Magazine Article: Disney Adventures (July 1995)

I picked up the Disney Adventures June 1995 issue a long time ago (read it here) but now here's the follow-up July issue that focuses on Jim Carrey (and a little on Tommy Lee Jones). Also included is a fun, light hearted interview with Ve Neill - the make-up artist - who I don't think was really interviewed for other magazines.

If you want to read this article as a PDF - click here.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Riddler and Two-Face figures from Spin Master

Here's the second part of my look at the Spin Master figures - this time looking at the Riddler and Two-Face. 

Like the Batman and Robin ones, these are just repaints of the old Kenner molds with some very slight changes and no accessories. 

There's some good points - such as the Riddler now having the "Box" on the TV screen strapped to his chest and Two-Face's suit being split round the back as well as the front. But they aren't really enough to justify buying the figures again if you already own the originals. 

One notable difference to Two-Face is the gun is removed. I assume this is a decision made to avoid controversy. Guns are being removed from lots of DC toys at the moment. Even the recent McFarlane figure didn't come with one.

It's a shame they didn't do a little more extra sculpting. The burned side of Two-Face's face could have easily been redone to make it more in line with the movie.

All in all, the Spin Masters figures were a little disappointing. I'd give them a skip unless you're a super fan like me. Shame they didn't do something a little more innovative and fresh with the licence.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Final Suit Riddler figure from Kenner

Once again, this figure came out a while back but I'm only just getting around to reviewing it now. There's been such an avalanche of Schumacher Batman figures coming out it's difficult to keep up with it all.

When I finished reviewing the Batman Forever figures from McFarlane earlier this year, I said at the time I hoped they'd do something else and sure enough they have.

It's not the Panther suit but I can live with that. Instead they've made the white suit (or Final Suit as it's labelled) Riddler figure sporting his look from the end of the film.

I guess this was an easy one of them to do. The body looks to be the same as the original Riddler - only now in a pearlescent white with little bits of glitter inside. The head sculpt is new and although it's not the best work McFarlane have done, it's a step up from their first Riddler figure.

The green cane with the skull completes the look nicely. You get two extra hands which is cool but I would have loved a little throne to sit him on. Oh well.

Hopefully we might see one more Forever figure before the middle of 2026 when McFarlane loses the DC licence.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Mini Co figures from Iron Studios

These figures actually came out a while back (last year) and I was going to give them a miss until I found they cheap from an American seller. Buying all three at once meant the shipping was reasonable.

I don't know much about Iron Studios other than they produce some high end statues and prop replicas. These are more their fun, cheap side.

I really dig the designs. Much more than Hot Toys comparable Cosbaby line. They are still cartoonist but a little more realistically proportioned. 

The Riddler stuck out to me because it reminded me of those Guesser figures that Nygma has all around his apartment and work station. Nice to see the idea come full circle.

The Batman figures is my least favourite but I do love that they went to the effort of making an replica of the clock riddle rather than just have a green envelope (see Funko Pop and Cosbaby figures).

The Robin one is definitely my favourite thiugh. I never tire of seeing that suit. I looks so great, even at this scale. And the idea of having him hold a batboat and batmobile is so great considering how he treats them both in the movie.

These are very fun additions to my collection.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Riddler figure from McFarlane

As with most of the Batman Forever McFarlane line, this Riddler figure is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, it is super posable which is great because it means you can put the figure in pretty much every one of those crazy poses Jim Carrey did for the promotional photoshoots for the film.

But super poseable also means you need to have tons of joints. And joins are difficult to paint over. So there are large sections (down the side of the legs, the shoulders, the kneecaps) where the questions marks just stop.

I think McFarlane could have solved this somewhat by having a few less questions marks. That would have made these gaps seem less obvious. But anyway, it is what it is.

The face is decent but nothing to write home about. Again, everything after the Uma Thurman Poison Ivy figure feels like a tiny step down.

I still mostly recommend this figure. It's great to have it in my collection but I am more excited for that Beast Kingdom figure that is hopefully coming out later in the year.

Also excited to say we are getting an extra figure to this line that was recently announced - a white suit Riddler that looks to have a completely new head sculpt. Hopefully this will be out in time for the 30th anniversary this Summer.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - White Suit Riddler figure from Funko Pop

Pleased to say that the 85th Anniversary of the Batman character has meant that Funko have released some new Schumacher movie figures. We've got a white suit Riddler and a cloaked Poison Ivy.

Very surprised they've made these considering they are new sculpts. The last Batman Forever figures they released were some cheaply made, hydro-dipped versions of the original Riddler and Two-Face.

