1978 Malibu Ken, Ken (Sun & Surf) & SuperStar Ken

MALIBU KEN #1088

The final Malibu Ken was released, looking exactly like the last model from the previous year. The packaging is different (‘open’ on one side, resealable ends), with slightly different graphics and illustration. He was called Malibu Ken everywhere except Italy, where he was repackaged as Ken Portofino to fit with their new Barbie.

1977 #1088 Malibu Ken
1978 #1088 Malibu Ken
1977 #1088 Malibu Ken
1978 #1088 Malibu Ken
1977 #1088 Malibu Ken
1978 #1088 Malibu Ken
1978 #1088 Malibu Ken
Identification: 1088 0500 6 © Mattel Inc. 1968 Hong Kong.
1978 #1088 Malibu Ken in original packaging
1978 #1088 Malibu Ken in original packaging
1978 #1088 Malibu Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging
1978 #1088 Malibu Ken in European packaging
1978 #1088 Malibu Ken in European packaging
1978 #1088 Malibu Ken European packaging
Reverse of European packaging
1978 #1088 Malibu Ken
Reverse of Italian Portofino Barbie packaging

KEN #2168

This Ken was sold in Europe. He was also known in Belgium as Ken Sun and Surf and in Germany as Spiel mit Ken. Practically identical to the last Malibu Ken above, except that he came in a completely different packaging and wore orange trunks. He had a very limited release and is exceptionally rare, especially in original packaging.

1978 #2168 Ken
1978 #2168 Ken
1978 #2168 Ken
1978 #2168 Ken
1978 #2168 Ken
1978 #2168 Ken
1978 #2168 Ken
Identification: 1088 0500 5 © Mattel Inc. 1968 Hong Kong.
1978 #2168 Ken in original packaging
1978 #2168 Ken in original packaging
1978 #2168 Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging

SUPERSTAR KEN #2211

SuperStar Ken was the first Ken to sport the brand new ‘Robert Redford/Movie Star’ head-mold and flexible body. As with the Rockers series a decade later, this highly fashionable Ken soon dated. Despite his now somewhat embarrassing attire, he is one of the few highly collectable dolls of the SuperStar era.

1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken accessories

The identification marks on almost all Kens with this new body mold still show the 1968 date, even though logically this is a new design, and should read 1977 like the head (their necks are marked © Mattel Inc. 1977, though on the inner rim, so hidden from view). The single exception I’ve found is the SuperStar Ken produced in Germany, which is marked © MATTEL GmbH 1978 West Germany. This doll occasionally appears in French auctions, but I’ve yet to find a NRFB (or even a dressed) version. However, the Sport & Shave Ken made in West Germany was packaged specifically for the French market (see section 1980 The Boys), so it is highly likely this Ken was too. He looks very similar to the Hong Kong-made SuperStar Ken, and came without holes for the sunglasses.

1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
Identification: © Mattel Inc. 1968 Hong Kong.
Identification: © Mattel GmbH 1978 West Germany
Identification: © Mattel GmbH 1978 West Germany
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken in original packaging
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken in original packaging
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging

The Special Edition SuperStar Ken box is slightly larger than the regular box.

1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken (Special edition)
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken (Special edition)
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken (Special edition)
Reverse of special edition packaging
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken (Canadian special edition)
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken (Canadian special edition)
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken (Canadian special edition) packaging
Reverse of Canadian (special edition) packaging
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken (European version)
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken in European packaging
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken (European version) original packaging
Reverse of European packaging
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken in European packaging
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken (slight variation European packaging)
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken European packaging
Reverse of slight variation European packaging
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken (European special edition)
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken (European special edition)
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken European packaging
Reverse of European special edition packaging
1978 #2422 Superstar Barbie & Ken Set
1978 #2422 Superstar Barbie & Ken Set
1978 #2422 Superstar Barbie & Ken Set reverse of packaging
Reverse of packaging

My boxed version came with an ‘instruction manual’, which describes how the sunglasses should be fitted into holes on the sides of his head. “Look closely,” the instructions warn, “the holes are small and hard to find.” I’d say they are – they must be microscopic, as there are no visible holes on this doll (below right). Which is a shame, as without the grooves the sunglasses are impossible to fit on his head.

1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken instructions
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken instructions
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken without holes for sunglasses

After studying more examples, it became clear that almost none of these dolls were made with holes, as you can see with the NRFB versions above. I’ve actually only ever found a handful of boxed Kens with holes to fit the sunglasses, and they came already wearing them (like the one below, and in the Barbie & Ken set shown above). As you can see on the out-of-box SuperStar Ken below left, the sunglasses are firmly slotted in. In fact, it is impossible to remove them!

1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken with sunglasses
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken with sunglasses fitted into holes
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken wearing sunglasses
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken wearing sunglasses

Quite why Mattel produced so many dolls incapable of wearing the sunglasses, and others incapable of taking them off, is beyond me, but it is worth finding a version with holes, as the sunglasses really add the finishing touch to his look.


BOOKLETS & CATALOGUES

From 1978 Mattel Dimension catalogue
From 1978 Mattel Dimension catalogue
From 1978 Mattel Dimension catalogue
From 1978 Mattel Dimension catalogue
From 1978 World of Fashions booklet
From 1978 World of Fashions booklet
From 1978 Anchor catalogue
From 1978 Anchor catalogue
From 1978 Aldens Christmas catalogue
From 1978 Aldens Christmas catalogue
From 1978 JCPenney Christmas catalogue
From 1978 JCPenney Christmas catalogue
From 1978 JCPenney Christmas catalogue
From 1978 JCPenney Christmas catalogue
From 1978 Sears Wish Book
From 1978 Sears Wish Book
From 1978 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1978 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1978 Italian Mattel Toy catalogue
From 1978 Italian Mattel Toy catalogue
From 1978 Italian Mattel Toy catalogue
From 1978 Italian Mattel Toy catalogue
From 1978 German Barbie booklet
From 1978 German Barbie booklet
From 1978 German Barbie booklet
From 1978 German Barbie booklet
From Mattel Spielzeug 78 catalogue
From Mattel Spielzeug 78 catalogue
From 1978 Belgian Barbie booklet
1978 Belgian Barbie booklet
From 1978 Belgian Barbie booklet
From 1978 Belgian Barbie booklet
From 1978 Belgian Barbie booklet
From 1978 Belgian Barbie booklet
From 1979 Belgian Barbie booklet
From 1979 Belgian Barbie booklet
From 1978 French Barbie booklet
From 1978 French Barbie booklet
From 1978 French Journal de Mickey
From 1978 French Journal de Mickey
From 1978 French Mattel Jouets catalogue
From 1978 French Mattel Jouets catalogue
From 1978 French Jouets SAJ catalogue
From 1978 French Jouets SAJ catalogue
1978 French Superstar Ken advertisement
1978 French Mattel advertisement

ARTICULATION

SuperStar Ken was given a totally new articulated body-mold with swiveling head and waist. As with GI Joe, he may be able to assume more poses, but the downside is a less natural-looking doll when undressed. From 1979-1984 Mattel used his head mold on most new Kens, but wisely kept the Mod era body for all beach-themed boys.

Note that SuperStar Ken uniquely has no molded-on underpants (see also 1980 boys section for comparison with later versions). This body mold was used up to 1983. From 1984 on it was modified, becoming less flexible, with sideways-only turning heads and waists.

1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken
1978 #2211 SuperStar Ken