Grizzly Graphic Novel Review: Batman Earth One

By now there have been so many different versions of Batman I wasn’t sure they could really do another variation of the Dark Knight. There’s old Dark Knight Returns Batman, vampire Batman, the ‘Goddamn Batman’ and a whole slew of others. Batman: Earth One introduces us to yet another version of the caped crusader and with Geoff Johns writing. And here’s a big surprise, it kicked some ass. I’m not going to kiss John’s ass by saying he’s one of the best writers out there, and has won multiple awards for his writing or that he’s from Detroit… but I guess I did. Truth be told, there isn’t much this guy touches that isn’t a damned good read, and Batman: Earth One is no exception. Add the exceptional artwork done by Gary Frank and you’ve got a pretty stellar book. No it’s not a masterpiece, or the most unusual work of alternate Batman story, but it works just fine for a good read.

*Spoilers Follow*

Johns obviously drew from other stories like Year One, and even the Nolan Batman films for this re-imagining of the Batman mythos. The Waynes are still the richest M-Fers around Gotham, but this time around Thomas Wayne is running to be mayor of Gotham, and Martha Wayne is his campaign manager…. And her maiden name is Arkham. CRRRAAAAZZZZY. And I mean that in both terms of story, and that the Arkhams are usually effin’ nuts. As you know,  (Or don’t) Martha’s maiden name in the DC universe we know is Kane, of the wealthy Kane Chemical Company. The Arkhams appear to have had a hand in building the city of Gotham in this story, with the Waynes as their financiers. I imagine they could do some pretty interesting stuff with the story and Bruce Wayne having ties to the Arkham family, but we’ll definitely have to wait for a sequel to see anything linked to that.

Watch Batman fail epically in this graphic novel!

Speaking of Bruce Wayne, remember that sweet little innocent kid portrayed in the movies and the comics at times? Well not this time around, the kid is actually quite the little shit and really has a sense of self entitlement going for him in the beginning of the book. He is of course humbled by the murdering of his parents right before his very eyes, and no child should have bear the brunt of something like that. Well, except maybe Joffrey from Game of Thrones, because he is an unforgivable bastard. Bruce and Alfred don’t know one another at all in the start of the story, and their relationship is somewhat strained throughout from everything we’ve seen before. The Alfred angle is similar to the Nolan Batman movies, but Johns is able to make the character his own in several ways. I’ll be interested in seeing where the story goes in regards to them. Let me just say… Alfred is definitely not a butler in this one….but he definitely serves people with ass whoopings!

Alfred isn’t the only character that has undergone some changes in this story. Plenty of characters are given a face shift, as I like to call it, including Harvey Bullock, Commissioner Gordon and even Harvey Dent in a vague way. They are each different in their own subtle ways and as I’ve said before there is so much that can be done with them in a volume of this new adventure for Gotham City.

The story featured a version of one of the Gotham Rogues that is a little more grounded in reality than he is used to in the comics, once again Johns going for the Nolan angle. The end gives us a glimpse at the next possible foe for Bats to throw down against and it looks like to be off to a good start. I’m wondering if we’ll see more than two villains in the next volume and better yet another original villain. The Birthday Boy was definitely an original villain though not very multi-faceted… and yes that is a terrible name but just give him a chance, it’s not so bad.

HAPPY BERFDAY MISTER FALCON!

Batman Earth One is a damn good read, though that also means that it’s a quick one at only 144 pages. The book isn’t something that will knock your socks, but it’s something new for the Dark Knight that will definitely entertain and leave you wanting a bit more. One thing that strikes me as odd is that with the Earth One Batman, the costume shows his eyes instead of being white like in every other comic. To me this adds a bit of mortality to the character, showing that he is only human and not yet built up to his legendary status like he is in the DC universe we all know and love. Maybe after having a few more notches under his belt we’ll see the white eyes come back. But then again, the eyes showing cowl hasn’t been this cool since Adam West donned the suit…. (That’s debatable of course.)

Clone Wars: Season 5 – Maul, Savage, Mandalorians & Jetpacks!

There were a couple of clips from season 5 of the Clone Wars released around Comic Con time, and there were some good-uns. After watching the season 5 trailer it would appear that Maul and Savage Oppress will be crossing paths with the Mandalorians at one point. My thoughts from the trailer were that they were obviously going to team up with their mutual disdain and need for vengeance against both Count Dooku and Obi-Wan Kenobi. After watching the clip below I’m not really sure what is behind all of the Mandalorian mayhem on display…. But I like it. Check out the clip below:

Seriously, what the hell is going on? Is that Sidious choking out two Death Watch Mandalorians? And why is Obi-Wan wearing Mando armor and working with Bo-Katan who was all about killing Jedi last season when she crossed paths with Ahsoka?  Bo-Katan whom is voiced by the lovely Katee Sackhoff I might add. And are all of the Mandolorians fighting one another Death Watch? And why are they fighting?! AHHHHHH… head exploding! Apparently we’ll be waiting until September to find out. I also loved the incorporation of John William’s music into the scenes, too bad it won’t stay in there.

The next clip is a little less thrilling, but is still quite cool. It shows Maul and Savage infiltrating some sort of space station possibly controlled (or patrolled) by security droids. Check it out below:

Yes it was short and clearly beneath the Maul bros. to be cutting up simple droids but it’s definitely good to see such a deadly pair work together so seamlessly… now to see them fight some Jedi, that would be great. Overall I can’t wait for this upcoming fifth season of the Clone Wars. It’s a show that is constantly outdoing itself each season in terms of animation, story and scope and I would love if it was on for the next five years. Check out the season 5 trailer below if you haven’t already and stay tuned for further upcoming Clone Wars info and news!

Joss Whedon Delivers ‘Much Ado’ and Good Deeds; World Swoons

Oh.  My.  Word.

As if Joss Whedon wasn’t fantastic enough, he decided to go and make an interpretation of a Shakespeare classic.  Still seeking distribution and ready for festivals, Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing was filmed entirely on his own property and brings back long-time collaborators and acting talent of Nathan Fillion, Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Fran Kranz, Jillian Morgese, Sean Maher, Clark Gregg, Tom Lenk, and Reed Diamond.  The official press release says it’s going to be in black-and-white and that the original Shakespearean dialogue is “as fresh and as intoxicating as any being written.”

Continue reading Joss Whedon Delivers ‘Much Ado’ and Good Deeds; World Swoons

‘The Dark Knight Returns: Part 1’ Blu-Ray Releasing September 25th

It’s official. On September 25th 2012, multitudes of Bat-fans like myself will be able to experience the splendor that is Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns… in high definition! That’s right, the first part of the animated version, of perhaps the best Batman story out there will be available to watch over and over again. The Dark Knight Returns may be one of, if not the best Batman story out there, and also one of the best comic book stories as well.

Check out the trailer below as some of the best scenes from the comic are played out before our very eyes. In particular, Batman’s fierce brawl with the leader of the Mutants:

Definitely epic. The part with Batman rising out of the mud is simply chill inducing in it’s badassery. My favorite clip is probably the all too brief glimpse of the Joker’s lips smiling while he is watching the re-emergence of Batman unfold on the TV. As good as part one will be, part 2 will be the one that I’ll be most excited for in 2013.

Aside from what looks like top notch animation, the voice of Batman sounds pretty excellent even after being spoiled for years by the tremendous job Kevin Conroy has done. Peter Weller of Robocop fame seems to have the old man Batman voice nailed down tight. Weller also has a damn decent voice cast behind him. Ariel Winter from ABC’s Modern Family will be playing Robin, and Wade Williams and Michael McKean will also be voicing characters.

Anyone else as stoked as me about this release? Anyone never read the Dark Knight Returns and still interested? Sound off below!

“Thor 2: The Dark World” Finds a Villain in Doctor Who

If you didn’t get enough of the Frost Giants in the first Thor movie, then never fear! Now we are getting elves! But don’t worry, it’s not the fair-haired Orlando Bloom type, but dark elves who enjoy killing people and causing problems. None love this chaos more than the leader of said dark elves; Malekith the Accursed – who will be the new baddie in the Thor franchise! Check out this malevolent bastard below:

Okay so he looks a little ridiculous but have no fear, has Marvel Studios steered us wrong since starting to introduce the Avengers in their movies? I think not! Not only has the villain been announced but the actor set to portray him has as well. Christopher Eccleston of Doctor Who fame is set to play the Accursed of Svartalfheim. For those ignorant savages who don’t know, Svartalfheim is the seventh of the nine Asgardian realms and honestly I only know that because I googled it. Check out the article below from IGN on the casting of Eccleston:

Former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston has been cast as the primary villain Thor: The Dark World.

Deadline claims the 28 Days Later and Shallow Grave actor will play Malekith the Accursed in the Marvel sequel. Eccleston is no stranger to comic book-oriented fare having played Destro in G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra and having a stint on the TV series Heroes.

Malekith the Accursed is the leader of the dark elves of Svartalfheim, who in the comics stole the Casket of Ancient Winters. (The casket can be seen in the first Thor movie.) Malekith also had a badass servant, Kurse, who ultimately turned on Malekith and killed him. The Malekith and Casket of Ancient Winters storyline was adapted for an episode of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

To me, Eccleston has played enough over the top villains to get this right. Those include Destro in that movie that claimed to be G.I. Joe, a sociopathic furniture lover Calitri in Gone in Sixty Seconds and the crazy ass Major in 28 Days Later. Eccleston is best known over in the great nation of the United Kingdom for his stint as the 9th Doctor on the MEGA-popular show Doctor Who. I for one am glad to see him added to the cast, and can’t wait to see what he brings to the table – But a lame villain like Malekith. Bring it on Marvel!