AND in Even Weirder Bat Celluloid...

I think I recall the Almighty PERCY TROUT posting up w/ the poster back in 2006, but i'd be remiss if I didn't also submit a tip of the cowl to this little gem of Bat cinema. 'La Mujer Murcielago' (which translates to 'The Bat-Woman') is an awesome looking luchadore-esque Mexican film from 1968 obviously inspired by the U.S. television show.

A day in the life of the Bat-Woman seem to consists of running around town in a skimpy bikini costume, showing off her big boobs, wrestling a lot with her partner Esmeralda, mastering all sports and throwing swinging parties in her beach house.

That said, she still finds time to thwart a mad doctor who is extracting spinal fluids from wrestlers so that he can create a RED Creature From the BLACK Lagoon to take over the world’s oceans. Aside from oceanic world domination, said doctor likes to laugh uncontrollably for long lengths of time and seems to enjoy calling Bat-Woman a 'filthy bitch'.

Looks like fun stuff. Unfortunately, while there does seem to be both VHS/DVD copies of questionable quality floating around the web...no official release to buy or Netflix. After studying the following credits/clips, I think that will amaze you just as much as it does me...

HOLY BAT MOVIE BUBBLEGUM CARD BONUS!

I always give the crappy stick of cardboard gum to The Boy Wonder.

More Bat-Musings...

I finally got around to watching the 'Batman: Gotham Knight' DVD the other night and outside of some interesting interpretations of the 'Caped Crusader' in the opening chapter...I found myself kind of bored w/ the film overall.

Dunno. It might be that besides being a big fan of 'Akira' and 'Battle of the Planets', i'm not that big of an anime guy. I'd also mention that, outside a nice little Scarecrow/Killer Croc run-in, I found the storyline that wove each chapter together was kind of weak as well...but, that's just me.

That said, going back to my post on the 1966 Batmobile earlier in the week and, crazy enough, FIRST MESS OF POSTS on this blog...if you've never seen 'Batman: The Movie' that sprung out of the TV show, you need to remedy that right quick.

A plot that involves an alliance between the Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman, a dehydrator that can turn humans into dust, a Navy surplus submarine and three pirate henchmen named Bluebeard, Morgan and Quetch...it's probably only a Vincent Price as Egghead away from being the best film ever made. Highly recommend, Netflix it pronto for goofy fun.

One Other Thing...

Every year, it's commonplace today for people to recount where they were, what they were doing and how they reacted on the morning of September 11. While the morning itself was a blur for me, the weeks that followed seem like yesterday when I actually take a step back and think about it.

Without rambling on, I did feel compelled to post the two videos/songs above that always make me think about both the emotional highs (hope, unity, thankfulness) and lows (fear, grief, uncertainty) the following days brought with it.

A lot was made at the time about the parity of a lot of the content of U2's 'All That You Can't Leave Behind' to the events of 9/11. Whether you find it truly legit or truly corny...for me...it was a big part of how I processed things. 'Beautiful Day' provided me hope that, while they'd never be the same, things could (and did) get better...their performance on the 'Tribute to Heroes' telethon of 'Walk On' offered equal amount of both strength and solace.

I'm not really quite sure why this is so much more front of mind today than it has been in year's past. Could be the election, but i'm just running with it whatever it is. Back to some normalcy tomorrow. Peace.

On a Day Like Today...

I think the above piece by Alex Ross and the following statement from Barack Obama this morning, recalling that on Sept. 11, 2001...

'Americans across our great country came together to stand with the families of the victims, to donate blood, to give to charity, and to say a prayer for our country...Let us renew that.'

...sums up my thoughts pretty well.

Take advantage of the political 'cease-fire' today...a day w/ no negative campaign ads, no 'he said/she said' political rallies...just remember the amazing unity shown in the face of great tragedy, say a prayer for the families/friends who suffered great loss, say thanks to the countless numbers of responders who provided hope in a time of unfathomable duress and appreciate the gifts of family/friends still with us. God bless you all.

I Love This Country Too.

Seriously. As much as she pisses me off daily...I really Do.

Motherf**kers Be Trippin'

'I don't care what they say about me. But I love this country too much to let them take over another election with lies and phony outrage and Swift-boat politics. Enough is enough.'

He loves this country (and looks to enjoy a good sundae as well).

'What their campaign has done this morning is the same game that has made people sick and tired of politics in this country. They seize on an innocent remark, try to take it out of context, throw up an outrageous ad because they know that it's catnip for the news media.'

You had me at 'I Don't Care What They Say About Me'. Keep the focus, B. The clusterfuck of this overall race is showing me more and more why we need you in office. I'm still all about the 'audacity of HOPE', but shit like this 'pig in lipstick' thing is making it reallllll hard.

FINALLY! It's Mine! MWAHAHAHA!

