In summer of 1989 Warner Bros and director Tim Burton redefined the comic book movie by releasing BATMAN on the silver screen on June 19th. Bat-mania swept the world and merchandise for this mega blockbuster could be found all over. Fans were able to buy everything from diecast cars, candy dispensers, comic books, trading cards and more.. but nothing would top the popularity of the action figures that would be released from companies like Toybiz and eventually Kenner Toys (the same company that dominated the toy shelves with their Star Wars line between 1978 through 1985)
Toybiz released a series of action figures based on the hit movie that included Batman, The Joker, bib the Goon and of course vehicles like the Batmobile, Batwing, Batcycle, Joker Van and Joker Cycle as well as a Batcave Playset. While these figures were great toys for their time, built for play and loaded with accessories and action features the line of toys would soon pass to Kenner who would once again dominate the shelves with their addition to the Batman toy line with the hit and highly sought out line titled The Dark Knight Collection.
It seemed fitting that Kenner would once again be making the iconic DC hero as they originally held the rights to the DC Universe in the 80s and had a massive impact on the toy shelves with their much loved and highly sought after Super Powers line which featured DC's heavy hitters like Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Joker, Robin, and many others. Yes Kenner toys knew what it took to make an awesome line of toys that could be enjoyed by all ages.
Kenner toys gave us perhaps the most iconic toys and vehicles to come out in the year 1990. With heavy hitters like 2 new Joker figures, and different Batman figures like Shadow Wing Batman (which looks like it's taken right off the screen in those 1st opening minutes of the film), and Iron Winch Batman (who was a great nod to the classic Super Powers Batman from the 80s) Kenner toys made sure there was a Batman for everyone and every situation.
But the action figures were just the beginning.. over the course of the next few years Kenner would pump out new versions of the caped crusader and give the fans of the line the best toy version of Batman's ride from the 1989 film.. The Batmobile. (pictures and review coming soon)
Kenner toys would continue to hold the Batman license for several years and continue the legacy of amazing toys spanning the sequel films of Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Batman and Robin as well the highly popular hit cartoon Batman the Animated Series. Yes Kenner toys would make sure that the toy market always had plenty of Batman merchandise for years to come until 2003 when Kenner toys lost the rights to Mattel.
Pictured above is perhaps 1 of my favorite Batman figures to come out of the Kenner legacy.. Iron Winch Batman with working winch accessory. Calling upon my love of the Dark Knight and sporting the classic colors of the both the 1966 Adam West TV Series Batman (which was my introduction to the caped crusader thanks to grandparents) and the classic 80s comic books as well as the amazing Kenner Super Powers Batman this figure had everything I could ever want in terms of details and play feature.
Yes Kenner's Batman line will always hold a special place in my heart as being the definitive Batman collection for all time
dededos
prguitarman
romaincrisis
ellievsbear
vaporwave
