The second part of DC’s adaptation of Frank Miller’s THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS is out in stores right now. Have to admit that it did justice to the original story (Mr. Miller, you should be proud!) and Michael Emerson did a wonderful job with the Joker in Miller’s version. He definitely is what I would have envisioned him to sound like: soft spoken (kind of affeminate) and unpredictably crazy…
My grading: 4.5 smiles out of 5
Some Nice Joker Clips!
Oh, and for the true fans, BEST BUY has put out a DARK KNIGHT RETURNS SPECIAL EDITION that includes a miniature of the Joker in the movie:
It’s been close to a week since they showed the trailer at NYCC and now it is available to share with the world. It was about time DC….
This is the second part of the animated adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel of the same title and promises to keep the same grade of quality that the first one , keeping the essence of the original Miller story and art. This time with an added bonus, Joker plays a mayor part in the story and Jokerholics will rejoice to see what Mr. Michael Emerson has done with the character (I know since more was shown at NYCC, trust me on this one guys). Here is the trailer for your enjoyment.
Played the demo for the new DC Video Game INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US and it is just to die for. They had the playable demo with Green Arrow there and also with Catwoman and though it almost look like a rip off of Mortal Combat, it felt really good to punch something. The graphics are superb and the moves are incredible.
Confirmed by one of the guys in the gaming department (and for those that were wondering) JOKER was announced as a playable character in the game, though no demo of his moves were available to play at this time. Can’t wait to see what the Clown is capable of.
DARK KNIGHT RETURNS PART 2 PREVIEW AT THE IGN THEATER
Saw an incredible preview of the upcoming part 2 of the Frank Miller adaptation of THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and though just a little bit of Joker was seen, it was enough to make me smile (they showed scene of Joker in the talk show were he announces he’s going to kill everybody in the audience). I think that Mr. Emerson is doing a great thing with this character and it is going to be a memorable perfomance.
DC announced that the voice of the TV show host in the movie is none other than Conan O’Brien and that he did a great job during the sesion.
The two movies were shot back to back, hired 33 voice actors and with each actor doing at least 3 different voices, you can imagine the scope of the production.
Talking about the score, Bruce Timm revealed that each character has his own beat. Batman being mostly techno and synthesizer while Superman is more orchestral in nature.
When asked, Bruce Timm said that though he has fulfilled goal of bringing two classics to the small screen (Batman Year One and The Dark Knight Returns) he still has interests in other classics like HUSH and KILLING JOKE ( no info if any of those are on consideration at this moment, but showing some interest is promising)
Other DC Animated projects to be expected for 2013:
SUPERMAN UNBOUND: Based on the Brainiac/ Superman storyline by Geoff Johns
JUSTICE LEAGUE FLASHPOINT:DC gets its take on the multititle crossover in one production. Film could possibly be previewed as soon as San Diego next year.
LEGO BATMAN THE MOVIE: DC HEROES UNITED: Following the success of the game. Bruce Timm confirmed the relase of the animated movie next year and presented a short but hilarious clip of the movie. The production promises to satisfy the little kids as much as the big kids. You can read IGN’s report HERE
JOINING THE FORCES OF EVIL
In the events of the DC Comics Supervillains taking over during the month of October, with the DC SUPERVILLAIN SWEEPSTAKES BIG SCORE and the release of SUPERVILLAINS DC VIDEO COLLECTION, DC has allowed the fans who visited their booth to have their picture taken in front of a green screen and your choice of heroes, villains or MAD covers. Of course, I have this evil orientation that is innate on me, so I chose the dark side and had my picture taken with the villains
According from reports by TV GUIDE and CBR, actor Michael Emerson (Lost, Person of Interest) will take on the role of voicing the Joker in the upcoming direct to video part 2 release of Frank Miller’s classic tale. (TDKR part 2 will be realesed in early 2013).
According to the reports:
Michael Emerson‘s latest gig is no joke. The man best known as Lost’s über-manipulator Ben Linus and Person of Interest’s calculating Harold Finch is taking on one of pop culture’s most iconic villains, the Joker, in the upcoming animated DVD-movie Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2. In the film, a harrowing adaptation of Frank Miller’s seminal 1986 DC Comics series, the depraved Clown Prince of Crime renews his rivalry with an aging Batman, who has just reemerged in Gotham City after a decade
I have to admit, I was nerver a fan of the LOST series and don’t recall seing any of Emerson’s work before, so I had to do a little net research to grasp an idea of what this actor can bring forward to the character.
Emerson, who started as a performer in Broadway (in lighter comedic roles), made his turn in the dark side portraying a sinister serial killer for the series THE PRACTICE (2001), role for which he earned an Emmy.
Since then he has been seen in shows like THE X-FILES, LAW AND ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNITand movies like THE LEGEND OF ZORROand SAW.
In 2006 he took part of the LOSTseries, portraying the enigmatic Henry Gale, a character who lied to the survivors. His role in the series was praised and earned him anonther nomination for an Emmy which he unfortunately lost.
