Sequart Organization » Batman

A Joke Stretched to Its Limits

Gerard Waggett — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 19:45:18 +0000

The Brave and the Bold #111 (“Death Has the Last Laugh”) proclaimed itself “the strangest team-up in history,” pairing Batman with his arch-enemy, the Joker. The two join forces to capture a gangster who has… [more]

Detective Comics #871: Analyzing an Opening Scene, Part Three

Nikolai Fomich — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 12:00:38 +0000

Though all this information can be inferred, what the black pin signifies is not explicitly stated on page one, and so readers are encouraged to turn the page to learn more. Page two is an… [more]

Detective Comics #871: Analyzing an Opening Scene, Part Two

Nikolai Fomich — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 12:00:05 +0000

The final page of the opening scene, page three, is a splash page. In fact, the boy literally emerges from the depths with a splash. This splash page is effective in part because it follows… [more]

Detective Comics #871: Analyzing an Opening Scene, Part One

Nikolai Fomich — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 12:00:40 +0000

Several years ago, I received a rejection letter from 2000AD in the mail for a story I had pitched called “The Colorblind Cannibal”. In the letter was a brief note explaining that the story didn’t… [more]

Send in the Clowns: Todd Phillips’s Joker

Matthew Kirshenblatt — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 02:06:48 +0000

Joker" title="Send in the Clowns: Todd Phillips’s Joker" style="float:left;" />Coulrophobia. A fear of clowns. It’s kind of an ironic fear when you consider the idea that clowns are humanity’s way of making fun of its own mortality. For the longest time, I actually thought… [more]

Because I Am the Goddamn Batman: Political Ideologies and Transhumanism in Superhero Comics

KD Evans — Sat, 21 Dec 2019 17:34:48 +0000

Superheroes give us a way to get at the ideologies at work in transhumanism and politics. The genre of superhero comics is a fantastical take on an often dystopian version of our own real world.… [more]

Capes, Cowls, and Purple: How Prince Merged the Worlds of Music and Comics with Batman and Beyond

James Heath Lantz — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 13:00:26 +0000

Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958-April 21, 2016), known throughout most of his career simply as Prince, had been an important part of music since his humble beginnings with the band 94 East in 1975,… [more]

Batman: Legacy Review

Rick Horner — Sun, 26 May 2019 20:57:02 +0000

Batman: Legacy Review" title="Batman: Legacy Review" style="float:left;" />Sequels are a fact of life in entertainment, especially in comic books. Think of all the stories you’ve read in places like Narnia, Westeros, Hogwarts, Baker Street, Oz, Mars, etc. Think of all those stories… [more]

A Birthday Card for a Friend

Greg Carpenter — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 15:26:27 +0000

One of my childhood friends turns 80 today. Perhaps he's your friend too. [more]

Spotlight on Alan Moore

Mike Phillips — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 01:50:54 +0000

Here at Sequart, we’ve published dozens of books and movies. Today, we thought we’d tell you about a couple that address comics legend Alan Moore. Minutes to Midnight: Twelve Essays on Watchmen, edited by Richard Bensam, examines Watchmen… [more]

Batman: Contagion Review

Rick Horner — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 17:23:06 +0000

Batman: Contagion Review" title="Batman: Contagion Review" style="float:left;" />It wouldn’t be out of order to consider 1995 to be the year of the virus. In the real world, there was an outbreak of Ebola in the Congo which claimed 224 lives. The event… [more]

Larry Nevin Should Never Have Been Taken Seriously, or Why the Super Sons Matter

Benjamin Hall — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 20:20:53 +0000

Super Sons Matter" title="Larry Nevin Should Never Have Been Taken Seriously, or Why the Super Sons Matter" style="float:left;" />DC One Million and Batman Beyond along with many other examples suggest that the concept of legacy characters and superhero parenthood can work. Yes, this ages the characters, but we have been stuck in the… [more]

Adam West Joins Bruce Lee and Van Williams in Heaven

Steven Ronai — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 11:00:31 +0000

Adam West, star of the 1960s Batman TV series, passed away in 2017. He will no doubt be warmly welcomed into heaven by former co-stars Bruce Lee and Van Williams. The three, along with the… [more]

Dark Days, Dark Nights and Taking DC Continuity to the Nth Degree

Dave Whittaker — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 19:01:58 +0000

