BATMAN BACKGROUNDS: Wacky Wallpaper Wednesday!

Here at the Bat-Blog we post 2 exclusive Batman Wallpaper Backgrounds every Wednesday! This week I am pretty proud to say that 2 of these were sent in by Bat-Blog Readers. ( Oh yeah, I guess I should also say that we are posting THREE WALLPAPERS this week! ) They both did the art themselves. The 1st one was done by our friend Sean Harrter. It has a distinct style that I can not express right now. It looks sort of like a handbill or an advertisement from the 16th Century. Or maybe not, sorry I'm having a hard time explaining it but it looks awesome! The 2nd one, with the 1989 Batman Movie image, was done by a new contributor named Andrew. He said this took about 8 hours to draw. He actually drew it with some computer program. Of course it is the Michael Keaton ( Tim Burton Style ) Batman. The 3rd wallpaper was made by me from some artwork I randomly found on the web. The subject matter came about because of a Bat-Blog Reader's request for Clayface. So, here it is with a really nice pencil drawing of Batman & Clayface in battle. Now, I have a few other Clayface Wallpapers that I will post after I get permission from the artists. For now, I wanna thank everybody for helping this week! If anyone else has some requests for a certain character then please let us know. Also, if you have some graphics you made that you would like to send to use as wallpaper then that would be great too!

Fan-Made BATMAN MOVIE TRIBUTE Music Video "This is Halloween"

OK, Fan-Made Tribute Music Videos usually get on my last nerve ( ha ha! ) but this one is actually kinda fun. The editing is good. Plus, the images & music go well with each other. It was done by a guy known as "Silver Lightsaber". It's his personal tribute to the Batman Movies made by Tim Burton. The music, a song called "This Is Halloween", is by Marilyn Manson. Please leave a comment & let me know if you like it or not. I just thought it was sort of clever.

BATMAN HUMOR PHOTO: The Caped Crusader Haircut!

Just a quick, funny, post: OK, This has got to be the greatest haircut in the entire human history of hairstyles!! It's a carved-out silhouette of Batman!! The graphic looks like something out of "Batman: The Animated Series" ...it's GREAT!! This will be MY next hairstyle, for real!

Vintage BATMAN Halloween Costume: Dave as...ROBIN, The Boy Wonder

Here's our good buddy Dave as Robin, The Boy Wonder! These Vintage Photos are from the 1980's, like, totally! Now I'm not sure if these were for a Halloween Party or if Dave dressed like this all the time, Ha Ha! Thanks Dave for sending the cool pics. Now readers, you might remember the post we did awhile back of Dave as the Joker, same guy. Well, later, we're gonna post some of him as the Dark Knight himself, The Batman! So keep an eye out for those. If YOU have any Halloween Costume photos from the past ( or present ) then please send them in ...before it's too late! Happy Halloween Everybody!!

1940's Golden Age BATMAN AND ROBIN Comic Strip Press Sheet

Here's an amazing piece of Bat-History! This is an Original Newspaper Press Sheet showing the BATMAN AND ROBIN Daily Comic Strips for the week of May 15th through the 20th, 1944. It was test-printed by the McClure Newspaper Syndicate ( Be sure to click on the above photo for a way larger, more readable, version ). Now, for people interesting in reading these today then be sure to check out this book published by Kitchen Sink Press reprinting all the Dailies from 1943-1946. They also made a separate book covering all the Sunday Strips.

Custom ROBIN Batman Action Figure By John

Followers of the Bat-Blog might remember awhile back we showcased a few Batman Custom Action Figures made by our friend John. Well, he just sent us another photo of a recent design project. He made this Custom Robin Figure. Now, I was kinda curious about how he made it & this was his reply:

Robin uses a DC Infinite heroes Shazam head, Indiana Jones Mutt Williams torso and upper arms, Microman lower arms, Namor Superhero Showdown waist, SHS Human torch legs, and a whole lot of time with the Dremel and apoxy sculpt to shorten the legs and re-sculpt. Also a Kubrick Robin was used for his bat-belt.

Wow! I was kinda shocked it took so many different figures to make this one Robin, ha ha! But John did a very excellent job...it looks extremely cool! Thank you John for sending the photo & we look forward to seeing your future creations!

