Be Like Bob

It is 1989 and I remember sitting in my seat waiting for the movie, Batman, to start.
I was excited to see Batman on the big screen but waiting was made easier because I had something in my hand to look at. The brochure that Brian A. posted earlier.

"Look at all the Batman stuff!" Was going through my mind.
I felt like I was twelve again and we had just gotten the new Sears and J.C Penny catalogs on the same day.

We were expecting our first child and money was being pinched until it screamed but I had a brochure to look at and that was satisfying enough. I enjoyed the pictures in the catalogs too even if I didn't get many of the toys featured there either.

I did get a ball cap though. Not through the brochure but at the mall.

I was wearing a Adam West style Batman shirt to the movie because the black shirts didn't look right to a boy raised on the 1966 series. The crowd was buzzing waiting for the show to start.

I did like the jacket that Bob Kane was wearing brochure but who could spend $50.00 on a jacket?

The crowd let out a cheer as the camera pulled back to show the Batman emblem on the screen.

•••••••••••

Time passed.
Some 15 years later I spotted an item that I remembered being in that brochure that they had passed out back in 1989.
It was at a house in our addition. They were having a yard sale and hanging up high enough for me to spot from the road was the jacket that Bob Kane had worn in the brochure.

I pulled over and looked around at other stuff that they had for sale. I didn't want to give away that I had stopped for the jacket. I would loose all bargaining power if I went right to it and drooled all over it.

They had quite a few superhero things and I picked up a set of Captain America mugs for fifty cents.

I asked the lady standing on the porch if she was the collector.
She said no all of it was her husbands. Poor guy.


I finally moved over to the jacket and saw that it had a reasonable price on it!
It didn't really look worn either. It was in great shape.
The Bat-emblem on the back was awesome!



I tried to talk her down a little but I was pleased with the price on the jacket and felt sorry for the guy whose stuff was being sold while he was at work.

Man was I proud of myself. I had THE BATMAN jacket from 1989!

I couldn't wait to get home and model it for my wife.

My boys were with me and thought that their Dad had the find of the century. They were probably just gauging that from my reaction of owning the jacket.

I already had the hat so now my assemble was complete.
I think we were going to a cook out that afternoon and I couldn't wait to wear it and show my friends.

I decided to surprise my wife so I told the boys not to mention the jacket to their Mother.

I got ready to go and came upstairs with my jacket on.
I had never worn a silk jacket before, it was styled in the eighties and it fit a little funny but I didn't care.

The look on my wife's face was priceless. But not in the way I had imagined it.
She said she refused to be seen in public with me in the jacket and told me never to wear it out in public.
I thought she said she would divorce me if I wore it in public but she says she never said that.
Well that was the impression that I was left with.

I see it when I dig for a shirt in my closet every now and then.

I asked my daughter, now 20, to take my picture for the blog.

My wife reminded me that once it is on the web it will always be there to haunt you.
My daughter tried to talk me out of having my picture taken and laughed at me in my jacket and hat. My wife kept telling me not to do it.



I brought up the picture of Bob on the computer to try to strike a similar pose and my daughter said "Mom he is trying to match something else. That is why he looks that way."

I posed and my wife shook her head.

So I have worn the jacket in the house three times.

I think I will put it on Ebay. Maybe my neighbor will by it back.

Brian B
•••••••••••

Buy this baby. HERE You know you want it.

1989 WB Batman Catalog Brochure

This is a small fold-out catalog from 1989. I believe these were handed out at some of the first showings of the 1989 Batman film but don't quote me on that. For the life of me, I can't remember where I got this one. This catalog advertises some interesting things from the merchandising blitz that accompanied the 1989 film. Enjoy it in all its late 80's cheesy glory.

I remember being fascinated that Toybiz was using repainted Super Powers figures to promote their forthcoming Batman toys. I was surprised when they finally showed up on store shelves and were all-new sculpts. Part of me wished they had just used the Super Powers molds. I still need to track down one of those Batcaves, someday.

Here's Bob Kane, the creator of Batman, modeling some Bat-duds. I've read that Bob was on "cloud nine" during this time when his creation became a world-wide phenomenon once again.

These two statues were produced in very limited numbers... only 50 pairs. These are insanely rare Batman collectibles. I remember thinking how odd it was to see Batman all dressed in black. Now, the black costume is an ingrained part of pop culture.

This kid is WAY too happy to be a part of this catalog. Just sayin.'

The Adventures of Batman and Robin, C5

Mr. Freeze wants to stay with his wife.

Brian B

The Adventures of Batman and Robin, C4

Batman tries to save Mr. Freeze but . . .

Brian B

Corgi 1/24 Scale 1940s Batmobile

This is Corgi's 1940s Batmobile in 1/24 scale, I believe. The car, itself, is about 7 and a half inches long. For those of you keeping score, it was released in 2005.

Corgi is known for producing beautiful scale models of Batmobiles and this one is no exception. Heavy and well-built, this diecast model also comes pre-built and pre-painted.


I'm a huge fan of this iteration of the Batmobile. Since the look of Batman's world tends to be timeless, yet set in a pseudo 1940s timeframe (I'm thinking of things like Burton's first Batman film and Batman: The Animated Series), this car fits in very well with that general vibe.


I really like the black and red color scheme on this car. It really adds to the menacing look that the giant fin and battering ram mask give this vehicle.

I'd love to see a version of this car brought back for a film or animated Batman project. Am I crazy, or do I remember seeing a version of this car in the Brave and Bold series, at some point? Maybe just as a cameo appearance?

Looks like Alfred's been slacking. Look at all that dust. Shame.

Did you get one of these in the nineties for your birthday?

I did and my son did too.
I don't know where mine went but I did find one of my sons that I kept.

Here is a side view of the card.

These were great.
They had amazing detail in the die cut and I count 12 levels of depth in the card.

They had all kinds of them but Batman was the best.

Seems like I remember two different Batman cards but I can't remember for sure.


You can see a bigger version HERE.

Brian B

The Adventures of Batman and Robin, C3

"Flee from Oceana. It will be destroyed!"

•••••••••

It seems that most Batman collectors choose the Joker as their favorite Bat-villain to collect.
I have Jokers in my collection.
Caesar Romeo terrified me as a kid while watching the Adam West series on television but it was a good kind of terror.
His laugh is what did it. His laugh and the way his hair shook when he moved his head.
Creepy!

I have many villains in my collection.
Catwoman, Two Face and Scarecrow to name a few but my favorite villain to collect is Mr. Freeze.

I think it is the domed helmet and back pack that make his figures stand out to me.
I also like his story line.
The movie Subzero gives us a detailed insight behind his life of crime. Love for his wife and his desperate actions he takes to save her.

I like most every version of the how he is costumed.
Although the movie Batman and Robin tried to ruin everything Batman related, I think he still had a cool suit.

I am sure I will share my Mr. Freeze collection with you soon.

Brian B