Regrets...I Have A Few

At times I actually drive my super cool, yet non-geek wife crazy.

"Unbelievable!", you say. I know...right.

However, the fact is it is true. There are probably a few things that drive her crazy about me, but one thing for sure is the fact that I generally won't buy something unless I absolutely love it.

Star Trek: Into Day 16 and Another League Assignment

I am going to kill two birds with one stone with this post. To not only complete my Day 16 post for my 31 Days to a Better Toy Collection Challenge, but also to complete this weeks League of Extraordinary Bloggers assignment: Star Trek.

Day 15 of my Toy Collection project was not very productive and for good reason as my little apprentice had an earache and the cry for Daddy's help did not go unheard. Of course, her need of assistance was my only priority.

25th Anniversary Star Trek Tribbles by Starstruck 1991

I thought I would end the 45th Anniversary of Star Trek Week here at The Batcave Toy Room with an item I picked up at a Star Trek convention back in 1991. These little buggers appeared in the original series episode 'The Trouble with Tribbles'.

Here they come! Those cute furry little creatures have been transported from the future. The original Star Trek Tribbles finally come to Earth to celebrate Star Trek's 25th Silver Anniversary.

Starfleet Command has unanimously approved, due to numerous Earthen requests, the beaming down of Tribbles to our planet. Within the last 23 Earth years, there have been reports of unofficial Tribble sightings. Only genuine Tribbles will possess Starfleet Command certification for passage into Earth's atmosphere.

My Tribble seems hungry. I think I'll get him something to eat.

Classic Star Trek Classic Science Tricorder by Playmates 1994

If you were in Starfleet back in the days of Captain Kirk, you most like have been issued a Classic Phaser and a Classic Communicator, but if you're in the science or medical division, you are most likely issued a  Classic Tricoder as well.

Although, I feel this version of the Tricoder is molded in a child's size, it, like it's counterparts, is very well done. The Classic Science Tricoder features:

• Includes Three Classic Tricoder Sounds: Alpha Wave Scanning, Beta Scanning and Warning Alert!
• Light-up Viewscreen Display!
• Flashing Tricoder Indicators!
• One-Size Fits All Shoulder Strap!
• Bonus: Technical Blueprint Included!

The Classic Science Tricoder was a multipurpose scientific and technical instrument widely used throughout Starfleet, circa 2366. Earlier models of the field device were standard issue for Federation landing parties. Capable of scanning, computing, and recording several million bits of data at a time, the Classic Science Tricoder quickly became an indispensable tool for starship crews. Regarded as the first in a series of Tricoders, the Classic Science Tricoder is highly sought after by technical collectors of all generations.

Classic Star Trek Classic Communicator: Starfleet Standard Communication Device by Playmates 1994

Lock to my signal! One to beam up! Yesterday, we looked at the Classic Star Trek Classic Phaser and this time we look at its counterpart, the Classic Communicator.

I love this toy. Playmates did another superb job of re-creating the original. Especially, its chirp, when you flip up the metallized antenna grill. The Classic Communicator also featured:

• Includes Three Classic Communicator Sounds: Opening Activation Sound, Hailing and High Frequency!
• Working Signal Lights!
• Flip-Up Metallized Antenna Grill!
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity!
• Bonus: Technical Blueprint Included!

This is the first generation of subspace communication devices. The Communicator's compact and lightweight design along with its powerful range of 1200 kilometers made this communication device standard issue to all officers in Starfleet. This classic model was used for ground-to-orbit and global audio contact. Once aboard a Starship, the main computer handled all intership communications. Though this communicator was obsolete by 24th century standards, its simple design allowed for easy field maintenance and modifications. Of particular note are the manual dials which controlled emergency signals and frequency response of the communicator. These manual overrides were later replaced by an internal sub-matrix processor.

Classsic Star Trek Classic Phaser: Starfleet Standard Issue Sidearm by Playmates 1994

There's one. Set for stun! Oh, Wait. That's Star Wars. We're still on Star Trek week here. Although, with the release of the Star Wars movies on Blu-Ray we could do Star Wars week. Hmmmmm. Maybe next week. In the meantime, here's a look at the Playmates Classic Phaser.

