DC Comics has filed a lawsuit against an independent retailer over the sale of “unauthorized” Batman figurines.

John Stacks, founder of the website johnnyresin.com, has been distributing resin models of characters from the 1960s Batman television series, including the Joker, Catwoman and the Dark Knight himself.

The comic book giant has issued several warnings over the sale of the goods and is now seeking court action against the online merchant.

Stacks, however, claims that the items are legitimately endorsed by the actors they depict and the copyright holder for the original costumes.

“Unbelievable,” he said, when informed of the lawsuit. “They come after little people like me. I don’t have anything.”

The trader claims that he has not made enough money from the business to yield a profit, describing himself as a “retired, semi-disabled contractor”.

A date for the hearing is yet to be set.