BATMAN ’66 WEEK: How it might have been — whether you were there or not… — Welcome to BATMAN ’66 WEEK, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the beloved TV show starring Adam West! All week, we’ll be presenting daily tributes and features, leading up to Jan. 12 — the premiere date itself — when we’ll roll out a brand-new TOP 13 BATMAN ’66 EPISODE COUNTDOWN, voted upon by a panel of the most knowledgeable Bat-experts around. Click here for the COMPLETE INDEX. — Dan — By CHRIS FRANKLIN I have always felt I was born 10 to 15 years later than I should have been. I gravitate toward music, TV, and movies a decade older than me. Being born in late 1974, I wasn’t around when Batmania 1.0 hit in 1966 after the explosive debut of the Batman television series on Jan. 12 of that year. In the ’70s Batman was everywhere, as if he always had been. He was a part of everyday life for me and many of my generation, appearing on hundreds of products thanks to never-ending reruns of the TV series, as well as old and new animation offerings featuring the character also available on the old boob tube. In 1989, I would get a taste of what the kids of the 1960s felt when the second wave of Batmania hit in earnest, thanks to the release of the blockbuster film from Tim Burton. By then, I was a teenager, and a dedicated collector, picking up old and new Batman merchandise of all shapes and sizes. But despite that, I have always felt a kinship to the kids of the ’60s and wondered how exciting it must have been to live in THAT moment. When the entire world seemed to love your favorite character just as much as you and saw fit to festoon your every waking moment with Bat-paraphernalia. With that in mind, I will join in the celebration of BATMAN ’66 WEEK by looking at a variety of Bat-merchandise released in that epochal year of 1966 and imagine a typical day in the life of a Batman fan, and all the products that may have been part of their routine. If I don’t get things quite right, my apologies to readers and fellow contributors who actually lived this. But please indulge my fantasy...
The TOYHEM Finale! — Welcome to TOYHEM! For the seventh straight holiday season, we brought you a series of features and columns celebrating the toys of our youth, which often made for the best memories this time of year. Click here to check out the complete index of stories — and have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah and Happy Holidays! — By CHRIS FRANKLIN Last year when I ranked the TOP 13 RETRO SUPERHERO TOYS OF 2024, I discussed how nostalgia for decades past was the fuel really driving collectibles aimed at adults. Another year passes, and we have an even bigger embarrassment of riches. Manufacturers continue to comb the deep recesses of our minds and pull-out characters we thought we’d never see again in various formats… or perhaps ever! Given this is 13th Dimension, we’ll limit ourselves to comic-based toys and collectibles, but lines like G.I. Joe: Classified and Masters of the Universe: Origins are also out there fighting the good fight, brightening the hearts of us older kids who refuse to fully grow up. As last time, the criteria are that these toys must have been primarily released in 2025 (although a few may have squeezed out in late 2024) and evoke some nostalgic vibe from comics’ first three primary ages: Golden, Silver and Bronze. Again, like last year, these are the ones that jumped out at me. Some because of what they meant to me personally, some because they were yearned for by others like me, and others because they were so niche, I was gobsmacked to see them get made! Your mileage may vary, and please let us know some of your favorites in the comments. More nostalgic figures are on the way in 2026, so let’s hand out the awards to the best of the best for 2025, with a few Honorable Mentions to start us off! — Honorable Mention #2: Marvel Legends Warbow (Hasbro). In 2024 Hasbro stunned fans with their release of the Marvel Legends Crystar figure. Based on a very short-lived Marvel comic series from the ’80s, and the tie-in Remco toy line, Crystar is about as niche as you can get for a mass retail action figure. Until you start diving into his supporting cast and get to Warbow! The jade-like warrior has fans wondering what obscure Marvel character may get...
