If you want a preview of just how menacing and muscled up Tom Hardy will be as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises you should see Warrior. Hardy and Joel Edgerton play estranged brothers trained to be mixed martial arts fighters by the father. Alcoholism, divorce, and years of bad blood have driven the three men apart. Both brothers enter a multi million dollar tournament where the eventually fight each other and confront their past. Edgerton is a retired fighter hoping to win to give his family a better life. Hardy is a Marine haunted by what happened during war and driven by a promise he must keep to a fellow Marine.
Tom Hardy looks like a hulking, stalking beast in the ring and his dead focus on his opponents is frightening. His character, Tommy, looks inhuman and I couldn’t help but imagine the Bane costume around him at times. Tommy is cold, cruel and efficient in the ring and emotionally raw when he’s out of it.
It’s one of my favorite movies of 2011. It would easy but not quite accurate to call this the “Rocky” or MMA. It’s raw in the brutal confrontations in and out of the ring. You’ll feel it in the gut, you might cry and you will cheer.
If you missed the Lionsgate movie in theaters, Warrior is available to buy December 20th.
The Dark Knight Rises teaser poster courtesy Warner Brothers
An ominous new poster for The Dark Knight Rises that may reveal a crucial plot point: Bane is walking away from a shattered Bat mask with the slogan: The Legend Ends.
The 6 minute IMAX prologue was screened to select critics earlier this week. The prologue was an action packed opener featuring Tom Hardy as Bane much like the opening of The Dark Knight showcased the Joker.
Christopher Nolan told Empire this new film is set 8 year after The Dark Knight with Batman in a weaker state and “with Bane, we wanted to give Batman a challenge he hasn’t had before. With our choice of villain and our choice of story we’re testing Batman both physically as well as mentally.”
The one-two punch of the new poster and Twitter image make it seem like Nolan will follow the Knightfall storyline in which Bane breaks Batman’s spine and Bruce Wayne is forced to quit. In comic book version there was Dick Grayson and Azrael (who temporarily took on the famous cape and cowl) were Bruce Wayne’s possible replacements. There’s no one in the cast list so could it be the Nolan will end the series with Batman broken?
One question still out there. Is Bane working for Ra’s Al Ghul? This film is said to come full circle with Batman Begins. Batman let his ex-mentor Ra’s Al Ghul/Henri Ducard played by Liam Neeson crash to his death in the first film. In the final film Liam Neeson is listed in the cast and actor Josh Pence is listed as playing a younger version but is this in flashback or in the present? In the comics Ra’s Al Ghul resurrects himself via Lazarus Pits hidden around the globe. And I still wonder about my contention that Marion Cotillard could be playing Talia Al Ghul and she is the secret mastermind and Bane her enforcer.
Let me just say it: Gale Anne Hurd is The Goddess of Action, Sci Fi and Coolness! Her producing resume includes The Terminator 1, 2 and 3, Aliens, The Abyss, The Walking Dead television series and so many more.
So when Gale Anne Hurd is behind a new comic book – reserve my copy! Hurd is teaming up with writer Peter Calloway and artist Brian Steelfreeze to create ANTI from 12 Gauge Comics. ANTI is a brand new four issue series. From the interview it reminds me of the series, Supernatural. Two best friends, one finds out he’s the savior of the world. A preview issue will be 12 Gauge Comics offering for Free Comic Book Day in 2012.
Star Wars was the first movie I saw in a movie theater. I’ve never been the same since! Maybe that’s why I can forgive George Lucas for anyway he wants to evolve his movies. I had the landspeeder, droid factory, an army of action figures and comic books!
Marvel Comics published the first Star Wars comics then Dark Horse Comics was the force behind new series set before, during and after the 6 movie chapters. There’s a beautiful new book I’ve been tempted to buy for myself (it would make a great gift) from Abrams Books.
Star Wars cover art from Marvel Comics
Star Wars: Art: Comicscelebrates the marriage of the beloved film franchise and the graphic art of comics. Inside you’ll find comic strips and book art from previous series and new commissions from some of the biggest names in the industry. All the art was selected and curated by George Lucas who gave Comic Book Resources this preview, which includes interviews with the artists on the new commissions about their Star Wars inspirations.
From Star Wars: Art: Comics by Arthur Adams, courtesy Abrams Books
I wanted to share one of the most eye-catching selections by one of my all time favorite creators. Arthur Adams (one of my favorite X-Men artists) knows how to draw hot babes and ugly monsters so it’s fitting Adams brings Leia’s metal bikini wearing hotness and Jabba the Hutt’s throne room to graphic life.
The Dark Knight Rises Teaser Poster from thedarkknightrises.com. Courtesy: Warner Brothers Entertainment
First up I’m not going to give it away – I aim to be spoiler free on this site but I want you to know that the The Dark Knight Rises 6 minute IMAX prologue general details are out!
It was screened to a select group of Los Angeles press last night. Shot for shot relays are not allowed but general descriptions are. If you want a summary with spoilers I recommend Dark Horizons, one of my all time favorite movie sites I’ve been following long before I was a blogger.
Here’s what I will say:
Courtesy Empire Magazine
The prologue will focus on Bane in a thrilling action sequence much like The Dark Knight prologue featured the Joker.
It will have the feel of a pre-action sequence like in the pre-reboot James Bond movies.
The action appears ties in with the fake CIA Bulletin about a missing scientist posted yesterday that some say is part of the viral marketing campaign.
Star Wars Free Comic Book Day 2012 Cover courtesy Dark Horse Comics
Diamond Comics released the full list of titles for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY May 5, 2012. From super heroes to kid shows and EVERY genre in between, there’s something for every comic book fan. Not to diss any of the superhero books that I love but I wanted to highlight some other genres. These are great reasons to get your friends who are not usual readers into the shop next FCBD and support our shops and creators.
