THE DARK KNIGHT RISES... To The Ronald McDonald House!

Here's a very funny photo sent in to us by a Good Bat-Blog Citizen named Kevin. He was recently at a charity event held at the Ronald McDonald House ( a totally GREAT Children's Charity by the way ) and took this photo of BATMAN, The Dark Knight, chilling out with Ronald... ha ha! Thanks Kevin, You ROCK, Sir! In fact, I hope this picture inspires a few people to actually make a donation. This organization is completely wonderful & really helps children. So, if you can, please click here: DONATE!

Please Help Comic Book Artist Moose Baumann Raise Money for Wife's Cancer Treatment

I noticed a story the other day over at COMICS ALLIANCE that sort of broke my heart a little bit. It appears that Moose Baumann, an extremely talented comic book colorist, is being plagued with having to deal with his Wife's Cancer Treatment ( We hope she is feeling better soon ). You see, most Comic Book Artists are pretty much "freelance" or self-employed. Many don't have proper Health Insurance. So, to help deal with the bills Moose Baumann is offering "Superhero Art Prints" to help raise money. The prints are 13" x 19" and printed on archival paper. They're some of the many comic book covers ( and inside artwork ) that he has colored. Now, We have only posted a few as examples here but there are more variations on Batman and Robin. There are also some images of Green Lantern, Superman, The Flash, Iron Man, etc... Here's a LINK to check it out!! Oh yeah, the prints are only $20 so while you're there buy 3 or 4, thanks.

News - Batman T-Shirt Spotted in Haiti Refugee Camp

A friend of mine sent me this photo he thought I might like because it shows some kid in Haiti sporting a Batman T-shirt. Well, I guess that is pretty cool he likes Batman but this image sort of breaks my heart a little bit. The picture is from a recent story on CBS News covering "Haiti, One Year Later". You know, people are still having some really big problems there & the American Red Cross is on location trying to help. So, I'm going to ask all Bat-Blog Fans to please donate if they can. Thank You. Just click HERE!

Gotham's Finest Do Good Work for Children's Leukemia Charity in Australia!

Here are some pictures of our friend Paul in his amazing Batman bat-suit costume. He belongs to a group of amateur costumers in Brisbane, Australia called Gotham's Finest. They like to attend charity events and help raise funds for worthwhile causes. Recently they attended the "World's Greatest Shave" for the Leukemia Foundation of Queensland. They had an absolutely fantastic day, AND helped raise funds for research into finding a cure for leukemia at the same time...that's AWESOME! My thanks goes out to Paul & his Gotham's Finest group for sending us the fun pictures but, more importantly, thanks for helping raise money for such a wonderful charity!

Video: BAT-DUDE Visits The Children's Hospital of Illinois

Here are 2 recent videos from a Bat-Blog Fan named Kevin. He is part of a group known as "Heroes On Parade". They donate their time for charity events dressed as their favorite TV & comic book characters. Personally, I think that's a really wonderful thing to do so I wanna send my thanks out to them. Keep up the good work. I know that when you guys visit children in Hospitals & stuff that it really does make a difference in their healing process. Plus, when you guys create an environment that causes awareness of some charity event it does go to creating many more donations. So, Thank You. Kevin said that "seeing the BIG smiles on little kid's faces is worth more than a pot of gold" & he's amazed at how many children totally get excited about meeting Batman. The videos shown here were taken at the recently held Peoria, Illinois Family Fun Fest event where Kevin quickly became known as "The Bat Dude " ! This is a fun-filled yearly event that benefits the Children's Hospital of Illinois. The One day event, held inside the Peoria Civic center, drew an estimated 6000 Kids and Families...cool, very cool!

Please Support TOYS FOR TOTS Literacy Program!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Since it's the very 1st day of a brand new year I thought it would be a good time to mention a really great charity that I just discovered. It's called the TOYS FOR TOTS Literacy Program. Now, long time Bat-Blog readers know we hype the regular TOYS FOR TOYS charity every year around Christmas. It's that organization run by the US Marines where they give toys to under-privileged children. Well, now they have another charity where they circulate new books to children who do not have access to libraries. They not only make sure lots of kids get books of their very own but they also teach them how to read. You see, it's all about teaching kids how to read & learn to love books. This is something I believe in very strongly. I love reading, love books, & can't imagine a life without being enriched by them. So, this charity has now become very important for me. What I would like to do right now is ask every reader of the Bat-Blog to please consider making a donation to TOYS FOR TOTS or even just spreading the word about it. At the end of this post will be a link to their website. Please consider going there & seeing what YOU can do. This would make an excellent "New Year's Resolution"! You can visit their website by clicking HERE! Thank You.

Please Support TOYS FOR TOTS - Donate Today!

Every year, close to Christmas, I always get totally excited about the TOYS FOR TOTS organization. Seriously, it's a wonderful charity. It's run by the US Marine Corp & they help underprivileged children try to have a decent Christmas. The basic idea is that they have Donation Boxes all over the place where you can drop off any packaged toy. Then, these toys are sorted & delivered to poor children. Think about Christmas times you have had in the past where you got a lot of cool stuff. There are many kids who don't get anything at all. This is so wrong! I have always thought that this holiday is "all about the kids". So, while you're out there at the malls, buying a bunch of crap you don't really need, please buy at least one packaged toy that you can drop-off at their box. You'll feel really great about it & it will seriously help a small child. Who knows, it might even change their life! TOYS FOR TOTS also accepts money donations online & if you need to find a drop-off location then be sure to check out their website by clicking HERE! One last thing, this message goes out to my Toy Collector & Toy Dealer Friends who might not be able to afford to buy new toys or donate cash: If you have some Sealed Action Figures & Barbies you don't care about anymore or some "old toy stock" that is gathering dust. Clean it off & donate that. Believe me, these kids appreciate everything they can get!

Alex Ross Creates a CATWOMAN PAINTING For Animal Charity!

Just a few days ago, on November 13th, a charity auction on eBay sold this beautiful CATWOMAN Painting by Alex Ross for $3550.00. The piece measures 10 3/4" X 23" and has never been seen anywhere ( Be sure to click on it for a larger photo ). Alex Ross Stated,

"Animal rescue is one of my favorite causes. SAVED WHISKERS RESCUE does great work to save the lives of animals in need. Doing this painting for them was also a great excuse for me to illustrate a version of a character I love. It is a donation that I'm extremely proud of".

So, I'm asking Bat-Blog Readers that, if they can, please made a donation to the following address of your choice:


http://www.savedwhiskersrescue.com/donations.html or send a donation via PayPal at: paypal@savedwhiskersrescue.com or to: Saved Whiskers Rescue, P.O. BOX # 1674, Voorhees, NJ. 08043

Some Awesome BATMAN & CATWOMAN Costumes at a Recent Fundraiser Event!

Here's an interesting photo from our friend Dallas. It features him & his wife Daria at a Fundraiser Event. He explained that they were getting some professional photos taken & this one, off to the side, was done with a cheap digital camera. I don't know, I think it looks pretty good! Anyway, as you can see the costumes are really great! I mean, completely insane! ( Click on it for a larger, more detailed, version ) I love when Bat-Fans get super-creative like this, that's awesome! Thanks to Dallas & Daria for sharing this cool pic. I also want to invite all other Bat-Blog Readers to send us some photos too. It can be your Batman Toy Collection, a Recent Tattoo, a Birthday Party Cake ...Just ANYTHING Batman-Related! ( Dallas, I really look forward to seeing the "Professional Pics", thanks again )

HOLY COW BATMAN! A Replica Car of the Original 1966 Batmobile!!

OK Everybody, here's your chance to win a beautiful 1966 Batman TV Show Batmobile Replica Car. No, this is NOT one of the Bat-Blog's famous contests, ha ha! This post is about a current auction being held over at the CHARITY BUZZ website where they are auctioning off a few items to support the "Life Project For Africa" charity. The car was donated by AA Limousine Service. This amazing '66 Batmobile Replica Car is fitted with a flame thrower, custom leather seats and rims, Pioneer Navigation System, and much more! All proceeds from the auction will benefit "Life Project for Africa", dedicated to saving lives and giving hope to the poor in Africa. To bid on this item, & for more information, be sure to click HERE!

Please Join Us To Help Fight Childhood Cancer!

I started to think about the Bat-Blog the other night, the way it's connected to thousands of people, the strange way I'm able to communicate a message that gets read by huge group of people. Then, I started to wonder if the situation I am in yields any moral or ethical concerns. After some thought I came to realize that it does. I mean, what if I were to show support every now & then to a different charity and, what if, by doing so, just a few readers are inspired by that to take action then would it give my life more or less meaning? I think it would add to it, don't you think? So, after a lot of thought I decided this would be a brand-new policy. Now, please don't think I am trying to be preachy or high-minded. I just think that if I were able to do this, & did do it, that it might be for the greater good. So, as a first test I am asking every single reader to please donate anything they can to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Every dollar helps. I mean, if all you can afford is $5.00 then please send that...it adds up. This very well known charity truly does a lot of good for all children, especially those going through cancer treatments. Now, if every reader gave just one dollar then that would add up to thousands & that would really help a lot. In fact, it could even save a life. I guess, maybe legally, I need to state that I am not connected with this charity in any way, nor is the "Batman character" or Warner Bros or DC Comics. I know the main focus of my blog is to spread the appreciation of Batman & the joys of being a collector and so on but wouldn't it be great if, by accident, it could do some actual good in the world? I think that would go with the ideals of the Batman character...to rid evil or help those in need. I know it sounds pretty silly, but I think it could be a great experiment. So, Please join the Bat-Blog in supporting St. Jude's Hospital this month. Please click on the large link button up above for more information on how you can get involved & while you're there maybe donate a dollar or two... Thank You.

TOYS FOR TOTS - Please Donate Today!

Every year, during the holidays, I try my best to support the TOYS FOR TOTS charity. I'm asking all readers to please do the same & make a donation because it really is a wonderful service to people, especially kids during Christmas. You can visit their website & make a money donation or easily donate some packaged toys at one of their many drop-off locations. Their website has more information but I do know that there is a drop-off box at ALL the Toys-R-Us stores. The charity is very efficiently ran by the US Marine Corps. They do good work. So, please make a donation, no matter how small. Every little bit helps & you'll feel great doing it. Thank You. Oh yeah, here's a link for more info:

Save the Superman House!

I know that this post sort of seems like it's not Batman-related but it is. There's a small residential house in Cleveland, Ohio where 2 teenage kids in the early 1930's dreamed up the idea of Superman. Of course I'm talking about Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster. The original house where "Superman was born" is a total wreck. So, the SIEGEL AND SHUSTER SOCIETY was created, as a charity, to raise money to restore the house. Many major artists of the comic book industry have donated artwork for auction. They are also selling T-Shirts & other products. They are also just accepting donations. The house where Google was created is saved. The farm where Hewlett Packard was founded is preserved. And Richard Nixon’s house is a museum. But the house where Superman — one of the world’s most recognized heroes — was created? It’s a wreck. So, with the creation of The Siegel & Shuster Society, they hope to raise enough money to repair the house and make sure it will be saved, restored, and there so you can take your kids one day. Without Superman there would have NEVER been a Batman. So, I'm asking all Bat-Blog Readers to please show your support. Let's show them that Batman Fans are the best! Here's a link button for more details. Thanks.

So, Where Are They Now? BURT WARD, TV's Robin, The Boy Wonder, is still doing good deeds!

Somebody wrote me the other day asking what is Burt Ward doing now? They said they hear about Adam West a lot because he's on Family Guy & makes commercials from time to time. We all know Burt Ward as the actor who played Robin, The Boy Wonder, on TV's classic 1966 Batman Series. Today he stays quite busy with a charity he created called GENTLE GIANTS. Basically it's a pet rescue and adoption center for HUGE dogs. It's actually run by him & his wife. They find good homes for large-breed dogs. Burt also makes appearances at comic book conventions / car shows every now & then. But their charity work is a labor of love. If you're interesting in adopting a new pet then here's a link:

Batman Creator BOB KANE Endorses The CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE Charity

In 1985-88 Bob Kane worked with the CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE Of AMERICA to create some Batman-related promotional material, mainly posters. Here's an example of the art work he submitted & his actual letter to the president of that wonderful charity. OK, I sort of have 2 reasons for doing this post. One is to show the historical value of the artwork as related to Batman & Robin. The other is to ask my readers to please check out this charity & maybe send a donation. This is a very well-known & much respected organization that does a lot to help children, mainly in areas of child abuse & AIDS. I've included a link button to the Official CWLA website, please check it out sometime. You'll be glad you did!

BATMAN & ROBIN Join The Crusade For Children's Rights!

In 1979 Bob Kane was commissioned to do the artwork for a UNICEF Poster. It has Batman & Robin with children of different races. Here's what it looked like, it's pretty cool!

THE HERO FOUNDRY, A Great Children's Charity!

The BAT-BLOG would like for you to take the time to consider this really great Children's Charity called THE HERO FOUNDRY. They collect funds to support librarys all over the US. They distribute comic books & graphic novels for children to learn the joy of reading. They recently had an auction where some generous comic book artists donated original art work & all the proceeds went to new books for locations in New Orleans that were destroyed by Katrina. The BAT-BLOG is proud to support this cause so please help anyway you can. Here's the Official Press Release :

Dallas, Texas - The Hero Foundry website, http://www.theherofoundry.org/, launches on April 24, 2006 accompanied by a fundraising initiative to raise money to provide comic books, graphic novels and similar literature to children through libraries, schools, hospitals, and other organizations that lack the financial resources to supply these materials.

The Hero Foundry is a Non Profit Organization founded in 2006 in order assist libraries, schools, hospitals, and other organizations that lack the financial resources in building a library of comic books, graphic novels, and similar literature. Their intentions are to increase literacy, inspire creativity, and most importantly, to provide positive role models and moral guidance to today’s youth through the comic book medium.

Donations to The Hero Foundry are accepted in the form of monetary contributions through their PayPal account (thefuture@theherofoundry.org), mailing a check to the address below, or by stopping by their booth at one of their upcoming comic convention appearances. Additionally, comic books, graphic novels and other materials will be accepted. These donations will be used to either help stock the beneficiaries of The Hero Foundry, or will be sold in order to help finance the Foundry’s mission.

More information is available at http://www.theherofoundry.org/.

Contact :
Edward Priddy
( 405 ) 613 - 4301

The Hero Foundry

1715 S. Ervay, Loft 102

Dallas, TX 75215

TOYS FOR TOTS, There's Still Time To Donate!!

Many BAT-BLOG readers might have seen a previous post where I asked them to donate toys or money to the awesomeTOYS FOR TOTS organization. This is a really super-great charity that trys to make sure every kid has a good Christmas. It's run by the Marine Corps & they have toy donation drop-offs everywhere. Here's a LINK to that previous post & it has more info plus their website URL:

CHECK IT OUT!!

http://tomztoyz.blogspot.com/2006/12/please-give-to-toys-for-tots-this.html#links

Please Give To TOYS-FOR-TOTS This Holiday Season!

Since it's the holiday season I wanted to ask everyone to please please please do whatever you can for the TOYS-FOR-TOTS Foundation. This is a Not-For-Profit Organization run by the US Marine Corps. All donations are tax deductible. Basically they try to make sure that children everywhere have some kind of Christmas this year & every year. This is a very well organized & deeply respected organization, they do good work! I know that many BAT-BLOG Readers are also toy collectors so if you have any spare toys laying around you can donate then please do or maybe on your next trip to Target to find that one Hot Wheels Car or Rare Action Figure you need badly maybe buy a few small toys or one big toy to donate. They ask that all toys be in their original packaging. If you don't have the time for that then please donate whatever money you can. Even if it's just a few dollars this can really add up & it will honestly touch the life of a kid in need or crisis. Think about Katrina & other recent events. Please do what ever you can. Believe me here when I say that you'll be extremely glad you did & it will make you feel great!

I want to Thank every BAT-BLOG Reader in advance for reading this.
For more information here's a LINK to their webpage:
http://www.toysfortots.org/

BATMAN Does Charity Work Because He's a Good Citizen!

A good friend of the BAT-BLOG named "BAT-JAMES" recently wore his 1966-Style Batman Costume to an annual charity event at his church. He said the kids went insane outta their minds!! LOL, I can only imagine the look on their faces when "Batman" arrived. He said he played with the kids & they were all very excited. He also said that he was surprised by what a rewarding experience this was & plans to do it again next year. This is a really great thing because we all need to try to make the world a better place. Something to think about during this holiday season.