Brainbox

Once again... no. Frank Gorshin popped up on an episode of CSI shortly before he died. I don't know, it feels weird somehow to see the Batman actors elsewhere, they're just so ingrained as the characters. And that bit at the end when Batman discovers Miss Kitka is Catwoman, and that strange music plays as Batman stares away into the distance. "Holy Heartbreak Batman." Oh, and the other bit that springs to mind is when they're about to start the separation machine, Robin wonders if they should 'mess around a bit'. Batman admonishes him and says they shouldn't tamper with nature. Then when it happens accidentally due to (quite obviously) Batman's miscalculations it's a good thing and was Batman's great idea! And about the death thing. There were the five henchmen here, although it's debateable when they died or whether they're actually dead (Batman says they've left this reality), and two henchmen in the Zelda episodes who accidentally shoot each other... and Batman doesn't really care. There's also a fake Commissioner Gordon who falls off a brigde in the Bookworm episodes, but it's not stated whether he dies or not. I've heard a little about it yeah. Looks promising. If it's based somewhat on the original B&B, of which I've read a few, then it should be good. And of course it'll be heavily Batman-orientated. Not that I'll get to see it mind, it'll be on a channel I don't have. Especially as the more times you watch it, the more you notice stupid and silly things. There was a trophy shelf that cropped up in the background of the Batcave the other week, and I would have so loved to pause the DVD and see what was there. I spotted some of Egghead's eggs, Penguin's movie-producer megaphone and some of Archer's arrows though. I think I agree with you. I look forward to seeing the Iceberg Lounge though. On a related note, I took all the photographs for Bat-MOC 4 yesterday, so expect that to be up soon. I made a Bat-pod yesterday that I'm rather pleased with, so that went in as well. And yellow.

You know, I once stumped someone who said "But Lego's for kids" by saying "So who works for Lego them?" He never did come up with a good answer.

I mean, it's not perfect of course, but it's still pretty neat. It looks pretty good in low light, especially as it bathes the rest of the trailer in a warm glow. Oh of course. Doctor Inferno is better though. Spy-Clops is quite cool as well, especially with that Big Laser Gun of his. I just hope it doesn't start to rust.

Pretty cool. The level of accuracy definitely benefits from not being 'constrained' by minifig scale. The raise/lower bit is good, and there are some pretty creative techniques used there. But why do the new Batman designs have to be so hard to build? Actually, I think the rear wheel is attached on both sides. It's only the front that has one bar.

Perhaps you were right to send me to Arkham. Honestly though, they were just bits that were lying around on my desk.

We've not quite got there yet. This week is Catwoman Goes to College/Batman Displays His Knowledge, which means we're approaching the end of series 2. You know, I think that's the only time we see Penguin's hair across all three series. It really is as low-rent as you think. It makes sporadic appearances throughout series 2. There's once where Bruce Wayne allows his car to be stolen (they were in the car, it got hijacked by the villain's moll) leaving himself, Dick and Alfred stranded. But fear not, because he had the Batcycle follow them. Bruce and Dick (not in costume, but they're only a short distance from the Batcave) take the Batcycle, while Alfred uses his pedal bike Alf-cycle which was being carried in the Batcycle sidecar. Now, as if it's not bad enough that Bruce makes an old man ride a pedal bike rather than someone younger (say, Robin), he even gives him a push-off as he goes! Really? Excellent. I've taped them all while they've been on, so what I might do is go back and watch them all from the beginning and talk about them with you if you've seen it. If not, we'll move on. I've been walking round for weeks saying "Byat-man" and "seven handred haat boxes" Mad Hatter style! Seriously? Oh, I hope so. Sure it'll cost a fortune, and I may have taped them like I said, but I'd much rather have them on DVD. The 'real' reason for there being no DVD release varies wildly, from 'the companies can't resolve their differences' to 'DC editorial staff don't want a campy Batman out there on the market'. Quite high-tech then? Thing is, I'm not sure whether to make my card backdrops with grey cave-wall painting on them, then build bits of cave wall in front when it's needed, or paint a black background and do the same. I think black might give it more depth, and it would also work better in the vehicle exits. I think I may do...

Batman and Robin, plus four alternate suits each makes 10 in total. Plus Bruce Wayne and Nightwing makes 12. Assuming we get Batgirl, Alfred and Gordon as well, that makes 15. So three left to reveal then. 15 villains as well, so again three more to reveal. Maybe you did. Who knows...

I'm just a figment of the imagination, you see.