For the sci-fi fan: Dark Horse offers a Star Wars/Serenity flip book! Two tales in one featuring A Han Solo/Chewbacca adventure plus a Mal Reynolds tales for the Browncoats!
I freakin’ LOVE anything related to DUNE (yes, even all those endless prequel novels) and BOOM! Studios presents DUNE: ORIGINS.
Dune Origins Free Comic Book Day 2012 courtesy Boom! Studios
IDW brings the Transformers back to comic books after a petition from thousands of fans. This new issue picks up where the previous series left off.
For the kids: Yo Gabba Gabba from Oni Press, Peanuts from Boom!Studios
DC Comics is offering a Justice League, Marvel is featuring the Avengers in their FCBD title. Dark Horse is offering a Buffy, the Vampire Slayer/The Guild flip book. The Smurfs, Tinkerbell, Donald Duck and even My Favorite Martian will appear in FREE titles next month for the eleventh year of FCBD.
Burt Ward, Boy Wonder courtesy BlueWater Productions
And something fun that brings up a childhood memory: Bluewater Productions presents Burt Ward: Boy Wonder, the further adventures of the actor who starred with Adam West on the old television series. When I was a kid dad took me to our local Chevy dealership to meet Robin (Burt Ward) and get his autograph and a young geek’s dream fulfilled!
The evolving looks of Beast on Secret Avengers #13 courtesy Marvel.com
“Oh My Stars and Garters!” which side will Beast take in Avengers Versus X-Men? Marvel’s hairy hero shares a history with both teams. Hank McCoy is a brilliant scientist but he often goes with his heart over his head when it comes to a fateful decision.
Hank is one of Professor X’s original X-Men. After leaving Xavier’s Hank worked for the Brand Corporation where an experiment turned him into the blue hairy beast he is now. The Avengers recruited Hank where he made lifelong friendships with Captain America, Iron Man and other iconic Avengers. Hank always came to help the X-Men in their time of need like the Dark Phoenix Saga but always returned to the Avengers.
Because of government intervention of the Avengers, Beast leaves, briefly joins the Defenders along with original X-Men Angel and Iceman. When Jean Grey is found alive, all 5 original X-Men reunite to form X-Factor for a long run of adventures.
Beast leaves Utopia from Uncanny X-Men courtesy Marvel.com
All 5 rejoin the X-Men for many years. Beast used his brains and brawn to help protect the mutant race while facing several ethical dilemmas. Shortly after establishing Utopia, Hank became disillusioned with Cyclops leadership and vision for the X-Men.
Captain America recruited Hank for the Secret Avengers but when Wolverine decides to split the X-Men, Hank answers his call for help. Hank rebuilds the old Westchester school now named after Jean Grey.
Wolverine and Storm are members of both X-Men and Avengers. Beast is back with the Logan’s X-Men but could he go against Captain America and his old friends in the Avengers?
As the Phoenix targets Earth looking for a host, I expect Hank push himself to find a scientific solution even if it means exploring unethical options. Hank has been tested so many times: trying to find a cure for the Legacy Virus knowing that a mutant would have to die in order to save millions or reaching out criminal geniuses like Doctor Doom and Mr. Sinister in order to save the mutant race from extinction after M-Day.
New X-Men #117 courtesy Marvel.com
I think Beast will try to be the peacemaker. Hank is a natural bridge between the teams. A shocking decision related to the impending return of the Phoenix is what triggers the war. Cyclops is willing to make more drastic decisions and sacrifices than Captain America. Hank’s disillusionment with Scott has only grown so I would expect him to side with the Avengers. I expect Marvel’s most brilliant yet thoughtful scientist hero to be tested to his limit in AVX.
The Defenders are back in action and on front line of the Marvel Universe. A new series debuted this week by Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson. Doctor Strange recruited Red She Hulk, Namor, Iron Fist and Silver Surfer for this latest incarnation of the ‘non-team’ team to face the supernatural threats unleashed by the events of Fear Itself storyline.
Ed Brubaker brought ex-Defender Valkyrie back for his Secret Avengers run. The Norse warrior woman is now starring in The Fearless racing against Sin and her own teammates to recover the mystical hammers summoned to Earth by The Serpent during Fear Itself.
This Defenders comeback is making me long for the return of their sexy former teammate, Hellcat.
Patsy Walker was a child actress/model and star of a comic book within a comic book. She dreamed of being a real superhero. A chance meeting with Beast led to her becoming a costumed hero. Patsy joined the Avengers, the Defenders, went to Hell and married a devilish husband, Son of Satan. Pasty was last seen as part of the limited series Marvel Divas.
I always love her adventures with Valkyrie. The sexy cat and steely warrior woman were a great female duo during their Defenders run and I’m hoping Hellcat gets to use one of her nine lives in a new series or make an appearance in the new Defenders or The Fearless series. Now that the Defenders are back “in” it’s time to raise a little Hellcat!
Check out her Marvel.com bio for more on the history of Patsy Walker.
If you want a preview of just how menacing and muscled up Tom Hardy will be as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises you should see Warrior. Hardy and Joel Edgerton play estranged brothers trained to be mixed martial arts fighters by the father. Alcoholism, divorce, and years of bad blood have driven the three men apart. Both brothers enter a multi million dollar tournament where the eventually fight each other and confront their past. Edgerton is a retired fighter hoping to win to give his family a better life. Hardy is a Marine haunted by what happened during war and driven by a promise he must keep to a fellow Marine.