BATMAN Hallmark Stores 2009 Christmas Ornament - Descending Upon Gotham

For 2009 Hallmark is going to have another Batman-themed Christmas ornament this year & it looks pretty cool! The thing I like about it is that it is the "Silver Age Comic Book" version with the yellow-oval bat-symbol logo on the chest. It measures about 4 1/2" tall & will have a retail price of $15.00. We reported on this thing awhile back but I recently found a way better picture of it. Plus, it's closer to the time when it will actually be in stores so I thought I would do a re-post to remind everybody. So...keep an eye out for it on your next trip!

DC Direct - DETECTIVE COMICS CLASSICS: Batman Action Figures Box Set

I usually don't post new Batman Toy information this early ( these won't be out until the middle of next year ) but when I saw these "new" Batman Action Figures I thought they were really great so here they are! I love the "Silver Age" look of them. It looks like DC Direct is going to re-release a set of 5 figures that they have done before, but now they have a slightly different paint job, & will also come with a special graphic novel book of collected stories. Here's what DC Direct actually says about them:

Five of Gotham City's most colorful figures are collected in this special action figure box set, in both 3D and comics form! A 64-page original collection of classic stories featuring Batman, Robin, Batgirl, The Riddler and Bat-Mite is packaged along with an action figure of each character. The stories included in the special DETECTIVE COMICS CLASSICS book are "The Riddler's Prison-Puzzle Problem!" from DETECTIVE COMICS #377, "Tall, Dark, Handsome - and Missing!" from DETECTIVE COMICS #384, "Hunt for the Helpless Hostage!" from DETECTIVE COMICS #385, "The Invader from Hell!" from BATMAN FAMILY #1, and "Bat-Mite" from WHO'S WHO: THE DEFINITE DIRECTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE #2. On Sale: June 23rd, 2010

Halloween Costumes: THE BAT AND THE CAT!

Here's an extremely professional-looking photo of our friends Dallas & his lovely Wife. I mean, they must have gone to some Commercial Photography Studio or something! Anyway, the pic is really great & so are the costumes ( Please click on the photo for a larger pic ). This is from Halloween last year when they were Batman ( Modern-Day Comic Book version ) & Catwoman ( artist - Jim Balent ). I have always loved this "Purple Cat-Suit" version of Catwoman but right now I think I am liking it even more, ha ha! Well, both costumes are awesome. I usually put a cheap plastic halloween mask on & I'm ready to go. Looking at this pic you can tell that they are totally serious, that's great! ( Thanks to Dallas & his Wife for sending this to us ).

Vintage 1989 BATMAN AND ROBIN Halloween Costume Photos!

I gotta say that this year Bat-Blog Fans have been totally wonderful about sending us their "Batman Halloween Costume" photos! It's great & I really appreciate it. Some have been about what they're gonna look like this year & others are from the past. I like both a lot but I have to say that I really love the vintage photos the best! I guess because they seem to bring back such fond memories. Anyway, here is our buddy Jason & his Brother Daryl. The year was 1989 & they were totally swept-up in the Batman movie ( Michael Keaton ) craze! Jason was the Dark Knight & Daryl was Robin, The Boy Wonder!! I wanna thank Jason for sending these because they're so awesome! Not just the photos, but the costumes too...very cool!

Read The 1966 ADAM WEST BATMAN TV Show LIFE Magazine For Free!

In 1966 Adam West was on the cover of LIFE Magazine. It was for a story about the '66 Batman TV Show craze. Well, here's a link where you can now read it for free, the entire issue! Just click HERE!

BATMOBILE Italian CODATRONCA CAR - TV Commercial : This is Not Gotham City!

Here's an Italian TV Advertising Commercial from Italy. It's a short ad for the Italian CODATRONCA Car Company. The basic message, I guess, is that their new automobile looks like Batman's Car, but it is NOT the Batmobile! Ha Ha, enjoy.

Gerry's JOKER Costume ( The Dark Knight Movie - Heath Ledger Version )

Since Halloween is over, & many people didn't get dressed-up until then, we have been getting a few photos from Bat-Blog Fans who wore costumes of their favorite Batman characters. That's awesome! Like, just the other night we got these cool pics from our friend Gerry who became The JOKER this year. He chose the "Heath Ledger" version from The Dark Knight movie. Both the costume & make-up are extremely well done but the neat thing was he went to a party that had a Professional Photographer. I like how you guys sort of replicated some famous movie images. Like, when Heath ( as the Joker ) removed his Bank Robber Mask, that's pretty neat. The image with the Joker Playing Card is also a nice tribute. Thanks to Gerry for sending these in. I know a lot of people are gonna really like them.

