Riddle me this Batman...

...What toy manufacturer so botched a sure thing that they are only now, after the show has been canceled, releasing a Riddler action figure?

You can tell it's Mattel!

These newly released Stealth Strike action figures (spotted over at The Bat Blog) include an unmasked Batman and a Riddler, as well as a couple repaints because...Mattel.

And just in time for kids to not find the show on Cartoon Network, who ALSO botched a sure thing by hiring an epileptic schizophrenic to schedule the damn show whilst the bean counters giggled at re-runs of Johnny Test. (No offense to any epileptic schizophrenics out there, which I am sure there are at least a few amongst our esteemed Toyriffic readers. Offense is meant to fans of Johnny Test. That show sucks.)

Anyways, I am sure this is just Mattel cleaning house, getting out the last few toys that were still in the pipeline as the show was sent to an early grave. I suppose I should be thankful these exist. I'll reserve judgement for if/when I actually see these in stores.

Catwoman Purrrsday :: Arkham City Catwoman by Carlos D'Anda

via Carlos D'Anda's deviantArt Page

It's a GIRL!

My new baby girl is finally here! (And born on a Qwednesday to boot!)

Please join me in welcoming sweet little Darla Clementine to the world!

*not an actual picture of Darla

In honor of this momentous occasion,check out little Darla's first a) Batgirl and Wonder Woman action figures b) Exclusive action figures c) Action figure two-pack!

These DC Super Friends Little People by Fisher Price are a Target (and Fisher Price online store) exclusive, so your ability to find them at retail or in stock online may vary.

I was lucky to see this set on the shelves at Target a couple weeks ago, having been searching since I heard about them, and snatched them right up for baby Darla.

SO CUTE! I sure hope both these characters make it into the Imaginext line-up!

Regardless, one must applaud Fisher-Price for bringing them into the Little People line, which already includes Robin (as part of the Batcave set), Batman, Joker, Green Lantern, and Superman.

Wonder Woman and Batgirl are friends. Awww.

Not much else to say about these two cuties, except I'm glad I found the set and I am sure Darla will be chewing on them in no time.

Harley Qwednesday :: Here Comes Harleyween!

Stumped for a good Halloween costume? Have a penchant for pie-in-the-face mayhem? Do you look mad-sexy in red and black (and domino mask?)

Then why not make this year All Harley's Eve?

Ahh, the classic. Gotta love it!

Or you can go out on the town as a 'sexy Harley Quinn' (personally I think the standard costume is sexier, but I'm weird like that.)

Or you could go as this non-licensed number called simply 'Sassy Jester.'

Shiny!
If my gal wore any one of these I'd go as a Joker-parody of the Justin Timberlake / Andy Samberg song 'Dick in a box' only my costume would be 'Jack in the box.'

Get it?

Hahahaha I kill me!

Call me Ishmobil

Playmobil hits a home-freakin-run again, this time with a Playmobil set that includes M*TH#%FU(%!NG QUEEQUEG!!!!

And a hammerhead shark!

And, presumably, Ishmael.

DID I MENTION QUEEQUEG?!?!??!?!?!?!

Officially dubbed 'Pirates Rowboat with Shark'; you can't fool ME Playmobil - I know deep down in my soul that your tattooed islander with the freaking harpoon is Queequeg of 'Moby Dick' fame.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this set  on the shelves at Toys R Us this weekend. There's absolutely no rational reason for me to own this set, and it's close to twenty bucks, so I put it back down and walked away.

But I don't know how long I can hold out.

I've already been won over recently by Playmobil's Executioner and Headhunter figures, but I have yet to dive in face first and actually buy a full Playmobil playset. But how can I pass up on adding an unabashed cannibal to my roster of sorely inappropriate Playmobil toys?!?! I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT!!!!

Good lord, I need to stay out of toy stores. It's like sending an alcoholic into a liquor store.

Here there be Dragonman!

I modified my Lego Mini-Figure series five 'Lizard Man' ever so slightly...

I didn't particularly like the look of this figure with the 'eyes' peeking out from the mouth. I know the gimmick is that he's a guy in a costume, but I didn't want to display this guy in that manner. So I replaced the mini-figure head with a solid black one.

I also gave him some medieval weaponry. It's about time someone evened the playing field for poor oppressed dragons everywhere.

