The Death of Batman Explained.....

Ever since I made a slight comment about Batman's demise, many people have been asking me "how can Batman be dead?" or "there's no way, I don't believe it. Superman didn't stayed dead for too long." It's actually quite a confusing story so let me attempt to explain how this seemingly "demise" of Bruce Wayne has come about. Be warned there are parts where you will have a long audible pause, then shake you head in disbelief, which will quickly be followed by vocalized "WHAT?!?!" which will cause a huge cacophony of echoes to bleed through the hallways of your house shaking it causing the rest of your family to wake up from their naps.

Thanks to writer Grant Morrison, the demon writer of the DC comics universe, in issues #676 - 681,Batman was put into a sticky situation where an criminal organization called The Black Glove has a plot to not only put an end to the Dark Knights disruption of their evils ways, but ultimately kill him. Lead by the evil mastermind The Black Glove and Dr. Simon Hurt, plot is concocted to test the Batmans limitation both psychologically and and physically. Batman, who seems to be prepared for anything, created an alter ego deep in his sub-conscious mind long ago in case psychological attacks of the magnitude the Black Glove organization was giving were to ever happen. this alter ego was called The Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, an alien world that batman concocted. His suit was now different, red a purplish colors. With Batman's subconscious now emerged, the primary goal was to go after his attackers and put an end to the attacks on his life.

With everything going according to the Black Gloves plans, he is lead to Arkham Asylum which has now been taken over by the criminals contained within it. This is where Batman has a final confrontation with the enemy of enemies, The Joker. Of course, this battle is just a diversion where the Black Glove traps Batman and seemingly kills him. Batman is buried and for a moment, everyone believes Batman is dead. So criminals run free in Gotham with the new found joy that they have with no Caped Crusader patroling the streets of Gotham. However, this is not how Batman dies. (Get ready for confusion city!)

A series called Final Crisis back in the summer of '08 called Final Crisis (also written by Grant Morrison, ggrrrr) where evil being Darkseid plots to enslave humanity. In issue number #2, Batman is captured by Darkseid because Batman was trying to put an end to Darkseid's evil plot. So somewhere in between being buried and being captured by Darkseid Batman learned of Darkseid's evil plot, dug himself out of the grave and made his way toward Darkseid mile and miles away from Gotham. (??????)

Batman escapes captivity in Issue number 6 of Final Crisis. Darkseid shoots batman with his Omega Beams. When shot by the Omega beams of Darkseid's, one is sent to what is called the Omega Sanction. So we can deduce from this that Batman, once he was shot with the Omega Beams was sent to the Omega sanction correct?? NOPE! batman at the last second shoots Darkseid with a special bullet that is designed to kill him, but the Omega beams still hit Batman's head. The last page of issue #6 of final crisis shows Batman's body burned to a crisp. You could see nothing but the skeleton. Superman is carrying Batman's bones. We know it's Batman's bones because they are clothed in the bat suit. So what we can deduce now is that because Batman shot Darkseid, Darkseid lost control of his omega beams and the beams actually did kill Batman by completely frying Batman's body until nothing but the skeleton is left.

So, this is how Batman dies. But yet, the confusion is not quite over. Batman issue number 853 shows Batman's body in a coffin at a funeral. (wait, wasn't his body scorched to the bone?) no explanation for this, it just happens to be this way. However, the story finally gets good! Writer Neil Gaiman (Sandman, American Gods) writes a farewell to the Dark Knight that helps to explain Batman's life better than anyone could in the two part series called "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" which can be found in Batman #686 and part 2 found in Detective Comics #853.

As we know, Batman has had many many MANY different incarnations. Throughout the years batman has seemed older, younger, had different styles of costumes, different takes on his origin, and different takes on his enemies origins. batman's history never seems to stay constant, even the death of his parents. at one time the killer is an unknown, another we discover it's the Joker. Sometimes The Waynes are shot in an alley way, sometimes out on the street. We can never keep it straight. What Neil Gaiman has done is add to Bruce Waynes curse of Being batman. throughout the read we discover that Batman is looking at himself in the coffin. People are there for the service, but people only see Batman's dead corpse. Batman, while looking at himself, tries to figure out what is going on and is consulted by another mysterious figure of whom I will refrain from giving away. (you'll have to read batman #686 and Detective Comics #853 to find who he is talking to, it's so good!!!) But we no that Batman's soul and another soul with whom he has a deep connection too are talking together during the funeral service.

