Desktop Wallpaper: Tim Burton's 1989 BATMAN Movie!

Every Bat-Blog Reader knows that every single Wednesday is "Wacky Wallpaper Wednesday", ha ha! So, this week I thought I would post 2 Batman Desktop Backgrounds that have a "1989 Batman Movie" theme. Basically, it's the same exact photo of Michael Keaton as Batman in the Batcave ( I always thought his Bat-Computer was groovy ) but one is a full-shot & the other is a close-up...sort of 2 variations. I kinda picked this photo for a few reasons: One, This is the movie that totally hooked me into becoming extremely serious about being a Batman Toy Collector. Two, visually it looks pretty cool and Three, some friends & I were talking the other night about how amazing it is that next year ( 2009 ) will be the 20th Anniversary of that now-classic movie. Wow! Twenty years ago! ( That makes me feel kinda old now, ha ha! ).

BATMAN ROOM: BATCAVE Custom Painted Wall Mural

I recently came across the website of an artist named Janet MacGregor. She lives in Vancouver, Washington & makes her living doing Custom Painted Murals for people. Her artwork is really nice & I was very impressed with this "Batman Room" she did ( Please click on the small photo up above for a larger photo with more detail ). One entire wall has a huge "Batcave Scene", complete with the Batmobile Car. It has the style of the "Batman: The Animated Series" cartoon, that's so awesome! The neat thing is that there is a secret door, that when closed, you can't see. You know I'm a HUGE fan of creativity & I thought everybody would get a kick out of seeing this! She has a lot of other non-Batman-related artwork that is just as cool. Please be sure to visit her site sometime, it's kinda fun. You can do so by clicking HERE!

Batman, The Animated Series ROBIN DRAGSTER & BATCAVE!

OK, The BAT-BLOG is really dedicated to showcasing Vintage Batman Toys & we even try to cover brand new releases for current collectors but one area we have sort of neglicted lately are the wonderful toys from the Animated Series. I mean, that's kinda weird because we really really LOVE that cartoon, it's a Classic! So, up above are 2 photos of some really hard-to-find BTAS Toys. The 1st one is a vehicle made for the line of action figures. It's called the ROBIN DRAGSTER. Now, no one really knows the story of why this thing is so RARE but it had to do with it being cancelled for safety reasons or maybe it was only made for the Canadian Market...something weird like that! Now, in my personal collection I don't have this "In The Box" but I do have it "Loose, missing some parts". But that's the joy of collecting Vintage Batman Toys is that there is sooo much stuff out there it always keeps ya busy looking for more! I truely believe that even if you were a billionare like Bruce Wayne you still couldn't collect everything Batman! The next photo is another action figure accessory called THE BATCAVE COMMAND CENTER. Now, the reason this thing is kinda semi-rare is that it is so HUGE & GIANT that alot of collectors don't have space for it, ha ha. But, it is pretty cool & we love the graphics on the box!! Be sure to check the BAT-BLOG ARCHIVES for many more wonderful Vintage Batman Toys by Kenner Action Figures, Ideal, Mego Dolls, Marx, TransOgram, Corgi Cars, Mattel Hot Wheels, etc...!!

NEW BATMAN BOOK : THE BATCAVE COMPANION Coming Out in April!

OK, I know it's about 2 months away but I'm really excited about a new book coming out by TwoMorrow's Publishing called THE BATCAVE COMPANION! The delays are over, and it’s finally in print! Michael Eury, the writer/editor of the critically acclaimed The Krypton Companion, and Michael Kronenberg, the designer of the eye-popping Spies, Vixens, and Masters of Kung Fu: The Art of Paul Gulacy, team up to explore the Silver and Bronze Ages of Batman comic books in The Batcave Companion! Two distinct sections of this book examine the Dark Knight’s progression from his campy “New Look” of the mid-1960s to his “creature of the night” reinvention of the 1970s. Features include issue-by-issue indexes, interviews with CARMINE INFANTINO, JOE GIELLA, DENNIS O’NEIL, and NEAL ADAMS, and guest essays by MIKE W. BARR and WILL MURRAY. Contributors include SHELDON MOLDOFF, LEN WEIN, STEVE ENGLEHART, and TERRY AUSTIN, with a special tribute to the late MARSHALL ROGERS. With its incisive introduction by Dennis O’Neil and its iconic cover painting by Neal Adams, The Batcave Companion is a must-have for every Bat-Fanatic & comics fan! It's due to be released around April 15th, 2009. Here's a link for more information:

