THE COMICS JOURNAL just published a very nice review of the recent DC Comics Graphic Novel titled "TALES OF THE BATMAN by Gene Colan Volume 1". Sadly, Gene Colan died last year ( June 23rd ) so the timing on this book is well received and could be considered a tribute. This HC Book compiles the first two year's worth of stories from Gene Colan’s five-year run as BATMAN’s Lead Artist ( Pencils ), which began in 1981. I grew-up reading a lot of his work, or I guess I should say, "looking at his work", and have always enjoyed it. Here's a link to the THE COMICS JOURNAL Review. Also, if you're interested in buying this Hardback Book CLICK HERE for a good sale price that is 25% off retail.
Over at the Noblemania website our friend Marc has been very busy covering the Classic 1970's TV Show "Legends of the Superheroes" & tracking down all the Actors from this event. He recently interviewed James Rebhorn ( Batman ) and Gary Metriott ( Robin ) who performed as the Dynamic Duo back then. It's a RARE interview & a nice piece of Bat-History. here's a link to check it out, just click HERE!
OK, Batman Comic Book Fans from the late 80's & early 90's will totally remember the artwork of Norm Breyfogle. He drew the character from 1987 to 1993. Well, DC Comics is bringing him back for a one-shot called "DC RETROACTIVE: BATMAN, The 90's". Now, don't look for it real soon, it doesn't hit the shops until August 17th, ha! But it should be pretty cool & well worth the wait because they're also bringing back the same Writer from that period, Alan Grant! Both Norm & Alan will revisit a pair of villains closely associated with their original run on The Caped Crusader: The Ventriloquist and Scarface! Released on a technicality one year after being arrested, this bizarre duo is determined to reclaim their status in the upper echelon of Batman’s Rogues Gallery. This “lost tale” of the era spins directly out of DETECTIVE COMICS #613, reprinted in this issue!
I don't know what my fascination is with "Foreign Batman items" but that sort of stuff is really cool! Plus it's very hard to find. Here's some great examples: The 1st photo shows a JAPANESE POTATO CHIP BAG with a 1989 BATMAN movie promotion. Now, how wacky is that! Speaking of "Japanese", right now my heart goes out to all the people of Japan. The recent events there are such a tragedy. Let's hope things get better soon. The next pic features a 1980's German-Language BATMAN Comic Book... from Germany ( Duh!, ha! ). The the last group of photos are vintage Batman items from Australia. These Australian comics are from the 1970's. So, what do you think? Is this stuff kinda cool!? Hey, I got a question, Do YOU have any foreign bat-items you would like to share? If so, then please send us some pics today. Remember, the Bat-Blog is all about sharing information about the joys of collecting.
OK, if you're a Batman Fan then you're gotta totally love this hilarious graphic, even if you hate Garbage Pail Kids, ha ha! This non-sport trading card was part of a series put out by TOPPS in 1986. It features a character named "MATT Mobile", ha! I love the parody on the Vintage 1966 Batmobile & Adam West-style costume. Plus, it looks like he is bursting right out of the Batcave & into Gotham City! The 1st pic shows the actual trading card. Then, the next group of pictures show the preliminary sketch, color test, & original completed artwork... beautiful!
This is just great! I don't remember this ad specifically, but it's still nostalgic. Plus, you got a free pin! It's funny that VHS tape movies cost $20 back then & are now often $1 or less used.
Here's a link to download a remake of a classic BATMAN Video Game. The original was the first isometric game by Jon Ritman and Bernie Drummond. The graphics will take you right back to the 1980's, ha ha! So, are you curious? Well, just click HERE!
A Loyal Bat-Blog Reader named Williams sent us this cool pic the other night of a set of BATMAN AND JOKER TATTOOS he recently got. The cool thing is that the images are the original vintage comic book logos that were popular in the 1970's & 80's. I remember these from my childhood & they have always been a favorite ( especially "The Joker" ). The Tattoo Artist here did a really great job on both the colors & sharpness of line. I also wanna thank Williams for sharing this photo. Thanks Dude, your Bat-Tats look awesome!! Remember Bat-Blog Fans, if you ever get some ink done please be sure to send us a photo.
Here's another photo sent in by a loyal Bat-Blog Fan named David. It's a wonderful vintage family photo from around 1981 or so. It shows David, then age 13, with his favorite Batman Beach Towel. Oh man, the graphics are so extremely cool & this thing, today, is very very rare! The artwork looks like the classic stuff done by Carmine Infantino. I totally love this pic, thanks to David for sending it. If any other readers have any Bat-memories to share then please do. our email button is always at the top right-hand side of this page.
