BATMAN ROBIN and BATGIRL Wacky Wallpaper Wednesday, on Thursday!

I know yesterday was Wednesday and some Bat-Blog Fans look forward to their weekly fix of BATMAN Wallpaper Backgrounds that we post, but we announced the death of the Golden Age Comic Book Artist Lew Sayre Schwartz and it just didn't seem respectful to post anything else. So, here they are now. The 1st one was made using graphics of the box lid for the New 1966 BAT-BOAT Model Kit made by Polar Lights. I like this groovy image, ha! The next one uses a nice picture of Batgirl on her Bat-Cycle that was originally a Warner Bros Store Framed Lithograph. I remember this picture fondly. We used to have a WB Store here where I lived and I really really wanted this piece. They also made a few other in this series & they were all great. I totally loved that store because they had such awesome stuff! Sadly, they closed and I never got the chance to buy any of these prints.

BATMAN Collector Reference Photos - Vintage 1960's Toys and Books

One of the main functions of the Bat-Blog is to celebrate the joy of collecting Batman toys and memorabilia, both old & new. So, it was really great to get an email from a reader named Robson who wanted to share a few pieces from his Vintage BATMAN Toy Collection. Shown here is the 1960's Aurora Batman Model Kit, a couple of 1966 Coloring Books, and a 1966 Twistable Batman made by Marx Toys. The Coloring Books are kinda common but I have always loved the graphics on them. The Marx Figure is so extremely RARE that it's almost what Vintage Toy Collectors call a "Museum Piece". ( One last thing, I made the photo of the Model Kit into a BATMAN Wallpaper Background you can use to brighten your desktop - Click on it to see it's full-beauty! ). Robson, Thank you for sharing these cool pics. If any other Bat-Fans out there who have any pieces they would like to share then please send us some photos too!

BATMAN COMIC BOOK GRAPHICS Wallpaper Backgrounds

Today I am feeling totally exhausted, I got NO sleep last night, so this is going to be a very lazy posting, ha ha! I decided to post a few BATMAN WALLPAPERS you can use to brighten your desktop's background. But before you hate me, they're pretty cool and I think/hope you'll like them! The 1st one uses some graphics you can see on the new 1966 Bat-Boat Model kit by Polar Lights. It's sort of retro-looking, so that's neat. The next one is kinda weird. It's a wood grain background with some hi-res scan of some 1960's comic book art drawn by Carmine Infantino, a Bat-Fan favorite!

Exclusive Product - 1966 Batmobile Model Kit Signed by George Barris

Here's some important BATMAN TOYS news! Over at the Auto World Store they are offering an EXCLUSIVE Product that many Batman Toy Collectors might enjoy. They're selling the Polar Lights 1966 Batmobile Car Model Kit 1/32 Scale ( The One in the Embossed Collector Tin ) Autographed by the Designer of the Custom Car, George Barris! Yes, the King of Kustoms!! It looks like the cost is around $63, which isn't too bad. If you wanna check it out & need more info then just click HERE!

RAT FINK 1966 BATMOBILE Custom HOT ROD CAR Model Kit

Check out this totally crazy RAT FINK Custom Model Kit I saw on eBay the other night, ha ha! It's the 1966 Batmobile Car ( George Barris version ) with RAT FINK as the driver. If you're not familiar with the "Rat Fink" character then let me say he was a "Hot Rod freak" designed by Big Daddy Ed Roth in the 1960's. Both Fink & Roth are a cult heroes to many race car fans around the world. Anyways, I thought this model kit was pretty cool!

The NEW Polar Lights 1966 BATMOBILE CAR MODEL KIT is in Stores Now!

Here's some great news!! Our friend Batmobilly was at Toys-R-Us earlier today & guess what he found?! The NEW Polar Lights 1966 BATMOBILE CAR MODEL KIT & we're talking about the special "embossed tin box" Collector's Edition!! It retails for about $39.99. Yes, this Batman Model Kit was not suppose to hit stores until the end of the year but for some reason they're shipping them early, YES! We reported on this last April so just CLICK HERE for that story & more news about this kit. ( Thank you Batmobilly for the great picture! ). Whoops, you can also buy it at TFAW for 10% off, just click the button down below.