Custom Batman BAT-CAVE Model Kit For 1966 Batmobile Hot Wheels Car

A friend to the Bat-Blog named Renato, from Argentina, has designed a really cool Custom Resin Kit of the original 1966 BAT-CAVE from the Batman TV Series. It's scaled to fit & display one of the new Hot Wheels Batmobile cars. The attention to detail is really excellent! On the left you can see the Bat-Poles where Batman ( Adam West ) & Robin ( Burt Ward ) would slide down. On the right is the Batcave entrance that the car can actually go thru. There are also some details like the Atomic Power Battery & Bat-Computers. The correct scale to everything is pretty good & we think he did a very good job on this. Renato is selling these on eBay right now so if you're interested you should check them out. We would like to invite any other Custom Toys builders to send us photos. We have featured Custom Action Figures, Model Kits, Mego Dolls, & more...our e-mail is located on the left-side of this blog, near the middle.

New TRIO DC SUPER FRIENDS Building Block Toys by Fisher Price ( Batman's Batcave and Joker-Bot )

If you have small children who love BATMAN then you're gonna want to keep an eye out for these brand-new toys by Fisher Price. They're called TRIO DC SUPER FRIENDS & they're basically a building block game with small figures. The 1st two out of the gate will be THE BATMAN BATCAVE Play Set & The JOKER-BOT!! These are totally awesome! As you can see by the sample photos, they can be built in many different ways. I'm really loving these because they not only extend their already existing IMAGINEXT Action Figure toy line, but they also add a lot of game play & use of imagination...very clever. The BATCAVE has an approx. retail price of $35.00 & The JOKER-BOT is $18.00. These should be in store very soon if they are not already.

Secrets of the Batcave - Batman Wallpaper Background

Here's a BATMAN Desktop Background Wallpaper I made the other night using vintage comic book graphics. It's titled "Secrets of the Batcave" and was drawn by artist Frank Springer. The artwork was reprinted in Batman Treasury Comics - Collectors Edition C37 ( © 1975 ) but it appeared first in Batman #203 ( © 1968 ). Basically, it's a complete cut-away blueprint layout of the Bat-Cave. I totally remember this art as a little kid & loved it ( still do ). The funny thing, I used to worry about what would happen if the Joker got a hold of this information, ha ha!

Hot Wheels 1:50 Scale BATGIRL CYCLE, 1966 BATMOBILE, & BATCYCLE Boxed Gift Set SDCC Exclusive

At the next San Diego Comic Book Con be sure to look out for this SDCC Exclusive Boxed Set of Hot Wheels 1:50 Scale BATGIRL CYCLE, 1966 BATMOBILE, & BATCYCLE Diecast Cars! The photo shows what the packaging looks like & it's pretty cool ( Click the image up above for a larger version ). The display box has sort of a "Batcave" design, very neat. Now, I already have the 50th scale Batman Car & Bat-Cycle so hopefully Mattel will be selling the Batgirl Motorcycle all by itself at the convention also.

The 1966 Batmobile Makes an Appearence in the New BOOSTER GOLD Comic Book!

All I have been hearing lately about DC Comics' new BOOSTER GOLD Comic Book is that it's really awesome! I've seen the artwork & it's quite good but I've also been told that the stories are really well-written. It's sort of a secret among comic book nerds so don't tell anybody ( I mean "Nerd" in a good way, ha ha ). Basically he & his 2 sidekicks teleport everywhere & in the new October 2008 issue ( #11 ) they land smack-dab in the middle of the Batcave! In the graphic up above, behind Booster Gold, you can see the 1966-Style Batmobile & 60's Bat-Boat, the Bat-Jet from the 90's Animated Series, a 1970's-looking Bat-Cycle, & a few more!! ( Click on the photo for a larger, more detailed, picture ). As a side note, I've been dying to use the phrase "smack-dab" in a sentence for a very long time now so this is quite exciting, ha ha!

