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Gotham TV Series Premiere

This year`s fall line-up kicked off with its first comic super-hero TV series premiere of the season on September 22nd 2014. TV network Fox rushed to join the already established WB Arrow series and ABC`s Agents of Shield series in the fight for comic book based heroes supremacy on the small screen. Unlike most TV series, Fox bypassed the traditional pilot episode and went straight to a full season production for the new series Gotham. The series producer is Bruno Heller who developed the hit crime drama, The Mentalist.

Based on the Batman comic books, Gotham is a prequel story to Batman. The story starts with James Gordon as a rookie detective just assigned to be the partner Harvey Bullock. Gordon`s first case is the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. For those of you not familiar with the origin of Batman, this is the incident that leads Bruce Wayne on to the road to become Batman.

The first episode is packed with introduction of all the major characters in the series. I am not a big fan of this process since it basically shows everything without a build up. I would have preferred them to introduce the characters a few at  time and not overwhelm the viewer. The series is written similar to most crime dramas such as Criminal Minds and CSI.

The cast consists mostly unknowns or relatively new performers. The only big name would be Jada Pinkett Smith, wife of rapper/actor Will Smith, who portrays Fish Mooney. Ben Mckenzie, who played Ryan Atwood on the series The O.C., portrays James Gordon and David Mazouz, who was mute boy Jake Bohm on the series Touch, is Bruce Wayne. The actors and actress were for the most part fit their roles. The only exception to this would be Bullock`s character. He is portrayed by Donal Logue who does not fit the build I would imagine Bullock be.

Overall, the first episode was pretty good and does peak my interest. I am curious as to how the series will progress. Hopefully Fox`s record of butchering comic related TV series such Birds of Prey will spare this series.

Latest News: New Extended Trailer for the Gotham TV Series from Fox

This is the latest trailer for the new Gotham TV series based on Batman stories by DC Comics that will be on Fox in Fall 2014 TV season. From what I can see, this is going to be an awesome series. The creators choose to follow a lot of the original Batman series and the mood and tone of the series is perfect for Batman. If this trailer is what the series is truly going to be like, then I think Fox has a hit on its hands!
http://youtu.be/0d1zpt6k5OI

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Latest News: Warner Bros. announces Zack Snyder will direct Justice League movie

DC Comics Justice League New 52 1 Cover

According to an exclusive interview with Warner Bros. President of Worldwide Production, Greg Silverman, by the Wall Street Journal, Zack Snyder will be the direct for an upcoming Justice League movie. This leads to confirming all the rumours that have been floating around for the last few years of a possible Justice League movie. As to who will actually be featured in this movie, Mr. Silverman is being pretty tight lip.

The upcoming Superman vs Batman movie has been presented to be a leading point to the Justice League movie since it will feature Superman, and Batman as well as the first introduction of Wonder Woman to the big screen. This move by Warner Bros. looks like it would be similar to what Marvel has already achieve with multiple  movies leading into one big team movie. How this will turn out for Warner Bros. is yet to be determined since the only super-hero movie franchise that has done well for  them so far at the box office was the Dark Knight Trilogy.

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Latest News: Amazing Spider-man 1 The Return of Peter Parker

Amazing Spider-man 1 2014

You knew it was going to happen eventually. For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last year and a half, Peter Parker died…On December 26th 2012, issue 700 came out to shock the comic world!

Continuing the tradition of no one ever stays dead in the comic book world, Peter Parker will be returning as Spider-man. The short run of Doctor Octopus as Spider-man or as he puts it SUPERIOR Spider-man has come to an end this month with the last issue of 31.

To tell you the truth, I never liked Doc Octopus as Spider-man. He is so serious. I mean, the thing that made me read Spider-man in the first place was Parker`s whimsical banter when he was beating the crap out of villains. Don`t get me wrong, the no nonsense, take no prisoner attitude of Octavius is great but the comic relief quips from Parker makes it more entertaining. I`m not alone on this note either since sales of Superior Spider-man are no where near the amount that Amazing Spider-man had. Many long time fans of Amazing Spider-man have not made the transition to the new Superior Spider-man title.

With apparent order run of 600,000 copies and a million variants covers, Marvel is definitely hoping that fans will embrace Amazing Spider-man once again. Amazing Spider-man 1 will be arriving on April 30th 2014.

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Queen and Country Movie in the works by 20th Century Fox

A Queen and Country live action movie is in the works and is being produced by 20th Century Fox. Queen and Country is comic series created by Greg Rucka (DC Comics Action Comics / Batman, Image Comic’s Lazarus) and published by Oni Press publication.  The series centers on spy Tara Chace who works for the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) and her dealings with the politics and red tape of the agency and as well the dangers of her occupation.

