Batman “Night of the Owls” Back Story

 

Batman #9 courtesy DC Comics

The just released Batman #8 and Nightwing #8 are preludes to Night of the Owls crossover kicking off next month and across the Batman family of books. The Court of Owls unleash their army of Talons on Bruce Wayne, his allies and Gotham City.

 James Tynion IV will co-write a back story in the titles exploring Gotham City’s history with the Court of Owls and secrets of Bruce Wayne’s ancestors. The up and coming writer talked with DC about the project.

 “I could see the epic size and shape of the story as it began last September. I was devouring every issue waiting to see what might happen next. When Scott offered me the chance to help him build the mythology of the Court with the backups, and help launch “Night of the Owls,” how could I have ever said no? The Court and their Talons are my favorite additions to the Bat-Mythos in ages, with each of those awesome assassins offering a glimpse of Gotham’s history. We’re launching “Night of the Owls” this week in BATMAN #8, and using the back-up to lead right from the action of the feature into the other Bat-family titles with “The Call.” And with “The Fall of the House of Wayne,” Scott and I are exploring the pre-Alfred years at stately Wayne Manor, with some incredible art by Rafael Albuquerque. I can’t wait for everyone to check it out.”

  I’ll be devouring the preludes tonight and I’m eagerly awaiting the crossover – especially all the Talons designed by the mighty Greg Capullo!

By Editor

Nightwing Hunted by the Owls

Nightwing #8 courtesy DC Comics

  Batman #7 exposed a secret that cut into Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson’s alliance. It was another twist of the knife turned by the Court of Owls. This sinister society has been manipulating Gotham City for decades and is launching an all out war on Batman, his allies for control of Gotham.

 The Night of the Owls prelude begins with this week’s Batman #8 and Nightwing #8. DC Comics offered a preview of Dick Grayson’s title by Kyle Higgins and Eddy Barrows. Can Nightwing save the Mayor from the Talon.

Top 5 Picks for 4/18/12

 

Avengers vs. X-Men #2 courtesy Marvel.com

Avengers vs. X-Men #2 Captain America wants custody of Hope. Cyclops blasted Steve off the island. The Avengers storm Utopia.

Batman #8 Bruce Wayne is battered. The Court of Owls will strike at the heart of Gotham City. This is the prelude to Night of the Owls when the Talons attack Batman’s friends and allies.  A new back story begins chronicling the secret history of Gotham City, The Court of Owls and the Wayne family.

Manhattan Projects #2 A horrific tale of altered history. Creating the nuclear bomb was just a cover for the mad science writer Jonathan Hickman is formulating in this series. This chapter delves into the hidden history of fall of Germany in World War II.

Rachel Rising #7 Rachel can see the impending death of others but her ability is a blessing and a curse. A supernatural thriller by award-winning creator Terry Moore.

Wolverine and the X-Men #9 What happened when Captain America went to the Jean Grey School? How did Steve convince Logan to come with him to Utopia? But will Wolverine remain on the Avengers side? Will the students and teachers follow their headmaster?

 

Batman Writer on Night of the Owls

Batman #8 courtesy DC Comics

  Night of the Owls begins this week with Batman #8 and Nightwing #8. The Court of Owls and their army of enforcers, the Talons, launch a full-scale assault on Gotham City and the Batman family.

  Batman writer Scott Snyder previews the battle for Gotham’s soul and massive crossover. 

“Night of the Owls is here, and it’s about time.”

“I think that’s what a lot us on team Batman have been feeling these last few days. Because for us, this is the moment – the moment we’ve been excitedly working on and building towards for months. This is it, and now it’s really here! This is the night when the Court of Owls makes its move, sending close to 60 Talons out into the skies of Gotham, each with a deadly mission designed to help bring the city to its knees. Of course, the missions will also bring the Talons crashing into conflict with almost every member of the Bat-family, and even though this whole story takes place on one single night, for many of Gotham’s heroes, these clashes will have terrifying consequences that linger long after Gotham’s fate is decided.

Batman #5 courtesy DC Comics

“Night of the Owls is here, and it’s about time.”

