Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Batman 3D!


This post combines two things that I love, Batman and 3D.
This is a Starlog magazine that I have from 1992 which features a ton of things on Batman Returns. I will post some of those things later but for now I want to focus on the 3D pictures that were included.

Starlog included four pages of a comic book entitled "Batman 3-D".
Sadly I have not found a copy of this book yet to place into my collection.

The article says the book includes artists like Dave Gibbons (Watchmen), Barry Windsor Smith (Conan the Barbarian) and George Perez (Teen Titans).

The 3D is done by Ray Zone and he is the master of 3D anaglyphs.


A year earlier Mr. Zone did a 3D comic book for The Rocketeer, which I own, and it is awesome 3D. Not only does it have 3D pictures but dimensional sound too called binaural.
That is the Rocketeer this is BATMAN!


So dig out your "Sherk 3D" or "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D" DVDs and pull out the red-blue glasses that came with them so you can view these amazing samples.

Caution! The newer 3D movies like Coraline and Monsters vs Aliens use a different color lens glasses for their 3D process.

Brian B

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Batman Jibbitz


Batman: The Jibbitz!

I didn't even know the thing was called a Jibbitz until today.
A Jibbitz is a doodad that sticks in the holes of your Crocs kinda like a charm on a bracelet.
Crocs are the foamy bright color shoes that everyone wore last year.

I never owned a pair of Crocs but I did spent $3 on this guy anyway.

He might look big here but he is tiny.
As a matter of fact this guy is one of the smallest Bat items that I have in my collection.

As small as he is he still has amazing detail. How could I have passed him up?

He has a little button type thing on his back that would snap into my Crocs, if I owned any.



He maybe small but he is full of cool and Carl and Russel seem impressed by him.

Brian B

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Batman Hoosier Cabinet

My wife loves to redecorate.
I come home to a new house at least once a month. Well she doesn't redecorate the whole house every month but at least one room a month.

Yesterday it was my offices, a.k.a. The Batroom, turn.
I now have a Batman Hoosier Cabinet added to my shelves to display some of my collection.

A Hoosier cabinet is a must antique to have here in Indiana.
These were like a little kitchen when they were originally made.
It has a place that holds flour, rolling pins, a potato drawer and a pull out counter top to do your kitchen work.

I don't have anything in the flour bin yet. (You can see the flour dispenser on the left)
I do have a Batman brass knuckle bladed thingy that my son bought me hanging on the rolling pin holder.
It reminds me of a weapon that Batman used in the fan made film Dead End.

Not only is Hoosier Cabinet holding a portion of my Batman collection but my wife also is using it to display some of my View Master stuff and slides that I use at WMDS.



The top of my book shelf holds some Batman items as well.

Brian B

Just a few quick shots as I headed out the door to work this morning.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Johnny Lightning 1950's Diecast Batmobile Model

Looks-wise, this is probably my favorite Batmobile in my collection. I love the lines, shape, and the great retro look of this particular version of the Batmobile. This is Johnny Lightning's 1950's Batmobile Diecast model. When built, this model looks and feels like a high-quality pre-built diecast metal car. I think this is in 1/18 scale. The car itself, is about 10 inches long. I believe this came out around 2004 or 2005 (Brian B, what does your boxed 60s car say for a year?).


The body of the car is made of metal and comes with a very nice pre-painted paint job. The rest of the car is up to you to build and then join with the pre-painted body.



The interior of the car is very detailed and requires the model builder to paint the various internal components (floor, seats, dials, etc.). One cool thing about this model is the inclusion of Batman's Crime Lab just behind the front seats.

The Crime Lab features various scientific instruments like a microscope and beakers. They all sit on a small wooden desk. There's even a stool for Batman to sit on and drawer units directly behind the front seats. This requires a lot of time to paint but the final product is worth the effort.

Looks like Batman is doing a little light reading while waiting for results from the built-in crime lab!

Love this car!!!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Mini Batmobile


I don't know much about this one.
It was a gift from my Mother who picked it up somewhere.

I know it was made in 1996 by Hasbro and that is the Batmobile from Batman The Animated Series.

It is no Corgi as far as action goes but the top does open.

The detail on the Batman figure inside the cockpit is amazing.



Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Here is how it actually looks.


Not to bad considering just how small this Batmobile really is.



It is so small it almost fits under a regular size penny.

Does anybody know anything about this Batmobile?

She gave me some other Batmobiles that are all about this same size.
Was it part of a set?



Brian B

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Vintage Corgi Batmobile

This is Corgi's vintage Batmobile that was released in the late 1960's and sold through the 1970's. This toy is based on the Batmobile from the 1960s TV series. This particular car in my collection was a gift from a friend and fellow Batfan from Germany, Guenter (Thanks again, Guenter!). This is one of my favorite items in my collection.

This Batmobile is made of diecast metal and is about 5 inches long.


The figures are reproductions and the siren is missing but the car is in great shape, otherwise.

Corgi loaded their version of the Batmobile with several different features. It shot small plastic missiles out of it's three tubes mounted behind the cab, the exhaust flame juts in and out as the wheels roll to simulate fire, and the front of the car has a spring-loaded saw blade that tucks away when not in use.

I think I see Chunky B's sticker on the side!


One neat feature that Corgi incorporated is an embossed full-figure portrait of the Caped Crusader on the bottom of the car. I think this really speaks to the quality and detail that Corgi put into this product. I'm sure no one would have missed it if they hadn't included the image. However, for those that looked, it was a nice little bonus. Interestingly enough, Corgi also did this with all of their more recently released versions (2005-ish?)of the different Batmobiles, as well.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Chunky B's First Bat-Item

Blogger Chunky B sent us some pictures of the first Batman item in his Bat-collection and it works in nicely with our Batmobile week.

It is a pinewood Batmobile that he and his Father made together when he was a kid.

Chunky says this is technically his "First Batman item in my adult collection." and that he "Made it for cub scouts pine wood derby".


He says that "The stickers were rescued from a broken plastic Batboat and the one on the back looks like it may have come from an old diecast Batmobile".


Chunky B also says "The fins are chopped, because I broke one before the race and my dad being quick on his feet, made the other match and slapped some silver paint on the tops to cover the bare wood and off we went to the races...".

He tells the whole story over at his blog Electorama.
You can go right to the story HERE.

It is quite the heart warming tale.


Thanks Chunky B for sharing part of you Bat-collection with us here at UTGP.