Dark Days, Dark Nights and Taking DC Continuity to the Nth Degree" title="Dark Days, Dark Nights and Taking DC Continuity to the Nth Degree" style="float:left;" />Thirty-two years ago DC attempted to bring order to their continuity through the process of subtraction. Thus was born Crisis On Infinite Earths. Ever since then, however, DC has constantly attempted to bring back the… [more]

Batman: The Telltale Series Season 1 Review

Matthew Berg-Johnsen — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 14:00:18 +0000

Batman: The Telltale Series Season 1 Review" title="Batman: The Telltale Series Season 1 Review" style="float:left;" />To state the obvious, Batman has been a phenomenon that has transcended the realm of comics into a multimedia franchise powerhouse. Batman has conquered cartoons (most notably with Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond),… [more]

Fear And The Batman: An Examination Of The Role That Horror Plays In The World Of The Dark Knight

Jarrett Mazza — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 21:00:42 +0000

A band of thieving criminals flee to a cornered alleyway, running from the stalking specter descending upon them. As they run they turn around a sharp corner and stumble into a dead end where they… [more]

Revisit The Dark Knight Rises With Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman

Ian Dawe — Sun, 15 May 2016 20:15:10 +0000

The Dark Knight Rises With Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman" title="Revisit The Dark Knight Rises With Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman" style="float:left;" />Kevin Smith is naturally a positive and forgiving personality, which makes his podcasts fun, but often prevents him from really getting into a serious critique of a film, especially when it’s a film close to… [more]

Sidekicks Aside: Is The Concept of a Hero Partner Dying or Returning Slowly to Life?

Jarrett Mazza — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 16:00:11 +0000

What is the purpose of a sidekick? The word itself arouses about as much sympathy as one would receive when he or she is referred to as a “second wheel” or “second class citizen” by… [more]

The 1990s Batman Commentaries You Need to Hear

Ian Dawe — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 12:00:20 +0000

Batman Commentaries You Need to Hear" title="The 1990s Batman Commentaries You Need to Hear" style="float:left;" />It’s probably a fair assumption that many of our readers here at Sequart are fans of a certain caped superhero character named “Batman”. We have several books on the subject and lots of articles, and… [more]

Superheroes: The American Mythology Part I

James Kelly — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 17:00:48 +0000

Beginning in 1938, two simple creators will develop an entire genre of entertainment that will change the world. The humble beginnings of superheroes as pure heroes to guide America through the Great Depression. [more]

Looking Glasses: Sexual Dangers and Curious Responses in Carroll’s Alice Books and Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, Part Two

Nikolai Fomich — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 12:00:10 +0000

Yet the Alice books do not celebrate our heroine’s change, as suggested by Alice’s several disturbing mirrorings with older women. Three of the four major women in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass… [more]

Looking Glasses: Sexual Dangers and Curious Responses in Carroll’s Alice Books and Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, Part One

Nikolai Fomich — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:00:24 +0000

The seminal Batman graphic novel Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, by writer Grant Morrison and artist Dave McKean, recontextualizes the themes and the motifs of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass… [more]

And His Name Is Scott: Why Scott Snyder’s Work Exemplifies Magnificent Superhero Storytelling

Jarrett Mazza — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 18:20:53 +0000

There are numerous writers whose talents have lead to tremendous careers in the comic industry. With the greats ranging for Moore to Morrison, Miller to Pope, and Rucka to Brubaker, the list goes on of… [more]

Robert Moses Peaslee and Robert Weiner on The Joker: A Serious Study of the Clown Prince of Crime

Nicholas Yanes — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 11:00:23 +0000

The Joker: A Serious Study of the Clown Prince of Crime" title="Robert Moses Peaslee and Robert Weiner on The Joker: A Serious Study of the Clown Prince of Crime" style="float:left;" />Robert Weiner has either authored or co-edited close to a dozen academic text examining comic books and popular culture. He is also the Popular Culture and Performing Arts Librarian for Texas Tech University Libraries. With… [more]

Worst. Episode. Ever.: “I’ve Got Batman in my Basement”

Max Nestorowich — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 11:00:57 +0000

The success of Batman: The Animated Series can not be understated. Debuting on September 5th, 1992 until September 15th 1995, the series has long been known for its dark atmosphere, in line with the Tim… [more]