Batman starts to figure out what has happened to him. He has all the different incarnations of himself, so many different stories about him were told at the funeral service by his enemies and frinds as batman. The stories weren't the same, the only constant was Batman, but batman seemed different in each story. The question in Batman's mind now while this is happening, while he is hovering over himself is "Do I relive my life over and over again, each time differently?" The mysterious figure that is with him tells him this...""You don't get Heaven or Hell. Do you know the only reward you get for being Batman? You get to be Batman." the next page shows Bruce Wayne, being born in a hospital with his mother Martha Wayne holding him, saying hello to him.

So there we have it, batman is cursed. He doesn't technically die. He lives his life, dies, and is reborn into another dimension and becomes Batman again. I can only assume that every time he is born, he forgets his previous life and lives the new one as if it were the only life he has ever lived.

It is to start off very confusing and strange. But with Neil Gaiman coming on board for those two issues, he helps to make sense of Batman's always changing lifestyle throughout the years. I for one don't see Bruce Wayne ever returning as Batman. However, that doesn't mean he wont come back. But its an almost spiritual, yet cursed way of ending Bruce Waynes time as Batman, and alow for someone else to take up the mantle as the Dark Knight. Who will it be????

Comic Reviews for April

Action Comics #876 - Good, well written. However, I feel like Nightwing and Flamebird aren't doing so hot right now as far as being replacement protectors. Im not even sure I'm enjoying them being in Action Comics. Maybe they just need to grow on me. Dc will need to convince me that Flamebird and Nightwing are good and strong protectors in Supermans absence.

Superman #687 - I think I like Mon-El and I like how they are integrating him into the city of Metropolis. I think it's good that they are making this not look like an easy thing. Mon-El is really going to have to work at leading the double lifestyle.

Supergirl #40 - This title really is growing on me. The whole story with Superwoman has really been interesting to follow. However, what is starting to annoy me is how much Supergirl is struggling with her identity. It seems like she does more whining than discovering about who she is. But I am excited to see how they make this all work out with Major Lane being Superwoman!

Detective Comics #853 - If only Neil Gaiman would write for more comics in DC. This was a fantastic way to end Bruce Waynes reign as the Caped Crusader. However, I think it will upset some fans because Gaiman left very very VERY little room for Bruce Wayne to ever return from the dead, seeing as how technically he is not dead, just in another dimension...as a baby (read Final Crisis to understand more.) I don't see Bruce Wayne ever returning as batman. I found this issue very encouraging and happy, the conversation Bruce had with his mother was very heart warming and nuturing, and it's something Bruce Wayne, above all else, needed to help him accept what was happening to him.

Wonder Woman #31 - The story arc "rise of an Olympian" is getting stronger and stronger as the story progresses. I had my misgivings about this story arc at first, but it's becoming quite griping and full of angst! I think Wonder Woman fighting Achilles was a stroke of genius. and there are some thing we learn about Genocide that really help to understand what her/his (I cant figure out its it's a male or female...maybe neither!) status is in the story.

Green Lantern #40- All I can say is WOW! This title has been great from issue #1 to issue #40. The way Geoff Johns is handling the story for this whole series has been above and beyond the expectations of most readers. Now with all of the different lantern corps, it's getting even more intense. Before Agent orange came along, I didn't think the orange lantern corps would be that great. But wow, Johns knows how to prove me wrong! What Johns is greatest at is his purposefully way of telling a story. The more the story progresses, the more I understand why he is writing the story, that is leading to the blackest night, the way he does. Right now, Green Lantern is without a doubt my favorite comic book title.

Green Lantern Corps #35 - I actually wasn't that impressed with this issue of GL Corps. maybe i'm comparing it to Green Lantern to much but I just didn't think it did that well. I still enjoyed the book, but I felt there was a little too much lingering and drag in this issue writing. however, it is becoming very twisted and disgusting. I would definatly find having my own toungue hanging from my neck disturbing and scaring.

Justice League of America #32 - Dwayne McDuffie just killing the JLA right now. the story is going way down hill. I was excited however to see Starbreaker come back. I hadn't seen him in much of anything since the early 90's....and I was a true kid then! But the way he was brought back an everything encompassing the hidden layer of the trinity just isn't working for me. Ill be glad when McDuffie is off the book.

