I’m trying to keep this post spoiler free so if seems vague I’m trying to not give away the ending of The Dark Knight Rises or The Court of Owls.
How do you top Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale? I humbly suggest Warner Brothers wait at least 7 or more years and give Mr. Nolan the Court of Owls epic by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo for inspiration.
As I read each chapter of this dark epic I often thought how Nolan would translate the conspiracies and mind games of Snyder’s storylines and Capullo’s Owl designs to the big screen.
While the other New 52 Bat books focused on classic rogues Snyder created a dark new enemy and history for Bruce Wayne and Gotham City. The Court of Owls is a secret society that had been manipulating Gotham City for decades. The Owls have a ruthless assassin known as the Talon. The secret society has their talons gripped into the Wayne family and Gotham City history.
Batman #8 courtesy DC Comics
The storyline included Night of the Owls crossover. The Court unleashed an army of Talons on Gotham all at once with specific targets. While Bruce was under siege in the Batcave he called on his Batman family to prevent the Court’s deadly agenda. Only Bruce could ultimately uncover and face the mastermind behind the Court. A revelation that rocked the Wayne family legacy and Bruce’s memory of his parents.
In The Dark Knight Trilogy Bruce learned you must become a symbol and anyone could be Batman. In this potential film Bruce returns to see the young heroes inspired by him and he must confront a symbol of evil and the Bat’s natural enemy – the Owl.
Anne Hathaway is winning huge praise from director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale for her performance as Selena Kyle in The Dark Knight Rises. Nolan even said Hathaway’s Selena Kyle deserved the opportunity to star in a Catwoman solo film. Bale reportedly said that Hathaway “has the toughest job on the film because the Catwoman role has been defined previously.”
Catwoman: Nine Lives of Femme Fatale Poster by Brian Bolland courtesy DC Comics
Catwoman is one of the most iconic female characters in comic book history. I was inspired to collect some of Catwoman’s greatest “cuts” as the world waits to see how Christopher Nolan and Anne Hathaway will portray her in The Dark Knight Rises.
Television: As a little kid I raced off the school bus so I didn’t miss a moment of the Batman television show. I loved Julie Newmar as Catwoman. The dramatic purrs on words were part of the show’s camp but Newmar embodied the conflicted bad girl you hope would change her ways for Batman. Eartha Kitt only played Catwoman three times but what an impression. Kitt played Catwoman with a harder, dangerous edge. That cat would do a lot worse than scratch!
Movies: Michelle Pfeifer’s Catwoman was a deadly kitten with a whip in Batman Returns. Tim Burton’s origin for Selina was very different from the comic books but Pfeiffer made it work. This secretary turned feminist avenger was a deadly mix of empowerment and sex appeal.
Comics: Bob Kane created The Cat as a socialite turned catburglar villain for Batman. Selina Kyle developed into an antihero with love/hate romantic relationship with Batman. In the 1990’s writers took Selina’s character into dark territory. Modern creators interpretted her disguise and life of crime as a response to a history of abuse. Selina became an avenger of women on the streets of Gotham City.
Catwoman: The Dark End of the Street courtesy DC Comics
The Dark End of the Street, Crooked Little Town, Relentless, and Wild Ride show Catwoman as a vigilante antihero in modern crime noir tales. During this era Selina takes in an ex-hooker and junkie as a protogee in her war on crime. The look in these collections are similar to the style Anne Hathaway has in photos on the set of The Dark Knight Rises.
Trail of the Catwoman marked Selina’s return to her infamous persona after a long absence with a new costume. Selina hunts a serial killer targetting the streetwalkers of Gotham City.
When in Rome is Catwoman versus the Falcone crime family. This is a sexier colorful tale of the cat burglar on a mysterious adventure in Italy.
Hush is one of my all time favorite Batman epics. The Dark Knight and Catwoman’s twisted relationship is at this most romantic and intense during this year long mystery in which a new villian uses Batman’s greatest enemies as pawns in a mind twisting game. Jim Lee’s Catwoman is perfect.
Cover Run: The DC Comics Art of Adam Hughes courtesy DC Comics
I have to give Adam Hughes praise for his portraits of Catwoman. Cover Run includes many of his iconic DC covers starring the femme fatale.
DC Comics The New 52 Catwoman title has been the target of praise and controversy. Legendary scribe Ann Nocenti is set to take over from Judd Winnick. Nocenti is famed for her powerful femme fatales in other books so this could be a continued era of greatness for DC’s most infamous anti-heroine.
Yes, I left out the Catwoman movie starring Halle Berry. Great actress. Unique take on the character. Nuff said.
The Joker returns. A new creative team on Detective Comics. October is a big month for the Batman family of books. DC Comics revealed previews today for the Bat-titles.
Talon #1 courtesy DC Comics
Talon #1 is a new series in the aftermath of the Court of Owls epic. Calvin Rose returns to Gotham City to investigate the fallout. Are his evil masters finally defeated and is he truly free? Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV write the new series with Guillem March on art.
October also features the first New 52 meeting of Catwoman and Barbara Gordon in Batgirl #13 by Gail Simone. The Catwoman/Batgirl crossover continues in Batgirl Annual #1.
Batgirl Annual #1 courtesy DC Comics
Wonder Woman guest stars in Batwoman #13, Ann Nocenti takes over Gotham’s most fearsome feline in Catwoman #13, and Lady Shiva makes her New 52 debut in Nightwing #13!
Batman Incorporated #5 courtesy DC Comics
Batman Incorporated #13 takes us back into the future world Grant Morrison created in Batman #666 in which Damian is the Batman and Bruce is the warden of Arkham Asylum?
Hello Batman Fans! You can now buy advance tickets and collector gift cards for The Dark Knight Rises via Fandango links on the site. Choose from Batman, Catwoman or Bane!
Keep checking back for more news as we count down to Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale’s final Batman film! The Dark Knight Rises opens July 20th.
This jumped started my day – two new commercials for The Dark Knight Rises proving Christopher Nolan’s final Batman film will not be all doom and gloom. There are some great quick funny lines by Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox and Michael Caine as Alfred. But my favorite moment is Anne Hathaway as Catwoman stealing the show and something else from Bruce Wayne. Take a look at these new spots collected by Collider.
This is the third big treat for Batman fans this week: New posters, these spots and the relaunch of the Batman Inc comic book! The film opens July 20th.
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.
Catwoman #9 courtesy DC Comics
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?
