MICHAEL KEATON as the BATMAN?!

OK, This is a totally hilarious piece of original Bat-History right here. A Bat-Blog Fan, who wishes to remain anonymous ( we respect that ), sent us this copy of a petition some very serious people ( I think in Canada ) started back in the late 1980's when they heard the news that Michael Keaton was chosen as the Actor to play the role of "Batman" in the upcoming 1989 BATMAN Movie. 

Now, how funny is this? The irony of course is that Mr. Keaton totally blew everybody away with his performance & turned out to be a really good Dark Knight!

It Reads:

"It has recently been announced that the Actor MICHAEL KEATON has been chosen to play the BATMAN in the big budget film being directed by TIM ( BEETLEJUICE ) BURTON for release in 1989 ( the 50th Anniversary of the BATMAN ). If the Producers of this movie are truly committed to leaving the camp image of the 60's TV Show behind and presenting to the world the DEFINITIVE DARK KNIGHT DETECTIVE they can't allow MICHAEL KEATON to play this role!! Don't get me wrong,  KEATON is a fine comedy actor who has done exemplary in the past in such films as BEETLEJUICE, MR. MOM, NIGHT SHIFT, etc.. but he's defiantly not the sort of imposing figure needed to define the ultimate creature of the night, the BATMAN! Help us to stop this ridiculous decision before filming starts in December/--88 Sign the petition below and let's bring the folks at Warner Brothers Films to their senses!

We, the undersigned, strongly insist that the decision to cast MICHAEL KEATON as the BATMAN is a major mistake and must be reversed before filming starts on BATMAN: THE MOVIE!!"

Franchi's 1989 BATMAN MOVIE TRIBUTE Wallpapers!

I'm pretty proud to say that this week's "Wacky Wallpaper Wednesday" features some amazing artwork by Graphic Artist / Designer Christopher Franchi. He's a Good Friend to the Bat-Blog and was kind enough to make us these 2 Exclusive BATMAN Wallpapers! Now of course these 2 images pay tribute to the Classic 1989 BATMAN Movie directed by Tim Burton.

OK, in the 1st wallpaper we get to see Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight, Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale, and Jack Nicholson's excellent version of The Joker! The Classic '89 Batmobile Car even makes an appearance! I like how the car is kicking-up some leaves as it blazes down the road, a nice touch. I also like the scenery of Gotham City with the Bat-Signal and the AXIS Chemical Plant, both great references. All the Characters/Actors are extremely well done. I mean, you can almost smell Kim Basinger's hair gel ( Hey, it was the Eighties, ha! ).

Now, the 2nd Wallpaper's main focus is just on BATMAN. Yes, This is the Michael Keaton version most all Bat-Fans totally love! he's shown here in a famous "open wings" pose and the glowing Bat-Symbol in the back is a nice touch.

Side Note:
Franchi is working on getting the rights to produce a variation of this image as a Limited-Edition Art Print Poster and if we get more news about that we'll pass it on. It's also important to note that he altered the original image for our Bat-Blog "Wallpaper Format" and, if the art print is offered, it will look more like the "Vertical" example shown down below.

New Photos - HOT TOYS 1989 BATMAN Movie BATMOBILE CAR 1/6th Scale TOY VEHICLE

OK, These photos are total torture for me! I mean, I already know I will not be able to afford to buy this brand-new HOT TOYS '89 BATMOBILE Toy and I'm already crying myself to sleep over it, ha! This is the HUGE vehicle being made for the large "Michael Keaton BATMAN" Hot Toys Figure. It's gonna be real expensive ( Like hundreds of dollars ) but completely worth every penny as it's a beautiful, and extremely detailed, replica of the Batmobile Car from the 1989 BATMAN Movie.



It has Rubber Tires with Detailed Tread, a Cockpit that slides open, an Instrument Panel inside that's very detailed, Machine Gun Turrets that pop-out of the hood, a Special Base to display it on, etc... it even comes with a "Cocoon Shield" to cover it. OK, I'm just gonna cry for about an hour or two. I know you are so much braver than I am so please be sure to check out all the wonderful photos.

Fun Wacky BATMAN News and Artwork!

OK, in my BAT-BLOG Bat-Folders, I have some pics that are kind of random so I thought I'd post them all as one big fun article. Hey, it's neat stuff so don't start cryin', ha ha! The 1st pic is a wonderful piece of Batman Art done by our Friend Troy Lowndes. It uses images of different Actors who have played the Caped Crusader: Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney. It's hilarious!


The next photo has a funny story. Our friend BatDave was told that a certain Video Game Arcade on the Boardwalk in NJ had a Vintage BATMAN MOVIE Pinball Machine. So, he gathered up the "Junior Bat-Squad" ( His Cute Nieces ) and ran over there. When they got there they found out it was the newer "Dark Knight" version. but, they all had fun playing the many different machines. Of course the Batman one was their favorite but they also loved Ironman & Spiderman!



The last 2 photos are just some very recent FAMILY GUY Batman-related T-Shirts that just came out. I love the one with Brian The Dog screaming, "I AM BATMAN!" The next one features the cast of the show as the Retro-1970's Super Friends! You can find these shirts right HERE!

HOT TOYS New BATMAN RETURNS 1992 MOVIE Figures Announced For Late 2012

The Toy Company HOT TOYS announced they will be coming out with a new line of 1/6th and 1/4th scale collectible figures based on the 1992 "Batman Returns" movie which stared Michael Keaton as Batman, Danny DeVito as Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. The Release Date is not set in stone but expect something towards the end of 2012.

New HOT TOYS DX-9 BATMAN 1989 Movie Figure Coming With Bat-Signal Accessory!

HOT TOYS just announced that the brand-new DX-9 "1989 MICHAEL KEATON BATMAN" Movie Figure will come with a Special BAT-SIGNAL Accessory! It's sort of a plastic shield you hold-up in front of a flashlight to project the Bat-Symbol on the wall. Woooo, exciting!

Video - BATMAN RETURNS Michael Keaton Mentos TV Commercial

OK, This Fake MENTOS CANDY "BATMAN RETURNS Movie Parody" TV Commercial is kinda corny, but it is nice to see Michael Keaton again. Plus, the editing is actually pretty decent.

HOT TOYS BATMAN FIGURE EXHIBIT in Taipei City, Taiwan

Check out these wonderful photos sent-in by our Good Friend Jerry who lives in Taiwan. He recently went to a Toy Collector Exhibit of HOT TOYS Figures in Taipei City. They showcased a ton of different dolls they have made but because we're all about BATMAN, and have limited space, we're gonna focus on the ones of the Dark Knight.

All the Batman-related dolls were set-up individually in special showcases. Then, they they took a few extra dolls ( I mean, Figures! ) where they build extremely detailed dioramas of imagined scenes from THE DARK KNIGHT Movie using Batman ( Christian Bale version ), The Joker ( Heath Ledger ), the Bat-Pod Motorcycle, and the Tumbler Batmobile Car.

They also had the Batman ( Michael Keaton ) and Joker ( Jack Nicholson ) Figures from the 1989 Movie. But they were not included in the dioramas.

A Special Thanks goes out to Jerry for thinking about the BAT-BLOG.COM and getting these great pics, Thank You Sir!!

Pete's Custom MICHAEL KEATON BATMAN STATUE BUST Update

Awhile back, here at the BAT-BLOG.COM, we featured a few photos of the work of some very creative people who have been inspired by Batman. One Artist was a guy named Pete & this photo was recently sent in to us. It's his Custom BATMAN BUST Statue, "Michael keaton" version. The previous photo showed the piece in an early stage of creation. Well, this pic was taken after it was all painted! My favorite part, and I know this is kinda dumb on my part, is the "Bat-Belt" design at the base. I don't know, that's kinda clever. But overall it's a great piece. So, have YOU done any drawing, painting, or any other creative endeavor? HEY! Shoot us some pics & send them in! ( Thanks Pete, Good Job on this Art! )

HOT TOYS DX08 1989 BATMAN Movie 1/6th Scale BATMAN - Michael Keaton Figure

HOT TOYS just released the Official Promo Photos for the Brand-New 1989 BATMAN Movie Figures & here is Actor Michael Keaton as BATMAN! Wow! This Figure is extremely detailed & just a joy to look at... I want it, NOW! The Specs include:

• It's approx. 11.8 Inches Tall. ( Yes, Practically a "12-inch Figure" ).
• New "Batman Body" with 30 Points of Articulation
• Head Sculpt with 3 Interchangeable Facial Expressions
• Parallel Eyeball Rolling System ( PERS )
• 7 - Interchangeable Hands ( All Gloved )
  

Costume, Accessories, and Weapons Include:

• Bat-Suit with Cape
• Utility-Belt
• Black Boots
• Gauntlets
• Batarang!
• Grapple Gun
• 2 - Ninja Stars
• 3 - Smoke Capsules
• Timer Bomb w/ Remote
• Light-Up Figure Stand Base