I was amazed by his acting background and his turn to the darker, creepier character has definitely not diminished the quality of his work, knowing how hard it is to portray a believable, compelling heavy on TV or stage. Villains are never easy. But what most surprised me was his vision on the Joker, that he seems to understand very well as a character:
“He’s one of those great villains that an actor like me likes to play because he has layers — he has a face for the world and a face for himself,” the Emmy-winning star of CBS’s “Person of Interest” told TV Guide. “He is, in a way, a villain who is a natural actor. All of that is that is delightful and confounding at the same time.”
Playing the unbridled fervor of the Joker was a switch from some of the more emotionally controlled roles on Emerson’s resumé. “It’s freeing because of the largeness of it,” he says. “When he laughs, there’s nothing subdued about it. When he screams in rage, there’s nothing controlled about it. The amp is turned to 11 at all times.”
I think Mr. Emerson has definitely gotten a grasp of what moves the Clown to be Joker. Maybe for once we have found someone that can portray this character with the dignity he deserve and become as legendary as other actor voices befor him. I still have to hear him and see if he can transport me to that space were I can “flesh” out the Joker just by listening to him, but I have a hunch that the character might be in good hands.
Now I understand why my friend Jason Marnocha, a young talented voice actor who has had his deals with the Joker’s voice himself (very successfully I may add) was so pleased with this choice. I trust your judgement, Jason…I also aprove of this selection for the Joker’s voice…for now.
If you want to know more about Michael Emerson; you can watch this interview from PBS I am including here.
I am a Joker fan… Probably, I’m am one of the most fervent (and craziest) Joker fan in the world since I have created this site dedicated just to him, uand what happened in Aurora Colorado during the midnight view of the Dark Knight Rises has me outraged and I could not keep shut.
How in the world, James Holmes dares call himself “the Joker” and do this abominable act of violence? I find out that impossible to comprehend and I don’t have a bit of respect for this nut case. There is no excuse to hurt people. My dislike for him, has escalated to undescribable levels and his actions leaves me with a heavy weight on my soul.
WE, Joker fans are spread through out the world. We encompass every race, every creed, sexual orientation, every walk of life. We work with our communities, we might be the nurse or doctor who cares for you in the hospital, or the teacher who teaches in you school, maybe the father (or mother) that cares of her loving family, even your best friend, but you will NEVER SEE ANY OF US shooting innocent people or blowing up places, because we know what is rigth and what is wrong and above the difference between reality and fantasy.
And I want the world to understand…just because we like a character like the Joker does not make us psychos.
We understand this is a fictional character, nothing more and also understand many of the things he does are not right, but we are not any different from those fans of Voldemort or Snape from Harry Potter, Darth Vader from Star Wars, Hannibal Lecter, even Twighlight’s Edward or Hello Kitty. There are just some things about him that appeal to some of us but that does not make us bad people. And just so you know…
James Holmes IS NOT A JOKER FAN.
He is a very disturbed individual, a sociopath with no sense of apathy for his fellow men. I feel somewhat sorry for his family, for they will carry the stigma of what he did, but also ask myself…didn’t anybody saw signs of what this man was capable of doing? These guys have a great deal of difficulty dealing with the world around them. They are very angry and I can infer in Mr. Holmes’ case, he’s also hurting….from reasons I might never know and decided that others needed to hurt as much he is. And he didn’t care who it was hurting as long as they hurt too. They wanted the others to see his pain and he chose a very violent way of doing it.This does not excuse his actions, which should be punished according to law, but there should be also a lesson that this man might have been asking to be heard, long before he went as far as killing fellow people.
He is not the rule of the fandom, he is an exception.
And Finally,
The JOKER’S LAIR wants to emphasize that this place exists only the purpose of entertain, the Joker being the focus of our fandom, but in a non violent atmosphere. We do not condone violence in any way or directed to any life forms and we condemn any act of violence, especially this one that should have been avoided. The LAIR is saddened by the loss of 12 innocent lives. I, Jokerlady , moderator of this site want to say that my heart goes to the victims (fellow Batfans and maybe Jokerfans too) and their families and I really lament that a night of fun and adventure, turn into a nightmare for the acts of a disturbed individual like James Holmes. I understand your peain, and I offer you my heart in this sad moment to try and ease your pain.
To those gone, you will not be forgotten and to those that survived but were touched closely by this tragedy, receive my love and my extended hand in friendship. My thoughts are with you all in this sad moment.
