I can hardly think of a character that has more fan
love than Batman. Oh sure the Marvel movies are getting there but that’s
been in the last ten years or so. And Mickey Mouse has been around
longer but I think it’s more the kids who get excited about that.
Superman is more iconic but not as loved. Batman is loved by everyone,
whether your a kid playing toys or an adult who just loves to cosplay.
Let’s discuss:
I just had to cover the merchandise he has spawned, even if I have to approach this article a little differently than before. That’s because unlike Star Trek, Mickey Mouse and Garfield; Batman has changed a lot over the years. And of course every iteration has new products. In fact Batmania has been around for over fifty years. Now, why just fifty when Batman is approaching his 80th anniversary? Well…let me tell you a story about a little TV show….
William Dozier was brought on board for a proposed Batman series and, after reading the comics at the time, decided camp and silly was the way to go. They cast Adam Ward and Bert Ward, and the rest is history. AND PEOPLE WENT NUTS. While Star Trek, which premiered at the same time, took some time to really find its audience Batman was an instant smash. It was broadcast twice a week, with a cliffhanger separating the two, and kids ate it up. This show was one of the biggest things in the 60’s and was such a hit that celebrities lined up to make appearances. Some as villains, others as “window cameos”. Adam West was the perfect straight man and as I’ve talked about before, the villains were so fantastic that they’re still remembered. I discovered this show in re-runs, obviously, and couldn’t help but love the fun of it. This show was a bonanza and saved Batman, because in the comics the character was kind of starting to fade. I also give the show credit for rejuvenating the popularity of his villains especially The Joker.
So what items did this show spawn? Costumes weren’t a thing in the day bit they had everything else. From toys to gadgets to anything else they cou;d put Batman’s face on. It was huge! Let’s go through some of them
In the 60’s merchandising was easier, people didn’t care if the product had NOTHING to do with the character or program as long as theur face was on it.
I mean, what the heck?
Now we’re talking! I love this lunch box I’d totally get one today if I was a kid
Here’s one I haven’t brought up. Who remembers Underoo’s? They were Fruit of the Loom underwear with copyrighted images on them for kids. This was back in the day when wearing underwear and a T shirt were all we needed to pretend to be our favorite heroes. And yes that included Batman!
I totally had this game. There are plenty of board games out there.
I made the comparison to Star Trek before, but where Trek got bigger after it went of the air Batman had a hard time in the 70’s. As the kids who loved the show became adults and thought it was silly. We needed something more, grown up. And in 1989 a brand new era of Bat-mania was started with a little movie called….
I’ve talked about how this movie changed everything in terms of how people perceived Batman. And of course, there was merchandise :
I had this game, not gonna lie I didn’t care for it much. There are plenty of Batman video games.
I loved action figures and Batman was no exception. The Super Powers one was my favorite but I liked the other versions that came out with the movies also. Kenner truly improved their action figures with the movie lines.
why yes there were Batmobile’s also! Several in fact
And just how long has Hot Wheels been making Batman cars???
There are dozens of playsets out there for the Batcave, some better than others. I don’t recall having any but that one below looks kinda familiar…..
All four of the movie had their own line of toys. And then Batman:The Animated Series was a massive success. So of course we have toys based on that also.
Then of course came the Nolan movies, and well I don’t need to tell you what success those were. Being much older I didn’t have the toys of course.
Course there is more than toys. So here are some more Batman items that aren’t toys. Some I either do/or have had and others not so much.
Video games really don’t mess around these days do they?
Because..why not?
I don’t have this jacket but I kinda wish I did. I haven’t even mention Tshirts, shows, and of course cowls and caps you can buy and wear.
McDonald’s has done tie in’s with all the various versions of Batman with their Happy Meals. This didn’t always work out, like when Batman Returns came around, but that’s another story.
Christmas ornaments seem kind weird, who wants Batman hanging on there tree??
Was there ever a Batman cereal?
No.
There have been SEVERAL cereals!
What do you mean, for kids? Darn.
Every article I mention collector plates. Were there any for Batman?
are you kidding??
Fans of “The Big Bang Theory” will remember when Leonard gave Sheldon a Batman Cookie Jar. And it remained on the set ever since. Of course it’s real and you can buy it.
I have this mug right now, in my kitchen, today! And I also have this :
Finally, I love that my little nephew had one of these. It amuses me to no end seeing him love Batman as much as I did when I his age. It really shows that this character’s legacy isn’t going nowhere anytime soon.
How was he exposed to Batman? Oh just this…
I found it funny how he knew the characters without really knowing who they were. Reminds me when I first got into comics and didn’t know who or what anything was. I miss that.
This list doesn’t even scratch the surface of course. Batman is an amazing character and will endure well past 80 years. I will have one or two more tributes as we approach the anniversary, for now comment and let me know what your favorite Bat-item is!
I just had to cover the merchandise he has spawned, even if I have to approach this article a little differently than before. That’s because unlike Star Trek, Mickey Mouse and Garfield; Batman has changed a lot over the years. And of course every iteration has new products. In fact Batmania has been around for over fifty years. Now, why just fifty when Batman is approaching his 80th anniversary? Well…let me tell you a story about a little TV show….
William Dozier was brought on board for a proposed Batman series and, after reading the comics at the time, decided camp and silly was the way to go. They cast Adam Ward and Bert Ward, and the rest is history. AND PEOPLE WENT NUTS. While Star Trek, which premiered at the same time, took some time to really find its audience Batman was an instant smash. It was broadcast twice a week, with a cliffhanger separating the two, and kids ate it up. This show was one of the biggest things in the 60’s and was such a hit that celebrities lined up to make appearances. Some as villains, others as “window cameos”. Adam West was the perfect straight man and as I’ve talked about before, the villains were so fantastic that they’re still remembered. I discovered this show in re-runs, obviously, and couldn’t help but love the fun of it. This show was a bonanza and saved Batman, because in the comics the character was kind of starting to fade. I also give the show credit for rejuvenating the popularity of his villains especially The Joker.
So what items did this show spawn? Costumes weren’t a thing in the day bit they had everything else. From toys to gadgets to anything else they cou;d put Batman’s face on. It was huge! Let’s go through some of them
In the 60’s merchandising was easier, people didn’t care if the product had NOTHING to do with the character or program as long as theur face was on it.
I mean, what the heck?
Now we’re talking! I love this lunch box I’d totally get one today if I was a kid
Here’s one I haven’t brought up. Who remembers Underoo’s? They were Fruit of the Loom underwear with copyrighted images on them for kids. This was back in the day when wearing underwear and a T shirt were all we needed to pretend to be our favorite heroes. And yes that included Batman!
I totally had this game. There are plenty of board games out there.
I made the comparison to Star Trek before, but where Trek got bigger after it went of the air Batman had a hard time in the 70’s. As the kids who loved the show became adults and thought it was silly. We needed something more, grown up. And in 1989 a brand new era of Bat-mania was started with a little movie called….
I’ve talked about how this movie changed everything in terms of how people perceived Batman. And of course, there was merchandise :
I had this game, not gonna lie I didn’t care for it much. There are plenty of Batman video games.
I loved action figures and Batman was no exception. The Super Powers one was my favorite but I liked the other versions that came out with the movies also. Kenner truly improved their action figures with the movie lines.
why yes there were Batmobile’s also! Several in fact
And just how long has Hot Wheels been making Batman cars???
There are dozens of playsets out there for the Batcave, some better than others. I don’t recall having any but that one below looks kinda familiar…..
All four of the movie had their own line of toys. And then Batman:The Animated Series was a massive success. So of course we have toys based on that also.
Then of course came the Nolan movies, and well I don’t need to tell you what success those were. Being much older I didn’t have the toys of course.
Course there is more than toys. So here are some more Batman items that aren’t toys. Some I either do/or have had and others not so much.
Video games really don’t mess around these days do they?
Because..why not?
I don’t have this jacket but I kinda wish I did. I haven’t even mention Tshirts, shows, and of course cowls and caps you can buy and wear.
McDonald’s has done tie in’s with all the various versions of Batman with their Happy Meals. This didn’t always work out, like when Batman Returns came around, but that’s another story.
Christmas ornaments seem kind weird, who wants Batman hanging on there tree??
Was there ever a Batman cereal?
No.
There have been SEVERAL cereals!
What do you mean, for kids? Darn.
Every article I mention collector plates. Were there any for Batman?
are you kidding??
Fans of “The Big Bang Theory” will remember when Leonard gave Sheldon a Batman Cookie Jar. And it remained on the set ever since. Of course it’s real and you can buy it.
I have this mug right now, in my kitchen, today! And I also have this :
Finally, I love that my little nephew had one of these. It amuses me to no end seeing him love Batman as much as I did when I his age. It really shows that this character’s legacy isn’t going nowhere anytime soon.
How was he exposed to Batman? Oh just this…
I found it funny how he knew the characters without really knowing who they were. Reminds me when I first got into comics and didn’t know who or what anything was. I miss that.
yes, I had this book… once
This list doesn’t even scratch the surface of course. Batman is an amazing character and will endure well past 80 years. I will have one or two more tributes as we approach the anniversary, for now comment and let me know what your favorite Bat-item is!
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