The year was 1992. Hulk Hogan had left the WWF for the first time, Robin Williams delighted us as the voice of Aladdin’s Genie, and McDonalds was having a huge promotion based around Batman’s first sequel, Batman Returns. While it seems strange for a kid’s restaurant to base a promotion around a PG-13 movie, I’m not about to question Ronald McDonald’s judgment. After all, these were some great toys, right up there with the likes of the Spiderman ones from a few years later.

In addition, the stores themselves were transformed as well, making one feel like we had just stepped into the pages of the DC Comic. Tray liner and fry containers took a more Dark Knight look, featuring various characters. Sadly, Christopher Walken was not one of them. As well, six cups were made, with various scenes from the movie on them, for those brave enough to tackle an entire Big Mac Value Meal.

The toys themselves were available for an additional fee, with the purchase of any major Sandwiches. Fillet-O-Fish lovers would just have to trade up and buy a Quarter Pounder.

The Batmobile toy was a great representation of the fabled vehicle. The icing on the cake, or Batcake, was the fact that with just the push of the button, the Batmissile would break away from the Mobile and dash towards danger. Mind you, the missile still wouldn’t fit through the narrow alley like in the movie, but c’mon, its the Batmobile, so it rules by default.

Batman makes another appearance here in a representation of the Batskiboat. You’d simply push down on Batman’s cowl, and the Batskiboat races towards Penguin’s hideout. Here’s a question though, how did Batman get this massive vehicle down into the sewers anyway? Anyway, with Batman using his creative control to get two out of the four vehicles, the public was robbed of vehicles based on other characters from the movie. Rumors started on this website state that proposed vehicles included a Red Triangle Circus Gang Train, Alfred Vacuum, or Max Schreck...ummm...Limo? I’ve got nothing.

The Penguin traded in his Rubber Ducky vehicle for this, uh, whatever it is. The vehicle did take elements from Penguin’s personality with the spinning umbrella, guaranteed to give to a splitting headache. It almost looks like a type of bumper car, complete with "Penguin Spoiler" on the back of it. Wow, it he keeps "blinging up" his car like that, maybe he could hang out with the rest of the Ricers in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

I’m not really sure how Selina Kyle could afford this car, let alone have it made without compromising her secret identity as Catwoman. The fun thing about Catwoman’s car was the wagging tail coming out of the trunk. I’m not sure if that would raise her insurance rates, but at least discouraged other drivers from riding her TAIL. Ha! Or wait, it would prevent other drivers from TAILING her! Wooooo!

Well that about sums it up. This was a very successful campaign for McDonalds, and the vehicles can still be found to this day at Flea Markets or on eBay for those that give up easily. Certainly worth looking into as owning them can increase the value of your home and impress your family and friends.

What creeps me out is that this happened 13 years ago.

In conclusion, in searching for a picture of Ronald McDonald, I stumbled upon this picture. This is what’s wrong with the internet.

Bonus Feature

As I mentioned above, as expected, there was a huge marketing blitz surrounding Batman Returns, even to the point where Zellers gave away free Batman Comic Books with the purchase of paper. Here are some of the ads that appeared in that comic, for various Batman Returns items. I encourage you to print off the valuable coupons included in the ads and use them next time you make a Batman Returns purchase on eBay, assuming you ever do such a thing. I bet the seller would get a kick out of them!