Nerdage » Batman

World’s Finest #2 previewed at DC’s Source blog

nerdblog — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:54:25 +0000

This Wednesday brings the second issue of the DC Comics miniseries “World’s Finest,” teaming heroes from the Superman and Batman families. Tulsa-born writer Sterling Gates writes this miniseries, with a rotating cast of artists. Issue No. 2, drawn by Ramon Bachs and Rodney Ramos, is previewed today on DC Comics’ Source blog. This issue will feature a team-up of The Guardian, and the new Robin, Damian Wayne. They’ll face off against Superman villain Parasite and Batman foe Mr. Freeze.

The first issue of “World’s Finest” has been well-reviewed, and indicates Gates was a good choice for a team-up series. The third issue, by the “Supergirl” creative team of Gates and artist Jamal Igle, is set for Dec. 23 release and features Supergirl teaming up with the new Batgirl.

- Matt Price

NewsOK Comics Podcast: Dark X-Men 1, X-Force 21, Batman/Doc Savage one-shot

nerdblog — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:42:09 +0000

Kyle Roberts and Matt Price review Dark X-Men 1, X-Force 21 and the Batman/Doc Savage one-shot on the NewsOK Comics podcast.

Character makes Savage return to comics

nerdblog — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:37:59 +0000

Doc Savage is making his way back to comics. The once wildly popular pulp character co-stars with Batman in the one-shot “Batman/Doc Savage” this week.

Brian Azzarello (“100 Bullets”) is the writer of the “Batman/Doc Savage” Special, illustrated by Phil Noto.

Doc Savage has a long history in comic books, pulp magazines, radio and even movies.

Moore author Mel Odom said Doc Savage was among his favorites as a youngster.

“I grew up on the character — tougher than Tarzan, braver than Batman,” he said. “(I) took my younger brothers to see the 1975 George Pal ‘Doc Savage’ movie.”

And Doc Savage could return to the silver screen as well. Aintitcoolnews.com recently reported Shane Black (“Lethal Weapon”) was working on a Doc Savage script.

Through his worldwide jaunts, Doc Savage came at least twice to the Sooner State.

“At least two Doc novels take place in Oklahoma, ‘The Secret in the Sky,’ May 1935, and ‘The Derrick Devil,’ February 1937,” said Larry Latham, pulp fiction expert and creator of the “Lovecraft Is Missing” Web comic.

Doc Savage was an adventurer and scientist who had globe-spanning adventures with his band of assistants.

Lester Dent wrote most of the 181 novels featuring Doc Savage, which were released under the Street & Smith “house name” of Kenneth Robeson. And Dent had even closer ties to Oklahoma than his “Man of Bronze” character.

Though Dent was born in La Plata, Mo., Latham said Dent lived and worked in Oklahoma from 1925 to late 1930, in Bartlesville, Ponca City, Chickasha and Tulsa.

“In Tulsa, he worked for The Associated Press office at the Tulsa World,” Latham said in an e-mail. Latham said articles by Will Murray, Dent’s literary executor and biographer and a personal friend of Dent’s wife, Norma, indicated that during this time Dent was an avid reader of the pulp magazines.

“He worked midnight to 8 a.m. and read a lot of pulps,” Latham said. “One of his co-workers, Lester Foster, sold a story, and so Dent took up writing as a way to make some extra money.”

He wrote 13 stories before selling his first to Street & Smith in 1929, living in Tulsa and working at The Associated Press, and also as a telegrapher at a Tulsa stock brokerage until 1930.

Dell Publishing in New York offered Dent a full-time job writing in late 1930, Latham said, and the Dents moved there. Not too long after, Street & Smith hired him to write Doc Savage.

In addition to Doc Savage, Dent wrote a variety of other pulp genres before his death on March 11, 1959. But there was one genre of which he wasn’t particularly fond.

Murray quotes him as saying: “I was raised on a ranch. Now wouldn’t I be crazy to go writing about something I knew all about?”

by Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Who is your favorite Robin?

nerdblog — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:47:12 +0000

I’ve been thinking about the role of Batman’s sidekick lately. I recently re-read some of the earlier Tim Drake Robin appearances, and was reminded how much I enjoyed that character at the time. There are also some great Dick Grayson stories as Robin. Damian Wayne as Robin co-stars in a top-selling book, and of course there’s something to be said for trailblazers Carrie Kelly and Stephanie Brown. I’m less sure that anyone’s favorite Robin will be Jason Todd, but I guess anything is possible. Share your vote in the poll below, and if you’d like, tell us why you voted for whom you voted in the comments!

