

That's not an issue with chrome plating, and it's infinitely more durable than metallic paint. Sounds like Super7 is just cutting corners again like they tried to do with He-Ro, until the fan response was so negative they reversed course. I guess there's not enough Silverhawks fans in existence to demand a better product.

[JohnnyC]

That's not an issue with chrome plating, and it's infinitely more durable than metallic paint. Sounds like Super7 is just cutting corners again like they tried to do with He-Ro, until the fan response was so negative they reversed course. I guess there's not enough Silverhawks fans in existence to demand a better product.

Is that what He-Ro has? Chrome plating? I thought it was vac. Maybe I don't know the difference. Anyone care to enlighten me? Genuinely interested. I'm pretty sure that Brian had said something about chrome plating in the interview with pixel Dan and he said it wasn't an option either. I could be wrong, I need to go back and watch again.

-Johnny C

Edited to say, that apparently it has to do with the type of plastic as well. Supposedly you can only vac metal ABS plastic and not PVC? ABS is too hard of a plastic for joints, etc and isn't an ideal choice for Ultimates. Just going off what I'm hearing from Super 7.

[Night Stalker]

Is that what He-Ro has? Chrome plating? I thought it was vac. Maybe I don't know the difference. Anyone care to enlighten me? Genuinely interested. I'm pretty sure that Brian had said something about chrome plating in the interview with pixel Dan and he said it wasn't an option either. I could be wrong, I need to go back and watch again.

-Johnny C

He-Ro is indeed vac metal. In 2019-2020, several countries adopted environmental accords which largely make vac metallizing a process that industrial factories specialize in, and took it out of the hands of small scale factories.

Chrome plating on the other hand is a cheaper process that doesn't produce much pollution, compared to vacuum formed metal plate. It's more durable than vac metal, but it's not as shiny.

Chroming would be a cheaper option than vac metal, but it does cost more than paint. Still, with what Ultimates are priced at, the manufacturer could still turn phenomenal profit going with chrome.

[JohnnyC]

He-Ro is indeed vac metal. In 2019-2020, several countries adopted environmental accords which largely make vac metallizing a process that industrial factories specialize in, and took it out of the hands of small scale factories.

Chrome plating on the other hand is a cheaper process that doesn't produce much pollution, compared to vacuum formed metal plate. It's more durable than vac metal, but it's not as shiny.

Chroming would be a cheaper option than vac metal, but it does cost more than paint. Still, with what Ultimates are priced at, the manufacturer could still turn phenomenal profit going with chrome.

Interesting. Brian did say that they are still working on it and they want the shiniest application they can get without vac-metalizing, so maybe we'll see the chrome plating yet. Are there any pics of figures that use the chrome plating option? I'll try a google search as well....I've seen some Marvel figures that use a pretty shiny paint application and I wouldn't be upset with that either. I've always got vintage figures to look at to satisfy my vac metal needs, LOLOLOLOL!

-Johnny C

[Wakko]

In all the episodes of Silverhawks I watched the villains were a lot more interesting than the heroes.

The creators of SilverHawks really painted themselves in a bit of a corner from the get-go, creating a team of heroes where all five members have essentially the exact same abilities. There are some differences, like Steelwill being depicted as physically the strong one, the twins having a psychic connection, Bluegrass being the musical non-flyer, Quicksilver being the leader, and Copper Kidd being... mute. But the differences among the five are not that major, nothing like ThunderCats with their telepathic speedster, strong technician, invisible architect, etc., etc. I think it's one of the problems that has frequently plagued DC's Metal Men. Each metal has its own properties, but ultimately that team boils down to a group of robot shape-shifters. Only their humor and personalities really differentiate them.

So really, the SilverHawks villains, with their various abilities and designs, ended up being much more interesting than the heroes. Unfortunately, while the villains are more interesting characters, their designs are ugly, and not in a so-ugly-it's-cool sort of way. None of them really stood out as stellar, memorable designs. But at least they were colorful and diverse.

One other strike against SilverHawks is that, to me at least, the objective of the show was never really clear. I know the 'Hawks are space cops and Mon*Star is a mob boss, but the objective and stakes were never clear to me. Maybe I didn't pay close enough attention. I just watched an episode where the SilverHawks voluntarily entered a space race competing against some of their enemies. One would think they would arrest them instead of racing them. It's really bizarre. It's hard to root for the heroes when all they seem to do is fight against the symptoms instead of trying to permanently rooting out the cause. But an episode's gotta episode, I guess.

