Style
03-22-2005, 09:57 AM
I don't really know where to put this, so if some mod feels the need to move it, go right on ahead.
But a quick trip to my local Walmart, (to pick up the Clone Wars DVD,) revealed a surprise: the first of the Batman Begins figures are out! So far, it's just a basic assortment, featuring three variations on Batman, no villains or Batmobiles yet.
While I was there, I noticed there were three different Batmans: One, was sort of a "Battle Damage" Batman, with a grey costume scheme with torn clothing. His equipment looked utterly rediculous, so I didn't scrutinize him much.
The second was a "normal" looking Batman. As in, his suit actually matched the one in the movie. I appreciate that, because "Normal" Batmans and "Bruce Wayne/Batmans" tend to be the only ones I collect. The coolest thing about this Batman's equipment was that it was really like REAL Batman stuff. Including a grappling hook that had a retractable zip line, and a collaspable Batarang! The only thing that was out of left field was a strange head-goggle thing that Batman would wear with a binoculars on it. eh. But, the best part is that it comes with a little briefcase for him to hold all his gadgets in!
The third, (and the one I actually picked up) was a Bruce Wayne/Batman conversion figure, and these happen to be my favorite type. This was a very unique one however, and it's design is very rooted in plot points of the movie. In fact, I think I'll put my review in spoiler tags just to be safe.
What's unique is that this Bruce Wayne is actually Ninja Bruce Wayne. In the film, he spends a few months training under Ra's al Ghul in a tibetan monestary to complete his training, (he doesn't know Ra's is evil at this point.) This figure represents his battle ninja out fit. It's actually fairly armored, with large, removable shoulder pads, thik boots, and some familiar looking gauntlets, (That's not just for the Bat-conversion, that is a plot point in the film.) Ninja Bruce looks pretty spiffy. He has a couple of accessories: One is a wrist-mounted blade that looks pretty nasty. the other is a ninja mask, which just reveals his eyes. Hmm, with that ninja mask on, he actually does have a passing resemblance to Slade. :eek:
At this point, I think the toy designers took their prototype ninja Bruce too the Mattel Big-whigs for approval. And I bet they said, "Hey, this is pretty cool! So, where's the pieces that turn him into Batman?"
Toy Designer: Well, There aren't any. You see, this is from a part of the movie where he wasn't Batman, so it wouldn't makes sense. And besides, it's a cool figure in his own right.
Mattel Big-Whig: (Flipping through Hasbro's Batman handbook,) Look, it says right here that all Bruce Wayne figures MUST have an assortment of pieces that allow him to convert into Batman. Otherwise, the figure won't sell. Now, go whip something up!
The result is a VERY flimsy cowl/cape/chest piece that when put on him, will turn him into Batman. It's made of a thing rubbery material, which makes me worried that the stuff will break the third time or so you try to put it on/take it off. The affect is also kind of chinsey looking, even as far as Bruce Wayne/to Batman figures go, (Those kind of figures rarely make good Batmans.)
So, in the end, for parents and collectors, I'd reccomend grabbing the Bruce Wayne figure for coolness in it's own right. Parents, bite the bullet and by your kid a separate Batman too, because there's no way this figure's cape and cowl will stand up to repeated use. (The Batman Bruce-to-Bat is much more successful in this regard.)
So, that's my review.
But a quick trip to my local Walmart, (to pick up the Clone Wars DVD,) revealed a surprise: the first of the Batman Begins figures are out! So far, it's just a basic assortment, featuring three variations on Batman, no villains or Batmobiles yet.
While I was there, I noticed there were three different Batmans: One, was sort of a "Battle Damage" Batman, with a grey costume scheme with torn clothing. His equipment looked utterly rediculous, so I didn't scrutinize him much.
The second was a "normal" looking Batman. As in, his suit actually matched the one in the movie. I appreciate that, because "Normal" Batmans and "Bruce Wayne/Batmans" tend to be the only ones I collect. The coolest thing about this Batman's equipment was that it was really like REAL Batman stuff. Including a grappling hook that had a retractable zip line, and a collaspable Batarang! The only thing that was out of left field was a strange head-goggle thing that Batman would wear with a binoculars on it. eh. But, the best part is that it comes with a little briefcase for him to hold all his gadgets in!
The third, (and the one I actually picked up) was a Bruce Wayne/Batman conversion figure, and these happen to be my favorite type. This was a very unique one however, and it's design is very rooted in plot points of the movie. In fact, I think I'll put my review in spoiler tags just to be safe.
What's unique is that this Bruce Wayne is actually Ninja Bruce Wayne. In the film, he spends a few months training under Ra's al Ghul in a tibetan monestary to complete his training, (he doesn't know Ra's is evil at this point.) This figure represents his battle ninja out fit. It's actually fairly armored, with large, removable shoulder pads, thik boots, and some familiar looking gauntlets, (That's not just for the Bat-conversion, that is a plot point in the film.) Ninja Bruce looks pretty spiffy. He has a couple of accessories: One is a wrist-mounted blade that looks pretty nasty. the other is a ninja mask, which just reveals his eyes. Hmm, with that ninja mask on, he actually does have a passing resemblance to Slade. :eek:
At this point, I think the toy designers took their prototype ninja Bruce too the Mattel Big-whigs for approval. And I bet they said, "Hey, this is pretty cool! So, where's the pieces that turn him into Batman?"
Toy Designer: Well, There aren't any. You see, this is from a part of the movie where he wasn't Batman, so it wouldn't makes sense. And besides, it's a cool figure in his own right.
Mattel Big-Whig: (Flipping through Hasbro's Batman handbook,) Look, it says right here that all Bruce Wayne figures MUST have an assortment of pieces that allow him to convert into Batman. Otherwise, the figure won't sell. Now, go whip something up!
The result is a VERY flimsy cowl/cape/chest piece that when put on him, will turn him into Batman. It's made of a thing rubbery material, which makes me worried that the stuff will break the third time or so you try to put it on/take it off. The affect is also kind of chinsey looking, even as far as Bruce Wayne/to Batman figures go, (Those kind of figures rarely make good Batmans.)
So, in the end, for parents and collectors, I'd reccomend grabbing the Bruce Wayne figure for coolness in it's own right. Parents, bite the bullet and by your kid a separate Batman too, because there's no way this figure's cape and cowl will stand up to repeated use. (The Batman Bruce-to-Bat is much more successful in this regard.)
So, that's my review.