Now I just have your average run of the mill Dragonman, not a guy in a cheap Halloween suit! But either way, this guy is one of the gems of series five. If you are squeezing the packages to find these guys, he's easy to determine if you feel for his tail and the jagged scales on it and his 'head.'

Good luck!

You can leave your hat on

Over a year ago DC Direct released an Ame-Comi statue of Duela Dent aka The Joker's Daughter in a hawt steam punk inspired costume. I made a post asking where I could find a girl who dressed like this in real life: Homina²

So imagine my joy to see a picture over at Cultural Compulsive Disorder of an actual cosplay of the Ame-Comi Duela Dent:

Also imagine my disappointment to not find the gal's address and or phone number at same.

image via Cultural Compulsive Disorder

And the weiner winner is...!

The winner has been chosen for my latest contest; make up a back story for this...Master (of his own domain) of the Universe-esque action figure!

Boy was it hard to decide the best entry (that's what she said.)

Some entries were longer than others and I am sure some were harder to come up with than others, but all the contestants knew how to use their cunning linguistics!

So after much deliberation (I am a master deliberater, after all) I chose....

"Rodimus Maximus was originally an agent of the super secret spy group, W.A.N.G. (World Agents Need Girls). He was on a mission to defeat a counterfeit cockring...ring, when he was captured by the evil Psycho Beaver. Rod's rod was subjected to xxx-rays in Psycho Beaver's Gloryhole of Terror and Doom (sold separately), causing it to transform into a massive mutant member. Rodimus escaped, and with the help of his good friend, Dr. Schlongwaggler, Rodimus encased his man meat in an indestructible sheath of wangnium.

Using his super-strength and ultra powerful penile punisher, Rodimus Maximus wages war against his enemies, Psycho Beaver, Impotentor, and The Smegma! He is aided in his battle by Dr. Schlongwaggler, and his long time lover, the mysterious Fellatia." by Stunt Zombie 

Haha 'Fellatia.' Comedy gold, kids...comedy gold.

Email me your physical address, Stunt Zombie, and I will send you a big package!

I want to commend everyone for their awesome (and in some cases completely plausible) contest entries. You all deserve a (one handed) applause!

Below are all the entries, for those of you who like to keep track of such things via notches on your bedpost and whatnot:

eye-melt: I remember this figure well. It's 'Steel Sabre' from that popular mid- 80s series Mighty Metal Merkin Masters which also included- 'Iron Balls McGinty', 'Chrome Crotch', and 'Golden Gootch'. Surely you remember the villains 'Dr. Durchfall Dongfungus' and 'Nuclear Nuts'? Cute little 'Wedgie'? The cartoon show theme music was a bit like Yogi's Treasure Hunt.

My friend claims the same mould was used later on a Ninja Conan in the Conan the Adventurer range. I don't believe him. 

(special thanks to eye-melt for actually recognizing the real provenance of this figure. Wait...'my friend claims...' riiiiiight ;) Methinks eye-melt may actually have this one in his collection!)


Super-Duper ToyBox: Richard "ButtDart" Steel wasn't like other men: union laborer by day & proffessional armwrestler by night, his life changed forever in a freak masurbatory accident. Members of the secret society for he-men woman-haters (H.A.R.D.O.N.) seized the opportunity to make things uncomfortable for any woman Richard beds (as well as for himself) by replacing his junk with the world's most powerful pneumatic ding-a-ling.

( H.A.R.D.O.N. - priceless!)


jboypacman: Ah now this is classic i have not seen in a very long while...Big Steel Schwartz from The Men Of Mighty Long Metal toyline from back in the 80s. Made to cash in on the popular fad of buff action figure with large packages...er i mean packed in large packages these action figures were designed with action in mind! It would appeal to not only fans of He-Man but for lonely soccer moms too. Other figures included Manly Dingo,Spear Cummings,Rocky Hard and Ron Jeremy. All figures had a vibrating action feature and Ron Jeremy had actual flocking on his body to simulate hair. Just a great but forgotten toyline from the Rimco toy company. 

(Haha 'Rimco')

kaizar: Veteran pornography studd, Longfellow Dickinson, lost his primary working tool in a boar related accident while shooting a love scene in the forest which involved a couple ladies and a couple pounds of corn.