“If it Ain’t Broke …”: Revisionist Missteps in Batman: Earth One

Greg Carpenter — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 11:00:46 +0000

Batman: Earth One" title="“If it Ain’t Broke …”: Revisionist Missteps in Batman: Earth One" style="float:left;" />Three weeks ago, while discussing the Superman: Earth One series of graphic novels, I mentioned in passing that I “didn’t care” for the Earth One Batman series. Now as far as Internet critiques go, saying… [more]

DC Continues to Revamp Superhero Looks

Dom Fonce — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:00:02 +0000

Last month, DC revealed new costumes for beloved characters Superman, Batman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman. This is a continuation of DC’s 2011 the New 52 revamping of its characters and… [more]

Julian Darius on Improving the Foundations

Mike Phillips — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:00:08 +0000

Improving the Foundations" title="Julian Darius on Improving the Foundations" style="float:left;" />As part of its ongoing Patreon campaign, Sequart runs a Book / Movie of the Month Club. Patrons get a digital copy of a Sequart book or movie at the beginning of each month, and they’re invited… [more]

Oh, My Aching Cranium!: Jack Kirby’s OMAC Deconstructed And Reconstructed, Part Fourteen

Ryan C. — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 12:00:17 +0000

OMAC Deconstructed And Reconstructed, Part Fourteen" title="Oh, My Aching Cranium!: Jack Kirby’s OMAC Deconstructed And Reconstructed, Part Fourteen" style="float:left;" />After the original OMAC series ended with a literal—if too-goddamn-tidy-for-its-own-good—bang in 1975, all was quiet in “The World That’s Coming!” for a couple of years, but one should never underestimate DC’s ability to milk a… [more]

The Frank Miller & Alan Moore Adaptations

James Kelly — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 16:00:47 +0000

As we near the climax of comparing Miller and Moore it's worth talking about the adaptations. Is there any good adaptation of Alan Moore's work? Is there a bad adaptation of Miller's work? [more]

Batman #1—The Ultimate Batman Comic

James Kelly — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 16:00:57 +0000

Batman #1—The Ultimate Batman Comic" title="Batman #1—The Ultimate Batman Comic" style="float:left;" />Batman's co-creator Bill Finger crafted in 32 pages every single tone and approach to his character that would follow in 75 years. Batman #1 is the single greatest Batman comic ever produced. [more]

About Face: Character and Portrayal in Snyder’s Batman

Dave Whittaker — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 12:00:23 +0000

Batman" title="About Face: Character and Portrayal in Snyder’s Batman" style="float:left;" />DC’s decision to essentially relaunch and, therefore, reboot its output three years ago met with as much praise as it did criticism. Despite proceeding in the wake of Grant Morrison’s seven year labyrinthine run, one… [more]

“I’m Birdman”

Ian Dawe — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 21:00:38 +0000

Birdman”" title="“I’m Birdman”" style="float:left;" />Probably the only truly disappointing thing about Alejandro Innaritu’s Birdman is that we don’t actually get to hear Michael Keaton say, in that oft-imitated voice, “I’m Birdman.” Other than that, this is a technical tour-de-force… [more]

The Super-Heroics of Frank Miller and Alan Moore, Part 2

James Kelly — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 18:00:52 +0000

Prime-Era Superheroes After a falling out with British Comics publishers, Alan Moore began working with DC Comics writing the horror-book Swamp Thing. Most of Swamp Thing avoided utilization of most superheroes sans some supernatural characters.… [more]

Smorgasbord #5: The Monster at the End of This Podcast

Tom Shapira — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 17:00:00 +0000

This podcast was recorded a bit earlier than usual, so we’ve missed the endless movie announcements from Marvel. Still, we’ve found enough stuff to discuss to fill-up a good 90 minutes of comics talk including… [more]

The Politics of Batman, Part 5: Batman Returns, Enron, and the Buying of American Democracy

Marc DiPaolo — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:00:52 +0000

Batman Returns, Enron, and the Buying of American Democracy" title="The Politics of Batman, Part 5: Batman Returns, Enron, and the Buying of American Democracy" style="float:left;" />I first saw the film Batman Returns when it was released in 1992. I was young and didn’t understand it. I found the Penguin disgusting. I had a sense that the movie was condemning American… [more]

