From Toy Biz to Kenner: The Return of Batman Action Figures

[@topfacemod]

I was 5 in 89, and a sickly kid that absolutely needed distraction. I had ALL the ToyBiz line related to the 89 Batman film. I had the the Batwing, Batmobile, Batcave, 4 Batmen and 2 Jokers. I was spoiled by my family Mom/Dad/Aunts/Uncles as I was in and out of the hospital. Batman kinda just maybe ...saved me.

[@dustybragg4011]

I still have the 1989 Batman mint on card, and the Batmobile in its box. These were some of my favorite toys, as a kid. My wife got them for me, for Christmas, a few years ago. After years of hearing me talk about, how much I loved them growing up.

[@Chrismw81]

The Superheroes Toy Biz line with a black Batman allowed me to introduce other DC characters to the Burtonverse when I played with my action figures. That was a darn good Christmas. (Along with the VHS copy of the movie I received)

[@michaelwilson2340]

I remember the Riddler figure was a repainted Super Powers Green Lantern figure from the neck down and came with a few pieces of paper with riddles printed on them. Toy Biz wasn't really trying with their Super Heroes line.

[@bladestar8727]

The Super Powers line was what got me into Action Figures. Actually started with my son, but a few years later it became my hobby.

[@DapperManDan]

That ToyBiz Batman was so awesome at the time... I remember my mom taking me to three or for different stores one day looking for it because every place was sold out of it when it first hit the shelves. My mom ended up getting a rain check at Target for so she'd get a call once they got more stock in. I ended up getting the more rounded face one... I still have it somewhere... but I played with it so much, the Bat symbol on the chest is almost completely worn off and the limbs on it became loose... but I was able to keep all the accessories and the retractable belt still worked. I have the ToyBiz Batmobile (with the shield cover) and Bat Wing also. Once the Kenner Dark Knight line came out I got one of few Batman figures in the all black suit and a Joker figure and started using that Batman in the ToyBiz Batmobile and even started having it hold the ToyBiz Batmans Batarang.

[@tperson8347]

The ToyBiz batarangs are my favorite part of that line, they were perfect with the DKC Batman figures. I really want the Batman (89) figure case. :)

[@rustydelorean6405]

Suprizingly the ToyBiz Batman is the only figure from my youth that is complete. Gun, Batarang, cape still around and the belt rope still works.

[@ia5662]

loved the Batman fever in 1989! Such an awesome time to be alive and be a kid

[@shtdaprdtr]

Just to correct a few things...the batmobile cocoon was on early cars and later it didn't come with it anymore. Also, the first face was a round face, then it went to the square jaw second, then another square jaw and round face at the end...a total of 4 heads...but the round face was first

[@maximusprime3459]

The Dark Knight Collection was awesome. I got Iron Winch Batman because his suit was colored closest to the comics. I completely freaked out when they made ROBIN! Still have that figure to this day. I liked the Toy Biz figures but even back then they had kind of a cheapo/knockoff feel to them and the sculpts seemed kinda lazy compared to the Kenner figures.

[@lothean2099]

Wow. Seeing those figures take me back.

[@tperson8347]

I had the ToyBiz Batman movie figure 3 times due to the issues with the belt. That was the only drawback it had that I could see. I got the Squirting Orchid Joker at the same time and, boy, talk about a Batgasm. I played with those bastards all the time and took them everywhere. When the Kenner Dark Knight Collection came out, I was absolutely blown away. The Michael Keaton likeness was amazing, the card art really set the tone for the figures. Thanks so much for the video 🦇

[@Climinator-op6kh]

I'm so glad I lived through this era of Batman toy collecting. Seeing these toys today brings back so many happy memories. I've actually recollected a lot of these at vintage toy fairs and if I bump into any of my mates they literally look at me as if to say "Where does he get those wonderful toys?" 😂

[@CourageDreams]

I never knew this. I vaguely remember the batman figures. Thanks for the share junkman.

[@Taffer-bx7uc]

Jack Nicholson just portrayed himself in the moive. I had these figures. Great figures for their time and the Bat Cave was awesome.

[@marcacosta7594]

Hi Junkman, just a few weeks ago Minty, Comedic Arts gave you a real nice shout out on his Burton, Batman movie review, concerning the Toybiz, Kenner figs. Definitely my two favorite KZbinrs!

[@earhornjones]

I had all three of the Toybiz figures (and none of the vehicles) as a kid. Even then, I knew that the sculpting was way below what I'd gotten with Kenner Super Powers years before, but for some reason I loved those Toybiz figs. I spent hours playing with them, and had tons of fun, despite the ugly figure sculpts.

[@ciscodeer9094]

Whoa I used to have that Toybiz 89 Batman (Back in the day 90=91 I kind of gave it to a friend of mine's in California) way too many years later I bought him back in Kentucky, oh yeah I had the B.R. Penguin and the super powers Joker. thanks for bringing up those fun memories Junkman

[@salsheikh4508]

I have/had the Toy Biz line. Love em

[@Harri927]

I have some of the toys. They are very nostalgic. Batman 89 is my favorite movie of all time.

[@constancecherry3996]

I remember these figers

[@paulfaulkner5786]

I was so disappointed in Kenner's Dark Knight Collection and Batman Returns. I wanted Vicki Vale, Max Shreck, Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Dent (Billy Dee Williams), and Alfred. Instead we got dozens of Batmen in random colors. And the Penguin was the Super Powers version in black. Nothing like what he looked like in the film. And I'm STILL waiting for a Christopher Walken Shreck and a Pat Hingle Gordon.

[@retrotoyhunter]

I had the ToyBiz versions, but not the Kenner. Really liked their Batmobile, wish I could find it now!

[@the757hustleshow7]

Batmaina was unstoppable back then...Batman the toilet paper! But I wonder who had more variants bats or spidey lol! Good Vid!

[@andrews.2940]

In 89 I got that Batman still have it. Also got a hulk, Mr freeze, Spiderman and Punisher action figures all about same size as the Batman. Can't remember maker but they were new in 89 or maybe it was 90. Wasn't the mid 80s line.

[@mattmc5069]

For me the water dip joker from 1989 was one of my favorites as a kid. Desigin wise i love the knightquest batman from 1996 i have one sealed i picked up then and never opened

[@rhettgenung1223]

Great Video Junkman.

[@thetoyboxthetoybox8305]

1989 Batman movie line was the last toy line I "collected" as a kid.

[@aylmerjohnson4906]

My Favorite toys I Wish I still have, good times from my childhood...

[@jamesseitz6817]

Me and my friends had them 1989 Batman action figure and wish we still had them but one problem with the batman figure was the belt where you pull the string it breaks from the belt

[@jameswarrick778]

I used to have that Batman figure, I thought it was pretty cool. Wish I would have held onto it.

[@ronniemckinney6808]

I have to say Kenner did a much better job with the Batman movie figures. My only issue was that the Kenner figures didn't have knee articulation. I also think that Kenner should've made other DC Comics characters in a companion line like Toy Biz did for DC Comics Super Heroes.

[@thomasgoree7976]

Good video Junkman 👍 I had The toy biz and Kenner Batman figures I thought that the Kenner line was far superior especially the Batmobile and Batwing

[@jamesbounds]

I used to have some of the figures from both lines. Good times.

[@SevenDeMagnus]

So cool

[@leodziurka7709]

Love Kenner they made the best toys

[@davidclough3951]

I thought toybiz did a great job. Why they went back to Kenner is a mystery to me.

[@futuramayeah]

i loved the Toybiz Batman figure it was all black compared to the Super Powers one which had a grey suit with a blue cape, and the Black and Yellow Batman logo was the bomb back in 1989 it was cool on everything. Jack Nicholson i think got the toy rights. to which line , i don't know, maybe all of it?

[@DapperManDan]

Jack Nicholson got a percentage of all the merchandising on the film... It was an unheard of deal back then... what he actually got paid to be in the movie was more or less pocket change compared to what he got from his share of all tie in merchandise. At the time when all was said and done he made something like $60 or $70 million for being in Batman And as far as I know that deal is still in effect, so whenever WB licenses new things related to Batman 1989 he still receives a cut of what is earned.

[@Dale_The_Space_Wizard]

I remember wishing that these figures were 3.75" so that I could fit them in with all my other figures at the time.

[@patrickbateman00]

I made a maskless Batman from Batman Returns by swapping heads of Quick Change Bruce Wayne and Crime Attack Batman.

[@jasonhudson255]

Hey I am such a Fan of your channel Especially Anything dealing with the Batman AKA Kenner line I Is really loved this particular video It brought back so many memories When I was a kid Although I find it a little short Till today I still a few of the Kenner Batman figures . I wish Has bro Is will make mask Figures Again I used to own so many and not anymore My parents Gave them away Damn I'm so pissed about that

[@jeremygregorio7472]

The figures were fine. I think more likely they wanted to negotiate a better deal with a different toy maker

[@devoncrestway338]

the Batman Returns Robin figure was actually based on Marlon Wayans, who was supposed to play Robin originally, but was cut from the movie, which is the reason for the high flat-top hair (which the character was going to have, according to the character concept art that Kenner received early on). They received news that the character had been cut from the movie, so they painted the skin white and added 2 pieces of hair to the forehead to make it appear more like a traditional Robin. Interesting fact is that Marlon Wayans was signed to a contract AND paid for his role in the movie in accordance to the first draft of the story, but was never asked to pay the money back, so he got a BIG payday for literally just signing his name. lol

[@DapperManDan]

The Robin figure was based on the Tim Drake version of Robin (Robin III) from the comics at that same time.... I think Junkman even did a video on this awhile back. It is true that Marlon Wayans was cast and storyboards were made for his scene in the original Batman but the role was cut before filming ever began. There was talk he would be in the sequel, but that wouldn't happen either. He still receives residual checks too this day though for movie though.

[@captlazer5509]

Warner Bros never wanted ToyBiz around. Not providing actors likeness than bitching about it after the fact? Here's an example, ToyBiz had a Iron Man line way before the movies and it did well. Toybiz sculpts were on point.

[@tombowling8646]

I think the Todd Father is doing a hell of a job with Batman these days. I'm filling shelves with his different incarnations.

[@williamwilkinson381]

@Tom ...they look good except for the new movie figures , bruce wayne looks like anakin skywalker

[@tombowling8646]

@@williamwilkinson381, yeah, he needs to get that face scan tech like Hasbro.

[@Dale_The_Space_Wizard]

I wish that they were 6" instead of 7" though.

[@JackieWohlenhaus]

Where does he get those wonderful toys?

[@thesnook666]

Kenner dropped the ball big time when they didn't make a Farmboy Batman

[@jeffstark8449]

I have Batman and joker 1989 on card. Still need bob the goon

[@raulzavala9061]

The Batman movie really ignited superhero toys to come back, once WB dropped Toybiz they went directly to producing Marvel figures and with better articulation.

[@comics-x-aminer341]

The Toy Biz DC Comics figures reminded me of cheap knock offs in comparison to the Super Powers collection. I was happy when Kenner got the toy license back.

[@paul-gy6yl]

Toy biz were the best I've some xmen Magneto storm Rouge and proffeser X still boxed

[@MrTripcore]

Squirting water and bat belt rope what's not to love

[@youngcartertt2]

Minty sent me here

[@ThatJunkman]

Welcome

[@jasonking3182]

If only Kenner had kept the dc license and Super Powers going. I blame the selection of characters in the 3rd wave and going all in with The new gods as the villains in the second. Also how did toy biz get the molds for super powers? Some of the toy biz figures are clear hacks of the Kenner toys.

[@pennygadget7328]

I'd heard that the production numbers for the bigger heroes (Batman, Superman, etc.) never went substantially down as the line progressed, meaning shipments of "all-new" Super Powers waves were still stuffed full of characters people already had so finding new figures was a PITA even if you wanted them. Kenner still had the Super Powers tooling, and used them for the Burton Bat lines. As opposed to Mattel purchasing the Batcave Command Center tooling when they took over the license, Toybiz didn't or couldn't get the existing molds and so just recreated them as best they could. If you see them side by side... ouch. They're definitely not the same tooling. I think Aquaman got the worst overall re-sculpt, but that Flash head is something else. Like a balloon wearing a Flash mask.

[@acrodave9287]

I used to have that face changing joker figure! God knows where it went...probably the same place all extruded petro- chemical products end up, fired out of the back end of a dog. Not really, it probably ended up in a jumble sale. ( garage sale, for Americans.)

[@shawnkarg3794]

The ToyBiz figures sucked. Lucky we had Kenner to give us every different color scheme for Batman, since everyone knows specialized Batsuits are color coded.