Warner Bros. Moves Ahead With New Merchandise Based On 1960s BATMAN Series

The focus may be firmly on The Dark Knight Rises this July, but Variety reveals that fans should now expect to see a wave of new merchandise based on the 1960s Batman television series. Despite the fact that Warner Bros. own the likeness to the Caped Crusader, 20th Century Fox produced the show back when it aired, making everything extremely complicated when it comes to the rights. The two studios have now reached a deal which means that for the first time in four decades, Warner Bros. Consumer Products will be able to use the likeness of the actors in the show on everything from toys to books and games. "Hot Toys" Adam West as Batman anyone?

More details will be revealed at next week's Las Vegas Licensing Expo (12 - 14 June), with the first wave of products set to hit next Spring. There is already a very small range of products based on the series, but this is the first time that more than just a few logos and the Batmobile can be used. "For the first time in over 40 years we will be able to offer fans a full merchandise program that captures the classic, kitschy look and feel of the original 'Batman' TV show," reveals Brad Globe, President of Warner Bros. Consumer Products."This new licensing program allows our partners to take advantage of the characters, gadgets and humor that made the show a smash hit in its day and a perennial favorite decades later."

While this all sounds great for fans of the show, perhaps the most requested piece of Batman merchandise is the release of the series on DVD and Blu-ray. Unfortunately, there was no mention of that in the report, but hopefully this deal will lead to that further down the line.