BATMANIA | Toy Biz Batman & DC Comic Super Heroes 1989 Retrospective

[@bleeneo101]

The best times of my life. If you missed those days then you REALLY missed it. Batmania was real and I felt it and lived it.

[@this_is_who_we_are]

Same here. Looking back this was the time when movie-merchandising REALLY kicked-off...

[@serafin1352]

I had the set, and loved them! What I can say is that the Batman Returns sculps are way better. I still have my Batman Returns figure to this day lol.

[@jonnym4670]

I miss the teenage mutant ninja figures

[@proguninc4080]

Wow, this is giving me so much nostalgia right now. I was 9 years old in 1989 and Christmas of 89 was one of my favorite if not my ABSOLUTE favorite Christmas ever. My family got me Batman, the Batmobile, the Batwing, the Batcave, and the Joker. And yes, in my opinion that is the very best Batman movie. BOY do I miss my childhood! 🙂👍🙂👍

[@J-T-A]

Unless you were around for it in 1989 it is hard to express just how pervasive and omnipresent "Batmania" actually was. One could not swing one's dead Detective Ekhart without hitting Batman branded something.

[@mistermatix8241]

I was there! Oh yes it was absolutely HUGE. I can remember it like it was yesterday. Even that year, at Christmas, our town had a Christmas parade, and front and centre? Someone had customised their sporty car to (ahem) "resemble" the 89 Keatonmobile! You can't knock them for trying to entertain the local kids! It was that big a deal.

[@nemopouncey3827]

even Bob the goon got a figure. they seriously did that?😂

[@shoresean1237]

@@nemopouncey3827 Good Ole Dead Ole Bob. Fan theory goes that Joker killed him specifically to have the other thugs dress him up as Joker and be the body we see at the end, so Joker could possibly return in another film. The actor who played Bob is a vet, with a long and notable film and TV pedigree. But yeah, his inclusion is a bit baffling. The first set of Avatar cartoon figures were Aang, Zuko, Sokka dressed as a Kyoshi warrior - and a fire nation soldier. Because none of these series have any women in them, do they? They could have had a Bob Wuhl figure in a 2-pack with the mocking cartoonist played by Bob Kane.

[@mistermatix8241]

@@shoresean1237 Tracy Walter played Bob, and yes he has a good body of work. I've heard that too, about Jokers body being Bob, it would certainly explain the bag of laughs in his coat, like the real Joker saying "haha gotcha it isn't me!"

[@nsasupporter7557]

I had all 3 action figures of Batman, Joker and Bob

[@xazylsclubhouse]

I was a full blooded Marvel fan boy around this time and even I got swept up in Batmania. It was an absolute phenomenon 🦇

[@themonsta6669]

My step dad brought this home to me as a kid...woke me up and gave it to me....I watched it over and over by myself before I had to go to school 😂😂😂 I was obsessed with this vhs tape

[@homersimpson6167]

Wholesome ❤️

[@sg7335]

I graduated from High School in the Summer of 89 and went to see Batman with 2 of my friends.The media blitz and coverage for the movie was insane.You couldn’t go anywhere or watch tv without seeing Batman merchandise or advertisements.

[@jamesmincks6998]

The fondest memory of my childhood was going to the theater to see Batman. I was 8 years old. The 89 Batman film is still my all time favorite Batman film. Michael Keaton is my Batman. I had the toys and tshirts and hats. Great video brings back lots of fond memories.

[@TrevorToonArt]

I remember it being really hard at first to even find a black Batman figure. There was tons of merchandise like buttons, pencils, and wall clinging Batman's but so much of it was in the old blue and grey color scheme. They literally would slap Batman or the Bat symbol on anything to sell it.

[@mistermatix8241]

In the local market where I live, at that time they were selling bootleg "Batman" figures, which were badly painted GI Joe type figures with Batman (Adam West era!) stickers on them! Seriously! I've never seen Batman toting an M16 and radio pack, the Joker using a plunge detonator, and carrying explosive ordnance or Bob The Goon using an over the shoulder anti personnel weapon and grenade bandolier! Gotham City must have been like a paramilitary zone for them! That collection stuck with me and they really tickled me! I bet they repainted them in '91 as Terminator 2 figures, a dab of silver paint here and there, hey presto a T800, T1000, etc!

