Batmobile Toy Car
Dublin Core
Title
Batmobile Toy Car
Subject
Batman
Description
The Batmobile toy car (EXEBD 68388; 1989) is based on the Batmobile from Tim Burton’s Batman (1989). It is one of the most iconic vehicles in cinematic history, and after years of development in the toy industry, it has consistently maintained its influence in the world of superhero toys. This one was manufactured in China and distributed by TM & DC COMICS after the original film Batman (1989) was released. This was the one from Toybiz company when they got the license from Warner Bro. The original toy came in a golden surface box with a striking Batman logo featuring a bold graphic of the vehicle from the film and conspicuously displaying the Batmobile.
The Batmobile toy car was accessioned by the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum as part of its collection in 2009. This toy car lacks the motor and the missile launcher on the right and shows wear to all surfaces, especially the base. The entire body of the toy car is covered in black plastic, with metal bearings under the base connecting the four wheels, each decorated with silver Batman symbols. Two 1989 versions of Batman symbols are also pinned on the flanks. Inside the cab, a decal of a control panel mirrors the design from the film. The internal joystick of gears and the steering wheel can be manipulated. Unfortunately, the trunk lid is missing.
This Batmobile toy car was based on Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), the design was led by Anton Furst, who played a significant role in shaping the overall aesthetics, which is a gothic-dark style of the film. This version of the Batmobile first appeared in Batman (1989) and returned in Batman Returns (1992). Furst described the Batmobile as ‘more like a knight in armour, an extension, an expression of Batman's costume - an intimidating, furious war machine’. (Lynn, 84). The Batmobile’s distinctive front turbine drew attention, and the entire design was inspired by a Chevrolet Impala with a V8 engine. Its arsenal included fuel and smoke dispensers two machine guns mounted on the front. (CE Noticias Financieras). Furst’s design combined sleek futuristic elements with gothic, almost medieval aesthetics, fitting perfectly into the dark, stylised world of Tim Burton’s Gotham City. It embodied both Burton’s concept and Batman’s characteristics, creating a unique brand identity. The combination of polished black surfaces, sharp lines, and mechanical elements conveyed Batman’s formidable persona, making the Batmobile a key character of the film.
This dark-themed Batman film has achieved good results, and with it, the sales of related movie merchandise have surged. Batman in 1989 grossed $251 million at the worldwide box office, and with the launch of a variety of products such as T-shirts, toys, and cereal, the licensed merchandise would further reach $500 million in retail sales in the following years. (Elliott, 25). Among them, toy manufacturers have especially benefited, as this brand is inherently well-suited to be turned into toys, such as Hot Wheels. Once upon a time, toy manufacturers made a fortune by creating traditional toys based on movie licenses. ‘As a die-cast metal toy, the Batmobile was special compared to the de rigueur Hot Wheels and Tonka trucks.’ (David, 6) Even as part of the Hot Wheels series, the Batmobile remained popular. However, simply replicating the film's figure was no longer enough to satisfy the growing demands of the younger generation for toy cars. Unlike the previous Batmobile toy, Toybiz’s production replicated the film's design while introducing more interactive features that engaged young fans. The toy was not a simple imitation of the Batman universe but a good attempt at the growing market demand for interactive toys by offering features such as missiles, replaceable figures, and a rotating turbine engine, all drawn directly from the film's imagery. Toybiz had an interesting version in that it is shaped more like a roadster with an open top, and there is no cockpit roof. And it is possibly the only 1989 Batmobile sold in toy stores that can seat two figures like it is supposed to. Besides, both rockets can fire, and the car makes "turbine" sounds when you roll it. ‘licensing's success is the continuing failure of traditional toys to excite buyers.’ (Pereira and Bannon, 1). Simply replicating the design of toys has become a thing of the past. However, Toybiz truly combines the creativity with the value of the Batman franchise, providing an opportunity for fans to drive the Batmobile and launch the missile.
