2013 is shaping up to be an amazing year for Batman fans. Thanks to the new Warner Bros. licensing program based on the 1966 ABC Televison show, the Caped Crusader is experiencing a major merchandising blitz and news of new product is coming out every day. We’ve put together a short list of some Bat-stuff you won’t want to miss!
Mattel leads the charge with Batman Classics 1966. Wave one is slated for July and features Batman, The Penguin, and The Riddler, with The Joker and Catwoman to follow in Wave two. The Robin figure will only be available in the Batman Classics 1966 TV Moments Action Figure 2-Pack, however. Individual figures will retail for approximately $18, while the 2-Pack runs $32.99.
It seems dangerous to be doing that without a rope, but what do I know? Anyway, because you can’t get everywhere by climbing vertically, Mattel is releasing this spiffy Batmobile for your figures to cruise in. Both the individual figures and sets, as well as the Batmobile , are available for pre-order here – http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/
Can anyone say Toy of the Year? The Batmobile will retail for $50. And because too much is never enough, Matty provides even more Batty goodness in the form of its SDCC-exclusive “Batusi Dance” figure!
The set features a colorful retro-styled window-box, a scene-specific musical sound chip, and a “dancing” Batman figure. Pretty cool, huh? And Bat-Mania is contagious — even this old guy is excited!
Next, Gotham comes to the Girls’ Aisle! They might be wearing masks, but there’s no mistaking Barbie and Ken!
Man, Hank Venture here needs to put on a little muscle-mass if he’s gonna start fighting crime. Forget breaking his back, Bane would pick his teeth with this guy. Still, looks like he’s doin’ well in the girlfriend department — meow. Each figure is priced at $39.99 and both are available for preorder now: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/
Mezco throw their cowl into the ring with their Mez-Itz 1966 Batmobile with Batman and Robin set. I don’t know much about designer vinyl, but $32 for two figures and a nifty little Batmobile seems like a pretty good deal.
Neca knocks it out of the park with their Batman TV Series Adam West 1:4 Scale Action Figure. This poseable 18-inch tall figure features over 20 points of articulation, a functioning utility belt, interchangeable hands, and a remarkable Adam West likeness! With an SRP of $84.99, expect this Bat to fly out of stock! Available in August.
DC Comics gets in on the action with its all-new digital comic book series Batman ’66, launching this summer. Inspired by the classic TV series, Batman ’66 is written by Jeff Parker, with cover art by Michael Allred. The series will also be collected and available for sale in monthly print issues, should you need something to read in the bathtub.
Finally, for those of you with no shame, come Rubies Costume Company’s Batman Classic TV Series Grand Heritage Costumes. (Whew!) There’s a Robin costume as well, but the guy modeling it looked like such an ass I couldn’t bear to include him in the pic. So much for my journalistic integrity. Anyway, these are actually pretty decent as far as crappy Halloween costumes go — also, they make the Batman in extra-large, so expect lots of out-of-shape Caped Crusaders on patrol this October 31st.
Most of these wonderful products (and lots more!) are either available now for or for pre-order from Big Bad Toy Store! – http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=Batman%201966
Want more? Then check out some of these other great Fwoosh articles featuring Batman:
- https://thefwoosh.com/2013/03/batman-in-the-1960s-part-one
- https://thefwoosh.com/2013/03/batman-in-the-1960s-part-two
- https://thefwoosh.com/2012/11/batman-in-the-1970s
Jason R Mink – 04/14/13