Matchbox Sky Busters Batman v Superman Batwing (with special guest star The Bat)

With the 'gotta know it now' attitude of the internet, and all the world's toy knowledge contained therein at my fingertips, few toy releases sneak up on me anymore these days. So imagine my shock to discover the Matchbox Sky Busters Batman v Superman Batwing the other day just chillaxing on the pegs at Toys R Us.

The Sky Busters line are larger than your standard Matchbox/Hotwheels vehicle. Scale is of course all over the place as the vehicles are generally the same size regardless of vehicle type (a 747 is about the same size as a Cessna) but if you were to set this Batwing next to the Hotwheels version of the Batman v Superman Batmobile, you're probably in a pretty close ballpark for matching scale of the two vehicles.

Not only did I have no idea this thing existed or was set for release, but I didn't learn about it before actually seeing it in the wild, which is a refreshing change of pace as it means I did not spend any sleepless nights praying to the toy Gods that I'd find it on my next toy hunt. Nor did I have to put out the TAPB (Toy All Points Bulletin) to my fellow toy collectors to be on the lookout for me!

Not a bad looking Batwing, it looks like an actual bat as it hangs from a cave ceiling.

The Batwing is only die-cast on the top of the fuselage. The rest is plastic. It feels lighter than I expected it to be, but it still makes for a sturdy feeling toy vehicle. I think Toys R Us is charging $3.99 (or was it $4.99?) for these things, which is a fair price given the scale. The Batwing has landing gear which is permanently extended but the wheels do roll.

The Batman v Superman Batwing is undeniably recognizable as a Bat-vehicle and a fun addition to any collection or for any fan of The Batman, regardless of their thoughts on the movie itself.

The last time I was caught so unawares by Matchbox was when they released The Bat from The Dark Knight Rises. So I couldn't resist busting out The Bat for this photo shoot.

The Bat was and is an ugly thing that looks nothing like any proper Bat-vehicle, but I suppose it's become an icon in it's own right at this point.

As dumb as it looks, I am glad I found The Bat on the pegs back when it was released and am especially glad that the Matchbox Sky Busters line has actually continued with the Bat theme. Would it be too bold of me to hope for an '89 Batwing, or perhaps a Batman Animated Batwing in the Sky Busters line-up sometime in the future?

Thomas the Tank...Raven?!?! Azarath Metreon Choo Choo!

I've known about the blind bagged Thomas the Tank Engine mini-trains for a while now, and the fact that certain DC Comics characters can be found therein. But only now am I finding them in my neck of the woods. I found four of them from the 2016 Wave 3 batch this past week!

Raven! A Raven train is just absurd and I love it. This is actually a train named Belle as Raven, according to packaging.

The blind bags are not only coded (Raven is number 61) but you can also see through them pretty well by moving the train inside up to the white part of the package. So the guesswork is pretty easy to work around on these things.

Flynn as Firestrom! Firestorm is number 60.

Victor as Hawkman. Hawkman is number 62.

Rosie as Supergirl. Supergirl is number 59.

These trains are ridiculous but irresistibly fun. They're off the rails! It's neat to see the broad range of heroes and villains (well, in this case just heroes) that have been released so far. You don't see much of Raven anywhere and Firestorm doesn't get much play either.

Some DC characters have been released in multi-packs, but I think the blind bagged versions can only be found in the blind bag series and aren't duplicated in the multi-packs (and vise versa). Blind bags are $1.50 each which is a fine deal for the size and for what you get here. Go get some!

Kylo Ren's Command Shuttle

The first Star Wars: The Force Awakens toy to enter my collection is this Mattel die-cast version of Kylo Ren's Command Shuttle!

I received this spaceship for Christmas from my parents, and that alone makes it incredibly awesome. The very first Star Wars die-cast toys I ever owned (an X-Wing and a Tie Fighter) were given to me by my parents way back in the late seventies. And here it is (was,) Christmas 2015, and my parents are again giving me a Star Wars spaceship. We live in awesome times indeed.

Kylo Ren's Command Shuttle really doesn't do much in The Force Awakens, but it sure looks imposing (more like something the Romulans might fly around in than a Sith shuttle, to be honest). This tiny version doesn't have any moving parts, but the movie version's wings fold down like the original trilogy Imperial Shuttles.

The stand is a great design, serving as both a very stable place to display your ship and a sort of 'ring' to place your finger in for hyper-drivin' fun!

Hot Wheels Batman v Superman Batmobile

Thanks to Mario from A Year of Toys (which is a complete smokescreen as he has been blogging about toys for far more than a year!) I have my hands on the newest Batmobile - so new the movie it appears in hasn't even hit screens yet - the Batman v Superman Batmobile!