Devastated by the loss of his manhood, Longfellow visited Pan's shire in an ancient Greek cave. The god of ancient pornogrpahy and sick, sick fetishes knew Dickinson's fervent promotion of unrestrained love, and thus decided to compensate Longfellow with a new package made of an aethereal, unbreakable, "sempre erectus" alloy.

But Longfellow's new set put a huge responsabilty on his shoulders: Pan was in need of a champion capable of battling Momo, a cosmic sloth, promoter of chastity, master castrator.

Now Longfellow Dickinson travels the universe in Pan's ancient ship, Horspheres, pleasing femme fatales, vanishing planet-size STD's and admiring his package every once in a while under the light of a thousand passionate stars.

He crashes asteroids with the garden hose at intergalactic nightclubs for a living. 

('the light of a thousand passionate stars' - that's trashy romance material!)


actionfig: It's "Major Helmet".He originally came carded in a three-pack with "Lt. Long Dong" and "Master Bator".I can still remember the jingle used to promote the toy line"Fighting crime in a distant time,show me yours and i'll show you mine!"This truly is a great figure but he's so "HARD" to find... I forgot to mention "Major Helmets" love interest "Samantha Spinner" and his arch-nemesis "Willie Weatherballs" who had the uncanny ability to alter the weather by flicking his cojones!Both were mail-away figures.  

(originally carded in a three pack? Perhaps sold as the 'circle jerks' collection?)


Action Ranger Timmy: Seriously, everyone. I can't believe you don't recognize Desert Ant-Injection Rambu. It was part of a line of knockoff Rambo figures from the 80's. That's not a cod-piece, it's the robot ant. The convoluted story from the mini-comics that came with the toys was that Rambu and the Freedom Fighters was fighting an evil army called EVIL, made up of soldiers from all of the countries that hated America. One night, while EVIL was plotting to blow up the United States, a space ship crashed near their headquarters and alien robot insects emerged. They were part of the evil space pirate army known as the Buggerers. The Buggerer's burrowed into the EVIL soldiers bodies and took them over, turning them into monstrous half-insect-half-evil-soldier mutants with super powers that mirrored the insect parasites. The EVIL Buggerers decided to take over Earth and using the EVIL soldiers memories, decided that they had to destroy the only thing that stood in their way, Rambu and the Freedom Fighters.

They attacked Rambu and his friends, and the EVIL Buggerers, with their powers, had the upper hand. Then another space ship crashed nearby. This ship carried Captain Thorax and the Crawling Commandoes, robot insect police officers who were chasing the Buggerers. Seeing that they had a common enemy, Captain Thorax a partnership with the Freedom Fighters and Rambu agreed. The Crawling Commandoes crawled onto the Freedom Fighters and joined with them symbiotically. While Rambu was in control, Commander Thorax could advise him in his mind and inject him with Stereo-oids, a chemical that granted Rambu the power of the Ant: super strength, allowing him to carry a thousand times his own weight. Together they fight to stop the EVIL Buggerers. And in every mini-comic, when Rambu and his Freedom Fighters realized they had to fight the EVIL Buggerers there would be a transformation scene where the metal ant would climb up Rambu's leg, attach himself onto Rambu's belt, and then bite into Rambu's groin to begin injecting the Stereo-oids.

Rambu's arch-enemy in the line was the leader of the EVIL Buggerers, Colonel Batel Rhinoski, a Soviet Officer that had merged with the Pirate Captain, a large rhino beetle and gained a giant horn and super-strength. The other EVIL Buggerers included Sheik Al'Rac'nia, el Jefe Mosquita, the Dragon(fly) Lady and Verner Termiter.

Rambu didn't really have a love interest, however some fans claimed there was sexual tension between him and Honey B. Smith. She was the only woman on the Freedom Fighters and her Crawling Commandoes partner was a robot queen bee. The bee injected the stereo-oids in Honey with its stinger, and there were some groups that claimed the area she was stung in the mini comic was obscene. When she was had Stereo-oids she gained the ability to fly (the only member of the Freedom Fighters who could) and shoot metal darts (called Stings) from a bracelet on her wrist.

The toy line only lasted one wave, and the mini-comics are hard to find, but since each figure came with a unique mini-comic it meant there was actually some heft to the toy line's mythology.  

(insects and genitals. A deadly combination!)


