Tagged: Batman

The Un-Ethics of Watchmen, Part 1: A Bird’s-Eye View

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  • March 2, 2009

drmanhattan-8414138Editor’s note: With the imminent release of Watchmen, we thought we’d try and get a different perspective. So we asked Alexandra Honigsberg, a professional ethicist and genre author, to read the book for the first time and delve into the ethos of the world created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

If super-hero comics are the literature of ethics, then Watchmen is the literature of un-ethics. It is the template for what not to do and makes Batman look like a Boy Scout, even at his darkest Dark Knight. They make Dirty Harry look clean. There’s a new saying on the street that Bitch is the New Black, it Gets Things Done. Well, these guys and gals are certainly the biatch. But is there any way to redeem their actions so that the ends justify the means? Or, more importantly, that even the most inhumane or inhuman retains some sense of what it means to be human?

The study of ethics is the exploration of the good life and how to live it. Now by the “good life” I don’t mean the bling life. I mean a life that is honourable, virtuous and, on a profound level not shaken by the winds of change, happy. Happiness (or pleasure or joy or The Good). That’s the end, the ultimate goal, or what Aristotle calls “that at which all rational beings aim.” Ari makes a fine distinction between the acts of a man (animal, non-rational) and the acts of a human (rational) or what some of us might term the mensch (gender neutral). One of the biggest invectives that Laurie hurls at Dr. Manhattan/Jon Osterman is that, after working for so long in the lab and being so all-powerful (the man not only to end all wars, but end all worlds), he ceases to be human. Moore emphasizes this with quotes from Nietzsche, who claims that when we become evolved enough we will not need rules, we will have become extra-moral – the superman (not the Nazis’ bastardization thereof) who has no need of ethics as we now know them. But are we still human? Extreme means change the agent and therefore change the end (e.g., The Comedian’s total amorality). Can we still give a damn if we’re all god-like? Or in the midst of so much horror that no human could reasonably be expected to survive unscarred (think of the Holocaust), are we still human? What’s human? What’s life? What’s good and who decides? Who gives authority to whom and why?

 

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‘Suicide Squad’ coming to the silver screen

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  • February 26, 2009

DC Comics’ Suicide Squad is on its way to the most dangerous mission yet– to Hollywood. Warner Bros. has hired screenwriter Justin Marks to adapt the property for the movies. (Does that make the contract he signed a Suicide pact?)

The current version of the Squad was created by ComicMix contributors John Ostrander and editor Robert Greenberger, introduced in the 1986 Legends miniseries, edited by Mike Gold. The revolutionary concept was to mix super villains and fallen heroes, giving them one last shot at redemption by the government by undertaking missions that will most likely kill them. Spinning off from Legends, the series lasted for 66 issues, and spurred a 12-issue maxiseries in 2000 and Ostrander returned for an eight issue mini-series in 2007. The particular characters involved have yet to be determined, but strong candidates include Amanda Waller, Rick Flag, Bronze Tiger (who just appeared in an episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold) and Deadshot.

Marks, who is doing a rewrite of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for Disney, also wrote the Green Arrow comic-book movie project Supermax, which could conceivably connect with Suicide Squad as they both take place at Belle Reve prison. John Ostrander is currently writing Star Wars: Legacy for Dark Horse and GrimJack and Munden’s Bar for ComicMix.

I just got off the phone with John Ostrander, who had just heard about the project this morning. He’s looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Me, I’m looking forward to DC reconsidering whether or not to put out those Suicide Squad reprint collections now. Hint hint.

The Dark Knight officially does a billion dollars in box office

  • News
  • February 21, 2009

darkknight-5962707Wayne Enterprises has another billion in the bank.

According to Box Office Mojo, The Dark Knight has officially reached $1 billion in worldwide box office revenue, distributor Warner Bros. announced today. The Batman sequel is the fourth movie in history to hit the mark, right behind Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest:

Breaking the worldwide gross down, The Dark Knight has made a phenomenal $533.1 million domestically and $468 million overseas. It’s the only movie in the Top 20 of the all time worldwide chart where the domestic gross exceeds the foreign gross, which is a common trait among comic book-based pictures. On the all time domestic chart, The Dark Knight ranks second to Titanic, while it stands at No. 22 on the all time foreign chart. Warner Bros. noted that The Dark Knight‘s total includes the highest-grossing two-dimensional re-mastered IMAX release ever at $49.6 million domestic and $15.3 million overseas.

For another point of comparison, this year’s five Oscar nominees for Best Picture, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, Frost/Nixon and The Reader ,have only grossed $481,205,302 worldwide combined so far. Gee, why would Warner Bros. announce that the day before the Oscars…?

Batman sequel on hold until 2011

  • News
  • February 12, 2009

darkknight-2518257According to E! Online, a sequel to The Dark Knight is two years away. At least.

