Captain Ray
Encyclopedia
Captain Ray, or "El Capitan Rayo" (Captain Lightning) in Spanish
, is a superhero created exclusively for the Super Powers Collection
/Super Heroes Collection of action figures released in Colombia
. He never appeared in any comic books. His secret identity is Francisco D'ardoine, an original character created by Gulliver Juguetes
, a Latin-American toy company located in Brazil
. The character appeared for the first time in 1986 as part of the line-up of their own Super Powers Collection/Super Heroes Collection toy line. They obtained the South American license to Kenner
's Super Powers Collection
line, released in North America, based on several characters from DC Comics
.
With his Aquaman face, Superman body, and unique paint job, cardback, the figure is a very interesting effort. There are at least two variations in the way the lightning bolt is painted on his chest.
The Captain Ray action figure has appeared at auction on eBay at least three times -- the first time selling for 340 USD$, the second time offered for over 4000 USD$.
by will. He can create and send off bolts of lightning from his hands. He flies and he accumulates solar, electric or nuclear energy. It is also noted that he is mortal and needs a constant supply of energy. Captain Ray's powers are similar to those of several DC Comics characters including Black Lightning
, Black Vulcan
, Livewire
, and The Ray.
(Abominable Snowman) that served as the captain's nemesis.
Too good to retire, Capitan Rayo traded in his yellow shorts and boots for red ones and was released, again, in Colombia by Gulliver Juguetes as part of their Defensores De La Tierra (Defenders of the Earth) line , packaged under the Grupo P&M brand. This was a collection of eight action figures including Capitan Rayo, Solaris, Atlanta, Smock, Cibernetico, Jack el Fetido, Super Oxide and Jaguar. As with the earlier Super Powers/Super Heroes figures, each came carded with a mini comic/poster.
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, is a superhero created exclusively for the Super Powers Collection
Super Powers Collection
The Super Powers Collection was a line of action figures based on DC Comics superheroes and supervillains that was created by Kenner Products in the 1980s.-History of the Line:...
/Super Heroes Collection of action figures released in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. He never appeared in any comic books. His secret identity is Francisco D'ardoine, an original character created by Gulliver Juguetes
Gulliver Juguetes
Gulliver Juguetes is a Brazilian toy making/distributing company founded in 1969 by Mariano Lavin Ortiz. The company is most famously known in the US and among comic book fans for creating Captain Lightning and the Abominable Snowman in their take on Kenner's Super Powers Collection action figures....
, a Latin-American toy company located in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. The character appeared for the first time in 1986 as part of the line-up of their own Super Powers Collection/Super Heroes Collection toy line. They obtained the South American license to Kenner
Kenner
Kenner Products was a toy company founded in 1947 by three brothers, Albert, Phillip, and Joseph L. Steiner, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, and was named after the street where the original corporate offices were located, which is just north of Cincinnati's Union Terminal.Kenner introduced its...
's Super Powers Collection
Super Powers Collection
The Super Powers Collection was a line of action figures based on DC Comics superheroes and supervillains that was created by Kenner Products in the 1980s.-History of the Line:...
line, released in North America, based on several characters from DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
.
With his Aquaman face, Superman body, and unique paint job, cardback, the figure is a very interesting effort. There are at least two variations in the way the lightning bolt is painted on his chest.
The Captain Ray action figure has appeared at auction on eBay at least three times -- the first time selling for 340 USD$, the second time offered for over 4000 USD$.
Powers
Captain Ray's powers are energy-related. According to the 'fact box' on the cardback of the figure, he is able to manage storms, directing lightningLightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
by will. He can create and send off bolts of lightning from his hands. He flies and he accumulates solar, electric or nuclear energy. It is also noted that he is mortal and needs a constant supply of energy. Captain Ray's powers are similar to those of several DC Comics characters including Black Lightning
Black Lightning
Black Lightning was one of the first major African American superheroes to appear in DC Comics. He debuted in Black Lightning #1 , and was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden.- Publication history :...
, Black Vulcan
Black Vulcan
Black Vulcan is a fictional African American superhero on the animated series Super Friends created by Hanna-Barbera. He was voiced by Buster Jones.-Fictional character biography:...
, Livewire
Livewire (DC Comics)
Livewire is a fictional character and a supervillain in the . She first appeared in 1997 in Superman: The Animated Series and was voiced by Lori Petty. Her first appearance in the comic books was in the publication of Action Comics #835 .-Animated series:Leslie Willis was once Metropolis' most...
, and The Ray.
Enemies
The card of the figure mentioned that Captain Ray's enemies included Captain Squad, Tigerwoman, and LX230. None of these characters seem to have ever appeared in any comic, just like Captain Ray, nor were they included in the Colombian line. The line did contain the unique figure 'Hombre de las Nieves'Abominable Snowman (action figures)
The Abominable Snowman is a classic fictional creature appearing in fantasy literature and films of all sorts. He has appeared in everything from Marvel Comics to television's Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to the Pixar film Monsters Inc...
(Abominable Snowman) that served as the captain's nemesis.
Life After 'Super Powers'
Too good to retire, Capitan Rayo traded in his yellow shorts and boots for red ones and was released, again, in Colombia by Gulliver Juguetes as part of their Defensores De La Tierra (Defenders of the Earth) line , packaged under the Grupo P&M brand. This was a collection of eight action figures including Capitan Rayo, Solaris, Atlanta, Smock, Cibernetico, Jack el Fetido, Super Oxide and Jaguar. As with the earlier Super Powers/Super Heroes figures, each came carded with a mini comic/poster.