Overcoming the Status Quo: Wonder Woman, Superheroes, and the American Criminal Justice System (Part 3)

Ian Boucher — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 11:00:17 +0000

In this three-part series, I explore where superheroes fit into popular conceptions of criminal justice in the United States, and the potential for Wonder Woman to help improve those conceptions. In Part 1, I looked… [more]

The Politics of Batman, Part 4: Sex, Sexism, and the Dark Knight

Marc DiPaolo — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 11:00:39 +0000

[Note: The following is reprinted from the book War, Politics and Superheroes] One of the main problems Batman has had from the outset of his career as Feudal Lord crime fighter is that he cannot… [more]

The Politics of Batman, Part 3: Understanding Batman’s Enemies

Marc DiPaolo — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 11:00:55 +0000

[Note: The following is reprinted from the book War, Politics and Superheroes] Aside from the fact that they are all, effectively, his “subjects,” Batman’s villains are connected to him in an even more visceral, symbolic way.… [more]

Overcoming the Status Quo: Wonder Woman, Superheroes, and the American Criminal Justice System

Ian Boucher — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:00:53 +0000

The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh is Available for Order by Comics Shops

Julian Darius — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 20:30:17 +0000

The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh is Available for Order by Comics Shops" title="The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh is Available for Order by Comics Shops" style="float:left;" />Cody Walker’s The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh: Understanding Grant Morrison’s Batman is now available for order through Diamond Comics Distributors. The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh is listed in the book section of the current Previews catalog. You… [more]

The Politics of Batman, Part 2: Batman Begins, Feudalism, and Neoconservatism

Marc DiPaolo — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 11:00:54 +0000

Batman Begins, Feudalism, and Neoconservatism" title="The Politics of Batman, Part 2: Batman Begins, Feudalism, and Neoconservatism" style="float:left;" />[Note: The following is reprinted from the book War, Politics and Superheroes] Batman Begins won the support of comic book aficionados across cyberspace as a “traditional” and pitch-perfect portrayal of Batman, while simultaneously providing a… [more]

Why Don’t We Trust Filmmakers?

Cody L. Martin — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 09:00:34 +0000

Where is the trust? That is the question I asked after the recent flurry of criticisms leveled at Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice. It got me thinking about fandom reactions in general when it… [more]

My First Comic Con

Ian Dawe — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 19:00:00 +0000

My first experience at San Diego Comic Con was almost overwhelming. And I mean that in a literal sense: there were many times when I felt an almost irresistible temptation to “take a knee” and… [more]

The Politics of Batman, Part 1: Batman vs. Osama bin Laden

Marc DiPaolo — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 11:00:49 +0000

The following is an excerpt from the book War, Politics and Superheroes: When Frank Miller announced that he would be crafting a graphic novel in which Batman would confront real-world terrorist Osama bin Laden, journalists… [more]

A Tale of Two Dark Knights…

Christopher Maurer — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 19:00:13 +0000

Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns (or DKR) has long been considered one of the greatest works in comic books. Since its release in 1986, it has been lauded as an industry-changing story that helped… [more]

How Carmine Infantino Designed DC’s Silver Age

Paul Jaissle — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 11:00:27 +0000

DC Comics’ Showcase #4, cover dated October 1956, is usually recognized as the book that launched the so-called Silver Age of comics by reintroducing the Flash and effectively reviving the superhero genre. The iconic cover… [more]

Sequart Releases The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh: Understanding Grant Morrison’s Batman

Julian Darius — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 15:00:26 +0000

The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh: Understanding Grant Morrison’s Batman" title="Sequart Releases The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh: Understanding Grant Morrison’s Batman" style="float:left;" />Sequart Organization is proud to announce the publication of The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh: Understanding Grant Morrison’s Batman, by Cody Walker. Grant Morrison has made a career of redefining heroes, but his work with Batman has… [more]

Some Cautious Thoughts on Zach Snyder’s Batman v Superman

Julian Darius — Thu, 22 May 2014 13:00:30 +0000

Batman v Superman" title="Some Cautious Thoughts on Zach Snyder’s Batman v Superman" style="float:left;" />Yesterday, Batman v Superman got a subtitle — Dawn of Justice — and began filming. I wrote about the film in a news story, but I thought I’d complement that with a few brief thoughts,… [more]

