Tagged: Batman

PREVIEW: ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’ with the Outsiders, Wildcat, and… B’wana Beast?

PREVIEW: ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’ with the Outsiders, Wildcat, and… B’wana Beast?

We’ve obtained preview footage of the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode, "Enter the Outsiders" airing this Friday, January 9 on Cartoon Network at 8:00 PM, guest starring R. Lee Ermey as Wildcat. And yes, that really is Black Lightning appearing in a DC Comics animated series after thirty years. Congratulations to BL creators Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden.

In this week’s episode Batman and his mentor Wildcat face off against a group of teens– the Outsiders– whose violent pranks turn to criminal activity under the control of the evil Slug. Take a look…

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Pat Hingle, 1924-2009

Pat Hingle, 1924-2009

AP News reports that Pat Hingle, the actor whose career included a recurring role as Commissioner Gordon in four Batmanfilms from 1989 to 1997, died at his home in Carolina Beach shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday after battling blood cancer. He was 84.

His career in movies and television spanned six decades, and he was also nominated for a Tony Award in 1958. Hingle’s last movie was "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," which was released in 2006.

I was lucky enough to see him perform on Braodway a decade ago, playing Ben Franklin in 1776 opposite Brent Spiner as John Adams. And much to my surprise, he was the original choice to play Elmer Gantry in the movie, before an accident knocked him out of the role and handed it to Burt Lancaster.

He will be missed.

‘Wonder Woman’ Writer Michael Jelenic Talks Animation

‘Wonder Woman’ Writer Michael Jelenic Talks Animation

Writer Michael Jelenic makes the leap from animated television to feature-length films with his script for Wonder Woman, the next entry in the popular series of DC Universe animated original PG-13 films. Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation are set to release the all-new film on March 3, 2009, distributed by Warner Home Video. The film will also be available OnDemand and Pay-Per-View as well as available for download day and date, March 3, 2009.

Jelenic has crafted a script that offers complementary balances of action and comedy, contemporary society and Greek mythology, and the social pratfalls of both men and women. It is an origin story and a stand-alone adventure, resulting in an entertaining approach to the first-ever Wonder Woman full-length film. Jelenic and renowned comics writer Gail Simone have "story by" credits on the movie.

Jelenic is well-known for his work at Warner Bros. Animation, providing the clever words to series like The Batman, Legion of Super Heroes and the newest Dark Knight animated series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

Jelenic stepped away from his laptop to be both brave and bold in answering a few questions about the thoughts behind the words and story of Wonder Woman, the challenges of pleasing every fan, and the un-coolness of working in the comics realm.

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Batman, Green Arrow, Etrigan vs. Morgan Le Fay

Batman, Green Arrow, Etrigan vs. Morgan Le Fay

On Friday, Cartoon Network’s The Brave and the Bold returns with a new episode, “Day of the Dark Knight”. The guest stars include Guy Gardner, Green Arrow, and Etrigan the Demon with David McCallum voicing Merlin.

The synopsis:

In this episode, the evil Morgan Le Fey has taken over Camelot and turned everyone to stone! To thwart her plans, Merlin transports Batman and Green Arrow back in time to retrieve Excalibur, defeat Etrigan, battle dragons and return King Arthur to the Throne!  In the teaser, Guy Gardner teams up with Batman to stop a criminal riot at Green Lantern Corp.  

More images after the jump.

 

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Eartha Kitt Dies

Eartha Kitt Dies

Eartha Kitt died today at the age of 81 from colon cancer.

Known worldwide as a self-proclaimed "sex kitten", famous for her catlike purr, Kitt was an incredibly versatile performer, winning two Emmys and nabbing a third nomination, as well as Tony and Grammy nominations, but probably best known for her role as Catwoman on the 1960’s Batman TV series, replacing Julie Newmar in 1967; and for singing the song "Santa Baby". She was once dubbed the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles– an assessment that’s hard to dispute.

She said in an interview for Harper’s Bazaar that "a gentleman who wrote [the late 1960s TV series] Batman said he wrote that character especially for me. He said, ‘You are a cat, you look like a cat, you act like a cat.’ "

If only she had eight more lives…

‘The Darkness’ Celebrates 75th Issue

‘The Darkness’ Celebrates 75th Issue

Top Cow Productions, Inc. announced today that The Darkness will reach Legacy Issue #75 in February, and the publisher will commemorate the milestone event by inviting a list of all-star artists to contribute to the oversized, special issue.

(Fans and retailers confused by the renumbering should note The Darkness #75 is actually #11 of the current volume, but the Legacy Numbering will take effect as of this issue. The Legacy Number denotes the total number of issues of The Darkness ever published, regardless of volume. The subsequent issue will be labeled #76, and so forth.)