Celebrate Halloween with the Dark Knight

nerdblog — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:31:06 +0000

Want to have a Batman Halloween? NewsOK’s Nick Tankersley will tell you how. Among his tips: Check out the Jeph Loeb-Tim Sale classic “Batman: The Long Halloween,” and sit down with the Tim Burton Batman films. Check out the full article here.

- Matt Price

Vanishing Batman

nerdblog — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:52:11 +0000

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Thanks to CJ for pointing out this College Humor video that explores how exactly Batman manages to vanish like that.

- Matt Price

Oklahoma writer Sterling Gates creates World’s Finest team-ups

nerdblog — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:07:55 +0000

World’s Finest #1, kicking off a miniseries teaming Superman and Batman family characters, is in stores today, written by Tulsa native Sterling Gates.

At DC Comics’ official “Source” blog, Gates is called a “writer to watch.”

“Gates has made a name for himself for his tight plotting and knack for strong and precise characterization,” blogger Alex Segura writes.

Meanwhile, at Newsarama, Vaneta Rogers has an extended Q&A with Gates about the series.

“The Batman universe is so full of change right now. So is the Superman universe,” Gates tells Newsarama. “Bruce Wayne is dead and Superman has left the planet Earth to be with his own people on New Krypton. The world is suddenly without its two greatest heroes. To me, that makes it a very exciting time for the DC Universe. You’re seeing new and different characters come to the forefront and stepping up to fill the void left with Superman and Batman gone.”

Gates talked to Nerdage back in September about the project:

“Each issue focuses on a different Batman-Universe hero and villain teaming up with a different Superman-Universe hero and villain,” Gates said. “So, you’re getting four great characters coming into conflict, and you just have to sit back and watch the fireworks.”

Gates said ” World’s Finest” also has some of his “all-time favorite villains.”

“Catwoman’s in there, Mr. Freeze, Penguin, Kryptonite Man, Toyman,” he said. “It’s gonna take all of these heroes working together to rein these supervillains in!”

- Matt Price

Musical episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold airs tonight

nerdblog — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:58:05 +0000

Neil Patrick Harris guest-stars as villain “The Music Meister” in tonight’s episode of “Batman: The Brave and the Bold.” “Mayhem of the Music Meister” guest-stars Neil Patrick Harris as the Music Meister, whose power makes those around him break into song and do his bidding.

“Brave and Bold” is always a fun half-hour, and “Meister” is no exception. While the plot’s pretty thin, it’s a lot of fun to see the proceeding turn into a musical. Black Canary, voiced by Grey DeLisle, is the show-stopper, singing about her unrequited love for Batman, but NPH gets to show off quite a bit as well. “He Drives Us Bats” is a take on Batman from the villain point of view that’s quite catchy, besides.

The soundtrack goes on sale Saturday on iTunes.

- Matt Price

Check out Neil Patrick Harris in Batman: Brave and Bold

nerdblog — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:59:40 +0000

Entertainment Weekly has an early look at Neil Patrick Harris as the voice of Music Meister in the Oct. 23 episode of “Batman: Brave and Bold.” Perhaps inspired by the musical episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Dr. Horrible,” this episode of “Brave and Bold” features hero vs. villain in song. Click the link to check out a clip.

- Matt Price

NewsOK Comics vodcast: Haunt 1, Batman Unseen 1, X-Men vs Agents of Atlas 1

nerdblog — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:44:07 +0000

Things get spooky this October week in comics, as Haunt #1 comes out from Image and DC brings forth Batman Unseen #1. Meanwhile, the X-Men face off with the Agents of Atlas in the first part of a two-issue miniseries. Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss these comics in this week’s NewsOK Comics podcast.

DVD review: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

nerdblog — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:57:34 +0000

The Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader team up in this direct-to-DVD animated film based on the comic books by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. Loeb has plenty of screenwriting experience, as the writer of “Teen Wolf” and “Commando,” and his story translates relatively easily to film. The screenplay was adapted by Stan Berkowitz, who also adapted Darwyn Cooke’s “Justice League: The New Frontier” into an animated movie.

McGuinness’s blocky, muscular style is recreated in the style of the movie, which is heavy on action but lighter on character development.

The movie reunites Tim Daly, who voiced Superman on “Superman: The Animated Series,” with Kevin Conroy, voice of Batman in “Batman: The Animated Series.” The two hadn’t worked together since 1998’s “World’s Finest” animated movie. (George Newbern took over the role of Superman for the “Justice League” animated series.)

