Hey Gang,
You all probably know that with the success of LEGO BATMAN in 2009, a sequel was just a matter of time. Well, wait no more. It’s official, LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES is scheduled for release on the Summer of 2012 for XBOX 360, PS3, Wii, PC, 3DS and VITA platforms.
The premise is simple: Joker and Luthor, team up to take Gotham down. Now Batman must ally himself with Superman to take them down. Here is the trailer, courtesy of DC COMICS.
Comic Vine’s exclusive Tony “G-man” Guerrero reported about DC’s new Toys revealed at this month’s C2E2 (Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo). Many new goodies have been unveiled from the new DC COLLECTIBLES (DC Direct’s new name) headquarters. Here I will mention only those relevant to Gotham and Joker, since that is the scope of this site, but more pictures can be seen at “G-Man’s” report HERE
From Arkham City Series 2, here is a closer look at the new figures ( And I know many of you were wanting to see them). Watch my earlier posts on these figures HERE and HERE
(Pictures courtesy of Comic Vine)
Don’t forget they will also release a ARKHAM CITY 2 JOKER TITAN FIGURE at the end of this year. You can find pictures of this figure HERE and HERE
And I was surprised that G-Man could not get a shot of the most anticipated RA’S AL GHUL action figure…probably because DC does not have a working figure as they release these…Let’s hope they will have one at the NYCC this year, I promise to bring one to you as soon as I get one. In the meantime, enjoy this Prototype figure sculpted in Z-brush and taken directly from Paul Harding Studios.
Hey Jokerholics,
There is some cute Joker merchandise coming to your local comic shops from Diamond’s PREVIEW Catalog: Here is a quick list….have paper and pen ready…
BATMAN: ARKHAM UNHINGED #3
PLAYARTS ACTION FIGURES Wave 2: ARMORED BATMAN and HARLEY QUINN
DC CHESS FIGURING COLLECTION MAGAZINE SPECIAL #1: BATMAN AND JOKER
KOTOBUKIYA: BATMAN–HUNT THE DARK KNIGHT ARTFX STATUE
Christopher Nolan’s BATMAN: THE ART AND MAKING OF A DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY
Batman Movies 2013 Calendar
Wanna witness Gotham’s vilest vilains, led by the Clown Prince of Crime take on the Cape Crusader and his sideckick Robin in a theatrical production like no other?
Well wait no more. The production of BATMAN LIVE is coming finally to America in September 5 at the HONDA CENTER in Anaheim CA. Here is the official press review (and some production stills I’ve added. To watch video summaries of the show visit my Batman Live Post HERE):
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), DC Entertainment (DCE) and Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions Ltd (WLP) announced that BATMAN LIVE – a unique action-packed live arena show – will debut in North America on September 5 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., following a popular and acclaimed arena tour throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and Latin America. Two and a half years in the making, BATMAN LIVE is a visually stunning, state-of-the-art production, that brings Batman, a host of iconic characters, and the settings from the famed world of DC comics, live and on stage for the first time in North America.
“Batman is more than a comic book character, he’s a cultural phenomenon. We are excited to bring him and his world to the stage, live, for the very first time with this incredible arena show,” said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “In fewer than four years, the show has gone from concept on paper to successfully touring through Europe and Latin America. It is now our very special privilege to bring this show to the United States and North America – home to Batman and Robin.”
Following Anaheim, the tour will travel to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN; HP Pavilion at San Jose, CA; Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA; Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV; Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK; Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, NM; World Arena in Colorado Springs, CO; Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, CO; and additional cities all over North America that will be announced in the coming months.
BATMAN LIVE, produced by Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions, features impressive stunts, pyrotechnics, illusions and video screen sequences. “BATMAN LIVE is a totally unique experience – a completely new way to experience the world of Batman, and has become a must-see for fans everywhere,” said Grace. “This is not a musical but a live show with a thrilling Batman story, filled with action that appeals to adults, teenagers, kids and families. We are proud to have this opportunity to bring to life the story of one of the most popular DC Super Heroes in the world today.”
With a 42-member cast, BATMAN LIVE has a new, original storyline that features Batman, his trusty counterpart Robin, tireless butler Alfred and a host of other favorite Batman characters. Additional favorites include villains such as The Joker, Catwoman, The Riddler, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and The Penguin. The action takes place in several settings from the famed stories, including Gotham City, Wayne Manor, the Batcave, and Arkham Asylum.
