Legendary Marvel Super-Heroes "Captain America" 8 Inch Retro Action Figure Set - Diamond Select/Emce Toys (2015)

Diamond Select Marvel Retro Captain America Figure Set

Diamond Select's Marvel Retro Captain America Figure Set is part of a series of figures they have been releasing that come with a reproduction of a vintage Marvel Mego figure, along with a variety of customizing parts to go along with it.  The Captain America set comes with a reproduction of Mego's Captain America figure from the 1970s and it's display box,  along with costume parts you can add to the figure to make a Steve Rogers "secret identity" figure, or a Captain America in a more modern costume (sort of like what Mego would have made if it was still around producing these figures today).  It also comes with a booklet detailing the history of Captain America, Mego's original Cap action figures, a look at some custom Cap figures, and some behind the scenes stuff about the making of this new set.

American Trio

These sets are usually pretty expensive, the manufacturer's suggested retail is $80.  This unfortunately is a condition of the licensing agreement that Diamond select has with Marvel.  They are required to price this as a high-end collectable rather than as an action figure.  But if you shop around a bit, you can usually find them cheaper.  Amazon for instance, usually has them for about 25 bucks off the suggested price.  I picked this up on sale for $38 last October.  Anytime you see them for a price like that, I suggest you pick them up, because they are fun toys.

The Mego reproduction figure retains all of the goofiness and costume inaccuracies of the original figure from the 1970s.

Rather than swap parts back and forth for the three different costumes, I picked up a couple of extra "Type S" bodies from 8 Inch Super Store.  I used the body that came with the set on the Steve Rogers figure, a regular Type S body on the vintage style Captain America, and a Type S with "upgrade kit" limbs on the modern style Captain.  The upgrade kit limbs have a more defined, muscular look to them. Most of those details get lost under the costume, except for the broader shoulders, which are noticeable and make a big difference.  Also the upgrade kit legs are slightly longer, so your hero ends up slightly taller and more heroic looking.

The modern styled figure features a comics accurate costume and more detailed sculpt.

 More pictures after the break...

Bat-Music #17 - The Liverpool Scene - Batpoem

Bat-Music #17 - The Liverpool Scene - Batpoem

Adam West tackled plenty of tricky foes back in his days as the caped crusader, but none quite like this, where the Batman theme backs up spoken word poetry pitting Batman against birth control pills, LSD, and the Vietnam War.  "Batpoem" is off of the 1968 Liverpool Scene album "The Amazing Adventures of the Liverpool Scene."

The Liverpool Scene - Batpoem

Batman, Episodes 23 and 24 - "The Ring of Wax," and "Give 'Em the Axe" (1966)

Batman, Episodes 23 and 24 - "The Ring of Wax," and "Give 'Em the Axe" (1966)

50 years ago...
The 23rd and 24th episode of the Batman TV series aired on ABC TV.   Episode 23, "The Ring of Wax," aired on March, 30, 1966.  Episode 24, "Give 'Em the Axe," aired on March 31, 1966.

Batman Looks to the Skies

 
These were the third pair of episodes to feature Frank Gorshin as The Riddler.

The Riddler Celebrates His Victory

The Riddler concocts a "universal solvent wax" as part of a scheme to steal "The Lost Treasure of the Incas." This adventure takes Batman and Robin to a spooky wax museum, a candle factory full of boiling wax, and a room full of medieval torture instruments.  This episode also feature Linda Gaye Scott as The Riddler's moll "Moth."  Moth wears a skintight purple jumpsuit that looks a bit like a preview of Batgirl's costume in season 3.

The Lawmen Visit the Library

Robin's catchphrases in these episodes include "holy mucilage" and "holy paraffin."

Batman Worries About Robin's Safety

More screencaps after the break...

Bat-Music #16 - The Flaming Lips - Batman Theme

Bat-Music #16 - The Flaming Lips - Batman Theme

This is a track from early in the career of The Flaming Lips (like maybe 1983 or 1984?), when they covered this because supposedly it was one of the few songs that they knew how to play.

The Flaming Lips - Batman Theme


Bonus Flaming Lips!  While this song is not Batman 1966 related, it was on the soundtrack to "Batman Forever," so there's still a "Bat" connection...

The Flaming Lips - Bad Days

Batman, Episodes 21 and 22 - "The Penguin Goes Straight," and "Not Yet, He Ain't" (1966)

Batman, Episodes 21 and 22 - "The Penguin Goes Straight," and "Not Yet, He Ain't" (1966)

50 years ago...
The 21st and 22nd episode of the Batman TV series aired on ABC TV.   Episode 21, "The Penguin Goes Straight," aired on March 23, 1966.  Episode 22, "Not Yet, He Ain't," aired on March 24, 1966.

Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara Interrogate a Criminal

These were the 2nd pair of episodes to feature Burgess Meredith as The Penguin.