This Batmobile looks like Keaton and Bale's Batmobile got it on and made a baby. I can't say it really does anything for me, like the Arkham Knight Batmobile, but I suppose seeing in action may change my mind.

 Hot Wheels has released this Batmobile 'New for 2016' which means for once I'm ahead of the curve.

There's really not much more I can say about this Batmobile until we see some actual shots of it in the movie. Rumor has it that this Batmobile either converts into or somehow attaches to the Batwing; those odd rear spoiler looking wings imply that may be true. And of course Batman v Superman has to top Bale's Tumbler to Batcycle, and a flying Batmobile would do it.

There's also the 'propulsion-envy' to consider, and a flying Batmobile would be just the thing Batfleck might bust out of the Batcave to confront Superman. I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

There is a weird little tampo on the top, like a small hatch or something. The short scene in the trailer would imply this is too small an opening for Batman, so I don't think it's an entry point of any sort. Perhaps it's where the kryptonite launcher pops up from, or maybe it's the connection port for the Batwing, or it's where Bruce pours in the rubber bullets for the gratuitous gattling guns this Batmobile is sure to have in spades.

'Requisite gull wing doors'? Off the top of my head there has probably been one, maybe two batmobiles in the history of Batmobiles with gull wing doors. I also can't tell by looking at this thing how gull wing doors would work given the lines on the vehicle, but I suppose that's just one more exciting reveal waiting for me when Batman v Superman finally hits theatres March 25th, 2016!

Hot Wheels Back to the Future DeLoreon 2015 Hover Conversion

It's 2015, and while you still can't get a flying car in real life, you CAN get a Hot Wheels version of the Back to the Future Delorean time machine with hover conversion!

What a spectacular Hot Wheel! Every kid I knew when I was a wee lad (even before Back to the Future hit movie screens) pretended at least one of their Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars could fly (usually whichever one had opening doors). So any kid would love this one even if they haven't seen the movie and don't realize it is also a time machine. Although I don't know how easy it will be for kids to find or get their hands on since old dorks like me are probably not letting it sit on shelves for long. Hopefully Mattel saturates the market with this DeLorean soon, but so far it seems to be pretty elusive.

The DeLorean has four tiny wheels underneath that still allow it to roll around, and the hover wheels aren't movable in any capacity.

The original Hot Wheels Back to the Future DeLorean is the first film version. Other than the wheels, the primary difference is that the hover conversion has the Mr. Fusion in back.

Here's hoping for more BTTF DeLorean time machine versions from Hot Wheels in the...wait for it...future! In the least we need one with white-walls and electrical components strapped to the hood like in BTTF part 3.

Matchbox MB11 Car Transporter

My little car collecting bug has shrunken drastically in the past few years. I mostly focus on movie cars and Batmobiles these days when it comes to 1:64 scale die-cast toys. My Dad, however, still collects toy cars of any shape and size and when I see one that's too cool to pass up, I just buy them for him instead of myself (much to my Mother's chagrin.)

Such was the case for this awesome little Matchbox Car Transporter (aka Bedford Car Transporter) which I found at a garage sale for a dollar!

I've seen pictures in books and online of this cute little Car Transporter, which has even cuter little Game of Life style cars riding along on top and inside, but I had never seen one in person until I found this little guy in an assortment of random Hot Wheels at the same garage sale that I bought myself the young LEGO Obi-Wan Kenobi. I immediately knew it had to go home with me (well, not immediately - but as soon as I heard it was a dollar! Only the best for my old Dad!)

This Matchbox MB11 Car Transporter was originally produced from '76 to '81. I can't wait to present it to Dad!

I also hope my kids are still buying toys for me deep into their own adulthoods. Take note, Interns!

2015 Hot Wheels Brave and the Bold Variants

Hot(wheels) on the heels of my last Hot Wheels Batmobile post, and almost as if Mattel got wind of my distaste for the Brave and the Bold Batmobile's ugly rims and blue scallops, Hot Wheels has released a new variant with black paint, red scallops and MUCH better looking wheels/rims!

Hot Wheels releases running variants often, so I don't think either is more rare than the other. But usually the first variation is harder to find because they stop shipping it when they start with the new variation. So if you prefer the uglier version, you better get to the eye doctor, and after that get to searchin' the Hot Wheels aisles!

