Vintage UK Car Magazine with the 1966 Batman TV Show Batmobile!

Our friend Andrew, who lives in the UK, dug up this old Vintage Car Magazine with an amazing color photo of the original 1966 Batmobile on the cover! Thanks for sending the great pic Andrew! Oh yeah, this is what he wrote:

Hello Tommy,

I found the classic car magazine I mentioned. It's from Oct 1989 when the Michael Keaton film was released, because the 1966 Batmobile they tested was about to do a tour in UK & Europe. The magazine interviewed the owner Scott Chinery, who said he bought this car - the TV show's 5th 'stunt' car - for $180,000 in 1988 + $60,000 for the Batcycle. In 1989, he was offered $2m for the car overseas, but wouldn't sell it because he wanted the car to stay in US.

He says "I use the Batmobile for a lot of charitable things, to raise money for the Epilepsy and Make a Wish foundations. We take it to schools and use it in anti-drugs programs. It drives kids nuts. It's out all the time. On the TV show, the Batmobile was used to fight crime and the evils in our society, and I use it for the same purpose in real life. I really believe that we have to give something back. That's what it's all about".

Of actual car itself, they say that it's built off a 1958 Thunderbird chassis, and being all metal, weighs in at 5500lbs. It has a fresh Cleveland 351 engine with a race-prepared 3-speed automatic gearbox. It has no power steering nor power brakes. Acceleration is somewhat brisk but with rather small drum brakes on all four corners, one dare not test the Batmobile's stopping power.

The paragraph I find amusing is this: "Chinery is not afraid of something happening to his Batmobile on one of its road trips. In fact he's pretty blasé about the whole thing. It's only a car. The purpose that I use this car for is much more important than the car itself" which to me sounds like a line from Batman Begins...about being more than a car, a symbol. Haha.

I hope you find this interesting.

Best wishes,

Andrew

Vietnamese Bootleg: ETHAN PERSOFF Reprints 1960's Batman and Robin Comic Book From Vietnam War Era!

Over at the ETHAN PERSOFF website he reprints an extremely RARE 1966 BATMAN Bootleg Comic Book made in Saigon during the Vietnam War. It's written entirely in Vietmanese & the artwork is kinda crude. But, as a special piece of Batman-History, it's amazing! Here's a few shots of some covers & even one panel as an example. Be sure to visit his site where you can read the entire comic book...that is if you understand Vietnamese, ha ha! Actually it's sort of neat to look at because the graphics are really cool & you can sort of understand the story if you go from panel to panel. Here's a link button, check it out!

SPANISH LANGUAGE: The Dark Knight Batman Movie Trailer en Español de 'El Caballero Oscuro'

If I wrote the title wrong please forgive me as I only speak English. But, Here's the brand-new THE DARK KNIGHT Batman Movie Trailer #2 in the Spanish language for our friends in other parts of the globe. It's kinda neat to see it "en Español"...enjoy. I've heard there's one in the Korean language but have not been able to find it. It would also be cool in Japanese so if any Bat-Blog Readers know of any more "foreign language ones" then please let us know.

El Caballero Oscuro Trailer2 Español
by ent18

Batman's Brand-New Batmobile! ( Comic Book Version )

In the new issue of DC Comic's BATMAN Comic Book #676 there will be a special event in Bat-History & I'm not talking about the R.I.P. storyline either.

Bruce Wayne/Batman gets a brand-new Batmobile & it looks extremely cool! Here's a first look or sneak peek. Oh yeah, I also made it a BATMOBILE DESKTOP WALLPAPER, Click it and see! Remember, you saw it here first!

BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT DVD - Now On Sale!

ABC's PrimeTime Live on BATMAN RETURNS - 1992

A very nice two-part story by ABC's PrimeTime Live about the 1992 BATMAN RETURNS Movie & an interview with Michael Keaton.
Here's Part One:

Part Two:

THE DARK KNIGHT General Mills CHEERIOS Cereal Box Give-Away Premium Figures of Batman and The Joker!!