Director Christopher Nolan has inked a deal with Warner Bros. to helm Inception, based on his own screenplay. The sci-fi action film "set within the architecture of the mind" aims to begin shooting this summer and hit theaters in summer 2010, according to the studio.

This probably shouldn’t surprise anyone, though. It was three years between Batman Begins, and last year’s The Dark Knight. In between, Nolan made The Prestige, starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman as rival magicians.

The only potential problem, of course, is if they want to do another Terminator sequel for 2011, which would keep Bale’s schedule very filled and could conceivable dilute the impact of each film in theaters.

ComicMix Quick Picks – February 11, 2009

heath-ledger-joker-l-7035128Today’s collection of items may not be worth a post of their own, but may be of interest:

  • An online Heath Ledger fan club has put up an online petition calling for Warner Brothers to withdraw the role of the Joker from Batman movies once and for all. They already have over 2,000 supporters "freaks." They’re also on YouTube, Facebook and Flickr.
  • The Battlestar Galactica prequel spinoff Caprica will be available on DVD and as a digital download on April 21 of this year but will not air until the show is ready to launch on SciFi– a full year later. Caprica, which will lay the groundwork for a 22-episode series scheduled to launch in 2010, is executive produced by BSG‘s Ronald D. Moore and David Eick and Remi Aubuchon (24) and stars Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales and Polly Walker.
  • Blambot presents the grammar of comic book lettering.
  • Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years, The West Wing) will become lead math correspondent for the weekly Science Channel series Brink, joining host Josh Zepps. Danica graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a degree in mathematics, is co-author of a published proof, and wrote two math books for junior high girls, called Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math and not Break a Nail and Kiss My Math.
  • The CW is collaborating with publisher Alloy Entertainment on a one-hour drama pilot adapted from the book series "The Vampire Diaries". Kevin Williamson (Scream) will write and executive produce, working alongside Julie Plec (Kyle XY). If the CW wanted vampires, why couldn’t they bring Buffy or Angel back?

Anything else we missed? Consider this an open thread.

Review: ‘Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe’

Crossovers are nothing new to comics.  Who could forget when the [[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]] found their way into a [[[GrimJack]]] book, or when the Punisher visited the Archie Universe?  Well, apparently, they can cross into game universes too.  As if to answer the challenge put up by [[[Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter]]] over almost 11 years ago, Midway has released [[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]] for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.  Building on the series’ newer 3D fighting mechanics, the new title boasts a refined move set, two separate storylines, three new kombat modes, and, of course, a new roster featuring DC’s mightiest heroes and villains.  So how does the game fare?  Read on…

So, how would the DC characters find themselves caught fighting the kombatants from Earthrealm?  Well, due to several well-timed attacks during battles, both [[[Superman]]] and the lightning God, Raiden, cause a tear in each universe that cause their worlds to collide (and their greatest foes, namely Darkseid and Shao Kahn, to conjoin).  These events are played out in both ends of the story mode, which you can play either from the DC perspective or the MK point of view.  In this mode, players don’t choose their characters. Rather, as the chapters in the story progress, the character they control is swapped out as the story focuses on each new fighter.  This allows the players to get a good handle on several different fighting styles, as well as the differing angles and roles each character has in the story.

Playing the story mode is where fans of DC will really get the most enjoyment out of this title. As focus shifts from hero to villain, other characters flesh out the story and interact with whomever you play as, either in battle or in aid.  And honestly, as hokey as the story sounds, the excellent cut scenes really make it work within the confines of what we know about these characters.  So how are characters like Liu Kang and Scorpion able to put the beat down on Superman and [[[Captain Marvel]]]?  Well, as the worlds collide, they take on each other’s properties.  Since the world of Mortal Kombat is a magic-based realm, and Superman is susceptible to magic…yeah, you can kick Kal-El’s ass.  This also makes our heroes a bit more aggressive…the rage builds within them and the urge to fight grows, making each character stronger and more brutal.  This “Rage” is built up over time in battle, and is unleashed as a yellow aura around the character that strengthens attacks and allows you power through your opponents’ hit,not allowing them to knock you back.

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ComicMix QuickPicks – January 15, 2009

Today’s installment of comic-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest…

* From, of all places, New Jersey Jewish News: "I’ve come to the realization recently that Israel and Batman have a lot in common. And in order to make sense of one, we can look to the other." Yes, I can just imagine Israel quoting Frank MIller dialogue with regards to Gaza. "Sure we’re criminals. We’ve always been criminals. We have to be criminals."

