66 Batman BootLEGO Minifigs

Since the 66 Batman Batcave LEGO set is priced way out of my range (and I wouldn't know where to display the thing if I did buy and build it) I did the next best thing and bought a set of eight 66 Batman bootLEGO minifigs off eBay for about a buck each!

As great as the character selection is with this set (it lacks a Riddler, but otherwise has all the minifigs from LEGO set 76052) the quality of these bootLEGOs is relatively low. Not low enough to pass on them for around a buck each, but not the best quality bootLEGOs out there by any means. There's lots of plastic 'flashing' and many paint apps don't line up. A couple of the figures' feet' barely lock into the base (or other LEGO pieces) and there's been some plastic stress marks show up on pieces that fit tightly together. Also, as happens with many bootLEGOs, once I had Batman's cowl in place it's pretty permanent. So he does have two expressions, but it's going to be a task getting the cowl off to turn his head around. That's ok, as I picked the expression I liked best first. I've learned what to expect with bootLEGOs!

Robin has two expressions too, and fortunately his hair pops off easy enough to spin his head around. Unfortunately...

...the paint apps are not too clean and it looks like he may be missing a tooth or something.

'The umm, ahem, blue phone, sirs.'

Alfred is a welcome addition tot he set, the first minifig Alfred I've ever owned, LEGO, bootLEGO or otherwise.

Alfred also has two expressions and, inexplicably, a translucent blue phone. But who cares, he's awesome!

Adam West's Bruce Wayne. Keen!

Brucie also has an alternate expression.

Burt Ward's Dick Grayson.

And alternate expression.

Catwoman. She looks more like Lee Meriwether to me, but who can say.

Catwoman's alternate head is a masked face! 

Cesar Romero's Joker!

With mustache and yellow teeth!

This Joker's alt expression is classic Romero! I love it!

Burgess Merideth as Penguin! Penguin only has one expression, but he comes with a bootLEGO umbrella so I guess that makes up for his lack of a cigarette holder in his mouth.

The best part of having Bruce and Dick minifigs is being able to make maskless Batman...

...and maskless Robin minifigs!

Even Alfred got in on the fun...

Umm...err...ahem...nevermind, nothing to see here. Goodbye.

Batman TNBA Penguin Action Figure by Mattel

When Mattel took over the Batman license (and by proxy the Batman Animated license) one of the things they did right was releasing this Batman: The New Batman Adventures styled Penguin.

The original Batman Animated Penguin was based on the Danny DeVito Penguin from Tim Burton's Batman Returns, and pretty much no one will argue the merits of that Penguin design. So when Batman TNBA streamlined and classic-ized Penguin for the 'toon, it was a welcome return to the Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot we all knew and loved. When Mattel made an action figure of him it was a surprise and a welcome addition to the Batman Animated action figure ranks.

Penguin came simply with an unopened umbrella. No flashy shooty twirly neon umbrellas for this stylish old bean!

I had originally avoided the first Batman Animated Penguin action figure entirely, opting only to add this guy to my collection when he was released as a single carded figure (he first appeared in a TRU exclusive four pack that I never saw at retail.) But years later I did add the original Penguin to my collection, only because I found him for really cheap still in package. I've left him in package still to this day, but may have to finally bust him out and stand him up against this guy. Nostalgia has me liking the first version more today  than I did when the cartoon first aired, but I still like this Penguin and his classic styling the most.

Batman Bendable Figures by NJCroce

This set of '66 Television Batman Bendable Figures came to me this past Christmas. It's the perfect set for me and my intern to play with together - in fact, right after this photo shoot they were all riding around on Dumbo, looking for Dumbo's mom. Sounds like a Grant Morrison story.

All the figures are pretty good representations of the actors they portray, especially considering the fact that they are soft rubber bendies.

The paint applications are basic, but Batman and Robin do have nice cloth capes. These guys feel pretty sturdy for rubber bendies, I think they will withstand a lot of intern-time.

Joker and Penguin have thicker upper legs due to their coattails, so their legs don't have as much bendy motion as the others.

But that doesn't make these guys any less fun. They are what they are, you pretty much know what to expect if you've ever had a bendy figure in your life.

Bendy figures were a part of my youth as much as little green army men and die cast cars and regular action figures. Not sure when they fell out of favor but you don't really see much of them much these days.