[@ENigma-um8zw]

Yep, Bob the goon was always the most “remaining figure in a Batman section at the toy store” for a good decade for those that remember, I didn’t get an OG Batman 1989 figure till a year before Batman returns in 1992 iirc. I got almost all the Batman Returns era figures tho, even a lot form Batman Forever. My favorite villain was still the Nicholson joker, i took the squirting water thing and made one myself adapting it to a fake plastic flower from home at a child

[@ericlewis217]

I was 7 in 89. I am still an 89/92 fanboy. Whole room of stuff dedicated to the film. Thanks for the overview 🦇

[@MistaMagic52]

This time period was one of my fondest memories growing up as a child. I remember the hunt for Robin took a long time, but it was great to finally have the dynamic duo together to take on the villains. Speaking of villains, this line did what so many Batman lines after it failed to do, which was make the rogues gallery readily available. Instead, in the 90s, the stores would have almost entirely versions of Batman with a gimmick costume and no one to fight. Batmania really was something you had to experience firsthand to know how big it really was.

[@NevsTechBits]

I bet you knew this alread- the Riddler is a re-mould of Green Lantern from Super Powers with a new head. Check out his fist, and you will see a green lantern ring.

[@RevBrettMurphy]

I was only 5 when my parents took me to see 'Batman' and it was the first film I'd ever seen at the cinema. I remember Batmania and all the hype, it literally formed my early childhood. I was desperate to collect every single action figure! Before the movie, my grandparents gifted me the pre-release Toy-Biz black Batman figure with the grappling hook belt...I felt like all my birthdays had come at once! It was the first action figure I'd ever been given, the second one I got after I'd seen the movie was Nicholson's Joker figure. Batman '89 led me to a lifelong love of the Dark Knight, super heroes, figures and comic books! Great video thank you for the stroll down memory lane.

[@Mirrodin82]

I was 7 at the time, and I dare to say it is still to this day the best Batman movie

[@Harri927]

Batman 89 is my favorite movie of all time. I never had these toys growing up because I was born in 1991 and I was into Batman when the animated series came out and now I have the Batman figure and its an impressive Batman figure and its amazing in my collection.

[@MichaelJShaffer]

I saw this on opening day and a second time a few weeks later. It was such a blockbuster event, breaking all kinds of opening records. As you mentioned, you couldn't look anywhere without seeing that bat logo. I also remember a portion of the population insisting they saw a mouth instead of the bat symbol when this new logo came out. Nicholson said he made more money on this movie (with that backend percentage deal you mentioned) than anything he's ever done in his career. Great review on the Toy Biz line. Never collected them but certainly saw tons of commercials.

[@jmartin1774]

I remember all the toys still being around through 1990 as well with the vhs tape coming out that year along with a new toy line

[@1upfx281]

I remember opening the batcave on Christmas morning. Even as a kid I knew how cheaply made it was, lol!

[@nomur5790]

I was the little boy in that Batman Toy Biz commercial playing w/ Batman!!! It’s cool seeing it in your video.

[@scubapete9500]

We were Bat S**t Crazy that Summer! Loved the Prince soundtrack for it too. Awesome job Tony corralling and showing us these wonderful toys. The Mustafa pit bit was genius! 👍👍

[@derekwilson792]

I was 6 years old in 1989 and it was still the best Christmas i ever had, to this day i remember 90 percent of the presents under our tree were all batman toys. 1989 really truly was a great time to be a kid. Thanks mom ❤

[@mistermatix8241]

1989, THE summer of Batman. It was everywhere! I saw the movie in the theatres, TWICE. Had the pinbadges, t shirt, it was extraordinary. That Batman logo was omnipresent, it even featured prominently at the end of Friday 13th part 8 Jason Takes Manhattan. The next time a summer blockbuster took hold like that? Just 2 years later when Terminator 2 came out, another monster summer blockbuster. Again it captured a vibe that we'll never see again.

