DC Superhero Girls Batgirl and Special Guest: The Batmobile!

My intern's birthday was a few weeks ago, and she ended up getting a handful of the DC Superhero Girls action figures.

I wanted to see how her new Batgirl matched up with my Power Attack Batmobile from 2012, and the pair look made for each other!

I found this Batmobile at the flea market last year, and the flimsy tailfins have some plastic stress discoloration (they're pretty cheap and thin, so this is probably a very common issue if you find one of these second-hand). It was also missing two of the three attachments/projectiles it originally came with, but it had the best one...the buzz-saw...so I can't complain.

Also, it only cost me a dollar. A dollar Batmobile is better than a dollar every day of the week!

The DC Superhero Girls action figures are great figures. They're well designed and engineered, and they are pretty fairly priced at around $9.99 each. They don't have accessories per se - Batgirl's hood is removable, and maybe her 'bat-pack' too, but I wouldn't consider those accessories in the general sense. Regardless, at least they don't all come with a stupid BAF piece and cost $20 each.

Although, a DC Superhero Girls Giganta BAF would be AWESOME!

The buzz-saw (and other projectiles that I don't own) launch when you push down on the middle...I don't know what those are...exhaust ports? Fuel injection units? And the Bat-Face becomes a battering ram (Bat-ering ram?) when you push the whole hood down.

Batgirl digs her new ride. If only she had her learner's permit.

Imaginext Batgirl and Batcycle

The Imaginext Batgirl with Batcycle is finally showing up at multiple retail establishments (I found mine at Target, and have read reports of her being found at bot Kohl's and Wal-Mart and a couple other places that sell Imaginext too.)

Batgirl is not perfect - the wall-eyed look leaves much to be desired. I am however quite pleased to see her in her current 'Batgirl of Burnside' costume. She has a lot of little details on her sculpt, which is great but also limits any likelihood of this figure being re-painted into any of Batgirl's other costume colors. Here's hoping this Batgirl figure is successful enough that we get fully re-sculpted Batgirl variants in the future!

Batgirl also has a double colored cape, black on the back and gold on the inside. Imaginext Robin is crying a single tear because he didn't get ANY cape, let alone a duo-toned cape!!!

The Batgirl figure's flaws are more than made up for by the near perfection her batcycle reaches.
This bike is solid and gorgeous, and includes a projectile bat missile up front. I can see this bike getting multiple re-paints and re-releases over the next few years, and being paired with Batman and Robin in different color schemes.

But most importantly, there is finally someone to match wits with the Imaginext Catwoman and Catcycle! Vroom vroom!

Imaginext Batgirl Coming Soon (FINALLY!)

An Imaginext Batgirl is FINALLY a reality! And it's the most recent (and very popular) Barbara Gordon 'Batgirl of Burnside' version! COOL!

Kmart.com currently has Batgirl listed on their website (but not in stock as of press time). The photo above shows Batgirl with an admittedly derpy looking expression (let's hope she looks a little less fetal-alcohol-syndrome in person but whoamIkidding I'm gonna get her anyways) as well as revealing that Batgirl sports a cloth cape. The CG prototype pics show her with what appears to be a plastic cape. A plastic cape might have been cooler, but at least she has a cape, seeing as it only took Fisher-Price almost a decade to get around to giving one to Robin!

The in package pics also reveal that the bat symbol on the front of Batgirl's Batcycle is a projectile! Awesome!

That's one good looking Imaginext Batcycle. I can see this thing getting a lot of re-colors and re-releases through the next few years, but I will have to have it in it's first release purple when it arrives in stores with Batgirl.

I'm not entirely surprised Imaginext went with the modern 'Batgirl of Burnside' costume, as it is the most up-to-date look for Batgirl. However Fisher-Price did add a lot of detail to the costume when they could have gone a more simple route, and for that I applaud them.

No idea when this will hit retail, but in the past when pics like this have surfaced online, it seems like it's been a good 6 months before they start hitting stores in sizable numbers. You can be sure the second she's available I will be getting her.

Stay tuned, true believers. Same Batgirl time, same Batgirl channel!

R.I.P. Yvonne Craig :: May 16, 1937 – August 17, 2015

I just learned that Yvonne Craig passed away yesterday, August 17th 2015. Very sad news, especially considering the fact that Yvonne's Batgirl likeness is again seeing a resurgence in popularity. I'm glad my daughter and I had the opportunity to meet her (and get a signed photo) back in 2012.

R.I.P. Batgirl, you will be missed.

Her obituary, from her official website:

May 16, 1937 – August 17, 2015

Yvonne Craig passed away at her home in Pacific Palisades, surrounded by her immediate family and comforted by Hospice yesterday night. She died from complications brought about from breast cancer that had metastasized to her liver. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Aldrich, her sister Meridel Carson and nephews Christopher and Todd Carson. A private service is being planned with no date set at the present time. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The Angeles Clinic Foundation by mail at 2001 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404 or by going into their website at www.theangelesclinicfoundation.organd following the “Donate” link.

