Reviewing Fanhome’s ‘1989 Batmobile’ Build-Up Subscription Stages 1-2

The first package in my Fanhome 1989 Batmobile Build-Up subscription has arrived.* I’ve been waiting for this one since it was announced just ahead of New York Comic Con 2025. This 1:8 scale model meticulously recreates the iconic vehicle from Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film with all the sleek styling and high tech gadgets that make it Batman’s ultimate crime fighting tool.

The finished model will clock in at an incredible 29.5” long, consisting of diecast metal and ABS components. Just like in the film, it will have retractable side wings and roof canopy, a functioning front turbine, a realistic dashboard, rotating wheels, and an opening trunk. There will also be retractable machine guns, a disc launcher, and a grapnel. A remote control will trigger LED lighting and sound effects. 

Each build stage comes with an informational PDF that dives into the secrets behind the Tim Burton, Joel Shumacher, and Christopher Nolan Batman films, the legacy of Batman from Detective Comics through the 60s TV series to the big screen, and the Dark Knight’s comics keys.

A special Premium Offer gives subscribers the option to receive a display case, an elegant, lightweight and essential accessory that dramatically illuminates the completed Batmobile while protecting it from dirt and dust.

Subscribers to Fanhome’s ‘89 Batmobile build-up model will also receive exclusive gifts at various stages during the build including a detailed, 1:43 scale die-cast miniature of the Batmobile, perfect for a desktop or compact space, a trio of large (12×16 inches) full-color, frameable posters featuring the Batman movie logo, the Batmobile and the superhero in action, along with a logo-emblazoned baseball cap, ceramic mug, and a Batman movie metal license plate replica.

Let’s get into the first two build stages.

Build Stage 1

The first thing I noticed when opening this package was the lack of paper magazines. These have been physical printed goods for my previous subscriptions (E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, which is now finished, and 1:2 scale Darth Vader, which is still in progress). I contacted Fanhome about the missing pamphlets to be informed that they are testing paperless PDF booklets with this subscription.

I am not a fan of this change, but I also was not a fan of review PDFs for comics when physical floppies were no longer being sent. I got used to that change, so I suppose I could get used to this one as well. I don’t know whether the switch is an effort to keep production costs down in response to tariffs or environmentally motivated, but I suspect it’s a little of each. This is also a late decision, as the press releases mention slip cases to store the magazine collection. 

Also, these pages were clearly designed to be printed. The files are in double page spread format, with wide gutters for staple binding.** I tried reading the build instructions off my phone, and then my tablet. It was awkward, so I ended up printing those few pages out of both online booklets to use as reference.

The first article in the first PDF covers the conceptual origin of the 1989 film in 1978 as an answer to Superman and how it took more than a decade to come together. There’s a cutaway diagram of the Batmobile that shows all its features and gadgets, a piece on darker, more adult oriented themes in 80s superhero comics, and one on Batman’s first appearance back in Detective Comics #27 (1939)

The first build stage is the ’89 Batmobile’s hood and iconic turbine. Nothing terribly difficult in this stage, but I’ll note that this one finished piece is massive. It clocks in at just a hair under 14”. For scale, I’ll include the diagram showing how this piece fits into the finished build. 

Build Stage 2

Stage two’s PDF has a piece on Burton’s process, more cutaway diagrams showing hidden goodies on the Batmobile, an article on the launch of Batman’s eponymous solo series in 1940, and two pages in 2002’s comic book arc Hush. 

The second build stage requires mounting a tire onto one of the vehicle’s rims. This requires soaking the tire in hot water to make it more flexible and a lot of pushing, pulling, and wiggling. 

After assembling these first couple stages, I am struck not just by how big this thing will be, but also how sturdily it’s built. The majority of the pieces are diecast, and in the places where plastic and rubber are used, those aren’t flimsy or fragile pieces either. The mounted tire weighs 10 oz, which is about the same as two hockey pucks or 12 AA batteries. That’s pretty hefty for a single tire. So far, every bit of this build holds up to my previous experiences with Fanhome’s quality standards and attention to detail. I do miss those magazines, though.

Pre-orders for the Fanhome 1:8 scale 1989 Batmobile are open now at this link.

*Fanhome provides this subscription to me free of charge for the purposes of review.

**The gutter is a space between two facing pages of a magazine where they are bound together. Proper gutter width ensures that content is not lost or obscured when the pages are bound.