What is a bootleg Toy? To many they are also known as counterfeits, knock off’s or just plain old cheapo toys. They are made very cheaply without any attention to detail and without any safety standards. These are toys that are not recommended to children due to choking hazards.

Bat Robot Bootleg
By Robert Covarrubias

Ever wonder what Batman would look like as a Transformer? Well, here’s your chance to find out. Here is a transforming bat made in Taiwan by some mysterious company because no information is given on the box other than the name of the product. This toy is so funny and interesting that I just had to own it. Because of obvious copyright laws the toy and the box have gone through some obvious transformations, for example; Batman’s chest emblem has been changed from a bat to what seems to be a bird of some kind. It actually looks like a chicken or a falcon to me but you decide. The man after the word Batman has been darkened out and the toy is named Bat Robot or Bat Robot vs. Zectron, whoever that is. I’m still on the look out for Zecron perhaps I can create some cool battle action shot scenes with them.

Based on my bootleg research I found out that Batman is the Bootleg toy manufacturers’ favorite figure to make. Throughout the years there have been hundreds of Batman bootlegs made from all over the world and since I started paying more attention to the bootlegs I see for sale I can honestly say that the statement is probably true, even though I see just as many Spider Man bootlegs or "Spader Man" as they are sometimes referred to on the package.

Anyway getting down to the review I’m going to spare you the torture of reviewing this like a real toy because obviously there are going to be lots of flaws because it IS a bootleg.

So lets start with the flimsy box and art work, the box itself is crap, it measure about 8” x 5” squeeze it a little too hard and you risk breaking the toy inside, in fact if you wet the box it might get soft enough to use as toilet paper. I do like the simple shape of it and based on some of the other bootlegs I’ve seen and own, it looks like they actually put some work into the design of this one. The Directions on the back of the box are quite simple and the diagram really comes in handy for those dopes who can’t figure out how to tie their own shoes.

The toy is as flimsy as the box so I would suggest that you don’t play with it if you want it to last more than five minutes. The Bat is 3” tall & as a Bat Robot a little over 4”

Even with all its flaws this bootleg happens to be one of my favorites. The design of the Bat Robot is so cool to look at. It actually looks like it has a chance if it had to fight Megatron or Voltron. Though posing is limited he can be put in certain stances. The toy is made completely out of plastic and the color choices of black and silver gets my approval. The only assessorie this toy comes with is a lightsaber like sword that Bat Robot uses as his weapon of choice.

If I would to rate this as a normal toy I would probably give it a 3 but rating it as a bootleg toy I have to give it a 9 because I dare you to find me a bootleg so cool looking like this one. I’m definitely going to be on the look out for a second one so that I can display him with the rest of my collection out of the box.

Whether you love them or hate them bootlegs to many are as attractive & collectible as all the other licensed toys, I mean come on how can you resist the cheesiness?