Hotwheels Boom Car :: 2017 New Release

I spotted this 2017 new release Hotwheels Cannon Car, aptly named the 'Boom Car', at Target the other day and couldn't walk away from it. I have a Duplo Clown and Circus Cannon that I simply adore, and while this Hotwheel would have been a great car to have on it's own, it was actually designed to hold (and even fire) a LEGO minifigure!

As you can see, the front is open to hold a minifig, and the explosive plunger serves as a handle for the minfigures.

The red, white and blue color scheme is not only patriotic, but also perfectly matches the New 52 Harley Quinn LEGO minifigure!

The back of the cannon is also open, with the idea that you flick the minifigure with your finger to send them flying! It does work, although try as I might I was unable to get a decent photograph of the action. You'll just have to take my word for it, and if you find the car, invest the dollar to do it yourself!

The Boom Car pairs great with this version of Harley, and will be displayed with her for the indefinite future! I hope Hotwheels releases multiple color variations so I can load up more of my Harley and Joker minifigs and take on Gotham City with a Boom Car Army.

Hotwheels has released a few of their cars with minifigs in mind, but the Boom Car is the first with an 'action feature' in mind. After shooting these pictures, I remembered the LEGO Stuntman that came out a few years ago and realized he'd also pair great with this car. Various clowns and other minfigs will also go great with this one. If you're a fan of Hotwheels and LEGO minifigs, I can't think of a single reason you shouldn't own this car.

The Walking Toddler :: Countdown to Halloween 2016

I don't know what you expect to find in Atlanta, Baby Rick Grimes, but perhaps you should be heading in the opposite direction...

Follow the link to check out all The Adventures of Rick Grimes as we Countdown to Halloween 2016!

2015 Hot Wheels Brave and the Bold Variants

Hot(wheels) on the heels of my last Hot Wheels Batmobile post, and almost as if Mattel got wind of my distaste for the Brave and the Bold Batmobile's ugly rims and blue scallops, Hot Wheels has released a new variant with black paint, red scallops and MUCH better looking wheels/rims!

Hot Wheels releases running variants often, so I don't think either is more rare than the other. But usually the first variation is harder to find because they stop shipping it when they start with the new variation. So if you prefer the uglier version, you better get to the eye doctor, and after that get to searchin' the Hot Wheels aisles!

The cars are both labeled the same: 2015 HW City 63/250, but as you can see the card art reflects the car color/trim/rims. I cropped the pic, but you can also see that the 'Hot Wheels Showdown Game' graphic is different up there in the left corner. So MOC collectors have some variations to keep their eyes out for too. Personally I'm just glad to have each version of this Brave and the Bold Batmobile, as it is one of my favorite Batmobiles of all time. And it looks far better in red and black than in the blues!

Ugh these rims! Even Jason Todd wouldn't touch those monstrosities!

Ahhh, that's more like it!

Hot Wheels Batmobiles

I used to be much more into Hot Wheels than I am today. I try to keep that corner of my collection under control these days and greatly limit my purchases, but for around a dollar I can't pass up a Hot Wheel Batmobile that I don't already own.

I can still remember when Hot Wheels first released the '89 Batmobile way back in 2004. I was very into Hot Wheels at that time, and Batmobile merchandise was pretty much sparse to non-existent. So finding a new toy Batmobile - for around a dollar - made me a bit crazy and I vowed to buy every one I saw at retail until I owned one hundred of them.

I've moved about six or seven times since then, and my Hot Wheels and Batmobiles collection remains boxed up to this day, so I honestly cannot tell you if I ever reached that goal. (Although I don't think I ever passed one up at retail, so I nailed that part of my personal goal.) But I can comfortably say that I came close, and with all the variations on that standard black '89 Batmobile made to date, I'd not be surprised if I surpassed it by a comfortable margin.

This '89 Batmobile in chrome with yellow trim is a 2015 release on shelves now. It is part of the HW City sub-theme and is numbered 62/250. I generally don't like Batmobiles that aren't black or blue, but this car does look hot in this muted chrome livery.

