TO THE BATCAVE! The Lego Batcave That Is …

Meanwhile, under Stately Wayne Manor …

Maybe I should call this Batman '66 Fortnight?

By SCOTT TIPTON

It’s no surprise to anyone who knows me that I’m a fanatic for the original 1966 Batman TV series. My first exposure to that show as a kid introduced me to comic books, which led to a career talking about comics, writing comics and selling comics at my own store here in North Hollywood. So yeah, the Adam West Batman holds a special place in my heart.

But for most of my life, the ability to indulge that love of all things ’60s Batman was very severely curtailed, thanks to the vagaries of licensing. The series was tied up in what seemed like a Gordian knot of contracts and legal agreements, all of which conspired to prevent any sort of merchandise from hitting the shelves, be it just a simple home video release, toys, apparel, anything. Not happening.

Then a couple years back, miraculously, the embargo broke. Licensing agreements were signed with all the surviving actors and their families, and the walls came tumbling down. It’s been a parade of amazing stuff for Bat-fans. The top-notch, remastered DVD set. The Mattel action figures and Batmobile. A great line of new comics from DC. The unbelievable high-end collectible sixth-scale figures from Hot Toys. It’s been a bounty of Bat-riches.

And then a few months back, the folks at Lego posted this image on Adam West’s birthday:

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A cute tribute, sure. But did it mean more? Could 1966 Batman Legos be in the works? Rumors were flying, but no one knew for sure. And then these photos leaked out to the Internet this week.

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Look at this thing. Batpoles down from the study in Wayne Manor. The red phone and the Shakespeare bust. Mini-figures of Batman, Robin, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Alfred, Joker, Riddler, Penguin and Catwoman. I was hoping we’d get a Batmobile included, but a Batcycle and a Batcopter? My cup runneth over.

No official announcement has been made yet, but word is it’ll be offered first to Lego VIP members in February.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go join the Lego VIP club.

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Scott Tipton, a regular contributor to 13th Dimension, is a Los Angeles-based writer and retailer with a serious Lego monkey on his back.

Author: Dan Greenfield

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1 Comment

  1. I love the ’66 Batman show and like you, I was clamoring for merchandise, not least of all the episodes themselves.

    We’ve been truly spoiled for choice, with the Neca 1/4th scale and Mego style dolls as some of my favourite items. For years you were stuck with the Corgi and Corgi Jr. Batmobile and Batboat (the Batcopter and Batbike weren’t screen accurate so didn’t count), now you can own the ’66 Batmobile in (nearly) every size imaginable.

    I can’t wait to add this bad boy to my collection (see website link for the rest of it).

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