The United States, in the throes of wars and recession, turns to an exonerated Lex Luthor, who is elected U.S. president. Luthor fixes the immediate problems but also insists all superheroes work solely for him. When a giant Kryptonite meteor threatens Earth, Superman and Batman — now “public enemies” in Luthor’s regime — are forced to come up with their own plan to save the planet.

The first half of the movie zips along, but the ending isn’t as strong.

It’s great to hear Daly and Conroy working together on their signature characters, but the film doesn’t exceed the past decade of animation with Superman and Batman.

— Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

No joke: Batman marks four weeks atop GameFly Top 10

nerdblog — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:49:06 +0000

Batman: Arkham Asylum remains at the top of the GameFly top 10 list for the fourth week. Halo 3: ODST moves from No. 4 to No. 2. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 jumps from No. 5 to No. 3. The Beatles: Rock Band, released 09-09-09, makes its first appearance on the list — at No. 9.

The GameFly Top 10 List reflects gamers’ choice from more than 6,000 titles for the Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and PSP consoles.

Batman makes it a three-peat atop GameFly Top 10

nerdblog — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:47:45 +0000

Batman: Arkham Asylum remains at the top of the GameFly top 10 list for the third straight week. Wolfenstein 3D at moves up a spot to No. 2, knocking Madden 10 to No. 3. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 switches places from last week with Halo 3: ODST. Ultimate Alliance is now in the No. 5 slot, with Halo 3: ODST at No. 4.

The GameFly Top 10 List reflects gamers’ choice from more than 6,000 titles for the Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and PSP consoles.

Megan Fox in almost certainly untrue Catwoman rumor

nerdblog — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:51:20 +0000

Actress Megan Fox poses backstage at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009 in Universal City, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Popeater shares a report from a British newspaper that Transformers 2 star Megan Fox might suit up as Catwoman in an upcoming Batman flick.

It’s not the wildest rumor that’s floated about the as-yet-untitled Batman movie — that would probably be the “Cher as Catwoman” rumor — but I don’t see that this one is any more substantial than that one, at this point.

I think people are just hungry for news on a new Bat-film and will take what rumors they can get until something is officially happening.

UPDATE: People confirms that this is false.

“It’s rumor. It’s not true,” said a studio rep. “There is no script. There is no project to be cast in.”

- Matt Price

Batman grapples to top of GameFly top 10

nerdblog — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:54:13 +0000

Batman defeats all opponents to top the GameFly Top 10 List for the week ending August 10, 2009.
The GameFly Top 10 List reflects gamers’ choice from more than 6,000 titles for the Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and PSP consoles. Last week’s No. 1, Madden 10, falls to No. 2. Halo 3: OSDT hangs on at No. 3.

Executive producer of Batman, Archie writer Michael Uslan coming to Comic-Con

nerdblog — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:33:34 +0000

“Batman” movie executive producer Michael E. Uslan will come to Comic-Con this year for the 20th anniversary of the Tim Burton film that changed how comic books are brought to movie screens.

Uslan will also be on hand to talk about his highly anticipated upcoming storyline for Archie Comics, in which Archie marries Veronica.

Uslan has several new properties in development, including Shazam! and The Shadow.

Uslan will be on hand at the following Comic-Con panels:

THURSDAY:
11:30-12:30 Archie Comics: Archie Marries Veronica. It’s the wedding of the century, but that is just the start, with plenty of surprise announcements about the future of Archie Comics, including the latest news about Archie on television and in feature films! Panelists include legendary The Dark Knight movie producer and Archie writer Michael Uslan, new Archie Comics CEO Jon Goldwater, iVerse CEO Michael Murphy, IDW Publishing COO Greg Goldstein, Archie Comics president/director of circulation Fred Mausser, and Archie Comics vice president/managing editor Mike Pellerito. The panel is moderated by Archie’s public relations coordinator Rik Offenberger and features a Q&A session. An “Archie Marries Veronica” poster will be given to everyone attending the panel. Room 4

FRIDAY:
6:00-7:00 Comics to Film with Michael Uslan. Godfather of the modern comic book film Michael Uslan (Batman, Constantine, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight) celebrates the 20th anniversary of his landmark movie Batman (1989) by recounting what it took to make it happen and how the industry has changed since then, advising newcomers how to make their comic book movie dreams come true. Q&A and surprise announcements will cap off the hour. Moderated by Tony Panaccio. Room 7AB

SATURDAY:
10:30-12:00 Comics Arts Conference Session #9: Is the Joker a Psychopath: You Decide! Psychology professors Robin Rosenberg (The Psychology of Superheroes) and Travis Langley (Henderson State University) discuss the technical definition of a psychopath and review the criteria for antisocial personality disorder does the Joker fit the clinical definition? Is he more than just crazy? They are joined by Joker experts Jerry Robinson (The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938-1950), famed “Joker-fish” scribe Steve Englehart (The Point Man), and film producer Michael Uslan (The Dark Knight). Room 30AB

