Tagged: Bruce Wayne

ComicMix Six: Batman Replacements

ComicMix Six: Batman Replacements

  • Uncategorized
  • June 4, 2009

This week Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely have brought us the new Batman and Robin #1, featuring the brand new partnership of Dick Grayson as Batman and Damian Wayne as Robin.

But did you know this isn’t the first time someone has stepped in as the Dark Knight or attempted to replace Bruce Wayne? Here is a list of six other blokes who have donned the famous cape and cowl.

SUPERMAN – Ever since the 1950s, there have been times where Superman and Batman have had to impersonate each other in order to protect their secret identities or to fool criminals. This also happened in the Batman/Superman animated series from the 90s in the episode “Knight Time”. With Batman missing, Superman donned the cowl and surprised several Gotham criminals who concluded that the Dark Knight must have somehow gained supernatural powers.

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The new Batman revealed?

The new Batman revealed?

  • News
  • December 1, 2008

Following the conclusion of Batman R.I.P., there’s been a tremendous amount of speculation on what will happen to the Dark Knight next. Luckily, ComicMix is on the case!

New images reveal that the latest interpretation of the Batman will be taking cues from the widespread financial troubles that all of us are going through, proving that even billionaire Bruce Wayne isn’t immune from the gyrations in the market, and even Wayne Enterprises can be caught in the credit crunch. But even though times are tough, the Batman is tougher.

Of course, he does have to tighten his utility belt a bit. Instead of the gaz-guzzling tanks and jet engines on wheels of years past, the new Batmobile is prepared for oil shortages and supply disruptions.

Batman Dies Tomorrow

Batman Dies Tomorrow

  • News
  • November 25, 2008

Tomorrow, Batman #681 is finally released after weeks of delays and brings down the curtain to Batman RIP. The Grant Morrison-Tony Daniel story has been generating all manner of press, both here and abroad.

The BBC issued a story leading with, “Batman fans are set to discover whether the Caped Crusader is going to be killed off in his latest comic issue.” The storyline has had Batman and his allies menaced by a new foe, the Black Glove, who has been gunning for Batman behind-the-scenes for the last decade. The whys and wherefores remain to be revealed.

"What I am doing is a fate worse than death – things that no one would expect to happen to these guys at all," Morrison said in the recent interview with Comic Book Resources.

The next two issues will be Neil Gaiman’s farewell to Batman, “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader”, echoing Alan Moore’s farewell to Superman, “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow”. After that, Daniel will write the Battle for the Cowl which will determine if Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake or someone else will become Batman. Bruce Wayne’s fate seems up in the air for dramatic purposes.

The biggest problem with the DC icons is that everyone knows Clark Kent, Diana Prince and Bruce Wayne may take vacations from their celebrated alter egos but always will wind up back in uniform.

Tomorrow, ComicMix takes a look at the stories that influenced Morrison.

‘The Graysons’ Fly to the CW

‘The Graysons’ Fly to the CW

  • News
  • October 1, 2008

Inspired by Clark Kent’s Smallville roots, the CW is launching a new DC hero-turned-angsty teen television series called The Graysons. According to Variety, the show follows the early years of Dick "DJ" Grayson before he becomes Robin. Smallville executive producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson are behind the series, as is Supernatural executive producer McG. The CW has committed to a pilot episode.

Variety is calling the show a potential replacement for Smallville should that series end this season as anticipated. The Graysons would also be a solid companion to Smallville should it return next year. Further, the move to bring another DC property onto the CW shows a sign of good faith from Warner Bros., who has a 50% investment in the network.

Fans of the character are familiar with Robin’s origin. Dick, a young acrobat, is orphaned when his parents are murdered by gangsters during their trapeze act. He’s taken in by Bruce Wayne and becomes Batman’s protege. The Graysons takes place before these events. Set in modern times, the hour-long drama will focus on young "DJ" as he faces tasks fit only for a hero of Robin’s caliber: first loves, young rivals and family. Ahem. Guess you can’t say Dick on TV?

