Toy Review: Mattel - Batman Classic TV Series To The Batcave! Batman Action Figure And Accessories

To the Batcave! Batman action figure and accessories

Holy Catastrophe Batman!

Just to be clear off the "Bat", the above caption is from the packaging of Mattel's latest Batman action figure and does not have direct correlation with my opinion of this toy. Or maybe it does. So, with out further adieu, To The Batcave!

Well, not really the Batcave, but another revamped version of Mattel's original Classic TV Series Batman action figure. It appears to basically be a  repackaged Batman figure, which includes an interchangeable Adam West sculpted Bruce Wayne head, and is consistent with Mattel's typical style of repurposing it's figures.

I think Mattel really made an attempt to hide the fact this is a repacked figure as it could have been simply called Batman with removable cowl and accessories or something to the effect. However, I feel even Chief O'Hara could see through that ruse.

Third times a Charm!

As a completest I felt I the need to add this in my collection and I actually went on the hunt to three of my local Toys 'R Us to finally find the last one on the shelf at the third store.



To the Batcave! Batman action figure includes 14 accessories

The Batman figure itself is a 15 point articulated figure just like the previous release and does come with some cool accessories:

1. Alternate Bruce Wayne head sculpt
2. Batarang
3. Batarang
4. Did I mention Batarang? Yes, three of the same batarangs. I guess one for Batman, Robin, and Batgirl.
5. Bat Communicator
6. Batzooka
7. Batphone
8. Bat Megaphone
9. William Shakespeare Bust
10. Batcomputer
11. Shark Repellant Batspray
12. Batspray
13. Batspray
14. Batspray
15. Batman action figure

The packaging states says, "Includes Batcomputer +15 Accessories." However, by my count the 15 accessories includes the Batcomputer and the Batman figure itself. Kapow! Another one Mattel's dastardly ruses!

The Batcomputer on the TV series

The 1966 Batman  TV series featured the Batcave extensively, and portrayed it as a large but well-lit cavern filled with all sorts of computers and devices.

In keeping with the show's camp style, a number of whimsical devices were portrayed as part of the cave's computing suite. These included:

• Bat-diamond (power source for the Batcomputer, must be far more pure than a natural diamond, it is well over 10,000 carats (2.0 kg))
• Accelerated Concentration Switch (increases computing power of Batcomputer when it is strained)
• Dual Identity Bat-sensor
• Bat-analyzing Gears
• Batcomputer Ingestor Switch
• Batcomputer Bat-resistance Signal (light comes on when the Batcomputer does not understand the question)
• Special Escaped Archcriminal Bat-locator
• Bat-correction Signal (alerts Batman or Robin when they say something incorrect)
• Anti-crime Voice Analyzer
• Special seismological attachment
• Batcomputer Input Slot (enter some information source, such as a phone book, so a search can be performed)
• Illustrated Bat-slides (Alfred created these to be more informative than the usual cue cards)

The "Batcomputer" was actually surplus equipment from Burroughs Corporation and was one of many pieces of such equipment not only used in the Batcave in the 1966-68 Batman TV series, but also in other 20th Century Fox TV productions of the period, such as Lost in Space and The Time Tunnel (coincidentally, the former aired in the same time period as Batman during 1966 and part of 1967). (via Wikipedia)

The batcomputer and additional accessories

Not All That Bad

Overall, it does make a nice addition to my Classic Batman TV Series collection and if you didn't get a chance to get the first released figure now's your chance, but come on Mattel. How about making an actual Batcave playset? Or taking Figures Toy Company's lead and giving us some fresh characters. Maybe you've heard of Egghead, Mr. Freeze, Bookworm, King Tut? Perhaps not. In the long run, here's to next years release. Or is this the end?

Is anyone a die hard and still collecting this line?

About the author: John Sholtz is an avid toy collector and the interim editor of the Batcave Toy Room due to the abrupt death of Bruce Wayne. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter at, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin.