Mattel's Ken doll and actor Michael Keaton. Michael Keaton is set to play toy doll Ken in the next Toy Story movie.
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The story claims that Cher is also director Christopher Nolan's first choice, with the idea to portray her as some type of aging sexually seductive woman.
http://comics.ign.com/articles/902/902992p1.html
Morrison had a very lengthy interview over at IGN where he went over many, many aspects of FC and his own creative style and even weighed in on the Robert Kirkman video, but anyways here's all the specific bits pertaining to R.I.P. & Batman
Morrison had a very lengthy interview over at IGN where he went over many, many aspects of FC and his own creative style and even weighed in on the Robert Kirkman video, but anyways here's all the specific bits pertaining to R.I.P. & Batman
Quote:
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IGN Comics: I'm sure fans will be happy to hear that. So let's jump over to Batman RIP for a bit. From this most recent issue, it really seems like you're serious about shaking the foundation of the Batman mythos to its core. I think that not only fans, but other comic book writers in general, would be interested to learn how you went about convincing a company like DC to hand over their most prized possession and let you do what you pleased to it? Morrison: Fortunately for me, I didn't have to convince anybody. That's what's cool about this one. Remember also that, despite my inexplicable reputation among certain fans as a 'difficult' writer, I'm actually one of the most successful people in the comics business and have been for a long time. I wrote what's still the highest-selling original graphic novel ever, I wrote DC's biggest selling book for years with JLA, I wrote Marvel's most popular X-title. A few years ago, before I first started Batman with Andy Kubert, the first story idea I wrote down in my book was for Batman RIP. The other idea I had was this 'Doctor X' thing based around the notion of the super evil mastermind. Batman is always up against some kind of mastermind character, so I wanted to come up with the ultimate diabolical mastermind story about a villain who has been plotting Batman's destruction for so long and with such precision that no-one even suspects his existence - except Batman. Doctor X became The Black Glove and combined with the Batman RIP idea but the basic set-up stayed the same. Those were the two ideas I started to build towards, but I wanted to do a big set-up and go through my take on all the different versions of Batman - the kind of Denny O'Neil Batman, the Frank Miller Batman, and various approaches to the character - to lay the groundwork for this RIP story. And on the way, I spoke to Dan Didio, and he asked what I was planning for 2008. And I told him I was leading up to Batman RIP, and he loved the title but wanted me to really deliver on it. I asked if I could actually do this, and he said, "You know what? You can!" So we decided to go for it, and make a major change to the Batman mythos. I thought it was quite bold, especially with The Dark Knight film coming out. But then again, the success of the Dark Knight, like the success of any superhero movie, doesn't affect the sales of the monthly comic one bit. We always sell more trades of stuff like The Killing Joke or Arkham Asylum but numbers on the monthly issues don't really change when a film comes out. Nevertheless, it seemed kind of bold to actually completely change the status quo in the Batman titles, yeah. So I happily went along with it, and that's why the story has allowed me to go a little bit further than I might have went. And I've been able to set up some really different stuff that's coming up next year when I return to the book. IGN Comics: The last issue suggested that Thomas Wayne is really Doctor Hurt. Should fans expect more twists to this mystery? Morrison: Well I'm not going to tell you yet. [laughs] We won't know the answer to that one until the very last issue of RIP. But we will find something out that's going to change everything. IGN Comics: Can you verify what the link is between the timelines of RIP and Final Crisis? Morrison: RIP happens before Final Crisis, and the two issues right after RIP ends tie into Final Crisis and show the connections between the two. IGN Comics: Okay. Because we've seen the red skies from Final Crisis pop up in RIP. Was that the red sky from Final Crisis #1? Morrison: Well it could be the start of it, because those red skies have been seeping in for a while, but it's certainly not happening at the same time as Final Crisis #1. It could be happening a week before or something, but I haven't exactly specified it. Pretty much every storyline that's currently running in a DC book is happening before Final Crisis, because the events of Final Crisis are so big, that we didn't want to see its influence destabilizing major stories already running in the other comics. The whole story of Final Crisis is in that one book and its few tie-ins, and then when Final Crisis ends, the entire range of DC books will be dealing with the aftermath. So if you look at it that way, everything that you're reading that comes out during Final Crisis tends to be happening the week before the story takes place. IGN Comics: I know with Batman RIP, you wrote the story, and then they built the tie-ins around that. With Final Crisis, did you construct moments in the plot where the Final Crisis tie-ins can take off from your narrative? Morrison: Pretty much. Most of them have got something in them, at least some reference. Some of them didn't need it. Like Revelations links to the Dr. Light stuff in issue #1, but doesn't need a specific parallel to Final Crisis. Superman Beyond actually has transitions between scenes in both comics, and there are references to Geoff's Legion of Three Worlds story. But again, the tie-ins to Final Crisis have mostly been done by me and a couple of friends, like Geoff and Greg and Peter Tomasi, so we've been able to keep it tight. IGN Comics: Last time we spoke, you mentioned your desire to try and organically explain some of those Silver Age stories into Batman's life span. And it seems like with RIP, you're threading those stories in, at least that Zur-en-Arrh story, into Batman's psychology more than his actual life. Is that more or less the case? Morrison: Yeah, definitely. I mean, not all of them will fit so neatly because I think Batman still needs some areas of inexplicable weirdness in his life like the rest of us. But really, this whole story goes back to that first issue with the Black Casebook, and the idea that even in his normally rational, grim 'n' gritty street level life, Batman has had some really weird encounters with aliens, werewolves, ghosts and vampires. The whole story of RIP, then, everything I've been doing, is really the ultimate Black Casebook story as well - Batman's strangest adventure. Not all of the old stories will be as easily explained, but the Zur-en-arrh story to me was one that benefited from a psychological explanation, because to me, the idea that Batman would find himself on another planet where he's Superman and some other guy's Batman seemed a little too outlandish to be a 'real' part of this man's life. It seemed like a bizarre inferiority/superiority complex sort of thing that said more about Batman's relationship with Superman than about anything else. But what really makes it work for me, is that only a couple issues before that story, there's another adventure where Batman is affected by Professor Milo's hallucinatory gas. I only discovered this story when I was looking around for things that might explain why Batman really believed he'd travelled to a planet called Zur-En-Arrh a few issues later. The continuity totally tied together. So I decided that two weeks after Batman was exposed to Professor Milo's gas, he experienced the flashback hallucination that we know as the 'Zur-En-AArrh' story from Batman 113. IGN Comics: So a number of Post-RIP Batman projects were announced at San Diego Comic Con, including Neil Gaimans two-part story. Are you involved at all with the planning of those projects? Morrison: The two-part Final Crisis tie-in I'm doing to follow RIP is a kind of trek through Batman's entire history, but otherwise I'm not involved with the post-RIP projects. I'm very excited to see what Neil does. Then there's the "Battle for the Cowl," which I'm not writing, although I do know who wins. Then after that, I'm back on Batman and I'm sure there will be a big announcement about what that's going to be like. Once you see what happens to Batman in Final Crisis, you'll realize how the Battle for the Cowl comes about. First its RIP, and we'll see how that winds up for Batman. Then the two-parter I mentioned goes through Batman's whole career, in a big summing up of everything that also ties directly into Final Crisis. And Final Crisis is where we see the final fate of Batman. IGN Comics: So the Batman we see in Final Crisis is Bruce Wayne? Morrison: Yeah, Bruce Wayne is Batman. But not necessarily how you know him. I don't want to blow the end of RIP. [laughs] |
26 Aug
Robin: Year One
During the last year of my enjoyment of comic books, I have noticed that my habits have changed. When I first began collecting comics several years ago, I never thought about buying trades. However, as I grown in my love for comics, I have come to the realization that while I enjoy collecting the individual issues, I especially enjoy reading and collecting trades. Why? I have several reasons?
1. Reading a trade allows you to read the whole story at once, rather than waiting several months for a story?s conclusion.
2. Some trades contain extra material, such as scripts or sketches and other original artwork not found in the issues.
3. Trades are easier to store - put them on a bookshelf. No bags or long boxes.
4. Trades can be taken with you for reading on trips. For instance, while riding Tiger Transit, it?s easier to take along a trade rather than several issues in bags with boards.
5. It is somewhat easier (and in some cases, cheaper) to find trades than all the back issues in a given series. (i.e. my collection of all the Superman/Batman trades)
I could continue, but I just wanted to help everyone to understand why I chose to review a trade, Robin: Year One. Prior to seeing this book listed for release, I had never considered buying a copy. However, since I have enjoyed DC?s Year One stories (I highly recommend Batman:Year One and Green Arrow: Year One), I decided to make this purchase on Wednesday?
Told through the journal entires of Bruce Wayne?s butler, medic, caregiver, and adviser, Alfred, Robin: Year One follows the original Robin, Dick Grayson, in his first year as the Boy Wonder. Let it be known, this is not Miller?s All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder. This account focuses not so much on how Robin came into Batman?s care, but how he balances life as Dick Grayson and Robin. Nevertheless, containing appearances by the Mad Hatter, Two Face, and the League of Assassins, this book is a great read for any Batman fan. Furthermore, there is some great interaction between Jim Gordon and Batman over Robin?s role and safety in Batman?s activities. Finally, throw in some cameos by the Joker and Barbara Gordon, and this book is complete in setting up the Batman stories to follow. Concerning art, this book is rather simplistic, similar to what one might find in some of DC?s books for younger readers. While this might cause negative reactions among some readers, I found it extremely appropriate for a book which examines the life of an adolescent superhero. Overall, I give this book two thumbs up and will add it to my ?must read? list for all comic fans.
So, while it is available, go visit Collector?s Corner and ask John to order you a copy of Robin: Year One. You shouldn?t be disappointed. I know that I wasn?t.
Nathan
1. Reading a trade allows you to read the whole story at once, rather than waiting several months for a story?s conclusion.
