Awhile back a good friend to the Bat-Blog, named Andreas, sent us a few photos of his "Bootleg Batman" Collection. I posted some back then but decided to wait a little bit before releasing more. You see, he collects both new & Vintage Batman Toys but one thing he likes to focus on are the wacky-crazy bootleg toys that get made all over the globe. The 1st toy is actually a pin-back button with candy attached. I think he got this in the UK where they don't say "pins" but call them badges. ( Or was it Mexico? Sorry, forgot ). It's a rip-off of the Bat-Signal Symbol. The 2nd photo is a "Super Heroes" Action Figure. The Blister Card features graphics with DC Comics, Marvel Comics, AND Power Rangers characters...strange. Also, if you make Batman RED & SILVER, then I guess it's not copyright infringement, ha ha! The next photo is also an action figure but this one is from Greece. They gave him a trident which is more of a weapon for Aquaman, ha ha. The 4th pic is sort of an action figure. Well, it's a "Marble Shooter". Which is kinda weird because kids don't really play with marbles much anymore. This bootlegger must have been in his 80's, "Kids love them marble games, aahhhh". The other weird thing is a Power Ranger makes an appearance on the card & isn't that small picture of a monster a villain on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? The figure is kinda nice though, an "Animated Series" Batman. The last picture is the best. Yeah, I saved the best for last! This is a Batman Theme Song Tribute Vinyl Record with AWESOME Batman Graphics. If I remember right these were made in France, or maybe the UK, & they're extremely cool! Plus, these are great quality unlike most bootlegs. Now, the main reason for posting these, other than a good laugh, is to show the history of the Batman Toys. I love the bootleg stuff but don't go out of my way to hunt it down or pay for it. If I come across it at a flea market or garage sale really cheap I'll get it for a funny display piece. I wanna thank Andreas for taking the time to shoot these photos & for sharing, that's great, thanks!!
Here's an actual real-life political campaign button being distributed by Obama supporters that has a design motif you might recognize! It has the classic "KAPOW!!, OOOOF!!, ZOK!!, POW!!" graphics from the 1966 Batman TV Show. The photo was sent in by Greg, a regular Bat-Blog reader, who said, "My Dad came to visit me last week & gave me this button that one of his co-workers gave him. I knew you would like to share it at your Bat-Blog so here's a photo!". Yeah, Thanks Greg! Thanks for torturing me...I now want one of these! Ha Ha! But seriously, I do appreciate you sending the photo, that's very cool. ( As a side note: I am publishing this photo as a piece of Bat-History & I'm not endorsing any candidate. So, Republicans...don't send your hate mail, ha ha! ).