Review: Batwoman wows in Detective Comics 854

nerdblog — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:20:09 +0000

Greg Rucka and JH Williams III kick off the Batwoman storyline with a bang in “Detective Comics” 854. Williams hasn’t lost a step from “Promethea,” and is one of the most interesting artists working today. If you’re on the fence about this, I suggest you just pick up a copy and look at it. Rucka’s story is interesting – continuing the “Crime Bible” saga, it appears, and exploring the personality of Kate Kane, first introduced with much fanfare in “52.” But the obvious selling point of the book is the art. Williams is brilliant in layout and composition, experimental yet completely clear in his storytelling.

The black and red color palate from Dave Stewart as “Detective” opens draws you into Gotham City; Todd Klein, one of comics’ most prestigious letterers, completes the package.

The backup story, by Rucka and Cully Hamner, follows the new Question, Renee Montoya. It’s just 8 pages, but sets up what looks to be an interesting yarn.

- Matt Price

I’m Batman: A look back at live-action Dark Knights

nerdblog — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:06:59 +0000

Today is the 20th anniversary of the 1989 “Batman” film starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson. I remember my brother and I desperately anticipating this film, which we then saw multiple times over the summer. (Thanks to the Bat-Blog for the reminder.)

With the 1989 “Batman” on my mind, I decided to take a look back at the men who have portrayed Batman in live-action over the years.

Lewis Wilson was the first man to don the cowl of the Bat in the 1943 serial “Batman.” It’s done well enough for the time, though the racial overtones are difficult, if not impossible, to get around. Batman and Robin protect Gotham City from Dr. Tito Daka, who’s about as stereotypical as you’d expect for 1943. Ironically, perhaps, the DVD of the serial was released by a subsidiary of Sony.

Robert Lowery replaced Wilson in 1949’s “Batman and Robin,” as the Dynamic Duo face the Wizard and his death ray. It’s cheaper, and not as well-done as 1943’s “Batman,” but contains less offensive content, if you’re considering checking it out with younger viewers.

Here’s what The Oklahoman’s entertainment editor Gene Triplett wrote about “Batman and Robin” for its DVD release:

The Saturday morning serial model of Batman shown in the theaters of 1949 was pretty low-budget: His pointy ears and nose more closely resemble those of a Doberman pinscher than a bat, Robin’s mask is of the dime-store rubber-band Halloween variety, and the Batmobile is nothing more than a stock 1949 Mercury convertible, sans fins, Bat-mask grille or any other snazzy options.

Batman is played by Robert Lowery, accurately described as a “colorless B-movie actor” in David Inman’s “TV Encyclopedia,” and best-known as Big Tim Champion on the ’50s TV series “Circus Boy.” John Duncan, a young body-builder with an Okie accent, is Robin, and B-movie stalwart Lyle Talbot (”Plan 9 From Outer Space”) is Commissioner Gordon. If you don’t take your Batman too seriously, here’s 15 chapters (261 minutes) of unintentional hilarity.

Batman next appeared when Adam West brought the character back with the campy 1960s television series. Rights issues have precluded the TV series from being released on DVD, though the 1966 movie is available. “Batman” reruns were a staple of television throughout the 1980s, showcasing the program’s quirky charm to another generation. My brother and I couldn’t wait to race home to watch “Batman” for years; we were older before we realized it was supposed to be funny.

The Oklahoman’s Renee Lawrence asked West in 2001 what he thought gave the 1960s “Batman” its staying power among later generations.

“I think possibly it’s because we made a great effort to do it on several levels: for the kids, so they would enjoy all the splash, adventure, color, the bizarre villains and situations and so the adults would see the humor and laugh along with it,” West said. “And I think it worked because, I’m not that old, but I have three generations of folks coming to see me at these live appearances. It’s wonderful.”

Though Batman appeared in his own cartoons and in “SuperFriends” in the 1970s and 1980s, that was it for live-action “Batman” for several years, until Tim Burton’s ” Batman” was a critical and commercial tour-de-force in 1989.

” Batman” took nearly a decade to get made, as multiple approaches were tried before director Tim Burton came aboard.

The film likely couldn’t have been made without the darker ” Batman” comics of the 1980s, including “Dark Knight Returns” and “Killing Joke,” which Burton showed at meetings to get the 1960s “Bam! Pow!” version out of executives’ heads.

