I'm Not a Fan, But... Batman (1966)

Well hey there, Gotham! The name’s Frank. I’ve been a follower of the Gotham Podcast (or Gotham Central, or Gotham Inc., or Got Ham, or whatever they’re calling it this week) since it first began, and it’s a pleasure to finally be writing a column for the site! Growing up, I never considered myself a Batman fan. Superman always was and always will be my favorite hero. Take a moment to absorb it. Pick up those Batarangs you just threw at your screen. Feeling better? Ready to move on? Good!

Batman (and Robin): Out of Context

Look Guys, I might be sick, but crime and Batman don't sleep, so why should I?

Batman #3

Don't hold me to that not sleeping thing, btw.

Getting Your Friends Into Graphic Novels

Recently, I was approached by a friend of mine who wanted to get into reading Batman graphic novels, but didn't know a good place to start. I immediately jumped on the opportunity to help my friend and here is what I discovered:

1. Follow the time line from an early point
2. Continuity matters
   
3. Avoid cosmic stories
   
4. Unless impossible, ignore stories that include characters outside the Bat-Family
5. Seminal stories that mean a lot to the industry mean little to a new reader
6. A new Batman reader is going to like anything that has Batman in it, so don't worry about giving something you might consider to be a little less quality than some of the cherished stories.

I'll break everything down.

Batman: Out of Context

End your work week on the right note, with Batman: Out of Context! Tonight's edition is very special and features one of the most awesome Batman panels from the early days of his career..

New York World's Fair Comics, 1940

But wait, there's more.. A very special bonus edition of Batman: Out of Context directly after the jump!

Robin Mash-Up

This is clearly Jason's Robin. Tim would never do this. The poster lies!

Source: Comic Book Resources

Batman: Out of Context

Start your morning off right with another installment of Batman: Out of Context! In the edition, hair works like a helmet!

Batman #2 (1940)

Young Justice: Preview Video

Thank God for SDCC!

Check out this new clip discussing all of the things we should look for in the upcoming Young Justice on Cartoon Network.



Seriously, death? And not the Death from Sandman? Lamesauce. Stop killing kids, DC!

Robin Has a Filthy Mouth

Dick Grayson gets frightened and frustrated and cannot hold back in this clip from the popular Cartoon parody series Not For Air.

Blast From the Past: The New Adventures of Batman

The Dark Knight has had a bizarre and diverse past, and the opening for the 1977 The New Adventures of Batman proves to be no exception. Gaze upon the likeness of Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and yes.. Bat-Mite! The wonders don't stop with Bat-Mite, however, listen close and hear the terrible drone that would put any of us in Arkham if we were exposed to it too long.

Anyway, this video is a blast, so enjoy "Batfans"!



Pick this up at Amazon! The New Adventures of Batman - (DC Comics Classic Collection)

Robin's Big Date Starring Sam Rockwell and Justin Long

Batman tries to ruin Robin's big date. Starring Sam Rockwell, Justin Long, Callie Thorne, and Josh Hamilton. Directed by James Duffy, written by Will Carlough.

I would pay money to see this as a full length feature :D

Young Justice

It's young. It's Justice. It's Young Justice on the Cartoon Network.

Basically, the best way that I can explain this is to just call it Titans, because it's really interesting to me that they are basically taking the concept for Teen Titans and modernizing it, which is still awesome, don't get me wrong, I'm really looking forward to this!

(I thought J'onn was the last Martian)

From The Source Blog: YOUNG JUSTICE is an all-new series produced by Warner Bros. Animation and based upon the characters from DC Comics. In YOUNG JUSTICE, being a teenager means proving yourself over and over – to peers, parents, teachers, mentors and, ultimately, to yourself. But what if you’re not just a normal teenager? What if you’re a teenage super hero? How much harder will it be to prove yourself in a world of super powers, super villains and super secrets? Are you ready to come of age in such a world? Are you ready for life or death rites of passage? Are you ready to join the ranks of the great heroes and prove you’re worthy of the Justice League? The members of Young Justice—Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian and Artemis—are about to find out.

It just seems like Robin got tired of that two-bit Teen Titans and started a new team. I don't know, it's cool, I'm sure it's going to be great, but I still want JL and JLU to come back, maybe that's just me..

Source: The Source

New From DC Direct

Y'know how when people get bored, and they might play video games, maybe watch a movie snack or go shopping? What do I do? I check the internet for Batman merchandise and then I tell you about it!

Here is a small list of Statues and Action Figures that DC Direct has recently announced!

