Pimp My Batmobile!

Archive for the ‘Collecting’ Category

Gen 2 Limited Edition Figures Set

Well, all good things must come to an end. Our second issue of seated crimefighter figures are now officially retired. Sold out. Kaput.If you missed them, you missed them. We ended it with a small run of  limited edition TPM Custom hand-painted versions and those sold out in 8 days.

We are moving on to other ideas as far as figures go so these will not be returning.

Our standing figures are selling out pretty quickly as well. These are much more affordably priced than our previous painted figures for a few reasons. They are stationery – no articulation.  And their paint job is a bit simpler than the seated figures sported. So – they cost a lot less. And there are FAR less of those available so if you want a set of them, act fast. You can grab them HERE.

Just a funny headline opportunity – nothing ignorant about it. Looks like we might be getting slot car Batmobiles. Autoworld  is an imprint of Round 2/Polar Lights etc. so – fingers crossed. Whatever the final slot cars look like – they had me from the retro catalog design. Here’s a description of their “4 Gear” slot car:

Auto World’s new 4Gear chassis is based on a classic extended “pancake” design. It features an extra gear on its lengthened power transfer plate. The extended wheelbase and narrowed rear end fitted with gigantic dragster-inspired wheels make it perfect for custom applications and totally wild specialty vehicles! And that’s not all… Flip the chassis over and you’ll find two neodymium traction magnets to make these dynamite racers grip the track for super high speed racing excitement!

Well, I’m not sure how “Elite” it really is, but it’s here. Looks like a different softer seat padding, couple of hoses, lens on speedo, tiny bit more chrome here and there, flocking on part of the go-kart frame, probably a couple more small things. I won’t count the red pinstriping or the corrected 4th white scallop because only Hot Wheels would make us think that CORRECTIONS should be considered Elite Options. I can’t find one thing that’s different about the Go-Kart itself. Maybe someone else with an opened standard can correct me on that. Some nice little touches.

Summary: Like all the releases so far – a head shaking, “cool-but too bad they didn’t…” experience that still somehow ends up being a must-have in any 1966 Batman Collection. Yes, it’s very nice and looks great. Loaded with mistakes when compared to the original on-screen version(s) but probably is an exact duplicate of someone’s replica out there. If it’s too much to ask for screen accuracy, it would have been nicer if they had at least changed the crappy wheels on the Go-Kart on the Elite version. If it had been the only one out they could have charged $85 and it would have been fine. The fact that a $29 version came out first with maybe $6 less detail parts on it just makes this version all the ruder. Still – had you told me 6 years ago that we’d be holding such a model and that it would be (for the most part) a mass market release – I wouldn’t have believed you.It’s a great model and if taken on its own merits – certainly worthy of your display shelf. Buy it from our retail sponsor, REPLICARZ and tell Brian that Scot from PMB! sent you.

In my day job, I am a marketing consultant for a music retailer and a new guitar process service, so I am currently in Anaheim at the Winter NAMM show which unveils all new guitars, amps, equipment etc. for the year. And what do I stumble upon? The Batmobile! It was here promoting the Barris licensed Wing Bat, Krest and Drag-U-La guitars, (of which – as guitars go -  the less said the better) George is supposed to be here today sometime.

Well I got mine in today from China. Very nice, even with all the mistakes. Here are some comparison shots with the 1966 Corgi car.