Medicom MAFEX The Dark Knight and Batpod ... ...

I think I qualify to be a true blue Dark Knight fan given that this being my (lost count) Batman figure from the Chris Nolan's rendition of Batman (Christian Bale) and my 4th Batpod.

I knew I wanted this set the moment I saw it out for pre-order.

Hot Toys DX Batman and Bat Pod ... ...

Finally, in my possession this year, the Bat Pod and the new improved DX edition of The Dark Knight.

Batman Returns, 1989 ... ...

not quite but this costume dates back almost 2 decades when I was in secondary school. This of course became a must buy for me bringing back memories of anticipating Tim Burton's Batman on the big screen.

I'm not a hero, I am what Gotham needs me to be ... ...

said the Dark Knight in the latest Batman movie. This is the same tagline that is used on Hot Toys MMS DX02, The Dark Knight.

It was a layer of surprise after another for me as I opened up the packaging of this wonderfully packaged toy. However, I don't feel comfortable with the foam used in the packaging as similar foams has given me some problem before. Hopefully, this is not going to be the case. Only time will tell.


The cover box art is simple with the bat logo and a backdrop of Gotham City.


The interior holds the first surprise with 3 batarangs (1:1 scale) nicely displayed with the phrase for my opening after the last batarang.

Remove the top tray and the main tray holds the bulk of the toy with the main figure, 2 extra heads with Parallel Eyeball Rolling System (PERS), extra neck (magnetic) for the 2 additional heads, backpack and sticky bomb gun.

The last tray holds the cape, utility bell, smart bomb, batarangs, grapple gun and holster, different hands and a very nicely detailed display base.

The figure has some improvement work done to it compared to the first version. It is a little less fat on the waist. The overall feel is generally the same. The display base come with LED lights to create this spot light effect; a nice touch from Hot Toys.

The first head comes with the Sonar Vision Device and the neck with the LED light pulls the gimmick off nicely. Thus, another neck is needed for the other 2 heads without this feature.

I personally will display this with the backpack instead of the cape to give it a more SWAT kinda feel.

There are many fragile parts on this and it is something I don't really appreciate especially when strength is sometimes required like fitting the hands. I broke one of the blades on the right gauntlet on the forearm within minutes of handling it. The sticky bomb gun is very flimsy and getting it in the right position is a headache.

I was really putting this thing to the test by accomplishing this pose almost forgetting this is a $200+ toy.

I really appreciate the kind of details put into this figure and this is definitely not a toy.

The LED lights presents the figure in another dimension and it is becoming a Hot Toy standard.

Overall comment on the toy. It is indeed a HOT toy and a must get for Batman fans. There are a few problems such as fragile parts and accessories but if you take good care and be gentle, it should be all right.

Hot Toys Videogame Masterpiece Arkham Knight Batman VGM26 ... ...

I have to put it upfront that I am totally appalled by this figure but I will still talk about it.

I have been introduced to a very techie Batman by my son as I watched him played as the dark knight on his PS4. I was drawn to the Tony Stark inspired suit and the slew of tech Batsy has in his 'utility pouches'.

Part II of Batman Armory from The Dark Knight ... ...

The previous entry focused on the armory so in this entry let's take a look Bruce Wayne and Alfred from this set. I will not be featuring the Batman Suit because it's the same as DX12 released earlier.

S.I.C Batman & Bat Pod

This item has been in my possession for a couple of years but as always; too many toys and too little time, space and money... ...

Anyway, here it is, unboxed. By the way, it came with a very nice boxart but it's a pity that I had to discard the box.

OMG......

was the exact reaction I had when I saw the box (of course I did not say it out loud). To think that I actually wanted to lug this back from Hong Kong!!

Finally, after months or a year of waiting, it has landed into my house; THE TUMBLER. Batman's first Batmobile as in 'Batman Begin' and 'The Dark Knight'. I would label this as the Batman Begin version although the box indicated 'The Dark Knight' simply because there is no batpod inside (I've check).


To illustrate the size of this mammoth, see the tiny AA size battery on the right of the box?


Out of the carton box, the box art is decently attractive and the same AA battery is there for reference.


Hot Toys did a good job in the packaging making sure it is well protected with foam and bubble wrap.


The Tumbler's rear wheel with reference to the AA battery. The detail on this piece is simply amazing!!

Out of the styrofoam packaging but I shall leave it as it is; meaning I'm not assembling the spoilers or removing any wraps. I did not have the intention to open it as it is too massive for display. I did so having read a review by Michael Crawford which made me felt uneasy when one of the 10 led lights fail to light up.

Lucky for me, all 10 are working fine. Oh, did I not mention there's light? This is one of the selling point about the product that made me buy it. I did skip the batpod though.

