And here we have ANOTHER metallic character. I tend to
think that Kenner was looking for a way to make the line
jump off the shelves, what with the emphasis on special
treatments (translucents, metallics, gold). They are also
edging very close to the acceptable boundaries of 1985
society for these characters: Black Racer is literally
Death in the comics, claiming the souls of the New Gods.
Parents may not have been totally happy about little Johnny
getting this figure. Although I do applaud the third African-American
figure proposed; they may have been late to the diversity
party, but they made a good effort to catch up!
But still...the Black Racer? Did kids really want Death
on skis? Whose real identity is a comatose GI? I guess
if the Silver Surfer could get a figure... Black Racer
later got a more appropriate dark blue/black color scheme
(if not a more logical mode of transportation), but Kenner
is going with the colorful Kirby look here. Go
here to read all about his creepy past.
Custom below by Jason Geyer.