The cars are both labeled the same: 2015 HW City 63/250, but as you can see the card art reflects the car color/trim/rims. I cropped the pic, but you can also see that the 'Hot Wheels Showdown Game' graphic is different up there in the left corner. So MOC collectors have some variations to keep their eyes out for too. Personally I'm just glad to have each version of this Brave and the Bold Batmobile, as it is one of my favorite Batmobiles of all time. And it looks far better in red and black than in the blues!

Ugh these rims! Even Jason Todd wouldn't touch those monstrosities!

Ahhh, that's more like it!

Hot Wheels Batmobiles

I used to be much more into Hot Wheels than I am today. I try to keep that corner of my collection under control these days and greatly limit my purchases, but for around a dollar I can't pass up a Hot Wheel Batmobile that I don't already own.

I can still remember when Hot Wheels first released the '89 Batmobile way back in 2004. I was very into Hot Wheels at that time, and Batmobile merchandise was pretty much sparse to non-existent. So finding a new toy Batmobile - for around a dollar - made me a bit crazy and I vowed to buy every one I saw at retail until I owned one hundred of them.

I've moved about six or seven times since then, and my Hot Wheels and Batmobiles collection remains boxed up to this day, so I honestly cannot tell you if I ever reached that goal. (Although I don't think I ever passed one up at retail, so I nailed that part of my personal goal.) But I can comfortably say that I came close, and with all the variations on that standard black '89 Batmobile made to date, I'd not be surprised if I surpassed it by a comfortable margin.

This '89 Batmobile in chrome with yellow trim is a 2015 release on shelves now. It is part of the HW City sub-theme and is numbered 62/250. I generally don't like Batmobiles that aren't black or blue, but this car does look hot in this muted chrome livery.

This black with red trim '89 Batmobile is also a 2015 HW City sub-theme number 62/250 and on shelves now. I may have one of these already that Jon from Robot Monster Space Superhero sent to me a few months back. But when it comes to one dollar Hot Wheels Batmobiles it is better to err on the side of 'I NEED it' when I see it. The red trim works as something Batman might have actually added to the Batmobile, and the red windshield looks nice and menacing.

When the Brave and the Bold Batmobile was first released in 2010 I also went a little overboard. I didn't aim at owning a hundred of them, but I probably have about ten if not more. The Brave and the Bold is one of my favorite representations of Batman, and the Batmobile design is definitely one of my top ten favorite Batmobiles of all time. This is a 2015 HW City sub-theme release numbered 63/250 and is the first variant of the 2010 cartoon accurate version made (other than cardback and probably wheel variants if any.)

And while the purist in me thinks it looks ridiculous with the eighties-ish blue scallop trim and ugly rims the car itself is incredibly sexy and again - just a dollar - so I bought it. Plus, as is not always the case, this Hot Wheels version is proportionally correct to the cartoon version while most other toy versions of this Batmobile made were not. I think Eaglemoss makes a 1:24 version that's screen accurate, but that's about it. So I love it!

All these Hot Wheels Batmobiles are on store shelves now, so go out there and hope I didn't hit the store before you. Because when it comes to Batmobiles - I'll buy that for a dollar!!!

Harley Qwednesday :: Harley Quinn, I Choo-Choo Choose You!

Mattel revealed another of their 2015 San Diego Comic-Con exclusives this week - a set of Thomas the Tank Engine/DC Super Friends mash-up minis - and whoa nelly the set will include a Harley Quinn train!

Woo-WOOOOOOO!

The set is a 2015 SDCC exclusive. Well, they say the Batman train (and the packaging) is the SDCC exclusive part, and early indicators suggest that the rest of these guys (most importantly, Harley!) will be available at general retail. Hopefully I can confirm that as fact before SDCC 2015, because (channeling Don Cornelius) I need that Harrrrrrrrrley Trrrrrrraiiiiiiin!

Also if this set doesn't sell out at SDCC (and if it does I'll eat my hat) it will be available on MattyCollector.com after the 'con, and I will probably resort to spending way too much for shipping and this whole silly train set itself just to get my hands on the Harley Quinn train.

The Thomas the Tank Engine Minis are new this year from Fisher-Price. From what I can tell they are sold in three packs and blind bags. I hope and pray Harley is made available in the three pack format, but I am fine with squeezing stupid little bags of trains to get her if I need to. It's still a much better option than trying to track down an SDCC exclusive set, or worse, buying anything off the MattyCollector website!

Below are the official details on the exclusive set from MattyCollector:

Thomas & Friends™ Super Friends Minis

The world’s favorite engines meet the world’s greatest super heroes as Thomas & Friends™ collide with DC Super Friends™ for a mighty mashup! The engines who keep the Island of Sodor running now have heroic new makeovers as MINIS with designs based on the heroes seen in DC Comics.