This black with red trim '89 Batmobile is also a 2015 HW City sub-theme number 62/250 and on shelves now. I may have one of these already that Jon from Robot Monster Space Superhero sent to me a few months back. But when it comes to one dollar Hot Wheels Batmobiles it is better to err on the side of 'I NEED it' when I see it. The red trim works as something Batman might have actually added to the Batmobile, and the red windshield looks nice and menacing.

When the Brave and the Bold Batmobile was first released in 2010 I also went a little overboard. I didn't aim at owning a hundred of them, but I probably have about ten if not more. The Brave and the Bold is one of my favorite representations of Batman, and the Batmobile design is definitely one of my top ten favorite Batmobiles of all time. This is a 2015 HW City sub-theme release numbered 63/250 and is the first variant of the 2010 cartoon accurate version made (other than cardback and probably wheel variants if any.)

And while the purist in me thinks it looks ridiculous with the eighties-ish blue scallop trim and ugly rims the car itself is incredibly sexy and again - just a dollar - so I bought it. Plus, as is not always the case, this Hot Wheels version is proportionally correct to the cartoon version while most other toy versions of this Batmobile made were not. I think Eaglemoss makes a 1:24 version that's screen accurate, but that's about it. So I love it!

All these Hot Wheels Batmobiles are on store shelves now, so go out there and hope I didn't hit the store before you. Because when it comes to Batmobiles - I'll buy that for a dollar!!!

Arkham Knight Batmobile :: Hot Wheels New for 2015

I don't follow Hot Wheels as closely as I used to, so I was surprised to learn of the recent release of the Arkham Knight Batmobile, and even more surprised to find it not long after hearing of it's existence!

Due to the delay of the game's release, we're seeing a lot of Arkham Knight relevant merchandise like action figures and this car months before the video game has even been played by fans.

There's really no 'jazz' to this vehicle, it's just another Bat-Tank. But it's a Batmobile, and it will be the first playable Batmobile in the Arkham video game series, so it should be pretty awesome. If I played with my Hot Wheels I know this one would be fun too. It isn't pretty, but it gets the job done.

The Arkham Knight Batmobile is part of the New for 2015 HW City series and is numbered 61/250.

'The Homer' by Hot Wheels - 'The Car Built For Homer'

I finally tracked down one of the most anticipated Hot Wheels of all time: The Homer!

New for 2014, The Homer represents the vehicle Homer Simpson designed for his half-brother's Powell Motors. The Homer is car 89/250 in the HW CITY line-up for 2014.

The Homer was not only expensive (booking out at a whopping $82,000), but obviously gawd-awful, and it bankrupted Powell Motors.

Although, as a parent, you do have to admire the kid-pod in the back. I want one of those!

Okay Hot Wheels, you have raised the bar. I never would have expected in a million years that you would have made The Homer. But now that you have, I demand a Family Truckster and a Last of the Interceptors!

Hotwheels, the Final Frontier.

I bet you didn't see this one coming - I sure didn't!

Look for the J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie reboot version of the Starship Enterprise on Hotwheels shelves now, for about a dollar.

Hotwheels is releasing the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 in their HW Imagination series (don't be fooled by the green stripe on the card, this is not a Treasure Hunt or chase or rare vehicle. Just a new model for 2013, available wherever Hotwheels are sold and in the same quantities as any new release.)

Okay Hotwheels, while I appreciate what you are doing here (and will buy one when I see it) and dig all the licenced movie vehicles you have been releasing lately, I am more than a little peeved that we're getting a freaking Starship Enterprise before we get Mad Max's Interceptor, which is by the way AN ACTUAL CAR and has...WHEELS that were in fact pretty hot if I remember my film history correctly.

Now do us a solid, Hotwheels, and get us some more movie and TV vehicles with, you know, wheels - starting with Mad Max's Interceptor - before you continue boldly going where no Hotwheels orange track can go anyways.

Pic unabashedly borrowed from eBay, where I do not suggest you go and pay more than a dollar for a dollar Hotwheel. But hey, it's your money.

Back in Bat

I previously posted about the Hotwheels version of The Bat, the hideously ugly not-Batwing from The Dark Knight Rises. A surprise entry into the Hotwheels ranks I must admit, as it is neither Hot nor Wheeled.