“What is compelling about Batman is that he’s one of the rare super heroes who actually doesn’t have super powers – he’s human just like you or me,” said Jim Lee, Co-Publisher, DC Entertainment. “But through sheer determination, he has honed his mind and body to a level that makes him second to none and that’s an aspiration we can all relate to and be inspired by. To that end, this spectacular live show delivers an amazingly authentic experience which actually underscores how real Batman could be while entertaining both parents and kids alike.”
“There’s no place on earth that doesn’t know who Batman is – he’s not just one of the most iconic super heroes ever created – he is one of the most iconic characters in history – and has had more stories told about him than just about any other character, period,” said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer, DC Entertainment. “What’s cool to me about BATMAN LIVE is that when you first come into the arena you see the three-dimensional cityscape and you hear the sounds of the city – you‘re really entering Gotham in a way you can’t experience anywhere else. You are an active participant in the story and a real part of Batman’s world.”
As audiences enter the arena, they are greeted by a 3D Gotham City landscape complete with buildings, soundscape, and video animation, setting the scene for the story to come. The magnitude of the production becomes apparent the first moment a full symphonic score is heard and a 105-foot bat-shaped LED video wall comes to life, enhancing the action on a custom-built stage. Another exciting element is the eye-catching, all-new Batmobile, designed especially for the show by legendary racing car designer Professor Gordon Murray, who’s known for designing racing cars for some of the most successful teams in the world for Formula One racing as well as the famous McLaren F1 road car.
Adapted from the DC Comics characters and stories, BATMAN LIVE focuses on Robin’s quest for justice, which leads him to follow in the footsteps of his hero – the mysterious vigilante known as Batman – much to the dismay of his protective guardian, billionaire Bruce Wayne, whom the audience knows is secretly Batman. BATMAN LIVE is, at its heart, a poignant coming-of-age story. Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson must learn to overcome their own fears and forge their own family – with the help of Police Commissioner James Gordon and Bruce’s trusted butler, Alfred Pennyworth – if they’re going to survive the combined forces of Batman’s larger-than-life rogues’ gallery, some of the most famous and beloved villains of the 20th century.
Allan Heinberg is the writer of BATMAN LIVE, who found the emotional heart of the show that tells the story and celebrates Batman and Robin — The Dynamic Duo. Heinberg said, “The creative team met every expectation of how to tell this story, and surpassed it. We brought Gotham City to life in a way that I have never experienced before in any movie, or any television show, or any comic book. It is very faithful to the comic books – and it is all heightened – you are there in person – and you are sharing this experience with an enormous arena audience. It’s live and it’s happening all around you. And it’s something that people have never seen and will never forget!”
The action of the show becomes a non-stop thrill ride across Gotham City that transforms Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson into the legendary crime-fighters, Batman and Robin. The adventure transports the audience from the Big Top of Haly’s Circus to the depths of Arkham Asylum, and from the glittering peaks of the Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge to the subterranean wonders that await inside the Batcave. Acrobats suspending in the air, The Joker’s henchmen in choreographed fight sequences, and stunning scenic elements are all part of the BATMAN LIVE experience.
BATMAN LIVE Creative Director Anthony Van Laast said, “It has been a thrilling journey for myself, the creative team and the company to develop the production from the early creative seeds, to the first day of rehearsals and now to a fully touring production. It is everything I hoped the show would be – exhilarating, impressive, exciting, dynamic and yet accessible – and I truly hope that the arena-going public have as much fun watching it as we have had making it.”
The acclaimed arena tour began on July 19, 2011 in Manchester, England, and toured throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and Latin America – and the critics have been ecstatic. The Times (UK) said, “It’s a wildly ambitious show that more than fills an arena space.” The Guardian said BATMAN LIVE has “plenty to thrill and chill the audience — a two-hour extravaganza carefully crafted to delight small boys and raise frequent smiles and cheers from the grown-ups. The bat-fans roar their approval!” The Daily Telegraph said, “Kerr-pow! Batman’s a hi-tech hit. A live action drama, stuffed with dazzling special effects, retina-popping visuals and improbable feats of high-wire derring-do, all choreographed within a Catwoman’s whisper of perfection. And my two boys, aged 8 and 10, adored this show as much as I did.” And the Manchester Evening News said the show is “Mesmerizing. Entertainment doesn’t come any better than this.”
