Reviewing Fanhome’s 1989 Batmobile 1:8 Scale Build-Up Subscription Stages 6-8
by Brendan M. Allen
The third package in my Fanhome 1989 Batmobile Build-Up subscription has arrived.* 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.
Let’s get into build stages 6-8:
Build Stage 6
This stage’s digital magazine (I’m still adjusting to this change) has an article on Vicki Vale, her introduction in the TV series Batman and Robin, and Kim Bassinger’s portrayal of the character in the 1989 film. It also does a fun infographic dive into the Batmobiles of the 50s and a detailed look at the late ’60s reinvention of Batman in comics with The Secret of Waiting Graves.
The build in this issue involves installing three more fans on the previously assembled shaft assembly, assembling a turbine housing to cover those fans. I am going to point out, again, that these fans are completely covered inside that housing. These are details that will never see the light of day. This is the level of detail that Fanhome and DeAgostini are notorious for. The builder knows there are fans in there. No one else ever will.
Build Stage 7
Stage seven’s digital magazine dives into the iconic soundtrack of the ’89 Batman film, which was scored by Burton’s associate Danny Elfman. Burton was also a huge Prince fan, and used The Purple One’s upbeat music to offset the dark, sinister setting of Gotham. Prince was initially unimpressed with the pitch, until he was shown storyboards and dailies from the film. As soon as his current tour wrapped up, he dove into creating enough music for the film that Warner Bros dropped two separate soundtrack albums for the film. One with Elfman’s score, and the other with Prince’s songs.
There’s also a piece on Batman #575’s new version of the Batmobile, which featured just about every tech upgrade you’d expect in the early aughts, and a piece about 1996’s Batman: The Long Halloween limited series.
The actual build stage requires assembling the Batmobile’s oil pump, oil pump support, and a couple of oil pump tubes. The oil pump and oil pump support were pretty easily assembled. Those oil pump hoses, however, are tiny. I have included a pic of these miniscule parts in my ham hand. This took some finagling, but I was finally able to get them connected without too much swearing.
Build Stage 8
The eighth digital magazine has a piece on Batman Returns, the 1992 sequel to Batman. Danny DeVito was brilliantly cast as Penguin, in a vile re-imagining of Burgess Meredith’s iconic role from the 60s TV show. DeVito dove feet first into the role, giving one of the most stomach-churning performances of the franchise. As if that weren’t enough, Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken brought their considerable skills to the Rogues Gallery as Catwoman and Max Shreck.
The comics feature covers The Court of Owls, and there’s a piece on the Batmobile from Batman: The Animated Series. Are you seeing a pattern? The magazines seem to be kicking off with a piece on the films, one on the comics, and one on an iconic Batmobile. It’s formulaic, but it works.
This installment’s build includes oil filter tubes, oil filters, oil filter caps, and … get ready for this … the engine exhaust front chamber lower housing. Pretty straightforward installation, but looking at where this is installed in the final product, this seems like another case of incredibly detailed parts that will be enclosed in the final build where they’ll never be seen. It’s interesting to know that all these bonkers little details exist that will ultimately be hidden away.
*Fanhome provides this subscription to me free of charge for the purposes of review.