Batman v Superman Gets a Full Title, Begins Filming

Julian Darius — Wed, 21 May 2014 20:59:38 +0000

Batman v Superman Gets a Full Title, Begins Filming" title="Batman v Superman Gets a Full Title, Begins Filming" style="float:left;" />It’s official: the Man of Steel sequel co-starring Batman will be titled Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The subtitle clearly suggests that the film will feature the formation of the Justice League — which… [more]

Why It Doesn’t Matter What Ben Affleck’s Batman Costume Looks Like

Ian Dawe — Fri, 16 May 2014 17:00:54 +0000

A rational person bases their judgement on previous experience. This applies across the board, but is often forgotten, particularly in emotional situations involving childhood memories. That’s the best explanation I can come up with for… [more]

S.O.B. Indeed: A Review of the Animated Son of Batman Movie

Nick Ford — Wed, 14 May 2014 11:00:21 +0000

Son of Batman Movie" title="S.O.B. Indeed: A Review of the Animated Son of Batman Movie" style="float:left;" />SPOILERS BELOW: Last week, I had some Papa Gino’s pizza. It was a large, with extra cheese. (This is going to become relevant in a second, I promise.) I wasn’t too excited about it, honestly.… [more]

“Nice to Meet You, Big Guy”: The American Superhero Comics of Mark Millar, Part 15

Colin Smith — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 11:00:12 +0000

Continued from last week. November 1998′s Superman Adventures #25 gave Millar one last substantial shot at depicting The Batman. Putting the overwrought misjudgements of the JLA Paradise Lost mini-series behind him, he returned to the conception… [more]

“Forgive me, Superman. I’m not very good at losing.”: The American Superhero Comics of Mark Millar, Part 14

Colin Smith — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 11:00:46 +0000

Continued from last week. Some in the UK fan community saw Millar as Morrison’s heir apparent on the JLA. But despite later claiming that he’d once turned down the chance to write the Justice League, Millar… [more]

Superhero Accessories: Part Three: Mo Bat-Money, Mo Bat-Problems

Lance Parkin — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 11:00:12 +0000

…continued from here. It’s worth noting that the original Klan and the fictional KKK seen in The Birth of a Nation were both begun by young rich white guys who lived in mansions. The hero… [more]

“An Arrogant, Aristocratic Batman?”: The American Superhero Comics of Mark Millar, Part 13

Colin Smith — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 11:00:24 +0000

Continued from last week. But how were Morrison and Millar to explain away the Batman’s aloof and frequently contemptuous attitude towards even his fellow super-heroes? If the Dark Knight was to be cut away from the… [more]

The Secret Origin of the JLA, and of “Mark Millar” Too: The American Superhero Comics of Mark Millar, Part 11

Colin Smith — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 11:00:20 +0000

Continued from last week. It would be another seven months until Morrison and Millar’s next public collaboration on the Batman. In that time, the new JLA title would establish itself as a remarkably successful reboot. Its… [more]

Superhero Accessories: Part Two: Truth, Justice, All That Stuff

Lance Parkin — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 11:00:55 +0000

…continued from here. DC have long had a problem fitting Superman into the grimmer world the DC Universe has become now its readership mostly consists of adults. It’s clear that senior editors feel the ‘big… [more]

The Batman As Father Figure: The American Superhero Comics of Mark Millar Part 10

Colin Smith — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 11:00:52 +0000

Continued from here. DC’s post-crisis, Dark Age portrayal of the Batman had long been a source of aggravation for both Morrison and Millar. Years before Morrison landed the job of scripting the JLA, the two men… [more]

Building an Altar to the Super-Hero Holy Trinity

Mike Greear — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 11:00:46 +0000

As I was reading Lance Parkin’s Magic Words, a biography of Alan Moore, I looked to my right at the nightstand against my wall and came to the realization that it is, in fact, an altar.… [more]

Superhero Accessories: Part One: Masked Vigilantes

Lance Parkin — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 14:00:41 +0000

Perhaps the most damning criticism Alan Moore made about superheroes has been overlooked in all the controversy around the ‘Last interview’: ‘the origin of capes and masks as ubiquitous superhero accessories can be deduced from… [more]

“A Semi-Unhinged, Essentially Humourless Loner Struggling with Rage and Guilt”: The American Superhero Comics of Mark Millar, Part 9

Colin Smith — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 11:00:09 +0000

