Batman

Batman: Under the Red Hood

  • Title: Batman: Under the Red Hood
  • IMDB: link

Jason Todd. The mere mention of his name can lead to hour-long discussions between longtime Bat-fans. The street thug, who took over the mantle of Robin after Dick Grayson moved on to a new persona, died at the hands of the Joker (and, to be fair, at the hands of thousands of Batman fans). It took 17 years but, as comic characters have a habit of doing, Jason returned to the DCU in the guise of a sociopathic anti-hero: The Red Hood.

The latest direct-to-video feature from Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Animation is a faithful recreation of the Under the Hood storyline by Judd Winick (who also penned the script to the film). The film begins with the brutal death of Jason Todd (Jensen Ackles) from Batman: A Death in the Family before jumping right into the Red Hood’s first appearance in Gotham cowing local drug lords and forcing them under his thumb in his attempt to take the role as Gotham’s #1 crimelord from Black Mask (Wade Williams).

Batman: Under the Red Hood Read More »

Batman Beyond #1

batman-beyond-1-coverWhile I’m not as big a fan of Batman Beyond as I am of Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League, there are many aspects to the show that I enjoyed. The new mini-series from writer Adam Beechen and artist Ryan Benjamin keeps the history of the show while crafting a new series that should work for those who never saw the cartoon.

Terry McGuiness and Bruce Wayne’s relationship remains intact (though the series takes place before McGuiness discovered the truth about his paternity). There are also short glimpses which will mean more for those longtime fans of the show including Amanda Waller, Cadimus, and the appearance of Spellbender.

The choice to the tease from the very first panel to the last of who the main villain of the series might be (which I won’t spoil it here) works very well. For fans of the show it’s definitely worth picking up, but even if you never saw an episode it’s still worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

Batman Beyond #1 Read More »

Detective Comics #866

detective-comics-866-coverHave I mentioned how happy I am to have Batman back in Detective Comics? Although the story itself is only so-so I like how Dennis O’Neil gives us a case that’s been bothering Dick Grayson since he first put on his Robin booties, and one he can now finally close as Batman.

Plus I love the flashback art from Dustin Nguyen. I’m even willing to forgive the mistake of Batman’s costume not fitting the period (Batman hadn’t yet added the oval when Robin first hit the streets).

Throw in Robin’s first encounter with the Joker and I’m pretty happy. Definitely worth a look.

[DC $3.99]

Detective Comics #866 Read More »

Batman #700

batman-700-coverIt’s funny how many of Grant Morrison’s stories come with that caveat. For Batman’s #700 issue Morrison gives us a scientist, the Joker’s myserious joke book, and a “maybe machine” that can alter time. And yes, that’s the dumbest name for a time travel invention ever.

Story one involves Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson in an adventure from their earlier years. The story continues in the current continuity and in the future with Damian as Batman. There are short glimpses of the future involving Terry McGinnis as the Dark Knight and beyond.

What’s so interesting is in an attempt to give us an epic Batman story what Morrison hasn’t given us a Batman story at all. He’s given us a Matt Wagner story instead. It seems much like Grendel the shadow of the bat will continue across time in dystopian futures and beyond.

Is it worth picking up? For big-time Bat-fans, yes. For everyone else, probably not. The time mystery isn’t that interesting and of all the stories here only the current version of Batman and Robin is told all that well. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $4.99]

Batman #700 Read More »

Batman: The Brave and the Bold video game trailer

One of my favorite games for the SNES was The Adventures of Batman & Robin. Now that may be too high a standard to hold the new game based on the current Batman: The Brave and the Bold cartoon up to, but this one appears (:54) to have one thing the other was missing – CATMAN!!!! I may need to borrow someone’s Wii for a couple of days.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold video game trailer Read More »