Monster Jam Batman (2010)

       

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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

 
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Other Batmobile Models
1960s TV Batmobile Batman Forever Batmobile

1950: Detective Comics #156
1987: Batman #408 interior
1990: Legends of the Dark Knight #5
1992: Batman Returns Batmissile
1939: Detective Comics #27
1980: Batman #330
2006: Legends of the Dark Knight #198
1989: Batman
1992: Batman the Animated Series
1944: Batman #25
2004: Teen Titans #9
1979: Legends of the Superheroes
1989: Detective Comics #597
1948: Batman #47
2015: Arkham Knight (Review)
1992: Batman:TAS (Review)
1992: Batman Returns (Review)
1977: Batman #288
1992: Batman Returns
1987: Batman #408 cover

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Hot Wheels 2010 Monster Jam Batman
Hot Wheels 2010 Monster Jam Batman packaging Hot Wheels 2010 Monster Jam Batman steering Hot Wheels 2010 Monster Jam Batman sponsor detail Hot Wheels 2010 Monster Jam Batman suspension Hot Wheels 2010 Monster Jam Batman tire detail Hot Wheels 2010 Monster Jam Batman engine

 
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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.

 

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