Jon K: Really, none of you remember this guy? Of course, he's missing his snap-on armor pieces (that's why there's the holes on his biceps), which makes it difficult to recognize him.

Anyway, this is clearly Maximum Sinbad from the very short-lived animated series of the same name. This redubbed Japanese anime (the original title translated as "High Power Super Pirate Sinbad Ultra Model X" but I guess that didn't fly for the US market). Maximum Sinbad is supposed to be the mythical Sinbad from the Arabian Nights restored to life by the magician Rathu Perplex to defend the Earth against the invading Argulathides (they looked like golden gorillas who wore purple togas and carried ridiculously large laser rifles).

Anyway, Maximum Sinbad would hang out with his friends (the inevitable kid who wanted to come along with Maximum Sinbad on his Space Sail Ship, the daughter of Rathu Perplex -- who wasn't a magician like her father, but rather was an expert with a laser sword, a lab guy who was about three feet tall and three feet wide, whose glasses covered up most of his head) waiting for word of the latest Argulanthide attack on Earth. When the word came, Sinbad would leap onto the deck of his Space Sail Ship, the Starglider, with Mari Perplex at his side and the robot sidekick ABE (they never got around to telling us if ABE stood for something or not) to take their foes on. Once things got to be a bit too rough for Sinbad, he would place both of his hands on his mighty belt buckle and shout, "MAXIMUM SINBAD!" Then a burst of mystical energy would surround him, causing his magical armor to appear on him that allowed him to fly, gave him super-strength, and he could shoot blasts of energy from his hands.

The Starglider, in the last episode shown in the USA, could convert into a giant robot warrior, which was apparently called Solar Fist X-1.

Anyway, they produced action figures of Maximum Sinbad, ABE, an Argulanthide warrior, and Mari Perplex (although she was always shortpacked, 1 per case).

When you put the mystic armor pieces on him, the chestplate actually has a cutout for the belt buckle.

What I'd heard about the original Japanese carton was that it was actually intended purely for adults, with a lot of sexual puns going on, and apparently when it was bought for the US market (I think Sandy Frank was behind it), they weren't aware of it, and pretty much tossed out what they didn't understand to create all-new stuff.

Oh, I almost forgot, Sinbad had an alien parrot pet named Sparky (for no real reason... it didn't have electric powers or anything like that) that apparently used to belong to the Argulanthide leader, Super Major Kong-Kong. In the first episode, Sparky escaped from Super Major Kong-Kong because he didn't like his ability to translate languages misused for conquest. In Japan, there was an electronic Sparky (or whatever they called it there) that had a built-in motion sensor, and when it was set off, it would make crude sexual come-ons, and then immediately apologize. It was apparently a popular item for bars to place above urinals in the men's room, because it had a female voice!

Obviously, they never did a US version of Sparky.

Anyway, the only other character produced as a toy in Japan was the one that the US version called Mari Perplex, and you don't really want to read about what I've heard about that... better left unsaid.

Only 12 episodes were shown in the USA, apparently in first-run syndication in 1989 on some obscure cable channel that went out of business and off the air two days after that 12th episode aired. 

(adding in the element of a pre-American Japanese version gives this story some validity. They come up with some wacky stuff over there!)


So that's all of them. Hope y'all had fun; I know I did reading them all - great stuff from one and all! Thanks for playing!

Catwoman Purrrsday :: Animated Catwoman in Arkham City

A pleasant surprise: In Arkham City you can choose to play the challenge maps as the Batman: Animated version of Catwoman (as well as a Long Halloween version!) Apparently you can also change to these costumes in normal game play as you progress and unlock them. Neat!

Although the 'animated' style would presumably look and feel out of place in the gritty Arkham City world, this costume actually fits in rather nicely, and is a joy to see in action!



Now back to the game!

Harley Qwednesday :: Arkham City Pretty

Arkham City is out NOW, people! WOOHOO! Which means I wrote this post in advance because I am likely in an Arkham City coma right now in 'real time' and have zero interest in entertaining you fine folk today. It's okay, I still loves ya.

To wit, last Harley Qwednesday we took a look at Harley's Arkham City design (and preliminary concept art) so today let's look at some Harley Quinn Arkham City Cosplay, shall we?

But wait - there's more!

You're welcome.

Cosplay by SandySuicide via ArkhamCity.co.uk and Cosplay.com

Headless Horseman Lego Style

My daughter made this spooky Halloween themed Headless Horseman! Wooooooo! SCARY!

