BAT-BLOG HOT WHEELS '66 BATMOBILE CONTEST Ends Tonight, April 12th

Just a friendly reminder that the current Bat-Blog Contest to win a FREE Hot Wheels 1966 Batmobile ends tonight! You must send your full name/address into us by 11:00 PM Central Time. It's that easy! Click the ENTER BUTTON for more details.

BATMAN ARTIST Neal Adams

Neal Adams doesn't need ANY introductions. This famous comic book artist is a living legend, an icon! His work in silver age comics is considered to be classic. His heyday was in the 1970's when he drew Batman, Deadman, Green Lantern, & Green Arrow. Back then he even created the character R'as AlGhul who later became a main villain in the Batman Begins movie. His portrait is shown in this vintage pinback button by Denis Kitchen. I also thought I would show a more recent photo. Here he is sketching at a comic book convention. Now the whole reason for this post was that I had an advance copy of Adams' artwork for All Star Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder #8 ( Due out Nov 28th ) which I had posted right here for a few days. Well, at his son's request I took it down because he was a little freaked out, he said & I quote, " I do have a favor to ask. Neal is my father and he just finished a new Batman cover for DC. Somehow you got a copy of that art on your site. The Joker head with Batman's head over it. The thing is, we promised DC that we wouldn't post any images of the cover, and I have no idea how you got a copy of the scan of it. My worry is that DC might think we've been releasing the image. They did, however, give us permission to show it at the National convention on the 16th. I was hoping you wouldn't mind taking that image down until the 16th?". Well, this is no problem at all. I'm kinda bummed out that my "scoop" is getting burned but out of respect for Mr.Adams I'm taking it down until the 16th. Hey DC, I did not get this scan thru Mr. Adams or any of his staff. Be sure to return to the Bat-Blog on the 16th to see this amazing artwork. ( Neal Adams is drawing Batman again!! ).

DUBLIN CITY Comic Con 2007, November 17th & 18th, Special Guest JIM LEE

This is a post for our Bat-Blog friends who live in Europe, or US readers who are rich & can afford to fly to Europe, ha ha. DUBLIN CITY COMIC CON 2007 will be on November 17th & 18th & held at the Tara Towers Hotel in Ireland. The Guest of Honor is the great JIM LEE, Super Batman Artist! Other special guests will be Mark Millar, Steve McNiven, Mike Avon Oeming, Adi Granov, Carlos Pacheco, Andy Diggle, Jock, Ben Oliver, Liam Sharp, Paul Cornell, C.B. Cebulski, Nick Roche, Steve Mooney, & others. This is a really great comic book convention that you will NOT want to miss! Here's a link for more information. If ANYONE wants to send me a free airline ticket please feel free to do so, ha ha! http://www.myspace.com/dublincitycomiccon

BATMAN VIDEO: Batmobile Monster Truck at Monster Jam, Indianapolis 2007

DC DIRECT: Robin / Dick Grayson 13" Action Figure

Here's a new addition to DC Direct's new line of 13 inch Action Figure Dolls, Dick Grayson as Robin! These figures are well articulated & very detailed. I really like this one & I might have to break down & get it!! ( They're kind of expensive. I think they're around $50 or $60.00 ) Ouch!

Hallmark 2007 Batman Christmas Keepsake Ornament

This Christmas 2007 Hallmark Stores will release a brand-new Batman Keepsake Ornament called THE VILLAIN DATABASE. Designed by Lane Feuer it measures about 4 1/4" wide & with the push of a button will reveal new pictures of different Batman Villains. The retail price will be $16.50...look for it.

THE DARK KNIGHT Movie BATMAN Mattel Action Figure Photo

Here's a picture of the Batman action figure prototype made by Mattel for THE DARK KNIGHT movie. This was presented at the recent 2007 NYC Licensing Show where Mattel announced they will be the "official toy maker" for THE DARK KNIGHT movie, the sequel to Batman Begins. There will be TDK figures of Christian Bale's Batman ( shown here ), Heath Ledger's Joker, etc...even the BAT-POD Bat-Bike Motorcycle we have all been seeing lately. They will also make the BAT-POD into a special R/C Remote Control toy. That sounds cool!

NEW BATMAN FAST FOOD TOY at Hardees & Carl's Jr, June 2007

A friend recently told me about a new Batman Fast Food Toy that is available at Hardees & Carl's Jrs Restaurants. He's one of the JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED characters in the promotion for the release of the new JLU Season Two DVD. It looks pretty cool & I just might have to try & track one down!

Video: BURT WARD INTERVIEW June 2007

WHILCE PORTACIO - Batman Comic Book Convention Sketch!