HOLY 'MY-WIFE-IS-GOING-TO-KILL-ME-FOR-BUYING-ANOTHER-TOY', BATMAN!

I thought those Corgi deals I blogged about a few days ago were cool, but I totally missed this. Back in 2007, to mark the 40th anniversary of the classic 1966-1968 'Batman' TV series, Warner Brothers, DC Comics and Mattel announced the only officially licensed production of a stellar line of Hot Wheels die-cast reproductions of some of the show's legendary vehicles. They started to ship the micros earlier this year, w/ the bigger versions hitting the street in Spring/Summer.

The lengths taken to recreate the iconic Batmobile in absolutely perfect detail are breathtaking. First, the Hot Wheels design team took precise measurements from the actual car and electronically scanned the vehicle in order to work on the design digitally. 3-D images were then created and used to cut the die-cast models’ tooling, ensuring the highest accuracy.

The actual TV Batmobile was designed by custom automotive legend George Barris, who based it on a never-produced 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car. From the wheels to the curved windshield, Hot Wheels reviewed the final product w/ Barris prior to it's release to insure it was right...and you can tell.

As I said earlier, they've made these in the affordable 1:50 size , but I picked up the glorious 1:18 scale version today at Toys 'R' Us...last one they had and if i'm correct, the overall release is of a 'limited' variety. $40, but worth every dime as i've been wanting one of these for years...like, 'since I was a kid' years.

Out of all of the stuff i've been grabbing since my return to geekdom...this, without a doubt, is the Crown Jewel.

Sorry. One More KFC Post. I Can't Resist.

...because 'Pimpin' (or should that be Chicken) Ain't Easy'. Act like you know.

Finger Lickin' Good Indeed.

However...

In an effort to assist in this effort of important National Security, the research department at AMBFAD Labs have uncovered both a secret Chinese plot to breed an army of cloned Colonel dopplegangers (photo above) AND what sounds/looks like the subliminal brainwashing they used to train them in this obvious stab at world domination!

Take a listen to this horrific training tape in the sample area to hear for yourselves and, most of all, don't let the terrorists (and PETA) win! 'Dad, how can you hate...The Colonel?!'

Finger Lickin'...Finger Lickin' Good, Y'all.

The Colonel's handwritten recipe of 11 herbs and spices is going to be removed today from safekeeping at KFC's corporate offices for the first time in decades, so they can further fortify it's security.

Seems KFC has hired off-duty police officers and private security guards to whisk the document away to an undisclosed location in an armored car. The recipe will be slid into a briefcase and handcuffed to security expert Bo Dietl for the ride.

Do you hear that Osama?! Kim Jong?! Red Skull?! No matter what day of the week, you fuck with our chicken...our National Treasure...and we will bring down an extra-crispy bucket of shock and awe on your ass, son!

He may be dead, but he's a Colonel for crying out loud...he has both the military and 'executive' experience to keep this country and it's chicken safe. USA...KFC...USA...KFC!

Why I'm Too Old to Care About the VMA's...

...summed up in one photo.

Who are you people?! What have you done with Ed, Dre, Kurt Loder and Dave Kendall?!

AMBFAD (Comic) Book Club

'Batman: Year 100'

Impulse buy one day at the bookstore, but totally glad I picked it up. A nice chaser to the Frank Miller 'Dark Knight' stuff I read a few weeks prior and just as dark, intense and thought-provoking in it's view of the future. I'd seen Paul Pope's art before in other capacities and his ragged style fits the character and the story extremely well.

The series is set in a high-anxiety 2039, where totalitarianism has rendered America to a bleak police state where individual liberties have been all but eradicated and replaced w/ a constant sense of impending doom. Roving police squads, Blade Runner-esque floating vehicles and electronically-enhanced watchdogs are commonplace amongst the Gotham skyline. Amidst a clash between the Gotham Police and Federal agents, the 'superhero' that 'Big Brother' failed to track, returns to strike fear into the heart of a corrupt government hiding a dark plan bigger than just encroaching on individual privacy.

I'll leave it at that ambiguous summarization, as to not ruin it for anybody who looking to check it out. An engaging story w/ a healthy dose of mystery is only eclipsed by Pope's amazing artwork that bring this future grittier-than-hell society to life. Even better, is his take on the Batman that he described to Wired magazine as: 'someone with the body of David Beckham, the brain of Nikola Tesla and the wealth of Howard Hughes, who is pretending to be Nosferatu'. Nice.

The story originall ran as a 4-part mini-series back in 2006 and the TPB was actually released in 2007. Could be due to a DC looking to captialize on a summer-blockbuster-induced uptick in sales of Batman books, but I noticed this one making a major appearance on the shelves of both the shops and bigger book resellers. So, you should have no trouble tracking it down...and you should track it down.