Smallville grew out of the oroiginal producers’ desire to tell the story of yourn Bruce Wayne.  When Warner Bros. refused to let television have access to their movie franchise, they shifted gears and set their sights on Clark Kent growing up and discovering his powers.

Since then the eight seasons have seen a variety of DC heroes and villains appear, some with spin-off potential.  Among the characters already seen have been Oliver Queen (Green Arrow), A.C. Curry (Aquaman), Bart Allen (the Flash), Dinah Lance (Black Canary), Cyborg, and the Martian Manhunter.  Coming this season will be Plastique and the Legion of Super-Heroes.

In 2006, a pilot was produced for an Aquaman series much in the same vein as Smallville and the proposed The Graysons, but the CW decided not to air the program. Smart money says that even if The Graysons sees the light of day, the series won’t survive long. Part of Smallville‘s appeal is its unique spin on a superpowered adventure. Considering The Graysons is pre-Robin, it’s hard to imagine little Di–… sorry, "DJ" sharing in Clark’s success. Makes one wonder why they didn’t just go for a Bruce Wayne show. Maybe then Armie Hammer would actually have a job.

ComicMix Six: Batman’s Super-Powers

ComicMix Six: Batman’s Super-Powers

  • News
  • August 26, 2008

There’s an upcoming story in the Superman/Batman title that will involve our long-eared Dark Knight getting superhuman abilities (albeit, temporarily). Writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson have been doing great work on the title, so this promises to be an entertaining tale.

But did you know that this won’t be the first time Batman has been given super-human talents? Here are just some of the more interesting adventures that have occurred when Bruce Wayne wound up gifted with "power and abilities far beyond those of mortal men."

PLEASE NOTE: I am not including times where Batman used technology to help him out, such as a suit of armor or a rocket pack or New God weapons. Nor am I including times when he got powers for only a few pages, such as when he borrowed Hawkman’s wing-harness and Nth metal belt or the time that Hal Jordan let him try on his Green Lantern power ring for a minute. Those times may have been cool, but they lasted for only a scene rather than a fully story. Likewise, I am not including any Elseworlds tales, so deal with it.

 

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Which Batman Film Was Most Successful?

Which Batman Film Was Most Successful?

  • News
  • August 19, 2008

Now that The Dark Knight has been displaced from the top of the box office and its ticket sales are finally beginning to slow down, we can finally start looking to see how it did.

Box Office Mojo, a website devoted to movie grosses, compared all modern Batman movies in one handy dandy chart. Be forewarned. There’s enough numbers and stats to make even the Batcomputer’s cursor change into the hourglass icon. Some of the more interesting figures (but keep in mind that The Dark Knight numbers aren’t finalized yet):

Biggest Domestic Gross: The Dark Knight $471,082,150

Biggest Production Budget: The Dark Knight $185 million

Best Second Weekend Retention: Batman -25.7%

Chart Ranking of All Time Movies (Adjusted for Inflation): The Dark Knight at #39

So there you go. Christian Bale beats down Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney easily. Though Rhett Butler still kicks Bruce Wayne’s ass as the #1 movie of all time.

Who’ll Be the Next ‘Batman’ Villain?

  • News
  • July 28, 2008

It appears the villains of The Dark Knight, the latest installment in the Batman movie franchise, won’t return, as Aaron Eckhart’s Harvey Dent appears to be killed off and Heath Ledger’s untimely death makes it impossible for him to return his version of the Joker.

So, the obvious question becomes "who’s next?"

One blogger at Doomkopf thinks we may have already seen him:

…actor Joshua Harto plays Mr. Reese in “The Dark Knight,” an employee for Wayne Enterprises who comes to the conclusion that Batman is actually Bruce Wayne. Oh, and, it’s not like I’m spoiling anything; everybody and their dog has seen this movie already. He eventually gets targeted by the Joker before he can share his secret, after which he’s summarily pushed out of the movie after Bruce Wayne saves his life and gives him one hell of an evil eye. It’s either a loose end that never got tied up, or it’s a sign that he’ll be back in future movies.