The Batmobile toy car represented its quality as an attractive toy, as well as a progression of merchandising Batman film-related items. There is a strong foundation and a historical track record that could keep merchandise products and maintain the cultural influence and commercial competitiveness of Batman film-related production long after the Batman franchise existed. (Laura, 1). Batmobile set up criteria for the later toy manufacturers how to catch the curiosity of consumers, particularly among young generations and toy collectors. ‘The audience is everybody, but the engine that drives the charge are kids under 20.’ (Weinraub, 18). Toys are a medium for young people to achieve entertainment. Entertainment is the main function of toys. Toybiz, with its unique design and interactive experience, allows fans and collectors to recreate the plot in the same way as the movie, greatly enhancing its entertainment.
Furthermore, DC Comics, as the copyright holder of Batman and Batmobile, has depicted the Batmobile as a high-tech vehicle with a bat-like appearance. After decades of development, the Batmobile's appearance has changed. However, its core design and philosophy have never changed. In particular, the court determined that the Batmobile as a character is protected by U.S. copyright law and that the copyright owner has exclusive rights. Copyright law in the United States considers a Batmobile a copyrighted item, and any sale of a copy of the Batmobile would be infringing. This makes the Batmobile a separate spin-off from Batman, and even comic book characters are not protected by copyright law. The court considered that copyrights should not only apply to original characters but also protect unique designs included in the whole picture, such as the Batmobile. Copyright owners like DC Comics and Warner Bros will be glad for the decision as it clarifies the criteria for assessing whether a character or a car is protected by copyright.
The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum put this Batmobile toy car in its collection, physically preserved it, and gave fans a chance to connect with the artefact. Through the display that the museum offers, people can get a close feel of the characteristics of toy design in that era, as well as the great charm of the Batman franchise. Since the original 1989 toy has become very rare in the market today, Bill Douglas gave a fine place to preserve this Batmobile. Also, it is a physical carrier of the development history of Batman movies, through which people can study and analyse the aesthetic style of Tim Burton Batman and the unique charm of this franchise.
Works Cited
Batman (1989)
https://www.bdcmuseum.org.uk/explore/item/68388/
https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/handle/10472/4788?show=full
Geller, Lynn, and Anton Furst. “Anton Furst.” BOMB, no. 31, 1990, pp. 80–85. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40424786. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
"Full speed: Learn about the evolution of the Batmobile." CE Noticias Financieras, Sep 17, 2020. ProQuest, https://uoelibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/full-speed-learn-about-evolution-batmobile/docview/2444074229/se-2.
Menzies, David. "Superhero's wheels more than just a car Without the Batmobile, Batman is just a guy in Spandex: [Toronto Edition]." National Post, Mar 02, 2001, pp. E06. ProQuest, https://uoelibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/superheros-wheels-more-than-just-car-without/docview/329769817/se-2.
Joseph Pereira and Lisa Bannon. "Toy Makers' Addiction To Hollywood Figures Reshapes Kids' Play --- Licensed Characters Sell Big, And Studios Are Moving Into the Business, Too." Wall Street Journal, Jul 18, 1995, pp. 1. ProQuest, https://uoelibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/toy-makers-addiction-hollywood-figures-reshapes/docview/308234198/se-2.
Laura. L. "Can Bat-Movie Survive All the Bat-Items?" Wall Street Journal, Jun 13, 1989, pp. 1. ProQuest, https://uoelibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/can-bat-movie-survive-all-items/docview/398136751/se-2.