1. DCU Online Batman Statue- $80.00 US- on sale 11/17/2010
2. DCU Animated Red Hood Statue- $99.99 US- on sale 7/7/2010
3. The Joker 1:4 Scale Museum Quality Statue- $325.00 US- on sale 11/3/2010
4. Gotham City Stories: Part 4: Harley Quinn v. Robin Statue- $99.99 US- on sale 11/10/2010
5. Ame-Comi: Catwoman (V.1) Purple Suit Variant PVC Figure- $60.00 US- on sale 11/10/2010
6. DCU Online Catwoman Statue- $75.00 US- on sale 11/17/2010

Source: DC Direct

Back Issue Review: Robin #34

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Pencils: Jennifer Graves

Inks: John Dell

Colors: Adrienne Roy

Letters: Tim Harkins







"Situations and Comedies" is a look into a night in the life of Tim Drake, aka Robin, as he is out with a group of his friends watching a park performance of "Macbeth at the Beach". Tim leaves his friends for a little while when his friends get into an argument over the validity of updating or adapting classic works of theatre. While Tim agrees, he still gets frustrated with the argument and steps away for some peace and quiet when he stumbles upon a young thug who is picking a fight with another young man who he claims, "looked at his girl". As any good hero would, Tim breaks up the scuffle when he is spotted by Helena Bertinelli aka The Huntress while she is at the play with a group of her students, and she threatens to report Tim to his principal if he keeps up his fighting ways.

After the encounter with Ms. Bertinelli, Tim spots a car of hoodlums that are preparing to rob the concession stand at the outdoor theatre. Tim eventually suits up and saves the day with a little help from an non-costumed Huntress who takes down the last foe.

If I could sum this issue up with one word, that word would be "fun"

Dixon does a fine job with this issue by integrating the massively hilarious "Macbeth at the Beach" play, which is simply a bunch of surfers performing Macbeth in a beach setting, with some great action and heroics at the hands of Robin and Huntress. The art is in a very "cartoony" style, not gritty like most of Gotham City, but it holds true to the fun nature of this issue. Dixon obviously has a grasp on the nature of Tim Drake in these years, as Tim was one of the more fun-loving Robins that was still a true blue hero, and I really enjoyed the interaction with Tim and his friends. The situation to be in was a bit on the ridiculous side, but it was still an entertaining issue that provided some great action and humor while not seeming unrealistic. It's not a life changing comic, but it's definitely a good, solid read.

This issue is a one and done issue that doesn't rely on any deep knowledge of the Bat Universe and doesn't tie in to anything, so it is a very quick read and you can pick it up at your leisure. A very good read, and I'd recommend any fans of a solid comic for a fun read.

Gotham Central-Pull List #18

Click to Play

We have a big week, Gotham City!

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy listening as Justin and Hunter take you on a tour of all things Gotham this week!

This Week in Gotham (3/31/2010):

Blackest Night #8 (of 8)

Detective Comics #863

Gotham City Sirens #10

Justice League of America #43

The Outsiders #28

The Brave and the Bold Vol. 3: Demons and Dragons (TPB)

The Creeper by Steve Ditko HC

Oracle: The Cure (TPB)

Robin Archives Vol. 2 (HC)

Gotham City Stories Part 1: Batman Statue

Trade Review: Battle For The Cowl

After the events of Batman: RIP and Final Crisis, both penned to an excruciatingly complex point by superstar, albeit polarizing, writer, Grant Morrison, DC Comics was left with the task of discussing and explain who would take on the mantle of The Caped Crusader, and that man was none other than Dick Grayson.



Tasked with telling this story was none other than Tony Daniel on both art and writing duties. In Battle for The Cowl (the main story) Daniel shows us who was vying for the title of Batman. The three real contenders that he came to were Dick Grayson, a reluctant replacement for Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake-the at-the-time Robin, and former dead/Robin/Vigilante/very confused individual , Jason Todd.Battle for the Cowl pretty much just shows the process of the three former robins being very angry with each other and all feeling like they deserve the role of The Dark Knight.

Ultimately, the down fall of Battle for the Cowl is that it is over done, the main story did not particularly set up or clarify any of the current events of Gotham City, although the side stories, such as Azrael and Gotham Underground did push along a story for the characters involved. Which, in all honesty, is pretty strange considering that Tony Daniel is on the current run of Batman. The other downfall is that the story could have been told in one issue, and definitely did not need to go to three. These facts really tend to take you out of the story and you actually realize that what you are reading is pretty much pointless, so it begins to make you less focused on the work, and thus making it less enjoyable. Tony Daniel just does his job and leaves it at that. There are no interesting takes on any of the characters involved, and no new developments on pre-existing character traits. It's your run of the mill Batman story sans Batman.

Overall, the book itself it is not absolutely terrible, it's just that the book feels pointless. If you were to read this book on it's own, it could be fine if it didn't rely heavily on pre-existing knowledge of the events of Final Crisis and Batman: RIP. It's really unfortunate because it takes a 3-4 star book, and turns it into a 2-3 star book based solely on the current events. And compared to other trades like Hush, Long Halloween, The Black Glove, and many others, it definitely pales in comparison.

All in all, if you just ABSOLUTELY need to know every excruciating detail of how, but not why, Dick Grayson put on the cowl, pick this up, but if not, stay away and read the first trade of Batman & Robin, which is coming very soon


Buy it from Amazon