1995 Kenner & SkyBox : Superman: Man of Steel

Kenner released different editions of Superman: Man of Steel action figures and vehicles in 1995 and 1996. The collection was advertised on television commercials that aired during after-school programming.

The toyline was accompanied by a series of 13 trading cards produced by SkyBox International. The cards feature original artwork painted by fantasy illustrator Joe Jusko. A different version Superman appears on seven cards. "Power Flight Superman" features the traditional costume during the long-hair era.

 

"Laser Superman" dons the black Kryptonian regeneration suit from the "Reign of the Supermen!" storyline. The regeneration suit was designed by Superman: The Man of Steel artist Jon Bogdanove. The suit first appeared with the shield emblem on the last page of Action Comics #690 (August 1993).

 

The 1995 cards are individually packaged with figures in the basic series that includes Conduit, Lex Luthor, Steel, and Superboy (Kon-El). The 1996 Limited Edition "Cyber-Link Superman" and "Cyber-Link Batman" are packaged together with cards or an exclusive comic book.

A ponytailed Clark Kent is packaged with a "Matrix Conversion Coupe" vehicle. "Hunter-Prey Superman" and Doomsday are sold together with an exclusive comic book. "Full Assault Superman" and Massacre are also packaged with a comic book. In 1998, ToyFare magazine released an exclusive standalone Eradicator figure. A limited 12-inch "Ultimate Superman" figure was sold at K-Mart stores.

Cyborg Superman Hank Henshaw is curiously absent from the series. A "Street Guardian Superboy" figure and card was advertised but never released. Unmarketed prototypes for Metallo and King-Shark were displayed at the 1996 Toy Fair. Some models from the Superman: Man of Steel line were repurposed for later collections released by Kenner and Hasbro. Kenner released a similar action figure and card series titled Legends of Batman.

Some of the original paintings commissioned for the card series have been observed in private collections. Joe Jusko also contributed a painting of Superman and Doomsday for the DC Villains: The Dark Judgment series. An "All Superman! All Joe Jusko!" trading card set was originally scheduled for release in the summer of 1996, but the series was cancelled during development.