Oct 30, 2026

1966 Topps Batman Blue Bat: A Collector's Guide

Norman Saunders' most outrageous Batman paintings, plus a back variation that challenges master-set builders.

The 44-card Blue Bat set, also called the B Series, was the third painted Batman set Topps issued in 1966, and it's the most delightfully strange. Robin rides a rainbow. The Dynamic Duo battles dinosaurs. If the Red Bat set captured the campy TV tone, Blue Bat pushed it as far as it would go. It also has a back variation that gives master-set collectors a real challenge.

How to Identify a Blue Bat Card

A blue bat icon carrying the caption on the front.
A thin blue border around the image.
A "B" suffix on the card number, from 1B to 44B.
One of two back designs, described below.

Like the other painted sets, the fronts are Norman Saunders paintings, licensed through National Periodical Publications.

Two Back Designs

Blue Bat stands out among the 1966 sets for its two distinct back designs:

Puzzle backs, the more common type. Each has a short description and a puzzle piece. A complete set assembles into one of six puzzles.
Blue "Bat-cowl" backs. These feature a large blue Batman cowl logo and a longer write-up of the scene.

Collectors usually build one back type as their main set. Master-set builders chase both, doubling the checklist to 88 cards. When buying a set or lot, confirm which back type you're getting. Mixed-back sets are common, and many collectors prefer, and pay more for, a matched set.

The Wildest Art of 1966

The Blue Bat set is where Saunders and Topps had the most fun. Card titles like 17B Prehistoric Peril and 44B Riddler Robs a Rainbow! tell you everything about the tone. The villain lineup is the familiar one: the Joker, Catwoman, the Riddler and the Penguin all get showcase cards.

Key Cards

1B The Joker's Icy Jest. The first card in the set, a Joker card, and condition-sensitive like every #1.
17B Prehistoric Peril. A fan favorite for its sheer absurdity.
44B Riddler Robs a Rainbow! The last card, a Riddler card, and vulnerable to end-of-stack wear.
Villain showcase cards throughout the set, which sell faster than the rest.

Reprints to Watch For

Topps' 1989 boxed reissue of the 1966 painted Batman series used glossy card stock and marked the cards as reprints. They're easy to tell apart in hand. With online listings, always ask for back photos, which also tell you the back type.

Condition Issues to Inspect

Edge and corner wear, especially on 1B and 44B.
Centering. The thin blue border makes miscuts easy to see.
Gum and wax stains on both back types. The solid blue cowl backs show stains and toning clearly.
Print registration on the painted fronts.
Writing, particularly on puzzle backs, where kids sometimes labeled pieces.

Building the Set

Choose your back first. Decide whether you're building puzzle backs, cowl backs or both before you buy your first lot. It's the single most important decision for this set.

Use the puzzle as a checklist. For puzzle-back builders, laying out the assembled puzzles shows instantly which pieces are missing.

Build the three painted sets together. Black Bat (no suffix), Red Bat ("A") and Blue Bat ("B") sort easily and look great side by side. Together they make up 143 Norman Saunders paintings.

Grade selectively. 1B, 44B and the strongest villain cards justify grading in EX or better. Most others can stay raw.

Puzzle Backs or Cowl Backs: Which to Collect?

There's no wrong answer, but each type has its appeal. Puzzle backs are easier to find, so building a matched set is more achievable. Assembled, they make a display piece that fits naturally with the Red Bat puzzles. Cowl backs are the more distinctive design, with their bold blue logo and longer write-ups. They also make a set stand out when you show it or sell it. Master-set collectors chase both, and an 88-card Blue Bat run is one of the more satisfying long-term projects in 1960s non-sports.

Storing the Set

Standard vintage sleeves and toploaders fit Blue Bat cards. For a set, nine-pocket pages keep everything in order. Keep cowl backs out of direct sunlight, since the solid blue printing shows fading more readily than the busier puzzle backs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards are in the 1966 Topps Batman Blue Bat set?

Forty-four, numbered 1B through 44B. A master set with both back types is 88 cards.

What's the difference between puzzle backs and cowl backs?

Puzzle backs carry a short description and a puzzle piece. Cowl backs have a large blue Batman logo and a longer write-up. Puzzle backs are the more common type.

Is Blue Bat the same as the B Series?

Yes. Collectors use both names for the same set.

Were the Blue Bat cards reprinted?

Topps reissued its 1966 painted Batman series in a 1989 boxed set. The reprints have a glossy finish and are marked as reprints, so they're easy to identify in hand.

Which Blue Bat cards are the keys?

1B The Joker's Icy Jest, the last card 44B Riddler Robs a Rainbow!, and the villain showcase cards are the most sought after.

Shop 1966 Batman at Crafted TCG

Browse 1966 Topps Batman Blue Bat singles and sets at Crafted TCG. Every listing shows the back, so you know exactly which type you're buying.