He does seem to be the guest villain who enjoys it the most. He seems to have real fun when he's playing the character, and of course he's the villain who did the most stories. I rather like Frank Gorshin as the Riddler as well, such a manic energy. I've really enjoyed watching all the episodes while they've been on here. There have been some really cringe-worthy moments, which are so awful but so funny. For example: Robin: Gosh Batman, weren't you worried? Batman: Not at all Robin. Haven't you noticed how we always escape from our foes elaborate death-traps. Robin: Isn't it because we're well-trained crimefighters? Batman: No Robin, I like to believe it's because our hearts are pure. But I think the best moment of the series has got to Batman and Alfred for "I'll give you a lift into town on the Alf-cycle, sir" from The Catwoman Goeth (part 2 after The Sandman Cometh). Seriously, it's so funny, try and find it. It's a real shame you've not seen most of them, I'd really like to talk about them with you. Ah... right. In that case, I may have to rebuild it using parts from the set. On a related note, I started work on my Batcave the other day. Obvioulsy, I've not got this years sets yet, but I built a few (somewhat crappy) mock-ups to check the space was right. I've planned out roughly where everything's going to go, and I've sort of done bits of it. I've found some good cardboard boxes as well, that I can use to make my backdrops. I think I've finished the water area though. I only hope it's as impressive as I imagine it as. Probably, yeah. I think I'm lazier than myself sometimes! I didn't so much jump as leap. I really wasn't expecting it! Oh, wouldn't that be nice. Not necessarily a Lambo, just something a little less tank-like. Or he could keep the Bat=pod, I wouldn't mind that either. Oh yes, of course. How could I forget? It gave it more of a feel closer to the comics in a way, with returning villains and such. The very fact that it is just a cameo makes it feel like the opening vignette of a new story arc, the way it's unconnected but actually ties in.

Bearing in mind of course that in the Indy game there was the librarian to buy characters from, while advice and hints were given by Henry Jones Sr. Just because Alfred gives the hints doesn't mean he won't be playable. It certainly makes sense to have him as a playable character. Maybe he could open doors and the like. Actually, I think it was subtley announced that he was in. I remember reading somewhere that his special move was to pour tea over the enemies. To do that, he must be playable.

Bought Agents sets Mission 1 and Mission 6 yesterday. Great sets, both of them. Plus Mission 6 had a randomly packed, loose, female Agents torso. As in, a spare.

Well if Indy hasn't been released on PC I don't know what I've been playing for the past few weeks! Making it very likely we might get him... Nah, Woolies is crap. It seemed to have every platform for the Indy game except PC. As does the new Argos catalogue. I got mine from GAME. Speaking of Argos, the release date for the Batman game is listed as 26th September.

Not too fussed on Cyclonus. But the sheer fact that they've named his Targetmaster partner correctly as Nightstick gets it a couple of extra points. To be honest, we should have expected something like this for the 25th anniversary. Hasbro could hardly let it go unnoticed now, could they?

Excuse me? I'll have you know I was a perfectly normal child, despite being English. Actually, yeah, we do that a bit. It's called 'harmless ribbing'.

Most off-shore oil platforms are in the ocen. Thus further illustrating my point. I did yesterday. Honestly, it's fantastic. The projector works rather well, dark blue is lovely as always, the mini-vehicles are really cool, and Dr Inferno is just . When I opened the box, a female Agents torso fell out, loose. I thought one of the number 1 bags might be open, so checked and couldn't find any tears. Turns out it was just a randomly packed spare. I also got Mission 1 at the same time, which is also pretty cool. Poor Saw Fist, having to drag his arm round on the floor. In related news, I finally photographed Break Jaw's miniboat for you Batbrick. I couldn't get the 'cool' angle quite right, partly as it was just a difficult angle to photograph, and partly as I couldn't remember what the angle was...

You won't believe this, but I've just come up with something. A few quick photos later (excuse the strange lighting, stranger colours and dust), and: Obviously you may need to change the wheel, and the bits on either side, but if you find ones that are quite tight on the bar, then the wheel should spin without the guns. It certainly does on this one. Actually, considering I came up with this in about 10 seconds, it's not half bad. I might use it... You should change your name. How about 'Fickle-brick'?

Well... I guess I've got the Bat-MOC Goody bag idea. It was just a way for me to clear a Batman MOCs and MODs back-log without creating lots of different threads. Who would have thought that it would lead to parts two and three, with number four on the way and similar thread from both Batbrick and The Penguin?

