Toy Chest Theater: Kevin Conroy Tribute by kneelbeforezod

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

I’m normally not a huge fan of toy photographers processing grief or sorrow at someone passing away via their work. Simply put: It often comes off tacky to me. For instance, we saw a lot of that when Stan Lee died.

But once in awhile, you get a shot like this one. On paper, the idea of various versions of Batman saying goodbye to the Kevin Conroy animated Batman as he journeys into heaven sounds like a recipe for a tacky, tone-deaf disaster. But kneelbeforezod (who has appeared in this space with Batman before) managed to do it in a classy way. Not to mention visually appealing, with the contrast between the darkness of the cave and the brightness of the heavenly clouds.

Having the Adam West Batman in the background with the ’66 Batmobile is a great little touch too. It provides a nice sense that the Conroy Batman isn’t going to be alone on his next great adventure…

Kevin Conroy Batman tribute, kneelbeforezod

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Toy Chest Theater: Batman ’66 by Fachro

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

I’ve been saving this one for a special occasion. Batman Day seems appropriate, no?

I love this shot from Fachro because it feels like something that could actually happen on the old Adam West Batman show. Plus, if there’s one person who could catch a damn shark with a fishing line, it’s Batman.

Kudos to Fachro for putting the Joker in the background. It makes things a little more interesting, and adds an element of story to the proceedings.

Batman 66, shark, Fachro

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Toy Chest Theater: Batman in Trouble

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

I love me a good classic cover homage. And as we prepare for Batman Day this weekend, @kneelbeforezod brings us his homage to one of the great covers featuring the Dark Knight (shown below right). Though oddly enough, it’s actually the cover to a Wonder Woman book…

Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia sees the Amazon Princess honor-bound to protect a killer, which brings her into direct conflict with Batman. Thus, the classic cover by J.G. Jones (shown above left). A cover that, fittingly, was just hat-tipped by Yanick Paquette for Wonder Woman #790 (shown below left).

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

Toy Chest Theater: Batman with a Gun

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

In theory, I should hate this image. For me, the whole Batman-with-a-gun thing is supremely played out. So much so that I typically roll my eyes when I see it. I also found the brown duster from Batman v Superman to be, like a lot of things in that movie, very stupid.

But for some intangible reason, this shot from Indonesian photographer Riza Nugraha works for me.

Actually, it might not be one reason, but a bunch of them. When combined, the goggles, scarf, duster, gun, and belt give me a Jason Todd/Red Hood vibe. I’m sure the faded, sort of rusty red hue helps in that respect. Somehow, I’m reminded of Assassin’s Creed. Which doesn’t really make sense, as I’ve never played a single one of those games.

I also appreciate the background. Instead of putting the character in the desert, Nugraha put him in some kind of wooded environment. Based on the coloring and the haze, it seems like a fire of some kind has just taken place. Perhaps it’s even post-apocalyptic.

I’ve previously said that in my opinion, the best action figure photography allows you to forget you’re looking at plastic toys. Perhaps I should change it to, “The best action figure photography stimulates your imagination and creativity allowing you to forget you’re looking at plastic toys.”

Follow Primary Ignition on Twitter, or email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com.