2. Some trades contain extra material, such as scripts or sketches and other original artwork not found in the issues.
3. Trades are easier to store - put them on a bookshelf. No bags or long boxes.
4. Trades can be taken with you for reading on trips. For instance, while riding Tiger Transit, it?s easier to take along a trade rather than several issues in bags with boards.
5. It is somewhat easier (and in some cases, cheaper) to find trades than all the back issues in a given series. (i.e. my collection of all the Superman/Batman trades)
I could continue, but I just wanted to help everyone to understand why I chose to review a trade, Robin: Year One. Prior to seeing this book listed for release, I had never considered buying a copy. However, since I have enjoyed DC?s Year One stories (I highly recommend Batman:Year One and Green Arrow: Year One), I decided to make this purchase on Wednesday?
Told through the journal entires of Bruce Wayne?s butler, medic, caregiver, and adviser, Alfred, Robin: Year One follows the original Robin, Dick Grayson, in his first year as the Boy Wonder. Let it be known, this is not Miller?s All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder. This account focuses not so much on how Robin came into Batman?s care, but how he balances life as Dick Grayson and Robin. Nevertheless, containing appearances by the Mad Hatter, Two Face, and the League of Assassins, this book is a great read for any Batman fan. Furthermore, there is some great interaction between Jim Gordon and Batman over Robin?s role and safety in Batman?s activities. Finally, throw in some cameos by the Joker and Barbara Gordon, and this book is complete in setting up the Batman stories to follow. Concerning art, this book is rather simplistic, similar to what one might find in some of DC?s books for younger readers. While this might cause negative reactions among some readers, I found it extremely appropriate for a book which examines the life of an adolescent superhero. Overall, I give this book two thumbs up and will add it to my ?must read? list for all comic fans.
So, while it is available, go visit Collector?s Corner and ask John to order you a copy of Robin: Year One. You shouldn?t be disappointed. I know that I wasn?t.
Nathan
26 Aug
Batman - Death Mask
I admit that part of the reason I picked up issue one was because of its reverse paging and Japanese styling. However, I don't think it was just a gimmick. Yoshinori Natsume did this 4 part batman series in his style and as far as styling goes. It was great. I started out loving the series and ended liking it.
That being said, If you didn't pick up any of the series and you either pick up all 4 issues at once I think it would be a smoother, more enjoyable ride. Having expectations drop slightly from week to week makes a much bigger deal that having a storyline that peaks and then finishes well all in one sitting.
I liked the storyline for the most par thought towards the end it moved a little into the absurd. But, all in all it flows. You get what the mask is and what it's doing. You have a few times that you lose sight of where the story is going but you get pulled back before it goes to far. I think that the strongest two issues were 1 and 2 and unfortunately issue 4, the last issue, is the weakest. Part of me thinks that if the series had ended one page sooner it would have saved the last issue and put it as an equal beginning and ending. The last page though to me felt really campy and unoriginal.
But, out of 4 issues there's plenty to enjoy. It is definitely a different style for batman than what you see in other books right now and it takes you to a time that really seems to be a golden age for batman stories If I knew this 4 parter would be made into a trade I'd definitely say wait for it but on the other hand the longer you wait the harder it will be to get all the issues together. Your call but if your a Batman guy at all don't skip this one.
Update: Just as I finished posted this review I did another search and found that this series has already been collected. Another reason to check it out.
That being said, If you didn't pick up any of the series and you either pick up all 4 issues at once I think it would be a smoother, more enjoyable ride. Having expectations drop slightly from week to week makes a much bigger deal that having a storyline that peaks and then finishes well all in one sitting.
I liked the storyline for the most par thought towards the end it moved a little into the absurd. But, all in all it flows. You get what the mask is and what it's doing. You have a few times that you lose sight of where the story is going but you get pulled back before it goes to far. I think that the strongest two issues were 1 and 2 and unfortunately issue 4, the last issue, is the weakest. Part of me thinks that if the series had ended one page sooner it would have saved the last issue and put it as an equal beginning and ending. The last page though to me felt really campy and unoriginal.
But, out of 4 issues there's plenty to enjoy. It is definitely a different style for batman than what you see in other books right now and it takes you to a time that really seems to be a golden age for batman stories If I knew this 4 parter would be made into a trade I'd definitely say wait for it but on the other hand the longer you wait the harder it will be to get all the issues together. Your call but if your a Batman guy at all don't skip this one.
Update: Just as I finished posted this review I did another search and found that this series has already been collected. Another reason to check it out.
The Riddler's new direction in being a detective is great.
How many people would buy an ongoing about him?
How many people would buy an ongoing about him?
26 Aug
Batman’s super-powers
Over at ComicMix.com, I've put together another of our ComicMix Six lists. This one covers some interesting times when Batman's temporarily had super-powers and also talks about the original Batman of Zur-En-Arrh story.
ENJOY!
http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/08...-super-powers/
ENJOY!
http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/08...-super-powers/