* ICV2: "Marvel has filed suit against MGA Entertainment for alleged violations of its licensing agreement with the company, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal. The suit asks for $1.88 million, alleging unpaid licensing fees and that MGA made toys based on Spider-Man and Ghost Rider, which were not included in the companies’ licensing agreement." Gee, MGA isn’t having a good year, between this and getting Bratz shut down…

* Want to buy yourself the Hugo Award for your work? It might be cheaper than you think. It’s certainly within any movie company’s marketing budget.

* Like that Coraline poster over there? Order it here and help the American Library Association.

Anything else? Consider this an open thread.

ComicMix QuickPicks – January 13, 2009

chinese111-thumb-5249453Today’s installment of comic-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest…

* Even Batman can’t save everybody at Warner Brothers from a lousy economy. Reuters reports the studio is considering ways to cut its budget by 10 percent, saving tens of millions of dollars via layoffs or other steps. "No decisions have been made," said a Warner Bros spokesman regarding the cost cuts, which are widely expected to result in an unspecified number of layoffs at the studio. Warner Bros is owned by Time Warner Inc, which last week projected a loss for the year, compared with a previous forecast of earnings of $1.04 to $1.07 per share.

Hey… isn’t DC Comics owned by Warner Brothers? Watch your backs, folks.

* Hexed #1. Free. Downloadable. CBZ file, even. Enjoy. I did.

* ICV2: "Titan Books has announced the expansion of its publishing agreement with Golden Age comics pioneer Joe Simon, the co-creator of Captain America.  This summer Titan will launch The Official Simon and Kirby Library, which will now include full color hardcover volumes collecting Simon & Kirby’s horror, detective, and romance comics." I detect the fine hand of Steve Saffel in this; way to go, Steve.

* According to a recent study, forty-six per cent of Canadians can’t name a single Canadian writer. Here, let me give you two. Ty Templeton. Robert J. Sawyer. You’re welcome.

* Laurel Maury reviews Jonathan Lethem’s Omega The Unknown for NPR. (Come back to the Malibu, Laurel, we miss you!)

* Friday night’s airing of the start of season 4.5 of Battlestar Galactica will run 3.5 minutes long according to information released by SciFi. Dish Network has already adjusted the run time but you should double check any PVR’s you may have set up. You’ve been warned.

* An interview with Dean Mullaney.

* Why I dislike Batwoman too.

Anything else? Consider this an open thread.

Comic du jour from Hugh MacLeod, the creator of Mr. Hell.

‘Wonder Woman’ Writer Michael Jelenic Talks Animation

  • News
  • January 2, 2009

Writer Michael Jelenic makes the leap from animated television to feature-length films with his script for Wonder Woman, the next entry in the popular series of DC Universe animated original PG-13 films. Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation are set to release the all-new film on March 3, 2009, distributed by Warner Home Video. The film will also be available OnDemand and Pay-Per-View as well as available for download day and date, March 3, 2009.

Jelenic has crafted a script that offers complementary balances of action and comedy, contemporary society and Greek mythology, and the social pratfalls of both men and women. It is an origin story and a stand-alone adventure, resulting in an entertaining approach to the first-ever Wonder Woman full-length film. Jelenic and renowned comics writer Gail Simone have "story by" credits on the movie.

Jelenic is well-known for his work at Warner Bros. Animation, providing the clever words to series like The Batman, Legion of Super Heroes and the newest Dark Knight animated series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

Jelenic stepped away from his laptop to be both brave and bold in answering a few questions about the thoughts behind the words and story of Wonder Woman, the challenges of pleasing every fan, and the un-coolness of working in the comics realm. (more…)

‘The Darkness’ Celebrates 75th Issue

  • News
  • December 24, 2008

Top Cow Productions, Inc. announced today that The Darkness will reach Legacy Issue #75 in February, and the publisher will commemorate the milestone event by inviting a list of all-star artists to contribute to the oversized, special issue.

(Fans and retailers confused by the renumbering should note The Darkness #75 is actually #11 of the current volume, but the Legacy Numbering will take effect as of this issue. The Legacy Number denotes the total number of issues of The Darkness ever published, regardless of volume. The subsequent issue will be labeled #76, and so forth.)

The list of artists includes: Michael Broussard (current series artist), Jorge Lucas (Pilot Season: Ripclaw), Dale Keown (Pitt), Joe Benitez (Justice League of America), Ryan Sook (Superman/Batman), Steve Firchow (Ultimatum), Frazer Irving (Silent War), Lee Carter (2000 AD), Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade) and Matt Timson (Impaler). The story, which will examine what a possible future would be like for current Darkness bearer Jackie Estacado, will be penned by current series writer Phil Hester.

“Working on The Darkness #75 was like visiting an old friend I haven’t seen in a while,” Joe Benitez, who hasn’t drawn for an issue of The Darkness since 1999, said in a release. “It’s always nice to see what they’re up to and how they’ve changed.”

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