Hot Wheels has been cranking out Batmobiles for the last couple of years, but until now they were all based on TV or movie Batmobiles. But starting with the first wave of their 1/50 scale Batmobile line, they have expanded the range to include a comic book car.
Packaging
The 1/50 Bat-vehicle series are all packaged on similar blister cards, about 7.25" (18.5cm) high and 5.25" (13.5cm) wide, with a 2" (5.5cm) deep blister. Although the cards are constructed the same way, they are all unique to the vehilce inside. For this car, the Batman logo is a modern design with the block letters we are used to seeing on merchandise. "Comic Book Batmobile" is written across the front of the tray in the bottom of the blister. The card back has a general blurb about the line, a stylized photo of the replica, and a second blurb specific to this car:
"When the Batmobile was fist introduced in Detective Comics fans were instantly captivated with what would become Batman's best known weapon. Hot Wheels offers our interpretation of the Detective Comics Batmobile."
The rest of the cars from this wave are printed near the bottom (this wave features the Dark Knight Tumbler, the BTAS car, this car, the TV car, and the TV Batcycle).
Casting/Paint
Some fans were nervous that the 1/50 scale (as opposed to the larger 1/43) would mean that these vehicles would have reduced detail and overall more "toylike" appearances. Fortunately, Mattel proved that they could produce the quality fans wanted to see. The casting is outstanding, with absolutely no defects anywhere in the metal body. The chassis and center fin are plastic, and other than a slight gloss shift they fit with the metal body very well. The grille, wheels, and rear fascia are chrome plated plastic, and all look excellent as well. Tires are low-profile rubber, and wider in the back. The windows are cast in translucent blue, and a detailed interior can just barely be seen through the plastic.
Paint is equally well done: the main body is a smooth gloss black, with even coverage and absolutely no drips, runs, dust, or other blemishes. The headlights, driving lights, taillights, taillight bezels, and jet nozzle are painted cleanly with no registration issues or ghosting. The edges are nice and sharp all around. The chassis is also detailed, with a turbine-based drive train painted silver against the black pan.
Features/Accessories
There are no opening panels or special features, but the wheels all spin freely and the car rolls easily.
Accuracy
Hot Wheels states right up front that this is their interpretation of the Batmobile, so as long as it fits the "Batman" theme, it succeeds. And that it does, with flying colors. It's likely this design was based on the Batmobile Jim Lee drew in the first issues of All-Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder. Both cars have similar headlight assemblies, similar side vents, and similar rear fascias. But many details are also quite different - such as he shape of the roof, rear fender fins, and grille - making this a truly unique design.
Overall
When Corgi stopped producing their 1/43 Batmobiles, many Batman fans were disappointed because there were still so many variations yet to be produced. Fortunately, Mattel has stepped up and produced a line that not only matches but in many ways surpasses the Corgi line (sorry, Corgi - I never could get used to the Batman reliefs on the car chassis). The detail on Hot Wheels' car is sharp and well-defined, the paint is applied flawlessly, and the finished car is a very well done piece that deserves a place in any Batman collector's collection. Highly recommended.
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