Continued from last week. Grant Morrison’s ambition was, it appears, to free the DCU from the constraints of both wonder-killing editorial dictats and the conventions of the Dark Age. Yet unregulated creative anarchy doesn’t seem to… [more]

A Thousand Batmen Blooming: The American Superhero Comics of Mark Millar, Part 8

Colin Smith — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 12:00:01 +0000

Continued from last week. The superhero genre had become more and more susceptible to the myth of the definitive version. It was a fan-consuming fallacy which presumed that each character possessed an irreducible core of utterly… [more]

In Praise of Bad Batman

Greg Carpenter — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 12:00:26 +0000

“Bless me Father Jack, for I have sinned. It’s been . . . well, this is my first confession. Actually, I’m not even Catholic.” Father Jack puffed on a cigar and squinted. “Well, this ain’t… [more]

“Just Don’t Do It Again”: The American Superhero Comics of Mark Millar, Part 4

Colin Smith — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 12:00:07 +0000

Continued from last week. How was it possible for Millar to show so much respect for Bruce Wayne’s back story while portraying such a deeply unconvincing Dark Knight? Though the writer’s take on Wayne was ludicrously… [more]

What Batman vs. Superman Could Get Right (And Wrong)

Amy Maynard — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 02:37:49 +0000

Batman vs. Superman Could Get Right (And Wrong)" title="What Batman vs. Superman Could Get Right (And Wrong)" style="float:left;" />Last year when Man of Steel came out, I was reminded of the line uttered by Chastity (Gabrielle Union) in 10 Things I Hate About You: “I know you can be overwhelmed… and you can… [more]

“There are Some Things in Life It’s Best not to See”: The American Superhero Comics of Mark Millar, Part 3

Colin Smith — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 12:00:49 +0000

Continued from last week. The suspicion that Millar idled his way through his years at 2000AD is at least in part countered by the contents of Favourite Things. For it seems unlikely that he would have… [more]

“Yes, Alfred. Time for Bed.”: The American Comics of Mark Millar, Part 2

Colin Smith — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 12:00:33 +0000

Continued from last week. Favourite Things was the first mainstream superhero tale that Millar had ever sold. Previously, he’d depicted the costumed crimefighter as a horror-hybridised symbol of corruption and cruelty, as with The Saviour and… [more]

Bill Finger’s Quest for a Google Doodle

Ian Dawe — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 01:14:04 +0000

This February 8th is an historic date in the comics history: the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bill Finger (and coincidentally, this year marks the 40th anniversary of his death and the 75th anniversary… [more]

Batman: Noël — The Redemptive Dickensian Drama

Stuart Warren — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 12:00:20 +0000

Batman: Noël — The Redemptive Dickensian Drama" title="Batman: Noël — The Redemptive Dickensian Drama" style="float:left;" />It’s not uncommon this time of year to hear the phrase “holiday cheer” being thrown around. It’s a nebulous saying, undefined, and passed around like an offering plate collecting alms for the poor. In our… [more]

Beware the Batman Episode 1 Review

Mike Greear — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 12:00:02 +0000

Beware the Batman Episode 1 Review" title="Beware the Batman Episode 1 Review" style="float:left;" />As much as I love Batman, I’ve always found it a bit hard to keep up with his various animated adventures. I mean, I grew up with the Bruce Timm and Paul Dini animated series,… [more]

Batman’s Tumbler Available in a Golf Cart Version

Julian Darius — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 13:06:25 +0000

Just in time for the Christmas buying season, a golf cart version of Batman’s Tumbler has been put up on eBay. Unfortunately for holiday shoppers, the cart was purchased today, just after midnight, once word… [more]

Original, More Explicit Artwork for The Killing Joke Surfaces

Paul Jaissle — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 03:00:52 +0000

The Killing Joke Surfaces" title="Original, More Explicit Artwork for The Killing Joke Surfaces" style="float:left;" />As originally reported by Bleeding Cool, Billy Hynes, a former employee of London’s Gosh Comics, tweeted a photo on Sunday that appeared to be a page of original art from Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s… [more]

Reflections on Batkid

Julian Darius — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 17:59:19 +0000

It’s easy to be cynical. Especially about super-heroes, in an era when they dominate the box office and opening weekends are debated for years before they happen. And then something like this happens. On Friday… [more]