The list of artists includes: Michael Broussard (current series artist), Jorge Lucas (Pilot Season: Ripclaw), Dale Keown (Pitt), Joe Benitez (Justice League of America), Ryan Sook (Superman/Batman), Steve Firchow (Ultimatum), Frazer Irving (Silent War), Lee Carter (2000 AD), Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade) and Matt Timson (Impaler). The story, which will examine what a possible future would be like for current Darkness bearer Jackie Estacado, will be penned by current series writer Phil Hester.

“Working on The Darkness #75 was like visiting an old friend I haven’t seen in a while,” Joe Benitez, who hasn’t drawn for an issue of The Darkness since 1999, said in a release. “It’s always nice to see what they’re up to and how they’ve changed.”

 

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Only 2 November Graphic Novels Exceed 10,000 Units

Only 2 November Graphic Novels Exceed 10,000 Units

According to ICv2′s of Diamond’s numbers, the top selling graphic novel for November was Vertigo’s  Fables Vol. 11. The 12,800 units sold was good for first place but shows a dip from the previous volume. Second place went to Aspen’s Michael Turner Tribute Graphic Novel, “ the only other book with over 10,000 copies sold in by Diamond.”

In terms of revenue, the $99 Absolute Sandman Vol. 4 took the top spot with an estimated 3500 copies sold. The Watchmen hardcover edition was in second place.      

Marvel’s first appearance on the list was in 13th position with Hulk Vol. 1: Red Hulk while  Naruto Vol. 32 took 9th place for best manga.

Here’s a look at the top 25:

Rank         Index                 Title                                                                                         Price       Pub    Est.Qty

1                 12.4                 FABLES TP VOL 11 WAR & PIECES (MR)                        $17.99    DC         12,791
2                 9.74                 MICHAEL TURNER TRIBUTE GN                                      $8.99       ASP      10,047
3                 8.97                 BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 03 WOLVES AT THE GATE    $15.95    DAR        9,253
4                 8.95                 HEROES HC VOL 02*                                                           $29.99    DC          9,232
5                 7.86                 WATCHMEN HC                                                                     $39.99   DC           8,108
6                 6.45                 JLA AVENGERS TP                                                                $19.99   DC           6,653
7                 5.61                 WATCHMEN TP*                                                                     $19.99   DC           5,787
8                 5.34                 JOKER HC                                                                               $19.99   DC           5,508
9                 5.14                 NARUTO TP VOL 32                                                                $7.95    VIZ           5,302
10              4.38                 FRUITS BASKET GN VOL 21 (Of 23)                                     $9.99   TKP         4,518
11              4.3                   FREAKANGELS TP VOL 01 (MR)                                          $19.99   AVA         4,435
12              4.27                 BPRD TP VOL 09 1946                                                           $17.95   DAR       4,405
13              3.86                 HULK PREM HC VOL 01 RED HULK                                   $24.99   MAR       3,982
14              3.48                COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS TP VOL 04                      $19.99   DC          3,590
15              3.48                ULTIMATE X-MEN ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP VOL 02   $24.99   MAR       3,590
16              3.45                ABSOLUTE SANDMAN HC VOL 04 (MR)                              $99.00   DC         3,559
17              3.36                TWISTED TOYFARE THEATRE TP VOL 09                          $12.99    WIZ       3,466
18              3.35                 FABLES COVERS BY JAMES JEAN HC (MR)                      $39.99   DC         3,456
19              3.27                 BERSERK TP VOL 26                                                              $13.95   DAR       3,373
20              3.19                 WALKING DEAD HC VOL 04 (MR)                                         $29.99    IMA        3,291
21              3.18                 ULTIMATE HULK VS IRON MAN TP ULTIMATE HUMAN   $15.99    MAR      3,280
22              3.05                 STAR WARS REBELLION TP VOL 03 SMALL VICTORIES $12.95  DAR      3,146
23              3                       X-MEN POPTOPIA TP                                                               $15.95    MAR      3,095
24              2.92                 CHRONICLES O/CONAN TP VOL 16                                     $16.95   DAR      3,012
25              2.88                 BATMAN GOTHAM UNDERGROUND TP                              $19.99    DC       2,971

Movie Review: ‘The Spirit”

spirit-posterIn the past, the holiday season is a time for at least one big box office hit, and while the period between 2001 and 2005 may have been taken over by Peter Jackson’s army of Orcs and giant gorillas, the pattern has been consistent. This year, however, you shouldn’t expect to be blown away, or even spend the money on admission with an adaptation of a literary or Hollywood classic, as Frank Miller and his motley crew try to pass off a remake of Will Eisner’s classic “middle-class crime fighter” comic. The film, as a whole, makes very little sense and will bring mostly heartache to fans of the source material, and on an original level, the movie jumps around both in mood, story, and even dialogue so much that it makes it feel like you’ve been watching [[[Sin City]]] fan film for over 90 minutes.