The Penguin Protective Agency, Incorporated

The Penguin begins a REVERSE crime spree!  Instead of committing thefts, he starts preventing them, and forms the "Penguin Protective Agency" to protect the valuables of Gotham City's wealthy elites.  Batman and Robin believe this is merely a ruse to get his hands on and steal the valuables he is supposed to protect.  The Dynamic Duo attempts to replace a set of valuable jewels with replicas, to protect the real jewels from The Penguin.  But The Penguin catches Batman and Robin in the act, and accuses them of burglary.  Now Batman and Robin are the ones on the run from the law!

Cruising in the Batmobile

There's some fun stuff in these episodes.  Be on the lookout for Harvey Lembeck, who played "Eric Von Zipper" in the "Beach Party" movies.  He plays The Penguin's henchman "Eagle-Eye."

Cruising in the "Birdmobile"

Also look for the scene were Batman and Robin pretend that they have become mentally unbalanced and are going to kill The Penguin for revenge (don't worry, it's all part of their plan).  Burt Ward's twitchy performance in this scene is a hoot.

Batman and Robin's Corpses, After Being Gunned Down by the Cops

Finally, check out the Batcycle in the second episode.  It's the original Harley Davidson version of the Batcycle, which was only used once.  All subsequent versions featured the more heavily customized Yamaha Catalina Batcycle that was used in the 1966 feature film (mostly with stock footage from the film).  Robin has a full-sized sidecar on this bike, as opposed to the detachable go-kart he has on the Catalina cycle.

The Original Harley Davidson Batcycle

Robin's catchphrases in these episodes included "holy nick of time," and "holy leopard."

These episodes were loosely based on the comic book story "One of the Most Perfect Frame-Ups of All Time!!" from Detective Comics #58, where The Penguin, in his comic book debut, frames the Batman for a crime and has him arrested.




More screencaps after the break...

Batman, Episodes 19 and 20 - "The Purr-fect Crime," and "Better Luck Next Time" (1966)

Batman, Episodes 19 and 20 - "The Purr-fect Crime," and "Better Luck Next Time" (1966)

50 years ago...
The 19th and 20th episode of the Batman TV series aired on ABC TV. Episode 19, "The Purr-fect Crime," aired on March 16, 1966.  Episode 20, "Better Luck Next Time," aired on March 17, 1966.

The Bomb Said "Meow."

 These were the first episodes to feature Julie Newmar as Catwoman.  Catwoman appears to die at the end of the second episode, but like any good cat with 9 lives, she managed to survive and made several more appearances on the series.

Catwoman Perched Atop a Convertible

Robin's exclamations in these episodes included "holy cats, a cat," "holy icepicks," "holy Reshevsky," "holy felony," and "holy geography."

Robin: Unconscious and Poisoned!  Can Batman Save Him In Time?

Fun Fact: These episodes were the basis for a set of Viewmaster reels.

More screencaps after the break...

Bat-Music #15 - Die-Cut Batman Novelty Records

Bat-Music #15 - Die-Cut Batman Novelty Records

In 1966, Synthetic Plastics released a quintet of 45 RPM singles featuring Batman, Robin, The Joker, The Penguin, and The Batmobile.  Each one featured a die-cut cover with comic book style artwork, and contained two songs about their respective characters.  They are visually quite striking, and make a great addition to any 1966 Batman collection. All 10 songs were also released on a full length LP called Children's Treasury Of Batman Musical Stories.  The song "Look Out for the Batman" uses elements of the Batman TV show theme in it's music, the rest of the songs feature original music.

"It's The Batman" Tracklisting:

1. It's The Batman
2. Look Out for the Batman

"There Goes Robin" Tracklisting:

1. There Goes Robin
2. The Wonderful Boy Wonder

"The Battiest Car Around" Tracklisting:

1. The Battiest Car Around
2. Here Comes the Batmobile

"The Joker Gets Trumped" Tracklisting:

1. The Joker Gets Trumped
2. Ho Ho Ho The Joker's Wild

"The Penguin" Tracklisting:

1. The Penguin
2. A Penguin Caper

 





A Penguin Caper


Look Out for the Batman

Bat-Music #14 - The Gotham City Crime Fighters - Who Stole the Batmobile?

Bat-Music #14 - The Gotham City Crime Fighters - Who Stole the Batmobile?

Garage rockers The Gotham City Crime Fighters performed dressed up in Batman and Robin costumes and had a minor novelty hit with the 1966 single "Who Stole the Batmobile."  The gimmicky nature of the band probably gained them attention at the height of Batmania, but also limited them to 15 minutes of fame when the novelty wore off.  Two of the members of the band did go on to success, however, as founding members of the R&B band Tower of Power.

The Gotham City Crime Fighters - Who Stole the Batmobile?