OK, remember along time ago, during the early 1989 Batman movie there were some GIANT-SIZE Fabric Wall Scroll Hangings with Batman graphics that were pretty cool. Well, a company recently created a few modern-day products using retro-style graphics from the 1980's. There are a few fabric banners with the Caped Crusader & one with the Joker. The first 3, shown here, are being sold at Superherostuff & the last banner ( clip art ) will be available at TFAW ( links down below, just do a search for "batman wall" ). I totally love the 1st two with the Batman & Joker graphics. These images are completely iconic!
All the way from Mexico we got an email from a Bat-Blog Fan named Pablo. He wanted to share a few pics of one of his favorite items in his collection. He has this extremely cool Vintage "CHALK LINE" Batman Jacket. From the style of the artwork used I'm guessing it's from the late 1980's. I totally love the image on the back with Batman & Joker in the heat of battle. They are shown in the Silver-Age Comic Book style...what a lot of people call the "Gray & Blue Batman" ( this is one of my favorites ). Thank you Pablo for sending the nice pics, I really appreciate that. This thing is GREAT!
BATMAN AND THE FARSIDERS! Yes, you read the title correctly. Here's a totally hilarious parody comic book cover done by our new friend ( & great Graphic Artist ) Jim Mohan. It makes fun of the old 1980's BATMAN & THE OUTSIDERS #1 Comic Book Cover by replacing a few superheroes with characters from Gary Larson's famous comic strip, THE FAR SIDE. It's also sort of a tribute to the original artist & creator Jim Aparo. The artwork is awesome & it is really really funny! ( Thanks Jim )
OK, it keeps freaking me out a little bit that the 1989 Batman Movie was 20 years ago. I feel so old now! Here is some old Local TV News Footage from back then talking about the release of the Warner Bros BATMAN VHS Video Tape in Retail Stores. The moment was almost as hyped-up as the original movie premiere, ha ha! In fact, at the time, it did set a record for fastest time for a movie to become available in stores ( 4 months ).
Back in 1985 a toy company called Kenner made a line of DC Comics action figures called SUPER POWERS. When you bought a figure you also got a free mini-comic book included in the package, located behind the figure ( see 1st photo ). Well, this post is a reprinting of that comic book that you can read ( Be sure to click on the above images for larger, more readable, pictures ). I hope it brings back good memories. In fact, they're kinda fun to read!!Plus, be sure to check out other Bat-Blog Posts from the past for more of these wonderful comics: Batman, Joker, & Penguin.
Awhile back, I got an e-mail from a guy who told me all about how he made some Batman Jewelry back in the late 1980's. Actually, the stuff came out during the 1989 Batman Movie craze! His company made many different versions of Batman-Themed Rings, Pendants, Pins, Buttons, Badges, Earrings, etc... They were all either Batman or Joker related & were the actual characters or their respective logos ( like the Bat-Symbol or Comic Book Logo ). Shown here are 2 Advertising Pamphlets featuring the work. Oh man, they're all so cool! The funny thing is I think I have one set of those Bat-Symbol Earrings, I'll have to dig those up later! Anyway, I wanna thank him for sharing these great pics. This stuff is an amazing piece of Vintage Bat-History! ( Readers, be sure to click on the above photos for larger, more detailed, pics ).
OK, as promised here are the wonderful photos of our buddy Dave dressed a s Batman! In earlier posts we shared some pics of him in various Halloween Costumes he has worn over the years. There have been costumes of The JOKER, both "Vintage Comic Book" & "Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight movie" versions. Plus he has been Robin, The Boy Wonder! Well, here's a nice collection of Batman costume photos! In the 1st photo it looks like he wore his costume to the office one day. So, I guess, his cubile on that day was called the "Batcave", ha ha! In another pic, from around 1989, he is with a very pretty girl who was dressed-up as Catwoman ( ya gotta love that ) & in another he is shown with his "Batmobile Car". Actually it's a black Hyundai with cardboard tail-fins, ha ha! ( I totally love the creativity of that ). Before I forget, I wanna thank Dave for all the great photos he has sent us. They have all been really great & I really appreciate that. I also want to invite all other Bat-Blog Fans to send in their Halloween memories, thank you.
Back in 1985 a toy company called Kenner made a line of DC Comics action figures called SUPER POWERS. When you bought a figure you also got a free mini-comic book included in the package, located behind the figure ( see 1st photo ). Well, this post is a reprinting of that comic book that you can read ( Be sure to click on the above images for larger, more readable, pictures ). I hope it brings back good memories. In fact, they're kinda fun to read!! Here's the Batman one & later, I plan on posting the Robin one so keep an eye out for that.