VIDEO REVIEW - The 1950's BATMAN BATMOBILE CAR Model Kit

Here's an interesting video I came across recently. It features Chris Gierke from the MONSTER MODEL REVIEW website giving a review on the BATMAN 1950's BATMOBILE Car 1:24 Scale Die-Cast Model Kit by Johnny Lighting, which that company made in 2002. I remember when this product originally came out & it was actually kind of hard to find at the retail level. This style of the Batmobile has always been a favorite of mine & I wanted to get this kit, but never did. So now it's on my future "want list" & someday I'll get around to buying one. In the mean time i can just drool over this video.

BATMAN - Wacky Wallpaper Wednesday!

Remember: The Bat-Blog posts FREE Batman Wallpaper Backgrounds every Wednesday! This week I thought I would showcase some of the super-creativity of our readers! The 1st one is a group shot of a few Batman-related Vinyl Kits made by our friend Nick. They're really great & you can see Harley Quinn, Joker, Riddler, Mr. Freeze, Catwoman, & The Penguin!! The next 2 were made from a pencil drawing sent in by our friend Brian. He said it is sort-of a 1920's style Batman. It's a "Steampunk" version. How cool is that?! I made 2 wallpapers out of this image because one is a traditional background & the 2nd one shows off the entire drawing. Nick & Brian, both you guys did really excellent jobs on all this artwork. Thank you!!

THE PENGUIN Vinyl Model Kit BATMAN RETURNS ( 1992 Movie )

I just realized last night that I have not featured one of these wonderful Model kits in awhile so here we GO! Shown here, for your viewing pleasure, is this extremely beautiful Vinyl Model Kit of THE PENGUIN made by our good friend SKINNYBIRD. Of course it's the "Danny DeVito version" from Tim Burton's Classic 1992 Film BATMAN RETURNS. One photo is a full-body shot where you see the whole thing but the magic really happens in the other photo that is a close-up of the character's face. I think he did an amazing job on the painting of the face. Actually, the whole thing is painted extremely well, but with these kind of model kits of actual real-life people you really gotta do a good job on the face or they just don't work. This one does, looks just like the actor...NICE! If you're new to the Bat-Blog then I guess I need to explain that we have been posting a few of these Batman Models every now & then. A Good Friend to the Bat-Blog, nicknamed "Skinnybird", sent us some great pics awhile back of all the Batman Model kits he has built. To view all the ones posted so far just look down below this post for the LABEL word "Skinnybird" & click on that. It will open all the posts related to his artwork. Last, but not least, I wanna thank Skinnybird for sending these & invite all other creative readers to do the same! Your pics don't have to be models but can be any kind of Batman-related thing, thanks!

BATMAN PAPER CRAFT MODEL ACTION FIGURES - Golden Age Superheroes

Over at the Professor Plastik website they have a ton of very cool BATMAN PAPER CRAFT MODEL KIT ACTION FIGURES you can download & create...for FREE! Shown here are The Dynamic Duo, Batman & Robin! They also have a lot of wonderful Super-Villains too! As an example I am only showing The Joker & Riddler, but they also have: The Scarecrow, Dr. Hugo Strange, Two-Face, & Clayface. Now, keep in mind that these are the "Golden Age" versions like the characters existed in the 1940's. Personally, I think they are total works of ART! For more information, & the location where you download the PDF files, be sure to click HERE!

BATMAN PAPER CRAFT MODEL KIT - The JOKER'S "I Scream" ICE CREAM TRUCK!

Shown here is a totally insane Paper Craft Toy designed by J.P. Cote of Paper Empire Toys. It's the JOKER'S "I SCREAM" ICE CREAM TRUCK Model Kit in 1:24th Scale!! For people unfamiliar with this type of thing, basically what you do is: You download a few PDF files of this model onto your computer, you print them out with your PC's Printer on "card stock" paper, & then you cut them out. After that: you bend, fold, & paste them into this vehicle. Think of it as a Car Model Kit made out of paper! But just check out the photos here, this thing is CRAZY, ha ha! It comes with Rocket Launcher Silos, Joker Head Turret on the Top, a Rocket Exhaust on the Back, & even a Specially-Sized JOKER Action Figure! For more information & to download this wacky version of the Jokermobile, just click HERE!

John's 1966 BATMAN TV SHOW VINTAGE TOY & MEMORABILIA Collection Photos!

Here at the Bat-Blog we're always looking for Batman Collectors to share fun stuff with. Well, our friend John sent us some amazing pics of his collection the other day & because I have been so busy lately I have not been able to get them up here, until now! So, here they are. This is an extremely cool Batman Toy Collection! John's main focus seems to be on the 1966 Batman TV Series & it looks like he really likes Vintage Model Kits too. Drooling over these pictures I found a ton of neat Batman items I know many readers will enjoy seeing ( Be sure to click on the pictures here for larger photos ). Thanks John for taking the time to shoot the photos, they're great! Also, you have some really cool memorabilia here. I want to take a moment to ask ALL Bat-Blog Fans to send us your photos too. Our e-mail button is always on the top right-hand side of this site.

