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Class of Bootleg Class 2 - Duplicated and Modified
Class Notes: Original (mixed) Molds, swapped packaging, new inserts
Bootleg Source: Kenner's Batman lines - Total Justice, Batman Forever, Batman Animated
Bootleg Rating: StarStarStarStar (Four out of five stars)
Sightings: Mexico, California
Vintage:Fall 1997

Total Justice Card Design

In 1996, Kenner released a line of toys featuring many of DC Comic's most popular heroes. The figures came with snap-on armor, and featured posture and expressions best described as "Tense". One of my all time favorite toy lines!

When I first heard that there was a bootleg version of Total Justice, I was estatic! I couldn't wait to see what they had done to Green Lantern...and would there be a Hawkman?? Sadly, the bootleggers chose not copy the TJ line....they just stole the logo. The TJ Bootleg line has nothing but Batman Animated figures in the blisters.

Not to put this line down overmuch. There are still interesting items to discuss, and I DO like my Batman bootlegs!

First off, let's take a look at the packaging design. Right off, you'll notice the Total Justice logo and artwork. These are taken directly from the Kenner line. New on the front is the paper insert inside the blister. The TJ line had a carboard insert describing the figure and weapons. The TJB line has a standardized insert - the Bat Logo and the words "Movie Collection". As to what movie they're referring to - two of the figures come from the Batman Forever line, or maybe they were thinking Mask of the Phantasm.

The back of the card again features the TJ logo, but instead of the standard character list, those kooky Bootleggers inserted a figure list from the Batman Animated line. This is the 20 item backer used for the 1993/94 releases from the Animated line. It DOES have several of the Batmen used in the TJB line, but not all of them.

Bat-Pucker Before I get to the individual reviews, I'd like to point out something interesting about all the bat-cowled figures. Whatever head they used to make this line with, they chose one that makes it look like the Dark Knight is puckering up to receive a big wet one! Take a look at the photo at right and tell me if you don't think this is the original BAT-PUCKER. :)

Also, all of the figures have a cape cut from shiny black vinyl. Fashion-Batmen these ain't!

Brue Wayne/Batman Figure
First up, we have a figure cast from a combination of the "Bruce Wayne" from Batman Forever and "Bruce Wayne" from the Animated series molds. The figure has a really goofy animated Bruce-Wayne head that fits (poorly) on the Forever body. A Bat-Head from the Animated Decoy Batman is included as an accessory, along with the arm-blades that came with the Forever figure.

Bruce Wayne Head
Knight Star Batman Figure
Next, we have a figure cast from the Animated Series Knight Star Batman figure. The figure has a plain bat-suit and is painted gold with black trunks, gloves and boots. The accessories also come from the Knight-Star Batman, but are oddly disassembled, and not all of the Kenner version's accessories are included.

Batman Forever
The next figure is from the Batman Forever line.... The vinyl cape and poorly fitted head really show the cheapness of this line. The accessories are direct from the Forever line, but cast in yellow instead of red and black.

Anti-Freeze Figure
This figure is a less-detailed version of the Animated Anti-Freeze Batman. Cast in white, the figure has painted black boots, gloves, and trunks. The figure comes with the same accessory as it's animated coutnerpart, although cast in a different color of plastic.

Night-Vision Figure
Originally, this was the Deluxe Animated Night-Vision Batman - the one with the light up eyes and chest-symbol. Of course, the bootleg lacks the lightup features. The accessories were also from the Deluxe figure, but they lack the "Glow in the dark" features of the Kenner version.

Combat-Belt Batman Figure
The last of the six figure set is this Combat-Belt Batman rip-off. Very similiar in appearance to the Knight-Star Batman above, except that the outfit is silver instead of gold. The only accessory that this figure comes with is the Bat-hook cast in black and red plastic. Note the absense of a string to tie the two items together!

Overall, this line is very similar to the Bat-Hero and Companion line. Poor quality Batman figures, lackluster accessories, but with an inventive packaging style. Not my favorite line, but by no means a loser. I guess I'm just bitter that they didn't knock-off the actual Total Justice Line. I would have loved an Aquaman with green armor. ;)

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