Everyone knows that superheroes have day-job identities. Spider-Man is photographer Peter Parker, Superman is journalist Clark Kent, and Batman is millionaire Bruce Wayne. Each man has his own domain to cover, saving the world from evil in Metropolis, New York City, and Gotham. But, for a short period in the 1960s one man wore the super, the bat, and the spider suits. He was Ideal Toy’s Captain Action.

Captain Action provided children with the fun of different heroes all in one day. They didn’t have to choose which they liked best, they could have them all. Not only these heroes from Marvel and DC but thirteen heroes were featured, including strip stars Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, and Steve Canyon.

Captain Action was launched by Ideal in 1966, in conjunction with Hasbro’s very popular G.I. Joe line. Originally he came with blue ray gun, sword, and hat; fun on his own, though more enjoyable with the superhero suits and accessories that turned him into Aquaman, the Phantom, or Captain America. All the suits came detailed with face masks, costumes, boots, and character equipment, literally making him each hero.

Through the toy’s popularity Captain Action was extended into other toy categories. The character was depicted on playing cards available through mail order from Kool Pops, a model kit made by Aurora, and DC comics produced a comic book that began in November 1968. The toy line was cancelled shortly after the comic book debut, so only five issues were published.