BATMAN RETURNS 1992 Movie Vinyl Model Kit: PENGUIN COMMANDOS!

Remember the PENGUIN COMMANDOS in the 1992 BATMAN RETURNS movie? I always thought they were extremely cheesy but, also, I do have to admit that they do look kinda cool! These were the animals that the Penguin ( Danny DeVito ) had brainwashed & loaded with weapons to terrorize Gotham City, ha ha! Well, Here are some amazing Vinyl Model kits of them built-up by our friend known as SKINNYBIRD. This guy is pretty talented and has great skill with painting & building models! Every now & then we feature one that he has made. Please be sure to check out the BAT-ARCHIVES for more of them! ( Thanks Skinnybird! )

Beautiful BOX ART for the 1967 Aurora Batman TV Batcycle Model Kit

I received a very excellent photo in my e-mail box this morning from our friend Ed ( Be sure to click on the picture up above for a larger, more detailed, photo ). He wrote, "It's the box art for the 1967 Aurora Batcycle Model Kit. This comes courtesy of the Box-Art Den Yahoo Group. The Group owners take scans of plastic model boxes, regardless of condition, and restores the artwork. Once a week they offer high resolution scans for free download, or you can purchase high resolution prints from them of restored box art. The Batcycle was this week's offering." WOW! Thanks Ed, this artwork is completely beautiful!! Seriously, I love the Vintage Graphics. If any readers would like to join the group you can CLICK HERE for more details!

TWO-FACE Vinyl Model Kit From The BATMAN FOREVER 1995 Movie ( Tommy Lee Jones Version )

For awhile now we have been featuring some awesome Batman Vinyl Model Kits made by our good friend known as SKINNYBIRD. He sent us some nice pics of his personal collection of models he has built & painted. Every now & then we feature one and the cool thing is that they're always very popular. Now, here's the one he did of TWO-FACE from the BATMAN FOREVER movie ( 1995 ). Of course he was played by Tommy Lee Jones. OK, to be honest, this is one of my least liked Batman films. It was really really bad & practically ruined the franchise. But I don't want that to take away from the fact that Skinnybird did an incredible job on this model kit. Just check it out, the paint job is extremely well done & I like the custom base he made too. If you look at TWO-FACE's Double-Sided Jacket it a ton of detail to it, with the animal print patterns, that must have taken forever to paint ( Get it? "forever", Sorry, bad joke ). Before I go I wanna say three things: 1. I wanna thank Skinnybird for sharing his pics with us, all the models are great & I love sharing them. 2. OK, I know that some people just totally love this movie. It might have been their 1st introduction to the Batman Universe & I totally respect that. So, please just take my comments about this being a crappy film with a grain of salt. It's actually worth viewing as a part of Bat-History. Also, if you go into with a certain attitude, it's really not that bad & can be kind of enjoyable. 3. If you would like to see more of Skinnybird's work then just click on the word "skinnybird" in the Labels Area down below. Also, look for more kits in the future.

1992 BATMAN RETURNS Vinyl Model Kit - Reference Photo & Desktop Wallpaper!

OK, it's been a little while so I think it's time to post another SKINNYBIRD Model Kit! Ooohhh Yeah! Readers new to the Bat-Blog need to know that we have been publishing a few photos lately of some wonderful Batman Vinyl Model Kits done by a friend named Skinnybird. This is the 3rd so far & if ya wanna see the others then just click on the word "skinnybird" in the lower "Labels" area. Also, the larger picture you see, is Desktop Wallpaper! But this one is the CATWOMAN Figure from BATMAN RETURNS ( 1992 ). It's from the 2nd movie with Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle & Danny Devito as the Penguin. I thought her performance in this movie was about the only thing that saved it, ha ha! She was totally GREAT! Plus her tight black leather costume didn't hurt things at all. I think that Skinnybird did an amazing job on this model kit too. I know I thank him on every post I do of his work but I do appreciate it. People have written-in that they really love these kits & had them a long time ago. That they "bring back memories"...that's pretty awesome to me, so thanks. If there are more Bat-Blog Readers out there who are creative in any way: drawing, painting, sculpture, Crafts, Custom Toys, etc... then please shoot us a photo today!