So it's fun to see them again, and to see them representing characters (or versions of characters) that represent the timeframe of the bendy renaissance. Well, I can't speak for 1966, but the Batman tv show was certainly a part of 70s and 80s childhoods, at least in reruns.

All of these characters are also sold as singles, in case you aren't in the market for the whole quintet.

And so far this is everyone from the '66 TV show in bendy form. Which is a shame, as I really think they need Batgirl's help! Three villains and two heroes? That's just not fair.

Plus: Batman and Robin are way too chivalrous to punch Catwoman.

I don't know if you can find these guys at basic retail, but I have seen them at local novelty shops. You know, those stores that sell, well, stuff like bendy figures.

'Wah wah wah wah waaaaaah!'

ShengYuan Scuba Batman LEGO Bootleg

One of the three additional sets I had to pick up in order to get the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh is this Scuba Batman set, a bootleg version of the LEGO Batman - The Penguin Face Off (76010) set. Sans Penguin and his Duckmobile.

The scuba vehicle is kind of silly but still cool. Honestly the Duckmobile is the best part of the official set, so I will probably have to pick it up eventually anyways. I only wish there were a way to make a LEGO Orca minifigure, because otherwise a Scuba Batman is completely pointless.

The set does come with a Penguin Bomb. A simple build but super awesome. I know I have the parts to make more of these, but not in the correct colors. So it's fun to have one now even if I don't yet have a LEGO Penguin himself.

The Batman minifigure is top notch. ShengYuan is putting out some high quality bootlegs. In fact, I'm starting to think I should refer to them as 'clones' and not 'bootlegs', but since they are still direct rip-offs of official minifigures, I think the term 'bootleg' still applies.

He does have printing on the back of his torso, but he only has one face print on his head. I would have preferred that they went with the scuba face, but instead they opted for the normal face.

Either way they did include his scuba-gear, flippers and a spear-gun, so that's keen.

When the Gotham Bunnies come hop-hop-hopping along...

Okay, we're all used to sexy Harley Quinns and Poison Ivys and Catwomen...but did you ever think Scarecrow could make you feel all tingly in your nether-regions?  Or possibly Mr. (Ms.?) Freeze?

The cosplayer team Skirts and Swords is here to make all your embarrassing-dreams-you-dare-not-admit-to come true: Playboy Bunny versions of all of Gotham's Finest Villains!

Inspired by the art of Milkydayy (Oskar Vega) and photographed by Greg DeStefano, cast your peepers at Batman's Rogue Gallery: Playboy Bunny style!

Playboy Bunny Poison Ivy. I be-leaf I am in love!

Riddle me this, Playboy Bunny Riddler: What's incapable of rational thought because all of the blood has left it's brain? Answer: me.

Playboy Bunny Penguin. Is that a trick umbrella in my pocket, or am I just happy to see you?

Playboy Bunny Harley Quinn. Too stunned to come up with a pun.

Playboy Bunny Mr. Freeze. I'd take a frost-bite of that!

Playboy Bunny Joker. Don't forget your rubber...chicken!

Playboy Bunny Catwoman. Purrr-fect!

Playboy Bunny Two-Face. Head's up!

Playboy Bunny Scarecrow. Scary hot!

This photoset was discovered via The Mary Sue

Upcoming Lego Batman themed sets revealed!

Most news out of the San Diego Comic Con this year has done little to excite me.

Then, suddenly...THIS!

LEGO HARLEEN QUINZEL!!!!!!

OMFGHKJHIOTVOVBHIVYVOVYVYOVYAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Based on the other reveals thus far, I have to assume they are making an Arkham Asylum (or Arkham City) themed set (see Joker in prison garb below and hooded Robin!)

Also upcoming, The Dark Knight Rises themed Lego sets (see movie based Jim Gordon and Bane above!) and a new Mr. Freeze, Scarecrow, Penguin and even AQUAMAN (or is that AquaBieber hahahaahhaha ahem.)

These all look wonderfully wonderful and I will probably buy many of them, or I may not, depending on the sets they come with...but rest assured I WILL BUY A LEGO HARLEEN QUINZEL SO FAST!!!!!

Oh yeah, as expected there are also new Batman variants with each set (I can only assume the winter Bat above comes with the Mr. Freeze set.)

Pics via fbtb on Flickr