Well hold on to your love of aesthetics, because Mattel continues to surprise by releasing a Matchbox version in their Sky Busters die-cast aircraft series!

As you can see, this Matchbox Sky Busters version is larger than it's Hotwheels counterpart, and probably closer to a true 1:64 scale. I found my Bat at Kohls and although it is listed at $3.99 it was on sale and I got it for around $1.50. (I don't think it's humanly possible to pay sticker price at Kohls. Their entire business model is jacking up prices so they can have a 'sale' every single flippin' day. Their price signs are digital, for heaven's sake!)

I've seen Sky Busters at Toys R Us and Target and they are probably available most anywhere Matchbox are sold.

Part of the 2012 Undercover Series, The Bat is just an odd inclusion into any sub-set that isn't Batman specific. But as ugly as it is, it is kind of fun to swoosh around the room and I know any kid (or adult) into aircraft and Batman would love to have it in their collection.

As you can see, the Matchbox Bat is quite a bit larger than the Hotwheels Bat. There are a few differences in sculpt as well, meaning this isn't just a larger scale of the same exact toy.

The positioning of the rear tailfins is the most obvious difference in physical design. Sky Buster Bat is also painted in a flat black while Hotwheels Bat is shiny. Matchbox wins for movie accuracy there.

The engine thingys up front are a little stubbier on Matchbox's Bat too.

It wasn't until I looked closely at Matchbox Bat underneath that I noticed both versions have the propellers sculpted into the undercarriage details. That's pretty neat!

If I could only have one, I'd say the Matchbox Sky Busters Bat is the better Bat. They're both Bat-Ugly but definitely fun, unique vehicles and a must have in any Bat vehicle collection!

I'm Batty and I know it :: Countdown to Halloween 2012

Oh yeah, I just HAD to have this one!

The most important addition to my Halloween collection (Thanks to Shawn of Branded in the 80s!) is the Batmobile from Hot Wheels' Kroger exclusive Halloween 2012 collection (number 3 of 5.)

The card art is cute and a little silly. A haunted gas station. Fill 'er up...with FEAR!

But, like Batman himself, this car could not stay trapped for long! Sayonara suckers!

I admit, I am surprised this car even exists as a Halloween themed variant. With some licenses you assume there's a strict 'no messing with the look/feel/design of the original' edict, and I always figured the Barris Batmobile would be one of those licenses. Yet here we have a purple Batmobile with white scallops and orange windows. The bat symbol is still there, unlike yesterday's Ecto-1 however, so there's that. But I can't imagine any Batman of Infinite Earths driving this thing.

Maybe the Batman of Zurr-en-arrh?

Regardless, this Batmobile had to be a part of my Batmobile collection, and I can't thank Shawn enough for making it possible, and as a selfless gift no less! Thanks Shawn, and to all my readers: read Branded in the 80s daily for more awesome nostalgic fun!

I'm Ecto and I know it :: Countdown to Halloween 2012

It seems every year Hot Wheels releases new exclusive Halloween themed vehicles, usually at Wal-Mart or Target, and often they are little to get excited about.

Well this year they released two that I simply had to have...and made them exclusive to a grocery store that doesn't even exist in California: Krogers!

LAME!

Thankfully co-Cryptkeeper Shawn of Branded in the 80s heard my cries and sent over a sweet Halloween care package that included the two Hot Wheels I would have been un-dead without, some Garbage Pail Kids cards, some Wacky Packages cards and a couple other fun toys to appear on this blog in the future (someday!)

But enough about those things, this is 'Countdown to Halloween,' so let's get back to the countin'!

This is the Ghostbusters Ecto-1, obviously, decked out in black with slime green accents!

Number 4 of 5, Ecto-1 (and tomorrow's car) are the hard to find scalper bait of the series. I never thought I'd get my hands on them!

Now usually I don't like themed repaints, as they tend to be gaudy or uninspired. Especially when they are on specific vehicles that have essentially one singular look, like a movie or TV vehicle.

But I can not only forgive this one, but I HAD TO HAVE IT for two reasons:

1) SLIMER! Green slime, and Slimer on the hood, are actually natural for this vehicle. Slimer may very well have been run over on the way to a ghostly call!