Justice Society of America #26 - With the Marvel Family finally at peace, Johns decided (I deduce) that we needed a break from all the drama and gave us a nice, happy story to end the dramatic story arc. I think it was kind of nice to just sit back and see how super heroes have fun and enjoy each others company. It was pleasant and funny.Over all, I can say this month was enjoyable with the titles I read. I'm excited to see hows things pan out! But I've got to find a way to afford it all! May brings Power girl and Blackest night. geez!!!!!

Excitement is on it's way!!!

So this summer is an exciting one in the DC comics universe. DC has already shown 2009 to be an exceptional year with all of the great stories. Great events, story arcs, mini series and new titles are definatly coming our way that show amazing potential.

To Start off, the most anticipated event in DC's history, The Blackest night is without a doubt going to be exciting. With the black Lantern corps coming closer and closer to being revealed, we all have to wonder who will be coming back as a Black Lantern. Since the Black Lantern corps light represents death, anyone who has died can become a Black Lantern. Does that mean Martian Manhunter will rise? Or Superboy Prime, Batman, Laira? And better yet, could Thomas and Martha Wayne return from the dead as black lanterns? Also, what will the future hold for Hal Jordan and this connection he has with the blue lantern corps? Writer Geoff Johns has truly created something within the Green Lantern title that has gone way beyond my expectations.

Batman has definatly been an interesting series for the last few months. With Bruce Wayne "dead," and the battle for the cowl series going to, the question in everyone's mind is "who will be the next Batman?" I have my own opinion about who it will be but I can't say with absolute certainty who it might be. But my guess is it will be Dick Grayson. And if that is the case, what happens to Nightwing? will someone take up that mantle or will there never be a Nightwing again?

If you have been following Superman, you know that he is currently not on Earth and is living on New Krypton attempting to live his roots and to find out what Alura and General Zod are up too. I have not currently been reading the New Krypton series as i am waiting for it to come out in trade paperback, which could be a while since the series is set for 15 issues. (15 months of waiting! aaahhhh!!!!) but if you have the money, I would recommend reading it, from what ive heard, it's very very good.

May 6th will bring us the very first issue of Power Girl. I've wonder for the last few years when she was going to get her own title. She hold the same level of respect among readers that Wonder Woman does. It's long over due that she has her own series. And with Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray on board with the writing and Amanda Conner's taking charge of the art, I have great hopes for this series taking off with a bang!

The Justice League of America has taken some hits. With Batman dead, Superman gone to live on New Krypton and Wonder Woman taking a leave of absence, the three main hitters seem to have taken a huge toll on the strong union the league once had. With Hal Jordan having little confidence in the leagues continuity, he has taken it upon himself to form a new league and has recruited people like Green Arrow, The Atom, Supergirl, a giant ape, and more. It will start up in July and as of right now is a 6 issue mini-series. The JLA title is still set to continue along with the new Justice league title with Hal Jordan in the leadership position. It is yet unknown if the new JL title will continue regularly after the mini series is done. But I am pretty excited about it especially since the Justice League of America series has really gone down hill these last few months as far as the writing is concerned.

The only series I have my doubts about is the Animal Man series which I am unsure of when it is to start. I assume this summer. Animal Man Ive felt was always kind of a waste of a character and really doesn't deserve his own series.

In addition to the currently running Batman title, there will be a new title called Batman and Robin to start up in the first week in June. It will start off with the new Batman and the new Robin. Tim Drake will not be the new Robin as he is going to be staring in his own series titled "Red Robin, starting up this summer. So who will be the new Robin to join the Dynamic Duo? My only reservation I have about the new title is the writer DC hired to start the series off, Grant Morrison. I have never enjoyed anything he has done, even the Batman R.I.P. story arc. However, I am excited for this title and hope that Grant Morrison will redeem himself.

There is more exciting stuff going on and im sure you can discover these for yourself at dccomics.com.

Free Comic Book Day reviews

So I throughly enjoyed most of the comics I got on the most popular holiday for any comic book geek. I picked up one of each comic that was available and took them home and read every single one. I particularly enjoy reading the reprint of Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles, brought back alot of memories for me.

