2014 HOT WHEELS - THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY - ALL ABOUT THE BAT-POD REVIEW - 28.NOVEMBER.2013

2014 Hot Wheels mainline C case has already spreading throughout UK & U.S. market as well as the quickly selling fast on the net as we reached the end of November 2013. Before you decide whether it is worth buying or collecting any of the batman merchandise from Mattel itself, especially a machine with 2 wheels used by Batman himself - the smallest scale (1:64 scale) called the Bat-Pod, might have a big concern here.

For those who haven't know when is the bat-pod was introduced - let's start from the beginning, shall we? In the year of 2005, when the first batman movie directed by Christopher Nolan, before the title of the movie was named Batman Begins, a lot of issues was concern before the movie was given the green light to be made. We all knew that the last 2 batman movies portrayed by Val Kilmer & George Clooney was a failure - the movies does not hit the target they all wanted to. So, this time, it is important to get everything right - the actors, the story, the custom & lastly but not least, one of the most important thing of all - the gadgets used by the batman. Let's fast-forwarded to the sequel - The Dark Knight. Since the first batman movie - Batman Begins, is a big success for both the director and its crew members, one of the reasons is because of the new batmobile called The Tumbler. Next move, the sequel must be more juicer and very very rich in its story line. And of course, another new invention must be made. One thing i admired the most is how the director gonna put a new gadget into the big introduction in the movie. If you can recall it back to the first scene where you must be very excited when you first saw the new birth of the bat-pod squeeze out from the tumbler.

But before we knew that the batman's 2-wheels machine was called Bat-Pod, history of batman movie already has a name for it - its called Batcycle. Before the released of Batman Begins, Mattel has smelled something really nice about this batman movie and Mattel already has tons of Batman's toy lines way back in the 90's and will definitely not gonna miss any of the batman franchise movies. And so, the very own Hot Wheels brand for Batman Begins bike has been created called Batcycle. This was in the year 2005. No Batcycle or Batpod were even seen in the first Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins movie. But cleverly, Mattel always has the right sense. Any vehicles or gadgets in Batman movies will always sell-able. Even the ones that are not in the movie like Batcycle. Check it out.

This Hot Wheels' Batman Begins series was first spotted in one of the toy shop in Singapore when i was there for holidays. When i first saw it, i was like 'I don't think there is batman's bike in the movie.' But if you are fans of Batman movies, you surely won't miss this one as well. But unfortunately, i missed out the bike and i did bought the batman's tumbler though. So, to have a closer look at the Batcycle as well as the batman figure itself. Check it out.

2005's BATMAN BEGINS - BATCYCLE (FLAT BLACK) - 1ST COLOR

Well, this is how close i can get on the net for you to see. For the bike itself, quite nice designed actually. But for the batman figure, it might need to do a little more improvement though. One thing nice about this bike besides the cool chrome+red engine with some blue weapons, there's a batman begins' logo at the rear side of the bike.

The 2nd body color version you may find it in 2005 Batman Begins Gotham City 5 Pack series. It is in METAFLAKE GREY body color.

There's also another version of the same batcycle but in a larger scale. Whether it is in 1:43 or 1:50 scale, i'm not so sure.

2005's BATMAN BEGINS: ARMORED SPEEDBIKE MOTO ARMADA

If you see at the back cover, there are 4 gadgets available in this series and almost similar to the 5 pack series except the Dodge Viper car model.

After the 1st batman movie (Batman Begins) came out in 2005 with a big success, all of the batman fans out there wish to see more and what's next for Christopher Nolan's plan for another go in the making of another batman movie or movies. Well, we all know in the ending scene of Batman Begins, where Gorgon hand out the joker card to Batman.

 Well, that's where THE DARK KNIGHT sequels started. The movie premiered on the 14th of July 2008. So Mattel has already making lots of toys for the Dark Knight movies and what we are review here is just the Bat-pod itself only. Now here a desperate scene shouted 'Where is the Bat-pod?' from my quote...imagine it with a Christian Bale's Batman voice. :)

There are some scale been produced - 1:64, 1:50, 1:18 scale and some unknown larger scale like this one:

This set is an TARGET EXCLUSIVE SET and it can fit an 6" Batman figure. For more details about this set, you can check it out here: REVIEW #1 & REVIEW #2.
For 1:64 scale model, it has packed with 2 models in a set. From Hot Wheels, its called the ACTION DUOS: BATMAN & THE JOKER.

Now, this is the very beginning of the new production with almost similar to the movie in 2008 and its a new casting in Hot Wheels line in the smallest scale in the world!