Video - BATMAN'S BATCAVE Fisher Price TRIO Action Figures TV Commercial

Check out this recent Batman Toy TV Commercial! It's for the DC SUPER FRIENDS: TRIO Building System made by Fisher-Price. We get to see the Batcave, Batmobile Car, & a few figures. I totally love these new Batman Toys & want to collect them all! Yes, they will ALL BE MINE, ha ha!

New 2008 DC SUPER FRIENDS BATMAN Action Figures, Vehicles, & Imaginext Batcave by Fisher-Price!

Our friend Billy sent us this amazing photo scanned from a Fisher-Price Toy Catalog. Be sure to click on the photo up above for a large, very detailed, picture! It's a nice example of some of the new toys that will be released by Fisher-Price in 2008 as a part of their DC SUPER FRIENDS toy line. The big news of course is the large BATCAVE Imaginext Play Set. I really like this thing a lot & it looks pretty cool. There will be some new Batman Action Figures & Vehicles. It looks like they are gonna make a Batcopter, Batmobile, a Bike for Robin, & a Wacky Motorcycle for The Joker! There is also gonna be some new action figures of Batman, Robin, Joker, & The Penguin too. I can't wait till these come out, they look awesome!

Batcave “Atomic Pile” and Cave Backdrop For Your 1/18th Scale 1966 Batmobile Car

Everybody knows how I like it when Bat-Fan Artists get totally creative & use Batman in their art in some way. Well, here's an amazing example! A guy on eBay, named Jeb8, recently posted this "Batcave Atomic Pile & Cave" Backdrop you can get to help display your 1/18th Scale 1966 Batmobile Car. Basically it's an extremely well-made, highly detailed, "model kit" that has been made to look like "a piece of scenery" from the Classic 1966 Batman TV Show. Just looking at the photos up above you can see the attention to accurate detail is totally insane! I bet this item will become pretty popular with hardcore Batman Fans! If there are any readers out there who make custom dolls, toys, action figures...whatever, then please send us some photos to share. Our e-mail button is always at the top right-hand side of this page.

4 Batman Desktop Wallpapers: MORTAL KOMBAT vs DC UNIVERSE Video Game

Here are 4 brand-new images from the MORTAL KOMBAT vs DC UNIVERSE Video Game. The 1st two show the rendering of the Batman character & the 2nd two are some great enviroments: a Gotham City Rooftop & The Bat-Cave!! This game actually looks pretty cool!

Video: HOW TO FIND THE ORIGINAL 1966 BATMAN TV SHOW BAT-CAVE!

Here's a very fun video that tells you how to get to the original Bat-Cave location in California. It was done by a good friend of mine named Scott. I was kind of impressed with how well done it was. Anyway we all know the famous scene in the 1966 Batman TV Show when the Batmobile roars out of the Bat-Cave ( Atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed...). Well, this cave he takes you to is the exact location they filmed that classic piece of bat-history! It's called the Bronson Cave & is located in Hollywood, CA. For anyone who lives in California, or on vacation, I highly recommend visiting this landmark, it's kinda neat! Scott's directions are very clear & precise. So, go check out the BAT-CAVE!! Also, if any readers here go visit please send us some photos or share your story...thanks.

Vintage 1960's German SECRETS OF THE BATCAVE Batman Premium Poster!