Now of course the most anticipated comic was Blackest Night #0. With everything happening with all the different lantern corps, and Geoff Johns building up Blackest Night ever so well, I would say that Blackest night #0 is one of the most anticipated and most wanted free comics on free comic book day to ever come around. And it does not disapoint. It's a great and epic comic giving readers an amazing seguay into the Blackest Night series.

However, as much as I enjoyed Black Night #0, it wasn't my favorite read. Our of all the super hero comics, there was only one that made me smile through all of its art based literature,(thanks Nick!) And that would be issue number 10 of Love and Capes. now its not a title I'll pick up regularly, but it was a nice change of pace from what I typically read. It was funny, not neccesarily laugh out loud funny, but it made me smile and laugh on the inside. As far as typical comics go, it's actually longer with alot of dialog...and I loved that! I wish more of my comics I read regularly would be longer like love and capes was. i give Love and capes #10 a solid 5 stars!

Of course, there were other great fun reads like the Transformer/G.I. Joe comic, which was done in preparation for the Transformers and G.I. Joe films coming this summer. And Top Cow Comics is really doing well with story development and inovative material.

This years free comic book day was a complete success in my humble opinion. Last years free comic book day was somewhat of a let down. I have no complaints about this year.

Movie Review: X-men Origins - Wolverine.

All I can say is, in comparison to X-Men 3: The Last Stand, X-men Origins: Wolverine is a fantastic film. However, in comparison to all of the other films Marvel has put out in the last few years, (with the exception of Punisher: Warzone) I wouldn't say it's their best.

X-men United (x-men 2) left us in a state of wonder. Who is Wolverine? How are he and Stryker connected? What exactly was done to Wolverine to cause him to loose every memory he ever had? And so many other questions. Now these questions are answered in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

It starts out quite well. We see the moment where he firsts discoveres his powers, We learn of the reletionship with Sabertooth, (from the first X-Men) And we learned that he is much much older than we originally thought which is is due to his mutant healing power. Logan was also apart of a team of Mutant assasins lead by Stryker along with his brother victor. (Sabertooth) Logan, being the conflicted one on the team decides to quit the team, leaving his brother Victor behind. Well this developes into Victor resenting Logan for abandoning him, and Stryker of course has an even bigger plan for Logan.

We later laern than Strykers team was meant to distroy mutants because of his hatred for mutants and starts experimentations on mutants to create the ultimate mutant killing machiene. A combination of many different mutant powers from kidnapped mutants were jammed into one single mutant. And of course this leads into a final battle between Wolverine and the Mutant mayhem incarnation. We also have Loan and victor coming back together as brothers fighting together to beat the monster.

There are some special huests apperances by Prof. Charles Xavier and a much younger version of Scott Summers. (Cyclops.) Along with that we have new characters being introduced that X-Men readers will recognize.

I really enjoyed the film overall, it was very well casted, filmed, etc etc. There times when it dragged a little, but it wasn't anything incredibly huge. The special effects were a little less than impressive, and Im reffering mainly to the CGI effects. Wolverines claws definatly akwardly cartoonish. I thought the claws were done much better in the first 3 x-men films. The story was a predictable one and very hollywoodish. In comparison with the first 2 x-men films, I wouldn't say it was better or even as good, but it is definatly an entertaining film and worth the money to go see.

3.5 stars out of 5

Movie Review - Punisher: War Zone

If there was ever a film I absolutely refused to see, it would be Punisher: War Zone. I would have rather brushed my teeth and then drink orange juice then go see this movie. The reason being is it looked more like a shoot 'em up action movie with very little substance and no real plot. But I decided that I would have some fun and get together with a friend and we would have a mystery Science Theater 3000 movie night and make fun of the film. my friend, Mike, and I both had no desire to see this film, and even going into watching it, we were both still dreading it. And what made matters even better, I dragged my wife along in the fun.

The first Punisher was fantastic, It met all expectations and went above and beyond at bring a quality story to the big screen. War Zone, based on the previews, seemed to lack everything that made the first punisher movie (starring Tom Jame) had.

Mike, my wife and myself sat down on a couch, and hit play. And the film started.Now Mike is a Marvel fan, I myself am I DC fan so I trusted Mike to let me know when there was something going on in the movie that I wouldn't quite get. I also knew that since he is a marvel fan, he would have a better chance at appriciating the film than I would. We both soon learned that this film couldn't be appriciated by either a marvel or DC fan.