As usual Funko have done a good job at capturing the details. The cane has the little skull on the end, the suit is shiny, the hair is pinky and flipped up. Love it but surely we need a Chris O'Donnell figure. Maybe that will come next year for the 85th Anniversary of the Robin character???

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Riddler and Two Face figures from Kenner

Given that Riddler and Two Face are partners in crime in Batman Forever, it makes sense that Kenner made a double pack of figures.

These are basically just repaints of existing figures. The Riddler has a new head sculpt but other than that they aren't any different.

Two Face comes with a gold gun accessory that annoyingly my one is missing. It's based on the gun he uses to blow up the gas line and bury Batman in the subway.

These are definitely good value and perfect if you just want the most movie accurate versions of the two villains.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Batman vs The Riddler from Kenner

Sad to say we're really close to finishing the Kenner toyline. Only a few figures left. Even though these are only repaint I thought they were pretty interesting figures to cover.

The Movie Collection was a line of three 2-pack figures that were released in 1997 that packaged a Batman figure with one of the villains from Batman (1989), Batman Returns and Batman Forever.

For this they brought out the molds of Batman (Guardians of Gotham) and The Talking Riddler and gave them new paint colours. 

Unfortunately the colours aren't particularly revolutionary. And there's no fun missiles or backpacks. Still it's nice to have a couple more figures for the collection.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Cosbaby Riddler and Two Face set from Hot Toys

In the last few years there's been quite a few NEW Batman Forever figures released which is awesome for a 27 year old movie that isn't - shall we say - universally beloved.

While we wait for the Hot Toys and Prime 1 Studio figures (the jury is still out if I can afford those eye watering prices) I'm happy to see these more affordable Cosbaby figures.

I know everyone is not a fan of these Japanese-style SD figures but I find them cute and fun. 

The Cosbaby line is smaller than the Funko Pop line but they are also more detailed. I particularly love the coin in Two Face's hand which looks like it's mid flip. And it is nice to have actual eyes rather than those giant white dots that Funko figures have.

I think the Batman and Robin set were a little more interesting with their metallic sheen but the Riddler and Two Face set are pretty cool too.

The price was about £40ish a year ago but it's coming down. If you scope around on eBay you might be able to find one of the sets for closer to £20.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Erasers from Noteworthy

Once again, I'm covering only the most essential of Batman Forever merchandise - the highly sought after eraser set from Noteworthy. Unfortunately I only have 3 of the 4 erasers but hopefully you enjoy the video.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - The Riddler Target Exclusive figure from Kenner

Didn't think I'd find any of these Exclusive figures that Kenner made for Target Stores in America but I lucked out finding one on eBay last week.

It's pretty much just a straightforward repaint of the original Riddler figure. No alterations whatsoever but the colours are kind of neat.

There's two more Target Exclusives I've got to track down - a transforming Batman/Bruce Wayne (in green instead of blue) and Tide Racer Robin (a repaint of Hydro Claw Robin with silver instead of gold).

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - 12 inch Cold Cast Riddler statue from Applause

I've been looking for the Riddler and Two Face statues from Applause for a long time and finally managed to snag the former. 

It's a little more of a cartoon-y sculpt compared to the others but still a decent representation of Jim Carrey. I love how he's slinging his cane over his shoulder and from a distance the statue looks cool. 

As with all Applause pieces the paint work leaves something to be desired but that could be fixed if you're interested in customizing the statue.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Figure mugs (and more)

This week we're looking at the last few Batman Forever mugs and glasses that I own. Not quite sure how I ended up with so many of these but they're kinda fun. Just the same old problems with them being Applause, the paint application is a little sloppy. As I say in the video I'm 99% sure they didn't make a Riddler mug in this style but if anyone knows better let me know. 

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Batarang 1:1 Scale Model from Phoenix Models

Managed to snag a very interesting (and likely very unofficial) prop on eBay a few months back. Made by a company called Phoenix Models it's a resin Batarang based on the one used at the end of the film - the one that Batman uses to destroy Nygma's Brain Sucking machine. Can't wait to get this painted and put together - I'll give another update when it's finished. The question is can I put a hinge in it so it slides together like it does in the film? Any advice in the comments below would be welcome.

Batman Forever Style Guide - Part 4

Here's the last part of posts showing the best bits of the Batman Forever Style Guide.

To see the full guide click here.

This part is particularly interesting because the last few images are something called "Forever Kids" which was an attempt to make illustrations suitable for under 5s. It looks a lot like the Animated Series.

There's also a bunch of product concept ideas which were never made like Batman rollerskates, umbrellas, waistcoats and more.

Batman Forever Style Guide - Part 3

Here's more of the best bits from the Batman Forever Style Guide. See the full Guide here.

Batman Forever Style Guide - Part 2

Here's more of the best bits from the Style Guide. See the full guide here.