Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Robin Cycle from Kenner

And now we come to the first of the Kenner action figure vehicles - the Robin cycle. The only vehicle that was made that was not seen in the film. It's a fun little vehicle with a ripcord that allows it to move on its own. It also allows the figure to sit quite nicely considering the limited articulate (just look at the Robin cycle from the Batman & Robin line to see how silly it looks when they try and make the figure lie on top of the bike).

I remember this vehicle being on the shelves - it was something of a shelf warmer - ie. not a lot of people bought it and it remained on shelves. It's not an essential purchase but it's so cheap and easy to get hold of I'd still recommend it.

Miscellaneous content: Does Production Designer Barbara Ling cameo in Batman Forever?

So a while back I was scouring through the behind the scenes features on the Batman Forever blu-ray to gather all the BTS shots for a compilation and while I was watching Barbara Ling talk about movie I noticed something. I was sure I'd seen her face before.

In the movie, there's a big blue face in the black light gang scene. I'm nearly certain that it's modelled on Barbara herself. I don't know have a look below and tell me if I'm crazy.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Street Racer Batman figure by Kenner

Well, these seem to be pretty popular on youtube so let's carry on with the Kenner reviews. This time we're looking at Street Racer Batman, a neat little figure with a "lie down" bike. As seen in the video I found this highly reminiscent of Kenner's cycle for The Shadow movie. This is a lot of fun and one of the few Batman figures with a cloth cape.

Cards: Metal Fleer Batman Forever cards 86-90

We're back with the Fleer Metal card line. Closing in on the last few. Nothing too embarassing in this selection.

Miscellaneous content: Sugar Puffs, Corn Flakes and Corn Pops Breakfast Cereals (with free game!)

Back in the 90s, if you were releasing a blockbuster for kids you HAD to have your movie marketed in every way possible and what better way to spread awareness than doing a breakfast cereal tie-in. I don't know if there's a law about this kind of thing nowadays but you definitely don't see it as much. Unfortunately there was no free toy with this pack of Sugar Puffs but they did offer a free board game on the back of the pack. Should you wish, print this out and play your own game at home.

If you watch my video on the Batman Forever Style Guide you'll recognise all the illustrations used in the game. I'm hoping to do a review of the official board game some time in 2020.

And while we're on the subject of breakfast cereals I might as well include this random Corn Flakes packaging with an Edward Nygma dossier on the back. For some reason the pack is in French and English - which at least allows us to learn that in French The Riddler is called Le Sphinx.

And finally let's look at the Corn Pops tie-in cereals which are quite the collector's item on eBay.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Pop Heroes Batman 1997 figure from Funko

I know this isn't technically Batman Forever but I couldn’t resist buying it when I saw it in the shops today and recording this review.

It’s a Funko Pop of the George Clooney Ice Armour figure from Batman & Robin (which looks a lot like the Sonar Suit from Batman Forever). Once again, it's a neat little figure that's worth picking up if you have even the slightest affection for the film.

By the way, if anyone is interested in seriously starting a www.1997batman.com and covering the second Joel Schumacher film you have my blessing!

I'll be back to Batman Forever stuff next week.

Behind the scenes: Batman Forever miniatures

Even though there were a fair few digital shots in Batman Forever, the majority of the Gotham City scenes were still filmed the old fashion way, with miniatures. Being a child of the 80s, I have a strong affection for these kind of effects, they may not be wholy convincing to modern audiences but they really give the movie a special, larger than life feel. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

Behind the Scenes: Batman Forever movie set blueprints

Apologies for the low resolution.

These have been on my computer so long I'm not even sure where they are from but they appear to be blueprints for some of the sets and miniatures. It's really fascinating to see the amount of time and planning was put into these. I hope you enjoy them.

Batman Forever Merchandise Review - Sonar Sensor Batman figure from Kenner

This time we're looking at one of the many Batman figures for the Kenner action figure line - Sonar Sensor Batman. A neat little figure that - despite the title - is probably the closest we came to a basic Panther suit. It's got a fun little flip up shoulder cannon (not unlike the Predator) and the typical Kenner shield that seemed like a ubiquitous feature on a lot of Batman figures.

News: More Funko Pop Batman villains on the way including Two-Face and the Riddler

It was revealed at the London Toy Fair yesterday that Funko are going to be doing more Pop figures of characters from the Batman movies.

Specifically they'll be releasing two Jokers, Penguin, Catwoman, Riddler, Two Face, Mr Freeze and Poison Ivy - all modeled on their looks from the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher movies.

Of course, this being 1995batman.com - I'm most excited about getting the Riddler and Two-Face figures. At the moment, they've only released concept art of what they'll look like but they all look rather fantastic.

I might have to consider getting the Mr Freeze and Poison Ivy too. Little angry Mr Freeze in particular looks very cute.

My only question is - when do we get a Chris O'Donnell Robin for Batman Forever and Batman & Robin? And let's not forget Bane, Dr Chase Meridian and Batgirl, hell maybe even a Michael Gough Alfred?

Anyway, here's the pics. The figures will be released in April/May 2020. I imagine there will be a slight delay before I get to see them on toy shelves in the UK - expect a review sometime in June.