Yvonne Craig began her theatrical career as the youngest member of The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and toured for three years when she was accidentally discovered by John Ford’s son Patrick and cast for the lead in the movie The Young Land.

This was quickly followed by many years of film and television including two movies with Elvis Presley (It Happened at the World’s Fair and Kissin Cousins). However, she is probably best known for originating the role as Batgirl in the 1966 TV series of Batman, or for her character “Marta” from the third season of Star Trek in the episode Whom God’s Destroy where she played the well remembered insane green Orion Slave Girl who wanted to kill Captain Kirk.

Over a span of years she appeared as a guest star in many television series, including The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Six Million Dollar Man,Land of the Giants, Mod Squad, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Love American Style, Emergency, and Courtship of Eddie’s Father just to name a few and worked opposite Bing Crosby, Sal Mineo, Don Knotts, George Hamilton, Dwayne Hickman, Dennis Hopper as well as Elvis Presley and James Coburn.

Her next career was that of a real estate broker where she was involved not only in commercial real estate, but also residential income properties for a period of years and still held a real estate license.

Yvonne and her sister, Meridel went into the prepaid phone card business at its inception producing phone cards for charitable events as well as promotional phone cards for the Paramount film Clueless and both Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny cards for Warner Bros. stores, as well as many charitable organizations for fundraisers.

In 2000, Ms. Craig wrote a book of anecdotal memoirs, From Ballet to the Batcave and Beyond, which covered some of her years in the ballet and her theatrical career.

She actively did voice over work including voicing the role of Grandma in the 2009 Olivia cartoon series for Nickelodeon, and she was recently Executive Producer for the documentary feature film BIRTH.

She and her husband have traveled extensively all over the world, preferring adventure type travel, which has taken them to many countries through the years, and back to Africa seven times.

Yvonne has been involved with social work as well as philanthropic work through the years, and was a public voice to support worker unions and equal pay for woman, as well as supporting free mammograms for women who cannot afford them.

She and her husband have also been advocates of education and long time supporters of education on all levels. They are actively involved with the Phillips Brooks House Association at Harvard, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, two different charter schools, and the Liberal Education for Arts Professionals out of St. Mary’s College of California better known as LEAP. She also volunteered time and tutored and mentored disadvantaged students.

Cassandra Cain Batgirl Action Figure :: Mattel 2007

Back in 2007, before the DC Superheroes action figure line ventured out of the Batman/Superman character-centric territory into the all-encompassing DC Universe Classics, well, universe, Mattel surprisingly released the Cassandra Cain version of Batgirl.

I suppose it shouldn't have been a big surprise, as Mattel was able to re-use about 92% of the parts from the Barbara Gordon figure they had released previously in the same line. But still, she was an unexpected (and hard to find) character.

In typical Four-Horsemen female head-sculpt fashion, Cassandra looks great from straight-on, but flat-faced from the side. She came with a batarang or two but I don't have them within easy reach, so you'll just have to take my word for it.

The Babs Gordon body re-use may have made Cassandra look a little too blossomed-to-womanhood for her teenaged characterization, but if you want to get nerd-touchy about that you can just imagine that this action figure is the Huntress. Fun Fact: When this costume debuted during the No Man's Land storyline it was worn by the Huntress (Helena Bertinelli).

The headsculpt and sweet massive-pouched belt are the only unique parts to this figure, and the only paint apps are the bat symbol and some silver trim (some of which is completely unnecessary, but you gotta admit the silver stitches on the mask are pretty sweet!)

During the No Man's Land story, Gotham City was cut off from the rest of the world after a massive Earthquake, and Batman was who-knows-where. Helena felt that the city needed a human Bat symbol so she became Batgirl for a short time. Basically until Batman returned and got mad at her for, well, doing his job. And then a new kid shows up and hey here's a spare costume we'll save Alfred some time.

Comic book logic at it's finest.

Anyways, the figure is pretty cool, especially considering the unlikelyhood of the pretty well forgotten Cassanda Batgirl making new waves in action figure circles (unless that whole DC Convergence thing has brought her up again. I don't know, I'm not following it.)

Cassandra Batgirl was pretty tough to find at retail, so I consider myself lucky to have her. She's a cool and unique addition to my plastic Bat-family

Bootleg LEGO Batgirl :: ShengYuan Herd Series

I've seen the recent spate of bootleg LEGO superhero minifgures all over the internet over the past few months, usually from bloggers in the orient, or for sale on eBay from Chinese sellers. And while some of them have been tempting, I am hesitant to buy bootleg anything without seeing them in person, since bootlegging isn't an industry that is always known for it's quality control.

