Toyman is a name that three villains and one hero have used in DC comics. It started with Winslow Percival Schott, a criminal who created toys that were also weapons or gadgets that he used in his crimes. The first version of Toyman was created by Don Cameron and Ed Dobrotka, and introduced 80 years ago in Action Comics #64 (September 1943).

He was a regular Superman villain during the Golden Age, then after being sparsely used in the ‘50s, he was regularly featured again in the late Silver Age and into the Bronze Age. Winslow had clearly defined identities with his civilian side appearing as a quirky, humble, and awkward guy, while as Toyman, he was destructive in an immature, childish way. For a while, he was in a downward spiral of being more unstable and paranoid, but later Superman’s attempts to rehabilitate him seemed to become successful when Toyman helped the Man of Steel take down Jack Nimball.

Winslow retired from villainy or being a superhero helper, and even displayed some of his toys after Superman suggested showing off his work. Unfortunately, the exhibit was destroyed by a figure in blue tights who was moving at great speed, leading Toyman to assume that Superman was trying to make a fool out of him.

Once again, Toyman became fixated on destroying Superman and everything he held dear – even though it was revealed that Bizarro was the one who had committed the vandalism. Toyman built a giant robot to use against Metropolis, but Superman stopped his destructive efforts. After that, Winslow was caught in a circle of trying to redeem himself and falling back into a pattern of villainy.