Batman vs Joker’s Army

Detective Comics #16 courtesy DC Comics
Detective Comics #16 courtesy DC Comics

In The Dark Knight Trilogy Ra’s Al Ghul told Bruce Wayne to become a symbol to fight injustice. In this week’s Detective Comics #16 the Joker has become an inspirational symbol to Gotham City’s unhinged and mentally unstable. The Joker never appear in this excellent issue (or does he?) but his sinister influence chokes this issue like Joker gas creeping into you.

In this Death of the Family tie-in Batman fights to stop bands of Joker fans and wannabes. John Layman and Jason Fabok craft a chilling tale of madness and manipulation among ordinary people pushed over the edge and ruthless new criminals seizing their claims in Gotham City. Layman shows us the ramifications of the Joker’s comeback.

Batman races across Gotham trying to stop the violence and track down the mysterious League of Smiles. The real madman behind the outbreak may not be the Joker but a new holy terror. Another new villain is taking advantage of the Joker’s rampage. While Oswald Cobblepot has been recruited by the Joker the Emperor Penguin makes his move on the crime lords of Gotham City. The back story showing the new villain’s rise to power is chilling and fun.

John Layman, Jason Fabok and Andy Clarke deliver a fun read that ties loosely into Death of the Family while setting the stage for new enemies and showdowns in Gotham City’s Underworld.

By Editor

THE HUNGER GAMES Costumes at Emerald City Comicon

 hungergames   Fans of The Hunger Games can feast their eyes on costumes worn by “The Girl On Fire” and other characters from hit movie based on the best-selling novel! An amazing collection of genuine costumes will be exhibited at the upcoming Emerald City Comicon taking place on March 1st – 3rd, 2013 at the Washington State Convention Center. This rare display of Hollywood history will be on display all three days!

  The exhibit features original screen-worn costumes worn by Jennifer Lawrence as “Katniss,” Josh Hutcherson as “Peeta,” Elizabeth Banks as “Effie,” Stanley Tucci as “Caesar,” Liam Hemsworth as “Gale,” Woody Harrelson as “Haymitch,” Lenny Kravtiz as “Cinna,” Donald Sutherland as “President Snow,” Wes Bentley as “Seneca,” and many more!

  The costumes are all set to be auctioned off in October but will be making a few appearances around the country first to give the public a chance to preview the items. Cities for the costume exhibit include Hollywood, Chicago, New York and Seattle.

 

The Hunger Games Cast Tour in Seattle, photo by ComicsBlend.com
The Hunger Games Cast Tour in Seattle, photo by ComicsBlend.com

  Almost a year ago thousands of local fans gathered and screamed for Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth on The Hunger Games Tour. Here’s a link to my interviews with those stars.

By Editor

THE WOLVERINE Movie vs. Comic

 

Hugh Jackman as The Wolverine courtesy Marvel and 20th Century Fox
Hugh Jackman as The Wolverine courtesy Marvel and 20th Century Fox

  Hugh Jackman reprises his role as Logan in The Wolverine. The story will be set in Japan and based on the limited series by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller. Director James Mangold told Entertainment Weekly how closely the film will follow the classic story.

  “It’s definitely more. A lot of that story and a lot of beats from that saga are in there — and a lot of characters. Without being religious about it, I think it’s a very admiring adaptation. Obviously when you’re adapting anything you make some changes. But all the characters are there – Yukio, Viper, Mariko, Shingen, and Logan obviously. The whole cast of characters that exist in that world exists in our film.”

  Mangold confirmed this film is set after X-Men: The Last Stand but does not act as a sequel. The director says why he chose to set this film after the first three X-Men movies:

“Because of some of the themes in the Claremont/Miller saga. I felt it was really important to find Logan at a moment where he was stripped clean of his duties to the X-Men, his other allegiances, and even stripped clean of his own sense of purpose. I was fascinated with the idea of portraying Logan as a ronin – the definition of which is a samurai without a master, without a purpose. Kind of a soldier who is cut loose. War is over. What does he do? What does he face? What does he believe anymore? Who are his friends? What is his reason for being here anymore? I think those questions are especially interesting when you’re dealing with a character who is essentially immortal.”

For the entire interview here’s the EW link.