Well, the bootlegs have started popping up at my local flea market, and I have been able to assess their quality in person. Most of them are of a low quality and aren't even worth their weight in 'novelty factor,' but this Batgirl, and the series she comes from, are surprisingly nice, good quality minifigures!

The minifigure on the left is the bootleg, and the one on the right is the official LEGO Batgirl minifigure. As you can see, the bootleg has a unique cowl - part of the reason I bought her even though I have the official figure -  but more on that later.

I honestly don't know how to define this bootleg. The base she comes with says 'ShengYuan Herd Series' - I don't know if that means anything in a foreign language or if that's some misinterpretation of English, but I'll call her that until someone corrects me in the comments.

Anyways, unlike other, cheaper bootleg LEGO minifigures, ShengYuan Herd Series minifigures come in a nice quality full-color box. This is already retail quality here, no flimsy cardboard or cheap-o graphics.

As I stated earlier, part of the appeal of Batgirl was her unique cowl. I like the fact that the ShengYuan Herd Series has not only directly ripped off LEGO in their character selection, but they have also come up with some parts (and whole figures) that LEGO did not previous release. I am glad to give LEGO my money, and would never buy one of these figures in place of a LEGO minifigure, but to get something unique - yeah, I can handle that.

What makes Batgirl's cowl unique is the prominent proboscis...

...and the flatter hair. You can also see some excess plastic on the cowl and hair - this is something you would never see on an official LEGO minifigure!

By comparison, the official LEGO Batgirl's hair is much more well defined. And as you can see in the first picture, her nose is much more subtly defined. The ears are also longer/pointier on ShengYuan Herd Series Batgirl. These differences help to make ShengYuan Herd Series Batgirl not merely a straight-across rip-off, but a unique figure in her own right.

Not only is the quality of the ShengYuan Herd Series Batgirl on par with LEGO, but you get a nice base and a mini-build of relatively random pieces, but also a batarang and a gem.

Other figures also include accessories and bases.

ShengYuan Herd Series Batgirl also has a different face than LEGO Batgirl, and only on one side (LEGO Batgirl has a happy face and an angry face.)

The cape is of much lower quality than LEGO capes - and a few minutes of play begin to wear heavily on it. The cowl is super-tight - in fact, I doubt I'll ever get her head out of there again! Which kind of pisses me off because I didn't line it up perfectly. D'OH!

But beyond that, you would have a hard time telling the difference - in fact, you probably couldn't. The body paint apps are the same - ShengYuan Herd Series Batgirl's are actually brighter...

...and both are painted on the backs, too!

Finally, all the ShengYuan Herd Series minifigures come with a couple cards.

I got Batman and Robin - not sure if there's a variety, or if this is all you can get. The 'stats' look like they should be part of some sort of card game. But look closely - Batman and Robin's stats are exactly the same! MAYBE that's just because this is Damian Wayne Robin - but I doubt it.

ShengYuan Herd Series Batgirl isn't perfect, but she's a great novelty and a good quality toy, and for the price of equivalent LEGO I don't feel ripped off at all. Beware lower quality bootlegs, there is some real crap out there, but I do recommend the ShengYuan Herd Series if you have access to them at a fair price.

Lastly, I can understand that there may be no recourse for LEGO to go after these manufacturers, as they in no way state 'LEGO', but DC (and Marvel etc) MUST be peeved that these are being made and their copyrights are all over them, and there's no money coming in to them. Regardless, I will probably pick up a few more unique minifigures if I continue to find them in the future!

DC Collectibles 2014 Line-up Toy Fair Reveals :: TAKE ALL MY MONEY!

DC Collectibles just released to the media a sneak peek at all of their 2014 releases, and all I can say is DC Collectibles is about to get a ton of my money this year!

Say it with me kids: O-M-F-G! in 2014 DC Collectibles will be releasing all new action figures based on the penultimate in Batman on screen: Batman Animated action figures with multiple points of articulation and screen accurate sculpts! This Batman Animated Catwoman action figure WILL BE MINE...

...as will this GORGEOUS The New Batman Adventures Batman action figure. These are simply incredible looking action figures - no word yet on scale (I dare assume 6") or price etc. etc. but I will update you as soon as I find out because I am buying these on day one! EDIT: According to USA Today these will be 6" scale, retail for $24.95, and will be available November 2014. And according to MTV.com Two-Face and Mr. Freeze have also been announced! No word yet on Harley Quinn but my God will I plotz when she's announced!

And speaking of Harley Quinn:

Cuteness overload! DC Collectibles is releasing a Lil' Gotham series, and Harley Quinn is one of the first releases. Yup, buying this one on the spot too.

