First Look: 2014 Hot Wheels Batman Bat-Pod, Angry Birds Red Bird & Minion Pig, and a brand new wheel...

Alright, below are all the reasons we are dedicating valuable Lamley real estate to two retreads from the 2012 line and Batman motorcycle that was already released in another line.

1. The Bat-Pod is pretty cool.
2. We got a kick out of the photo we took showing the red bird chasing the pig on a Batman motorcycle.  (It's the simple things.)
3. There is actually something relatively significant on the Angry Birds models.  Significant for those of us who care.

So what is that little something on the Bird and Pig?  Well, look at the front wheels:

Holy Mad Manga, Batman!!  Are those ultra small OH5 wheels?!?!

Why yes, Robin, they are.  As far as we know, this is the first time we have ever seen these, and it means all those models that can only sport small wheels (think Mad Manga) can now enjoy an alternative to the small 5-spokes.  

Is this a big deal?  Probably not, but we pride ourselves in geeking out here at Lamley, so the new wheels deserve some attention.

(UPDATE: Ignore the last few paragraphs.  I totally forgot about the small OH5 Fast Fortress from a few years ago.  The wheels already exist.  Oh well, I enjoyed writing it.)

Other than that, these are just two models that we will ignore at the pegs while the kids pick them up.  

(Or will they?  It seems the Angry Birds overload has died down a tad.  It appears all the Angry Birds shi...stuff at Walmart has been replace with Duck Dynasty shi...stuff.......uh.......oh no......Please no.  Mattel, no ideas, ok!  For the love of all things holy, NO IDEAS!!!)

(Find the Bat-Pod on ebay...)

Hot Wheels Bat-Pod (2014 Mainline):

Hot Wheels Angry Birds Red Bird & Minion Pig (2014 Mainline):

First Look: Hot Wheels Batmobile (Michael Keaton's Batman version)...

Well it appears that Hot Wheels is trying to build the entire pantheon of Batmobiles.  Starting with George Barris's all the way through to the Christian Bale Batman, with every movie, tv, and cartoon Batmobile along the way.  We have no idea how many there are, and how many Hot Wheels still has to do.

Well, strangely enough, there has not been the Batmobile from the Tim Burton/Michael Keaton Batman movies in the mainline.  That changes now, with this new casting coming in Batch L.

Plastic body, metal base.  Doesn't bother us, but I know it bothers some.

We are surely not Batmobile experts here at Lamley, so we will leave the comments up to you.  What do you think?  How does it rank compared to the other Batmobiles?  Which is your favorite?

Find the 2013 Batmobiles on ebay...


Hot Wheels Batmobile (2013 New Models):

Hot Wheels Variation Alert: Mainline Classic Batmobile with Retro Entertainment Batmobile deco...

Occasionally we get word of a variation that we think is worth reporting here on the blog, and this one definitely qualifies.

Brazilian Hot Wheels collector Eduardo Guanaes found these two mainline Batmobiles and wanted some clarification on why they were different:

It might be hard to see at first, but the bottom Batmobile has no grey trim like the one up top.  The Batmobile released this year has the grey trim.  It is easier to see up top:

Well, one could argue that this is simply an error, where the grey was omitted by mistake.  It happens.  But once you look at the front and back another idea emerges.  Once again, the correct basic model is pictured first:

Front:

Back:

Front and rear red trim, which is not supposed to be there, but looks awfully familiar:

Yes, the bottom model in Eduardo pics is the basic Classic Batmobile with the deco of the Retro Entertainment Batmobile that was released at about the same time.

Switcheroos have been more and more common lately, and a similar switch happened last year, when a small number of mainline Mystery Machines appeared with the more detailed deco of the Comic Con release.

As far as errors/variations go, this is a good one.  A variation like this is cool on any model, but when it happens on a Batmobile, it is on a completely different level.

So keep your eyes open.  Kroger stores have shippers full of Batmobiles, so if they are nearby I would go looking.  Maybe someone will be as lucky as Eduardo.

Let us know if you do get lucky...

And I would check the ebay listings, sometimes one shows up that no one knows about (although I haven't checked this batch of listings...)

Matchbox Monday: DLMer's View of the Classy Cadillac CTS Wagon & the rest of 2013 Batch A...

Welcome to another Matchbox Monday.  I actually enjoy preparing for Matchbox Monday, as I get to jump into the collection to see what cool stuff from my longtime favorite brand I should pull out and show off.  (And many thanks to our MM sponsor, MVE Collectibles.  With 2013 just starting, be sure to take advantage of their subscription and "one-of-each" program.  You can have one example of each batch, including the 60th Anniversary, sent to you as soon as it is released.)

Matchbox made it easy this week, as they surprised us with the first batch of 2013 as well as the first case of 60th Anniversary models.  I will save the 60th for another day (and stay tuned for a Matchbox Ambassador report showing even more), but let's get to these new models.

You might wonder why it was surprising to see a new batch of 2013 models.  After all, Hot Wheels has been entrenched in 2013 for a couple of months now.  This is actually the right time for Matchbox to bring out the new stuff, but there is still a few 2012 models to see.

We have yet to see the Ford Explorer Police, Dodge Challenger (in a blister), and Dodge Magnum.  Some may wonder about the 2011 Dodge Charger Police, but Matchbox announced that its release has been postponed until 2013.  It appears there might be a delay with Dodge, but no reason to get into that.  Let's look at the Explorer.

Delaying a model until well into the following year is not new to Matchbox.  Several years ago we saw the London Taxi delayed several batches, as well as a few recolors.  Likewise, in 2010 the Holden Ute and Fisker Karma took several months to make it to market after a small batch was released in Australia.  So the fact that the Explorer has been delayed is not a surprise, but why it is the Explorer might be a good question to ask.  There is probably a good reason.  The licensor is taking some time to approve a design, the casting hit a snag, etc.  I am sure we will see it soon, as part of an upcoming 2013 batch, but I hope it is soon.  As far as the two Dodge models go, I am sure they will appear soon as well.

But let's enjoy this first batch of 2013 models.  As is usually the case, Matchbox has released its new batch of 2013 without any new models, so we will look at new colorways and deco for some existing models:

Cadillac CTS Wagon:

Easily my favorite of the batch, mainly because it is one of my favorite Matchbox castings.  We did not see it in 2012, nor did we see its Coupe counterpart.  Sadly the Coupe will take 2013 off as well, but I am very happy to have the Wagon back.  (And great choice of wheels.  I have a feeling a few customizers will want to get their hands on these...)

The Three Mattel Amigos:

BMW R-1200 RT-P Police Motorcycle:

Euro livery.

Jeep Wrangler Superlift:

The fourth version of this model (counting the 2011 Toy Fair and just-released 60th Anniversary), and all sport the SEMA logo.  I plan on doing a more extensive post on this model soon...

Batmobile:

Second version of this "Blue Shark" successor.

Utility Tanker:

Chevy Silverado:

Mission Helicopter: