Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Cards: Metal Fleer Batman Forever cards 91-95

We're so nearly there guys, just one more set of cards to go. Some pretty ropey ones here. 'Defenders' is probably the best of the lot. It reminds me a lot of the statue that Applause did (which reminds me I still need to get my hands on that).











Saturday, March 28, 2020

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Triple Strike Robin figure from Kenner

This week we're looking at Triple Strike Robin, probably the most interesting and unique of the Kenner Robin figures due to it's blue, black and gold colour scheme. The accessory also has a unusual design and concept - featuring rubber missiles that are pulled back rather than using any kind of spring system. It's not so great in practice but I appreciate Kenner thinking outside the box on this one. I wished they'd done a couple more paint variants like this.


Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Batman Forever Merchandise Review – 1:32 Metal Die Cast Batmobile from Jada

This week we're looking at one of two Batman Forever batmobiles released by Jada Toys in 2017. It was part of a series called Hollywood Rides that covered many of the movie Batmobiles (though notably NOT the little loved Batman & Robin one). It's a nice little model but really if you're interested you should probably consider the more expensive 1:24 scale one which includes a little Batman statue and a cockpit that opens to reveal the interior. This one - the 1:32 scale - is just a little too basic for most tastes.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Batman Forever Merchandise Review – Blast Cape Batman figure from Kenner

Another deadly looking Kenner figure that gives non-lethal Batman some giant blades to cut bad guys up with. This was one of the first wave figures and is pretty easy to find.

It's unique in that rather than give Batman a backpack with a missile, the figure actually fires the missile out of Batman's back. I don't think Kenner ever really tried this again with any of the Batman toy lines.


Thursday, March 19, 2020

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Robin statue from Applause

NOTE: with all this depressing Coronavirus stuff I thought I'd move up some of my videos and release them early.

Now that we've covered most of the Applause mugs it's time to look at some of their better work - the cold cast statues. First up, is their best work the Robin statue. It's a really nice statue with a reasonably decent Chris O'Donnell likeness. My favourite aspect is the paint job which is kind of muted and far more preferable than the colourful Hot Toys figure that's coming out this year.

I've still got to get the Riddler and Two-Face figures but I recently picked up the Batman statue so a review for that will be on the way soon.


Friday, March 13, 2020

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Ceramic Head Mugs from Applause

Well, we've done the McDonalds glass mugs and the Applause plastic mugs. Now we come to the Applause ceramic head mugs. These are really fun mugs. They've tried several times to make mugs in the shape of Batman's head and for my money these are the best. The likeness is good, the paint work and actually - for Applause - not too shabby. If you can find the set of these I highly recommend them.

That just leaves one last set of mugs (again by Applause) to cover and we'll be all wrapped up!


Friday, March 6, 2020

Miscellaneous content: McDonalds branding

I've already covered the McDonalds TV adverts here.

http://www.1995batman.com/2018/09/video-advertisements-mcdonalds.html

And I reviewed the McDonald Glass Mugs here.

http://www.1995batman.com/2019/06/batman-forever-merchandise-review-glass.html

So finally I want to look at the neat branding McDonalds used on their packaging because it was really top notch and featured some illustration work that was never used anywhere else.

First up is the tray liner featuring illustrations of the glass mugs that were available in the US and Europe (not the UK though, scroll down to the end to see what we got).

 Next is the cups, bag and fries holders (one for all four of the main characters). I'm disappointed we didn't get a Dr Chase Meridian but I guess she looks like she's never even touched a French fry in her entire life.

Here's some close-ups of the fries holders. Some really nice illustration work here and I love the fact files on the back.









 And finally here's what we got in the UK instead of the amazing glass mugs. Yeah... a cardboard mask... a flimsy cardboard mask. I'm glad I didn't visit McDonalds in 1995. I would have been an incredibly disappointed child.