To commemorate Batman's 80th birthday, and to mark the 30th anniversary release of Tim Burton's "Batman", DC and WB are relaunching the blockbuster and its sequels to theaters.
Tim Burton's pop-sensation, starring Michael Keaton in the eponymous role, hits theaters for a May 4 in a one-night-only event.
This is followed by Burton's "Batman Returns" (again with Keaton) on May 6, followed by Joel Schumacher's "Batman Forever" (with Val Kilmer in the lead, accompanied by Chris O'Donnell as Robin) on May 12 and "Batman and Robin" (with George Clooney and O'Donnell") on May 14.
The latter, which dared to recapture the panache of "Batman '66", was a polarizing entry, but its controversy led to Christopher Nolan/Christian Bale's acclaimed "Dark Knight" trilogy: nothin' to sneeze at.
Revisit the Caped Crusader quartet this month: one of the most influential superhero stretches in cinema history. (Disc re-releases of all four films are also available for consumption.)
Before becoming the main villain in "RoboCop '14" and the upcoming "Spider-man: Homecoming", as well as scrutinizing himself in the Oscar-winning "Birdman", Michael Keaton began a new phase of Batmania in Tim Burton's 1989 Caped Crusader blockbuster and further cemented it in the 1991 sequel.
Acclaimed artist, Gary Shipman, has fashioned two, terrific 11" x 17" tributes to Keaton's incarnation, which I've added to my collection.
Each signed print is imposing, with the first depicting a stationary pose: the background exuding an earth-toned texture, which enriches the character's contemplative stance.
The second has a more flowing feel, thanks to an aimed arm and angled cape. The backdrop creates a starry, soothing sensation, which also conveys an underlying, dark determination.
I'm not sure yet which of the two images I favor more, so I'll cop-out and say it's a tie.
Shipman has a real knack for capturing Batman's essence, in any number of his manifestations, so if you're a Caped Crusader fan (or fancy superheroes in general), you're destined to appreciate the artist's expansive gallery at...
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=gary+shipman&order=most_relevant&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US.
AMT has reissued one of its most popular entries: the Batwing from Tim Burton's '89 "Batman" film adaptation, starring Michael Keaton.
The stylish plane figured greatly into the blockbuster, particularly in the classic scene where it ascends before the moon to make an inadvertent Bat Signal.
The finely detailed kit is an impressive 14" x 10" x 2.5" and features a Keaton Caped Crusader in its cockpit. It also contains a handy base and atmospheric backdrop for display purposes. (The redesigned box artwork is also pleasing.)
The kit, which I picked up at trusty Z&Z Hobbies, is a swell way to commemorate Batmania, which never really faded from the '60s, though the Burton/Keaton incarnation certainly swung the fervor toward yet another eager, pop-cultural spurt, which in turn led to other eager phases over the decades.
The Batwing reissue, which goes for about $25-$30 through most retailers, is rumored to be selling fast, so grab one while they last.
