BootLEGO New 52 Teen Titans Red Robin Minifigure

As a Robin fan, this 'New 52' Teen Titans Red Robin Minifigure was a must-have BootLEGO. He's about the same level of quality as the Red Hood minifig I posted a few days back, but 'dat CAPE! It's super-cool and unique and a good minifig translation of the ridiculous cape they gave Tim Drake for the New 52 relaunch. And although the plastic quality is a bit lower than the better BootLEGOs out there, he is printed on his arms and his back as well, so there's a lot of detail on this little guy!

Imaginext Red Robin

Representing Tim Drake as Red Robin, this is the latest Imaginext 'Robin' to hit toy store shelves. And perhaps it's the best, because...

...FINALLY Robin gets a cape! FINALLY! FINALLY!

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Have I mentioned before how much I resent Imaginext's inexplicable refusal to give Robin a cape? It's been driving me insane for years! So now Robin has a cape. Well, Red Robin does anyways.

Red Robin also comes with a winged backpack that shoots missiles. I thought it was a bit ridiculous at first, but it sort of grew on me.

I mean, it works well with the figure, is reminiscent of the Teen Titans Red Robin's wings, and makes for a neat jetpack or glider for playtime fun. The wings extend, Robin stands fine with it in place, and it shoots missiles. Plus, it is character color correct, not some gaudy neon. Did I mention it shoots missiles?

What's not to love?

I really like this figure, but honestly this Imaginext Robin is all over the place. His hair style looks like Damian Wayne's, his costume looks like the cowled Red Robin that debuted in Kingdom Come and was later adopted into DC canon as Tim's first Red Robin costume, and of course those wings on the jet pack and the domino mask are like the New 52 Teen Titans version of Red Robin.

Regardless, I can't help but love this little side-kick...WITH A CAPE!

Imaginext Cheetah, Sinestro, Red Robin, Man-Bat and Firestorm coming soon!

Fisher-Price just released a slew of new product images and descriptions for many of their Imaginext sub-themes. Among the surprises (and most relevant to my interests) are the DC Super Friends figures, most specifically the beautiful and long clamored for female villainess: Cheetah!

Ever since Imaginext made a Wonder Woman figure, fans have been awaiting her most well known rogue Cheetah. Imaginext could have gone a couple directions with this figure, but I think most will agree the Golden Age Priscilla Rich was the best version to make in Imaginext form.

It's now abundantly clear Imaginext is putting together the Super Friends cartoon era Legion of Doom (do we dare dream a Giganta will actually happen?) so Sinestro was bound to appear sooner or later. Apparently Mattel/Fisher-Price have gotten over the bad taste left in their mouths from the craptastic Green Lantern movie and are finally approaching the GL universe again. I could honestly care less about any of the GL themed characters, but I will get Sinestro because he comes packaged with Cheetah. And he does have that sweet dragon helm construct, so I guess he could be worse. Also, now that Imaginext is venturing back into the GL mythos, I am hopeful they will shrink their Hero World Dex-Starr down to Imaginext scale (like they did with the Hero World B'dg).

Another surprise reveal is Firestorm. I don't follow Firestorm at all but I know he's getting some attention in the current Flash TV show. Whether or not I pick this one up will depend on how he looks in person, and how many other 'must-haves' are already in my shopping cart at the time.

Man-Bat! I will probably have to own this guy, as he is such an integral part of the Batman mythos. He'll look awesome next to other Imaginext 'big-figs' Solomon Grundy and Clayface!

Most exciting to me (besides Cheetah of course) is Red Robin! Now mind you, this New52 Teen Titans Red Robin costume is not even remotely my favorite Robin design, or even my favorite Red Robin design, but...HE HAS A CAPE! I have seriously held a grudge against Imaginext Robins for years. They NEVER have a cape! I've actually avoided owning any of them because of this fact, only recently 'breaking my one rule' because the latest Toys R Us exclusive Robin comes with a sweet sweet Robin Mech Suit.

Mech Suit > Cape...but only just barely. Of course this new Red Robin is yet another Tim Drake Robin. Which is fine, but here's hoping Imaginext gives us a Damian Wayne Robin (WITH CAPE) next.

Fisher-Price also revealed some awesome additions to their Pirates, Medieval Forest Elves, Dinosaurs, Power Rangers and Spongebob lines too, but this handful of DC related stuff should keep my attention focused for a little while at least. So stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled, True Believers. All of these figures should be hitting stores within the next few weeks!

Imaginext Man-Bat and New52 Red Robin Coming Soon!

A member of the Facebook group 'Imaginext Generation' (come join the fun!) found the newest Imaginext Bat-Boat on the store shelves the other day, and the back of the packaging has revealed some wonderful upcoming surprises, including Man-Bat and the New52 Teen Titans Red Robin (aka Tim Drake)!

