Ah, yes, the heads. What can I possibly say about the heads that will do justice to the raging controversy and bitter division that surrounded the mystery of the heads for that bleak year-long period.

What was the shorter run? What was the more on model? Which were preferred by collectors and kids alike? Who was responsible for this dastardly, heinously foul deed?!?

Beats me. And don't look for the answer here; omnipotent I'm not. But I can shed light on this gruesome page in the annals of variation history.

I suppose you could say it all started when the long awaited STAS line first showed it's face on the assorted shelves of glistening toy stores across the country in the barely remembered Fall of '96. It was then that the first inklings of trouble rumbled across the Nation, starting a swell of discontent heard by many. Although the virgin line had very spotty distribution, and they were infrequently restocked, the news got out that Superman himself was stricken with an affliction most strange. The slots where his eyes should have been were instead covered with what seemed to be two large black worms slithering in their alabaster glory across his sockets. Many cried out in in the pain most acutely suffered by those canonists who could not understand how such a misstep could have happened. But a hardy few souls enjoyed, and even treasured the overzealous squints.

Before too long, collectors had given up hope of ever getting a coherent deco strategy. But wait! Did Kenner hear the cry? Did they fly to the rescue of their die-hard fans just in the nick of time? Who knows? In any case, a correctly decoed Superman showed up by the time this line received wide distribution across the country. These are the eyes that most of the existing line sported in it's short lived fall from grace.

An oddity into the mix are the eyes of the City Camo Superman. this strapping fellow lets you peek into the windows to his soul through pupils and whites. Why the added cost of another paint operation for a figure whose eyes are hidden behind an opaque shield? You tell me, pal.

Is this the end of the sad, sad tale? Maybe not. While photos of the upcoming exclusives are somewhat vague, it appears that they may have an entirely new head, one with a squint and furrelled brow the way it was meant to be. Get it right the fourth time, man, and having a coo-coo swinging good time. Here's looking at you, kid.