Batman Comics

Hello Gothamites! I hope you’re still out there reading this even though I’ve been so woefully absent the last few weeks. Well, we have one more week of disruption but after that life will be as calm as it ever gets, so hopefully we can have some regular updates again soon.

Constant Readers may notice that my Dark Knight Rises release countdown has been removed from the sidebar since the movie came out. I’m not sure if I’ll post a full review but I did want to say that DKR was amazing, I loved it. The movie was everything I hoped for and more, and I’d like to see it at least once more in IMAX since that format adds so much to the viewing experience.

I have a couple comics to read this week, although loyal Bat-fans may wonder at the absence of Batman Inc 3. It’s not because I decided to skip one of my favourite books, not at all! Instead, this issue was delayed for a month out of respect for the Aurora Dark Knight Rises shooting, apparently some events in the issue hit a little too close to home. I can’t argue with that one, and I look forward to a day when people can be peaceful enough that Batman isn’t needed.

Batman: The Dark Knight 11 – I feel like I want to give this book more of a chance, and I think that may be because of David Finch’s appearance at the DC New 52 panel at Comic-Con. He seemed well aware of the negative feedback that the book’s received and urged everyone to give it another try now that Gregg Hurwitz is writing and Finch is only on drawing duties. I liked Hurwitz’s work on the Penguin mini-series, and I’ve enjoyed Finch’s artwork in this one, so I’m still glad to be here.

Teen Titans 11 – It’s a fun book and we all know that I need more Tim Drake in my life. Wonder Girl is the focus this week and I’m glad, I feel like I don’t know much about her and want to change that.  I have consistently enjoyed the covers on this comic, and this week’s issue (by Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund and Andrew Dalhouse) lives up to that. Just looking at this picture I want to know what’s going on, how they got here, and what happens next.

I got home from a long day of work at Wayne Enterprises to discover a piece of mail from Tribute.ca, relating to a contest I entered a while back. It was a poster design contest with prizes relating to Dark Knight Rises, but I never expected anything to result. Turns out I was wrong, and I won a pass to a preview of the movie, on Wednesday! This is amazing and surprising, and Bat-tastic. I had already intended to see The Dark Knight Rises at least twice on opening weekend, so now I can get an early start! Thanks to @wbpicturescan and Batman

It’s new comicbook day once again! I hope everyone had a chance to get their Dark Knight Rises tickets – I got up at midnight on Monday to get some before they sold out, only to find that Canadian tickets didn’t go on sale until noon anyways! But it turned out fine, I got my tickets without too much trouble and am definitely looking forward to wearing my SDCC costume to the movie premiere. This week there are some great comics, and as always I’d love to hear about what you’re reading today, so tweet me!

Batman 10 - The big title of the day, as we finally discover who’s behind the Court of Owls and how it changes Batman’s life. This is the second-last issue in the Court of Owls storyline, and I’m definitely excited to get the details and see how Batman handles it. I read Batman 10 immediately when I got home, and all I can say is wow. I really didn’t see that coming! Greg Capullo’s art continues to be amazing as well, I’m definitely a satisfied Bat-fan.

Batgirl 10 - We meet a new villain, Knightfall, who challenges Batgirl in new and exciting ways. Sounds like Knightfall started off okay but was somehow sentenced to life in Arkham Asylum despite being innocent. That’s Gotham for you! Can’t keep the inmates in Arkham but send good girls there all the time…

Batman and Robin 10 - It’s a meeting of the Robins! Of course, with Stephanie Brown still missing from the DCnU, it’s not quite all the Robins, but apparently DC hasn’t got the message yet. The previous issue was great, but I’m confused about how this book ties in with Batman Inc. Did the events of Batman Inc 1 just not happen yet? Does anyone know? I especially enjoy seeing Tim and Damian interact, but based on this cover by Patrick Gleason, Mick gray and John Kalisz I don’t think it’s going very well.

Last night some friends and I saw the Dark Knight Rises prologue, and it was amazing! Even with all the leaked set photos I’ve seen online there were things in the 6 minute prologue that I was not expecting and not prepared for. How on earth will I be able to stand waiting until July?? I’m going to have to console myself with comics, so here’s what I’m picking up tonight:

Batgirl 4 – Barbara continues her journey back to full Bat-power. I enjoy this book, but I want to know more about how Babs got from point A to point B. It almost feels unfair to focus on her past instead of her present, but I feel like we need to know before we can move on. Actually, there’s an interesting parallel between her road to recovery and vigilantism and the reader’s own growing knowledge of Batgirl’s story. Plus, she’s awesome.

Batman and Robin 4 – My favorite bat-title! This will make up for a long day working at Wayne Enterprises. The last issue ended on quite a cliffhanger, so today we’ll find out how Batman and Robin get out of that situation. Also, in issue 3 Robin defied Batman’s explicit orders to stay home from patrol, and that was part of an escalating pattern of bad behavior. How will Daddy Batman react to that?

Suicide Squad 4 – Regular readers will know that I haven’t been following this series, but @zuzuhaha has been reading it so I’ll give it a try. The story is going to cross over with the Dollmaker plot in Detective Comics, and that should be fun. I’d like to understand the Joker’s connection to Dollmaker more clearly, and I’m both nervous and excited to see how this version of Harley Quinn interacts with her Mister J.

Batwoman 4 – This book has been consistently engaging, exciting, and gorgeous, so I’m definitely looking forward to reading it tonight. I just looked at the first few pages and the artwork is beautiful, different styles juxtaposed in a way that uses the possibilities inherent in the comic art form to its great advantage. I also love the use of bright orange and reds, it’s refreshing.  Here’s the cover, by J. H. Williams III;

So that’s what I’ll be doing with the rest of my night. In other news, my scanner is still broken, so I’m not sure when I’ll be able to post actual updates about the comics that I’ve been reading. I also have ambitious plans to write more Matches Malone and a few other things, so wish me luck!

Who has two thumbs and just got passes to see the Dark Knight Rises prologue next week? THIS GIRL!! I’ve removed my name and the theatre info, and blocked out some of the bar code so nobody can say I’m trying to let people steal a pass, but here it is!

Next week we’ll get to see six minutes of The Dark Knight Rises, and from the bits and pieces I’ve heard, it should be amazing. I can’t wait, ever since we went down to Pittsburgh to be extras I’ve known this movie was going to be something else. So, who else got passes? Are you going to dress up? Leave a comment, let me know!

This was my set pass for the Dark Knight Rises filming

Last weekend I got to go with my husband @VenPixel and our friend @emilyschooley down to Pittsburgh to be an extra in The Dark Knight Rises. It was a really amazing experience, and I felt very lucky to get to be part of it. That said, it was also an extremely hot and sunny day, and not really fun to get through! Big thanks to Emi for driving us down, it was great to spend the weekend together. And also thanks to @VenPixel for helping make this happen, you’re a great partner in crime

I wanted to write out what the day was like, both to share the experience and so I’ll remember it, but be warned – there are movie spoilers within! Also, sorry the photos aren’t the best quality – nobody was supposed to take pics anyways, so we’re lucky to have them and thanks again to the very nice guy who provided them! Click to enlarge, as always.

Read the rest of this entry →