Christian Bale wraps up Batman; Luke Skywalker lunch; Hulk TV plans
Batman 3, aka “The Dark Knight Rises,” has wrapped, and Christian Bale is done. Also: Lunch with a Star Wars legend and Hulk TV news.
LUNCH WITH LUKE
Actor Mark Hammill, who brought Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker to life in the original Star Wars Trilogy, is offering to have lunch in Los Angeles with the highest bidder and a guest to raise funds for The RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights, which provides an ongoing base of support to human rights defenders around the world. Valued at $10,000, the exclusive experience is open for bidding from November 29th through December 15th at:
http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/276455
BAT-FINISHED
The Philippine Daily Inquirer talked with Christian Bale, and he confirmed he was done with Batman. 
“I wrapped a few days ago so that will be the last time I’m taking that cowl off,” he said. “I believe that the whole production wrapped yesterday, so it’s all done. Everything’s finished. It’s me and Chris – that will be the end of that Batman era.”
He also praised co-star Anne “Catwoman” Hathaway.
“I had plenty of scenes with Anne,” he said. “And I was there when we did the screen test for her. The thing that I said to Chris [Nolan] that day was that there were many very accomplished actresses who had read for the role. I’m terrible at auditions, so I’m very impressed when somebody really seems to acquire an ownership of a character without having worked on it or prepared for some amount of time.”
THE INCREDIBLE HULK NEARS
Guillermo del Toro tells io9 that the screenplay is in for the possible upcoming “Hulk” TV show, and the team is waiting for a green light. Del Toro, serving as producer, says he and his team know the essential stories, including “Hulk: Grey,” written by Jeph Loeb, who is involved with the show.
“We know all the iterations of the Hulk pretty good. We’ve read all the essential stories, and we’re then riffing on that. There are so many incarnations and ideas. Jeph Loeb — who did a good run [on Hulk: Grey] — is involved, and I love Peter David’s Hulk. But there’s really no part in that mythos that we don’t know, so we are trying put our own personal spin on it.”
REVIEW FILE: Green Lantern The Animated Series #0, Wolverine #19, Uncanny X-Men #2, X-Men Legacy #259, Archie #627, Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #1.
Comics read in 2011: 1,853. Still to go: 158
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Star Wars Legacy, Archie among reading for comic-book challenge
Catching up on a few more comics read recently as I’m trying to reach 2,011 comics read in 2011.
Archie #30 (1948): If Betty can sew a patch onto Archie’s pants, she can take him to the dance. Did people really do things like this in the 1940s?
Betty and Veronica #192 (Dec. 1971) Veronica ditches the gang, who are cleaning up the river in Riverdale, when she has a chance to appear in a fashion shoot.
Star Wars Legacy vol. 2: Shards: This second volume of “Legacy” does a lot to set up the world of the “Star Wars” universe, 125 years after “Return of the Jedi.” Cade Skywalker, Luke’s grandson, is the series’ main character, though he’s less active in this volume than the first. Collects issues 8, 4, 9, 10, 13, 11, and 12 of the series, originally published in 2007.
The Unknown 1-4 and The Unknown Devil Made Flesh 1-4: Two supernatural-style mysteries by writer Mark Waid and artist Minck Oosterveer. Oosterveer sadly died earlier this year.
In “The Unknown,” from Boom! Studios, master detective Catherine Allingham learns she only has months to live. She chooses to use that remaining time examining seemingly unsolvable mysteries with her ex-bouncer apprentice, James Doyle.
Sanctuary #1: Stephen Coughlin’s digital comic from SLG features a sanctuary for animals with a dark mystery behind it — it reminded me somewhat of “Lost.”
Batman: No Man’s Land Vol. 1: Batman must deal with Gotham City after a terrible earthquake leads to the evacuation of most of the city. This volume includes Batman: No Man’s Land #1, Batman #563-564, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #83-84, Detective Comics #730-731 and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #116. While the story is in some ways unbelievable, the storytellers do a good job making this altered Gotham and its residents part of a compelling story of Batman and his allies in a new, difficult circumstance.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,847. Still to go: 164.
Timothy Zahn’s “Heir to the Empire” sparked “Star Wars” renaissance
It’s hard to imagine now, but for about six years in the late 1980s and early 1990s, “Star Wars” was largely in hibernation.
