McDonald's 2011 Batman The Brave and The Bold #5

Toys & Stuff would like to pause for a moment to remember those who perished on this day ten years ago. On that day a crime against humanity was perpetrated. While Americans took the brunt of the casualties,  people from 56 other countries lost their lives as well and all the worlds major religions were affected. Cursed are those whose zealousness blinds them to the promise that God has given mankind! To the rest - may Peace be with you.

(Graphic  courtesy of: http://ames.patch.com/articles/ten-years-after-911-ames-remembers#photo-7677450 )

Remembering those who perished on this day ten years ago.

The fifth set in McDonald's most recent 'Batman The Brave and The Bold' series includes The Joker, Jokermobile and the Bat-Mite. Now, I realize these are just toys, and kids should have plenty of fun with these figures. But as an adult I can't help but look at things a tad differently. Case in point: The Bat-Mite, Batman's biggest fan from the 5th Dimension. I have a couple of problems with this particular plastic figure. First is his size. As drawn in the animated series, he's only about one-third the size of Batman, but the toy is a GIANT in comparison to most of the other figures (perhaps a smaller figure was assumed to be a choking hazard for younger kids and therefore up-sized). Secondly, as drawn on the animated series, he has a more mischievous  - and a little bit thinner - look. He's not one of the bad guys but certainly does have a certain, nerdy, kind of trouble-maker look about him. Overall this plastic figure looks more at home next to Barney the annoying purple dinosaur, or the Tele-tubbies, but not as a part of the Batman universe. Anyway, that's my take on it. The Jokermobile in the animated cartoon harkens back to earlier DC Comics designs, unlike the Batmobile which has a totally different look in the cartoon. Enjoy!

The Joker

Jokermobile

Bat-Mite

Corgi #77304 1950s DC Comics Jokermobile, New Websites, and New Graphics

Today we have a real treat on 'Toys and Stuff', not only another Batman related vehicle but two new websites to talk about along with - hold on to your seats - an EXCELLENT graphic on the history of the Batmobile courtesy of one the website owners!  

This week I received an interesting e-mail from Corey Sorenson who is the owner of The Brave and The Old blog (no, that's not a misspelling but rather a deliberate pun).  The blog focuses on family friendly comic book reviews and encourages reading by kids through the medium of the comic book.  I remember way back when in the old days (when I had to walk to school  five miles in the snow, uphill BOTH WAYS)  educators used to say that comic books were not the way to teach children how to read.  Somewhere along the line it became apparent that many kids were learning how to read BECAUSE they were reading comic books and it became not such a bad thing anymore.  Parents tended to focus on the Superhero comics and all the fighting they portrayed, but geez, I remember reading those AND Richie Rich and Archie and (oh heck I don't remember the title anymore but it was a about a giant, a very gentle, kinda guy and one of my favorites at the time) - don't recall a bunch a fightin' in those comics!!   Anywho, I digress.  Corey is a Batman fan and between comic book reviews likes to post Batman related articles.  You can reach his blog through the link above or from the links area to the right.    Welcome Corey!

Next,  as a regular reader of The Bat Blog I was blown away when seeing the graphic below which came to The Bat Blog courtesy of Batmobile History.com   After contacting Bill, the owner of the site he graciously allowed me to post the graphic here for your pleasure (the original is one long, large graphic and has been segmented by Tommy over at the Bat Blog for easier viewing).  It is absolutely awesome.  Look it over and drool!! :-)

Bill also has another website called simply Spencer1984.com and is devoted to modeling.  While concentrating mostly on cars there is a smattering of other items as well and a terrific series on how Bill built the Jimmy Flintstone resin kit of the 1966 Batmobile.  What I found really helpful was the section on modeling tips and techniques - some really neat stuff there folks!!!

Well, now on to our post.  Today we bring you the Corgi #77304 1950s DC Comics Jokermobile in 1/43 scale.  It kinda struck me as odd, but everyone knows the Joker is a bad guy (DUH!), so, I ask myself, why is this knucklehead deliberately toolin' around Gotham City in an over-the-top custom ride???  Same goes for Catwoman, Two-Face, and all the other villains.  I don't know, maybe it's just me, but if I'm a nefarious type up to no good, I wouldn't want to drive around in a rolling advertisement saying "Here I am, catch me if you can!", I'd rather not call attention to myself and do my ill-deeds nice and quiet like.  Ah yes, only in the comics!  Anywho, Enjoy!