[@Joemckenzie-85]

I love Batman and Friday the 13th part 8 Jason Takes Manhattan

[@nsasupporter7557]

The following year in 1990, TMNT came out in March and that swept the box office too

[@nsasupporter7557]

@@Joemckenzie-85 didn’t Halloween part 5 come out in 89 also

[@Joemckenzie-85]

@@nsasupporter7557 you are right. Btw I watched the tmnt movie last night lol while drunk. I'm from Glasgow Scotland. Can I guess u r about 37 to 45 sorry if I'm way off

[@nsasupporter7557]

@@Joemckenzie-85 I’m 35 👍

[@mrfrench821]

During the times of '89 Batman was some of the most joyful times of my childhood. Considering he's my favorite character EVER, going to see the film felt like a field trip lol. I remember after seeing the film, my Dad took me to Grampa's (for those who don't know, that was a Target-like store back then) to get this same Batman figure. He got me Batman and Bob (they were sold out of The Joker). It felt like Christmas had come early Lol!

[@ccipher5990]

Another wonderful video Tony. Particularly enjoyed how you demonstrated the play features of the Batcave.

[@Diles46]

Had a fun laugh and trip down memory lane. Cheers

[@brendanhaley3668]

This film blew my mind in 1989, the year my schooling finished... a great film that I wish I had obtained the toys for. Great video Analog Toys, well done!

[@dennissmith5807]

I saw Batman opening day. The summer of the bat was crazy.

[@drawingsuperstar252]

Cool, you must have a lot to tell about that.

[@robertdanker6193]

Great video!! I was obsessed with this movie and toys when I was kid! As someone who had almost all of these and played with them a ton, you are 100% on the money with your assessment!👍👍👍

[@Ksknight100]

Loved the film and remember Batmania well. I was a bit old for the toys by then... but they are pretty cool looking. A top nostalgia video mate, great job as always.

[@dougjames4972]

Great!! Remember all of this! The whole world was ready for this movie!!

[@teddarkclaw]

I appreciate this video, but as a kid in 1989, this is one of my best memories of toys. I had the play set, the 3 figures and the Bat Wing and I loved every second. Sure, my play set back drop didn’t hold up, but only because my friend kicked it. However, that bottomless pit gave me years of fun. I miss those toys!

[@cicolasnage5684]

My little brother destroyed my Batman toys. The 1989 ones. Had em all, 2 years ago an eBay seller had them all mint on card and in the box and I bought em all man. It was so worth it to have my childhood back m, just such an awesome time to be had

[@TheLilith1978]

Such a memorable time that was. I saw it 3 times back in the day. I remember the hey hey it’s Saturday special on it.

[@Scott.Hughes]

I remember vividly the "Summer of the Bat". I was entering my senior year of High School. Around the middle of August, I went to the mall to buy new clothes. I had just started driving so it was probably the first year I had bought new school clothes on my own. As I walked into Macy's Department store towards the "young men's" department, I first had to walk through a maze of racks and shelves with every item known to man emblazoned with the Bat Symbol. They had one of those multi-screen TV displays like you used to see in 80s music videos playing Batman (the '66 movie). There were more people shopping that one section than there were in remainder of the store. I fell into the trap, as well. I couldn't resist buying a black Yo-Yo with the gold Bat Symbol; even though I literally had no interest in playing with a Yo-Yo.

[@kagemaru259]

Philly 1989 you saw Batman EVERYWHERE. Stands with shirts and merchandise on every single street corner. I remember that summer like it was yesterday.

[@stephens4175]

I love that film, now I'm going to go watch my blu ray of it, had the original film collection for a year and only watched returns when I got it, this was a great video, I remember seeing it in theatres on opening night, that film was huge and greatly anticipated and Jack Nicholson stole the show, those toys are so memorable. awesome job Tony

[@Transfixed]

I had a lot of fun with that Batmobile, wish i still had it. What a time.