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Star Wars: Clone Wars series of 2008 is companion to animated series
Henry Gilroy, who also wrote for the “Clone Wars” animated series in 2008, provides a companion series in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” 1-12, which follow the adventures of the Jedi in between the films “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith.”
The first six issues follow Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Padawan Ahsoka as the Jedi attempt to rescue Asoka’s people from slavery.
In issues 7-9, Jedis Kit Fisto and Plo Kloon face Separatists on a world of rich resources, but their bigger problem may be an overpromoted Republic commander.
Issues 10-12 feature Anakin’s conflict with a similar personality who finds himself on the opposite side of the war from Anakin Skywalker.
Other “Star Wars” read recently:
Star Wars Legacy Vol. 1: Broken
“Broken” collects issues 1-3 and 5-6 of “Star Wars: Legacy,” introducing Cade Skywalker, grandson of Luke, 125 years after the events of “Return of the Jedi.” Cade is a Skywalker with the roguish charm of a Han Solo, working as a bounty hunter after the Jedi have again been hunted to near-extinction.
Cade’s journey in some ways resembles his grandfather’s, but while Luke was raised by kindly Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, the orphaned Cade finds himself the ward of space pirates.
John Ostrander creates a conflict worthy of the name “Star Wars” as the surviving Jedi seek Cade as the galaxy again is torn apart by warring factions.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,492. Still to go: 519.
Happy 34th anniversary, Star Wars!
The original “Star Wars” opened in theaters 34 years ago, on May 25, 1977.
Check out the original trailer below!
Natalie Portman: Nerdage’s #16 actress with geek appeal
Natalie Portman (AP)
With an Academy Award-winning performance in the film “Black Swan,” Natalie Portman has had a fantastic year. Her success there, plus her background in genre films like the “Star Wars” prequels and comic-book based films like “V for Vendetta” and “Thor” make her the No. 16 actress with geek appeal on Nerdage’s top 25 list.
Star Wars Blu-ray special features announced – what do you think?
The special features for the Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-rays were announced today – as part of Star Wars Day festivities at maythe4th.starwars.com. Star Wars: The Complete Saga will be on sale in North America on Sept. 16. You can also see a video about the release at the site. What do you think? Does this make you want to buy the Star Wars films? Does it make you want to buy them again, if you already own them on DVD? Details on the features are after the break.
- Matt Price
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Happy Star Wars Day 2011!
Mark Hamill, right, portrays the character Luke Skywalker in this scene from the initial " Star Wars" release, with the droll droid C-3PO in this undated photo released by Lucasfilm Ltd.
Happy Star Wars Day! The unofficial Star Wars holiday is based on a pun from the films –”May the Force be with you” becomes “May the fourth be with you.”
Mimoco (www.Mimoco.com) is celebrating by announcing new, limited-edition TIE Fighter Pilot MIMOBOTs, who will join fellow Star Wars MIMOBOT USB character flash drives.
Here’s the description from MIMOBOT:
A fierce starfighter, TIE Fighter Pilot MIMOBOT proudly serves the Galactic Empire in combat with the same 
authentic characteristics of other fan-favorite, classic Star Wars MIMOBOT characters. Protecting your data from Rebel attacks, he wears the sleek, black flight suit and helmet featured in the Star Wars movies – Remove the iconic helmet to reveal his determined face and the USB port. Plug your TIE Fighter Pilot MIMOBOT into your computer to unlock exclusive pre-loaded Star Wars content including wallpapers, screensavers, icons, avatars, and sound-bytes. The TIE Fighter Pilot character flash drives, part of the Star Wars Series 6 collection, are now available for $22.95 at www.Mimoco.com.
Click past the cut for more images and a video featuring Mimobot USB flash drives.
- Matt Price
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Star Wars: Crimson Empire takes closer look at Emperor’s Royal Guard
Of the “Star Wars” comics not featuring the stars of the original trilogy, this is one I’d always heard good reviews about. Now that I’ve read it, I’ll concur: “Crimson Empire” is a very enjoyable expanded universe story.
Marvel’s original “Star Wars” adaptation provided spark to 1970s comics
Star Wars #1-6 (1977)
The first six issues of Marvel Comics’ ongoing “Star Wars” series adapted the first film. Written by Roy Thomas and drawn by Howard Chaykin, they’re not only a good adaptation of the film, they also make pretty solid comics.