2008 1:64 scale BAT-POD

Even though it is not as detailed as the larger scales the ones Hot Wheels produced, it is still consider one of the finest you can get with a scale like this one. The body is made of diecast/metal material. With the tire track pattern similar to the movie version & the weapons at front, I say it is not bad at all! The only thing that not so satisfy is the front wheels holders which have double holders instead of one. This set also does not have the Batman figure.

The real 3D look at the movie version - BAT-POD

Next, in 2009, there are 2 version of the Bat-Pod in 1:50 scale being released by Hot Wheels. First one is the San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) exclusive set of Batman Tumbler & The Bat-Pod with special designed scene and a cool designed box as well.

The 2nd version is the standalone packaging with The Dark Knight logo printed on the carded version.

2009 1:50 SCALE - THE DARK KNIGHT BAT-POD

Before we moved on to look into the last trilogy of Christopher Nolan's batman movies, after so much reviews on the 2nd movie THE DARK KNIGHT, some are still confused to which one is the movie referring to is the real ONE - THE DARK KNIGHT. This is because the villain (i don't really refer him as the villain though) in the 2nd movie, The Joker, played by the late Heath Ledger is so powerful that i am so touched by his extraordinary performances and speechless to say which one is the actual The Dark Knight in the movie as his (Heath Ledger) played as The Joker really exceeded the performance compared to my still-the-hero Christian Bale as the Batman. The word IF is very powerful to used especially in this situation. IF Heath Ledger is still alive today, the third batman movie might not be the same again. Either way, i'm glad the movie (batman trilogy) make its marked. :) And one thing that i wanted to point out here is that the movie really teaches us one VERY IMPORTANT THING in life, is that when you do things, better do it yourself.

Now, let's get to the point here. In July 20th, 2012, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES has premiered in U.S. & worldwide. Hoping to see more of the Bat-pod, Hot Wheels has once again given the pleasure to San Diego Comic Con to have this exclusive 3-in-1 package of all 3 difference machines in 1:50 scale models from The Dark Knight Trilogy: The very first Batmobile Tumbler where actors Christian Bale & Morgan Freeman first test out in the science department scene in Batman Begins. The second is the Bat-pod used in The Dark Knight movie. The 3rd is the The Dark Knight Batman Tumbler in Black color.

Similar casting were found in the standalone packaging also in 1:50 scale.

Even though it is make of plastic for most of the parts, it still stands as one of the coolest Bat-pod ever produced by Hot Wheels. Check out for more details.

For those who already watched THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, i can imagine that most of us really fall in love even more with this one of the coolest bike in the world, one of them is me..hehe.. :) that not just Batman himself has the opportunity to ride the Bat-pod but also forced-to-allied-with-batman CATWOMEN herself has the pleasure too..

I have to admit though that for a much detailed scale that done the best looks is still the toy brand called Hot Toys in 1/6 scale. Check out the pose with the Bat-pod.

When i first saw the first scene with Anne Hathaway as Catwomen about to ride the Bat-pod, i feinted. I mean you don't see these scenes in any of the movie's history. It has more meaning to collect this bat-pod than ever! It all depends on ones budget though. Either you aim for a smaller size or the larger ones. In the same year (2012), Hot Wheels produced another Bat-pod in 1:64 scale. And this time it came with Batman figure.

Not much of the attention given to the collector for this series though because during this model came out, there are alot of new casting being produced by Hot Wheels in the mainline series and there are less advertisement and announcement being made for this model too. More details on the Bat-pod and very cool Batman figure as well. Before i get into that, Mattel also produced this Bat-Pod in 1:43 & 1:18 scale model in Hot Wheels Elite series in 2013 late this year.
2013 Hot Wheels Elite 1:43 Scale - Bat-Pod

Almost as same detailed as the 1:18 scale model. Here are a few looks at it.
2013 Hot Wheels Elite - 1:18 SCALE BAT-POD

Here another 2 versions with the movie box designed.

BUT, before you decide to buy on the larger scale. You might wanna take a look at the video for comparison between blue box movie version (Target exclusive version), 1:43 scale & 1:18 scale.

It may not be the best review or comparison but at least its the honesty that counts. In the video, it does not mean that the higher the price for a collection the better.

In 2013, there is also another version of the 1:64 scale model with same casting but different designed on the card.

And the weight for this model is 35 gram.

All parts of the body are made of diecast/metal material. The tires are made of plastic and has no track pattern. This casting is the newest edition compare to the one that came out in 2008. In 2013 Hot Wheels mainline, there is also has this model only without the batman figure.
2014 INTERNATIONAL LONG CARD, U.S. LONG CARD & INTERNATIONAL SHORT CARD EDITION

Well, there you have it, folks.
I hope you have all the information you need here and if you haven't decide it yet, that your time and do some research. In the end, you might find the right choice.
Its a collection not to be miss for sure. :)
Thank you for your visiting and your time. Take care guyz! :D