I hope my friend "Shadowbat" doesn't mind but I totally stole these 2 photos from him off a Message Board, ha ha! Sorry Dude, I was just so excited! Here's a set of photos of the new General Mills CHEERIOS Cereal Box with THE DARK KNIGHT Batman Movie tie-in!! Looks like they're giving away 4 FREE "Stunt Figure" cereal premiums. There are 2 Batman figures & 2 of The Joker. Now, the good news is that I totally love Cheerios cereal so it won't go to waste, ha ha! Be sure to click on the photo up above for a larger version. Also, if you, the Bat-Blog Reader, finds out about any more promotions like this please shoot me an e-mail!

New Batman Merchandise: Mattel Released 1:50th Scale 1966 Bat-Cycle, 1966 Batmobile, & Animated Series Batmobile Hot Wheels Cars!!

Here's some fresh photos of the brand-new amazing 1:50th Scale Hot Wheels Cars made by Mattel! There are three of them & they are at Target, Wal-Mart, & Toys-R-Us! Look for the 1966 Bat-Cycle, just like the one used by Adam West & Burt Ward on the classic 1966 TV Show! The next car is the 1966 Batmobile designed by George Barris! And the last one is the Batmobile form Batman: The Animated Series!! All 3 of these are so great I can't decide which one I like best!! I do have to say that it's nice to see another '66 vehicle, the Batcycle! Plus, the BTAS car is sweeeeet! If you remember the old medium-sized Batmobile Corgi Cars from the 1960's then that's about the size these are...awesome!

1966 Batman TV Show Style Graphics on a Political Pinback Button: Obama For President!

Here's an actual real-life political campaign button being distributed by Obama supporters that has a design motif you might recognize! It has the classic "KAPOW!!, OOOOF!!, ZOK!!, POW!!" graphics from the 1966 Batman TV Show. The photo was sent in by Greg, a regular Bat-Blog reader, who said, "My Dad came to visit me last week & gave me this button that one of his co-workers gave him. I knew you would like to share it at your Bat-Blog so here's a photo!". Yeah, Thanks Greg! Thanks for torturing me...I now want one of these! Ha Ha! But seriously, I do appreciate you sending the photo, that's very cool. ( As a side note: I am publishing this photo as a piece of Bat-History & I'm not endorsing any candidate. So, Republicans...don't send your hate mail, ha ha! ).

5 Batman Wallpaper Backgrounds Made From New Photos of The Dark Knight Movie!

For your viewing pleasure are these 5 brand-spankin' new Batman Movie Wallpapers from THE DARK KNIGHT that you can use to brighten your desktop or as a background in a MySpace layout! The 1st one of The Joker ( Heath Ledger ) removing his Clown Goon-Mask is my favorite! The 2nd one shows Bruce Wayne ( Christian Bale ) in his Batcave. You can see the new Bat-Suit just behind him. Speaking of the Bat-Suit, the next wallpaper is Batman in costume, awesome! The 4th background shows the Tumbler Batmobile in action, a great shot! The last one is the picture where The Joker is talking to the Mob & says, "Here's my card" & it's an actual Joker Playing Card ( funny ).

LISA PETRUCCI's CUTE LITTLE BATGIRL ART PAINTING!

In the current art scene there's a favorite artist of mine named LISA PETRUCCI who creates her work with her own little characters. They are sort of modeled after a classic vintage 1960's toy called "Liddle Kiddles". Kiddles were tiny little dolls made by Mattel that had a super cute persona. Their "world" was extra super-happy! Everything in that world was bright & cheerful, filled with joy. Lisa Petrucci's art captures that "feeling" but every now & then her characters are slightly kitschy or sexy, making them kinda funny. She also has sort-of a trademark thing she does where she paints the graphics on a thinly-sliced piece of log. She leaves the bark around the edges giving it a earthy feel. They're kinda tacky or low brow but that's the point she's trying to make. Here's a really great example of an art work she just did recently that features one of her cutesy characters in a Batgirl Costume.

Video: BATMAN TV COMEDY SKETCH From ARGENTINA!

The other day, on a Batman Message Board, I found a list of "Batman Words" that were translated in the language of Argentina. I thought it was pretty interesting & decided to do a post about it. The problem was, I needed a graphic to go with it. So when I did a Google search I came across this very funny YouTube video & decided to post that with the list. There are a few words missing from the list like Robin, Batmobile, Batcave, Gotham City, The Dark Knight, Jim Gordon, etc...so, if there are any readers from Argentina ( & I know there are! ) then please send those words so I can add them. Thank you. Oh yeah, enjoy the video!!

Here's the list:
Batman/Bruce Wayne: Batman/Bruno Díaz
Thomas and Martha Wayne: Tomás y Marta Díaz
The Joker: El Guasón
The Penguin: El Pinguino
Catwoman: Gatúbela
The Riddler: El Acertijo
Mister Freeze: El Capitán Frio
Poison Ivy: Hiedra Venenosa
The Scarecrow: El Espantapájaros
The Mad Hatter: El Sombrerero Loco
Killer Croc: El Cocodrilo
Clayface: Cara de Barro
Batgirl: Batichica
Huntress: La Cazadora
Two Face: Dos Caras
Oracle: Oráculo
Clock King: El Relojero
Firefly: Luciérnaga
The Ventriloquist and Scarface: El Ventrílocuo y Caracortada
Nightwing/Dick Grayson: Nightwing/Ricardo Tapia

And here's the video:

Advertisement: A Great Place To Buy New Batman Merchandise!

CUSTOM BATMAN ART: Artist Makes HUGE Batman Figure Out Of Lego Toys!

This morning a Bat-Blog Reader named Deane sent me a link to his website for artwork made from Lego bricks. His work is pretty amazing & my favorite piece was this giant-size BATMAN LEGO FIGURE he made from many Lego pieces. ( Click on the photo up above for a larger, more detailed, picture ). Not sure of the exact height but judging from other photos where he had an actual Batman & Joker Lego Figure for scale it's HUGE!! Thanks Deane for sending me the link & hey! You do some great work, keep it up!! Down below I have included a link button for readers to check it out. But, please BOOKMARK the Bat-Blog before ya go!

BATMAN STATUES: 1/4th Scale Collectible Busts of The Dark Knight & The Joker!

Here's some new photos just released from a company called HOT TOYS. They will be making these two 1/4 Scale Statue Busts of The Joker & The Dark Knight! They will be approx. 9 1/2" Tall & the release date is scheduled for late June or early July, right around the time of the movie. The one of the Joker is extremely detailed & I think it captures "Heath Ledger's essence" pretty good. What do you think about them? Please comment down below & let us know what you think. People, there are gonna be a TON of products for this movie. I might have to get a 2nd job, ha ha!

2 Free MR. FREEZE ( Batman Villain ) Desktop Wallpaper Backgrounds!

Oh Crap! I almost forgot that today is "Wacky Wallpapers Wednesday" so, at the last minute, I decided to post these 2 Batman Desktop Wallpapers with a MR. FREEZE theme! The first one is a special piece of graphic art done by a friend named Mark Slater ( I hope he doesn't mind me "stealing" his work, ha ha). It's a really great version of Mr. Freeze from Batman: The Animated Series. The second background is an ultra-sharp photo sent in to us by a Bat-Blog Reader named Michael. It's a Mr. Freeze action figure, shown close-up ...VERY NICE! ( Thanks to both Mark & Michael, these are great! ).

VIDEO: Vintage Batman & Robin CRIME SQUAD Action Figure Toy TV Commercial!

Here's a very cool Vintage Batman Toy TV Commercial featuring the 1995 Kenner CRIME SQUAD series! Ohhhhh My God, These Batman & Robin figures had special "rapid deploy techno-capes"! Showcased here are the Land-Strike Batman, Ski-Blast Robin, & Bane, the evil villain, action figures. It also shows the Triple-Attack Bat-Jet with Attack-Drone. I hope you enjoy this wonderful piece of Bat-History. Now go watch the video already! ( Oh yeah, one last thing, at the end of the TV Commercial they attached a DC Comics Company Promo that's pretty cool to see ).