Michael Keaton is an unlikely but outstanding Bruce Wayne/ Batman, who sees his parents killed and dedicates his life to fighting crime. Burton mentions he didn’t want a traditional muscleman for Batman. Keaton looked crazy enough to put on a Batsuit to frighten criminals.

Casting Jack Nicholson as the Joker was almost “too obvious,” Burton says in the commentary, while Kim Basinger was a last-minute replacement as Vicki Vale for Sean Young.

Things turned darker with 1992’s ” Batman Returns,” featuring Michelle Pfeiffer’s slinky Catwoman and Danny DeVito’s malformed Penguin. Christopher Walken was slimy businessman Max Shreck.

Critics and parents squawked at the misfit Penguin, who was a far cry from Burgess Meredith’s dapper interpretation.

The result was Burton’s sliding into the producer’s role for ” Batman Forever,” allowing Joel Schumacher to take over the directorial reins.

Val Kilmer makes a striking Batman and a perfectly acceptable Bruce Wayne; the film does offer some psychological insight into the character – now in a love triangle with Nicole Kidman’s sexy psychologist Dr. Chase Meridian. The origin of Robin (Chris O’Donnell) is right from the comics and manages a good introduction for a character Burton had twice avoided.

Where the film fails is with the villains. Tommy Lee Jones’ Two-Face is a poor man’s Joker, and while Jim Carrey’s Riddler is at times sparkling, the movie is too much at Carrey’s disposal.

Still, audiences were crazy for Carrey, and the lighter “Forever” was a huge moneymaker in 1995.

This led to almost immediate preproduction on ” Batman and Robin.” George Clooney, then best-known for his role on “ER,” donned the cape, cowl, and nipples of Batman. While Clooney isn’t a great Batman, it’s hard to say it’s entirely his fault.

The film introduces Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy and Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl. Schwarzenegger is badly miscast, doesn’t carry off the tragic arc of Mr. Freeze (imported from the excellent animated series) and can’t get through a scene without a hideous cold-related pun. The failure of ” Batman and Robin” kept the series on ice until the recent ” Batman Begins.”

The Oklahoman’s George Lang called “Batman Begins” the second-best movie of 2005.
Joel Schumacher’s ” Batman and Robin” was so ghastly in its day-glo kitschiness, it almost qualified as a directorial hate crime, and it fell to Christopher Nolan (”Memento,” “Insomnia”) to rehabilitate the moribund franchise. But this was no mere rehabilitation: ” Batman Begins” is a glorious creation story drawing from Frank Miller’s ” Batman: Year One” and featuring the best cinematic Bruce Wayne to date, Christian Bale. The British cult actor balances introspection with the expected physicality in a performance that never condescends – Bale takes every element of his task seriously. Throw in Nolan’s customarily nonlinear storytelling, a truly scary villain (Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow) and a supporting cast (Liam Neeson, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Tom Wilkinson, Gary Oldman and Rutger Hauer) working at peak levels, and ” Batman Begins” becomes the first Batman film completely worthy of its subject.

That brings us to last year’s “The Dark Knight,” the best Batman film yet. While Bale’s Batman is overshadowed by Heath Ledger’s Joker – much like Keaton was overshadowed by Nicholson – it’s a tour-de-force of a movie. ”The Dark Knight” begins as a heist caper, as goons in clown masks execute a bank robbery. But the twists in that scene foreshadow the entire film: “The Dark Knight” will not be business as usual.

In Gotham City, an aggressive new district attorney, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) and police Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) are following the lead of the crime-fighter Batman (Christian Bale) in taking it to the Mob. Together, the three have put a dent in the Mob’s control over the city. But the game is about to change. Anarchic madman the Joker (Heath Ledger) tells the Mob’s leaders that the answer to their problems is clear: Get rid of Batman.

The Joker looms large over the film “The Dark Knight,” at least partially because Ledger, who portrays the villain, died of an accidental drug overdose. But “The Dark Knight” is a tribute to his talents, as Ledger disappears into the role of the Joker. As the madman at the center of this crime epic, the Joker’s lunacy has the town on edge. While the Joker ostensibly is working for the city’s criminal powers, his real goal is chaos. This creepy vision of the Joker is original and unsettling, with greasy hair and a painted-on smile covering scars.

“The Dark Knight” is as much, or more, crime epic as comic-book adventure, and it reveals how far competent hands can take the Batman character when played straight. Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne, yearns for a real life, possibly with Assistant District Attorney Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal). But as long as Gotham needs him as a protector, he must fill that role. Batman sees in Dent a possible replacement; his legal solutions for crime could take the place of Batman’s fists and technology.

