| Captain Planet is an ecological super-hero formed from the very elements of the earth itself. He lies dormant beneath the earth's surface until he is summoned by the Planeteers through their magic rings. The combined powers of Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Heart are absorbed and intensified by Captain Planet, leaving the Planeteers temporarily powerless. When his help is no longer required, or his energy is sapped, he releases the powers back to the five rings of the Planeteers, and returns to the earth to recharge. He is usually called when the evil deeds of the Eco-Villains have become too great a task for the Planeteers to handle. In these situations, he is able to rearrange his molecular structure to transform himslef inito the various powers of nature such as fire or ice. But as with nature, there has to be balance, and Captain Planet does have certain weaknesses. His powers are reduced or temporarily eliminated by exposure to toxic waste, smog, acid rain, or other pollutants, or by prolonged contact with synthetic, man-made materials. His sensibility to the needs and suffering of his fellow creatures means that he is unable to inflict pain on even the most evil of his enemies, and so he outwits them with his smart thinking, his strength, and even the occasional joke! Although he is an environmental super hero, he realizes that he is not the answer to the world's ecological problems. He believes that people should take responsibility for the future of the earth, and that only they can bring about change. |