BATMAN LIVE is based on an original story created exclusively for the show. Creative Director is Anthony Van Laast and Co-Director James Powell. Production design by Es Devlin, music composed by James Seymour Brett, sound design by Simon Baker, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, video production by Sam Pattinson, costume design by Jack Galloway. Circus sequences created, produced and managed in association with Circus Space with Bryan Donaldson and Juliette Hardy-Donaldson as circus consultants.
For more information visit BATMANLIVE.COM (updates soon!)
(originally posted at DC Comics Blog)
Hey Jokerholics,
The new Batman game of GOTHAM CITY IMPOSTORS has been posted in SONY PS3 STORE and is ready for download. The game is priced at $14.95 but you can download a free demo. The Full Access Key is what costs money to buy so you can play the whole levels.
One word of caution: I bought my copy and I’m having technical difficulties with my installation. The specialists at PS3 Store told me it could be a corrupted file so be careful with the download. It does not affect any other function of the PS3 console, but the game freezes and don’t start. I’ll let you know when I fix the problem and keep you all posted.
A few months ago, I reported that catching on the success of Arkham City, WB was launching a new video game bringing Batman against some of his most deadly foes in a one and one-on-one combat situations. Among them, Batman will face Joker once more. Well, the app is available now through your iTunes account to download to your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. This is the game DC’s Ian Settler’s report on DC BLOG:
I was worried I’d never see daylight again. That’s seriously a concern I had while playing Batman: Arkham City over the holidays this year. We all love comics (obviously) and we all love video games, so the amazing combination of Batman and brutality that was Arkham City had a lot of us spending quite a bit of time sitting inside with our game consoles. This week I’m happy to bring good news for those of you looking to expand the Arkham City experience and possibly breathe some fresh air at the same time. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown is an app available now exclusively for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. What’s that, you ask? Take a look:
“Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced that the Batman: Arkham City Lockdown App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch is now available on the App store. The App brings the Batman: Arkham City franchise, one of the most highly acclaimed and best-selling videogame releases of 2011, to the App Store for the first time featuring stunning graphics and original combat gameplay created exclusively for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
“Developed by NetherRealm Studios, creators of Mortal Kombat, Batman: Arkham City Lockdown features several of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals, including The Joker, Two-Face and Solomon Grundy, as well as i0S-exclusive character Deathstroke, and engages players in one-on-one combat as they seek justice in a variety of Arkham City environments.”
So not only does this game give me Deathstroke(!) and Solomon Grundy but also all-new environments and the ability to take it with me wherever I want to go? I’m going to stop typing this All Access right now and download the App. Seriously. I’ll see you all next week. Go play Batman: Arkham City Lockdown. Deathstroke!!!
(YOU CAN ALL SEE A JOKER VIDEO FROM THE ACTUAL GAME IN MY PREVIOUS POST, JUST FOLLOW THE LINK ABOVE)
Pics:
Just a little note to let you Jokerholics of the world know that the DC’s new line of LEGO TOYS are finally here! Major department and toy stores have received their shipments of the DC SUPERHEROES LINE of LEGO KITS, and they are going out fast…
I went to Walmart and bought the JOKER FIGURE (#4527, $14.95) and the BATTLE OVER GOTHAM (#6863, $34.95) sets, but I also found the Superman vs Power Armor Lex, Green Lantern and Batman figure sets,as well as the Batcave, Batmobile and Two face Chase, Catwoman Catcylce City Chase sets. The selection was great at Walmart, but I saw that people were already snatching the sets like they were gold nuggets.
For me this will be quite the experience. As a kid I never had a chance to play with LEGOS, and this will be the first time I will be assembling them. Wish me luck and let’s see how it goes…I will upload pics when I’m done.In the meantime,
Purchase your sests before they dissapear from the shelves. Here are pics of the sets being sold at WALMART
Hey Jokerholics.
I know many of you are waiting to see what new things are going to be done with Harley in the 2-issue story arc that should reveal her new origin according to the New 52 creed of revamping old classics. Though I have not been impressed by much of the 52 launch, this peeks my curiosity. I always wanted to see Harley reinvented, refreshed. She is no longer the BTAS cute innocent henchman of the Clown Prince of Crime. She is dangerous, lethal, and ruthless as the man she claims to love. Let’s see if they can keep up the pace with this lady Clown and finally give the character the treatment she deserves.