The movie should have simply been called a faux sequel to Sin City, because that is what it felt like. Gravely voices, over-the-top villains, and women in leather should just be what was written on the poster for this film, because those elements just about sum up what to expect. There are a few twists and turns, mostly in the tone of the film and how it jumps from a high-paced action film to a slapstick comedy around every turn. The inconsistency alone is enough to deter most of the audience, let alone the campy dialogue or ridiculous plot devices that would have Eisner spinning in the grave.

Those who were/are a fan of Eisner’s original story or even the later retellings know the basic story behind the hero: Denny Colt, a middle-class rookie cop in Central City is presumed killed, but actually goes into suspended animation, only to come back and create the identity of The Spirit, a man who is able to fight crime in a way local cops can’t, all while wearing a blue suit, red tie, domino mask, and a fedora. [[[The Spirit]]] never had super powers, but still had the same mystery as rival character Batman to the in-book villains. This new representation has The Spirit as a man who was killed, and brought back to life by a serum that gave him super powers, allowing him to recover from fatal wounds quickly and run across telephone lines. He now must take down The Octopus, his archrival who mysteriously has the same powers as our red-tied hero.

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David McCallum and Marg Helgenberger Discussing ‘Wonder Woman’

David McCallum and Marg Helgenberger Discussing ‘Wonder Woman’

Criminal investigation meets Greek mythology when current primetime television stars David McCallum and Marg Helgenberger assume the voices of Zeus and Hera, respectively, for Wonder Woman, the next entry in the popular series of DC Universe animated original PG-13 films, débuting March 3 in multiple formats.

McCallum, known to current TV audiences as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in the hit CBS series Navy NCIS (Navel Criminal Investigative Service), adds Wonder Woman to an animation resume that already includes the DC Universe movie Batman Gotham Knight and TV series Ben 10 and The Replacements. Animation is but a side gig for McCallum, though, the actor having achieved legendary status for his two best known roles – in film as Lt.-Cmdr. Eric Ashley-Pitt in The Great Escape and on TV as super spy Illya Kuryakin in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. During his 62-year career, McCallum has played many notable characters in fanboy TV favorites like Jeremiah, The Outer Limits (1963-64 & 1997), Babylon 5, SeaQuest DSV, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The A-Team, The Invisible Man and Night Gallery, to name a few.

Helgenberger is an anchor for the patriarch of CBS’ current crime lineup, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The actress is approaching her 200th episode as Catherine Willows, the series’ female lead.Helgenberger, remembered for her breakthrough, Emmy Award-winning performance in China Beach, is no stranger to the sci-fi genre, having starred in Species and its sequel on the big screen. The 2005 People’s Choice Award winner as Favorite Female Television Star has been seen in a variety of roles ranging from feature films (Erin Brockovich, Bad Boys, Always) to top-rated TV series (ER, thirtysomething, Frasier).

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Casting Notes

Casting Notes

Mark Hamill reprises his vocal work as The Joker for Eidos and Warner Bros’ video game Batman: Arkham Asylum.  The actor, of course, had a memorable turn as the Clown Prince of Crime on Batman: The Animated Series back in the 1990s. He’ll once more be working opposite Kevin Conroy, who also returns.

HBO’s second season of True Blood will introduce Anna Camp (Equus) as the wife of Fellowship of the Sun president Steve Newlin, played by Michael McMillain. As outlined by Alan Ball, Jason Stackhouse will get caught up with the anti-vampire church for much of the season, which debuts next summer.

Casting notes describe Sarah as “an example of the new ‘hip’ evangelical movement, hates vampires with a passion, deeply believes in her mission, her marriage, her country and her church. very feminine, but down-to-earth, also with a healthy appetite for life’s many pleasures… as she sees it, it’s all part of God’s gift to us. No actual nudity, but implied…”

Merlotte will gain a new waitress to replacer dearly departed Amy. Daphne will be played by Ashley Jones (Bold and the Beautiful). She is described as “sexy and down to earth, a real country girl, not the greatest waitress, but Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell) couldn’t care less, once he gets to know her better. Common sense, no-nonsense, funny, definitely not neurotic. Nudity is preferable in this role…6 episode arc beginning with this episode.”

Kristen Chenoweth did take long to find work.  The Pushing Daisies star has landed the lead in David E. Kelley’s new legal drama, Legally Mad, for NNBC.  The series is expected to make the 2009-2010 schedule, when the network announcements are made in May.