Leaving the more cartoony spectrum for a moment - get a load of Pajama Party Harley Quinn (from DC Collectible's Infinite Crisis line). Oh my God another must have! Harley Quinn in her pajamas, with a teddy bear taped to a bedpost and a super-soaker. LOVE!

And speaking of love...

Harley Quinn in Batman panties. Action figures have come a loooong way in my time. Expect me to own this one immediately too!

Other highlights (and figures on my list of 'almost must haves') include:

Designer Series Thrasher Armor Batman based on the art of Greg Capullo.

Infinite Crisis Atomic Poison Ivy.

Lil' Gotham Damian Wayne.

New 52 Batgirl.

And New 52 Supergirl.

Phenomenal action figures one and all - an incredible set of good Harley Quinns, an amazing surprise with the Batman Animated figures (and the sky is the limit as far as potential for that line goes!), and some good fun comic book accurate toys. I've got to get to my comic book store immediately to get my orders in!

To see more of what's coming from DC Collectibles in 2014, check out Toy News International, MTV.com, and the video below:

The New Batman Adventures Battle Damaged Batgirl

Originally part of a Toys R Us exclusive four pack, this TNBA (The New Batman Adventures) Batgirl action figure features 'battle damage' paint applications to re-create her in a post-tussle condition. Missed opportunity: Alfred with sewing kit action figure!

Unfortunately she also has some real world scrapes too! Or a cold sore - who you been kissin, Babsy?

I did not pick this set up when it was at retail. It included a battle damaged Batman, battle damaged Robin, and battle damaged Catwoman - but since I had already picked up the Catwoman and Battle Damaged Batman two pack at the time, I didn't want so many redundancies. So finding her at the flea market for a dollar a couple weekends back was a deal I couldn't pass on, scrapes or no scrapes!

I really like this design of the animated Batgirl - these few figures came out right after Mattel acquired the license. The previous Hasbro versions didn't look as close to her animated counterparts as they could have, and Mattel did a good job with the subtle contra-posto stance in this sculpt. Great figure, (see, I can say nice things about Mattel sometimes!) and while I would prefer her to have a normal 'clean' costume, I'm almost positive that they did not release one at general retail with this sculpt. I recall a silver (?!?!) version in another four pack, and of course this one - a normal costume may have been released with the 'Rise of Sun-Tzu' video game but I'm not positive, and that wouldn't have helped me at the time because I didn't have whatever game system the game was made for then anyways.

Whatever the case may be, I have Batgirl now and that's good news in my book!

Funko Mystery Minis Batgirl and Riddler

'What's blue and grey and right behind me?'

I hate blind boxed toys, because there is no way to know what you are getting, and they are usually (relatively) expensive, prohibiting a desire to grab a random handful in the hopes of getting your goal figure. I like blind bagged toys because I can at least squeeze them and have a chance at getting what I want!

So as cool as these Blind Boxed Funko DC Comics Mystery Minis characters looked, I wouldn't bite because knowing my luck, I'd have ended up with ten Penguins! Waaah wah wah waah!

But what I lack in luck at Blind Box picking, I make up for in blog contest winning. When I won the Pop Pop It's Trash Culture contest recently, included in the prize were two of the best Funko Blind Box DC characters I could have gotten: Batgirl and Riddler!

Batgirl is simply the best. I love her little cape flapping sneaky-ninja pose! Unfortunately her face got a little scraped in transit, but it's actually not very noticeable in person.

And what a cute little Riddler! I love his little suit and derby. He even has a removable cane!

These two are super cute! I'd love to get a Catwoman from this line someday, and a Batman too of course, but I'll probably take my chances chasing after opened ones. I don't need to end up with ten Penguins trying to find them!*

*I admit it, I'd love ONE Penguin. I don't want ten of the same exact version of anyone really. Except maybe Harley Quinn, if they made her. I'd take twenty of her!

Lego Batgirl Minifigure Coming Soon!

The Brick Blogger posted this image of a heretofore unreleased Lego Batgirl minifigure that somehow escaped from a Lego factory in the Czech Republic. It is presumed she will be released to the general public sometime in 2014, possibly in one of the following sets scheduled for release next year:

#76010 LEGO Super Heroes The Penguin Face Off (with Batman, the Penguin, and  2 Robot Penguin Henchmen)
#76011 LEGO Super Heroes Man-Bat Attack (with Batman, Robin, and Man-Bat)
#76012 LEGO Super Heroes The Riddler Chase (with Batman, the Riddler, and the Flash)
#76013 LEGO Super Heroes The Joker Steam Roller (with Batman, the Joker, and 3 other minifigs)

Since the only set without all the minifigures specifically named is The Joker Steam Roller, we can assume Batgirl will come with that set. It is also the largest, and therefore most expensive set of the new releases, so yeah, that figures!