One of the things i'm waiting for..

Ok so where can I start? I’ve begun playing Dead Island and I’ve got to admit, I’m hooked. Up until now I’ve never hated zombies so much in my life! In other news, I’m doing my best as I’m trying to cut down on cash and spend money when it’s needed. I recently got my sister to get me a Blu Ray box set of Star Wars which is a late birthday present from her and I need to find the time to see it actually.

On the geekfront, I’m keeping an eye on Dark Knight Rises more and more on set pics are being released on regular basis and yet, a lot of guesswork is still going on with the plot. The teaser trailer wasn’t that good but I’m hoping that Nolan and co will release another trailer which shows a lot more. But the real Batman movie is coming out in a few weeks time.

Batman Year One is Warner Animation’s latest offering. I saw the trailer, animators Lauren Montgomery and Sam Liu are attempting to create a seedy Gotham that Frank Miller and artist David Mazzuchelli established in the original storyline.

( Most DC animated films are highly faithful to the source material.)

I’ve got a gripe about it though, It hasn’t got actor Kevin Conroy voicing Batman/Bruce Wayne. In my mind, Conroy nailed the characterisation of Batman and Wayne so Bale take note! Instead O.C actor Ben McKenzie is stepping into the voice booth to play the Dark Knight.

Joining him are actors Bryan Cranston as Lieutenant James Gordon and Eliza Dushku as Catwoman who, let’s face it is an inspired choice to voice the Dark Knight's on and off (the last time I checked it’s on) love interest.

Frank Miller’s Batman Year One always brings back memories. It’s a reworking of Batman’s origins and how James Gordon came to trust the Dark Knight. At the time I randomly bought issue #404, which was part of the Year One arc when I was ten. At the time I never saw Batman so bloodied and battered he was trapped and cornered by police, but he manages to escape.

David Mazzuchelli’s grim artwork reminded me that underneath the cape and cowl and gadgets, Batman was just a man. I read it at a young age and I’ve still got the same copy, and it still shocks me to this day. Up until then, Batman for me was artwork by Jim Aparo and Irv Novick thanks to one of my relatives and the 60s TV show which was being repeated at the time.

( Batman by artist David Mazzucchelli.)

The film made it’s premiere at this year’s San Diego Comic Con to a sold out crowd. I spoke to artist and past interviewee, Des Taylor, who told me it was “packed out” and was he was one of the unfortunate lot in getting a pass for the showing.

Prior to Chris Nolan’s Batman Begins, Frank Miller teamed up with Darren Aronofsky and attempted to make a film based on the storyline but the idea was shot down by nervous movie executives who were afraid of the amount of violence inside the origin story.

Hopefully i’ll be reviewing Batman Year One in a few weeks time but so far, I’ve nothing read but positive reviews of the film and like many bat fans out there, I’m going to get it along with the eagerly anticipated follow up to Batman Arkham Asylum, Arkham City. Holy Coincidence as Burt Ward would say..

(For the cover, artist Dave Johnson borrows off Mazzucchelli's classic Batman pose.)

Posted: 6/10/2011
Categories: Movies / Dc

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