News: Hot Toys is making Batman & Robin 1/6 scale figures (... no seriously)!

Even though we got those Batman Forever figures from Hot Toys a few years back, I really didn't think they would also do ones for the 1997 follow up Batman & Robin. I assumed the negative reputation that has dogged the film for years would mean that Hot Toys would think they financially unviable.

Turns out I was wrong, these two prototypes were just unveiled today! I've got to say, I'm glad I was wrong.

These are just prototypes at the moment and if you remember those Batman Forever prototypes were shown at toy fairs for at least a year before they hit retail shelves so you probably have some time to save up your pennies.

Looking at the initial designs, I think they look great. Chris' hair looks a little too light brown and I know some people would prefer them to have more of a blue hue but overall, stunning. I wonder if they'll come with add on ice patches like the McFarlane figures.

I imagine they will have similar issues to the Forever figures (ie. the rubber suits crease awkwardly when you bend the arm or legs) but I can live with that.

Here's hoping they consider an Alicia Silverstone Batgirl figure down the line. Seems like a shame to miss her out.

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Batgirl Ice Strike Cycle figure from Kenner

Although I usually like my movie action figures to look like they did on screen, I also enjoy when a toy designer throws out the rule book and makes their own wild and crazy reinterpretation. The Batgirl Ice Strike Cycle is definitely one of the latter. 

The figure is a predominantly light purple with a visor - worlds away from the look in the film. I really dig it though - it reminds me of the Batman vs Predator comic from the early 90s. Maybe that inspired the toy designer too.

The cycle itself is fairly close to the look of the film. It's missing the big bat symbol on the front and a few other details but it's close enough. I like that they've made it so the character can sit up properly and not have to lie down on top of the bike like so many other Kenner cycle (I'm looking at you Redbird Robin and Street Racer Batman). The wheel missile is a nice addition too. I didn't note it in the video but apparently you can take that missile launcher off and attach it to Batgirl.

All in all, this one is a hearty recommendation.

Batman Forever + Batman & Robin merchandise for sale!

No, I haven't lost my mind and decided to sell my collection. Don't worry. It's going nowhere.

I have though been in touch with a fellow Batman collector called Laurent.

He is very active on Instagram and is selling a TON of Batman merchandise - from the movies, cartoons, comics.

Most interesting to readers of this blog, he has a big collection of Batman Forever and Batman & Robin merchandise.

Here are a couple of photos below show some of what he has available. Some really rare pieces. He also has a lot of carded figures too. Check his Instagram page out here - give him and follow and maybe strike up a deal.

And here's some individual posts about some of the items for a closer look. 

Batman Forever stuff:

Riddler resin kit https://www.instagram.com/p/C4TtEyQsLCT/?img_index=1

Socks https://www.instagram.com/p/ClPPcQOMX7P/

Various CDs https://www.instagram.com/p/ClMv4ysMO5a/ https://www.instagram.com/p/ClKHS7-szf2/ 

Inflatable pop bag https://www.instagram.com/p/ClKHS7-szf2/ 

Bubble bath https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjn3TAzMGkn/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjn3vZss9uI/ 

Batman & Robin stuff: 

WBSS portraits https://www.instagram.com/p/C2lCtTwsYuD/?img_index=1

 WBSS paper bag https://www.instagram.com/p/CjtMo-hMxQ0/?img_index=1

 Batman study kit https://www.instagram.com/p/CjisZfBsR--/?img_index=1

 Torchlight https://www.instagram.com/p/CjgZQ0xsKRj/?img_index=1

 Fruit snacks https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjdx05TsCV6/

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Blade Blast Robin figure from Kenner

I may have finished off all the Batman Forever figures but there's still plenty of Batman & Robin ones to go. 

Here is a fairly standard "peg warmer" called Blade Blast Robin. He sports the same shade of neon orange as Heat Scan Batman so you can make a good pairing with him. I'm surprised Kenner didn't re-release them as a two pack.

The missile he comes with is very cumbersome. There's no way you can stand the figure on its own while holding it. It does have a cool switch that flicks out the yellow blades though.

News: Beast Kingdom is making new Batman Forever and Batman & Robin figures

 Beast Kingdom has previewed these 8 inch (I think) figures at the Licensing Expo 2024.

They seem to be doing the same thing as McFarlane and making a whole range of Batman movie figures from Michael Keaton to Robert Pattinson and everything in between.

Most interesting are some new figures of Val Kilmer's Batman, George Clooney's Batman and a Jim Carrey Riddler figure.

I've got to say I love the look of the Riddler (maybe even more than the forthcoming McFarlane figure). The cloth jacket and bowler hat look ace.

I'm less keen on the Clooney and Kilmer figures though. I don't know, something feels a bit off about them. Their heads seem quite far off their bodies.

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Mr Freeze figure from McFarlane

Finally at the end of the McFarlane line. This episode looks at Batman (which I've already reviewed) and the Build a Figure Mr Freeze. I've got to say they did a great job with Mr Freeze. I wish we had a Jeep Swenson Bane figure as well but hey, maybe that was too much to ask for.

The Mr Freeze has a great head sculpt. Really good Arnold Schwarzenegger vibes. And I love that they used a semi-translucent blue for the see-through parts of the helmet.

The only criticism I really have are the colours of the suit. The blue parts of the suit feel a bit light and flat. Obviously these lit up on the real suit but that's impossible to do on this scale. I still feel they could have come with a brighter colour. 

I've had a look at other people's customs and I think I'm going to find some shiny pearlescent blue plastic to stick over the top of these bits.

The other issue is the grey suit which really should have been painted with chrome. I'm going to try and rectify this by using a "Molotow Liquid Chrome pen, 2.0 tip" as recommended by ace action figure customizer Les Walker.

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Robin figure from McFarlane

Third in the McFarlane Batman & Robin wave is Chris O'Donnell's Robin. 

It's a pretty great figure. The likeness isn't as perfect as Poison Ivy but I think it's a solid effort. The pouty lips and big jawline are there.

I love that they added some accessories for this one. There are two ice pieces that can go over his head and arm so you can recreate the part of the movie where Mr Freeze blasts him with his freeze ray. That's a neat touch.

Hopefully if this line sells well, we'll get an Ice Suit Robin in the near future. If not, I'll just have to buy a duplicate and get out the old Chrome paint.