To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Batman (#Batman80), AFJ has decided to join in the fun with columns, lists, and reviews from now until Batman Day (Sept. 15th, 2019). The incredible thing about 80 years of Batman in pop culture is that we can literally feature anything from comics to movies to a Batman Silicone Spatula With Removable Head & Plastic Cookie Cutter Combo. Google it, Millenials. Today, we turn our attention back to the 2014 Mattel release of the Batman 66 Batcave. Enjoy Junkies! #AFJ4LIFE
Editor's Note: The following review is streamlined from AFJ's late founder, Jarrett Kruse. This is from his column/ review of the Batcave when it first arrived. See the full piece HERE in AFJ's archive. In no way would he miss out on the 80th Anniversary of Batman. Look for Jarrett's reviews and columns in AFJ's #TBT and #FBF Facebook posts.
Now to our featured review of the closest thing we are going to get to a BATMAN '66 playset. In this TOYS R US Exclusive for just $30, although it has increased to $35 since I purchased it online. The BATMAN figure included is no different than any iteration they have released in the past and that includes the one in the new 3-pack and the one with the "new" BATMOBILE. However, the TO THE BATCAVE BATMAN figure does have an alternate head with the exact likeness of actor Adam West. So I was comforted to know that at the very least, Mattel has the capability to make us a Bruce Wayne figure or a Dick Grayson or Alfred or Commissioner Gordon, etc, etc.
Back to the box set, first there are two main pieces besides the accessories. One is literally a postcard size two-sided piece of cardboard with a drawing of other Batcave stuff on one side. On the other side of the card is a wood wall with a shelf to give the illusion that it is the den upstairs where the batpoles are along with the Shakespeare bust and red phone are located. Same thing with the Batcomputer. It's the Batcomputer on one side and wood finishing on the other side.
As we all know even if you just watched one episode in your life, you know that this makes no sense as far as the architectural plans of Wayne Manor and the Batcave. It's cool but as I mentioned but I do not own nor are they making a Bruce Wayne or Dick Grayson figure in their street clothes to be hanging on the wood side of the wall. The Batcomputer itself is basically a large piece of plastic. No lights or anything. The rest of the accessories include three Batarangs, four cans of Batman Spray Repellent, one Bat communicator, a megaphone, some kind of giant bazooka-like gun and finally, the reasons I really bought the set, the Shakespeare bust whose neck does go up and does have a button that does nothing. Finally, there is the famous Red Phone which as far as I can remember, it was not cordless but it is here, lol.
As much of a completist toy collector, I am where I feel like I have to get everything that is released in the lines I love, outside of the Adam West head, the Batarangs, the Red Phone, and the must-own Shakespeare Bust, this set is a big miss. I let my eyes get the best of me and a positive PayPal balance made me feel like a big shot so I just bought. Although I would have bought it eventually for my OCD completist self, I could have waited until the holidays when this will surely be just $15. Sorry, Bat-Junkies. No POW! BAM! or BOP! here. #AFJ4LIFE #LongLiveTheBat