Weinraub, B. (1992) ‘Batman is Back, and the Money is Pouring In’, New York Times, 22 June, 13--- (1995) ‘And Now, Something for the Grown-ups’, New York Times, 14 May, 18-19
Elliott, S. (1992) ‘Batman Returns, but Brings Far Fewer T-Shirts,’ New York Times, June 9: 25-26 --- (1995) ‘Advertising,’ New York Times, September 22: 6
The Batmobile toy car was accessioned by the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum as part of its collection in 2009. This toy car lacks the motor and the missile launcher on the right and shows wear to all surfaces, especially the base. The entire body of the toy car is covered in black plastic, with metal bearings under the base connecting the four wheels, each decorated with silver Batman symbols. Two 1989 versions of Batman symbols are also pinned on the flanks. Inside the cab, a decal of a control panel mirrors the design from the film. The internal joystick of gears and the steering wheel can be manipulated. Unfortunately, the trunk lid is missing.
This Batmobile toy car was based on Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), the design was led by Anton Furst, who played a significant role in shaping the overall aesthetics, which is a gothic-dark style of the film. This version of the Batmobile first appeared in Batman (1989) and returned in Batman Returns (1992). Furst described the Batmobile as ‘more like a knight in armour, an extension, an expression of Batman's costume - an intimidating, furious war machine’. (Lynn, 84). The Batmobile’s distinctive front turbine drew attention, and the entire design was inspired by a Chevrolet Impala with a V8 engine. Its arsenal included fuel and smoke dispensers two machine guns mounted on the front. (CE Noticias Financieras). Furst’s design combined sleek futuristic elements with gothic, almost medieval aesthetics, fitting perfectly into the dark, stylised world of Tim Burton’s Gotham City. It embodied both Burton’s concept and Batman’s characteristics, creating a unique brand identity. The combination of polished black surfaces, sharp lines, and mechanical elements conveyed Batman’s formidable persona, making the Batmobile a key character of the film.
This dark-themed Batman film has achieved good results, and with it, the sales of related movie merchandise have surged. Batman in 1989 grossed $251 million at the worldwide box office, and with the launch of a variety of products such as T-shirts, toys, and cereal, the licensed merchandise would further reach $500 million in retail sales in the following years. (Elliott, 25). Among them, toy manufacturers have especially benefited, as this brand is inherently well-suited to be turned into toys, such as Hot Wheels. Once upon a time, toy manufacturers made a fortune by creating traditional toys based on movie licenses. ‘As a die-cast metal toy, the Batmobile was special compared to the de rigueur Hot Wheels and Tonka trucks.’ (David, 6) Even as part of the Hot Wheels series, the Batmobile remained popular. However, simply replicating the film's figure was no longer enough to satisfy the growing demands of the younger generation for toy cars. Unlike the previous Batmobile toy, Toybiz’s production replicated the film's design while introducing more interactive features that engaged young fans. The toy was not a simple imitation of the Batman universe but a good attempt at the growing market demand for interactive toys by offering features such as missiles, replaceable figures, and a rotating turbine engine, all drawn directly from the film's imagery. Toybiz had an interesting version in that it is shaped more like a roadster with an open top, and there is no cockpit roof. And it is possibly the only 1989 Batmobile sold in toy stores that can seat two figures like it is supposed to. Besides, both rockets can fire, and the car makes "turbine" sounds when you roll it. ‘licensing's success is the continuing failure of traditional toys to excite buyers.’ (Pereira and Bannon, 1). Simply replicating the design of toys has become a thing of the past. However, Toybiz truly combines the creativity with the value of the Batman franchise, providing an opportunity for fans to drive the Batmobile and launch the missile.
The Batmobile toy car represented its quality as an attractive toy, as well as a progression of merchandising Batman film-related items. There is a strong foundation and a historical track record that could keep merchandise products and maintain the cultural influence and commercial competitiveness of Batman film-related production long after the Batman franchise existed. (Laura, 1). Batmobile set up criteria for the later toy manufacturers how to catch the curiosity of consumers, particularly among young generations and toy collectors. ‘The audience is everybody, but the engine that drives the charge are kids under 20.’ (Weinraub, 18). Toys are a medium for young people to achieve entertainment. Entertainment is the main function of toys. Toybiz, with its unique design and interactive experience, allows fans and collectors to recreate the plot in the same way as the movie, greatly enhancing its entertainment.
