Hot Toys - Batman 1966 Live-action TV Series - Batmobile

[Lee in MI]

That sounds about right.




...unfortunately.

 

[Uncanny Web-Slinger]

But really, why green light that sculpt and show off something you had no intention of getting out for the next 2 to 3 years ... Oh wait, it's Hot Toys.

Indeed

 

[batfan08]

This license could drag on forever... If you think they're going to whip out the entire '66 Batman cast along with the Batmobile(been a year for '89 Batmobile from preorder to now) then you're blowing smoke up your own exhaust. Think about it... this is a niche following. This will always take the backseat to finishing the IM3 series and the MoS series of figs. Then you've got Thor: TDW and CA: TWS and ASM 2 coming up. You've got all the stuff they're still trying to catch up on, and you've got Avengers 2, MoS 2, and God bless 'em, the new Star Wars trilogy on the horizon. They may make an announcement on the lineup for '66 Bats... but it don't mean we'll see figs in hand. I loved the '66 Bats series and grew up on it. But HT is a global brand, and right now they're making their money off global IP's like all the tent-pole blockbusters. Sorry to be such a pessimist.

I'm not so sure. When I see Hot Toys, I see luxury. These things are now over $200 a pop. Now, I'm sure there is a very diverse market, but, honestly, I'd hypothesize that HT's biggest market is probably the baby boomer contingent. For one thing, they still keep up with current stuff, but they're right in that area where they're financially stable enough to buy this stuff (that's not to say that others aren't, but you're more likely to be spending $200 a pop on action figures after you've already had time to deal with the bigger stuff). At the end of the day, the reason we buy this stuff is nostalgia, pure and simple.

We buy it because it's the most realistic version out there, and because it makes it that much easier to take us back to that experience. Some might disagree, but we buy it because we like it, and we like it because, most of the time, we like the source material. That's why I don't think this line is going to get side lined; the baby boomers will eat it up. Why? Because it takes them back. If I see an Adam West Batman on my shelf of that quality, I'm going to hear that "same Bat-time, same Bat-channel" in my head every time I walk by. Like I said, memories.

Now, on top of that, you factor in the fact that there is a boom in this license right now. Everybody and their mother is putting stuff out for the 66 show, and, I think this is one case where I think HT aren't going to miss the boat. Plus, if I'm not mistaken, isn't campy Batman a big deal over in Japan? I'm not proceeding to say it is, but I thought I heard that before. It's just hearsay, so I wouldn't presume to include it in my reasoning, but, in the event that a large demographic, such as that one, were to be jonesing for this stuff, that would be another thing.

You're right when you say it's a niche thing, though, and that's why I think they're going to jump on it. With something like Arkham, you appeal to some collectors and design and Batman junkies, but, for the most part, you're appealing to gamers. They'll wait because it's still relatively recent and "the next big thing" hasn't come along yet. With something like 66, though, now is the perfect time to strike. It's making waves in the media, and Joe public's going to be interested, to an extent.

You're going to be appealing to your baby boomers, your Batman fans, your pop culture junkies, your over seize market, and, to some degree, those aforementioned design fans. When I see these figures, there are times when I see something, and I think "wow, that's really awesome. I really don't care about, nor am I even very educated about the source material, but, if I didn't have so much on my plate, that's something that I'd totally be interested in, just because it looks cool as hell." With something like West's Batman, it's almost "artsy" to an extent, it's in the same category as Andy Warhol, for example.

I don't know. Perhaps, I'm over analyzing it. I might be totally off base, but I figure, what the hell, it's neat to discuss it.

 

[Raindog421]

This license could drag on forever... If you think they're going to whip out the entire '66 Batman cast along with the Batmobile(been a year for '89 Batmobile from preorder to now) then you're blowing smoke up your own exhaust. Think about it... this is a niche following. This will always take the backseat to finishing the IM3 series and the MoS series of figs. Then you've got Thor: TDW and CA: TWS and ASM 2 coming up. You've got all the stuff they're still trying to catch up on, and you've got Avengers 2, MoS 2, and God bless 'em, the new Star Wars trilogy on the horizon. They may make an announcement on the lineup for '66 Bats... but it don't mean we'll see figs in hand. I loved the '66 Bats series and grew up on it. But HT is a global brand, and right now they're making their money off global IP's like all the tent-pole blockbusters. Sorry to be such a pessimist.

