Power Lords
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Power Lords - The Extra-Terrestrial Warriors is a science fiction themed action figure line produced by Revell in 1983. Revell hired Wayne Barlowe (author/artist of Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials) to design the toys.
Each figure has an action feature. Adam Power can change into Lord Power by pushing a button to turn his torso around to reveal the Lord Power side; Shaya is a 2-sided figure who is changed by turning her cape around and removing her helmet; Arkus' wings flap. Each figure also includes a file card, which provides a brief dossier on the character and demonstrates how to initiate its special feature.
DC Comics published a 3-issue Power Lords comic book series beginning in December 1983. A video game, board game, jigsaw puzzle and coloring book based on the characters were also released that same year.
The story
Adam Power is an earthling, given the cosmic Power Jewel to protect the galaxy from the evil dictator, Arkus. Arkus is a nigh invincible foe, determined to take the Power Jewel as well as Volcan Rock, Adam Power’s secret stronghold, in his quest to conquer the galaxy.
Two heroes join Adam Power in the war against Arkus. They are Shaya, the Queen of Power and Sydot the Supreme.
But evil Arkus also has helpers...
The characters
The heroes
- Lord Adam Power - Leader of the Power Lords
Origin: Planet Earth (although the comic version states he is originally from Toran)
Weapon: Power Jewel, Lazer Rifle
The Power Jewel, an item of vast cosmic might, allows Adam Power to become Lord Power, a blue-skinned, red-veined humanoid who wears the gem implanted in his forehead.
- Shaya - The Queen of Power
Origin: The Ancient Planet Meru
Weapon: Laser Whip
A human-like fur-clad female warrior with a third eye and cosmic might that equals Adam Power. She can change into a red alien form that gives off an intense heat.
- Sydot - The Supreme
Origin: Rana, The Water Planet
Accessory: Binoculars
An alien scientific genius who looks like an orange man-sized, sleepy-eyed Tyrannosaur with game show host-style capped teeth.
Arkus and His Warriors
- Arkus - The Evil Dictator
Origin: Hatched at the center of an unknown red sun
Weapon: Wrist lasers
A purple insectoid-like creature with crab-like claws and red wings who leads the evil Extraterrestrial Alliance. Arkus is nigh invincible - never needing to eat or sleep.
- Raygoth - The Goon of Doom
Origin: Flozar VIII, the Frozen Planet
Weapon: Laser Gun
- Ggripptogg - The Four Fisted Brute
Origin: The Planet Ferrikon
Weapon: The Super Mace (laser weapon)
Ggripptogg used to rule the galaxy before Arkus took over. Now Ggripptogg is reduced to being Arkus' servant, about which Ggripptogg is most resentful.
- Tork - The Turning Terror
Origin: The Planet Twearth
Tork could spin his torso and use the natural spikes which covered it as a weapon.
- Disguyzor - The Deadly Deceiver
Origin: The Planet Growton
Weapon: Cosmic War Club
Could change its face four times and alter itself in height.
- Trigore
A monstrous three-legged green alien steed with crushing pincer-like jaws. Trigore functions both as a living starship as well as a sort of cosmic bloodhound.
Unaffiliated villains
- Bakatak - The Brutal Backstabber
Origin: Militron, the War Planet
Could shoot quills from his back. Longs to be as formidable a threat as Arkus.
- Drrench - The Savage Soaker
Origin: The Planet Frigidor.
A longtime enemy of Arkus. Once freezing Arkus' wings when demonstrating his ability to shoot icy cold water out of his chest. Drrench is feared throughout the galaxy.
Vehicles, creatures, etc.
- Beast Machines - Evol, Savor, Thrash, and Warbot, He-Man-like massively-muscled warriors who are robotic battle tanks from the waist down. (Designed by Pasquale Gabriele.)
- Power Ship - a red two-seater semi-organic spaceship which features pop out blades as well as a deflector shield.
- Power Patroller – a small one-man heavily armed snowmobile-shaped vehicle for Adam Power.
- Spyzor - a similar but more organic-looking purple and green small one-man vehicle also known as the Adam Smasher which was made for Arkus and could fire knobby green spheres.
- The Power Transporter - spacecraft/carrying case. (shown in the 1984 Revell catalog but never produced)
- Boulder Blaster - mini playset. (shown in the 1984 Revell catalog but never produced)
- The Exploder - mini playset. (shown in the 1984 Revell catalog but never produced)
- Trap Rock - mini playset. (shown in the 1984 Revell catalog but never produced)
- Volcan Rock - Adam Power’s asteroid-like headquarters which looks like an active volcano on the outside and a hi-tech fortress on the inside and was referred to in the comic version as a "battlestar".
2013 Power Lords Relaunch
In late 2012 toy sculptors Four Horsemen Studios announced they had acquired the license to produce new Power Lords action figures. Using the Glyos joints created by Onell Design, the new Power Lords figures were first released at SDCC in 2013 and are currently offered at the Four Horsemen Studios online store.
External links
- Power Lords Action Figure Guide Loose action figure guide including vehicles, accessories and playsets.
- [1] Cover Art of DC's Power Lords.
- Power Lords Return! Official Press Release posted at the powerlordsreturn.com website.
- Four Horsemen Studios webstore where the 2013 toys are available.