Just a quick post. Here's a very cool convention sketch done recently by WHILCE PORTACIO in 2007. I really like this guy's style, the angular lines...nice! Comicons are a great source for original comic art! You can see a lot more details if you click on the picture above. Also, be sure to check the BAT-BLOG ARCHIVES for many more posts about original Batman Comic Book Art & Convention Sketches...enjoy!

Robin TEEN TITANS CARTOON TOYS on Below Half Price Sale

OK, First off as a Batman & Robin Fan I have checked out the TEEN TITANS Animated Cartoon a few times because one of the main characters of the show is Robin. I have to admit I didn't like it at first, little too "anime wannabe". But, I gave the show another chance & I really started to love it! Once you continue to watch it you'll see that the show is very well written with good animation & voice acting. Later I even started to like the anime influence, makes it kind of modern. Anyway, I collect some of the Teen Titan Robin Toys for my Batman Collection because they look pretty cool. The other day I discovered a website that's selling TEEN TITAN toys & right now they are having a dramatic clearance sale at very cheap super-bargain prices. I mean, they say the sale is "half price" but it's actually way cheaper, ha ha! Here's a link to check it out:

The Teen Titans Store

BAT-BLOG's Wacky Wallpaper Wednesday!

Every Wednesday at the BAT-BLOG we present two Batman Wallpapers you can use to brighten your desktop or use in a MySpace layout! Today we thought we would post some pictures of Batman Toys. One is a Vintage 1970's Mego ROBIN THE BOY WONDER Action Figure 8" Doll on original blister-card. The 2nd one is the NEW Batman Action Figure from the DC SUPER FRIENDS collection. This will be released from Mattel in 2007. Be sure to check the BAT-BLOG ARCHIVES & BAT-BLOG WALLPAPER PAGE for many many more Batman Desktop Wallpapers!!

DC SUPER FRIENDS Action Figures By Mattel 2007, Updated

We reported here recently about the new line of toys from Mattel called DC SUPER FRIENDS, which are sort of a kiddie-version of DC Comics Superheroes. Well, Here's some more photos from the 2007 TOY FAIR of what more of the Batman Toys are gonna look like & we love 'em!! I mean, they're also gonna make Aquaman, Superman, Green Lantern, etc...but who cares! ( Click the above photo for a larger, more detailed, picture! )

NEW 2007 Hot Wheels THE BATMAN TWO-PACK SET Batmobile + Joker & Riddlers Cars

I was running thru Target the other night trying to find the 1966 Batmobile Hot Wheels Car & didn't find a single one! But, I did find these 2 NEW Hot Wheels TWO-PACKS from THE BATMAN featuring the newer version Batmobile with a very small figure & very cool villian car. There are 2 different ones: The Joker's Last Laugh & The Riddler's Rampage. I really like the packaging, the tiny figures, & the cars but it kinda sucks that they make you buy the Batmobile twice! But, the Batmobile is the newer "cartoon version" & it is pretty cool! Be sure to check the BAT-BLOG ARCHIVES for more news about current Batman toy releases!

DC SUPER FRIENDS Mattel TOY FAIR 2007 Baby Batman!!

OK, I gotta admit that when companies re-license their work in the form of babies it gets on my last nerve ( Muppet Babies & Baby Snoopy come to mind ) but these DC SUPER FRIENDS are sooooo adorable! Yes they are, who's the cutiest widdle superheroes ever? You are, Yes you are! Mattel released images of a new line of toys coming out in 2007 at the recent NY Toy Fair. They are DC Comic Book character action figures & accessories that look super-cute: like Batman, Aquaman, Superman, Flash, etc are little kids. I think the Baby-Batmobile is the most adorable thing ever, yes I do...who's the cutest little car, you are! Yes, you are! Goo Goo.

New 2007 Mattel HOT WHEELS BATMOBILE Car 1966 TV Show Series Version

Finally! Mattel has released some actual photos of the highly anticipated release of the 2007 Hot Wheels 1966 TV SERIES BATMOBILE CAR!! This is the car for the 66 BATMAN TV Show starrring Adam West & Burt Ward with series car designed by George Barris. Here's 2 photos showing both sides of this small scale Hot Wheels car. Mattel is also gonna release 2 other sizes later, sort of a medium version which will be the size of a Corgi Toy car & a large scale version that is suppose to be very highly-detailed. You can find more information on this diecast toy car in our BAT-BLOG ARCHIVE. The main thing right here is just the photo!!

NEW RARE PICTURES of HOT WHEELS 1966 BATMOBILE CAR - Prototype

Here are some extremely RARE photos showing what the NEW Hot Wheels 1966 Batmobile Diecast Car is gonna look like! They are pics of a test-run for the prototype of the George Barris design car. It shows it un-painted but it gives you a really good idea what it's gonna look like. The details are pretty nice & I like the clear-blue windsheild! So far I think Mattel is doing a really great job on these. I'm pretty sure that they know if they make one tiny micro-mistake on these that there will be riots in the street caused by rabid Batman Fans, ha ha, just kiddin'. This Batman Toy being made by this very classic toy company is gonna be HUGE!! Keep checkin' back with the BAT-BLOG for more current news you can't find anywhere else!! Click the pictures up above for larger, more detailed, photos!!