Lego Mini-figures series 6 and 7 First Look!

...and in other Lego news official images of Series 6 and Series 7 Lego Mini-figures have appeared online!

Series 6 includes:
Leprechaun
Saloon Girl(?)
Cowboy Bandit (perfect for a Shadow or Vigilante custom!)
Statue of Liberty
Greaser Mechanic
Minotaur
Surgeon
Alien
Skater Girl
Sleepytime Kid (with teddy bear!)
Female Space Adventurer
Legionnaire
Toy Robot (AWESOME!)
Highlander
Butcher
Genie

Series 7 includes:
Nerd
Princess
Evel Knievel-ish daredevil (AW YEAH!)
Female Viking (AW YEAH AGAIN!)
Tarzan
Easter Bunny Outfit guy
Olympic Swimmer
Tennis Pro
Eighties Female Rocker (ala Jem haha!)
Aztec Warrior
Bagpipe Dude
Halo-esque Dude
Hippie
Dark Knight of some sort
Little Red Riding Hood (Neat!)
Mermaid King

All good stuff. But to get what you want, you better get ready to squeeze some packages!

pics via fbtb on Flickr

Upcoming Lego Bat Cave!

Check out the upcoming Bat Cave from Lego, due to be released early 2012!

Apparently in this set you get an awesome Tim Drake Robin in a costume that was way too short lived in my opinion, and check out the RED BATPHONE! EPIC!

I am not sure if Bane and his big machine and/or Poison Ivy in that holding cell are included or are add-on sets.

Regardless, I need all these mini-figures! And that Batphone!

pic via fbtb on Flickr

Nananananananana (signed pic of) Batgirl!

Found this gem at the Flea Market this past weekend; a signed pic of Yvonne Craig as Batgirl!

I immediately ran it home and hung it on the wall.  My living room is now a much more welcoming place to be.

I'm just a skater nerd

My good pal Chunky B sent me some extras when I bought his Gorilla Grodd off eBay a while back. Included was a bunch of stickers he designed for Tate's Comics. Which I applied liberally to my skateboard (with some help from my daughter.)

I wanted to show Chunky B some pics, then I figured 'why not show everybody?' So here they are.

Skate or die!

GO LOOK AT THIS GUY'S BLOG!

I've been following this blog called 'I'm not a kid anymore' for a while now. I appear to be somewhat alone in that pastime. The blog is pretty damn cool though, a funny and entertaining look into the toy collecting past of this chap Tony King who thinks he's too old for his toys!

HA! PREPOSTEROUS!

Anyways, the blog's spin is that Tony is revisiting all his toys as he clears them out of his life, sending them off to charity or, maybe if you really want it...YOU!

Give it a read, you'll like it. If you don't there's clearly something wrong with you.

Oh, and tell him Bubba sent you. ;)

Toys That Suck Final Contest Reminder!

Toyriffic's 'Toys That Suck' Contest ends at midnight tomorrow - so hurry up and get your entry in before the contest changes it's mind or gets a headache or the phone rings and it's the contest's mom on the line and she reminds the contest that you're just a bum and that the contest could do better!

Follow this link to get all the details, and good luck!

Comic Book Zen :: Along came a spider...

From DC and Marvel Present: Superman and Spider-Man; July 1981.

Catwoman Purrrsday :: Hey Catwoman, are you afraid of heights...?

...because your zipper sure is!

From the Catwoman Animated Short that comes with the Batman: Year One DVD/BluRay on sale 10/18 everywhere cartoon boobies are sold!

Check out an exclusive clip at MTV Geek.

Harley Qwednesday :: Arkham City Harley Quinn Concept Art

First, here's Harley Quinn's final Arkham City (available October 18th!) look :

You've come a long way, baby.

Here are some beautiful pencil sketches of possible Harley looks:

And some crazy stuff that would look more at home on Pulp Fiction's Gimp than on Mr. J's main squeeze:

The 'kinky handcuff' would only work if it were incorporated into the story as a weapon or something.

Images courtesy io9 via ComicBookMovie.com

Another two for my few DCnU's 'New 52' Review

As I stated in my first round of DC's New 52 reviews, there was one final #1 that I had yet to purchase and read - Justice League Dark. While buying it I bought another #1, so sans further ado here are my thoughts:

Justice League Dark:  
Why did I want to read it?
Because it sounds like a neat team/theme - magic, the occult etc - And Zatanna.