2) Ecto-1 started out black. Remember when Ray pulled up to the firehouse in the smoking pinging popping jalopy? It was (mostly) black.

Okay, I can't explain away the pumpkin on the side, but I do like how it is almost the exact dimensions of the Ghostbuster symbol, like it could have been perfectly placed over the existing symbol and covered it exactly. So there's that.

Thanks Shawn for the great care package and the ghoulishly awesome Hot Wheels! I owe you big!

Tune in tomorrow to see the other monstrous 'must have' Hot Wheel I received!

Bone Beast :: Countdown to Halloween 2012

Welcome to Countdown to Halloween 2012! In short, check out Toyriffic every day in October for another Halloween themed post as we count down to the big night itself, October 31st aka Halloween! For a longer explanation of what the hell is going on around here, check out this post. And be sure to check out all the groovy ghoulie contributors at the official Countdown to Halloween website.

Now on with the show!

Today we take a look at this spooky-cycle chillingly called the Bone Beast!

Bone Beast is a Hot Wheels Thundercycle from 2004. Interestingly, nowhere on Bone Beast does it say 'Bone Beast.' That was the name given this ride on the packaging however. On the cycle it is called 'Cybertooth II' and I have no idea why it was changed between casting and packaging, but there you have it.

This cycle is a bit larger and bulkier than the recent Batcycle and others in current Hot Wheels motorcycle releases; in fact it is probably from the first iteration of this concept/design. Like the Batcycle, it fits and rolls along standard Hot Wheels orange track. Unlike the Batcycle, Bone Beast has four smaller wheels on the side and undercarriage to help it glide along the track, similar to how a log plume ride is designed in order to scoot around corners.

Bone Beast appears to be a motorcycle crossed with a Rattlesnake skeleton. SPOOKY! But what makes Bone Beast particularly paranormal is that it includes a translucent ghost-like phantasmagorical rider...with a glow in the dark skeleton inside him!

Actually just the pelvis, ribcage and skull, but it does give off a very haunting effect when racing in the dark!

My Bone Beast has blue wheels; I have seen it appear more commonly with translucent purple wheels. Bone Beast is a fun toy that I've had since I found it on the pegs back in 2004. A skeleton-ghost riding a skeleton-cycle ...what's not to love?

Tune in tomorrow for more fearsome fun!

Angry Hot Wheels Birds

As I mentioned on my K'Nex Blind Bagged Angry Birds post, I was expecting the Hot Wheels Angry Bird to hit soon.

Well, it didn't take long for me to find one!

This is the Hot Wheels Red Bird (not to be confused with the Redbird,) a 2012 New Model - #47/50.

Red Bird is a nice solid, heavy car. The red part is all die-cast. I just might have to use this guy in the next family Pinks race, which will probably take place around Thanksgiving.

A minion pig car is due out soon as well. Perfect for those crash-up derbys, Hot Wheels and Angry Birds style!

Don't call it a Batwing

Thanks to Brian of Cool and Collected, I finally have my hands on The Bat!

Brian graciously gave me this 2012 Hot Wheels New Models #27 of 50 since he isn't a Hot Wheel collector and I am ;) (Yes, he found himself one too!)

I have to admit, The Bat is an odd one. An ugly vehicle by any standard, it flies (pun intended) in the face of Hot Wheel conventionality by...not having any wheels at all. In fact, as I sit here I cannot think of another Hot Wheel that has been released completely sans wheels. Even Hot Wheels airplanes have a couple wheels!

Anyone?

It is, at least, die-cast (the top part, anyways.)

This thing reminds me of a rolly-polly.

Wheel-less and ugly-as-sin or not, The Bat is a must have for me and most Batman fans (and Hot Wheels fans too!)

 A Bat vehicle is a Bat vehicle no matter how you slice it!

From the cardback:

Born: 2012
Birthplace: Gotham City
Designer: Wayne Industries
Specialty: The first flying vehicle in the Dark Knight's crime-fighting arsenal, THE BAT features twin mounted cannons. It's maneuverability allows BATMAN to engage in low-altitude pursuits amid the skyscrapers of downtown GOTHAM CITY.