Man-Bat looks pretty neat. I think I would've preferred wings molded onto his arms, but I'll settle for this as it looks awesome. Of course, they're just reinfocing the 'Brainbox must buy' factor of this game by including Babs as a playable character.

I think that article may have been someone speculating after having seen that Killer Moth was in, and wondering what other surprise little-known characters could be in. Yes, I know you did. And like I said, he may not mention it here. I thought he did. It'll be in one of the clips somewhere no doubt. I thought the new Argos catalogue might have at least some of the Bat-sets in, but no. Not one. They have Mission 1 and Mission 6 though, so I might pick them up at the weekend. Doctor Cyborg? Hang on... why am I encouraging laziness and delinquency? Hang on... why are you still at school? Do you have a different holiday system to us? You know, because of the time difference, you posted this before I'd even set off. But I loved it. Honestly, it was the best film I've seen in ages. The make-up aside, the Joker was very true to the real character. Such a powerful character. Loved the bit where he said that he and Batman were "destined to do this forever". Two-Face looked fantasic, the scarring looked hideous. The dependancy on the coin was well done, and it was nice to see he didn't take a back seat to the Joker. He felt very much the main focus of the film. I hadn't realised the Bat-pod was the Tumbler eject system, that was really cool. Seriously, I almost cheered aloud when that happended, then realised where I was. The bit where Bats turned the Bat-pod round up the wall was impossibly cool. The Tumbler AI was strangley eloquent wasn't it? "Loiter", "intimidate" and "damage catastrophic" spring to mind... And of course Babs made an appearance, even if she didn't speak, wasn't named, didn't show her face and was pretty young. It was clearly her though. There were some nice comic tieins as well. Echoes of TLH were still being felt, as were bits of Year One. The bit where Bats saves Gordon's son for instance. Once again, the Bat-signal has been smashed up. The twist at the end was pretty neat too. Of course, now Gordon is commissioner, let's hope he doesn't turn into the buffoon of the 60s. In fact, I was half-expecting Chief O'Hara to pop up in the police parade. "Saints aloive." Also, the pencil trick got an unexpected laugh from everyone. Unexpected because it's quite sadistic. And the Joker dressed as a nurse bit? Pure Joker. "Slaughter is the best medicine." I so need to make a Bat-pod. I'm tempted to hold off until I get the Tumbler, then MOD it a bit smaller and put in a Bat-pod. My God! He's stuck in a time loop!

You're right, there really are some fantastic things coming out. I've still to see any of Animated (stupid digital-channel-broadcast-only), but some of the figures look great. Swoop looks nice, might have to get him (and Grimloock to boot), and I quite like the look of Swindle as well. Blurr doesn't look too bad either. Honestly, I was only planning on getting TFA Prowl, now look! Universe seems to be going from strength to strength. Ironhide, Sideswipe, Hound/Ravage and the first three Legends are must-haves, and I quite like Inferno as well. The Legends minibots, well, Brawn looks really neat. The others look okay, but I'm not sure really. Not too sure on 25th Cheetor though. The beast mode looks pretty accurate, but the robot's a bit... you know...

I definitely prefer the newer version. The first go had some pretty nice bits, and it's good to see that they're what's been carried through. The nose from above, like you say, is very accurate. Having done my own, I know it's difficult to get all the different smooth curves in, as there are an awful lot and it's hard to do that in Lego. But considering you wanted to do something from scratch rather than a MOD and especially without using the stickers, I think you've done a fantastic job. Thanks for the advertisement.

I think I might have to give in and get it this weekend along with Mission 6. I foolishly passed on a chance yesterday, and decided I'd wait until the weekend. I wish I hadn't...

Hmm, that's less than I thought it would be. Oh of course, the robot arms. They're usually quite strong where the clips are concerned. Good job though.

That's a good point actually. You remember I was talking about Bat-Mite... The pop-up hypnotism ray in his hat. He may not name it here, but that's what it's called. Not really. We only have the first two. There's no sign of three or four yet. On top of all that, there's only HMV that sells them. Not yet. I bet TRU has them, but I have to actually make a special trip there because of its relative location. I was going to get the chance to call in on Saturday, but that's not going to happen now. *cough*All of them*cough* Booked tickets for Monday night. Can't wait. Excellent. Next time I'm near one (another special trip ) I'll have a look. Thanks for the heads up.

Oh thanks. Way to make a guy feel better. In that case, have a nice holiday. They're not that bad really. You kind of get used to them after a while.