The Joker doesn’t want a return to normalcy; he wants a city mad enough to need Batman for a defender. Their battle takes on multiple dimensions, both in the persons of Batman and the Joker, and the city at large, as director Christopher Nolan asks: What rules are worth breaking?

- Matt Price

Superman meets Batman in 1950s Cold War novel

nerdblog — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:27:05 +0000

WORD BALLOONS

Superman meets Batman in the new novel from writer Kevin J. Anderson, “Enemies and Allies.” Anderson sets the first meeting of the two in the 1950s, at the height of the Cold War.

“It seemed unlikely to set a story in the modern day, and say that Batman and Superman have never heard of each other before,” Anderson said in a phone interview with The Oklahoman. “It felt more in keeping with the spirit of the universe if we set it back in a more nostalgic time. And of course the ’50s is the time we all remember from George Reeves as Clark Kent and Superman, and Noel Neill as Lois Lane, and that was the flavor I wanted to pick up on.”

In “Enemies and Allies,” Bruce Wayne’s Wayne Industries is at the forefront of many technological breakthroughs. But he’s being spied on by another industrialist, Lex Luthor, who wants to stoke Cold War tensions to build his own military-industrial empire.

“Set in the Cold War universe with Bruce Wayne as the big industrialist as well, Lex Luthor just seemed like the natural foil for both Bruce Wayne and Wayne Industries, and Clark Kent and Superman,” Anderson said.

Meanwhile, Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen, reporters for the Daily Planet, are sent to look into a possible flying saucer crash.

“We did the story in stages,” Anderson said. “One was doing Batman and Superman and deciding to set it in the ’50s. And in the ’50s, the primary thing is the Cold War, and everybody was afraid that the Russians were going to launch nuclear missiles at us, and everybody was doing disaster drills. The movies at the theater, they’re … all these wonderful flying saucer paranoia pictures.”

Ultimately, the 1950s setting became interwoven completely with the story.

“It became not just window dressing, but the ’50s setting and everybody’s attitudes about the Cold War, the paranoia about flying saucers, and all of these details became integral to the plot rather than just little backdrops,” Anderson said.

Another new release from Anderson is “Terra Incognita: The Edge of the World,” a fantasy novel featuring high-seas adventure. Additionally, a CD from ProgRock Records tying into the book’s release has lyrics by Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, with music by Erik Norlander (keyboardist for Asia Featuring John Payne).

“This idea’s been in my head for a long time, because I think a lot of the people who listen to that kind of music also listen to the kind of books that I write,” Anderson said. “It’s a crossover rock CD and fantasy novel.”

More about Kevin Anderson’s “Enemies and Allies” and “Terra Incognita” can be found at his Web site, www.wordfire.com.

- Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Review: Batman and Robin 1

nerdblog — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:48:15 +0000

Writer Grant Morrison teams up with his “All-Star Superman” and “New X-Men” collaborator, artist Frank Quitely, for “Batman and Robin” No. 1, and the result is the best comic-book launch of 2009 to date.

I often have excessively high expectations for DC event-type comics, but this issue met them all, with the new Batman and Robin beginning their partnership in an issue that felt both fresh and respectful of the past.

At the conclusion of “Battle for the Cowl,” Dick Grayson, the first Batman, has taken on the role of Batman, taking over for his mentor, even though he hoped he’d never have to. He’s assisted by Damian, the son of the original Batman. Damian is a bit of a hothead, but has the skills to back it up.

It makes for great Batman-Robin interplay, and it’s something we haven’t seen before. I’m not sure where this puts the former Robin, Tim Drake, but dramatically speaking Dick and Damian make for a fun team.

Batman and Robin have a new, flying Batmobile, a new Batcave, and new, very creepy villains introduced this issue.

This is the accessible, exciting launch I had hoped “Batman RIP” and “Final Crisis” would be. Morrison is writing a great “Batman” take that can be read by anyone.

“There’s a new Batman and Robin,” you could say, “read this.” And people would instantly be able to follow along. Yes, Morrison’s run to date and “Battle for the Cowl” inform the story, but all you need to know is on the page.

“This is it,” says the new Batman during the story. “Batman and Robin. Together again for the first time.”

– Matt Price

Click past the cut for preview art from “Batman and Robin” No. 1

NewsOK Comics Podcast: Supergirl 41, Captain America 50, Wolverine Weapon X 2 and Batman Battle for the Cowl 3

nerdblog — Sun, 24 May 2009 04:54:00 +0000

Kyle Roberts and Matt Price review some of this week’s comics, including Supergirl 41, Wolverine: Weapon X 2, Batman Battle for the Cowl 3 and Captain America 50.
Below, see an image gallery from “Wolverine: Weapon X” 2, written by Jason Aaron with art by Ron Garney.

