My goal here was to create a "Classic Dynamic Duo" that reflected the darker tone of the comics, and accurately displayed the physical difference between man and BOY wonder.

To accomplish this goal I used the (shorter) 6 inch "boy" action figure body from MEGO's 1976 Our Gang Collection as the basis to create ROBIN The Boy Wonder. "Alfalfa" was used (for the main body) as was "Mickey" (for the head sculpt). I re-sculpted the Mickey head with a new Richard Grayson" hair style, and a boyish smirk, and then made a 5% smaller final casting with these new sculpted changes. With the exception of the green shorts and t-shirt sleeves (which were both borrowed and tailored from Mego’s original Robin action figure), ALL of the costume items had to be created from scratch. The biggest challenge was fashioning Robin’s gauntlets (bye-bye vinyl oven mitts!!! ) and "pixie" boots out of lime green fabric. Holy fashion statement!!!!

THE BATMAN began life as a standard nude MEGO 8 inch "type II" (muscular) body. I replaced the original MEGO arms with the bulkier upper arms found on LJN’s 8 inch SWAT action figure from the ‘1970’s. These new arms also have a "swivel" joint in the biceps which allow for much more posing.

I selected an existing MEGO head sculpt to double as "Bruce Wayne" , and with a quick hair re-sculpt and re-paint, he was done.

The creation of The Batman’s costume was a challange: He needed some tighter-fitting dark grey lycra spandex tights that improved upon Mego’s original "pajama-fit" costume. Here, Charlee Flatt came to my rescue by providing the excellent sewing chores. I created everything else. I attempted to make The Batman’s removable mask using Pez Candy Dispensers that I radically re-sculpted. After no less than 15 failed attempts (!!!), I finally got one to fit on the action figure’s head without cracking apart like an egg shell !! As an added bonus, the cowl is actually pretty strong and not at all fragile.

Accessories for both of these action figures (not pictured) include Bat-ropes, and two different folding "Bat-a-Rangs"

Both action figures sleep in MEGO-styled window-box packaging that I created for them on computer in Adobe Photoshop.

Custom Action Figures and photo by Roberto Williams