If there’s anything I enjoy more than action figures, it’s action figure accessories. Whether it’s combing eBay for 1:12 scale dollhouse pieces, or fabricating classic comic book objects from scratch, I find even the smallest addition can add a vast amount of depth to the figures themselves.
Which brings us to Batman. Between his enormous cave and mansion, I don’t think there is a comic book character with more cool doo-dads at his reach. Making a Shakespeare bust that conceals the switch that opens the door to the Bat-poles has been on my to-do list for some time. And then, just like that, it came off the list.
Figures Toy Company, known for making repro Mego figures (as well as new genre characters in the style of vintage 8-inch Mego) started a Batman Classic TV line last year and a few months back they announced a 25-piece accessory pack that would include such items as the Batman Bomb, Bat Radios, Utility Belt, Bat Sprays, and more. While these were conceived for use with the 8-inch Mego scale, it was close enough for many of 1:12 collectors to become entranced. And then the other shoe dropped. The set would be priced at $69.99. Ouch. A little on the steep side for an accessory pack.
But the story didn’t end there. Figures Toy Company is now offering many of the accessories for sale individually. For just under $25 (including shipping) I was able to score a Batman Shield, Shakespeare Bust, and Office Phone. Now that I see how great they work with my 6-inch figures, I regret not throwing a couple more items into the order (like… why only one shield? Now Robin is a sitting duck!)
The Shield is a nice grade of solid, hard plastic with crisp deco. Both of my 6-inch Batman figures can easily grip the straps and stand unassisted while holding the shield.
The Shakespeare bust feels solid and is stable even with the head open.
The “Batman Office Phone” comes with stand and cover. The stand is a separate piece, but the phone comes tacked down pretty securely. I think it’s easily removed, if you chose, but I’ll keep mine together. The receiver comes packaged with a bit of inert “goop” to hold it to the handset (you can see it in my pics). The “goop” is certainly discardable and probably only meant for packaging purposes. Think — the thin plastic bands that often come on figures’ hands when they’re packaged holding a small accessory; keep it or toss it as you see fit.
I couldn’t be happier with these. I was worried they might be a skosh too big for my 6-inch figures, but I don’t find them to be. I will probably end up going back and ordering a few more items.
Buy them direct from Figures Toy Company
Full accessory pack is also available at BBTS