[@psilva2462]

I have 4

[@Cerdo_asqueroso]

I was really young, like 4 or 5 years old, but, I still remember the batmania... Batman was everywhere.

[@Blackfog14]

I still have that black batman figure its damaged and I'm missing his accessories but it was my first batman action figure. My Grandma brought it back for me from a trip to Florida. I don't remember a lot of 89 as I was 2, but I got to see the dawn of the 90s Batmania and it was amazing I will always miss Kevin Conroy.

[@SondicoDenann]

Batmania was crazy in England, my first CD was the Prince Batman album. I also remember how packed the cinema in Croydon was when the film came out!

[@mistermatix8241]

People dissed the Prince BATMAN album, I personally thought it was awesome! For me, the one track that makes me think of Batman and the experience of watching it in the cinema isn't Batdance or Partyman, it's actually the song that plays over the end credits, Scandalous. I think it reminds me of the time I realised I watched something really special, and the vibe gelled with the tone that the 1989 Batman was going with, I saw the film twice at the cinema, and yes it was absolutely heaving. It really captured that summer, that logo was everywhere. The next film to capture that same experience was Terminator 2: Judgement Day, just 2 years later, you couldn't escape the trailer, the GNR song "You Could Be Mine", excellent times, just excellent movies and music. No agenda, no woke politics, great time to be alive

[@brycevo]

The Kenner line was just so much better

[@yesterlandtoys1138]

Nice history on this line Tony! I loved it! Good stuff.

[@Pwg1985]

Yep. I had a bat cut in my hair, ate Batman cereal, had the toy biz Batman and joker. Seen the movie, had a batmobile. It’s always been my favorite

[@derektwentyone2670]

Mr. Freeze will turn color… You just have to put him in the freezer. He turns a faint shade of blue. Did it all the time as a kid, 😂 Great video, per usual. Thanks for taking me back. Cheers!

[@sapientunderground]

Ah, I had (one of the versions of) that Batman figure. Rich-kid mate meanwhile had the damn batwing. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Also, first time I noticed the Saint tat. Cute.

[@rocketdude2969]

I too went to see the movie 4 times in the theater and loved every second of it each time . I also got both versions of batman plus the Joker and the batmobile . I still have them as part of my batman collection . Although the toys where not so great the movie stands as one of the greatest comic book movie ever made .

[@impossiblepie]

Oh my goodness love the movie love Batman love the Batmobile , love the Batwing, and I absolutely love this retrospective...hated seeing the Razorcrest blow up lol! Awesome video Tony!

[@richardmark9161]

At minute 13:43 that boulder looks like the same accessory in the Crushing Arm Incredible Hulk figure from TOY BIZ Marvel Super Heroes line.

[@jambogeordie]

Another great trip down memory lane Tony. These were everywhere upon release. I think we still have several Bob the Goon figures mint on card somewhere in my house! They were definitely the peg warmers. Great seeing the old movie scenes mixed in with the toys. Cheers!

[@ConfusionDistortion]

I recently restored a ToyBiz Batmobile. Since I design toy accessories to print off, I designed a back engine that fit into the trunk to fill in that space. I also designed a couple of assault cannons that can replace the yellow missiles. They basically slide in and out of the launchers. Also designed and printed off dashboard parts, like buttons, gauges, and a monitor and installed and painted those. Basically put 10 hours of work into it, but it shows and really improved this toys visual aspect alot. I also restored a Kenner Batman Returns Batmobile, and gave it a similar treatment.

[@kieronball8962]

A comprehensive and entertaining Toybiz Batman '89 mini documentary, from film-maker Tony Roberts, for the Analog Toys channel. And while the Toybiz '89 Batman action figures, playsets and vehicles ( with the exception of the Batmobile ) might be hit or miss, this mini documentary is certainly a hit and a must see for all Batman action figure collectors.