This exclusive San Diego Comic-Con pack features five fantastic MINIS mashups, including:

• Exclusive to San Diego Comic-Con: Diesel as the Dark Knight version of Batman!
• Thomas/Superman
• Spencer/Cyborg
• D10/The Joker
• Millie/Harley Quinn

Best of all, it includes a premium, exclusive-to-San Diego Comic-Con package complete with a new comic story revealing the origin of the Thomas& Friends/DC Super Friends mashup and dynamic light-up action! It’s the perfect introduction to the Thomas & Friends/DC Super Friends MINIS.

All ABOOOOARRRRD!

Arkham Knight Batmobile :: Hot Wheels New for 2015

I don't follow Hot Wheels as closely as I used to, so I was surprised to learn of the recent release of the Arkham Knight Batmobile, and even more surprised to find it not long after hearing of it's existence!

Due to the delay of the game's release, we're seeing a lot of Arkham Knight relevant merchandise like action figures and this car months before the video game has even been played by fans.

There's really no 'jazz' to this vehicle, it's just another Bat-Tank. But it's a Batmobile, and it will be the first playable Batmobile in the Arkham video game series, so it should be pretty awesome. If I played with my Hot Wheels I know this one would be fun too. It isn't pretty, but it gets the job done.

The Arkham Knight Batmobile is part of the New for 2015 HW City series and is numbered 61/250.

'The Homer' by Hot Wheels - 'The Car Built For Homer'

I finally tracked down one of the most anticipated Hot Wheels of all time: The Homer!

New for 2014, The Homer represents the vehicle Homer Simpson designed for his half-brother's Powell Motors. The Homer is car 89/250 in the HW CITY line-up for 2014.

The Homer was not only expensive (booking out at a whopping $82,000), but obviously gawd-awful, and it bankrupted Powell Motors.

Although, as a parent, you do have to admire the kid-pod in the back. I want one of those!

Okay Hot Wheels, you have raised the bar. I never would have expected in a million years that you would have made The Homer. But now that you have, I demand a Family Truckster and a Last of the Interceptors!

Hotwheels, the Final Frontier.

I bet you didn't see this one coming - I sure didn't!

Look for the J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie reboot version of the Starship Enterprise on Hotwheels shelves now, for about a dollar.

Hotwheels is releasing the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 in their HW Imagination series (don't be fooled by the green stripe on the card, this is not a Treasure Hunt or chase or rare vehicle. Just a new model for 2013, available wherever Hotwheels are sold and in the same quantities as any new release.)

Okay Hotwheels, while I appreciate what you are doing here (and will buy one when I see it) and dig all the licenced movie vehicles you have been releasing lately, I am more than a little peeved that we're getting a freaking Starship Enterprise before we get Mad Max's Interceptor, which is by the way AN ACTUAL CAR and has...WHEELS that were in fact pretty hot if I remember my film history correctly.

Now do us a solid, Hotwheels, and get us some more movie and TV vehicles with, you know, wheels - starting with Mad Max's Interceptor - before you continue boldly going where no Hotwheels orange track can go anyways.

Pic unabashedly borrowed from eBay, where I do not suggest you go and pay more than a dollar for a dollar Hotwheel. But hey, it's your money.

Batmobile Matchbox Redux

Matchbox released it's first ever Batmobile in 2012, based on Mattel's basic Batman action figure Batmobile. Not the prettiest of Batmobiles, but a $1 1:64 scale die-cast Batmobile is a $1 1:64 scale die-cast Batmobile!

New for 2013, Matchbox re-painted and re-released their Batmobile offering, and I have to admit I much prefer this new paint scheme over the previous version.

The details of the design are much more evident in this black on grey color scheme and pretty the car up quite a bit.

The red detailing pops and adds nice highlights to the the vehicle.

This version of the Matchbox Batmobile is far less embarrassing than the relatively monochrome sparkly blue version, and I admit it has me appreciating this vehicle design a lot more than before.

On a related note, next weekend I will be attending the Barrett-Jackson auto auction where they will be auctioning off the original Barris Batmobile! I won't be buying it; I can't afford it unless I sell my soul and children (any takers?) but hopefully I'll get close enough for some pictures. Stay tuned!

And in the meantime be sure to check out a few more little Batmobiles I've posted about over the years:

'89 Batmobile
Arkham Asylum Batmobile
Brave and the Bold Batmobile
'66 Batmobile
Playart Batmobile