Batman: Three Jokers

Officially released on August 25, 2020 Batman Three Jokers is the latest comic that adds a new story to the infamous life of the Joker.  Before it released, all we knew was what the images shown at San Diego Comic-Con 2018 had shown us, 3 different Jokers.  Immediately people started coming up with theories of where they came from and who they were.  I was just excited because this new Joker storyline seemed original and mysterious.  I’m not much of a comic book reader (weekly), but I do like to read the popular stories, so I decided to get this issue before it became a classic issue.

DC Comics:

www.dccomics.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6YOv6VpWBw

Batman Toy Biz 1989 Action Figure

This Batman toy figure came out the same year the 1989 movie Batman by Tim Burton was released.  While it is part of the movie toy line, it’s funny how even back then you didn’t get a large variety of figures and playsets for a movie.  The company that made the toy line was Toy Biz, who actually made other DC Comics figures as well.  My favorite of course was this version of Batman.  Besides TMNT’s this was probably one of my most played-with toys as a kid back in 1989/1990.  From what I’ve read online a few years ago, there are actually a couple variations of the head sculpt.

The cool features from this toy are the accessories such as the Batrope, speargun, and Batarang.  The retractable Batrope or Batman's utility belt as it’s most commonly known, in particular was what I liked the most and was something I constantly broke from overuse as a kid.  Thankfully I was able to find this mint condition toy a few years ago for cheap.  While it’s not the most popular toy to collect, it’s very special to me and it’s one of my most prized toys from my collection.

Batman (1989 film):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_(1989_film)

Toy Biz Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Biz

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdyyHc-4Iy0

Batman Year One Part 1 Issue #404

Released in February 1987 Batman Year One Part 1 issue #404 tells the story of Bruce Wayne’s first year as Batman.  The story also simultaneously follows James Gordon’s return to Gotham City.  It’s such a great story that follows the beginning of the friendship between Jim Gordon and Batman as these men battle a corrupt city.  I just love how their battle is not easy and how they make mistakes along the way; learn from them and overcome obstacles that eventually molds them into the heroic men they become.

I bought this particular issue a few years ago.  At the time a lot of magazines were going out of print.  This had me worried that eventually all print magazines including comics would either go digital or end production.  That’s when I decided to start buying popular comics as collector pieces (relics of the past).  Thankfully the prices were still affordable so I definitely had to get this issue of Batman and others.  While I do love the story and can read it in digital format, there’s definitely something special about holding the physical copy in my hands. The smell of the pages, the ink that runs off my fingers, and the vibrancy of the colors is something special that makes collecting older comics nostalgic and worthwhile.

Batman Year One Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:_Year_One

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/zrwT7NFWjVA

Funko Pop! Batman Vinyl Figure

Well here’s a collectable that I never thought I would buy; Funko Pop! bobbleheads.  I first noticed them many years ago, but whenever I would pass by them in a store they just didn’t interest me.  I had already bought vinyl toys before such as Mighty Muggs, and figured Pop figures would eventually be discontinued like the others.  But as the years went by I noticed that they kept releasing more and more bobbleheads, and people kept collecting them.

I then decided to buy a Pop figure to see what the whole craze was about.  I decided to go with a Batman Pop from the DC Comic super heroes line.  All Pop figures come nicely packaged in a cute little box that contains a plastic window to see the figure inside.  Once you open the box that isn’t sealed all you get inside is the figure.  While I assumed Pop figures were all bobbleheads considering that they look like bobbleheads, I was disappointed to find out that the majority of Pop figures aren’t true bobbleheads, and that only a few actually do bobble.

The actual design of Pop figures is really basic with all of them containing dwarf bodies, large heads, and large round eyes.  Other than a few basic features, the paint is what usually distinguishes one Pop figure from another.  And paint is another feature that I was also disappointed by because I had to look through 6 different Batman figures in the store before I found one that I was happy with.  Lamentably this will probably be my first and only Pop figure because I just don’t understand the fad.

Funko Pop!:

www.funko.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9N5bZaLvMc

Lego Batman Alarm Clock

I started seeing Lego alarm clocks a few years ago, and thought that they were really cool.  The first series I saw were of Star Wars.  I wanted to buy the Darth Vader version, but since it didn’t come with a cape or lightsaber I decided to pass on buying one for myself.  I did however buy a Stormtrooper as a gift for a friend, and they really loved it.

The company that makes these alarm clocks (ClicTime Holdings) kept producing other Lego minifigure clocks and released a Batman version.  Thankfully the Batman version comes with a cape, so I bought one for myself.  The alarm clock is similar in movement to a Lego minifigure, except that the joints aren’t removable.  The time on the clock is accurate, and comes with other features such as an alarm clock, and an amber back light.  This is a beautiful and unique alarm clock and I hope more minifigures from Lego are released in the future.

Lego:

http://www.lego.com/

Lego Batman Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Batman

ClicTime Holdings Ltd:

http://www.legowatches.com/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0qi6aEv5hk

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Toy

The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller is one of my favorite comic book series.  Before I read it I actually assumed comic books were boring and slow paced.  Although to be honest, I never read the series in comic book form, but rather as a graphic novel.  The graphic novel allowed me to read the whole story in its entirety without interruptions.  Trust me this is a story you will want to pay attention to and follow completely.  The story is entertaining, mature, violent, and very intelligent.

As with most popular comics, DC comics had released a toy line of the Dark Knights Returns.  The collector set included Batman and the Joker.  However I never knew it came out until much later, so I never had a chance to buy it.  By the time I knew about it, it was sold out and resellers where selling it for much more.  Thankfully this year Mattel decided to release a new version of Batman from the Dark Knight Returns that would be sold in regular toy and comic stores.

This version of Batman uses the same mold as other Matty Collector figures from the Masters of the Universe line.  This actually works out great because the mold is faithful to what the comic book drawings looked like.  The paint is neat and clean, though the figure does lack intricate details.  The cape is made out of plastic, which I prefer over a fabric.  This feature does limit articulation, however this isn’t a problem for me because I plan on displaying him as a shelf figure.  My only complaint about this toy is the lack of accessories (just one batarang is included), but other than that this is a Batman figure that I’m proud to own.

Matty Collector:

http://www.mattycollector.com

Wiki link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Returns

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMITN8WNygQ

The Dark Knight Rises

What an incredible movie... not just a movie, but an experience.  I waited almost 2 years for this movie to come out, and it was worth the wait.  In fact about a year ago, when the first trailer released I made a promise not to watch anymore trailers or read anymore news about this movie because I wanted to be surprised when I finally saw it. This was a difficult task because there were times that I would watch a clip online and then turn away, and I would get goose bumps.  But today I finally saw the Dark Knight Rises; I waited until Sunday to watch it because that’s when my friends would be free to go with me. 

My first impressions are that Nolan didn’t disappoint at all.  In fact just like the 2nd movie was to the 1st, the 3rd movie completed the 3 series of movies by adding more depth into the story of Batman.  I felt that the movie was long, but I also felt it was necessary because each scene was crucial.  The length allowed us to see more of Batman and Bruce Wayne.  In the past, this was one of my pet peeves, that we only saw them both for a little while, while the villain enjoyed more screen time.  But in this movie, we really got to know Bruce Wayne, and it renewed my passion of Batman.  The action scenes were exciting, and the movie had great surprises (thanks to ignoring online gossip for the last year).

The acting was also amazing as well, and I thought adding Anne Hathaway and Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a great addition to the cast.  Bane on the other hand was alright, though I would have preferred him to have caused more destruction in the city.  Hopefully this is not the last Batman film for Nolan, but if it is the Dark Knight Rises will be an incredible masterpiece to have finished the story of Batman with.

Nike SB Batman Mid Dunks

The Batman Mids were part of the gold box era, an era that many people disliked but that I loved.  At the time, Nike SB was releasing great sneakers, and there was always something to look forward to.  In 2008, the Batman SB’s were the shoes I wanted the most.  I wanted the shoes because I’m a Batman fan, and also because the colors used are very nice.  The colors on the sneakers resemble more of the Batman costumes used in the Justice League.

What makes these dunks extra special was that they were released as mids, which meant they came with a strap.  I love straps, to me it makes a sneaker extra special.  Another nice feature about the sneakers are the extra pair of yellow laces included.  When you add those, the sneaker looks even better, and I’m glad they were included.  My only complaint about the sneaker is that they can crease easily, but other than that the sneakers are beautiful.

The Nike SB Batman Mid dunk was released in 2008.  The colors used on the dunks are grey, black and yellow, and the materials are a mix of leather and suede.  They were made in China, the colors were designed by Shawn Baravetto, and its product code number is 314383003.  My pair are deadstock, and are a size 10.5.

Nike SB:

www.nikeskateboarding.com

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=543vMjZVmlc

DunkID

The Dark Knight Returns SB Dunks

I love the classic Batman costume with the navy blue, cool grey, and hits of yellow and black.  So I decided to make a Dunk with those same colors and name it the Dark Knight Returns SB Dunks (named after one of my favorite paperbacks).  The materials will be similar to the Nike SB Jedi’s, in that it will be a mix of thick full grain leather and smooth suede.  I also made it a mid SB with yellow laces, so that the SB logo on the strap can match in yellow.

Jor-El SB Dunk

I was watching a show called Hollywood Treasure, which featured the costume Marlon Brando wore on Superman: The Movie.  I found out that his costume was made out of some kind of suede or silk material that would reflect light, and that inspired me to make the Jor-El SB Dunks.  I made them Hi Dunks, with a black swoosh, white mid-sole, and black sole.  The most important part of this sneaker would be a material similar to the Jor-El costume, but it would be suede and some kind of 3M reflective material kinda like the Jordan V green beans.

Soul Glo SB Dunks

You know I still remember the first time I heard about Coming to America.  I was going on vacation and in the airport lobby they had the movie poster.  It was a picture of Eddie Murphy standing like a giant in New York City.  The poster was so cool, I even took a picture beside it.  Last week they were showing it again on TV.  Watching it inspired me to come up with this sneaker.  It’s called the Soul Glo dunks, which feature full gain leather in a colorway similar to the Soul Glo commercial but with a black streak coming down the sides.

The Dark Knight Rises

Just one week left until the dark knight rises...  Will Bane break Batman's back?