Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Cloaked Poison Ivy figure from Funko

The 85th anniversary of Batman has been great for fans like me. Lots of companies have taken the opportunity to make figures of characters from the previous movies.

I'm very surprised that Funko have made another figure from the Batman & Robin movie. Sadly it's not a Bane or Batgirl or Robin but instead a cloaked version of Poison Ivy. 

Of course Uma Thurman's version had lots of alternate outfits and hairstyles used throughout the film so it makes sense to go back and do another one.

This is the most seen version - with the ivy clad bodice. I like that it includes the Little Shop of Horrors-esque mutant plant but the plastic isn't quite clear enough to see the monster clearly.

If you like Funkos, I recommend it.

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 Forever Merchandise Review - Robin and Ivy 2 Pack from Kenner

Given all the heroes and villains in Batman & Robin, it should come as no surprise that Kenner made a plethora of two-pack figure sets.

This week I'm looking at Evil Entrapment  Poison Ivy and Night Hunter Robin. 

The Robin is pretty standard. It benefits from a metallic red all over but the accessory is a dud. 

The Poison Ivy figure is great though. Love the green transculent bits and the Little Shop of Horrors-esque Venus fly trap is greaf. I kind of wish they did more Ivy figures - Uma Thurman had 4-5 costume changes throughout the film.

Anyway, this set is worth getting for the Ivy figure. Get it if you can.

Batman & Robin Merchandise Review - Jungle Venom Poison Ivy figure from Kenner

Sadly Poison Ivy was not best represented in the Kenner action figure line and only received two figures (despite being a major villain). 

The main one was Jungle Venom Poison Ivy - a generic representation of Uma Thurman in a plain green bodysuit. It's a little disappointing. The accessories are kind of fun though. The vines are good at tangling up other figures and the water cannon (a typical Kenner play feature) fits the character's green fingered tendencies. 

I maybe prefer the other Ivy figure (Evil Entrapment Poison Ivy - part of a two pack with Robin) but this figure does have the better accessories. Get either. Get both.

Concept Art: Poison Ivy costumes

This week we're taking a look at some of the concept art for Pamela Isley aka Poison Ivy. 

First up in a nice black and green design by Tim Burgard. 

Followed by a wild, spiky (and kinky) design by Miles Teves that would have surely caused a lot of parental complaints!

Then two by Wil Rees that more closely resemble the finished film (though I don't think Uma's nipples were that prominent).

And finally two entries by Susan Zarate. I really like these alot. The framed basque cleverly recalls the kind of trellis work you get in gardens. Again, maybe just a tad too sexy for a kids film.

Magazine Article - Empire #97 - July 1997

Next up we've got a big spread of articles and interviews with UK film magazine Empire. Once again Chris O'Donnell gets a big interview to himself.