Because you guys asked me to give more specific information about the Tumbler Tour Locations…Here you have it along with some pics from the tour. (Some times and locations still to be determined):
SUNDAY MAY 27, 2012
City: Washington, DC
Time: 11 am – 1 pm
Where: Human flag display
Address: 201 waterfront st national harbor, MD
City: Washington DC
Time: 6pm-8pm
Where: Freshtival
Address: Gaylord National Resort National Harbor MD
MONDAY MAY 28, 2012
City: Baltimore MD
Time: 12pm-3pm
Where: Inner Harbor on the Power Plant
Address: 601 E Pratt St Baltimore MD
TUESDAY MAY 29, 2012
City: Philadelphia, PA
Time: 8am-9am
Where: Franklin Institute Science Museum
Address: 222 N 20th st Philadelphia PA
City: Philadelphia PA
Time: 1oam-3pm
Where: Walmart
Address: 2200 Wheatsheaf Ln. Philadelphia PA 19137
THURSDAY MAY 31, 2o12
City: Trenton NJ
Time: 5pm-8pm
Where: Trenton Thunder
Address: 1 Thunder Road, Trenton NJ
FRIDAY JUNE 1, 2012
City: Syracuse, NY
Time: 4pm-8pm
Where: Taste of Syracuse
Address: 2 S Clinton Square, Syracuse NY
SATURDAY JUNE 2, 2012
City: Albany, NY
Time: 8am-1pm
Where: Freihoffer 5K Run
Address: Empire State Plaza, Albany NY
SUNDAY JUNE 3, 2012
City: Buffalo NY
Time: 9am-2pm
Where: Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort
Address: 9993 Allegheny Road Darien Center NY
TUESDAY JUNE 5, 2012
City: Toronto
Time:
Where:
Address:
THURSDAY JUNE 7, 2012
City: Toronto
Time:
Where:
Address:
SUNDAY JUNE 10, 2012
City: Montreal
Time:
Where: Grand Prix Circuit Guilles Villeneuve
Address: 200 Villeneuvest St, Montreal QC 2R5 Canada
WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2012
City: Columbus OH
Time: 10am-3pm
Where: Walmart
Address: 1221 Georgesville Rd, Columbus OH, 43228
FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2012
City: Lansing MI
Time: 10am-3pm
Where: Walmart
Address: 409 Marketplace Blvd. Lansing MI 48917
SATURDAY JUNE 16, 2o12
City: Michigan
Time:
Where: Dew Tailgate
Address:
SUNDAY JUNE 17, 2012
City: Brooklyn MI
Time:
Where: Helluva Good Nascar Race Michigan Int. Speedway
Address: 12626 US Highway 12 Brooklyn MI 49230
TUESDAY JUNE 19, 2012
City: Indianapolis IN
Time: 10am-3pm
Where: Walmart
Address: 7325 Keystone Ave. Indianapolis IN, 46240
THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2012
City: Nashville, TN
Time: 10am-3pm
Where: Walmart
Address: 2421 Powell Ave. Nashville TN 37204
FRIDAY JUNE 22, 2012
City: Knoxville TN
Time:
Where:
Addresss:
SATURDAY JUNE 23, 2012
City: Atlanta, GA
Time:
Where: Mall of Georgia
Address: 3333 Buford Dr, Suite 1000 Buford GA
MONDAY JUNE 25, 2012
City: Dallas TX
Time: 1pm-6pm
Where: Walmart
Address: 1521 N Cockrell Hill Rd Dallas TX 75211
WEDNESDAY JUNE 27, 2012
City: San Antonio TX
Time: 10am-3pm
Where: Walmart
Address: 1603 Vance Jackson Rd, San Antonio TX 78213
FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2012
City: El Paso TX
Time: 10am-3pm
Where: Walmart
Addresss: 7101 Gateway Blvd W, El Paso TX 73325
SUNDAY JULY 1, 2012
City: Albuquerque NM
Time: 10am- 3pm
Where: Kirtland AFB
Address: 2000 Wyoming Blvd. SE Albuquerque NM
MONDAY, JULY 2, 2012
City: Phoenix AZ
Time: 10am-3pm
Where: Walmart
Address: 1607 Bethany Home Rd. Phoenix AZ 85015
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2012
City: Phoenix AZ
Time:
Where: Harkins Tempe Marketplace
Address: 2000 E Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe AZ 85281
SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2012
City: Santa Clarita, CA
Time:
Where: Walmart
Address: 26471 Carl Boyer Dr. Santa Clarita CA 91350
My good friend Candiss Gandy provided me this link. Thanks girl!
Apparently the composer of DARK KNIGHT RISES is creating a piece of the soundtrack that requires real voices (of real fans) to be contributed for his project. This is the idea:
“I’m shining the bat-signal up into the sky to call you all!
We need to hear your voices! Now and Loud! We are creating the sound of a worldwide chant. Everyone come and be part of it. It’s easy:
There is no such thing as out-of-tune, no timing we can’t fix later. If you mumble, growl, scream or whisper, it’s all good. Make it yours. If you only get halfway through, no problem! Do it alone, bring your friends, but do it with energy and commitment.
Let your voice be heard and be a part of our adventure!”
So we need every one of you out there to join. By signing up and recording your voice, you could be a part of “The Dark Knight Rises”.
