Here we are on the second and final part of the BatModels article. As I expressed earlier, i'm not a true Batfan. So on the one hand, I hated the early Keaton/Nicholson series of films, but love the new Dark Knight trilogy. But what brings me here, are the Corgi diecast range of Batman models. I've struggled to find a definitive list and as I picked up a few of them at a discount store, I was never that keen to look further. What attracted me to these models was the futuristic flavour to the designs, as opposed to the true series connection.
All the models are beautifully made, with action features and an image of the appropriate Batman on the base of each. Ill leave it to the more knowledgeable blog members to point out which is which, but one or two of them are a little more recognisable.
Robins Redbird looks almost like it should be starring in Ridley Scotts Blade Runner as a Spinner vehicle and has lifting engine covers at the rear.
For me, the best model by far is the Bat Submarine. A sleek gunmetal shape with extended ducted turbine engines tucked away at the rear.
Pressing the two bubble canopies realeases two side mounted torpedos and a pair of guns at the front.
I did come across this image of some of the other available models, but I understand there are quite a lot more.
Bill, I've been collecting this particular Corgi line for some years now. There were 23 different body castings for the Batmobile alone. Then, many of them came in black AND a metallic sky blue. Each color was given a separate item # designation. What I don't know is if each of the twenty three castings came in two different colors (for a total of 46 variations) OR if only some of them did. The series as a whole is the most comprehensive ever offered by a toy company in one scale and overall the most detailed (much of Mattel's Hot Wheels & Matchbox City offerings are fantasy - that is to say, never featured in a comic book, graphic novel, movie, or TV series. HOWEVER their 'Elite' series is awesome in regards to detail)
ReplyDeleteI knew if anyone would know it would be the Iceman!
ReplyDeleteThe Bat Sub does look good.
ReplyDeleteHave to say though, I did like the first Keaton film. It was a total reinvention for Bats for people only used to seeing the TV version. Anton Furst 's distopian production designs gave that dark and gothic look which reflected the early comicbook depictions of the caped crusader. Keaton wouldn't have been my first choice to play Batman but I can remember after seeing the film for the first time really enjoying most of his performance.
I agree with Mike. When the Keaton Batman came out it was refreshing to see Batman on the big screen and without the total campiness of the 1966 show. However, the franchise got diluted and it became as campy in its own right as anything Adam West was involved in. I too thought Michael Keaton a really odd choice but he pulled it off well. The two things that best exemplify the movie: 1)It finally kick-started Batman on the big screen and his popularity has remained unabated 2)It began a whole new series of awesome Batmobiles, and Bat-Gadgets galore - in other words, cool contraptions for us guys!
ReplyDelete