For a toy, this thing could give any actual prop or replica a run for it's money. Playmates did an awesome job of recreating Starfleet's sidearms. This Phaser's features were:

• Light Up, Adjustable Beam Emitter!
• Two Classic Phaser Sounds: Stun & Higher Setting (They meant kill, must have been a misprint)!
• Certificate of Authenticity!
• Bonus: Technical Blueprint Included! 

The Classic Phaser configuration consists of Type I Phaser interlocked with a Type II Phaser body. The two Phasers combine to create a powerful defensive weapon with minimal phase degradation. The Classic Phaser was standard issue to all officers in Starfleet. Designed around Federation's policy of creating weapons for defensive purposes, the Classic Phaser is a prime example of early Starfleet innovation. The Classic Phaser's simple yet highly effective design made it one of the most reliable weapons of its time. Highly powerful with adjustable settings, the Classic Phaser was the paradigm for early portable defensive side arms.

Star Trek: First Contact Strafleet Travel Set by Cosrich 1998

Not necessarily a toy set, but a Star Trek Collectible nonetheless. I think this Starfleet Travel Set was given to me as gift for a birthday or Christmas, not sure which. In a way, this is very reminiscent of the vintage Star Wars soap series.

The travel set came complete with the ever fragrant Captain's Cologne, soap, and wallet. If  that Captain's Cologne is standard Starfleet issue I am sure that's how Kirk and Picard got the ladies.

The back of the package says it all: Be prepared to face the unexpected with the Starfleet Travel Set. This set is an essential part of anyone's Starfleet Gear-Cadet or Captain. You will fear nothing on your next intergalactic adventure with your new Starfleet Travel Set from Cosrich. These products have been safety tested and are non-toxic.

Why do I feel like taking a bath?

Vintage Klingon Action Figure by Mego 1975-1977, 1979

Klingon's are not only the Federation of Planets number one nemesis, but Captain Kirks as well. It's no wonder why Mego added the Klingon to it's highly detailed Star Trek 8" action figure line.

Due to budget constraints Klingons from the Star Trek TV series were not as detailed make up wise as they would later be seen in the Star Trek movies and future TV series in the franchise. This sculpt was most likely based on Captain Koloth, who appeared in the episode "The Trouble with Tribbles."

Klingon came in a Maroon leather tunic and brown body suit. The same federation style phaser and communicator like the other figures in the line complete the figure, but molded in Klingon red instead of blue.

Above is the back of the blister card for this figure and is also seen on the back of Vintage Mego Captain Kirk, Vintage Mego Mr. Spock and all other figures in the line. You can see the bridge of the Enterprise playset and a pair of communicator walkie talkies.  I picked up this figure in the late 80's at what was at the time my favorite comic and vintage toy store, Triple J's. The owner, Joseph John Jones, was the coolest guy and had an awesome shop full of vintage toys. He actually had 3 stores at the time of his passing from a fatal heart attack. He was only in his early 40's. Here's to an amazing guy and his dream come true store. I still remember a kid walking out of the store saying, "This place is a rip-off." Forgive him as he knew not the price of childhood memories. Bet you wish you bought that vintage Batmobile you wanted back then, don't you kid?

Vintage Mr. Spock Action Figure by Mego 1975-1977, 1979

Behind every great captain is a fascinating first officer. That of course would be Mr. Spock. Mr. Spock was the second in command aboard The U.S.S. Enterprise and the only character to survive the first pilot made for the original Star Trek TV series. Here we see him a part of Mego's highly detailed Star Trek 8" action figure line that was based on the series that ran from 1966-1969.

Mego did a pretty nice sculpt of Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played the Vulcan science officer, although, the sculpt seems closer to his likeness in the Star Trek animated series that ran from 1973-1974. Actually, to me he looks a lot like Zacahry Quinto, Sylar from Heroes and who is currently playing Spock in J.J. Abrams current Star Trek films.

Like other starship Enterprise crew members, Spock wears a blue tunic with two gold rank stripes, black cuffed trousers, and comes with not only a communicator and phaser, but a tri-corder as well. All three are molded in blue. The only difference between the Mr. Spock figure and Dr. McCoy (Bones) action figure is the head sculpt.