Terminator Salvation’s Christian Bale talks Bartlesville

nerdblog — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:48:54 +0000

Want to find out why Christian Bale made a stop in Bartlesville, Oklahoma last summer? Check out George Lang’s Staticblog for a vague answer from the star from the recent Terminator Salvation press junket. Look for more from the man who would be Batman AND John Connor in Friday’s Weekend LOOK.

– Matt Price

Comics vodcast: X-Men Origins: Wolverine the movie and the comic book; Battle for the Cowl the Underground; Legion of Three Worlds 4

nerdblog — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:44:10 +0000

Matt Price and Kyle Roberts review X-Men Origins: Wolverine and talk about a few of the best comics that came out this week, including the one-shot with the same title, X-Men Origins: Wolverine; Batman Battle for the Cowl: The Underground, and Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds #4.

Comics vodcast: Wolverine Weapon X 1, Warlord 1, Batman Battle for the Cowl 2, Superman World of New Krypton 2

nerdblog — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:32:19 +0000

There is a theme of mystery in last week’s comics. Matt Price and Kyle Roberts discuss Wolverine Weapon X #1, Warlord #1, Batman: Battle for the Cowl #2, and Superman: World of New Krypton #2.

Action and Detective: No Superman or Batman? No problem

nerdblog — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:26:09 +0000

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — DC executives attending the annual ComicsPRO meeting were asked about upcoming issues of “Action Comics” and “Detective Comics” that wouldn’t star traditional heroes Superman and Batman. Will the lack of those heroes cause sales to drop?

Detective Comics will feature Batwoman as the lead character, written by Greg Rucka and drawn by J.H. Williams. Rucka is the writer on Action Comics, starring characters Flamebird and Nightwing. Issue #875, drawn by Eddy Barrows, is on sale now. Didio said the art for Detective Comics is phenomenal, and will draw new readers to the series.

“I can’t wait to see this stuff because it’s just so cool-looking,” Didio said. “(Williams’) Batwoman stuff is just dynamite.”

Didio also reiterated the strong ties between Action Comics and the rest of the Superman world.

“Those characters (Flamebird and Nightwing) originated in Action Comics,” Didio said. “(And) Superman’s not gone — he’s just not the star of the book right now. If somebody is a Superman fan, they should feel engaged by this storyline and excited by it.”

DC’s vice president of sales Bob Wayne indicated that numbers on “Action Comics” ordered so far under Greg Rucka’s run are nearly the same as previous numbers under Geoff Johns.

– Matt Price

Comics Q&A: Batman – Battle for the Cowl

nerdblog — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:55:24 +0000

What characters are involved in “Batman: Battle for the Cowl?”

Popularity of Batman character sparks “Dark Knight” toy line

nerdblog — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:21:09 +0000

With the Oscar success of “The Dark Knight,” the Christopher Nolan-directed film is again in the public eye. Mattel, the toy licensor for “Dark Knight,” has launched new toys in its “Dark Knight” line of toys, including playsets and role-playing items.

Rob Novickas, spokesperson for Mattel, spoke to the success of the “Dark Knight” line, and the method of translating a somewhat dark film to a successful all-ages toy line.

Q: How successful has the Dark Knight line of toys been?

A: Batman is considered an evergreen property. While “The Dark Knight” was not a movie seen by most kids, the fact that the character is so popular and has been with many generations made the toy line very popular with kids and especially adult collectors.

Q: Was it difficult creating a line of toys that was true to the dark themes of the movie, and yet still play-friendly?

A: For years, Mattel has created a variety of Batman toys that bring this perennial super hero favorite to life for fans of all ages – from action figures and role-play toys, to playsets and games. Our close-working relationship with the filmmakers and Warner Bros. on this film allowed us to be an active participant throughout the entire process. This presented a unique opportunity for Mattel to demonstrate its distinct ability to translate what viewers see on screen into child-appropriate, fun toy line that captures the spirit of the Batman characters.

Q: Tell me about some of the special features of the Dark Knight toys.

A: Mattel has developed an exciting collection of innovative and fun products including role play toys that allow kids to transform into the Dark Knight and fight crime just like Batman, cool vehicles straight out of the streets of Gotham City, realistic action figures and interactive playsets that capture the action, drama and thrill of the movie.

Q: What about Batman has made the character and accessories so popular over so many years?

