How Twitter Helped Me Fall in Love with Kenner Toys All Over Again

This is also the title of a new show I'm pitching.

From the Star Wars toys of the late 1970s to all-things Batman in the mid-90s, Kenner Toys produced heaps and heaps of awesome action figures that kept millions of kids (and kids-at-heart) entertained. No matter your interest, be it comic books, cartoons, sports, or even movies you probably shouldn't have been watching just yet, Kenner likely had several product lines that were right up your alley.

You Can Find Anything in Claw Machines, even the Most Unlikely of Heroes

Whether you know these plushie-riddled prisons as Claw Machines, UFO Catchers, or "Those Damn Money-Stealing Bastards", you must have noticed that they are absolutely EVERYWHERE, and their contents are often as varied as the day is long. Being a person of the "geeky" persuasion, my eye is usually caught when some of my favorite characters such as the Batman trio above are included. I'm never intrigued enough to gamble my money, but I get at least a moment's joy out of spotting them. It appears I'm also obsessed with taking photos of them with my ancient phone.

Hmm, I was going somewhere with this, wasn't I? Ah, the point emerges: I really do see all kinds of interesting toys in Claw Machines. In the words of the Immortal Milk Daddy, the proof is in the motherfuckin' puddin':

New Batman Arkham Origins Toy Promo Shots

Hot off of the release of the announcement trailer for Arkham Knight, big-time toy maker-types NECA and Square Enix (under the Play Arts label) have released some absolutely gorgeous promotional shots of their upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins toys. First up is NECA's 1/4 scale (aka: a flippin' hurge 18 inches) Origins Batman, a toy which packs exquisite sculpting and over 20 points of articulation. Let's take a look at a few of the promo shots in question:

Batman: Arkham City Big Head Mode!

Thanks to a discovery by SuperSwiftyOne of the Youtubes, fans and players of Batman: Arkham City can now engage in Big Head Mode, wherein Batman and all other character models take on a fun super-deformed look. To activate this mode, just hold down the left and right triggers while rotating the left analog counter clockwise - and the right clockwise. Good times!

Arkham City Graphic Novel Giveaway from The 52 Review

The 52 Review is giving away a copy of the Batman: Arkham City Graphic Novel to one of its lucky readers! All you have to do is give the site a Like on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. Oh, and if you do both - you'll double your chances! Sounds good right? Visit the site for full details: The 52 Review: Win the Arkham City Graphic Novel!

Batwoman #1 Review

Just in from The 52 Review is an depth look at Batwoman #1 by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman. As a title that was announced long ago but delayed time and time again, how does it fare now that's it finally come to fruition under the DC Relaunch? Thanks to The Masked Ndi, any concerns you may have will be addressed. Head on over and check it out: Batwoman #1 Review from The 52 Review

The Joker Premium Format Figure Reveal from Sideshow Collectibles

These gorgeous preview images of The Joker Premium Format Figure are from the Sideshow Collectibles Production Blog. For even more great images and full product information, check out the full entry HERE.

The Joker Premium Format Figure will be available for Pre-Order through the Sideshow Newsletter on Thursday, September 1st, 2011. It should be published between 2PM and 3PM (Pacific Time). If you sign up, you will receive a $10 coupon and access to plenty of exclusive deals, contests, and priority pre-order opportunities. Definitely worth it for the hardcore collectors out there. Just follow this link if you're interested in checking it out.

Hot Toys Batman and Joker 1989 Versions

Click images to view in full size

Here are but a few of the wow-inducing images of the upcoming Hot Toys Batman (1989 Version) and Joker (1989 Version). These are of course based on Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film. Hot Toys is known for capturing likenesses better than just about anybody else and they certainly kept that ball rolling this time. We'd say they went above and beyond! Tim Burton's Batman is not quite our favorite here at Castle Geekskull, but we have a lot of nostalgic appreciation for it all the same, and seeing the Batman and Joker from the film captured so beautifully is a real treat. "Movie Masterpiece" indeed!

These guys will be available in the first quarter of 2012. They won't be cheap, but if you have the means, you can go ahead and Pre-Order them now at Sideshow Collectibles:

Hot Toys Batman (1989 Version) 12 Inch Figure

Hot Toys Joker (1989 Version) 12 Inch Figure

Catwoman Character Details from The Dark Knight Rises

If you want mild spoilers on just what the hell is going on with Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises, Batman-News.com has you covered. If not, stop reading, you zany so and so! Here's the meat of their article:

"Catwoman does some cool stuff in the movie like jumping out of windows and stealing the Batpod. Her back story is that she has a history of abuse and works as a stripper and is also a pickpocket."

So if you were scratching your head over the whole "Hey look, Catwoman is riding the Batpod!" scenario we've seen various shots of...wonder no longer. It makes perfect sense, really.


As well documented, you'll have to wait till July 20, 2012 when The Dark Knight Rises finally hits theaters to get the full Anne Hathaway Catwoman experience. Keep your eyes peeled for approximately 1 million updates and teasers in the meantime!
 

Batman: Arkham City Costume Skins Rundown

ArkhamCity.co.uk has the full rundown on the currently announced skins for Batman: Arkham City. Check it out:

Character: Batman
Skin: 1970's Batman skin
Image: Above
How to get it: Pre-order Batman: Arkham City from ShopTo.net (UK) or Toys R Us (USA)

Character: Batman
Skin: Batman Beyond skin
Image: Above
How to get it: Pre-order Batman: Arkham City from GameStop.co.uk or MightyApe

Character: Batman
Skin: The Dark Knight Returns skin
Image: Above
How to get it: Purchase Batman: Arkham City Collector's Edition from any store.

Character: Batman
Skin: The Animated Series
Image: Above
How to get it: Purchase Batman: Arkham City from MightyApe.

Character: Batman
Skin: Earth One
Image: Above
How to get it: Purchase Batman: Arkham City from MightyApe.

Character: Robin
Skin: Red Robin skin
Image: Currently unavailable
How to get it: Pre-order Batman: Arkham City from Best-Buy (USA), GamesMania.be (Holland) or JB Hi-Fi (Australia)

Some of these skins have yet to be announced for all territories, but I'm sure everyone will have a fair shot. I'm not sure how much interest the skins will really stir up (anticipation is high enough or the game already) but they're certainly interesting to see. I think they look quite awesome. The Dark Knight Returns and Animated Series skins are probably my favorite. What about yours?

If you have yet to secure your copy of Batman: Arkham City, or for some reason haven't even played Arkham Asylum, head to the Amazon listings below and get that in check!
 

The Dark Knight Rises Full Bane Costume Revealed

Photos taken from the set of The Dark Knight Rises in Pittsburgh have given us a possible look at the Christopher Nolan version of famous Batman baddie Bane in full costume. So, what do you think? Are you full of rage over the mere sight of Bane in a coat, or has your level of excitement raised even higher? If you're not keen on it, keep in mind that there could always be several other variations to Bane's look over the course of film.

The above photo is but one of several recent on-set pics. They were taken at the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute. I can't imagine this is how anyone involved with the film would have wanted the first full look at Bane to be revealed, especially given their ho-hum broad daylight nature, but this sort of thing is par for the course these days.

This news comes to the GeekSkull from IGN. Head on over to their article to check out the other on-set photos from the shooting of The Dark Knight Rises!
 

Geeky Easter: Batman

Let's check out some Easter goodies based on the one and only GODDAMN BATMAN:



Surprise! The Bat has been represented quite frequently in Easter merchandise. Hallowed out baskets in the image of his head (thus allowing all sorts of gruesome brain fantasies), Easter eggs, and egg decorating kits. What fun! Stuff your pastel colors, EASTER. I will decorate my eggs with black on top of black on top of black, for I AM A GODDAMN BATMAN FAN...and I will exploit every opportunity to share it with all the world!

Egg image courtesy of legionsofgotham.org