Well, we all know that in the toy industry, what you see is not altogether everything that was planned. Many, many designs, concepts, artwork and sculpts never make it into the public eye. Case is point is this wonderful prototype of a "Joker's House Playset", originally designed to fit into the Batman: The Animated Series line from Kenner. A nifty item, the whole thing is based on skewed angles and distored images.

Made out of plastic, styrene, cardboard, and whatever else the designers could get their hands on, this playset has many different action features, a nice colorful palette, and would have been a welcome addition to the B:TAS line, especially as the villains rarely get any kind of consideration. Unfortuantely, with all of the product on the market at the time, it was felt that this piece would be crowded out, and not sell well. The fate of many of these unreleased prototypes is usually a short trip to the dumpster, but this one was rescued at the last minute. Who knows what else has been disposed of over the years? It's a tragedy that while Star Wars collectors have been meticulous about finding unproduced items, the superhero community isn't quite as lucky.

Major kudos to my anonymous benefactor who donated these pictures to ToyOtter! Keep watching for more features on these lost gems!

 

Front view Trick door; sign on wall squirts Door close-up "Funhouse mirror" Trapdoor
Back View Lever for trapdoor Top Close-Up of Lever Trap
Side view; platform moves Mirror pivots to form cage Floor lifts for hidden compartment Figure standing in compartment area Button on floor triggers axe trap
Box covers door that closes on hidden compartment Removable ladder Trapdoor from Top Underside fo playset, showing water pipes and hidden compartment Front door, showing cage area and faux posters
Poster Close-Up of Joker Face Long View-Side w/figure; pipe extended Figure in playset Long View-Side

navbar


[Home] [Super Powers] [DC Direct] [Superman:The Animated Series] [Ottertorials]
[Total Justice/JLA] [Hasbro/DC] [Features] [Toy Fair] [Bibliography] [Links]

Select images © DC COMICS and/or KENNER/HASBRO Toys; Inclusion on this page is for informative and non-profit use only. No harm is intended.

All images, format, content, and design are copyright © 1996-2003 Jason Geyer unless otherwise noted. No part of these pages may be reproduced without express written consent of Jason Geyer. Licensed character names and images are copyright © their respective companies. But hey, ask me; you just never know what I'll say.