FUNNY BATMAN HUMOR : A Silly Halloween Costume and Bruce Wayne Comic Strip!

HA HA HA HA! OK, Here's the deal, the other day I open my e-mail & received a few really great photos from a loyal Bat-Blog reader who wanted to share these funny pics. The 1st one is a real-life Batman product that was made during the "Batman Returns movie era". It's a Halloween Costume for a little kid in the shape of "Batman riding in the Batmobile"! I mean, the Batmobile Car is attached & when the child wears the suit it gives the illusion he's driving the car, ha ha ha! I don't have this in my personal collection & will have to find one, it's surreal! The next graphic is a newspaper comic strip that features Bruce Wayne's First Batmobile ( get it? Ha Ha! ). Thank you Billy for sending these hilarious photos, I appreciate that. I wanna invite all our readers to send us stuff like this. Sharing the "Joy of Batman" is what the Bat-Blog is all about! ( As a side note I would like to say that Billy sent us some more wonderful pics that I'll share in the future so keep an eye out for those too ).

KUBRICK'S BATMAN and THE JOKER BRICK BEAR Action Figures!

Here's a brand new Batman and Joker Urban Designer Toy to keep an eye out for. This is a set of "Bricks Bears" by Kubrick. ( They are kinda sorta like Lego Figures, but cooler! ) These usually have a foreign release, like Japan, but should also appear in the US as well. I really love the use of "retro graphics" on both the action figures & display box. It's art from the 80's that are kinda groovy, man! The Joker figure doesn't have any eyes & that is kinda creepy! Also, I love the fact that it's the blue/gray Bat-Suit for the Batman Bear, the one with the yellow bat-symbol logo & yellow Bat-Belt...very cool! These are pretty nice and I will for sure have to have these. They will be MINE!!

Video: Aaron Eckhart Talks About Harvey Dent But Not Two-Face.

THE DARK KNIGHT Movie News: Here's an interesting video from MTV where a reporter asks Aaron Eckhart about his role as Harvey Dent & how that character is sort of similar to Bruce Wayne ( Batman ). Oh hey, Mr. Eckhart, Bruce Wayne is NOT a crime fighter, Batman is....duh! Ha Ha.

New Photo of AARON ECKHART AS TWO-FACE From The Dark Knight Batman Movie ( Harvey Dent )

Here's a new photo of TWO-FACE that is being circulated all over the internet &, for right now, nobody knows if it's official ( leaked by Warner Bros ) or just a fan-made photoshopped pic but it does look extremely cool! If Aaron Eckhart ends up looking like this in the new DARK KNIGHT Batman Movie then it's gonna be very very scary! What do you think? Do you think it's real or fake? Leave a comment down below.

New Israeli Remote-Controlled Tank Looks Just Like The Tumbler Batmobile!

Our friend Andrew sent us this real-life news story photo with what looks to be the Batman Tumbler Batmobile, but it's not! He wrote, "I thought you might find this interesting. There's a new Israeli remote-controlled tank thing called the Guardium, and I thought it might remind you of something from Batman Begins!" Ha Ha, yes Andrew, it looks like they "stole the design"! This photo is kinda funny when you think about how it totally looks like the Tumbler but again, it is a military war machine so that's kind of a bummer! Thanks for sending us this photo, it's pretty interesting!

THE DARK KNIGHT JOKER POSTER Ludwig Van Beethoven ART PRINT By GigPosters!

BlackMetal BeethOven rules! Here's an extremely cool "Dark Knight Joker Poster" Art Print created by Justin Kamerer. It measures about 18" X 24" in a limited edition of 75. The graphics look sharp & bright, very nice. They're selling it over at the GigPosters.Com website. Here's a link if ya wanna check it out but please remember to BOOKMARK the Bat-Blog before ya go!