Breaking News: Batman's BATMOBILE CAR Spotted on Highway 95 North!

OK, These photos are pretty funny and, yes, it might be a situation where "you had to be there", but I think it's totally hilarious! These 2 pics were sent in by our friend Dave who said he was just traveling down the street when all of a sudden he & his Wife saw Batman's Car going down the street!! He explains it a lot better than me so here's what he wrote:

"My wife & I were heading back from the Chiller Theater Convention in New Jersey on Halloween Night and we spotted a Batmobile driving on 95 North through Connecticut! My wife Nancy tried taking a pic through my driver's window, then we caught a better pic on the passenger's side, making me MISS the exit for 95 North to Rhode Island! We were able to get back on the highway and make it home, but it was worth the pic. This gentleman driving the Batmobile looks like he modified his black Corvette with reflective tape, the Batman shield, and this gentleman actually painted and detailed the foam wings! I hope you enjoy the pics!"

Enjoy the pics? Oh man, these pics are GREAT! I also think the story is pretty funny too like how you missed your exit just to get a photo...Ha Ha! Thanks so much for sharing your story & almost risking your life. It WAS worth it!!

CHROME How Wheels 1:18 Elite 1966 TV Series Batmobile Car

OK, This is getting kinda weird. Mattel must be getting ready to release this new version of the Hot Wheels 1:18 Scale Batmobile Car because they are starting to show up on eBay right now. The special thing about this one is that it is CHROME-PLATED & also made to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of DC Comics. So, if you're a Completest-Collector, who has to have every single version made, then you might keep an eye out for this one soon!

BATMAN Original Production Art - Kenner's "Blast Shield" Action Figure Packaging

This was on eBay the other night & I thought it was too cool NOT to post! This is the Original Production Art for the Batman ( Dark Knight Collection, not the last movie ) "Blast Shield"Action Figure made by Kenner. This was a "boxed item" that came out, I think, in 1991. I remember when it was in the stores & I thought the box concept was kinda cool. But even cooler is this original artwork by Dick Giordano because he's such a Comic Book Artist Legend! I would totally love to have this & Christmas is coming up, hint, hint.

New BATMAN BATH PRODUCTS & WALL CLOCK In Stores Now!

Last night we were at the evil Wal-Mart to get some household supplies when all of a sudden I discovered these new Batman items! If you hit their "Holiday Cosmetics" area you might be able to find these Batman Bath Products: Batman Toothbrush Holder, Batman Fizz n'Foam Bath Set, Cans of Batman Moldable Foam Soap ( 2 ), & the Large Batman 3-Bath Foam Set! Please excuse my crappy photos, I only had my camera phone with me, but you get the idea! The Large Bath Foam Set ( 2nd photo ) is $9.00 & all the others are $5.00 each. These are usually a pretty good deal, & well liked as children's Christmas gifts, so be sure to get them if you see them. They almost ALWAYS sell-out early! Also, I bet you can also find them at Target stores because they usually have them every year, but I have not checked yet. The next item is something extremely cool that was spotted by our friend Joe! He was at a Walgreens Drug Store where he said he found this Exclusive BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD Wall Clock, it's only $9.99. I really love this cartoon so this clock will be a "must have item" for me, ha ha! ( Thank you very much for sending the pic Joe, I appreciate that ). Now listen Bat-Blog Readers, if you spot ANY brand-new Batman merchandise while cruising around the retail stores then please let us know so we can share the info with other collectors, thanks!

Batman's HARLEY QUINN Paper Art Craft Toy!

Over at the TOY-A-DAY website they have a cool new paper craft art project you can download for free & make. It's HARLEY QUINN from the Batman Animated Series! Of course this is the Joker's girlfriend & since they also have one of these of the Prince of Crime himself you can now make them a couple! For download information be sure to visit their website by clicking HERE!

BATMAN "The Dark Knight" FAN ART From Finland!