Change is On the Way? Pffft.

'I may be broke but I’m not flat busted.'

I don't have time for a full recap on the RNC, but outside of a bunch of goofy buzzwords/phrases like 'Elitist'...'Maverick'...'Executive Experience'...'Pitbull Hockey Mom'...'Drill'...I didn't pick up much of anything worth making me change my vote. Shocker.

However, much like everybody else, i'm totally crushing on everybody's favorite MHGVPCILF (Moose Hunting Governor Vice Presidential Candidate I'd Like to...) in the pic above and if you're in the same boat:

My main man from Boston, Pedro, has the t-shirt just for you: OOOOOOHHHH...BARRACUDA!

Have a good weekend and GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Speaking of Cars...

Found the above CORGI die cast replicas of the 1950 Batmobile and Jokermobile at a freaking Walgreen's while waiting for a prescription. On clearance even. Way cool. They actually had some of the famous James Bond rides as well...the Aston Martin and the Lotus Esprit both look pretty sweet.

The Flags, errr, TOYS of Our Fathers

Over the years, we have ribbed my Mom about all the family photos she takes and boxes of stuff she's held onto...like tons of stuff. I've grown to appreciate it a little more w/ each passing year and really ended up appreciating this last Labor Day Weekend.

We were at my folks house and I had another one of those wild 'holy shit, i'm a real-life Dad' moments...of the cool variety (just to qualify). Amidst the Ali-Baba-esque basement treasure trove of toys laid out for the Grandkids, I watched as both of my boys gravitated towards some of the same exact toys I played with when I was their age.

Aside from the same exact Fisher Price Little People Circus Train pictured above, I also came face to face w/ what looked to be at least 9-10 of my favorite Matchbox/Hot Wheels cars including (but not limited to)...

THE FLYING BEETLE!

Not to mention a few others hot rods, dragsters and dune buggies that still have have the little details like the Moon Eyes and Valvoline Racing stickers intact...banged up, but legible. Seriously, it was like a surreal time machine to see the boys play w/ all of that stuff...some of it 30 years older than they are, but (obviously) no less cool!

Funny enough, I recently noticed that Fisher Price was re-releasing a bunch of their classics in their original design, including one of my favorites of all time...

THE CHATTY TELEPHONE!

Hells yes! Who needs a cellphone? This baby has a pull-along string AND it smiles at you. I saw one at the store and almost bought it...hell, I still might. Not for the boys though, but just to admire amongst the other useless toys and pieces of ephemera in my Scrooge McDuck-like vault that my closet is becoming. You should see what the little boogers do to their toys. *Shudder*

Real Quick...

I know I said no more politics, but as last night's RNC speeches made me throw up in my mouth a little and i'm busy at home w/ the kids...another example of how The Daily Show is the most politically relevant show on TV (and, quite frankly, the funniest).

I'll try and be fair and balanced on Friday...looks for a recap on the RNC and some stuff on both toys/comics.

P.S. Rudy Giuliani can suck my dick.

Enough Politics, MORE COMICS!

Sick of all the politics? You know, so am I.

I'll have a review of that Steve Ditko book I spoke of earlier and a recent Batman TPB I enjoyed forthcoming...throw in the new 'Godland' TPB released at the end of August, a hardback 10th anniversary edition of Mike Allred’s amazingly out-of-print 'Red Rocket 7' due later this month and the Vol II TPB of DC's 'Justice' due in October...some superhero-related toys to pimp...'Heroes' premiere in a little under 3 weeks...we're going to have A LOT of good stuff to talk about.

Same Dalek Time...Same Dalek Channel. Stay tuned. true-believers!

AND, For the record...

That's right...(when it comes to delicious food at an affordable price) i'm Pro-Life and not afraid to say it. How anybody could even think about 'retiring' this child...this innocent (and Big) Boy...is beyond me.

Further Political Rambling and American Whatnot

I was going to post that beauty queen shot of Sarah Palin side by side w/ a head shot of Marcy D'Arcy from TV's 'Married w/ Children' (seriously, the 1984 version of Republican nominee for VPILF could be her slightly hotter sister)...but then I decided to refrain.

You may be asking yourself 'why', as it obviously isn't my concern over coming off sexist...that ship sailed a long time ago. Nope. It's because mudslinging like that detracts from the REAL issues facing us...the hardworking Johnny and Sally Lunchpail who sit around this rhetorical kitchen table Joe Biden keeps referring to each night.

So, in an effort to further constructive debate over who should be leading our country, let's get back to the important issues like...

Like Diddy said back in 2004...'VOTE OR DIE'! Well, at least 'VOTE OR FEEL KIND OF BAD ABOUT IT'! The fate of hardworking Americans, like Big Boy, is in your hands.