"GOTHAM" Tv Show Greenlit by FOX

The news comes from the website BleedingCool that FOX has optioned 'GOTHAM', a show about Jim Gordon and the fiendish villains of Gotham.  The only catch..no Batman.  sigh.  That worked so well with Birds of Prey, right?  This is WBs way of competing with the Marvel based Agents of SHIELD show, which also looks lame.  Lets take literally the most uninteresting characters of a fantastical superhero film and focus on them more.  Score.  I hope to like GOTHAM....but I'm extremely skeptical.  What do YOU think bat-fans?

Arrow: The Complete First Season Blu-Ray Review

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Arrow: The Complete First Season Blu-Ray Review

You can own this blu-ray today

Synopsis: Based on DC Comics, Green Arrow superhero comic book series, Arrow has been reinvented for a modern day audience and comes to DVD and BD for the first time. After being marooned for five years on a remote island, billionaire Oliver Queen returns home with a mysterious agenda and a lethal set of new skills that he uses in a war on crime in this hard-hitting action series. After suffering unimaginable ordeals on the island, the Oliver returns to Starling City a new man -- determined to right the wrongs of his father and sworn to bring justice to those who've corrupted his city. But Oliver finds his crusade complicated by his friends and family who are all affected by his return.

Review: Superhero shows have a long history of being awful.  The first one to really break this ground was Smallville.  They seemed to do a great job of making the genre more serious on television, but many fans still complained about the level of cheese and teen romance, not to mention a distinct lack of super costume!  Arrow comes to the CW network and it completely blew me away.  I was looking for something the quality of Smallville, and what I got was a show worthy of cable TV.  The lead actor, Stephen Amell defintes the role of Oliver Queen and really demands respect in a way that TV heroes haven't done in the past.  This show has it all, a great serialized storyline, backstory, flashbacks, romance, action and more!  Arrow is the best new show on TV.  

Interest Range: TV Shows

Bat Humor: Bat-Dad Video

Yeah, its dumb.  But its funny. Then it dumb again..and by the end its hilarious again.  The later in the night you watch it, the funnier it shall be.  Enjoy.

See Cillian Murphy Audition As Batman!

 
This still frame is from the extras on the big ol' Dark Knight Trilogy set, in stores tomorrow!  Watch for our review shortly.  This pic thanks to Flickeringmyth.com!

Watch Christian Bale's Batman Audition!

He's in the Batman Forever suit and testing with Amy Adams.  Pretty cool stuff!

The Beware the Batman Happy Meal Box!

Check it out!  Out now!  Pic courtesy of Brian Heaton.

Beware the Batman at McDonalds NOW!

We've been getting emails all day and yes the promotion does begin nationwide at McDonalds today!  Keep in mind that with the McDonalds franchise locations some of them could be a little slow to get it or even opt out of it all together, so if you don't find them at one location, just check another!  We want pics of the Happy Meal box or bag if anyone gets ahold of it!  You can send to legionsofgotham.org @ gmail.com

 

Affleck talks Batman casting on NBCs Jimmy Fallon Show Last Night!

Bieber Robin Casting Joke Confirmation?

Of course we all figured the Bieber thing was absurd...but we never put anything past the suits right?  Well, now Funny or Die has posted up a pic of former Robin Chris O'Donnell doing the same thing, so hopefully this was indeed just part of some sketch they're putting together for attention.  Any collective sighs of relief?

Op-Ed Article: The Dark Knight Rises Gives Birth to a New Robin

The Dark Knight Rises Gives Birth to a New Robin

By BRIAN HEATON

The final scenes of The Dark Knight Rises presented one of the most polarizing questions of the entire trilogy: Did John Blake become Batman, or was his character Robin, the Cape Crusader’s sidekick? Rest assured fellow Bat-fans, the bird has taken flight. Blake is Robin.

The evidence provided by director Christopher Nolan in the film is undeniable in its support of that assertion. It amazes me that more than a year later, fans and pop culture analysts continue to debate the issue.

Let’s first address something anti-Robin advocates seem to champion: The fact Nolan has said over the years leading up to The Dark Knight Rises that Robin (as fans have come to know the character) has no place in his Batman universe in the manner in which fans have grown accustomed to.

Nolan’s right. Having a teenaged sidekick isn’t believable, nor is a “ward” that lives with Wayne at the same time that coincidentally Batman has a new partner. That doesn’t work in the realistic world Nolan used for The Dark Knight Trilogy. But Blake isn’t a child. He’s an early 20-something, impressionable rookie cop.