Batman Model Kits: Jim Carrey's RIDDLER From Batman Forever ( 1995 ) Movie

Here's another Batman Model Kit built by our good friend known as "Skinnybird". This is THE RIDDLER from the 1995 BATMAN FOREVER Movie Starring Val Kilmer. OK, while this was not one of my favorite Batman movies, I thought that Jim Carrey did a pretty decent job of his performance for The Riddler. He's the sort of character actor who's good at playing a regular lovable guy one minute & then somebody who's totally insane & crazy the next. I also remember thinking that his Riddler costume was kind of accurate & very well made. I like his "Question Mark-Shaped Cane", a nice touch. Plus, if you're gonna be the Riddler, you gotta sport that famous Bowler Hat. Whoops, sorry about getting into the movie & Jim. This post is about the actual Vinyl Model Kit, ha ha! This Model Kit was made by Revell. It is 1/6th Scale so it's pretty big & great for display. I remember when these kits came out & my friend Steve bought this one. It's not bad! The details are very accurate & the face resembles the actual actor pretty well. I gotta say one thing. Our buddy Skinnybird did an extremely excellent job with this one! He sent us many photos of a large amount of Batman models he has made & we're gonna feature them every now & then. So, in the future, just click on the Label Word "Skinnybird" down below & all the posts with his kits will appear...it's really worth a look, pretty interesting stuff!

BATMAN VINYL MODEL KIT ( 1989 Michael Keaton Movie Version ) Built By Skinnybird!

For the next month or so, here at the Bat-Blog, we'll be featuring some Batman-related Model Kits built by a guy nick-named "Skinnybird". He's done an extremely excellent job on them & since it would be way too big for one post we thought we would spread them out. This first example is a Vinyl Model Kit of Michael Keaton as Batman from the 1989 Batman Movie. It was made by a company called Billiken & is 1/6 Scale! Personally I think he did a great job on it. The eyes look "alive" & that's usually the hardest part of making a "real-life human" model kit look so good. ( Remember, be sure to click on the above photos for larger versions ). OK, in the future, if you want to see more of these or see them all together just be sure to click on the word "skinnybird" in the Labels Area down below. That will make them all appear at once ( but for right now there's just this one, ha ha ). Seriously Folks, there are gonna be a lot of Batman Model Kits & they're all extremely nice!

VINTAGE BATMAN TOYS: Johnny Lightning DC Comic Book 1960's Diecast 1/24 Batmobile Model Kits

I thought, for this post, we would revisit a cool Batman Toy from the recent past. In 2002 a toy company called "Johnny Lightning" was making a few Batman-related items that were extremely cool! Now, they made some diecast toys of the Batmobile vehicles of course but they also made these small 1:24 scale metal "screw-together" Model Kits. There were 4 in the complete set: The 1960's Batmobile Car, The 1950's Batmobile, The 60's Batboat, & my favorite, the Bat-Gyro! I remember when these came out & I thought it was so cool that they did such an obscure vehicle as the Bat-Gyro, ha ha! I mean, you never NEVER see this being made! Now another weird thing too was that these were kinda hard to find. I never really saw them much in the usual retail stores like Target & Wal-Mart but you could always find them at Hobby Specialist shops. I guess because they were more like model kits & not actual toy cars. But anyway, they're just great. Now for reference photos I could only find 3 of the original boxes, & I'm missing the one for the Bat-Gyro, but you get the idea. Plus, all 4 vehicles are shown here & you can see their TOTAL beauty.

Kenner's SUPER POWERS 25th Anniversary - Look At The Spin-Off Products!

With the success of the SUPER POWERS Action Figure line there was a total frenzy in the 1980's to create many other products bearing the SUPER POWERS brand name & logo. Here are just a few other pieces of merchandise made ( Coloring Book, Paint Kits, Jewelry, Happy Meal Boxes, Videotape, etc... ) & a few comic book advertisements featuring the toys & VHS videos. Please remember that I'm trying to feature just items that were "Batman-related". Because, there were a ton more! In fact, these are not even ALL the Batman ones they made either...just a nice assortment, as an example. They are all pretty self-explanatory so I won't get into details. I just hope you enjoy drooling over them, ha ha! Well, I guess I do need to explain the weird "Joker Figure" because it's not an actual product but is a strange "Bootleg" made doll. But everything else is "real". Also, the last photo of the "Batman Super Powers Model Kit", I'm gonna feature the original art in the next post...whew!