Reviewing Fanhome’s 1989 Batmobile 1:8 Scale Build-Up Subscription Stages 34-38

The ninth package in my Fanhome 1989 Batmobile 1:8 Scale Build-Up Subscription* has arrived. This absolute beast of a model will end up being 29.5” long, which is enormous in diecast terms. Just like in the 1989 Batman 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. 

So far, I have most of the pieces of the exterior front end. This batch of build stages focuses on the left side fender and weapons systems.

Let’s get into this build.

 

Stage 34

The featured vehicle in this stage’s literature is from the Batman: Arkham Asylum video game. The vehicle was designed by Carlos D’Anda, who pretty much made a composite of previous Batmobiles, leaning heavily into the 1989 film and the 1992 animated series designs.

As far as the 34th build stage, there are two parts to the left front rim and a few screws to hold them together. 

Stage 35

So far, if I haven’t been able to outright identify one of these vehicles, I have been able to narrow it down to one or two possibilities. This one has me completely stumped, so I am reliant on the info provided by Fanhome without any context or fun facts to add. It looks like a water bug. 

The article says it’s propelled by EMP, which sounds cool, but is way above my level of understanding. Something about spreading a magnetic field ahead of the vehicle with static generators and then riding that field with magnetic coil wheels. I don’t know. It might be just science-y sounding mumbo jumbo. I’m more upset that I don’t know this car. 

Also, for the record, I would like to point out that I work with one of the finest groups of assembled comics nerds on the planet, and no one knows this car, although our Editor-in-Chief Erik Amaya believes it may be a one-off Batwing from JLA Classified #1. (EiC note: and even that seems like a longshot when the two vehicles are viewed side-by-side.)

The build stage is a tricky one. The model’s wheels are rubber, and they aren’t much bigger than the rims. In order to squeeze the left front tire over the rim, I soaked it in very hot water for a minute or so before working it into place. 

Stage 36

The featured vehicle in this installment is the Subway Rocket. Now, this Batmobile, I know. Thank goodness. The Rocket made use of the abandoned subway tracks below Gotham City, and using jet propulsion, could reach speeds of 250 mph. This was Jean-Paul Valley’s preferred mode of transport during his Az-Bat tenure. 

For the build stage, I attached the left and right hinges to the rear hood. I would have called this piece the boot, but they’re saying rear hood, so that’s where we are.

Stage 37

Stage 37’s Batmobile is the futuristic design that Terry McGinnis drove in Batman Beyond. The new flying Batmobile was designed by an older, retired Bruce Wayne. First introduced in the Batman Beyond episode “Black Out,” it’s a radical departure from the classic Batmobiles. Previous incarnations usually featured some sort of bat livery, from the Batman symbol itself to cowl shaped cow-catchers and grills. This version had none of that, opting instead for sleek lines, sharp angles, and rounded sides. The interior’s red upholstery does call back to the color scheme of the Futura from the 1966 Batman TV show. 

The build stage requires installing a couple of mesh covers and hood grills on the rear hood.

Stage 38

I’m starting to get the feeling that some of these vehicles are either one-offs that appeared in a frame or two of a comic, or are amalgamated from several versions of vehicles across eras and runs. This motorcycle appears to be one of the latter. It features livery with ~1989 Bat-symbols, but is impossible to nail down as one specific Bat-cycle. 

The build stage is one that will not make much sense until down the line. They’re calling the big piece here a “Rear Turbine Left Inlet,” which connects to “Left Side Skirting Connector.” 

I now have most of the external parts of the front end, a couple tires, a jet engine, and a boot. I’m hoping I get to bolt the hood and fender pieces together in the next few stages. I know the front end is longer than the rear. This version of the Batmobile is similar to the Corvette C3 in that regard, with the driver seated just in front of the rear axle. It’ll still be a really cool milestone and will give more of an idea of the massive scale of the finished piece. Thirty inches is big. It’s a whole 5 year old. My Batmobile will be the size of a kindergartener. That’s hard to wrap your head around.

Fanhome’s 1989 Batmobile 1:8 Scale Build-Up Subscription is available for purchase at this link. 

 

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