Hugh Jackman will play Wolverine again in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

By Editor

My GEEK OSCAR Nominations

courtesy Warner  Brothers
courtesy Warner Brothers

Will the Academy recognize the powerful performances and amazing talents behind 2012’s big sci-fi and comic book (I’m including James Bond because I love him and why not) based films? Here are my films, stars, creators that should be nominated plus some of my own geeky categories:

Best Picture: The Dark Knight Rises, Looper, Skyfall

Best Actor: Christian Bale, The Dark Knight Rises

Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games

Best Director: Christopher Nolan, Rian Johnson

Best Supporting Actor: Michael Caine, The Dark Knight Rises  Javier Bardem, Skyfall   Michael Fassbender, Prometheus

Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, The Dark Knight Rises  Emily Blunt, Looper

Best Song: Skyfall, Adele

MVP of 2012: Continue reading My GEEK OSCAR Nominations

HULK SMASH THOR

 

courtesy Marvel
courtesy Marvel

  Marvel is getting a more revealing in their Marvel Now teases! Looks like legendary Thor writer/artist Walter Simonson is joining Mark Waid for an upcoming arc of Indestructible Hulk guest starring Thor in April. It will be a SMASH is the Green Goliath does pick up Thor’s hammer!

In Marvel’s The Avengers Hulk famously sneaked in a sucker punch on the Odinson. In Indestructible Hulk #2 Bruce showed up Tony Stark in the labs of SHIELD and by unleashing the Hulk on Iron Man. Could the reinvigorated and bold Bruce be testing his power by going after the God of Thunder?

Two powerhouse creators on two powerhouse characters will definitely make this a smash for comic book fans!

By Editor

Comic Book Picks for January 9, 2013

Star Wars #1 courtesy Dark Horse Comics
Star Wars #1 courtesy Dark Horse Comics

Detective Comics #16 While the Joker has been attacking the Batman family a smoother criminal has made his power play in Gotham City. Batman forms an alliance with the Penguin? Is the fowl rogue an endangered species?

Mars Attacks KISS Big brained evil aliens versus the Rock and Roll legends in 1970’s New York in a tale inspired from the original 1976 KISS comic book.

Star Wars #1 Rebels on the run. The Empire ruled. Go back in time for a new stories set before the destruction of the Death Star! The Force is with fans of the original trilogy in this new Dark Horse series from Brian Wood.

Superior Spider-Man #1 After the shocking events of Amazing Spider-Man #700 there’s a brand new Spider-Man vowing to be superior to Peter Parker!

Wolverine and the X-Men #23 Wolverine vs. Frankenstein!? Yes, Wolverine vs. Frankenstein! Will one of Logan’s students become a victim of the Murder Circus?

By Editor

New STAR WARS Comic

Star Wars #1 courtesy Dark Horse Comics

Remember when the Empire ruled and Rebels were on the run? This week a brand new series takes you back to the classic period before the destruction of the Death Star.

Brian Wood (The Massive, Northlanders, X-Men, Ultimate Comics X-Men, Conan) is the master of a new comic book series set during the original trilogy for Dark Horse Comics.  Alex Ross captures that classic spirit on the cover for Star Wars #1.

Since I’m a huge fan of Star Wars and Brian Wood I wanted to share some of his exclusive interview with The Nerdist about writing in the galaxy far, far away.

“The biggest challenge is actually writing it under the shadow of reader expectation. And doing right by Randy Stradley, my editor, who has written a fair share of Star Wars himself, and that can be intimidating. When I started the job, I had this idea that Star Wars fans would be really hardcore and nitpicky and, to be frank, ready to challenge my work. Then I went to Star Wars Celebration, this convention, and I had one of the most positive experiences of my professional life. Everyone was super nice, very receptive to what I’m doing, and I felt like I belonged in a way that comic book conventions don’t. I came home from that show determined to write 10x on this title.

And I’m more of a fan of Star Wars than I was aware. Thirty-five years of exposure to it, I guess, creates an impression as well as a huge about of information stored in my brain that is only just now proving its worth.”

For the entire interview and a first look inside here’s the link on the always enjoyable Nerdist.

Star Wars #1 is with you this week!

By Editor

The Final Verdict on Judge Dredd

courtesy Lionsgate
courtesy Lionsgate

  Dredd was the film longtime fans of the classic British comic book had been hoping to erase the memories of the previous version? Now Judgement is coming…to your home!

Karl Urban kept his helmet on and delivered a wry performance as the Judge tasked with wiping out a drug lord in the futuristic Mega City One. The filmmakers were faithful to the source material. If you missed it in theaters Dredd is now on Blu ray/dvd so you can deliver your verdict at home.

For more ways to satisfy your Dredd craving – IDW is publishing a brand new Judge Dredd comic book series.

By Editor