A: It’s all about the gadgets and the ultimate cool car – what’s cooler than the Batmobile? The cape and cowl is also extremely popular with boys. Batman has entertained and inspired generations of people, and is truly considered an evergreen property between its multiple films, comic books, television series, and consumer products. He’s embodies the “good triumphing over evil” that makes super hero play so appealing to children of all ages.

Q: How much of an effect does the success of a film, in dollars or awards consideration, have on the success of a toy line?

A: At Mattel the success of a toy line comes from creating innovative and fun toys first and then over laying of a license. In the case of Batman, we make the ultimate in action figures and vehicles, and the role play items allow a kid to really feel like he’s the best of the super heroes – Batman.

– Matthew Price
From Tuesday’s The Oklahoman

Recent “Dark Knight” toy releases

nerdblog — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:15:32 +0000

The following toys are recent releases in the “Batman: The Dark Knight” line.

Batman: The Dark Knight – The Rapid Fire Utility Belt: This role play toy includes a cape and features a rapid-fire motorized blaster with foam projectiles that feeds into the buckle.

Batman: The Dark Knight Mega Cape: The cape can rapidly expand to a 5-inch wingspan, or retract into a convenient back harness for run-around play.

Batman: The Dark Knight Gotham City Battle Playset: This playset transforms into four different environments, as well as a Batmobile.

Batman: The Dark Knight Shift Attack Sports Coupe: Bruce Wayne’s sports coupe can transform to an attack mode. As the car changes, the four-inch Bruce Wayne driver figure changes to a Batman figure, and out come battering rams, missile launchers and massive turbo engines.

Comics vodcast: Darkness 75, Thor 600, Batman 686 and X-Men Origins: Sabretooth

nerdblog — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:30:08 +0000

It’s a week of anniversaries! Darkness celebrates 75 issues, Thor celebrates 600, Batman attends a funeral, and Sabretooth has a violent way of saying “Happy Birthday” in this week’s comics, as discussed by Matt Price and Kyle Roberts.

New Batman show offers team-up fun

nerdblog — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:59:38 +0000

WORD BALLOONS

The kid-friendly Cartoon Network series “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” is based on the comic book of the same name that teamed Batman up with other DC Comics characters. In the most recent episode, “Journey to the Center of the Bat,” the Atom and Aquaman must miniaturize themselves to save Batman from a disease.
The TV-G rated series has the goofy charm of the 1960s “Batman,” and has introduced more than a dozen DC Comics characters in its first nine episodes. The original Batman team-up “Brave and Bold” comics are available in three black-and-white “Showcase” editions from DC. The first comic book based on the “Brave and the Bold” cartoon was released this week.
If you or a youngster are enjoying “Brave and Bold,” here’s more information about some of the included characters, and comic-book collections to seek out for further reading.

AQUAMAN
The cartoon’s version of Aquaman is somewhat arrogant, but in a fun way. While this version is an amalgam of the various ways Aquaman’s been portrayed throughout the years, if you’re looking for goofy retro fun, check out the two “Showcase” reprint volumes. If you’d prefer a more modern take, Peter David’s “Aquaman: Time and Tide” recaps the character’s origin.

THE ATOM
The shrinking scientist Ray Palmer has two “Showcase” volumes. Science-fiction meets sword-and-sorcery in the “Sword of the Atom” collection. And Palmer’s successor, Ryan Choi, is introduced in “The All-New Atom: My Life in Miniature.” This Atom is showcased in “Journey to the Center of the Bat!”

BLUE BEETLE
Hispanic teen Jaime Reyes is the current Blue Beetle; four volumes of his current adventures are available. The episode “The Fall of the Blue Beetle” introduces his predecessor, Ted Kord, and the best place to find his stories are in the “Justice League International” collections.

GREEN ARROW
The “Brave and the Bold” version is the clean-shaven Batman rival, not the goateed political activist. Your best bet to find representative stories is the “Showcase Presents Green Arrow” volume.

PLASTIC MAN
When hood Eel O’Brien receives the power to stretch and mold himself as if made of plastic, he retreats from his life of crime and becomes a costumed hero. The eight “Archive” editions by DC collect Jack Cole’s masterwork. If the $49.99 price tag for those is too steep, two recent collections by Kyle Baker — “On the Lam” and “Rubber Bandits” — are excellent comics in their own right.

Other characters showcased thus far on “The Brave and the Bold” include the android Red Tornado, the cocky Green Lantern Guy Gardner, the aging pugilist The Wildcat, the super-team The Outsiders, the ghostly Deadman and Kamandi, the last boy on Earth.

by Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman