Batmobile 1995

We decided to do a few Batmobile posts this week here at Under The Giant Penny so I thought I would start out with one of my favorite Batmobiles in my collection.


This is a Christmas Hallmark ornament from 1995 and was a gift from some friends of mine, Pat and Randy.

I will have to mention them a few times while posting things in my collection because they are very kind and have given me a few Bat-gifts over the years.
Thank you, I am grateful.

This Batmobile is about 4 inches long and has great detail though Batman does look a little bored.



Robin is totally into it though.
I like the way their capes flap in the breeze.

I love its color too.
A nice Batman blue.


Even though this is a Christmas ornament it is on permanent display at my house.

Brian B

Transforming Batmobile Toothbrush

This is a another item in our "Grimefighter" series. This is a Batmobile toy based on the car from the second incarnation of Batman: The Animated Series called The New Batman Adventures. This item has a 1999 copyright date on it. Along with a new art style, Batman got a brand new Batmobile. This sleek little beauty is actually a toothbrush. By day, it hangs out with Corgis and Hotwheels. By night, it keeps company with toothpaste, mouthwash, and running water. It kind of has a dual identity like it's driver.

I've always thought it was pretty neat the way this car transforms. I even kept a packaged example but I can't seem to find it, currently. When it turns up, I'll throw it up in a quick post.

Bat-Soap Forever

The summer of 1995 brought the release of the movie "Batman Forever".

Batman Forever's release timing couldn't be more perfect for me.
My birthday is in July so the release of the latest "Bat-movie" means plenty of Bat-merchandise is available for gifts.

That is why I have this gem.
A nice birthday card and a "Hey I saw this and thought I would pick it up for you!". Sweet!

I love those kinda things.
Somebody thought of me and knew that their gift would make me smile.

This guy is still unopened.
I think you buy this kinda thing for a kid to take a bath with or for a goober like me who just enjoys strange things, especially if it is Batman related.
I won't bath with it. I just hold on to it for 14 years and say "Do you have one of these in your collection?" "I do!".

Apparently they had other Bat-characters available in soap form as well.


Batman, in his soap form, has taken a beating while in storage.


His nose is no longer pointy but is smashed.
Grime fighting aint pretty.

The soap has great detail though.

Only through the magic of Photoshop will my Bat-soap see the tub.

Brian B

Batman Shaving Kit

Click on image for larger version

We are learning this week that The Caped Crusader likes to promote general cleanliness.

When he says he is going to clean up Gotham he means it in every way.

And how early should we train our kids to shave? 3 is the right answer.

That is what it says on the box and you will notice that I was Johnny on the spot and had this set for my son on his third birthday. No brag, just fact.



I had enough foresight (meaning they were cheap enough) that I bought two of these lovely sets.
One for Levi and one for me.



Levi was excited to get anything Batman for a gift. Just like his Dad. Sniff, sniff.


So be a good citizen and start teaching you kids to shave early.

Brian B

Batman Crazy Foam

To continue our Grimefighting series, I present Batman Crazy Foam from 2003. This is Justice League branded and I remember also seeing Superman and Wonder Woman versions of this same product when I picked this up.

Can you imagine the soap beard you could make with a can of this stuff at bath time? It boggles the mind.

If I'm not mistaken, Crazy Foam originated in the 70's and featured both Marvel and DC Superheroes. However, the heads weren't sculpted out of rubbery plastic, then. The image of the the hero continued to the top of the can and foamy soap would squirt from a hole in the mouth of the image.

This updated version features a fully-sculpted head and the foam still comes from Batman's mouth.

Holy Rabid Heroes, Batman!

Brian A

Grimefighter Utility Belt

When you are used to reaching to your utility belt for all your tools the grimefighter utility belt is a must have for the shower or bath.




When I saw the size of the box I imagined grime fighting tools galore hidden behind the cardboard.

Nope. What you see is what you get.
Bubble bath, shampoo and an adjustable utility belt.


The soaps fit nicely in the belt.
The belt doesn't fit this grimefighter as nicely though.
Still sweet though.

Brian B

Grimefighting with the Caped Crusader

What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word, "Batman?"

Good hygiene, of course.

There has been no shortage of Batman branded health and hygiene products over the years. This is a "The Batman" toothbrush from just a couple of years ago. I particularly like the sculpting with the swooping cape that turns into the handle and the addition of a Batarang to show that this implement of cleanliness means business.

...and, to think, most kids probably used these and threw them away when the bristles wore out. Don't they know they are supposed to keep them in the package and put them on a shelf?!

Kids today...

We'll be featuring Batman health and hygiene products all week here on the Giant Penny. These products are kind of like the unsung heroes of the Batman collecting world. They don't get much attention but are very cool, all the same. Stay tuned...and stay clean.

Brian A

Recent Bat-Finds

Okay...this post isn't going to be nearly as cool as having a photo with THE original Batmobile. In fact, it's pretty lame in comparison.

These are a couple of items I picked up on a recent trip to Target.

The first item is a Batman "Bye-Bye Boo-Boo." I always find it fun to roam around stores and see what kinds of odd things I can find that feature our favorite Caped Crusader. Sometimes it's toothbrushes or bandaids. Once, I saw a Batman branded Hamster cage...no joke. I didn't pick that one up. I did, however, pick up this odd little thing. It's one of those gel packs that you freeze and hold on an injury to reduce swelling. This was the only one I saw. So, I imagine there's a sullen, injured kid somewhere nursing a sprained-ankle with a Hello Kitty Bye-Bye Boo-Boo and secretly plotting my demise for taking the last Batman one.

I would imagine Batman, himself, uses these after a night of crime fighting... "Alfred, please bring down several more Bye-Bye Boo-Boos...it's been a rough one."

The second item is a pack of Mattel Batman mini-figures from the new cartoon, The Brave and the Bold. I love the somewhat distorted, stylized look of these little guys. They are about 2 and a half inches tall and have a bit of articulation (neck, shoulders, waist). The first wave features quite a few different characters as you can see on the back of the package. There is also a Batmobile that goes with these guys. It's very cool and will be mine, soon... hopefully. (The last photo shows just how diminutive these guys really are when standing next to a 6 and a half inch tall Super Friends Batman figure.)

Brian A

1966 Batmobile

This was a promotional stunt for a car dealership back in 1989.
The hype for the Tim Burton Batman movie was in full swing then.
This is Brian B and my brother in law Danny.

It cost $5 dollars to get your picture taken with the car.
An instant Polaroid picture seen above.

I touched the Batmobile!!!!

They said this Batmobile was used for closeup shots in the T.V. show.
Everything was labeled in the car. I mean everything.

Stay tuned for more photos of this car and please keep sending us your pictures of your first Batman item in your collection.