So far Canadian actress Ellen Page has been cast for the lead role of Tara Chace. Page is not unfamiliar with playing a comic book character since she played the role of Kitty Pryde / Shadowcat in the X-men: Last Stand movie and will also reprise the character in the upcoming X-men: Days of the Future Past movie. It was announced in March 2014 that British director, Craig Viveiros, has been chosen to direct.

No date has been set for either the start of production or the film’s release.

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Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming`s Powers Series Announced

Brian Michael Bendis and Oeming`s Powers Live Action Series was announced by Deadline to be produced by Sony Pictures Television. The series will not appear on the big networks but be a original series on the Playstation Network. The critically acclaimed series created by Bendis and Oeming was originally pitched to FX but talks broke down.

Powers is a centered around two detectives, Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim, who have the daunting task of policing super-powered beings called `Powers`. The series was originally published by Image Comics but now is published through the Marvel creator owned imprint Icon.

Tossing their hat into the growing list of comic related live action series such as Arrow, Gotham, Defenders, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fox has tapped Charlie Huston to write the new series.  Huston has worked on comic book series such as Wolverine Best There Is and Moon Knight. The series will an hour long drama. Release date has yet to be announced.

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DC and Fox announces Gotham TV Series

DC Comics Entertainment and Fox Networks have announced a new live action TV series called Gotham based on the DC Comics Batman characters. The series focuses on the early days of James Gordon before he becomes the Commissioner of Gotham City. The series will also have origin stories of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle, Joker, Penguin, Two-Face and Riddler.

The showrunner for this series is Bruno Heller who also worked on Rome and The Mentalist. Ben McKenzie has been slated to be  James Gordon and David Mazouz will be Bruce Wayne. Fox has announced that they will be bypassing the traditional pilot stage prior to picking up a series and will go directly to full production.  It has been reported the starting March 2014, production will begin and the series is slated to premiere during the 2014-2015 television season.

Comic Review: Avengers Disassembled

Avengers Disassembled

This is the series that started it all. The Marvel Universe as we know it has it’s roots in this ground breaking story. Brian Michael Bendis (Daredevil, Powers) with art by David Finch (Brightest Day, Dark Knight), have weaved a story with lasting consequences that is still felt.

This series ending storyline, at time, caused a huge outcry when it was first released in the monthly comic form. Many long time Avengers fans were outraged that Marvel decided to end their beloved comic series. Scarlet Witch has a nervous breakdown and with her reality altering powers has conjured up an all out attack on the Avengers leaving many casualties in the aftermath. The lasting effects of this series is still felt in the Marvel Universe.

A definite must read for anyone is getting into Marvel Comics. This story is what cemented Brian Michael Bendis as the top dog at Marvel. Dramatic, exciting, and above all, a wild roller coaster ride that you wish would never end and when it does leaves you craving for more! If more is what you want, then I would recommend you rush out to pick up New Avengers Vol 1 (2005).

Comic Review: Superman The Black Ring Volume 1

Superman The Black Ring

An awesome series that is all about Lex Luthor and his strive for more power. A great DC series written by Paul Cornell (Saucer Country, Demon Knights) and illustrated by Pete Woods (Legion Lost).

Lex Luthor is at the top of his game, he has finally regained control of his company LexCorp but this is not enough. Recently, Lex has wielded the power of the orange lantern ring. Hoping to regain these powers again, he begins a quest to find the power behind the black ring. Can he find a way to control this power and will he use it to defeat Superman?

This series is filled with interesting side characters such as Gorilla Grodd and a Robo-Lois. It also takes an in-depth look at the psych of Lex during a near death experience. Tons of stuff here for anyone looking for more on Lex Luthor.

Comic Review: Batman Incorporated (2012), Volume 1: Demon Star

Batman Incorporated (2012), Volume 1: Demon Star

Batman Incorporated is written Grant Morrison (Batman, New X-men, JLA) with artwork by Chris Burham (The Armory War).

Demon Star begins after the end original Batman Incorporated (2010) series. Batman and Robin, Damian, must lead a fight against Talia Al Ghul who attempting to take over Gotham City with an army of Leviathan agents. To add to the escalating problem, Talia has placed a bounty on her son, Damian.

Unlike the original Batman Incorporated series that was set prior to the new 52 relaunch,  this new series does not focus on the group of “Batmen” Bruce has assembled but more on Batman and Robin. The Batman Incorporated team is more of  a side characters in this series.  Fans of Damian as Robin will definitely like this series as he is the main focal point of this series. This first story arc is excellent and definitely gets you hooked from the start and craving for more!

One other book you probably might want to read to bridge the gap between the first series and the second series is Batman Leviathan Strikes – One Shot.

This first volume of Batman Incorporated is available in both Softcover and Hardcover