Now, isn’t that kind of like Edward Nigma’s origin? Ex-employee to Wayne Enterprises, grown bitter, and seeking revenge against his former employer? And, ditching the lame “enigma” joke would be a step in the right direction, though another clue presents itself when you think about it for a second. His name in this movie is Mr. Reese. Mysteries. I’d say I might be on to something.

Mr. Reese… Mysteries. Clever.

However, a viral marketing campaign for Dark Knight might indicate the people behind the film were making much-less subtle hints to the Riddler’s whereabouts, as Edward Nashton (an alias of the Riddler) "wrote" a letter to the editor at the Gotham Times Web site.

E3 2008: PS2 ‘LEGO Batman’ Bundle Announced

E3 2008: PS2 ‘LEGO Batman’ Bundle Announced

  • News
  • July 16, 2008

Is there anyone who wants a PlayStation 2 that hasn’t gotten one at this point? Well, the answer must be "yes" because, to the embarrassment of the next-gen game systems, people are still buying the PS2 in greater numbers than its online, Blu-Ray PlayStation 3 brethren. Not surprising when you consider the latter is a $400-500 purchase.

If you’re not billionaire Bruce Wayne, and you’re quite happy with regular DVDs and keeping your gaming largely offline, then you might want to consider Sony’s upcoming LEGO Batman bundle for the PlayStation 2, announced at the recent E3 technology convention. For $149.99 you get the latest model of the PS2, LEGO Batman, and a DVD of Justice League: The New Frontier. It’s a package that seems geared specifically for the comic fan.

Even LEGO Catwoman would consider that a steal.
 

Early Reviews for ‘Dark Knight’

Early Reviews for ‘Dark Knight’

The latest Batman incarnation, The Dark Knight, doesn’t come out for another couple weeks, but the love is already streaming from critics. We’ve also had buzz about a posthumous Oscar for Heath Ledger and his supposedly terrifying take on the Joker.

Rolling Stone was one of the first out of the gate to lay honors at director Christopher Nolan’s feet, calling the movie "a potent provocation decked out as a comic-book movie. Feverish action? Check. Dazzling spectacle? Check. Devilish fun? Check. But Nolan is just warming up."

Over at MTV, the sequel was given a 10 out of 10 for "Wow Factor."

Variety jumps on the batwagon, praising the whole operation: "…this is seriously brainy pop entertainment that satisfies every expectation raised by its hit predecessor and then some."

The Hollywood Reporter praises Christian Bale: "Bale again brilliantly personifies all the deep traumas and misgivings of Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne. A bit of Hamlet is in this Batman."

An early review at AICN says, "Just go see it."

And an Associated Press review says, "Running just over two and a half hours, "The Dark Knight" is a true crime epic. Throughout, the Joker’s bag of tricks is bottomless, twisted to the point of horror-flick sick."

Happy Birthday: Golden Age Batman

Happy Birthday: Golden Age Batman

The Bruce Wayne of Earth-Two was born on April 7, 1915. A crook named Joe Chill robbed and killed Bruce’s parents in 1924, when Bruce was only eight years old. Bruce dedicated his life to avenging his parents’ deaths and protecting others from criminals and their evil deeds.

After many years of training, Bruce donned a fearsome costume and became the Batman. He was a member of both the Justice Society of America and the All-Star Squadron, and despite not having any superpowers was considered one of the greatest of the American heroes. Bruce also reformed and married the former Catwoman, Selina Kyle—together they had a daughter, Helena Wayne, who later became the Huntress.

After many years, Bruce decided he was too old to continue as the Batman and retired from that side of his life, passing the mantle to his friend and student Dick Grayson. Bruce became the police commissioner of Gotham City instead. The fact that he had been the original Batman became public after Selina died in his arms trying to stop a former Catwoman henchman.

In 1979, Bruce was coaxed out of costumed retirement one last time to stop a super-powered crook named Bill Jensen, and the mission led to Bruce Wayne’s death. After his death, Doctor Fate erased the world’s knowledge that Bruce Wayne and Batman had been the same person.

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