Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - George Clooney Batman figure from Beast Kingdom

Kinda weird that only a few months after McFarlane released their Ultimate Batman Movie figure set that Taiwanese toy manufacturer Beast Kingdom announced they too were making a figure of every Batman actor from Keaton to Pattinson. While McFarlanes were around 7 inches, the Beast Kingdoms were an inch taller and all sold separately.

I, of course, had to pick up the two Schumacher ones even though they aren't fantastic. The George Clooney one is probably the better of the two.

The figure has tons of articulation but it comes at the expense of some very open joints (particularly around the groin). The head sculpt is actually really good for the price but it sits weirdly high on the figure and is awkward to put in any pose. The cape is nice and has wire inside but again, it's weirdly connected to the cowl. 

It's a textbook case of one step forward, one step back. Still it's fun to have something a little different on the shelf and although I sound disappointed un the video, I have come around a little more on it.

Podcast: 1st two episodes of 1995 Batman podcast out now

So Drew and I have started a recording a few episodes of this discussion podcast where we watch some videos or read some articles  related to the Schumacher Batman films and have a chat about the contents. 

Hope you enjoy! It's a fun way of getting us to bring up our individual thoughts and ideas about what does and doesn't work about the two Schumacher films.

The first episode has us looking at an article from TheShot.com about 5 Reasons Why Batman Forever is the Best of the  Batman Movies.

And in episode 2 we take a look at Eyebrow Cinema's video essay looking at both Schumacher Batman films (*note, this video will have a part 2 later).

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Ultimate Armor Mr Freeze figure from Kenner

Getting close to completing the Batman & Robin toy line. These last few are becoming harder and harder to track down. I was lucky to find someone in Germany selling this and ended up paying a bit extra to get it posted to the UK.

This was totally worth it though. The figure is a villain version of those Batman and Robin figures where you snap on the armour and those types of figures are some of my favourite ones ever. 

This time it makes way more sense because Arnie's suit was big and bulky and he did have a sequence where he has to put it all on ("A laundry service that delivers!").

The paint work is still pretty minimal but I appreciate them going with something other than blue for the colour. The mint green undersuit looks kind of awesome.

Just a couple more Mr Freeze figures to go.

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Deluxe Rooftop Pursuit Batman figure from Kenner

Another day, another Batman figure. This one has a pretty cool colour scheme though. And even has the classic yellow oval symbol on his chest. I was always kind of disappointed that wasn't on Clooney's suit in the film. Nice to see it back here on a figure.

Once again, we have huge backpack that sort of turns Batman into a one-man jet. It's a little clunky and actually when it's all on it's tough to get him to stand up.

Anyway, this is far from the best figure in the line but far from the worst either.

And here's an interesting fact I learnt after I posted the review. Kenner/Hasbro actually reused most of the vehicle as Deluxe Midnight Pursuit Batman figure from a later Animated series line.

New audiobook: Batgirl: To Dare the Darkness read by Drew Griffin

Drew Griffin has released a NEW audiobook reading for Doug Moench's novella "Batgirl: To Dare the Darkness."

For those that don't know, this is a fascinating little spin-off that came out in 1997. It's set after the events of Batman & Robin and sees Barbara Wilson having to use her computer skills to go up against Black Mask. 

Much like Alan Grant's Robin spin-off "Facing the Enemy", this one also has Barbara Wilson temporarily quit the crime fighting trio and go off to investigate Black Mask's crime spree in her civilian alter ego for much of the story.

Also, the book follows the template of the two Schumacher Batman films by having Black Mask (aka Roman Sionis) be a disgruntled Wayne Tech employee not unlike Edward Nygma and Pamela Isley.

There's a few tiny areas of continuity that don't quite line up (like how come Robin is back in his original red, green and gold costume) but nothing huge.

Once again, Drew has done a fantastic reading with top notch voice work. I particularly enjoy his voice for Robin, who pops up in the story a few times. For those of you wondering about his voice for Barbara Wilson - remember, she went to Oxbridge Academy so of course she's going to have an English accent!

The book was previously made into a very short 30 minute audio drama back in 1997 (link here) but Drew has done full unabridged version for the channel and I've got to thank him for making this. These things are not easy to record. This also means that we now have recordings of all the Schumacher films and their spin-offs.

Well, what are you waiting for. Press play.

A look back at the Batman Unmasked exhibition

Another different type of video this week - a look back at the temporary Batman Unmasked exhibition that was in Covent Garden in London from September to December 2024 (and also Manchester before that).

I meant to get this edited last year when I actually went to the exhibition as a way to show people what it was like before they went. Unfortunately I ended up not getting around to editing it until this year, after the exhibition had closed. Oops. Oh well I guess at least I didn't spoil all the surprises.

Anyway, hope this is of interest. It was really great to see all these old Schumacher Batman movie costumes and props up close - the actual things that the actors used and wore. You could see all the scuffs and marks on them and paint was visibly peeling off some bits. There was a little bit from all the Batman movies from the last 35 years but the Schumacher stuff was what stuck out. The costumes and props from those two films are so colourful and over the top. It's probably what got me so interested in making props recently. 

When you see this stuff up close you realise how important all the camera work and lighting and effects are - because the reality is that lots of this stuff looks kinda cheap when you're eyes are inches from it. It was never built to be poured over like this or last as long as it has.

The exhibition was a little pricey and short for what you got but I'm still glad I went. I appreciate the theatricality that went into it. It certain made it feel a little grander than it actually was. 

News: Hot Toys bringing out two versions of Mr Freeze

Prepare your wallets for a BITTER WINTER. 

Hot Toys are releasing not one but two versions of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mr Freeze in 2026. One standard and one deluxe (that comes with a frozen steps stand and the iconic(?) wings). 

Very happy and surprised to see this figure, it looks incredible. Once again their faces look almost lifelike. I love that they have included the two vials of MacGregor's syndrome cure on his wrist. "Take two of these, and call me in the morning!" 

I nearly purchased the bootleg SooSooToys Mr Ice and Dragon Toys Dr Zero but am glad I held off. Who knows if I'll have the money to get this, hopefully they space the release out with the Batman and Robin figures otherwise that's a huge chunk of money in one go. 

Do you think Hot Toys will do any more Schumacher figures? Poison Ivy? Two Face? Riddler? Batgirl? Bane? That guy who yells "Batman, yeah!" when Batman crashes through the ceiling of the Nygmatech party?