[Night Stalker]

Edited to say, that apparently it has to do with the type of plastic as well. Supposedly you can only vac metal ABS plastic and not PVC? ABS is too hard of a plastic for joints, etc and isn't an ideal choice for Ultimates. Just going off what I'm hearing from Super 7.

You'll often hear manufacturers of PVC action figures justify using the cheaper plastic by listing the benefits of PVC over ABS, including the old "more flexible" routine. (I'm typically quick to point out that PVC doesn't seem to prevent Neca figures from cracking and breaking at the joints, or how the ABS Transformers from Japan are some of the most durable toys ever produced, with twice as many POAs as an Ultimates figure.)

A properly manufactured action figure made from either plastic shouldn't have any breakages or cracks. Cheap PVC is more forgiving in the manufacturing process than cheap ABS, which is why it's in widespread use, but the main reason ABS isn't utilized more is price: not just of the raw material, but the finished good are weightier to ship.

You can theoretically vac metalize or chrome plate either plastic, but there are "experts" who will tell you you can't plate or vac form metal over any plastic. It really all comes down to the quality of the base plastic and the bonding agents used in the plating. Cheap PVC and Vac forming are a recipe for disaster, but cheap PVC and chroming are a possibility if done right.

[Dcr4]

He-Ro is indeed vac metal. In 2019-2020, several countries adopted environmental accords which largely make vac metallizing a process that industrial factories specialize in, and took it out of the hands of small scale factories.

Chrome plating on the other hand is a cheaper process that doesn't produce much pollution, compared to vacuum formed metal plate. It's more durable than vac metal, but it's not as shiny.

Chroming would be a cheaper option than vac metal, but it does cost more than paint. Still, with what Ultimates are priced at, the manufacturer could still turn phenomenal profit going with chrome.

Is chrome plating the same as electroplating? I have a Beastkingdom Captain Phamsa figure that is electroplated that has a shiny mirror finish. It's just as shiny as my Phasma and threepio model kits, which I think are vac metal.

[JohnnyC]

The creators of SilverHawks really painted themselves in a bit of a corner from the get-go, creating a team of heroes where all five members have essentially the exact same abilities. There are some differences, like Steelwill being depicted as physically the strong one, the twins having a psychic connection, Bluegrass being the musical non-flyer, Quicksilver being the leader, and Copper Kidd being... mute. But the differences among the five are not that major, nothing like ThunderCats with their telepathic speedster, strong technician, invisible architect, etc., etc. I think it's one of the problems that has frequently plagued DC's Metal Men. Each metal has its own properties, but ultimately that team boils down to a group of robot shape-shifters. Only their humor and personalities really differentiate them.

So really, the SilverHawks villains, with their various abilities and designs, ended up being much more interesting than the heroes. Unfortunately, while the villains are more interesting characters, their designs are ugly, and not in a so-ugly-it's-cool sort of way. None of them really stood out as stellar, memorable designs. But at least they were colorful and diverse.

One other strike against SilverHawks is that, to me at least, the objective of the show was never really clear. I know the 'Hawks are space cops and Mon*Star is a mob boss, but the objective and stakes were never clear to me. Maybe I didn't pay close enough attention. I just watched an episode where the SilverHawks voluntarily entered a space race competing against some of their enemies. One would think they would arrest them instead of racing them. It's really bizarre. It's hard to root for the heroes when all they seem to do is fight against the symptoms instead of trying to permanently rooting out the cause. But an episode's gotta episode, I guess.

Gonna say that I agree with you and also disagree at the same time.

So, I'll agree with everything you said except for the bit about the villain designs being ugly. I think they are unique and innovative for the time period. That bright red of Mon*Star was striking and I always found his transformation to be engagingly grotesque in a way. Buzzsaw was a brilliant design and made for an even better action figure in both color and playability. I'll even say that Mo-Lec-U-Lar was a great shape shifter design and made a great literal translation from name to body design. His figure looked nice, but the "action feature" could have been better thought out.... what were you even supposed to do with that?? HAHA! Anyway, that's my short list of favorites...