Right, Wrong, and In Between: The Killing Joke

Will Brooker — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 11:00:47 +0000

The Killing Joke" title="Right, Wrong, and In Between: The Killing Joke" style="float:left;" />I don’t believe in right and wrong. That may sound strange, from a Batman fan; especially strange in the context of The Killing Joke, Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s prestige-format, psychological and physical showdown between… [more]

Scott Snyder: Then and Now

Harry Edmundson-Cornell — Sat, 07 Sep 2013 11:00:56 +0000

I was slow to the Scott Snyder game, I’ll admit it. Back when the hyper popular writer started Batman I was only vaguely aware of his existence. As his run continued I started to read… [more]

Kevin Smith Discusses Sequart’s And the Universe So Big

Mike Phillips — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 15:00:57 +0000

And the Universe So Big" title="Kevin Smith Discusses Sequart’s And the Universe So Big" style="float:left;" />On Kevin Smith’s new episode of his Fatman on Batman podcast, he opens by recapping the controversy over the previous episode’s discussion with Grant Morrison on Batman: The Killing Joke‘s ending. Smith also discusses Julian Darius’s… [more]

On Interpreting The Killing Joke’s Ending (and Authorial Intent)

Julian Darius — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:00:05 +0000

The Killing Joke’s Ending (and Authorial Intent)" title="On Interpreting The Killing Joke’s Ending (and Authorial Intent)" style="float:left;" />For his podcast Fatman on Batman, Kevin Smith interviewed Grant Morrison, and Grant talked about how Batman kills the Joker at the end of Batman: The Killing Joke. Grant makes a good argument, citing textual… [more]

Julian Darius on The Killing Joke

Mike Phillips — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 17:00:11 +0000

The Killing Joke" title="Julian Darius on The Killing Joke" style="float:left;" />In this video, Julian Darius discusses his theory about what happens at the end of Batman: The Killing Joke. For more on Julian’s theory, check out the Bleeding Cool story on it. And of course, you… [more]

That’s Not Funny: Alan Moore’s Tragic Joker

Stuart Warren — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:00:59 +0000

The ’80s for comics is something akin to the British Invasion. American Rock-and-Roll saw a exponential boost in popularity when British acts invaded the already well-established scene, bringing with them unique stylistic influences that would… [more]

1986: The British Invasion, Part 1 — Grant Morrison in 1986: Batman

Peter Sanderson — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:00:27 +0000

As shown in previous installments, in the mid-1980s there were notable late works by two of the leading members of the founding generation of comic book professionals, Will Eisner and Jack Kirby. This period is… [more]

What Damian Wayne Says about Adult Comic Fans

Mike Greear — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:00:22 +0000

A few days ago, one of my friends from work was telling me about a particularly attractive girl that he knew from his other job. I know, this isn’t a terribly interesting way to start… [more]

On the Limits of Adaptation or What Can We Get Out of The Dark Knight Returns Movie?

Tom Shapira — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:00:22 +0000

The Dark Knight Returns Movie?" title="On the Limits of Adaptation or What Can We Get Out of The Dark Knight Returns Movie?" style="float:left;" />The year 2012 brought with it something Batman fans, and comics fans in general, have been expecting for years; a large production from distinguished creators starring some well-beloved actors. I am talking, of course, about… [more]

What Makes for a Great Joker Story: In Defense of Batman #17

Forrest Helvie — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:00:21 +0000

Batman #17" title="What Makes for a Great Joker Story: In Defense of Batman #17" style="float:left;" />Recently, I wrote a review on Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman #17—the much-anticipated finale for the “Death of the Family” story arc, and I gave it a solid “10.” (I’ll spare the details as… [more]

That Cowardly and Superstitious Batman, That Heartlessly Persecuted Joker: On Batman #17

Colin Smith — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 12:00:04 +0000

Batman #17" title="That Cowardly and Superstitious Batman, That Heartlessly Persecuted Joker: On Batman #17" style="float:left;" />Well, why doesn’t the Batman simply kill the Joker? You’d think the answer would be obvious. Yet fans the blogosphere over appear quite flummoxed, if not dangerously apoplectic, about the matter. The Joker can’t be… [more]

