Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - DC Multiverse Light Up Batmobile from McFarlane

Finally got around to picking up the two Schumacher Batmobiles that came out last year from McFarlane.

First up, let's look at the Batman & Robin one. I remember back in 1997 not being a huge fan of the design when I first saw it in the film. It always struck me as being a little too garish and impractical. I got hung up on why there was no canopy anymore and why the lights underneath had to spin around in red, orange and blue. It's also probably where a lot of accusations of the movie being "toyetic".

Fast forward to 2026 and I'm mostly past all those issues now. Yes, it is a "toyetic" design... and as a toy looks fantastic. I know a lot of people picked this up to go with all the other movie Batmobiles that McFarlane has made and this one will really stick out in your collection if you get it - in a good way.

The design is a great match for the movie version. The body is super glossy, the light up feature really vibrant, and the sound really cool. Not having a canopy means you can easily fit whatever figure you want in it (even Mr Freeze).

There's a few small issues like the dashboard being a sticker and the lights not spinning around like they did in the movie but they are really minor. I mean when you look at how they messed up the Forever Batmobile (green lights!!) and the Burton Batmobile (mismatched grey canopy!!) it's great that they finally got one "right". I guess it helps that it was one of the last ones that McFarlane is making and they have learned from their past mistakes.

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - 1:3 Scale Clooney Cowl from McFarlane

After buying so many action figures - both new and vintage - it's fun to have something different to review. I've seen these McFarlane mini cowls before but it took until they brought out this George Clooney one until I got interested in them.

I've got to say, they're actually kind of awesome. For £20, I think it’s a reasonable price. It's only made out of plastic but it looks much higher quality. 

I would recommend these for any fans of this movie. It doesn't take up much space and looks cool mixed in with your figure collection or on it's own. Just hoping they get around to doing the Kilmer/Forever one soon.

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Frostbite Batman & Robin figures from McFarlane

As McFarlane Toys begins it's winding down making DC action figures (they will lose the licence in 2026 as it moves back to Mattel) it's not surprising they want to squeeze out some quick easy ones to make a little extra cash. Repaints of existing figures, re-uses of bits and pieces of existing figures. 

It seems like a no-brainer to make an ice theme version of Batman & Robin - all they have to do is cast the same molds in a different sort of plastic. Initially I thought this was something they were only for the B&R movie line but it turns out there are lots of these "Frostbite editions" for their other comic book based Batman figures too.

Of the two, I really wanted to get the Robin figure as it sort of looks like the bit in the movie where he gets frozen. Sure the earlier figures had some clip on ice pieces which were a fun addition but I tend not to put those on him when he's in my cabinet.

As I say in the video these figures remind me of the old Star Wars: Power of the Force line from the 90s where they made translucent figures of Obi-Wan, Anakin and Yoda to make them look like force ghosts. Turns out these aren't quite as see through - there's a layer of "frosting" that's been added to the figure - which I guess is necessary as the internal workings are a little more on display than those earlier Star Wars figures.

I don't think these are necessarily an essential purchase but I'll take all the variations that McFarlane want to throw out.

News: McFarlane releasing 1:3 scale Clooney cowl

Just announced McFarlane are releasing a 1:3 scaled version of the George Clooney cowl. It should be approx 7 inches tall and comes connected to a small stand.

McFarlane have been making these mini cowls for a few years now (some at full scale). I haven't picked any up but will definitely be getting this. Should cost around £25-30.

Not sure on release date but the pre-orders start 2nd September.

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.

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Poison Ivy figure from McFarlane

If any character from Batman & Robin deserved a better action figure it's Poison Ivy. She got two versions for the Kenner toyline and both had a face sculpt that looked nothing like Uma Thurman and both costumes looked nothing like any of the outfits she had in the film.

25 years later McFarlane had righted that wrong and made - in my opinion - the highlight of their Batman & Robin line.

The body is really accurate to the movie costume. If I was pedantic, some of the colours could gave been closer - the red hair for instance is maybe too vibrant. But they're accurate enough for me.

It's the face sculpt that is the most impressive element. They've really captured Uma's likeness. If you only buy one figure, this is the one to get.

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Batgirl figure from McFarlane

I've finally tracked down all four of the recent McFarlane Batman & Robin figures and they are glorious. I still can't quite believe they are real and not a dream.

I'm not a big collector of modern figures. I mostly buy vintage stuff from the 90s so forgive me if I don't have the knowledge to compare how these are to other modern figures.

Anyway, first off is the Alicia Silverstone Batgirl. Apart from the matt black colour (why not blue, like the movie?) I don't have much to critique.

The face could have been slightly better. Certainly adding a little black mole on his cheek help with the likeness.

The most surprising element I like is actually the molded plastic cape. I usually hate these things but this one is really well done, the ripple on the cape really give it a realism.

I'll put the Mr Freeze bits to one side and build him at the end.

Anyway, goes with out saying. If you read this blog you should buy this figure. Who knows, they sell enough we may get a Batmobile to go with it!

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - George Clooney Batman figure from McFarlane

Thanks to an extremely generous fan I have the George Clooney Batman figure from the McFarlane Ultimate Batman Collection to review.

If you are a fan of the movie Batman & Robin this is the figure you've been waiting for. The sculpt is really spot on. Maybe not as much as the Val Kilmer one but it's recognizably Clooney's face. All the details are there - yep, even the nipples.

Articulation is excellent. The only one I didn't need is the neck. They should have kept it like the movie suit and not have him able to turn his head. 

The figure is also available as a solo release (as part of a 4 figure wave (with bonus build a Figure Mr Freeze). That one comes with a plastic cape. This one has the cloth cape which is nicer.

Anyway, what are you doing reading this review. Get out there and buy one. If this sells well, maybe we'll get a Batmobile!

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Mr Freeze figure from Funko Pop

And so we reach the last remaining figure I needed to get for the Funko/Schumacher Batman figures. The Mighty Mr Freeze.

As with all Funkos the attention to detail is perfect. They've really captured the likeness really well. If you like Funkos and like Arnie's Mr Freeze this is well worth getting and eminently affordable (which not a lot of toys are!). 

As I mention in the video Funko have had a tough time recently and these aren't as plentiful in shops anymore so if you want one I wouldn't wait too long.

As for my sidenote about McFarlane making some Schumacher figures in the future, I seem to have willed this into being!

McFarlane Toys have just yesterday announced they will be making a line of Batman & Robin figures as well as an Ultimate 6 Pack of all the Movies Batmen (Keaton, Kilmer, Clooney, Bale, Affleck and Pattinson).

See my posts on www.1995batman.com here and here.