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 - Batman and Robin figures from Spin Master

These Spin Master figures were a really pleasant surprise when they got announced at the start of this year but unfortunately (unlike the Batmobile) they ended up being out of reach for everyone outside the US due to them being exclusive to Target stores. 

They still are exclusive but some have trickled through to online sellers and often they go for stupid money considering they retail for $8.99. I've seen people on eBay sell them for as much as £30-40 each!

Luckily, I managed to find a few at a much lower price. I actually ordered the whole line from a toy seller who had to cancel the order because they'd sold out of everything except the Batman. Bless them, they sent me that one for free.

Anyway, to the figures themselves, they are kinda fun but also kinda disappointing. These almost the exact same molds at the Kenner ones. The Robin I don't mind because I really like that Hydro Claw Robin it's based on. 

The Batman one is based on Blast Cape Batman with a slight tweak in that his arms can go out as well as up and down.

As someone pointed out, it's a little difficult to understand why you'd make these figures given that the originals are all on eBay for very little money.

What really disappointing is that Spin Master did a great unique Batman Returns figure. I wonder why they didn't do new molds for this? Maybe it was a cost thing - cheaper to reuse and approve existing molds?

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Batmobile vehicle from Spin Master

Although it's meant to be exclusive to Target Stores in the US I have my hands of the Spin Master "Retro Collection" Batman Forever Batmobile. I found them being sold on Amazon UK and initially they said it would ship in June! Thankfully that turned out to be false and my order got moved up to the end of January.

It's pretty surreal to see. They really have designed this to be almost indistinguishable from the original Kenner version. There are a number of changes though. It doesn't light up (but it you have some blue LED lights yu can stick them inside) and doesn't fire a missile out the front.

However, the car is much more accurate to the film. It has the headlights, the correct bonnet and the canopy slides forward. The latter is a great update as that always frustrated me about the old Kenner one that just had a hinge.

You do get a bonus figure which is nice but it's not a great representation of the Sonar Suit.

Still for £20 there's very little I can complain about. It would have been nice to get a new mold but I get that these figures are beloved by the 30/40 year old parents who will be buying them for their kids.

News: Spin Master to release NEW Batman Forever figures in January 2025

Well, this took everyone by surprise. Toy manufacturer Spin Master has just announced they're releasing Batman Forever figures in January 2025.

The news broke quite strangely over the last few days. There was no big announcement. It all started when people in Malaysia started posting images of a Batman Forever batmobile that was on toy shelves over there. It turns out they were shipped slightly early over there.

The internet became obsessed with finding out answers and eventually the VP of Spin Master did this interview with Screen Rant to explain that 1) yes, these are Spin Master products and 2) they will be on shelves exclusively at Target Stores in the US in January 2025.

No word on if these will go to other territories but I think they will.

Anyway Spin Master have released these promotional images which show Batman, Robin and Two-Face on card as well as the Batmobile (with exclusive Batman figure). The promo poster for the line also shows the Riddler too but no sign of what his card will look like.

As I'm sure you've noticed these are almost identical to the old Kenner figures from back in the day. It looks like Spin Master is reproducing the exact same 5 inch molds with some small tweaks. Two-Face for instance has lost the gun that was fixed in one hand. Robin has the movie accurate Robin symbol now. And they've tried to make Batman closer to his panther suit appearance.

The Batman figure (both the exclusive figure that comes with the Batmobile and the single figure) look like they are based on Blast Cape Batman (without the cape missile accessory).

The Robin figure is based on Hydro Claw Robin (without the scuba backpack).

And Two-Face is based on the original Two-Face (without the cannon and coin he came with).

I could be wrong but all three figures look like they have much more articulation in the shoulder that the original figures so their arms can go out to the side, not just up and down.

The Batmobile looks to be the same as the original Kenner one just without the light up feature and missile at the front. It also has a sliding canopy which is much better that the original where the canopy had a hinge at the front.

All the figures have quite a vibrant colourful look and are different enough that they'll look good alongside the original Kenner ones. I'm a little sad Spin Master didn't create their own sculpts - the 3.75 in figure they did for Batman Returns last year was an outstanding original mold. I also don't know they picked the best Kenner molds. I feel Night Flight Batman was the best match to the Sonar Suit and Skyboard Robin was the better, more accurate Robin figure.

Anyway, I'll definitely be picking these up when I can get them. Let me know if you will be and what you're hoping Spin Master will do next - the VP mentions in the interview that more will be revealed soon!