[@ActionPopCast]

Wow this video really bought 1989 back to the forefront of my mind. I remember clearly the bat belt getting tangled and knotted on my figure and also managing to break the body apart trying to fix it... oh there were tears.... lots of them. Great work Tony... now off to ebay to "reconnect" with some batman toys 😖🤣🤣🤣

[@richardjamesbenoit6387]

One of my best Christmases ever!!!

[@kevin10001]

The hype for this movie is why I’m a Batman fan today cause I found Batman through the 60’s series family channel was airing at the time and my 5 year old self loved watching the series I didn’t get to see it in theaters but I did see it when hbo got it and have seen it countless times on dvd and blue-ray over the years since I did see all the other Batman movies in theaters though from Batman returns going forward

[@caseybennett3827]

This video just came up as recommended and oh man, I had all three of the first figures I got for Christmas along with Batmobile. I also had the Bat Wing, and yep, that thing broke in the first month or so I had it.

[@Mvargo97]

Great retrospective. Very enjoyable

[@gavinhammond1778]

I remember batmania, I was a bit old for toy collecting at the time though (yea really). This was a cool overview of something I was barely aware of, thanks. Very enjoyable.

[@JONNYSORENSEN_AU]

Let's get nuts 😄 At the concession stand.

[@danmitchell1091]

Great video. First time viewed from England, can't wait for more videos!

[@AnalogToys]

Welcome aboard!

[@WCBs]

I picked up another one of these Batman figures a few years back. It's not as good as the Kenner figure, but it's great

[@FakeWoodTable]

Great video! I consider Toy Biz Batman to be the first figure in my action figure collection. He was the first figure I ever bought 2 of with the intention of keeping one on card. I was 10 in 1989.

[@GarysActionManChannel1970]

Got a live one here 🤣 Great video mate👍

[@jasonking3182]

What a great movie summer, Batman, .Ghostbusters 2, Indiana Jones and the last Crusade, Lethal Weapon 2.

[@a_world_made_of_cardboard]

Great review. I remember going to see BATMAN when it was released. I had just graduated from High school and was starting college in 1990. The movie was the first in a long li e of movies I went to see to get away from college life for a little while. Oh and I made my own Batmobile out of... cardboard.

[@thescarletandgrey2505]

Analog, have you ever done a video on all the different Batcave playsets? I for one would love to see that. Really enjoyed this one, thanks!

[@mikeknight1926]

Cereal tasted like captain crunch minus berries flavor, I'm a watcher from az love what you do mate one love for all..keep doing what you do

[@D21BeastReviews]

I was one of the children who didn't understand negative space and thought that was Batman's teeth on the movie poster before the film came out.

[@fandabidozi3191]

I also initially thought this when I seen the logo in Smash Hits back in the day. I think it was in black and white and cropped at both sides tho. Couldn’t unsee it for quite a while. 🤓

[@maestri09]

Summer of 1989 was a great movie year. We had batman, indiana jones, and ghostbusters come out within months of each other. Then TMNT came out the following spring.

[@rainflowers1099]

I remember getting Batman, Joker and the Batmobile for Christmas, good times :)

[@joeymallozzi6785]

Sooo true!! I was there in that time I had and still have all that stuff I was deep into d.c

[@Salamander676]

These commercials make me realize toys only looked awesome to me because of the gnarly backgrounds and miniature sets they used That would have been a childhood dream come true

[@BigAL68xyz]

In 1989 that black and gold Bat logo was like a UPC bar code. You could swear you saw it on everything.

[@tsmproduction246]

Classic analog toys video,Tony at his best

[@Nige031077]

1:01 - 1:13 I had all those except I didn't see The Riddler or Two-Face in model form, I also had the Bat-Wing and the Joker's van and the Joker cycle

[@johnnypatone7455]

Hey Tony, great video as usual and very informative.

[@sva3897]

This was a great toyline! Still have my childhood figures, probably lost the batarang ;-) Great video, nice to see an overview of this line!

[@seanryan3020]

Toy Biz superheroes was my first foray into action figure collecting. It is kind of funny to compare them to figures that came out later, but I still have a soft spot for them!

[@wheelsofchaoticdoom8946]

The 1989 Batman film is my favourite Batman film. Mum got me the t-shirts, comics, cap, some of the toys, soundtrack, some PVC figures, posters etc etc. These days the 1989 era is what i collect. I’m still looking for a MOC Batman and Bob the Goon (hopefully i’ll grab them next month at a local-ish collectors fair). I have both versions of the Joker and i agree that the Batmobile in the film is the best one ever.

[@ingloriousmax]

Thanks for the history lesson Tony, great video as usual.

[@RobinTimDrake]

Loved that Batman figure, had like 4 of them. And that cereal was AWESOME! It was like Cap'n Crunch but sweeter. Superman, Lex & WW was to tie into the 88 cartoon that didn't last. Picked up Penguin, Lex, Robin, Flash & WW as they were very difficult to find in my area.

[@Smee319]

I can remember the Robin, Penguin, Riddler and Mr. Freeze figures had me imagining what it would look like for Batman '89 to interact with them. I might have even speculated about seeing them in another Batman movie.

[@D4RKxHOR1ZoN]

In this era, batman related merchandise was literally everywhere you looked, especially the t-shirt he's wearing. I still have the glass mugs from burger king lol

[@siotibi827]

Good times. I remember it felt like a year had passed before the movie finally came out on VHS, but in actuality it took less than 5 months.

[@thescarletandgrey2505]

Great information in this video. Thanks!

[@Darthbauer951]

I remember being at a Target in 1989 and seeing someone buying the last Batmobile. I wanted it soooo bad. I was 5 in the summer of 89.

[@wonderboy76]

I also watched it four times at the cinema! What a summer '89 was!

[@toddgilbert2485]

Outstanding Video!

[@rebweems3811]

Great review spot on....

[@Ragnar215]

I believe I was five years old when the movie came out and I remember sitting in the theater at Orleans movie theater in Philadelphia and it was like the greatest moment of my life

[@pappagetti]

The thumbnail gave me so many flashbacks. It's been 30 some odd years since I've seen those.

[@Taraka1]

Oh this is some of my earliest memories...

[@joelfell4981]

The Batman cereal was amazing!

[@Cobra-gl7or]

Been fan of batman Michael Keaton since I was a kid. Still have that movie on VHS 📼

[@antonmassopust568]

Great video I'm a huge Batman fan that was very informative

[@cristiansiles]

Great video! love that movie

[@Ian-qs3fz]

Me and my dad just discovered this channel and we watch it religiously we’ve both kind of gone on a toy craze lately and this channel is definitely a source of joy for both of us thanks for the great content Tony 😊

[@TasteTestTitan]

June 23, 1989 was the date that Batman hit theater’s. That entire summer everyone had Batman fever and then these toy’s came out. I think that I had the Joker one but remember that at that time $8 was a stretch for most parents to spend on an action figure.

[@joeantonio792]

I couldn't believe what I was watching when I was that young in 1989 and seeing this movie for the 1st time to me Michael Keaton will always be Batman and I know everybody has their different era's... But to me Michael Keaton will always be the face of the Cape and cowl.... And as far as the toys I still love them to this day

[@Fixxxer07082]

Yes!!!!! When Batman came out, for some reason, the Toy Biz Batman figure was incredibly difficult to find….the first figure I had (ie: the only one I could find on the shelves) was Bob The Goon. 😂

[@richardsalinger]

Thanks for This Man !

[@varsityathlete9927]

I don't remember the action figures. What I remember most is the bubblegum cards and collecting / trading them.

[@solohan8756]

Toy Bizs Joker Bike sculpt also was (re-)used on Kenner batman and robocop line.

[@KasumiKenshirou]

The M.A.S.K. toyline had a motorcycle with a similar launching sidecar gimmick which predates the Toy Biz Batman line.

[@cfhcowboy9292]

Oh man how i remember this . I had the toys and the cereal lol