Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Bane figure from Kenner

If you are more interested in a traditional Bane figure this is the one for you.

Sadly Kenner didn't make him look much like his actual appearance in the film with those sickly green arms and massive skull button on his chest. I guess this was another case of making figures before the costumes were made.

The design seems to be based very much on the comic version (designed by Graham Nolan). I enjoy the little accessories he comes with - the massive metal glove and the weird axe on a rope. Even if you don't like this movie, this is still a good Bane figure to get if you like the character. He fits in quite nicely with the Legends of Batman figures (which didn't get a Bane figure in the line).

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Brain vs Brawn figures from Kenner

Very fun two pack of figures here. 

You get a completely chrome Batman which looks fantastic in the light but the real treasure is the bonkers Bane figure. Kenner really went all out on this - coming up with a really fun concept whereby Bane has been seemingly surgically altered to be half made of see through ice and half covered in mutated plant vines. 

As I say in the video, I can't help but be reminded of Jason X even though that film came out 5 years later. This Bane is a definite highlight of the line.

Concept Art: Mr Freeze (and Bane, Batman, Batgirl) costumes

Last set of concept art for a while. First up we have some Mr Freeze costumes. Interesting to note that the initial idea seems to have been to cover his whole head in a glass helmet unlike the finished film.

NThen we have a quick sketch of one of Mr Freeze's goons.

Next up we have a sketch of Bane by Wil Rees.

Then another picture by Wil Rees of Batgirl wearing the slightly different "Ice" suit from the end of the film which included a cowl/helmet when she rode the bike.

And finally Batman in the "Ice" suit again by Wil Rees. Kind of looks neater here than it does in the finished film. Maybe having it been glossy and shiny like this would have improved the look slightly.

Miscellaneous content: Batman & Robin Style Guide illustrations part 3

 This is a final batch of illustrations by José Luis García-López for the Batman & Robin Style Guide.

Miscellaneous content: Batman & Robin Style Guide illustrations part 2

 More illustrations by José Luis García-López this week to enjoy. I particularly love the way he's kept the yellow oval symbol. I wish the film would have included that rather than the plain blue one.

Miscellaneous content: Batman & Robin Style Guide illustrations part 1

Unfortunately I still haven't managed to track down a hardcopy of the Batman & Robin Style Guide however there are lots of images online. I've pulled together as much as I can find. 

These are mostly illustrations by José Luis García-López depicting the various characters from the film. His beautiful line work really works well and lets us see the characters/designs in a fresh light. These were all used in a variety of Batman & Robin merchandise.

Magazine Article: Starlog #241

This week we're back with one last issue of Starlog - this time an interview with Robert "Jeep" Swenson, who played Bane and sadly died in August 1997, two months after the film opened. Interesting little detail that originally the character didn't have any lines in the script, and they were added by Joel in the edit.