The Coolest Batman Toys of the 1970's

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With the release of "the Dark Knight" this weekend (which I can't see until next week, grrrr!) it seemed apt to pay homage to the multitude of merchandising that has been created in the Caped Crusader's name, particularly during the 1970's.


How did Bruce Wayne make his millions? Merchandising!


No Superhero is a bigger pimp in the toy aisle than Batman, his complusion for gimmicks means everything with his face on it makes some sort of sense.


The Seventies were the second round of "Bat-Mania" for children, all hopped up on syndicated runs of the 1966 Television series and the added gut punch of Batman being on two separate Saturday Morning series at the same time.


This made for a dumpster full of "Batchandise" (it's a word, I swear...) and here are the ten best pieces from that decade:

The Top Ten Coolest 70's Batman Toys

Did we miss your favorite? Leave us some feedback and tell us what it is!

For more Fashion Mockery and 70's toy love visit us at Plaid Stallions.com


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[The Toyroom]

Batastic stuff!

[twilitezoner]

I loved the Ben Cooper costume. I think I was Batman for 4-5 Halloweens.

[HardyGirl]

Way cool! I do (and did) have the Raggedy Ann & Andy Janex counterparts to the clock and stapler. Didn't know Batman had the executive desk set too. Back then, I didn't know about any of this stuff, except the Mego stuff and the Ben Cooper costume. Nice job, Brian!

[Wee67]

I loved the Ben Cooper costume. I think I was Batman for 4-5 Halloweens.

Same here. I think from age 3 or 4 to about 9, I donned the Ben Cooper vinyl proudly.

[spaceace35]

very cool stuff

[david_b]

One day, I still have to acquire the Bat Alarm Clock..

It is my destiny.

[ScottA]

I've got to find the red Robin walkie-talkie to complete my set and I do have the clock (although I'm not sure it still talks). Gotta find a corgi batmobile set though.

[Raydeen1]

I wanted that clock so bad when I was little.

One of my fave Bat toys was the little gyro cycle on the Rack Toys page. I loved that silly thing. Also my Comic Action Batman and Robin. They got a lot of play.

[toys2cool]

awesome !! great list

[palitoy]

I wanted that clock so bad when I was little.

I did too, I'm convinced they advertised these on TV because I remember how they sound.

[jwyblejr]

Me, I wanted the Batmobile peddle car and the utility belt when I was young.

[Raydeen1]

I did too, I'm convinced they advertised these on TV because I remember how they sound.

They absolutely did!
That's how I found out about it and totured Mom. My wife, gotta love her, told me to go find one on Ebay and get it.

[The Phantom]

Great article as usual, but wouldn't the RC Batman have been a better choice? Was it because they didn't make them for very long? Just wondering.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Great list Brian! And seeing the catalog ads for these was an added bonus. Loved the write-up on the Batlab! BWAHAHA!!!


I still have my Janex alarm clock, and a few years back I reacquired the peddle Batmobile. I didn't know it was a Sears exclusive! I thought I remember seeing it in a store before I got it, but maybe our catalog store here in town had a display model.

Oddly enough I was cleaning my own personal Batcave and I brought the Batmobile and the companion Batcycle in the kitchen to get them out of the way. They both need a good dusting, but I took the opportunity to get a pic of my 7-month old daughter in there. I've posted pics of her brother in there before, so forgive my proud papa post here.


Chris