Batman

Crisis: 22,300 Miles Above Earth!

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Batman: The Brave and the Bold – Crisis: 22,300 Miles Above Earth!
  • tv.com: link

batman-brave-and-bold-crisis-23000

Much to Guy Gardner‘s (James Arnold Taylor) chagrin the JLI hosts a special meeting with the Justice Society of America aboard their satellite. The gives Fire, Ice (Jennifer Hale), Captain Marvel (Jeff Bennett), Captain Atom, Aquaman (John Di Maggio), Booster Gold, Blue Beetle (Will Friedle), Martian Manhunter (Nicholas Guest), and Guy Gardner the opportunity to mix with Jay Garrick (Andy Milder), Alan Scott (Corey Burton), Hourman, Doctor Fate, Wildcat (R. Lee Ermey), Doctor Midnight (Burton), Hawkman, the Spectre, Sandman, Mister Terrific, and Starman (Bennett).

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Batman, Zatanna, and Monsters! Oh My!

/ / Comics

all-new-batman-brave-and-bold-12-coverI’m not sure why many of DC’s best comics come from their kids line or why it’s so hard for comic book shops to stock these, but when I find one I make sure to grab it. The latest issue of The All-New Batman: The Brave And The Bold features Batman and Zatanna and a whole host of cameos from lesser known DC heroes and villains who fit perfectly into a Halloween tale.

Batman calls on Zatanna to help him track down the person responsible for breaking into the House of Mystery and turning Abel into in a tree. Their search for the magic users responsible leads to battles Doctor Destiny and Mr. Mxyzptlk before the true culprit is unmasked.

The final battle gives us a super-sized throwdown between the conjured up villains (Man-Bat, the Monk, Dala, Blockbuster, Solomon Grundy, werewolves, monstermen) and Batman, Zatanna, and their friends (Deadman, the Spectre, Etrigan, Blue Devil, Swamp Thing, Tomcat). However, victory isn’t won with fists but with words as Batman starts to understand how to use the rules of magic to his advantage. Best of the week.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batman: Year One

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Batman: Year One
  • IMDB: link

batman-year-one-dvdThe latest straight-to-DVD animated release from DC Comics and Warner Premiere is extremely faithful adaptation of Frank Miller‘s retelling of Batman’s origin and the early days in the careers of Batman (Ben McKenzie) and Jim Gordon (Bryan Cranston).

Batman: Year One is a good, not great, entry into the DC Animated universe. It isn’t a success in terms of Batman: Under the Red Hood or Justice League: The New Frontier. However, it works better than the Superman/Batman animated films or Wonder Woman. In terms of a mixed success I’d compare it to Green Lantern: First Flight, and Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.

The film does a good job and capturing the look of David Mazzucchelli‘s art from Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One, although it does have a decided Japanese animated look and feel. With a couple of exceptions, including the opening shot of Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham and Gordon unburdening himself to Essen in the diner, the film follows the comic nearly as closely as Sin City.

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Batman #2

/ / Comics

batman-new-52-2-coverBruce Wayne has been marked for death by the mysterious group known as the Court of Owls. Writer Scott Snyder delivers another strong Batman story that explains Nightwing‘s DNA at a crime scene, sees Batman run a motorcycle into a helicopter and full speed, and Bruce Wayne survive an attack from the Court of Owls assassin on the observation deck of Wayne Tower.

First, I’ve got to mention the terrific art by Greg Capullo who really shows off Gotham in this issue as well as give us some great panels of the Dark Knight. The villain (given his look and ability to pop back up from the “dead”) reminded me a little too much of Karl Ruprecht Kroenen from the first Hellboy film, but the fight sequence on the top of Wayne Tower and in mid-air between the assassin and Bruce Wayne works well.

I’m also impressed with Snyder’s ability to capture Bruce Wayne’s arrogance while still being able to present a likable character. Even if he villain isn’t a great one Snyder’s story about the guardians of Gotham and Capullo’s art elevate the issue into one of the best of the week.

[DC, $2.99]

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