In terms of the show, I also think you have to remember what the show actually was. Like many properties back then, it was a commercial to sell toys. Did it really matter what the content was as long as it was a bare minimum? Part of the problem for us as adults now is that we grow and become wiser and more exposed to better shows and animation. Coupled with our memories of our beloved childhood shows, we have a hard time reconciling what was and what actually is, ya know? None of this to negate anything you're saying about the show, but you get what I'm saying. It's an old show. It was made to sell toys. It got kids excited. It made our imaginations soar (no pun intended). And you learned a science lesson at the end.

That said.... GIMME FIGURES!!!

-Johnny C

[Night Stalker]

Interesting. Brian did say that they are still working on it and they want the shiniest application they can get without vac-metalizing, so maybe we'll see the chrome plating yet. Are there any pics of figures that use the chrome plating option? I'll try a google search as well....I've seen some Marvel figures that use a pretty shiny paint application and I wouldn't be upset with that either. I've always got vintage figures to look at to satisfy my vac metal needs, LOLOLOLOL!

-Johnny C

I hear you. I never had a complete set of 'Hawks as a kid, so I was Interested in the new line until the paint thing. Don't get me wrong, metallic paint is much better than it used to be, but I feel at the Ultimates price point, the thing should be... well, ultimate!

[Lasastard]

I honestly don't think that vac metal would even be a good fit if they are going for the look from the animation/cartoon. You could make an argument of course that the armor would be reflective, but that simply wasn't how it was drawn. You can obviously blame it on the technology - doesn't change the underlying issue tho. These will not be modelled after the toys (like, say, TMNT) - so in order to get the cartoon look, metallic paint seems like the way to go imho.

[JohnnyC]

You'll often hear manufacturers of PVC action figures justify using the cheaper plastic by listing the benefits of PVC over ABS, including the old "more flexible" routine. (I'm typically quick to point out that PVC doesn't seem to prevent Neca figures from cracking and breaking at the joints, or how the ABS Transformers from Japan are some of the most durable toys ever produced, with twice as many POAs as an Ultimates figure.)

A properly manufactured action figure made from either plastic shouldn't have any breakages or cracks. Cheap PVC is more forgiving in the manufacturing process than cheap ABS, which is why it's in widespread use, but the main reason ABS isn't utilized more is price: not just of the raw material, but the finished good are weightier to ship.

You can theoretically vac metalize or chrome plate either plastic, but there are "experts" who will tell you you can't plate or vac form metal over any plastic. It really all comes down to the quality of the base plastic and the bonding agents used in the plating. Cheap PVC and Vac forming are a recipe for disaster, but cheap PVC and chroming are a possibility if done right.

Isn't the very nature of PVC to be a more flexible plastic? No matter the quality, it still "bends", doesn't it? It would seem that it would be silly to try to vac metal ANY sort of PVC because, if it bends, there goes your vac-metal... I don't know for sure as I'm no expert, but I'm just thinking logically. I've found a few pics of the chrome plating and I'd be ok with it. It's not AS shiny as vac, but it does a great job in place of it, IMO.

-Johnny C

- - - Updated - - -

I hear you. I never had a complete set of 'Hawks as a kid, so I was Interested in the new line until the paint thing. Don't get me wrong, metallic paint is much better than it used to be, but I feel at the Ultimates price point, the thing should be... well, ultimate!

LOL, yes agreed!! If we can get vac, I'm all for it... but a great alternative would be appreciated for sure.

-Johnny C

[Night Stalker]

Is chrome plating the same as electroplating? I have a Beastkingdom Captain Phamsa figure that is electroplated that has a shiny mirror finish. It's just as shiny as my Phasma and threepio model kits, which I think are vac metal.

Yes, electroplating is the actual process. Nickel plating, gold painting, chrome plating, etc all typically refer to electroplating. There are other methods used, but usually electroplating yields the best, most economical results.

Chrome can indeed be extremely shiny when done well. I should have said "the average chrome plated figure will not be as brilliant as the average vac metal figure." It typically takes a couple of layers of chrome to give off similar results as vac metal, and companies putting out true high end products are no doubt using multiple layers of chrome, as opposed to companies that put out high priced products built as cheaply as possible.

[Wakko]

Gonna say that I agree with you and also disagree at the same time.

So, I'll agree with everything you said except for the bit about the villain designs being ugly. I think they are unique and innovative for the time period. That bright red of Mon*Star was striking and I always found his transformation to be engagingly grotesque in a way. Buzzsaw was a brilliant design and made for an even better action figure in both color and playability. I'll even say that Mo-Lec-U-Lar was a great shape shifter design and made a great literal translation from name to body design. His figure looked nice, but the "action feature" could have been better thought out.... what were you even supposed to do with that?? HAHA! Anyway, that's my short list of favorites...

In terms of the show, I also think you have to remember what the show actually was. Like many properties back then, it was a commercial to sell toys. Did it really matter what the content was as long as it was a bare minimum? Part of the problem for us as adults now is that we grow and become wiser and more exposed to better shows and animation. Coupled with our memories of our beloved childhood shows, we have a hard time reconciling what was and what actually is, ya know? None of this to negate anything you're saying about the show, but you get what I'm saying. It's an old show. It was made to sell toys. It got kids excited. It made our imaginations soar (no pun intended). And you learned a science lesson at the end.

That said.... GIMME FIGURES!!!

-Johnny C

Yeah, I hear you, and I mostly agree. I guess I'm just saying that some of the design, characterization, and storytelling pitfalls that kept SilverHawks from being a true classic are pitfalls that Rankin Bass were able to largely avoid with ThunderCats, which is partly why the latter is held in higher regard and was a bigger hit.

That said... GIMME FIGURES TOO! As many others have said, even with the cartoon's flaws, the figures (if done right), will look amazing, both heroes and villains.

[JohnnyC]

That said... GIMME FIGURES TOO! As many others have said, even with the cartoon's flaws, the figures (if done right), will look amazing, both heroes and villains.

Indeed! Considering NOTHING has been done with this property in 30+ years, they will be a sight for sore eyes when they are finally revealed. Not saying I'll cry, but there will be eye moisture.

That sounded weird after I typed it. But still...

-Johnny C

[FAKER II]

This was addressed in a recent interview. The issue with vac metal isn't the cost. It is that on highly articulated figures, it tends to get damaged / flake off easily when there is rubbing at the joints, etc. So they are going with the shiniest paint that they can.

I've had this same conversation on Star Wars figure forums about C-3PO. I tried to explain that 1. Black Series C-3PO is designed to have many of the parts cast in soft plastic to allow for articulation. 2. You can only chrome hard plastic. Therefore: 3. A fully chromed C-3PO would have to be an entirely new mold designed to be entirely cast in hard plastic. And there were still several people responding, "well, I don't see how they just can't chrome the existing mold." And I'm like, "We just covered that. I give up."

In regards to Silverhawks, this begs the question - will highly articulated figures with metallic paint jobs do the figures justice? I know this is a matter of subjective opinion so there will probably be people on both sides of the fence. For me personally, I'd rather stick with the limited articulated vintage figures with the shiny chrome paint jobs. But that's partly influence by nostalgia and the fact that I already have quite a few vintage figures.

[Wakko]

Not saying I'll cry, but there will be eye moisture.

That's hilarious.

Back in 2002, the 200x MOTU figures with Four Horsemen sculpting got be back into action figure collecting for the first time since I was kid. Then they lent their talents to DC Universe Classics. To my eye, the Four Horsemen have a certain aesthetic when it comes to sculpting that really hits the sweet spot. So ever since 200x MOTU and DCUC, I've said that my "holy grail" of Four Horsemen-sculpted figure lines would be MOTU, DC, ThunderCats, and SilverHawks. I never thought it would happen, but here we are. (I am, of course, assuming the Four Horsemen will be sculpting SilverHawks.)

I think I said earlier that Dungeons & Dragons cartoon figures in the Ultimates line would also likely prove irresistible to me. Just don't tell my wife. As these figures keep getting more and more expensive, she's getting less and less enthusiastic about my hobby.

[JohnnyC]

In regards to Silverhawks, this begs the question - will highly articulated figures with metallic paint jobs do the figures justice? I know this is a matter of subjective opinion so there will probably be people on both sides of the fence. For me personally, I'd rather stick with the limited articulated vintage figures with the shiny chrome paint jobs. But that's partly influence by nostalgia and the fact that I already have quite a few vintage figures.

It's funny you bring up this point, as I've had the same thought myself. I do remember that, as a kid, I wished you could move the figures' joints more to be able to pose them differently. As an adult though, what's more important? The nostalgic vac, or the articulation? In the end, I think articulation will win out of course and we'll get an ALMOST vac metal finish.... (Almost, meaning either very close to it or just something else entirely, LOL)

-Johnny C