Furthermore, DC Comics, as the copyright holder of Batman and Batmobile, has depicted the Batmobile as a high-tech vehicle with a bat-like appearance. After decades of development, the Batmobile's appearance has changed. However, its core design and philosophy have never changed. In particular, the court determined that the Batmobile as a character is protected by U.S. copyright law and that the copyright owner has exclusive rights. Copyright law in the United States considers a Batmobile a copyrighted item, and any sale of a copy of the Batmobile would be infringing. This makes the Batmobile a separate spin-off from Batman, and even comic book characters are not protected by copyright law. The court considered that copyrights should not only apply to original characters but also protect unique designs included in the whole picture, such as the Batmobile. Copyright owners like DC Comics and Warner Bros will be glad for the decision as it clarifies the criteria for assessing whether a character or a car is protected by copyright.
The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum put this Batmobile toy car in its collection, physically preserved it, and gave fans a chance to connect with the artefact. Through the display that the museum offers, people can get a close feel of the characteristics of toy design in that era, as well as the great charm of the Batman franchise. Since the original 1989 toy has become very rare in the market today, Bill Douglas gave a fine place to preserve this Batmobile. Also, it is a physical carrier of the development history of Batman movies, through which people can study and analyse the aesthetic style of Tim Burton Batman and the unique charm of this franchise.
Works Cited
Batman (1989)
https://www.bdcmuseum.org.uk/explore/item/68388/
https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/handle/10472/4788?show=full
Geller, Lynn, and Anton Furst. “Anton Furst.” BOMB, no. 31, 1990, pp. 80–85. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40424786. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
"Full speed: Learn about the evolution of the Batmobile." CE Noticias Financieras, Sep 17, 2020. ProQuest, https://uoelibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/full-speed-learn-about-evolution-batmobile/docview/2444074229/se-2.
Menzies, David. "Superhero's wheels more than just a car Without the Batmobile, Batman is just a guy in Spandex: [Toronto Edition]." National Post, Mar 02, 2001, pp. E06. ProQuest, https://uoelibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/superheros-wheels-more-than-just-car-without/docview/329769817/se-2.
Joseph Pereira and Lisa Bannon. "Toy Makers' Addiction To Hollywood Figures Reshapes Kids' Play --- Licensed Characters Sell Big, And Studios Are Moving Into the Business, Too." Wall Street Journal, Jul 18, 1995, pp. 1. ProQuest, https://uoelibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/toy-makers-addiction-hollywood-figures-reshapes/docview/308234198/se-2.
Laura. L. "Can Bat-Movie Survive All the Bat-Items?" Wall Street Journal, Jun 13, 1989, pp. 1. ProQuest, https://uoelibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/can-bat-movie-survive-all-items/docview/398136751/se-2.
Weinraub, B. (1992) ‘Batman is Back, and the Money is Pouring In’, New York Times, 22 June, 13--- (1995) ‘And Now, Something for the Grown-ups’, New York Times, 14 May, 18-19
Elliott, S. (1992) ‘Batman Returns, but Brings Far Fewer T-Shirts,’ New York Times, June 9: 25-26 --- (1995) ‘Advertising,’ New York Times, September 22: 6
Creator
TM & c DC COMICS INC Toybiz
Source
Batman (1989) film
Publisher
Warner Bros. and Toybiz
Date
1989
Contributor
DC Comics
Rights
TM & © DC Comics INC.1989
Relation
SPECTRUM
Format
Plastics
Language
English
Type
Toy
Identifier
BD068388
Coverage
Batman (1989), Batmobile, Toy, Warner Bros. Dc Comics
Files
Collection
Citation
TM & c DC COMICS INC Toybiz, “Batmobile Toy Car,” Archival Encounters: Digital Exhibitions form the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, accessed January 22, 2025, https://humanities-research.exeter.ac.uk/archivalencounters/items/show/60.