Above you can see the figures in the action figure line. Sulu and Chekov had been designed by Mego, but were never produced. Like my vintage Mego Captain Kirk, I picked this action figure in the mid-eighties, when a case of mint Star Trek figures were found in a Canadian warehouse.

Vintage Captain Kirk by Mego 1975-1977, 1979

The first toy up for the 45th Anniversary of Star Trek Week at The Batcave Toy Room is none other than Captain Kirk. Captain James T(ibereus) Kirk to be exact. Kirk was part of Mego's highly detailed 8" inch action figure line and based on the original Star Trek TV series.

The likeness of actor William Shatner is dead on. Mego's sculptors did an awesome job getting the look right for this action figure. Mego could do an awesome job when they wanted too.

Kirk is uniformed in his traditional command yellow tunic with Federation insignia and comes complete with phaser and communicator molded in blue.

Capt. Kirk was released twice originally from 1975-1977 and then again in 1979 for Star Trek: The Motion Picture. I had picked mine up in the 80's, when cases of mint figures were found in a warehouse in Canada. Intergalactic Trading Company had acquired the cases and I was fortunate to get one. I wish there were acrylic cases back then as my Kirk has a creased blister card. I didn't get it that way, but it wasn't packed properly during a move. As most of you know I am a Star Wars collector, but when the chance came to get this baby mint I jumped at. Overall, I am glad to have this well done figure in my collection.

Check out he Mego Star Trek action figure commercial below:

Star Trek Toys Week at The Batcave Toy Room

Toys: the final frontier. These are the collectibles of The Batcave Toy Room. It's on going mission: to explore vintage toys, comic books, cosplay, and the movies and TV series that inspired by them, to boldly go where no toy blog has gone before.

This week marks the 45th anniversary of the Star Trek TV series that first aired on September 8, 1966. So, I thought I would showcase some of my Star Trek related toys this week. I am so much more a Star Wars fan, but I do enjoy an occasional Star Trek episode every once in a while and a good even numbered movie. Be sure to stop by daily this week for your Star Trek toy fix.

Will Batman Go the Way of Wonder Woman and The Hulk?

With both The Hulk and Wonder Woman having TV pilots in the works, what will happen to The Dark Knight after the upcoming third Batman film? The next Batman movie: The Dark Knight Rises will undoubtedly be the last film in the series that Christopher Nolan will direct. This will probably also mean that Christian Bale will hang up the cowl as well.  So what will become of The Caped Crusader after 2012?

Rumor has it hat Warner Bros. wants to bring Batman back to the small screen just as Smallville is coming to a close and a new Superman film is in the works with Christopher Nolan producing. It's interesting to see things come full circle in a way. Originally, the producers of Smallville wanted to do Gotham and do a story about a young Bruce Wayne.  The story was changed to base the story on a young Clark Kent after Warner Bros wanted to re-boot the Batman film series. Holy flip flops!

Word is Karl Urban is being looked at to play Bruce Wayne. I thought Urban was great as Dr. McCoy in the new J.J. Abrams Star Trek film, but I am not sure I am sold on this. I think this is more like a case of "Dammit, Jim. I am a doctor, not crime fighter."

What do you think of Batman continuing as a TV series rather than a movie series? 

Star Trek vs Batman: Holy What Could Have Been!

If you haven't seen this fan film based on the TV series Batman and Star Trek you need to watch it below. The film was produced by Rasco Films. They certainly didn't have the biggest budget, but these guys are true fans of both shows to get it down pat. If NBC had actually picked up Batman for a fourth season this may have well been an actual episode.













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Batman: Dead End Joker's Body Found Dead

I think Bat-Fans would agree that one of the coolest Bat Films is Sandy Collora's Batman: Dead End. What most people might not know is the actor who played the Joker in the film was Andrew Koenig.

Andrew Koenig is probably best known as "Boner" from Growing pains. Andrew is also the son Star Trek alumni, Walter Koenig, who played Chekov in the TV series and the first seven movies.

Andrew went missing on February 14 after he missed boarding a flight to Los Angeles from Vancouver. Sadly, he was found dead in Stanley Park this morning from an apparent suicide.

If you never saw Andrew's performance as the Joker or didn't know it was him playing the part, check it out below.



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