Rumble Ready Riddler

Man how time flies! I picked up this Batman: The New Batman Adventure Mission Masters Rumble Ready Riddler at a toy show almost four years ago. I can't believe how much my intern has grown since then!

Anyways, I only just opened him up last night after digging him out of a box of random toys that really need to be blogged about.

I had wanted this version of The Riddler since it was released in 1999, but never did find it at retail. So I was ecstatic to find him MOC for only five bucks. FOUR YEARS AGO!

Rumble Ready Riddler comes with a Question Mobile that shoots a Quiz Missile. Yup.

The Quiz Missile works as a pseudo question-mark cane. It isn't quite long enough to serve as a cane, but it looks good in Riddler's hand.

This 'updated' TNBA Riddler design reminds me of A Clockwork Orange. I like the simplicity of the design. And the derby. Or is it a 'vernacular'?

The purple slippers are hilarious. I do greatly appreciate that even though this Riddler is a pretty basic sculpt, his legs were sculpted to give him a slight cotra-posto stance. And unlike JLU figures, he can actually stand on his own even with those itty bitty slippered feet!

"Tally-Ho, Batguv'ner!"

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

Funko Mystery Minis Batgirl and Riddler

'What's blue and grey and right behind me?'

I hate blind boxed toys, because there is no way to know what you are getting, and they are usually (relatively) expensive, prohibiting a desire to grab a random handful in the hopes of getting your goal figure. I like blind bagged toys because I can at least squeeze them and have a chance at getting what I want!

So as cool as these Blind Boxed Funko DC Comics Mystery Minis characters looked, I wouldn't bite because knowing my luck, I'd have ended up with ten Penguins! Waaah wah wah waah!

But what I lack in luck at Blind Box picking, I make up for in blog contest winning. When I won the Pop Pop It's Trash Culture contest recently, included in the prize were two of the best Funko Blind Box DC characters I could have gotten: Batgirl and Riddler!

Batgirl is simply the best. I love her little cape flapping sneaky-ninja pose! Unfortunately her face got a little scraped in transit, but it's actually not very noticeable in person.

And what a cute little Riddler! I love his little suit and derby. He even has a removable cane!

These two are super cute! I'd love to get a Catwoman from this line someday, and a Batman too of course, but I'll probably take my chances chasing after opened ones. I don't need to end up with ten Penguins trying to find them!*

*I admit it, I'd love ONE Penguin. I don't want ten of the same exact version of anyone really. Except maybe Harley Quinn, if they made her. I'd take twenty of her!

Random Toy Pic :: Riddle Me This...

This is the original Lego Riddler, another new addition to my Lego Gotham ranks, although he was originally released in 2006 as part of the Arkham Asylum set Number 7785. He's holding a 'BrickArms' made Lego 9mm with silencer.

Harley Qwednesday :: Harley's Latest Ride

Introducing my latest Harley Quinn vehicle creation: The Harley Quinn Rolls-Overyerface.

I actually built this months ago. I like to make Harley a new vehicle from time to time, and this is the latest on display in my home.

 A pie splattin' hammer heads up the front, so you better not get in the way!

 The dual side exhaust really purr. Scratch that - actually, they sound more like the chuckle of a madwoman.

 SPLAT!

No Harley Quinn vehicle would be complete without WMDs dangerously close to the heads of passengers and passerbys, and the Rolls-Overyerface is no exception!

There is even room for friends...I mean fiends...on the stepsides!

The Rolls-Overyerface is pretty cool, I'm not entirely happy with the front wheels and think it needs more weaponry. I may do some alterations to it, or I may end up scrapping it and making Harley an all new vehicle soon, like I've done so many times before.

Until then: 'To Gotham First National - but before that...anyone up for some Shwarma?'

Brave and the Bold Stealth Strike Riddler

Another tough to find villain has joined my Batman: Brave and the Bold ranks: This time in the form of The Riddler!

The Riddler came out when the line was dying dead as part of the final 'Stealth Strike' assortment. He was the only non-repaint-Batman of that wave, so he was short packed and sold out relatively quick. I did see him on the shelves once or twice but didn't bite, and I regretted that decision until I was finally able to find a mint specimen (sans accessory) for super cheap on eBay!

His design is straightforward and simple like all the Brave and the bold figures, and he of course has those crazy hex holes on his arms, legs and back, but I just love his head sculpt! Whatta widow's peak!

The Riddler makes a great addition to my growing Brave and the Bold rogues gallery, which also includes Despero, Gorilla Grodd, Black Manta, Metallo, and Solomon Grundy!

Dolly lovers rejoice! Repro 8" Megos from Figures Toy Company coming soon!

ToyNewsInternational is reporting that the toy company Figures Toy Company will be releasing reproduction Batman, Robin, Joker and Riddler Mego dolly 'action figures.'

These dollies are currently available for pre-order with a scheduled release date of August 2013. $24.99 each - not a bad price considering what an original Mego version of any of these will set you back - unless you can luck out on a $5 Robin like I once did.

Go to their website - FiguresToyCompany.com - for more info!

Figures Toy Company has plans to re-release a whole slew of Mego Batman themed characters, as well as '66 Batman themed dolly action figures too! Okay, I admit, I'll be trying to get a Batgirl and Catwoman for sure!

Press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Figures Toy Company to Release Retro 8 and 12 inch Action Figures based on Batman TV Series, Retro Batman, Dukes of Hazzard, Evel Knievel, Conan The Barbarian, Tarzan, Dallas TV Series, Gilligan’s Island and a Talking Barack Obama figure

Tampa, Fl- 4-16-13

Figures Toy Company, after having success with KISS action figures is proud to be introducing the following new action figure lines: “Batman 1966 Classic TV Series”, “Retro 8 Inch Batman”, “Dukes of Hazzard”, “Evel Knievel”, “Conan The Barbarian”, “Tarzan”, “Dallas TV Series” and “Gilligan’s Island”. These figures will have cloth clothing, 16 points of articulation and accessories.  Figures Toy Company will also introduce a talking President Barack Obama 7 inch figure.

Batman 1966 Classic TV Series
CFO Anthony Balasco states, “It has been my understanding that the collectors community would enjoy collecting retro 8 inch and 12 inch action figures based on the “Batman 1966 Classic TV Series”.  When we saw that the rights were settled between the involved party’s we immediately became interested in acquiring the license”. We are proud to say that the collectors will be able to enjoy a vast selection of characters that have never been available before.  Our head sculpts will look life like and the cloth costumes will be highly detailed.  Series 1 will include Batman, Robin, The Riddler & The Joker.  Future series will include The Penguin, Catwoman, Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne, Egghead, King Tut, Mr. Freeze, Shame, Bookworm, Mad Hatter, Batman (with removable cowl), Robin (with removable mask), The Joker in prison baseball outfit, The Joker in opera outfit, & The Joker in grey suit.  All Batman 1966 Classic TV Series figures will be available in both 8 inch & 12 inch starting early Fall 2013.

Batman Retro Action Figures
These action figures are exact reproductions of the original ones that were produced by Mego Corp back in the 1970’s.  Series one will include Batman, Robin, The Riddler & The Joker.  Future series will include Penguin, Catwoman, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Batgirl and even more characters that Mego never released.  Available in 8 inch only.

Rejoice, dolly lovers, and raise a tiny cup of tea in honor of this news!

via Toynewsi and FiguresToyCompany.com

Harley Quinn vs. Big Barda...in Wayne Manor!

Hey DCnU, screw your Suicide Squad Issue #7! Here's the only real issue #7 for true Harley Quinn fans! Back when DC knew how to treat Harley Quinn. Kesel and the Dodsons rocked!

My favorite part of this whole Kesel/Dodson/Dodson run (which I am re-reading of late) is how the animated universe is basically Harley's Point of View: validating the existence of the Batman Animated Universe in DC Comics proper. 

Well, before DC Comics proper became...improper. Thank god for back issues!

San Jose Super Toy, Comic and Collectible Show

This past weekend the whole family loaded up (Grandma and Grandpa included!) and headed to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose for the San Jose Super Toy, Comic and Collectible Show!

The place was HUGE and PACKED! When I attended this thing two years ago it was in a different building on the fairgrounds and seemed to be less than half this size.

It was so crowded this time that one could barely peruse the toys on offer! We walked the whole thing but had to pass over the majority of booths due to the sheer overwhelming numbers of people in front of them. In fact, even though I and my Dad are huge toy fans, he bought nothing and I only bought one toy! Maybe it's the economy, maybe our tastes are getting more refined, but I think it had more to do with the overwhelming effort it would have taken to actually stop and look closely at any particular booth or toy. Of course it is always tough when you attend these things with other people too; when I am alone I can zig and zag and dart in and out of the throngs to my heart's content.

Whatever...the real reason we attended was so my daughter (who celebrates her 10th birthday today!) could meet the one and only Batgirl, Yvonne Craig! Yvonne was so super nice to us and everyone who came up to say 'hi' or get an autograph or a picture.

Natalie even got a special 'Bat Birthday' greeting along with Yvonne aka Batgirl's signature on a sweet pic Natalie chose of Batgirl on her Motorcycle:

Which now hangs in the living room next to the signed pic I found at the Flea Market a few months back and a picture Natalie drew of a bat and baby bat for when her sister was born.

And speaking of her sister, Darla was able to find someone to pose with as well:

This guy had a sweet Adam West Batman costume and even a bat bicycle fashioned after the sixties Batcycle!

Oh, here's the toy I bought: Rumble Ready Riddler from The New Batman Adventures Mission Masters line. And it was only five bucks!

I'll post more about this one soon: Same Toyriffic time, same Toyriffic channel!

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.

Brave and the Bold: Plastic Fantastic

I'm lovin' the current Batman: The Brave and the Bold toy Happy Meal promotion at McDonalds. I've only been able to gather together releases #1, #2 and #4 so far, but with three toys in each release that's a lotta bats (and friends,) including two different Batmans (Batmen?) Solomon Grundy, Riddler, Penguin, Two-Face and Firestorm.

There are still a few I really want (Bat-Mite and Spectre top that list) and I admit I'd be happy with all of them. But thankfully, if unable to gather them all together before promotion's end, I have been lucky enough to have gotten one of the best in the bunch already:

Oh frabjous day! Plastic Man as a car!

ZOMG that is the greatest thing ever!

Yes McDonalds, this does indeed make up for all the fat people in America. You are forgiven.

I've always longed (hahaha get it) for a Plastic Man toyline. Imagine how many things he could be made into! I get it, he can make his hands into hammers and such, but that's been done a thousand times. Make him into a picket fence, a painting of Mona Lisa, a kangaroo, anything! The possibilities are endless!

Well at least I finally have him as a car, and I am happy.

One of the three sets I have procured also came with a Batmobile. These toys are small and more figurineish than hotwheelish - the wheels don't all roll (there is one wheel on the underside that does) and the construction is pretty simple, but who cares. Plastic Man is finally a toy car that I now own.

I am elastic...I mean, ecstatic!