Ok, back to the box it went and under the kitchen table. It shall have to wait until it sees daylight again.

Let there be LIGHT!

Super Imaginative Chogokin ... ...

is a line from Bandai which is quite foreign to me as this line is meant mainly for Kamen Riders. My first S.I.C is The Dark Knight and the Batpod but I have yet to open that up.

To date, the S.I.C line is at volume 53 with Dark Kabuto and Gatack from the Kamen Rider Kabuto Series. The packaging is very well thought of and I like the details of the compound eyes put in.

The content is held together by the much dreaded twist ties and sticky tape which can be a let down when opening up.

Nevertheless, one has to be patient when it comes to toy collecting. So, here they are free from bondage.

The details of a S.I.C figure is fantastic and there are no screws in sight. Mostly plastic, the chogokin part of the figure is at the armor plates and some other parts here and there. The joints are pretty loose but not an issue as the C.G of the figure is easily located.

First up is Dark Kabuto in the Masked form. A very accurate replication of the character and appreciate the details in its design.

Rider form with the signature pose of "My grandma always says". However, it's Kabuto who says that. Dark Kabuto is a worm replication of Kabuto; more can be googled.

Articulation of the figure is great and many poses can be achieved.

The next figure is Gatack, sort of like a supporting role in Kabuto.

This figure comes only in the rider form and it's my preferred form for both figures anyway.

Pose-ability again here is up to one's imagination but the loose joints may make some poses unachievable.

This pose for instance took me quite a while to immortalize as a picture as the ball joint at the foot is fairly loose.

The Gatack figure doubles up as Zectrooper and all parts except the shoulder pads need to be stripped.

Snap on the Zectrooper parts and you have a very well-designed and made foot soldier of Zect.

The face of the trooper can be seen through the 'glass' of the helmet and yes, he is Japanese.

The figure is packed with so many weapons, I wonder if he is the main attraction here.

Really had fun snapping and stripping parts on and off this set. A great buy indeed and I think I'm looking forward to the next S.I.C figure.

Swat Gatack

Selina Kyle Doesn't Say 'Meow' as Catwoman ... ...

in The Dark Knight Rises and Anne Hathaway did quite a good rendition of the cat burglar riding away the Batpod.

Since I have the Batpod, Catwoman from The Dark Knight Rises is a must for me.

There's a time to give in.......

when it comes to toys that are manufactured with the highest quality; Hot Toys Iron Man Mark III.

This 12" figure is sculpt under the license of Marvel in the likeness of Robert Downey Jr from the Movie "Iron Man". It comes with the head of Robert but I'm not too keen in fixing it on.
It is mainly made of plastic with very good metallic paint over them to give the 'iron' look. Some gimmicks included the flaps and LED lights in the eyes, chest and the palms.

I would have really enjoyed this piece if there were more articulation in the waist and hips areas. However, that is the characteristic for Hot Toys. Still, I'm satisfied with Hot Toys product and since this is my second Hot Toys purchase after "The Dark Knight".

The figure looks magnificent even with a simple pose like this. It has captured the spirit of Iron Man very nicely. To think that the team that came up with this is from Hong Kong. Hot Toys, by the way is a Hong Kong based toy manufacturing company. They are a formidable team as they have came up with many cool movie toys.

The poses possible are limited as there is limited or no articulation at the waist and hips areas. Articulation is limited to the arms and legs joints. It is a pity as a 6 inch action figure would have factor in those articulation. However, there are plus points with the additional toe, ankle and heel joints.

Repulsor Cannon - The LED lights sure breathe life into the figure. It really makes the toy worth its price with such addition. The only thing about batteries in toys is the maintenance part; taking them out when not in use that is. Batteries are included.
A stand is provided as in all Hot Toys figures. It is simple yet ingeniously designed. It is extendable; in this case, to allow for flight mode. It also serves a simple purpose of making sure the figure stays standing. You wouldn't want to see toys with price like this to fall.

The next piece is an Iron Man bust. Specifically, it's by Sideshow; Stealth Iron Man Legendary bust. This is my first bust of any kind and I must say that it is indeed very well made. Made of Polystone, this 1:2 scale is hand made and hand painted.

This comes as a unintended purchase and it was actually bought in Hong Kong's Toy Hunter which is the retail shop for Hot Toys. I was there looking for the 1:6 Batmobile but it was not due for release. Saw the packaging for this in a corner with a huge "SALE" tag on and asked for the price. The rest is history then since I have it in my possession.

This makes a great display piece especially with the lights on (I have a thing for things with lights) and now all I need is more shelf space. To Ikea!