Does it succeed?
I liked it a lot. Nice mysterious beginning, crazy magic madness, and an off-the-wall group of 'superheroes' to follow along with.

Favorite Moment:
Zatanna binding Batman so she can go it alone.

Will I keep buying and reading?
Yes.

Most curious about...
Shade the Changing Man. I read some of the nineties 'Shade' series but have little knowledge of this guy, so it's neat to meet someone 'new' to me in a DC comic.

Bonus: Read Siskoid's Blog of Geekery's post about the imagery of the Tarot in Justice League Dark. He gives some neat insight on the cards used by Madam Xanadu and the characters represented on each of them.

Birds of Prey: 
Why did I want to read it?
I didn't. But I took my daughter with me to the comicbook store and she handed it to me as I was heading to the register.

Does it succeed?
It was good. The art is great. Black Canary's costume is updated nicely from her classic look. And it wasn't too oversexed or violent for my daughter, so that's cool.

Favorite Moment:
The forties era car they drive through a church made me feel like I was watching an episode of Batman: Animated. That's always nice.

Will I keep buying and reading?
Maybe, especially if my daughter asks me to.

Most curious about...
Well, my daughter is most curious about Poison Ivy being a part of this team (is that Ivy on the cover? She doesn't appear in the first issue) so I guess there's that.


And that covers my New 52 reviews. Maybe I'll keep on going with this theme and report on my thoughts as each series progresses... and maybe not. I'm fickle.

Until next time - see you in the funny papers!

Return of the Red Circle

And history shall dub this era...The Digital Age!

Archie Comics just announced a return to Superhero comics via a new digital subscription model ala NetFlix.

Dusting off Archie Comics' 'Red Circle' brand Golden Age Superheroes like The Shield and The Fly, Archie will publish new material ala the 'New Crusaders' shown above, as well as make archived comics available digitally in the very near future.

The best part?

This:
“They are not going to be water-downed superheroes, but they are not going to be dark either.” 

Now THAT is how a comicbook publisher brings Superheroes to the now AS WELL AS the future! Because it's the KIDS of today that have already embraced their parents' iPhones and laptops with no prejudice, and it is they who must also embrace Superheroes within the graphic storytelling medium, or else it'll all go the way of the dinosaur.

Kudos, Archie Comics. I applaud you. And I can't wait!

Catwoman Purrrsday :: 20 Question Cat Chat with Catwoman

Today's Catwoman Purrsday is a real (kitty) treat! I have for you, dear Toyriffic reader, an interview with cosplayer extraordinaire Miss Mary Linabury and Catwoman herself! Catwoman seems to be running late, but Mary has arrived right on time, so let's start with her:

Hi Mary! Thanks for allowing me to post some of your awesome pics and thanks for being a part of my silly little weekly Catwoman tribute! Your Batman: The Animated Series costume is one of the finest I have ever seen, and your ability to play the part really comes through in your photos!

To begin, why don't we start by having you introducing yourself:

Mary: In one word, Mary is flamboyant!  When I say flamboyant I mean it; it's very hard to miss me when I walk down the street.  I'm always cheerful and happy--sometimes to a fault--but I also have a fierce side.  I'm something of a martial artist, so don't sneak up on me in a dark ally!

How long you have been cosplaying as Catwoman?

Mary: Actually unlike my Harley Quinn sister (Emily Herrington aka EatSleepBroadway on DeviantArt) I only just debuted my Catwoman.  Those pictures are from the very first con I showed it at.

Why, specifically, did you choose the Batman: The Animated Series Catwoman design to cosplay?

Mary: I may have picked a different style if I were to pick again, but because Emily had already developed her B:TAS Harley so much, I decided I would dress to match!

How do fans usually react when they see your version of Catwoman?

Mary:  I've gotten a great reception so far!  I think fans really like to see the animated series version- I haven't seen it done too often.  People have given me some really great comments, some creepy ones as well....what else do you expect?  

Do you cosplay as any other characters?

Mary: Catwoman is really my only serious costume.  I also have a sexy Mario outfit, and few others that I do on stilts...don't ask. Haha

Are you a serious reader or merely a casual comic book fan?