We watched the film from beginning to end, and while we did we all were wondering why we were watching this very poorly made film. The special effects were quite bad. (how many color filters can one film have???) The script was the worst script I've ever experienced in a film, and the plot was non existant. We were bored through 20% of it, Perplexed at the films stupidity through 30% of it, and laugh through 50% of it! I honestly have nothing good to say about the film. Every step that was taken to make this film good was poorly taken, and there was no real way of saving this film from being a complete disater. I tried so desperatly hard to like the film (not really) but there really was no chance at this film being well done.

There was a moment where Mike turned to my wife and myself and asked "you know, we don't have to finish this you the two of you dont want to." But I was determined to see how the film finished.The film was done.

The three of us sat in awe. And for about a half hour we talked about how bad the film was and how we all probably became dumber due to the number of our brain cells the movie killed. But here's the great part! I would recommend everyone, man woman and child to see this film. It is an experience you'll never forget. get your friends together and watch this film and make fun of it and laugh your heads off. But only rent it, don't buy it. It's not worth your money.

- 20 Stars out of 5 Stars

movie review: Watchmen

It's been a while since the film came out, but I feel I need to write a review about Watchmen.

My expectations were high, unbelievably high, astronomically high, indescribly high! My favorite Graphic novel, favorite book, favorite story is finally a film! Being someone who appriciates the craft and art it takes to turn a novel into a film, this was by far one of the more exciting moments in my life as a movie buff. Over a year before the release of Watchmen, I was already jumping up and down like a little boy who just got his first ten speed bicycle for Christmas from Santa Clause. I couldn't get the film off my mind due to my excitment. I'll admit it, I was obsessed with this movie coming out!

Now, excited I was, but reservations I had. The most common question you'd hear from Watcmen fans would be, "How can you make a movie from a book as complicated and jam packed as Watchmen?" it's a valid question really, Watcmen is completely jam packed with with storyline that it is literally impossible to make a movie from the graphic novel and keep every detail of it's fantasically written story by the briliant Alan moore. And further more, how does one make a film from this Graphic novel and keep the all of the themes that Alan Moore intended for his story to have? Zach Synder, Director of Watchmen and the famous film 300, really put on himself one of the most difficult film making tasks that any director has ever atempted with the exception of Peter Jackson and The Lord of the Rings series. However, even with all of the reservations I had about the film, I was still more excited about it then I was with The Dark Knight. So with all of the questions of how compatible the book is on the big screen I decided to not worry about it and wait until I saw the film at least once before I decide if the film is good or not. (Like most people were doing.)

I sat with alot of my friends in the theatre opening night. We were wowed right from the start. The opening credits were amazing, in a nut shell it gives us a little history of the story that is to follow. The film moved on and opened up with an exceptionally faithful opener, Rorshach walking down the street at night reciting his very poetic entries from his journal. The as the film rolled on, I became more and more thrilled about how faithful the film was staying to the Graphic novel. It was as if they used the Graphic novel as their story boards while filming! Absolute perfection in accuracy! However, one thing did worry me...There was nothing in the film about the missing artist and the pirate comic! It stay pretty incredibly faitful, but without the story of the missing artist and the pirate comic, how in the world will the ending in the graphic novel make sense on film? Only one thing came to mind...The ending had to be changed. And as it got closer and closer to the finale, I still couldn't figure out how it was going to happen! But I knew an ending change was in the midst.

And finally, it came. And I was right, the ending was changed. And at first I was disapointed. The ending in the Graphic novel is so good. But after thinking about it (and seeing the film 3 more times) I came to the conclusion that the ending works quite well. Knowing how Dr. Manhatten thinks, and how everyone else in the story would think, it makes sense. The ending worked. For the Watchmen fan, it probably is a disapointing ending. I know it was for me at first. But for the audience member who hasn't read the graphic novel, it helps to bring the story to a good conclusion.

I think Synder did an excellent job at making Watchmen into a great theatrical success. My only true gripe with the film is that it pumped through the storyline at 100 miles per hour. So it just continually jumps from one scene to the next without giving the audience any real time to soke in the story. There truly is no room to breathe in this film. You'll feel like the movie ended, and you'll come out not sure what happen. It is quite an entertaining film. I would recommend it to any who enjoy sci/fi, and to those who have a strong stomach...it does get fairly violent and bloody.