Brand NEW Photo of The Batman 1966 BATMOBILE Hot Wheels Car With The Original George Barris Design!

At the Official HOT WHEELS COLLECTORS CLUB™ Webpage Mattel posted this Brand-NEW promo photo of what the NEW 1966 Batman BATMOBILE is gonna look like! This appears to be a CGI picture, & not the actual diecast toy car, but it gives you a really good idea of what it's gonna look like!! From the look of it this is gonna be the small "Hot Wheels-Sized" Car & not the larger version. Mattel has plans to do three versions: small, medium, & large with each new larger size becoming more detailed....we can't wait! Check back here at the BAT-BLOG for all the current news & we'll let ya know all the details as they arrive! Be sure to check the BAT-BLOG ARCHIVES for past Hot Wheels™ Batmobile News & Pics!

Also remember to Click the small picture above for a larger photo!

NEW 1966 BATMOBILE By Hot Wheels Coming Out in Jan/Feb 2007

Here's the official photo from Mattel of Hot Wheels Chief Designer Larry Wood doing some last minute measurements of the original George Barris Batmobile Car for the release of the NEW Batman1960's Style Batmobile designed for the 40th Anniversery of the 1966 TV Show. The next BAT-BLOG post is the official Press Release from Mattel for the special diecast car Batmobiles. They are not giving an exact date but it's rumored to be January or Febuary 2007...we can't wait!!

George Barris 1960's Batman TV Batmobile Hot Wheels Car

Here's the official press release from Mattel's Hot Wheel Division:

WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS, DC COMICS AND MATTEL PARTNER TO REINTRODUCE FOR THE FIRST TIME THE CLASSIC TV BATMOBILE--Mattel to Produce Hot Wheels® Die-Cast Batmobiles Inspired by the Classic Television Series--Burbank, Calif., November 27, 2006 -- Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), DC Comics, and Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:MAT) announced today the production of a line of Hot Wheels® die-cast cars inspired by the Batmobile featured in the 1966 “Batman” television series. The legendary crime-fighting vehicle was designed by custom automotive icon, George Barris, and has since become a lasting symbol of the Batman franchise. Under the partnership, Mattel will produce Hot Wheels® Batmobiles, which will begin arriving at retail locations in 2007.This launch of the Batmobile commemorates the 40th anniversary of the “Batman” television series, which initially aired in 1966, and reintroduces one of television’s most recognized vehicles to an entirely new generation of Batman fans and collectors alike. Barris’ classic version of the Batmobile is world-renowned and the Hot Wheels® reproductions will be the first of their kind.“We’re bringing one of the most iconic entertainment-based Batmobiles to consumers in honor of the television show’s 40th anniversary,” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President of Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “While the vehicle has been reinvented numerous times over the years in comic books, animated series and feature films, the TV Batmobile is still held in the highest regard with countless fans who will truly appreciate this exciting endeavor.” In recognition of the occasion, Mattel will produce multiple scales of the Hot Wheels® Batmobile, including a 1:64th scale model that will appear on store shelves in Spring 2007 in the Hot Wheels® basic car line. In Fall 2007, there will be an additional 1:64th scale model introduced as well as a 1:43rd scale replica model and a 1:18th scale, which will have three levels of detail and finish. The ultimate version, the Hot Wheels Elite™ special edition Batmobile, will have enough detail to delight even the most discriminating of Batmobile collectors. “This is the car that every collector has been asking for,” said Geoff Walker, Vice President of Wheels Marketing, Mattel Brands. “This Batmobile designed by George Barris is the version of the Caped Crusader’s car that everyone instantly recognizes. We’re thrilled at the opportunity to create the Hot Wheels version of this iconic vehicle to be available early next year.”“It is wonderful to see that collectors and fans of the TV Batmobile will finally be able to enjoy an excellent toy reproduction,” said George Barris. “We received thousands of letters asking when the TV Batmobile will be available, and are pleased that Hot Wheels is bringing the original to life through different scales and detail. I take great pride in the vehicle’s design and know that the Hot Wheels team will do it justice in capturing the details of the original. It is my honor to be a part of the 40-year history of the Batmobile and to have this most famous car be released by Mattel for the consumers.” About Warner Bros. Consumer ProductsWarner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.About DC ComicsDC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics’ Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.About MattelMattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price® brands (www.fisher-price.com), including Little People®, Rescue Heroes®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than the 30,000 people in 42 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. Mattel’s vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow. BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.