Kenner 1996 #28893 Batmobile

Here's the last of a set of four 'Batman Forever' licensed toys made by Kenner. Ya know, even though the movie may not have been all that memorable, the gadgets were waaaaay cool! I really do like the over-the-top look of this Batmobile. It just has a nostalgic comic book styling which appeals to me. Enjoy!

Kenner 1996 #28896 Two-Face Armored Car

When 'Batman' was re-introduced to the public in 1989, it helped to wash away the campy feeling left behind by the Adam West endeavors of the mid-1960's. Don't get me wrong, the 1966 'Batman' series and subsequent movie starring Adam West was a lot of fun and left its mark on television history, and of course it gave us one of the most iconic Hollywood vehicles of all time. But the silliness ran its course and the public wanted a different version of The Dark Knight which it got in 1989 with the Tim Burton directed 'Batman' starring Michael Keaton. Michael Keaton may have seemed like an odd choice at the time but he really pulled it of well and would reprise the role in the 1992 follow-up 'Batman Returns'. The silliness crept back into the franchise in 1995's 'Batman Forever' with Val Kilmer where it would stay for another round in 1997's 'Batman and Robin'. Throughout all of this though some things remained constant, like the cool gadgets and licensed movie tie-ins.

During the next four weeks we're going to feature licensed tie-in's to 'Batman Forever', specifically Kenner's nice little series which includes the Batmobile, Two-Face Armored Car, Batwing, and Batboat. First up will be Two-Face's Armored Car. The toy is 1/64 scale and although copyrighted 1995 - the same year the movie was released - it probably hit the shelves in 1996. Now, this isn't exactly a really cool gadget or sleekly designed villainmobile, but it is a part of the series so let's get the ball rolling and - Enjoy!

Bluebird (aka Kenner) 1996 'Batman Forever' Batcave Power Centre

Today, Toys & Stuff features a nifty little Batcave playset from the U.K. firm of Bluebird (here in the States, it's called Kenner).  I came across this little gem while trolling eBay and it didn't really strike me until after it was delivered as to just how much play value is packed into such a small package. It really is impressive to see so much action packed into so small an area.  Closed, this mini-Batcave only measures 5" (12.7cm) H x 2 5/8" (6.7cm) W x 2 1/2" (6.4cm) D yet it has multiple levels with machinery, and gadgets, and weaponry. The bottom, or floor, level houses both the Batmobile and a jet ski. The Batmobile rests on a turntable and has a power take-off feature. Also on the bottom level is a secret panel that ejects villains. The set includes a Batman figure and a Two-Face figure both of which are approx 1" (2.5cm) H. The toy would have been too large to fit into a youngsters pocckets but would have been just right to take along with in the car while driving to Aunt Mable's house :-)

Enjoy!