Man-Bat looks awesome. A 'big-fig' like the recent Solomon Grundy, Man-Bat most assuredly comes with a wing-flapping action feature.

Here battling Man-Bat you can (barely) see Robin (or Red Robin) in what appears to be his modern Teen Titans costume, with a glider and...dare I say it...A CAPE! If my interpretation of this itty bitty picture turns out to be correct, Red Robin will actually be the first Imaginext Robin to be wearing a cape. It's about dang time!

Hopefully Red Robin is easy to come by and is released in a single/two pack, and isn't part of that obnoxious new Batcave.

Also shown along with the currently available Hall of Doom is the upcoming Hall of Justice. Both are amazing additions to the Imaginext ranks.

This is the latest Bat-Boat, upon which these new pieces were revealed. It is hitting store shelves now, so if we're lucky all this other wonderful stuff will be out there for the pickin' very soon!

Imaginext Nightwing

The Target exclusive Imaginext Nightwing/Slade (aka Deathstroke) two figure set has been out for some time now, but I only just found it this week when I picked up Solomon Grundy. So perhaps the set is being shipped in greater numbers along with 'ol Grundy now? Who knows. What I do know is that it's a Target exclusive and it's popular among fans, so grab it if you see it!

The detail on Nightwing is amazing. His sculpt is just incredible, especially considering the fact that Fisher-Price could have simply released a Nightwing with plain black body/legs/arms and kids and fans all would have still gobbled this guy right up. The set also comes with two weapons, and I can only assume the bo staff is for Nightwing even though it is much more a Tim Drake Robin weapon or even a Deathstroke weapon for that matter. But to paraphrase the Beastie Boys, you can do what do what do what'cha want with it.

Here's another great detail: Nightwing is taller than Robin! I was surprised to discover this and I think it really shows the level of love that the designers over at Fisher-Price are putting into the line.

Interestingly, while Robin's mask is part of the head-sculpt, Nightwing's is a paint application. I prefer the sculpted mask but it does make each character that much more unique when next to each other.

Grundybuster Iron-Robin! :: Imaginext Robin Mechanical Suit Playset

"Side-Kick SMASH!"

Imaginext re-colored their Lex Luthor Mechanical Suit in red and black and released it as the Robin Mechanical Suit. The set is a Toys R Us exclusive, and comes with an exclusive Tim Drake post Death-of-Superboy red/black garbed Robin!

First things first: I hate hate HATE that Robins in the Imaginext world are capeless. A capeless Robin is absolutely absurd, an abomination, a blight upon human decency and good taste and beyond unacceptable; no caped Robin in the Imaginext line has prevented me from bothering with any of them even though I am a big fan of Robin.

Until now.

Don't get me wrong, I am still bothered by Robin's lack of a cape. BUT this is a gorgeously sculpted Robin. Imaginext's most recent Robin effort, the details in the costume are incredible. Just look at those gloves! Plus: the domino mask is a sculpted element, not just painted on a blank face (ala Harley Quinn.)

The coloration here is beautiful too - this specific black/red Robin is only available with this set. The sculpt is available in the most recent Imaginext Batcave, but in a more 90s era red/green coloration.

Not to mention this sweet Robin Mech Suit. I can justify the lack of a cape because Robin is in his Mech Suit and therefore probably retracted his cape or something. I know, it's a thin excuse for Robin not having his cape, but a neurotic's gotta do what a neurotic's gotta do!

Robin fist snugly in the cockpit of his Mechanical Suit.

Not being big into the Superman themed Imaginext stuff, I don't already own the Lex Mech Suit, so this guy is all new to me. I can imagine it being a piece of Wayne Enterprises/Luthor Corp. tech that Luthor commandeered for nefarious purposes, and Robin getting in on the action with his own to help Batman and Superman stop him. Or something from the Batcave trophy room that Robin re-painted in order to keep up with the Batmobile.

"Who needs a sidecar?"

"Get away from her you BITCH!"

The Robin Mech Suit has an operable claw for a right hand, and a missile firing feature above the left. I forgot the missile during the photoshoot as I display this piece without it anyways. Articulation is simple - hips, knees, and shoulders. But it's a giant Mech Suit, so what do you expect it to move like, Jack LaLanne?

I absolutely love this thing. It's fun and absurd, just like comic book adventures should be.

As mentioned before, this is a Toys R Us exclusive; part of their Gotham City line-up. Not sure how easy it might be for folks to find, but I have only seen it the time I bought it a couple weeks ago. I suggest if you want it you nab it when you see it.

Robins of Toyriffic Past :: Robin Week Concludes

All good things must end, including Robin Week. But if you haven't had enough of that red, green and yellow kid's stuff, check out a sampling of  Toyriffic's past Robin posts!

Batman Returns Tim Drake Robin.


DCUC Robin and DCUC predecessor 6" Batman line Robin.



Toybiz Robin.

The New Batman Adventures Robin.


Redbird by Corgi.

Teen Titans Red X Robins.



DC Infinite Heroes Earth 2 Robin (with DCIH Tim Drake Robin.)

Three cheers for the original kid sideckick!

Disc Attack Robin :: Robin Week

Yesterday we looked at Mattel's 'evergreen' Batman toyline's 4" Tech Glider Robin - today we take a look at the 6" scale predecessor line's Disc Attack Robin.

This Robin was the second to be released in the 6" line. It is obviously based on the Arkham City video game Robin, which makes this guy Tim Drake in disguise.

Mostly the same sculpt as the 6" Strike Shield Robin, Disc Attack Robin has a unique head sculpt that includes a non-removable hood.

Robin also has a plastic cape, which was an interesting choice as Strike Shield Robin had a cloth cape. This plastic cape is easily wrinkled/crinkled and probably wouldn't stand up long to kid's play.

Disc Attack Robin, as his name implies, came with a disc-launcher accessory. It is pretty lame so I didn't bother to photograph it. Disc Attack Robin came out at the end of the 6" line, so he was a little tough to find at retail. I'm glad I did, because even though I lament not getting Strike Shield Robin, between the two Robins released in this line Disc Attack Robin is the better Robin in my humble opinion.

Hero World Robin The Boy Wonder

I didn't even know this figure existed before finding him today - the DC Super Friends Hero World Robin by Fisher-Price:

This Tim Drake Robin came out in 2012, at about the same time as the hard to find Hero World Hawkman and Flash - right at the end of the standard Hero World line, before it changed from standard action figures over to the electronic Comm-Tech versions (that didn't appear to do all that well at retail.)

The strange thing is, I knew there had been a Hawkman and a Flash and an Aquaman and a Cyborg, but I had no idea there was a Robin! To paraphrase The Joker: 'Why didn't anyone tell me they had one of these...things!'

These Hero World figures have been fading out of retail for a while now - I found this one at Big Lots, who appear to have picked up the last of them from retail establishments who have now phased them out completely. I also saw Flash and Hawkman but (as I have mentioned before) I am not collecting this line (at least I thought I wasn't!) so I left them behind.

I still don't even have a Hero World Batman, for heaven's sake! But I do now have Dex-Starr, The Joker, The Bat-Copter, and now Robin. So it's now officially a 'collection' whether I like it or not.

Robin is a beautiful figure. He comes with a bo staff and his wrist rotates 360 degrees so he can spin it around helicopter style!

And unlike his Imaginext counterpart, Hero World Robin has a cape! A cloth one to boot. And it has a nifty split at the bottom - that's some cool attention to detail; they could have just as easily went with a flat bottom to the cape and no one would have really cared. But to quote Luke Skywalker: 'I care.'

Hero World Robin's sculpt and costume design are just awesome - lots of armored details and the areas of silver really make his gloves and boots pop!

Robin of course comes with a massive lame accessory, but I won't complain because Fisher-Price included the perfect and simple bo staff too.

The massive accessory will just sit in a drawer here, but it does shoot a couple discs (and shoots them well) in addition to clipping to Robin's back into a couple relatively unobtrusive holes WITHOUT making him topple over! I don't like the accessory, but I applaud the engineering of the whole package.

I love this Robin, and am glad to not have known about him before finding him because I might have gone crazy looking for him! And at only $8 at Big Lots grabbing him was a no-brainer.

Now, go crazy looking for him yourself!

Random Toy Pic :: Batman Animated Family

I took this picture over 11 years ago. At the time I had a spare room and put together a little Bat-Family shelf with all the key members from the Batman Animated toyline.

Alfred
Nightwing
Batman
Robin (Tim Drake)
Batgirl
Commissioner Gordon.

This gets me right here *points at heart

I've always been a huge fan of Batman AND Robin - I see Bruce's fatherly relationship with his adoptive sons as a beautiful thing. As a son, and as a father and step-father, I can relate.

From (I assume) the most recent issue of Red Robin (I haven't read it yet.) Via Calvin and his Canadian Cave of Cool.

Because "Robinmobile" Just Sounds Silly

Wrapping up Toyriffic's look at Tim Drake as Robin, today we take a spin in his wheels!


Along with a new costume (and a new kid to fill it) the nineties saw Robin get a new set of wheels, the Redbird!


This 1:43 die-cast vehicle is another car from the Corgi series of Bat-vehicles released in the early 2000s.


I was quite surprised to see the nineties Redbird in the Corgi line-up, but not surprised to find it as well done and comic accurate as the rest of this beautiful series.


As with all Corgi vehicles, this car has a little movable feature - in this case the engine is revealed beneath two vented hood components.


I don't remember this car hanging around in the comics for very long, but I seem to recall it's appearance being a big deal and coinciding with Tim Drake turning 16 and getting his first car.


No sneaking up on the bad-guys in this futuristic, flaming red sports car - with a big "R" on each side!


"I brake for clowns"