I love getting e-mails & the chance to meet Batman Fans from all over the world. It's so cool to me that Batman is so popular in many different countries. It really says a lot about what a great character he is. Like, this morning, I got a message from a Bat-Blog Reader named Kai who sent these very interesting pieces of Batman art that he did recently. Kai is from Finland & I gotta say that I'm totally jealous he lives there, ha! His artwork is pretty good too & it's "The Dark Knight" movie-version of the character. It shows Batman ( Christian Bale ) wearing his "Sonar-Vision" Bat-Suit & carrying that gun he used to place charges on that building while he was in Hong Kong. That's cool! The 2nd pic is his original drawing & then the 1st one is the colored version he did in Photoshop. Kai, you did a very wonderful job on both of these. Thank you so much for sending them. I know a lot of people will really enjoy them. I want to invite all creative people from all over the globe to share their pics. It can be anything Batman-related: Art, Toy Collections, Tattoos, Graphics, Costumes, etc...Thanks!

The BAT-FAMILY Batman Costume Photo Shoot!

Last Halloween our good friends Dallas & Daria went to a fundraiser event dressed as Batman & Catwoman. They also dressed their son Xander as Robin, The Boy Wonder! The costumes were really awesome but the cool thing was that they had their family portrait done by a Professional Photographer. Here are the pics: The 1st one is sort of a regular family snap shot but it's so cool because they're all in costume. Now the 2nd one is my personal favorite because it's a little more creative & very cute. Daria is holding her son up in the air & he's laughing while Dad is proudly looking up at him, very sweet & a clever composition. I think when Xander gets to be a lot older he's going to really cherish all these photos. The last one is pretty good too. It's sort of an "action shot" where everyone is a little more dynamic. Overall they're all really great & so are the costumes. Thanks to the "Bat-Family" for sharing these wonderful photos, Good Job!

Get Ready For Winter With This Batman Reversible Cowl Beanie

It's time to face the fact that summer is almost gone and you're going to need warmer clothes in just a few months. This Batman hat will keep your head toasty warm and it's even reversible so you get two for the price of one. One side looks like Batman's cowl while the other has black and yellow stripes with a little Batman logo on one side.

See more pictures after the break...

Product Page ($17.99)

Jon Snow Sure Is Happy About Knowing Nothing [T-Shirt]

According to Ygritte, Jon Snow doesn't know much. He could be depressed about it, or he could just embrace it and enjoy his ignorance. Admitting your weaknesses is half the battle or something. This fun t-shirt design by AtomicRocket shows a gleefully dumb Snow with a quizzical Ghost in the background. It's all quite adorable.

Product Page ($25 via Shirtoid)

Doctor Who Socks With Daleks, The TARDIS And Weeping Angels

Fans of Doctor Who can keep their feet warm this winter with these fantastic socks! There are knee-highs and over-the-knee styles for women and men's styles, too. You just have to decide if you want the safety of the TARDIS covering your toes or if you're willing to risk it all walking around with Weeping Angels.

See more socks after the break...

Product Page ($8.99-$11.99)

This Ninja Turtle Is a Merc With a Mouth [T-Shirt]

Looks like Michelangelo has gone into business for himself-and developed a preference for Chimichangas over pizza.

Product Page ($25.56 via Shirtoid)

Travel To The Future With This $12 Tee! [Deals]

We're all time travelers-we just do it one second at a time. Speaking of time, this shirt is only going to be on sale through today, so jump on it while you can (because we still haven't figured out that whole traveling to the past thing).

Product Page ($12)

These Geeky Engagement Photos Hit Close To Home [Featured]

Fashionably Geek's own Amy Ratcliffe got engaged recently to Love And Capes creator Thom Zahler and, as a friend of both I can confirm that it's a match made in geek heaven. Then again, when a man proposes to you inside of a TARDIS owned by steampunk store Clockwork Couture with a Nenya engagement ring by Badali Jewelry, you're pretty much guaranteed to make any geek say "awww."

More after the break....

See?

But wait, it's gets better! The couple did an engagement photo shoot to celebrate and share their happiness with their friends and family. Photographer Rachel McCauley did a phenomenal job catching Amy and Thom in their element and all of their geek love glory.

From shots at Amy's favorite comic book shop House of Secrets to park photos that were both silly and serious, this photo shoot shows the many things that bring the couple together and even gives a tongue in cheek look at their differences.

Thom's a Star Trek fan, Amy's more Star Wars, but they are all geek and adorably so. There were lightsabers, phasers, fashions from Her Universe, comic books, and lots of smiles and kisses.

I also love them both to pieces and asked for permission to post about them. So, thanks Amy & Thom for letting me gush over you a little bit. I send you a million kisses.

You can see more photos at Rachel McCauley's blog.