Made By:
Mattel
Scale:
1/24
MSRP:
US$9.99
Overview: | |
---|---|
Packaging (Design): | 8/10 |
Packaging (Durability): | 9/10 |
Casting (Body): | 9/10 |
Casting (Interior): | 7/10 |
Casting (Chassis): | 7/10 |
Casting (Engine): | 7/10 |
Paint (Exterior): | 9/10 |
Paint (Interior): | N/A |
Paint (Trim/Graphics): | 7/10 |
Overall Panel Fit: | 10/10 |
Total Score: | 8.3/10 |
Other Batmobile Models
1995: Batman Forever
1995: Batman & Robin
2006: Batman: Man-Bat
2017: The LEGO Batman Movie (v2)
1979: Legends of the Superheroes
2005: Detective Comics #800
1992: Batman Returns (Review)
1972: Batman #246
1992: Batman:TAS (Review)
1964: Batman #164
1992: Batman the Animated Series
1989: Detective Comics #597
1944: Batman #20
2004: Teen Titans #9
1939: Detective Comics #27
1992: Batman Returns Batmissile
1987: Batman #408 cover
1948: Batman #47
1972: Detective Comics #420
Other Racing Vehicle Models
Cyber Formula Stealth Jaguar (Review)
Cyber Formula Experion Z/A-8 (Review)
Pro Street Taxi
‘15 Rev Racing #4 Camry
Transformers Jazz
Stroker Ace Chicken Pit Special
‘19 Monster/Napa #19 Camry (Review)
Speedway Dodge Charger
Cars Lightning McQueen
Red Line 7000 Ford Galaxie
‘18 VegaStrong.com #20 Camry (Review)
Speed Racer F1 Mach 5
Dark of the Moon Leadfoot
Ford v Ferrari GT40
Monster Jam Batman (04) (Mattel)
Cyber Formula Fire Superion (Review)
Cars 3 Cruz Ramirez
The Circuit Wolf Lotus Europa
Blonde Comet Open Wheel Racer
NOTE: This is a modified reissue of an existing model, and this review will focus on the changes made between the cars. You can see the original review for more details.
Background
2010 would be John Seasock's final year driving Batman, as he moved to the Advanced Auto Parts team to drive Grinder. The truck sported the new chassis and updated paint scheme it received in 2009, and would continue to run this configuration for the next two years.
Packaging
2009 was a transition year for Hot Wheels' Monster Jam series, and Batman received no update for the year. But 2010 saw the debut of an all-new package for the truck, now in a large plastic box that completely covered the vehicle. Inside the box is a folded cardboard base with holes for the tires and a vertical backdrop that slots into the base, and a small plastic tray that surrounds and protects the fin tips. The base is printed with dirt and tire tracks under the truck, and a red bottom that wraps around the sides of the base. The front panel rises above the main platform at an angle with black stripes, the Bat symbol, and a photo of the truck in action. The back panel is mostly blue, with the Hot Wheels logo in the top left corner and Monster Jam logo in the top right corner. The back of the panel has co-sells for other trucks in the series and requisite legal information. The new packaging protects the vehicle a lot better, plus it's easier to remove and replace it since the only thing holding it closed is three pieces of tape.
Casting/Paint
Like the full-sized truck, this has an all-new chassis. The design is quite a bit simpler, without the working springs and separate shock absorbers of the previous release, and parts like the steering arms and suspension arms cast in a more rugged but less realistic style. The engine has been similarly updated, without the separate belt, headers, and other parts. The net result doesn't look as nice, especially with the lighter gray chassis and chrome engine, which makes everything stand out a bit more.
On the plus side, the new wheels and tires look fantastic. The tires are slightly smaller than the previous style, but have a near-perfect shape and are on much more proportional wheels.
The body uses the same casting as before, but looks better with a gloss black finish, smoke tinted windows, and printed graphics. There is a bit of orange peel in the gloss black, especially on the sides, but any detriment here is more than offset by the cleaner look of the tampos. Not only does the new process eliminate the visible edges and solve the lifting problem, it ensures that the graphics are all applied straight. These new graphics include bat symbols on the nose, sides, and roof, Hot Wheels and US Hot Rod Association logos on the rear fender bulge, and an updated "2 Time Monster Jam World Finals Racing Champion" banner between the silver ribs on the roof.
Features/Accessories
The working springs have been dropped with the new chassis, but the tilt steering still works as before. If anything, it feels even better than before, with the axles socking solidly into the "turn" positions and holding until the truck is lifted or tipped the other direction.
Accuracy
Most of the new parts improve the accuracy of the truck dramatically: the new tires, the smoke tint glass, and the gloss finish all make this look much more like the prototype. The wings remain unchanged, and thus still longer than they should be, and they remain solid black despite the 1:1 truck finally catching up to the earlier diecasts with silver stripes lining them.
Overall
While I personally preferred the look of the older chassis, everything else is such an improvement that it more than makes up the difference. If you're only just getting into collecting these trucks, and aren't dead-set on one particular year, the 2010+ trucks are the ones to get.
Send me an e-mail with your thoughts!