New McFarlane Toys figures, a collectible lunchbox and trading cards designed to mimic the feel of merchandise based on the classic 1966 Batman television show are now available for pre-order.
The Batman Classic TV Series lunchbox features four figures -- Batman, Robin, Joker and the Penguin -- all packaged inside a metal case. The figures come equipped with colorful word bubbles resembling the dramatic sound effects that splashed across the screen whenever the Dynamic Duo walloped their opponents in a fight, a much-loved trademark of the '66 television series. Four collectible cards are also included, showing close-ups of the Caped Crusaders and battles against the Joker and Penguin. The entire set is viewable on the McFarlane Toys website and available for pre-order on Target for $59.99, with a release date slated for later this year.
"Kapow!" a description of the set reads. "The debonair millionaire Bruce Wayne may seem like your average cool cat, but you would be wrong! With the flip of a Shakespeare head bust and...to the Batcave! Gotham City is filled with a rogue's gallery of criminals eager to unmask the Batman, but they are thwarted by the Caped Crusader's own clever ways."
Batman Collectibles Straight Out Of 1966
All of the Batman Classic TV Series lunchbox elements resemble memorabilia released at the height of the show's popularity. The now-defunct Aladdin Industries, for example, released a popular steel lunch box in 1966 that featured colorful illustrations of Batman and Robin rescuing a baby from a burning building, fighting criminals and facing off against the Joker, Riddler and the Penguin. Now a collector's item, the lunch box regularly appears on eBay and other auction sites, selling for hundreds of dollars.
Topps also released a famous series of trading cards illustrated by Norman Saunders, a pulp artist who worked on several other card sets, including Topps' Mars Attacks line of 1962. The cards depicted several scenes inspired by the show, along with a few noteworthy quirks. For instance, Joker was portrayed as a clown who appeared to be wearing face paint but kept his ears and hands their natural skin tone. Catwoman, meanwhile, sported a full face mask and a green and purple gown more reminiscent of her comic book counterpart than the skintight black suit worn by Eartha Kitt and Julie Newar in the television show and Lee Meriwether in the 1966 movie.
The Batman 66 set is available for pre-order now on McFarlane Toy's website.
Source: McFarlane Toys