Recently our friend Guenter, who lives in Germany, sent us this wonderful photo of one of his favorite German Batman collectibles. It's a large poster, that was a mail-away premium, showing a blueprint of Batman & Robin's Bat-Cave. He wrote, "Around 1968 you could collect "Bonus Brands" (labels) in every Batman comic book. For 10 labels you could order a bat-poster for free! It was called "Die Geheimnisse der Bat-Hohle" or in English, "Secrets of the Batcave". Today the poster is approx. 40 years old but still a great piece of art for me that helps me to remember my childhood." WOW! Guenter, this poster, in the USA, is extremely RARE & I mean almost non-existent! I really appreciate you sending the picture for that reason alone but it's also nice to hear your story about how you could mail away for this item, that's nice. Looking at the poster it's extremely detailed. Just like the name it shows all the "Secrets of the Batcave" like the Underground Lake where they store the Bat-Boat, the Garage Area where they repair the Batmobiles, the "Fake Mountain Top" that releases smoke to hide the identity of the Bat-Jet or Bat-Copter, plus all the other rooms with computers & lab supplies, etc...extremely cool! As a little kid you must have spent hours looking at that thing. I know I would have, ha ha! I also noticed, in the bottom right-hand corner, that they put a diagram explaining the capsules of the Bat-Belt. That's cool too! As always, I want to invite all Bat-Blog Readers to send us some RARE Batman-related photos to share & I also wanna thank Guenter again for the great picture, it's awesome!

RARE 1966 ROBIN IN THE BATCAVE WITH BATMAN Coloring Book

A Bat-Blog Reader named Noah sent us some really great pics recently that we shared but I saved these for a separate posting. The other ones were all "costume-related" & you might remember the fun photo of his cute little kid dressed as Batgirl! Well, here's some photos of one of his favorite pieces in his bat-collection. It's an extremely RARE 1966 ROBIN IN THE BATCAVE WITH BATMAN Coloring Book ( That's gotta be the record for the longest name for a coloring book, ha ha! ). Anyway, he sent some very nice pictures of it. The cover artwork is totally amazing & the inside pictures, like the TV series, are just totally goofy! My favorite one has a caption that reads, "BATMAN WILL NEVER BE CAT FOOD!" I have this book in my collection too & it's actually a pretty hard one to find. Be sure to click on the photos for larger, more detailed, pics...especially the cover!

THE BATCAVE - A Cool Flash Animation Batman Fan Site!

The Bat-Blog has a friend named Don who recently made this extremely elaborate Batman Fan website using Flash-Macromedia animation. It has great graphics with a lot of interaction & is pretty cool! Please be sure to click on the many buttons to visit different "rooms of The Batcave". I like the Bat-Trophies the best but visiting the Bat-Garage is neat too. Thanks Don for sending the link & congrats on doing such a great job. Readers, You can visit his website by clicking on the "Invitation letter" up above...enjoy!

Funny or Die Humor Video: BATMAN GARAGE SALE with Adam West!

The Funny or Die website has this totally hilarious "Batman skit" video featuring Adam West...heck yeah! It's titled "Batman Garage Sale with Adam West" & if you watch it then you'll probably love it!

Batman Garage Sale with Adam West from Adam West

REAL-LIFE BATCAVE Fire Department, FD NY Engine 26

The Bat-Blog has a good friend in Germany, named Guenter, who's son was recently visiting New York. While there he came across this real-life fire truck with this Batman "BATCAVE" emblem on it!! It's for the FD NY Engine #26! Now, how extremely AWESOME is that!! Thank you Guenter for sending this amazing photo. Please tell your son thanks too because this is just so cool! Readers, please be sure to click on the photo up above for a larger, more detailed, picture...it's great!!

New DC SUPER FRIENDS TRIO - BATCAVE SUPER MEGA SET By Fisher Price

Just in time for Christmas is this totally amazing DC SUPER FRIENDS TRIO Play Set! Our good friend "Batmobilly" spotted this treasure while shopping the other day at Target. It looks like Fisher Price has come out with a BATCAVE SUPER MEGA SET & it's totally AWESOME! Click on the picture up above for a larger version, it's beautiful! You get the Batcave, a Batmobile Car, the Joker-Bot, the Batwing Jet, 6 other accessories/mini-vehicles, and a TON of figures!! The characters include: The Joker, Robin, Batman, Superman, Penguin, Riddler, & Mr. Freeze. There are 11 figures in all with a few different variations of Batman, Robin, & the Prince of Crime, The Joker! WOW! This is CRAZY!! I'm gonna go out on a limb here & say that this is the coolest Batman Toy of 2010, yeah! Thanks for spotting this Batmobilly. If any other Bat-Blog Readers come across any new interesting Batman items while Xmas shopping this year then please let us know.