Batman is center stage as Gotham City burns in this new and final one-sheet poster for Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises revealed by TheDarkKnightRises.com.
A Fire Will Rise must refer to the destruction orchestrated by Bane (Tom Hardy.) The film opens July 20th. I can’t believe it’s ending. Sigh
By Editor
Ok DC Comics you’re winning. I was hooked on Batman, Detective Comics and Batgirl from the beginning of The New 52. Now Night of the Owls is making me addicted to the rest of the Batman family of books.
The Court of Owls has unleashed a nearly undead army of killers to take out key targets in a bid to seize control of Gotham City. Batman has called on his allies to help protect the hit list of citizens across the city. It’s a massive crossover and it made me pick up some titles I usually don’t. I loved the Batman and Robin, Batwing and Nightwing issues.
This week it’s Catwoman’s turn. Judd Winick and Guillem March won me over with a tightly paced and clever tie-in. This is the first chapter in which I felt a little sympathy for a devil…or in this case a Talon.
Catwoman and Spark are targeting the Penguin for a robbery. The Court of Owls have targeted Cobblepot for assassination. Winick gives us the back story of Talon haunted by an unresolved mission. The Council of Owls have demonstrated their ruthlessness but with this story we see just cruel the society can be to their most loyal servants.
Given her own past Selina is able to see something in the Talon perhaps no one else in the Batman family can see. There’s a weird sense of reflection and even understanding between the infamous femme fatale and the undead killer. A very different take in this crossover and it gave me enough of Selena and Spark to make me come back next month.
Anne Hathaway will play Catwoman in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. I’m still not sure which side the cinematic Selina Kyle will choose – the most recent trailer seemed to show her against Bane.
In the comics – Catwoman and Spark will be caught up in the Night of the Owls crossover this week. The Court of Owls have unleashed assassins to take out targets across Gotham City. Nightwing protected the Mayor. Batwing saved Lucius Fox. The Council went after Batgirl’s dad. In Catwoman #9 Selina Kyle and Spark are forced to defend…The Penguin.
I’ve enjoyed every crossover title so far so I’m looking forward to Catwoman against a Talon but of all the targets…she has to save Penguin?
Avengers vs. X-Men #4 Wolverine chose the Avengers. Now Logan is abandoned on his own rogue agenda. Hope is flaring up with violent bursts of power – she already deep-fried Wolverine! The Phoenix Force is bearing down on Earth and Thor could make the ultimate sacrifice to stop it.
AvX Vs #2 Spider-Man against the Colossal Juggernaut, Captain American against Gambit. Those are the fights on the awesome cover but are we going to see the aftermath of the Iron Man/Emma Frost battle?
Winter Soldier #5 Bucky and Black Widow versus machine gun armed super gorillas and a squad of sleeper agents trained by the one time Captain America as they face to prevent all out war in the homeland Doctor Doom.
Manhattan Projects #3 A twisted tale of science fiction and alternate history. Creating the atomic bomb was nothing compared to the infamous government think tank’s creations in Jonathan Hickman’s series that pushes storytelling to a new level.
Nightwing #9 Showdown at Gotham City Hall as Nightwing must prevent an assassin from reaching its target. Bruce and Dick’s friendship has been tested by the exposure of a long kept secret but will any of the heroes survive the Night of the Owls.
Batman faces Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. Total Film shares an exclusive new photo of Bane’s face close up. You can really see the detail of the villain’s mask. It reminds me of a Predator mask. It appears metal hands are opening Bane’s mouth. Tom Hardy told the magazine about the experience of wearing the facewear.
“It’s not as bad as you might think. You just put it on. Work out where you drool goes. That’s it. Mask work is good fun. This one wasn’t painful; there was the stunt mask and there was the up-close on for the sexy glam shots.”
When you look at Hardy’s expression you can tell Bane is seeing something disturbing…maybe the flying Batwing?
The Batcave is infested with Talons. Alfred is trapped. Batman is surrounded. Scott Snyder weaves the first part of Batman #9 with a violent game of war and wits as Bruce faces a relentless squadron of assassins in his inner sanctum. This a Batman pushed to his limits and ready to roar back at the Court of Owls with a vengeance. Greg Capullo pulls off another stunning chapter with eerie style and a cover that captures the hell inside Wayne Manor. The back story begins unveiling a secret Alfred’s family has been keeping from the Waynes. It feels like a hybrid of Charles Dickens and noir. I’m intrigued to see how this untold story plays out.
The Night of the Owls crossover hits home for Barbara Gordon in Batgirl #9. Jim Gordon is a target and a pawn of the Court of Owls at the same time. The issue begins with the female Talon’s tragic origin story. Gail Simone and Ardian Syaf deliver a fast paced chapter with great fights scenes and daring attack on Gotham Central. Batgirl and her dad learn too late their roles in the Council of Owls’ plot to seize the city.
It’s an awesome time to be a Batfan!
By Editor
The Night of the Owls crossover claws into two more Bat-titles this week. The Council of Owls have unleashed a wave of assassins on Gotham City’s most prominent leaders in a bid to seize control. Nightwing #8 featured a battle to save the Mayor. Batwing #8 saw David the only between a Talon and Lucius Fox.
This week Batman #9 takes us back into Batcave for showdown between Batman and the invading Talons. The back up story delves into the past. What secret did Alfred’s family keep from the Waynes? The tie between Bruce and one of his closest allies has been twisted. Will Bruce loose Alfred too?
Batman’s allies are answering his call to protect the Council’s targets but for Batgirl it’s personal in Batgirl #9 as a Talon goes after her father, Commissioner Gordon.
Batman and Robin #9 Robin alone against a Talon. Can Damian survive a fight with this ultimate, unstoppable killer?
Greg Capullo deserves huge credit. After creating the Talon in the first Batman arc he created various versions of the Council of Owls’ assassin from Gotham’s past.
By Editor
Batman #9 The Night of the Owls crossover continues with a battle in the Batcave. Bruce’s last safe haven is invaded by the Talons. How will he save Alfred from a strike force of the undead assassins. What has Alfred’s family kept from the Waynes. Gotham City’s darkest family secrets are revealed in a back story.
Fatale #5 This mystery noir series with twists of supernatural horror has creeped with a slow burn until last issue’s violent shocker. Josephine may be immortal but her latest lover may not survive. Are they being chase by mobsters or monsters? Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips latest collaboration will deliver a bloody showdown as the first arc races to the finish.
New Avengers #26 Answers to one of the biggest and mind tingling mysteries begins here. How is Danny Rand connected to the Phoenix Force? Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato reveal the secret history of the firebird in a book of the dead Iron Fists. This is a crucial tie-in to Avengers vs. X-Men.
Trio #1 The legendary John Byrne is back with a brand new superhero series. The world calls them Rock, Paper, Scissors. I’m hoping this will capture the spirit of Byrne’s classic Fantastic Four run.
Uncanny X-Force #25 The Final Execution begins here with new villains after Wolverine’s covert team. Rick Remender has teased a team of enemies born from Omega Red and shopping mall for assassins in the sky. I suspect this will be another violent, game changing epic like The Dark Angel Saga – definitely watch this series.