Boo! I'm the Batman! the Batman Begins Movie Masters Chase Figure

Like most Bat-Fans this week is a pretty big week for me with the release of The Dark Knight, the second in the re-imaged Batman movie franchise and the debut of the new Joker. So this week is going to be a Batman Toy Week here on Eclectorama. I plan on featuring some of my personal favorite versions of the Dark Knight, some new finds, and hopefully some cool stuff all from the Eclectorama Collection!

So to start off this week I'm spotlighting a figure that I thought I would never see, straight from the movie "Batman Begins". I remember sitting in the theater thinking if they ever made a figure of the scene where Batman gasses the Scarecrow with his own fear toxin it would be one of the coolest figs ever. That scene, to me was great, so I pretty much decided that I would never see it, mainly because it would be considered too scary for the kids. So, as I was walking through the store the other day what was staring back at me was none other than this little demon of a Bat from the Mattel Movie Masters figures line! They did make him! I was truly surprised!



I immediately thought, no way, how did this get by me. I didn't even have a clue this one was coming out. I certainly did not think that I would see any new Batman merch since having heard a lot of it was voluntarily recalled (not sure if that is a myth or not, but would explain why I haven't seen a lot of DC toys on the shelves).



This is none other than the Chase figure from the second release of Batman Movie Masters figures. The series includes Batman in his Batman Begins suit, Scarecrow, and this version from the scene described above. I say bravo to Mattel for pulling this character from one of the coolest scenes in Batman Begins. You know if you were going to scare the crap out of criminals dressed like a giant bat, this would be the way to do it! Some cool things about this figure is the finish, it's matte and has a wash that makes it "feel" grittier than the normal version. The matte finish also helps set off the gloss paint used on the eyes, probably the best feature of the figure. It really gives you the effect from the movie when Batman had the black beady eyes and blacked out features, as viewed by a fear toxin treated Scarecrow.



Now I'm not saying this because this is a chase figure, but if you see this guy on the pegs I would recommend picking him up just because he's a cool figure. Sure it's a head swap and new paint application, but it really is a nice figure in it's own regard. This from someone who stays away from chase figures...

Code names: Tomax and Xamot

Or is it Xamot and Tomax? If it wasn't for the scar on Xamot's face I could not tell them apart. Tell you the truth if I ever took them off the stands at the same time I could never tell them apart, scar or no scar.

These evil brothers come from the GI JOE 25th Anniversary Comic Pack by Hasbro. Like all of Hasbro's comic packs there are a couple of figures, plus a fun little read. This set came with a newer comic, by GI JOE scribe Larry Hama. If I'm reading the covers right these newer comics take place between issues of the regular series, and are supposed to fit into the story, giving more detail to the entire story line. I'm going to have to hit some back issues cause I'm totally lost. My experience with the Real American Hero line is the older toys and the cartoon.

This is the third comic pack I have picked up, three more and I will have enough stickers for the Doc mail away figure! Yeaaah! the real reason I like these comic packs is you get a couple of figures at one time, plus they seem to hang on the shelves longer than the single packs.

Looking at these two figures makes me wonder how the hell did they make these? pretty much you can tell some parts are the same mold, but then some are totally a mirror image, do they make a mold and then make a reverse of that mold? If so, how? I'll have to think on it some more, till then I hope they do not fall off their stands or I will never be sure which is which.

Yo Joe!

G.I. JOE: 8
COBRA: 8

Heeeeere's Bulkhead!

As promised, a little bit of photo's from this past Father's Day present, Bulkhead from the Animated Transformers line.

I am totally digging this guy, I like the color, the look (both robot and vehicle), and look at that mug! Actually Bulkhead sort of reminds me of a Dinky Toy I had when I was little. The Dinky Toy didn't transform, but it was sort of the same stature as Bulkhead's vehicle mode. It was about the same color, had treads, and when you flipped a switch a missile launcher would rotate up out of the back of the vehicle. I believe it was from the show U.F.O by Gerry Anderson. At the time I didn't know that, it was just a cool looking tank truck, and heavy, that thing was like a brick.



Anyway, Bulkhead here seems like a chunky, knock over everything, sort of guy like me, maybe that's why I like him. I will admit, I've only seen about five minutes of the new Transformers show, but I do like what I've read about bulkhead on the package, he specializes in breaking things, but he enjoys being creative and would rather sculpt than destroy! Sweet, no wonder, he's an artist, him and my Kyle Raynor Green Lantern should have lots to talk about.



I think it's funny that my "brother in toys" at Toyriffic received a Animated Transformer from his children for Father's Day as well, that tells me we are raising them kids right!

Code name: Roadblock

Like I said I actually found Roadblock here first at the "Magic Grocery Store", but understandably he was left behind until I could send in a team to get him. So I had to go back the next day since I forgot the charcoal and my GI JOE Jones wasn't satisfied just yet, the store still had him hanging on the peg where I left him, so he came home along with the BBQ supplies!

My wife did get a chuckle as I was putting away the groceries, one because she knew I was going to pick him up and two the first thing I said when I popped him out of the package was "He's so badass he doesn't even have a helmet!", which makes me wonder... I think the version that came in the box set has a helmet, was this guy supposed to have one too? Did it get left in China? Anyone out there know? Oh well, if I remember correctly Roadblock used to talk in rhymes, so let's give it a try...

"You left me hanging on that peg for that Cobra tart, but you really are not so smart, cause when you get back to your studio, I'm going to beat you black and blue-io"

Why so violent Roadblock? Save it for the enemy! Yo Joe!

G.I. JOE: 8
COBRA: 6

Everyone likes a bad girl!

And the Baroness is the baddest girl around! Okay I'll start it the right way... Code name: Baroness... there happy? Part of the New GI JOE Line Baroness has come to kick ass and take names, plus help give Cobra a little edge here on the blog.

This version of the Baroness is based on her cartoon appearance, Hasbro used the same body as the version that came in the 25th Anniversary Cobra Box set, but this time they re sculpted the head, leaving the "ring around the eyes" glasses off and giving her a boss pair of shades. Baroness was found at the "Magic Grocery Store", but I had actually found roadblock first and then say her laying at the bottom of the shelf. So I had a decision to make, Baroness, Roadblock, roadblock, Baroness... Baroness! Side note I forgot the charcoal and had to go back to the store, so Roadblock will be here tomorrow.

I have been in a little of a GI JOE mood lately so bare with me, until I find a DCU Aquaman, the new EMCE Star Trek figures come out, or we start getting JLU again, it's going to be Yo Joe!

G.I. JOE: 7
COBRA: 6