The licensing of comic companies’ toys and other media dates back to the first comic books, which reprinted popular comic strips of the time. Today, almost every company is producing something from Speed Racer to Godzilla to Space Ghost, withmany more in the works. However, there’s one that you may have missed and should look into because I’m talking about Captain Action.
Captain Action stands as a unique toy (action doll) from 1960s pop culture. This concept evolved into a comic book character, distinguished by his mastery of disguise and an arsenal of legendary personas. The Ideal Toy Company introduced Captain Action in 1966 as a 12-inch action figure with a distinctive twist: he could assume the identities of established superheroes,including Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and Captain America, through costume changes and mask swaps.
The Captain is back! You can find him in comic books and new merchandise on the Captain Action website. You know you’renot a flash in the pan when you have your own Funko Pop Figure! And, yes, you can even read Captain Action in a comic book.
American Mythology recently released Captain Action vs. Al Capone Vampire (written by J.C. Vaughn. Art and Cover by Brendon Fraim). It is a gloriously pulpy mash-up that doesn’t just dip its toe into genre blending—it cannonballs straight into the deep end with a grin on its face and a stake in its hand. This comic (or film, depending on the medium you’re imagining) gleefully pits the vintage costumed crusader, Captain Action, against none other than a vampiric version of America’s most infamous gangster, Al Capone. The result is a showdown that’s equal parts campy action and gothic horror with a heavy dose of nostalgia.
What makes this battle royale so entertaining is its refusal to take itself too seriously. Captain Action—ever the square-jawed hero of yesteryear—is dropped into a smoky, blood-stained 1930s Chicago, where Capone’s criminal empire has evolved into a literal vampire cabal. The setup is absurd in the best possible way, and the story runs with it, delivering over-the-top dialogue, imaginative set pieces, and cleverly anachronistic tech that somehow makes vampire hunting look like a job for a super-spy.
The pacing is brisk, the action delightfully exaggerated, and the atmosphere a moody blend of noir shadows and supernatural dread. Fans of classic monster movies and retro heroics will find a lot to love here. And Capone reimagined as a bloodsucking mob boss, makes for an oddly perfect foil—charismatic, brutal, and gleefully monstrous.
While it’s not aiming for highbrow storytelling, Captain Action vs. Al Capone Vampire shines by embracing its outlandish concept with enthusiasm and flair. It’s a love letter to both golden-age comics and horror cinema, stitched together like Frankenstein’s monster—but with a fedora, a cape, and fangs. In short, it’s a fang-tastic thrill ride for those who like their heroes unflappable and their villains undead. What’s not to love?
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