Released in 1974, Riddler was part of the fourth wave of World's Greatest Super-Heroes sold by Mego (alongside the other "Super-Foes," Joker, Penguin, and Mr. Mxyzptlk).
WAVE FOUR
Test Sample Elastic Belt Riddler
A few number of Riddler figures have been discovered with an elastic belt instead of the normal plastic belt. It is most likely an early pre-production or test market sample.
A Riddler with elastic belt is pictured in the 1974 Mego Toy Fair dealer catalog and in the 1974 Mego mini insert catalog.
Pictured Above: 1974 Mego Catalog
Pictured Above: 1974 Mego Insert Catalog
I acquired my Elastic Belt Riddler in 2020 from a longtime collector who purchased it in 1993 in a large lot of early issue figures including a Removable Cowl Batman, Removable Mask Robin, and screen printed Supergirl and Batgirl.
Pictured Above: 1993 Lot of Early Issue Mego Figures
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The head is very light in tone and the suit is made of a dark green thick rib knit fabric similar to some early Removable Mask Robin sleeves/shorts.
Pictured Above: Elastic Belt Riddler (Left) Next to a Standard Type 1 Riddler with Plastic Belt (Right)
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Production figures came with a plastic belt made from the same mold as Batman's belt, but in purple. Early Riddler belts were molded in a translucent plastic, while later belts are opaque. In Mexico, Riddler was released with a dark purple rubber belt.
Pictured Above: Riddler Elastic Belt (Left), Translucent Plastic Belt (Middle Left), Opaque Plastic Belt (Middle Right), and Lili Ledy Rubber Belt (Right)
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Type 1 Riddler
Between 1974 and 1976, Riddler was available on a Type 1 body with metal rivet joints. Type 1 Riddler was sold in a window box, on the Kresge-style card, and on the standard card.
All Riddler window boxes have the old Mego logo. The Super-Foes were not released in new logo boxes. Also, most Riddler boxes have the 4-digit inventory code (1352) displayed on the box. A small number of boxes were printed with the 5-digit code (51352) before Mego switched to blister cards. Produced for only a short period of time, 5-digit Super-Foe boxes are very difficult to find!
Pictured Above: Type 1 Riddler in 4-Digit Box
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Pictured Above: Type 1 Riddler in 5-Digit Box
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Pictured Above: 4-Digit Box Side Panel (Left) and 5-Digit Box Side Panel (Right)
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Type 2 Riddler
Beginning in 1976, Riddler was available on a Type 2 body with plastic joints. Type 2 Riddler was sold in a window box and on the standard card.
Fist-Fighting Riddler
In 1975, Mego released the Riddler on a fist fighting body with "Karate Kung Fu Action." Sold in a window box in the U.S., Fist Fighting Riddler has a tan button on his back that controls his arms.
Pictured Above: MIB U.S. Fist Fighting Riddler
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Lily Ledy (Mexico)
Riddler was also released as a fist fighter in Mexico by foreign distributor Lili Ledy.
Pictured Above: 1977 Lili Ledy (Mexican) Fist Fighter "Acertijo" a.k.a. Riddler
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Pictured Above: Lili Ledy Fist Fighter Button (Left) and Mego Fist Fighter Button (Right)
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Pictured Above: Lili Ledy (Mexico) Fist Fighting Riddler (Left) and Mego (U.S.A.) Fist Fighting Riddler (Right)
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Riddler's costume came in several different variations and in different shades of green.
Pictured Above: Elastic Belt RIddler (Left), Type 1 Riddler (Middle Left), Type 2 Riddler (Middle Right), and Lili Ledy Riddler (Right)
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