Collecting Hot Toys for just a year now, I see no method to their madness really. They are obviously Iron Man crazy. When I pre ordered Selina I don't even know if Barney Ross was even announced, and he is long out. I hope what you say is the case with 1966 Batman. I would want every figure they release probably, so spread out over a few years would be ok with me.
I do think what you say will be the case but the only thing that could maybe speed up some of the 1966 figures is it doesn't seem to me some of the outfits would be to tough. I know zero about that though. I would love a DX Joker with a alternate outfit and head sculpt of him from the opera scene with the mask that looks like the bank robber joker mask. Similar to DX 01, I would be ok with buying the body.

 

[greatlakes6]

Batfan08, I don't think I could have said it better. They really can't afford to wait too long on these products. They paid quite a bit for the license and want to start recouping their costs as soon as possible. This isn't just about baby boomers, I was born in 1964 the final baby boomer year, but also to those who watched it in the 70's. My eleven year old daughter watches the show with me on DVD and she loves it. She wants all the '66 Batman stuff and I want to get it for her as well as myself. Those of us who grew up on the show have way more money to spend than those who didn't, and these companies know it.

 

[batfan08]

Oh, believe me, I know it's not just baby boomers. I was born in the 90's, actually, and the West series was one of the things that influenced my fanaticism with the character. My childhood was pretty much total Batmania, with a bit of Cowboys and Superman thrown in for good measure. I remember it pretty well, actually. I'd watch Batman: The Animated Series in the morning, a Burton or Schumacher movie during the day, and I'd chase it down with some 66 reruns on TV Land.

 

[Hellion]

Burgess Meredith's "Penguin" was such an awesome portrayal and the best villain on that show, loved his penguin laugh! Be a shame if we didn't get him.

 

[batfan08]

I'd love a Meredith Penguin, providing they used an expressive sculpt, (that classic grin) and not a generic looking straight ahead one.

 

[greatlakes6]

Penguin would need the expression, definitely. The Joker too.

 

[pjam]

They'll probably only make West, Ward and Romero and call it quits. Typical Hot Toys.

And Newmar Catwoman.

 

[karamazov80]

An equally possible Hot Toys strategy would be to release Batman, then Chief O'Hara, and THEN call it quits.

 

[kl241]

And Newmar Catwoman.

Keep dreaming, P.

 

[ohhthegore]

is it out that I've never seen a single episode of the Adam West Batman series or even the movie but that the Adam West Batman is my most wanted figure? I'm even excited for the Mattel line that is coming out. There is just something I love about the design and the idea of a goofy Batman. Batman is my favorite character though so I generaly love all versions of him though

 

[karamazov80]

There is just something I love about the design and the idea of a goofy Batman.

If this is the case, then why wouldn't you check out the goofy old series?

 

[pixletwin]

I actually watched the Adam West Batman movie on netflix with my kids yesterday. The loved the shark scene!

 

[ohhthegore]

If this is the case, then why wouldn't you check out the goofy old series?

I've been meaning to pick up the movie on blu-ray just haven't got around to it out of pure laziness unfortunetly

 

[Hellion]

They all need expressions (the bad guys anyways) the ol' blank staring ahead look would kill this line instantly.

 

[shells075]

Lol this thread always reminds me of this:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIN2TDd4xr0[/ame]

 

[Minimodel]

Ah,thank you for Mr.Plow-The Simpsons were never funnier!!

 

[batfan08]

I really can't wait to see what they do with the West Batman. Mainly, because I want to see how they do it. The gloves, for example. West never had an fancy gauntlets to hide joints, he just had fabric gloves. I wonder if they'll be attached to sculpted hands, or separate fabric pieces, or actual gloves. Personally, I think it would be very innovative and awesome if he had jointed fingers like an Iron Man figure with the actual fabric gloves over top.

Another thing is the head. West always had that baggy, loose fitting cowl. I wonder if they'd make it out of fabric, and make it removable, with a West head underneath, or if it will be fully sculpted. Does the baggy nature of it mean that alternate faceplates are out of the question. There are a million questions that are raised, when you think about the logistics of a figure like this. Sometimes the simplest design is the hardest to pull off.