Batman: The Freudian Super-Hero

Chance Thulin — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:00:56 +0000

“I am vengeance. I am the night. I am Batman.” That one is quite possibly one of the most iconic lines from any comic book related medium and is quite possibly the best demonstration of… [more]

Gotta Loeb Batman: Batman and Synergy in Hush

Stuart Warren — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:00:16 +0000

Hush" title="Gotta Loeb Batman: Batman and Synergy in Hush" style="float:left;" />Jeph Loeb is the quintessential Batman writer, and one is not bereft of evidence for such a claim. His two most recognized works, Batman: The Long Halloween, and the anticipated sequel, Batman: Dark Victory, embodied… [more]

Yellow Capes and Nondescript Domino Masks: Examining the Recently Enhanced Value of the Sidekick

Nathan Harmon — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:00:15 +0000

One of the most known comic book conventions is the insertion of a sidekick into the main character’s plot. Comic book writers have used this convention in numerous ways over the years with various levels… [more]

Deconstructing Death and Vigilantism: A Dark Knight Eulogy

Stuart Warren — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:00:52 +0000

Death is not welcomed in DC, but occasionally, and fortunately, an opportunity arises to talk about death and its greater significance in the DC timeline. In the introduction to Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader,… [more]

No John Blake for Justice League, Please

Mike Greear — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 12:00:18 +0000

Justice League, Please" title="No John Blake for Justice League, Please" style="float:left;" />A few days ago, some friends and I were embroiled in a discussion about the rumors surrounding the new Justice League movie. This is the film that Warner Bros. and DC have been talking about… [more]

Baby Mama Drama: The Feminist Changes in Talia al Ghul

Nathan Harmon — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:00:27 +0000

For years, the character of Talia Al Ghul was essentially Batman’s version of a Bond-girl. While she was impressive and attractive, she was typically under some sort of dominant male personality (Batman or her father… [more]

Shoot First, Shoot Second, Shoot a Bit More, and then Stab Somebody: The Jason Todd Investigative Methodology

Nathan Harmon — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 12:00:36 +0000

Of all the wards that Bruce Wayne took into his home as the sidekick Robin, the most hated would almost unanimously be Jason Todd. Originally conceived as a Dick Grayson fill-in with only slight differences,… [more]

Bromancing: the Extracurricular Partnership and Relationship of Batman and Superman

Nathan Harmon — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:00:30 +0000

The last son of Krypton is alone. Superman is one of a kind (excluding his cousin and clone and other Kryptonian beings that happened to survive). The Dark Knight is a loner. He is an… [more]

Critiquing the Robins of the New 52

Mike Greear — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 12:00:01 +0000

It’s Saturday, Halloween weekend in New York City, and I’ve elected to stay inside all day and write about super-heroes. Which is totally fine. As far as Halloween goes, the one costume I’ve always wanted… [more]

Three Surrogate Wise Men: The Father Figures of the Batman

Nathan Harmon — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 12:00:14 +0000

Many of our comic book heroes are orphans. As a writer, it’s easier to write exclusively about a solitary figure. The character is controlled and is focused on his or her life and mission and… [more]

The New 52: A Year in Review

Stuart Warren — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 11:00:53 +0000

When I opened Action Comics #1 and saw Superman, I was stunned. It was probably a shared reaction. There Superman was, standing on a guard rail with a malcontent in his arms, a host of… [more]

Who’s Your Daddy: Examining the Parental Relationship Between Bruce and Damian Wayne

Nathan Harmon — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:00:46 +0000

Very few of our comic book heroes have real biological families. Many times, we see surrogate families created from a group of exceptional individuals that work together as a super-group, but if the hero did… [more]

The Trouble With a Mask

Mike Greear — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:00:48 +0000

“The trouble with a mask is it never changes.” – Charles Bukowski So, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman #13 re-introduced The Joker, who we last saw having his face removed by Dollmaker before going… [more]

Oh, Brother, I Hate Your Guts: The Use of the Brother Versus Brother Motif in Comics

Nathan Harmon — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:00:44 +0000

Comic books, like all other forms of literary mediums, use a few different literary devices to stimulate our interest. We read them and enjoy them and we keep reading because we have to know what… [more]

Young Romance

Mike Greear — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 11:00:06 +0000

If there’s been one thing on my mind lately, it’s love. Not just how it pertains to personal matters, but just the concept of it in general. For instance, love at first sight. This has… [more]