Mary: I'm trying to get into the comic world now.  I've been reading a few series but none have really made an impression on me yet, so I'm still just browsing for now. 

What are some of your earliest memories of Catwoman?

Mary: I remember watching the animated series on Saturday mornings!  When I'm trying to get into character, I'll go watch the same episodes I watched when I was little.  

Where will you be appearing next as Catwoman (or other cosplay characters?)

Mary:  Youmacon in Detroit will be my next big con.  Look for me!

Besides cosplaying as Catwoman, what else do you do for fun?
 
Mary:  I'm big on sewing.  Eventually I want to go into fashion design, so I'm always sewing up new dresses and outfits.  In fact, I make a lot of my costumes myself!

What are your thoughts on the casting of Anne Hathaway as the silver screen's next Catwoman?

Mary:  I'm really split on that subject.  Anne Hathaway has surprised me before with her wide range of acting but I'm nervous that she won't portray Selina in the way that I've always have seen her.  Also, she doesn't even look like Catwoman!!  Batgirl maybe, but not Catwoman. :( 

Thanks for the interview Mary! I know you need to prepare for your next cosplay appearance, so why don't you let yourself out and send Catwoman in if you see her out there in the waiting room (I left a bowl of cream and a tuna fish sandwich on the table for her, so she might be enjoying those right now.)

*waits fifteen minutes. hears scratching at the window.

Oh, hello Catwoman! I expected you to come in through the front door! What was I thinking?! Come in, come in!

Now I know you've got a busy schedule, what with the ASPCA ribbon cutting downtown this morning and your parole hearing later this afternoon, so we'll make this quick:

How do you see yourself? As a misunderstood superhero, a supervillain, or other?


Catwoman: People can call me whatever they like.  I am merely trying to help those who cannot help themselves.  At the end of the day, the well-being of my kitties is the only thing that matters.

From black latex to flowing purple dresses, your wardrobe has seen many changes. What have been a couple of your favorite costumes throughout the years?

Catwoman:  Well, of course the gray jumpsuit was splendid, but I can't forget the always classic black jumpsuits.  I've love all my outfits, but I'm afraid I won't be returning to the flowing gowns- they kept tripping laser alarm systems.

What is your favorite breed of cat?

Catwoman: Favorite?  I love them all!  Big cats, small cats, fluffy cats, even those wrinkly, hairless ones.  

Purely hypothetical of course: If you could get away with stealing one priceless antique/art piece/historical artifact, what woulds it be and why?

Catwoman:  Hypothetical?  The Spinx.  I think you can understand why. 

Tom or Sylvester?

Catwoman:  I sympathized with poor Sylvester, I know how hard it is to catch those pesky little birds ;) ... 

Garfield or Heathcliff?

 
Catwoman:  Thats like asking me to choose between rigantoni and penne noodles. They've the same taste, same basic look.

Batman or Nightwing?

Catwoman:   Can't it be both?

Which actress (from any time) would you cast to play you in a movie?

Catwoman:  I would cast Charlize Theron.  She is a mature, accomplished actress who I know would handle the role well.  I would much rather it be her then all the young girls that I all too often see ruining my image in the movies. 

Which is easier to hotwire, a Lamborghini or a Ferarri?

Catwoman:  Both are quite tricky.  Cars like that have whats called an immobilizer system, it makes them impossible to hotwire like you would a normal car.  There are ways to get around that, but in the time it takes to do all that I could have just as easily pick-pocketed the owner and been two states over.  So to answer the question, neither...but I would prefer to steal the Ferrari. 

One final question before you go, Catwoman - I lost the combo to my bike lock, can you help me get it unlocked? 

Catwoman:  Bike lock?  What kind of petty criminal do you think I am?!  Now if you need any precious gems stolen we can talk over a hefty donation to my 'Save the Mountain Lions' fund.

Ahh, yes...well...thanks anyways Catwoman. I don't really need anything stolen, I mean I don't need you to steal anything for me...or from me for that matter...haha, you know what I mean...anyways, thanks for your time and I'll be seeing you in the police blotter, haha...ha...ha...ahem.


Images courtesy BeautifulByebye on DeviantArt and ByeByeBeautiful at the Enthusiast
Mary aka Catwoman can be contacted at kingdomofcolette@yahoo.com