Friday, May 3, 2013

Robin - Toy Biz

I just received this retro Robin figure yesterday in a package of toys from the Cosmic Arc. I wanted to post about him right away. As a kid I had the Super Powers Robin and loved him. I don't actually know what happened to that figure, but I'm happy to have this almost identical replacement.


After the release of the 1989 Batman movie Toy Biz put out a line of toys that were based on old Kenner figures from the Super Powers line. The only real difference between this figure and the older version is that he has a lever on his back to activate his karate chop action instead of squeezing his legs.

As a kid I used to like to put his cape on the Cobra-La Royal Guard from GI Joe. If you've seen the animated Joe movie you may remember that they wore green capes not included with their action figures.

8 comments:

  1. I had SO much hope with this line when it first came out. I was really happy. Finally the Riddler and Twoface! Then it fell apart and it was cancelled...What the heck?

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    1. I think the lines greatest weakness was they were rehashing old figures, but they weren't quite as good. (exposed buttons for action features). They did expand the character selection a little, but I think it would have also helped to have a few big heroes in each wave with a few new villains.

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  2. Glad Robin found his way to a new home Kevin this is a great figure that I knew you would like.

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    1. Yeah, he's great. I love the Bat-Family. Thanks again!

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  3. Hi I have this figure and have been searching online to find out who made it as very similar to the kenner range. However you mention it's from 1989, on the back of robins left thigh mine says 1999.... Confused!

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    1. I'm not really sure. I know the Super Powers version was released in 1984 and then in 1989 a new figure based on the original was released to go with the toys that supported the 1989 movie. The figure pictured above has 1989 stamped on his leg. I don't know of any 1999 reissue of the figure, but it is possible.

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  4. One of the saddest moments from my childhood is when our dog got into our toy room and chewed a hole through this figurine. Robin was always my favorite hero.

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