Now friends, enjoy the preview of some art along with some hints of things to come. This appeared on the back of BIRDS OF PREY #5, CATWOMAN #5 and other 52 titles. I personally like how they have treated Joker in the flashback scenes. Can’t wait to see these in color…
“Brilliant, driven people are already a little crazy.” laughs SUICIDE SQUAD writer Adam Glass. “What we do with Harley Quinn is show the tipping point.” THE HUNG FOR HARLEY QUINN is a two-part meat grinder in SUICIDE SQUAD #6 and #7. Revealing among other things–the origin of Harley Quinn.
“Dr. Harleen Quinzel is a brilliant psychiatrist –the best in the world– and she’s going to prove it by being the shrink who ‘breaks’ the Joker. At least, that was her plan,” says Glass. “What we see is how it all went terribly wrong, it’s a personal story. Harley’s early life, what shaped her as an adult and, ultimately, what’s the one thing the Joker does that breaks her to his will.”
While this is very much a Harley story, the Squad doesn’t take a back seat to anyone.” Glass continues. “Along the why King Shark has been acting so strange, the identity of the two female members (familiar faces to New 52 fans) and how Savant — who “died” in issue #1 could possibly be on the team. And will we learn the truth behind Harley’s bone-white skin? “Yeah…, finished Glass, “but remember I can only promise you a good story, not a happy ending.”
Click on the thumbnails for more preview art
That is what I found out as I was reading SUICIDE SQUAD #04 and #05 (yeah, I know I’m a little behind in my reading) and have to say that though I was not impressed with the ‘new’ Harley, this looks promising. This new Harley is nothing like its BTAS or comic book counterpart (though the one on Batman #663 was pretty close), because that one though obviously in love with her pudding, willing to go the extra mile for him, was never so…RUTHLESS.
This Harley can kill with ease…something that comes in handy when your boyfriend is a psychotic mass murderer like the Joker. More than once, she has shown that she can take whomever stands on her way, but how far is she REALLY willing to go? That is the question that I think would define Harley in future issues as the new story arc stared in issue #4 with Harley’s realization that Joker might be dead. And we finally have a taste of what Harley is capable of in issue #5 when she is the brains behind the riot. It really doesn’t matter that that many people die as long as it serves her purpose of providing a smoke screen for her escape.
The look in her eyes is foretelling…and you can almost taste the irony in her words:
She is indeed focused, but no longer on the mission at hand but the news of Joker’s death, and you can see her interest shifting. She needs to find the truth about Joker’s whereabout. I personally don’t like the idea of DC Editors keeping these two coming at each other again and again, but I can understand the boost in sales when they do. Everybody loved the BTAS Harley, always by her Joker and exploring this relationship, but on the lights of the new 52 reboot Harley is quite differnt and more interesting as a character. I like her taking the initiative in the nearly-sex scene between her and Deadshot. She obviously has eyes for other men rather than just her pudding, and I’m glad to see that explored.
And we finally have a taste of what Harley is capable of in issue #5 when she is the brains behind the riot. It really doesn’t matter that that many people die as long as it serves her purpose of providing a smoke screen for her escape. Oh, and look how she puts a smile on everybody’s faces as her trademark. Can’t wait for issue #6…..
Again, our friends at CBR have teased us with art from upcoming projects. After so long a wait, we finally have a chance to enjoy some art from GEOFF JOHNS nd GARY FRANK’S graphic novel: BATMAN EARTH ONE due on May this year. Much is the anticipation for this project whose intention as explained by CBR news team “The original concept of the line was to create a series of books following the European tradition of releasing serialized chapters of a story in graphic novel form”.
This is what Geoff Johns told CBR about the project: “The size of the books, gives us an ability to really dive into these characters and explore them, especially Bruce Wayne. When we meet him and who he is and where he goes, is going to be something that is a bit different from what people are used to.”
I personally read the first graphic novel of this series SUPERMAN EARTH ONE and not being a Superman fan myself, I found the story very well written and quite entertaining. Even felt that it had ended too soon. I just wanted…more. Geoff Johns is a well known writer, having given life to most of the new DC Universe with stories like GL’s BLACKEST NIGHT and his current reinvention of AQUAMAN for tne new 52, so I anticipate his take on an iconic character like Bruce Wayne/Batman to be as refreshing. Gary Frank provides the pencils and they do not disappoint. This might be along his best work yet.
For a preview, I took the liberty of bringing the images from CBR’s report on the graphic novel, but provide a link to the original article. In the meantime, enjoy some very dramatic GARY FRANK art from BATMAN EARTH ONE:
(Original report appeared in CBR here)
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