“There’s another reason that phrase sticks with me, though. And that’s because the story itself is about time, about history. For one thing, with every Talon having come from a different era of Gotham’s past, they’ll be plenty of glimpses literally and figuratively into Gotham’s history, with a lot of shocking secrets from the past being revealed. Basically, the story is about Gotham’s dark past being brought to bear against the heroes of the present – about the evil from decades, even centuries of corruption emerging from the shadows to crush the spirit of the city – and the Bat-family – once and for all, in one single night, now.”

  For the entire interview here’s the DC Comics link.

  This Geek’s Opinion: The Court of Owls story is one of the most gripping stories I’ve read. As much as I enjoy Batman’s Rogues Gallery, it’s a credit to Snyder and artist Greg Capullo that they’ve taken an enemy (in this case, it’s an organization, an idea of evil) and made them so impactful. Greg Capullo deserves huge accolades for his incredible, haunting art. The Owl masked Council members and the Talon are so simple yet terrifying. And Batman #5 alone is a stunning achievement in storytelling. Capullo has designed an intricate army of Talons from various eras.

  Most fans suffer from event-fatigue but we still buy the crossover anyway. I’m anticipating and eagerly excited for every chapter of Night of the Owls.

By Editor

Batman & Catwoman Cover

courtesy Entertainment Weekly

  Prepare to howl and purr for the Bat & the Cat! Take a look at Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway as Batman and Catwoman on the upcoming cover of Entertainment Weekly’s Summer Preview issue.

  From the upcoming story it looks like director Christopher Nolan treated Selina Kyle as a camp-free world-class criminal in The Dark Knight Rises.

  “She has a very strong way of protecting herself and those she cares about, which implies an underlying darkness.” Hathaway says she prepared for the role by reading the comics and studying the moves of Hedy Lamarr and Jean Harlow, the two screen legends that inspired the original conception of the comic book villainess.”

  For more of the story here’s the EW link and here’s my picks for great Catwoman stories you might enjoy.

Batman Court of Owls Conclusion Teased

  The Night of the Owls is set to begin this month as the Court of Owls unleash an army of Talons on Batman, his allies and Gotham City. DC Comics is already teasing the final chapter with the July solicits for the the Batman family of titles.

 

Batman #11 courtesy DC Comics

  This is cover of Batman #11 which DC calls the “stunning conclusion to the Court of Owls epic.”

  Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have created a modern classic. It’s unlike any Batman story I’ve ever experienced. Issue #5 alone was a breakthrough in comic book storytelling. I can’t wait for this crossover.

  Meeting Capullo at Emerald City Comicon recently was one of my top highlights. I got to ask him about the process of creating looks for so many Talons from different eras. Every Capullo cover is a haunting pop art masterpiece and this latest cover is a perfect addition to his gallery.

by Editor

When Owls Attack! Detective Comics #9 Revealed

Detective Comics #9 courtesy DC

  Night of the Owls screeches into comic book shops next. The Council of Owls unleash their army of Talons on Gotham City. The event will slash across all the Batman family titles. DC revealed the cover to Detective Comics #9 by Tony Daniel as Batman battles three Talons.

Dark Knight Rises Star Admits to Almost Losing the Script!

 

The Dark Knight Rises teaser poster courtesy Warner Brothers

  The plot of The Dark Knight Rises is one of Hollywood’s best kept secrets. Gary Oldman reveals he almost lost his script for the final Batman film.

“I was in a panic for 20 minutes,” Oldman told the BBC. “I thought, ‘where the hell have I put it?'”

“It had my name on it,” he added. “They would have killed me”. The script surfaced in his hotel room.

“I’d gone out for dinner,” he explained, “and I had put it in the room between the mattress and the bed, because I couldn’t scrunch it into the safe.

“I was half-thinking about something else and shoved it there.”

The actor who plays Commissioner Jim Gordon went on to describe how director Christopher Nolan and Warner Brothers protected the script.

“When he [Nolan] gives the script out, it doesn’t have the ending. Characters sometimes change, or their names change. And you have to go to the studio to read it.”

 All the secrets are revealed when The Dark Knight Rises opens this summer. Thanks to Baird Warnick for the story suggestion!