Marvel Secret Wars toys were released in 1984 and 1985 by the Mattel toy company. They were released in response to Kenner releasing the DC Super Powers toy line. Mattell requested that the line was supported with a comic book using the words “secret” and “wars.”

The figures arms and legs could only move in one direction and did not have knee or elbow articulation. The figures came with shields and small cards with pictures on them. When the cards were placed in the shields the pictures would change when moved. Some pictures showed the heroes in their secret identities and then their super hero identities. The Super Heroes had red round shields and the Super Villains had silver square shields.

Vehicles were also released but you will note that some were just coloured differently so they could be used for the good guys as well as the bad guys when made.

Poor sales in the first series led to only five figures being released in the U.S.A. for the second series. The other three figures (Constrictor, Electro and Iceman), were only released outside of the U.S.A.