Those figures are not banned in Golden Age games. The only thing banned in this game are the orange bordered feat ATAs.

And Purple Ring Promo figures (In some, I know a lot allow them since most are the same as the U's in the set).

Original Spider-Man, Batman and Judge Dredd/Johnny Alpha promo pieces are also banned (and should be as they are very undercosted)

This post is filled with misinformation.

I can't authoritatively speak for discussions prior to the Universe rules. I wasn't playing the game then, so I was not partaking in any such discussions.

I can, however, say that they have never been considered to be promotional at any time between Universe and now.

Also, the bystanders were not simply only for scenario play. Those map sets included scenario cards, but those cards were not the only ways that the original bystanders were to be used. Additionally, as they were just scenario cards, they were never part of the core rules, thus the rules therein were not part of the core rules.

Thanks for the links, they refreshed some of the grey matter!

Looks like a case of Move. Rest. Close Combat Attack. Rest. Move.

<groan>

but at least I have my answer for a few scenario games!