Innuendo aside, I’m happy to present another of NJ Croce’s fantastic bendable figure sets, this time from the critically acclaimed, nostalgia classic; Batman: The Animated Series.

The large window box style packaging, which homages the series style to great effect, does a fantastic job of showing off the toys but also features technical specifications for the Dark Knight’s signature ride as well as some in-universe history!

Batman and Robin are around 3 inches tall and emulate the Bruce Timm style very nicely, and while Batman balances pretty nicely, Robin is top-heavy and can’t stand without support. The range of movement is somewhat limited, only getting an elbow bend and outward stretch and nothing in the legs.

The Batmobile itself is a gorgeous rendition of the iconic vehicle that most people think of when you say ‘Batmobile’. The deep navy blue, much like piano black, is an absolute dust magnet so you’ll have to excuse some of the images but overall, I really the look of it! Unfortunately, the wheels are completely static and the main body is all but hollow, giving it the feel of those novelty bubble bath bottles.

Still it does feature an opening cockpit and the control panels are far more detailed than I imagined they would be. Good stuff!

Unfortunately, the figures do not fit into the cockpit very well. I spent a fair amount of time trying to stuff them and this is the best that I could accomplish.

Overall, while I really dig this set, I do not believe it is worth the 25-30 pounds/dollars you’d be spending on it since the figures lack articulation and the Batmobile itself lacks rolling wheels, but if you can pick it up for less, it would make for a fantastic display piece.

1966 TV Batmobile

Atomic batteries to power. Turbines to speed. The classic Adam West ride. I have no love for this design but I appreciate its revered status amongst Batmobiles. The swept fins, the black and red, even the pseudo bubble cockpit is iconic and well represented in this tiny scale.

1989 Batman (Hard Nose variant)

The classic Anton Furst design is just as familiar and iconic as its TV predecessor. This is the Batmobile many of us grew up on. Apart from the front end being bulbous and having flames painted on it like a low-rider GOD DAMMIT, HOT WHEELS! A classic design turned into a ludicrous caricature. Like the design but not this execution.

The Batman

I liked The Batman! Honestly, I think the only reason it got a bashing was because it wasn’t Batman: The Animated Series. It was fun, the animation was cool and it played up the gadget oriented aspect of Batman. He even got two Batmobiles! A little sports coupe deal and this sleek and sexy number. It’s a simple design but quintessentially Batman.

The Brave and The Bold

My esteemed colleague, Colin, can attest to the brilliance of Brave & the Bold and I’ll agree wholeheartedly. Everything that was, and is, goofy about Batman was represented in that show and it was glorious because of it. This Batmobile takes cues from some of the classic silver-age designs and the end result is pretty cool. It looks iconic without having to be around for decades.

Arkham Asylum

The 2009 smash-hit game brought us this Batmobile and it shares the same general aesthetic as Batman’s gear in that game. Bat-themed, yes but it’s not overstated. If anything, the design brings to mind a subdued variation of some of the Schumacher era Batmobiles. It had a great moment in the game and is worth space on any Batman aficionado’s shelf.

So, that’s all, Bat-Fans! A quick review, I’ll admit, but they’re Hot Wheels. There really isn’t much I can say about their playability other than “they roll dead good, like!” but if you’re a Batman fan, it’s worth checking these out. I’ll see you guys next time on Mint in Box.

Same Bat-Time! Same Bat-Channel!