Then there is the reveal of Blake’s true first name, “Robin.”  If Nolan intended Blake to take over as Batman, then why would he put a scene in the movie where “Robin” is noted at the very end as his real first name? It doesn’t make sense. If that were the case, Nolan wouldn’t have written that scene.

The argument that the scene was simply Nolan’s “nod”  to the Robin character fails to hold water. It creates confusion if Blake were to become Batman. Sure, there have been people that have temporarily filled in for Bruce Wayne as Batman in the comics, but that’s just it — it was temporary. Bruce Wayne IS Batman. Tossing the scene aside as token gesture to fans and adding needless confusion to the storyline isn’t Nolan’s style.

Now let’s address Blake’s abilities. He’s got nowhere near the type of combat training or discipline that enabled Bruce to become Batman. How realistic is it to expect Blake to walk into the Batcave and take over? It’s not. Even if you assume he trains for a few years, it’s not believable. Bruce’s development and training took seven years, many spent with the League of Shadows, just to get him ready.

Do people really think Blake can just stroll into the cave, pick up a few martial arts classes and take over the mantle of the bat? It’s not realistic at all, which is why there’s no way Nolan could have intended it that way. Blake would be killed in short order by the gangsters and thugs that were released into the streets following Bane’s occupation of Gotham, not to mention the super criminals out there like Scarecrow and The Joker.

Taking all that into consideration, its clear Bruce wanted Blake to find the cave and prepare for a future as his sidekick. Nolan wasn’t going to force Robin into the trilogy as a superhero, but he concluded Batman’s origin story by showing the birth of the Dynamic Duo.

It all ties together with the scene featuring Bruce and Selina Kyle on holiday in France. As all Batman fans know, any relationship between Bruce and Selina is doomed to failure, given their distinctly different personalities.

The Dark Knight Rises was loyal to that. Selina came back at the very end to help, but she walked that familiar line between doing the right thing and being selfish. It’s likely that at some point, the relationship between them in Nolan’s universe will crumble, setting the stage for Bruce’s return to Gotham.

Some fans have noted that Nolan went to great lengths to show the physical punishment Batman had endured, indicating that he’s hung up the cape and cowl for good. But don’t forget that Nolan also showed how a new leg brace and technology helped Bruce overcome his injuries and he came back stronger than ever after being defeated by Bane.

Bruce is 38 in film, but it’s not like he’s 55. He’s the right age to mentor someone. And given how he rebuilt his body to face Bane a second time, it’s clear he still has enough left in the tank to battle Gotham’s underbelly for years to come.

In addition, it was mentioned in The Dark Knight Rises that it would take awhile to prove the futures trading with Bruce Wayne’s thumbprint was fraudulent. That will be proved in time and, ultimately, restore the Wayne family fortune. This gives Bruce a believable re-entry to Gotham.

Being abroad for a time with Selina allows the legal process to happen and keeps Bruce out of the spotlight until the issue has run its course. Then Bruce comes back to Gotham, saying he faked his death and is back in the game again. Although Wayne Manor now serves as a boy’s home, it’s not a stretch to believe Bruce will take up residence in the penthouse he had in The Dark Knight, or build a new mansion nearby the original Manor.

Love him or hate him, Robin is a defining part of the Batman mythos. He’s as critical to the Batman Universe as Alfred, Commissioner Gordon or any of the supporting cast and helps further define and expand the character of Batman/Bruce Wayne. Time and numerous comic storylines have proven that. Robin’s existence molds Bruce as a father figure and Batman as a crime fighter and partner.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t time in The Dark Knight Rises to flesh out that relationship and do it justice. The director instead gave us a believable Robin origin story that tied into the movie and Batman’s history, setting the stage for the Dynamic Duo to thrive in Nolan’s realistic Dark Knight Mythology well into the future.

When he’s not opining on Bat-related issues, Brian Heaton spends his days as a professional business-to-business journalist. He has covered technology, construction, sports and politics during a writing career that has spanned three decades. Brian has been an avid Batman fan and collector since 1980. Contact him at briman04@yahoo.com.

"A Gotham Fairytale" New Stunning Animatic Video!

This one is a must watch.  Its absolutely wonderful.  I'd love to see more like this, very creative!  Here is a bit about the video from creator Mauricio Abril:

"A Gotham Fairytale" is my original Batman story done as an animatic set to Muse's "Knights of Cydonia." Composed of over 200 black and white illustrations, it depicts the dark imagination of a little girl as she's listening to her grandmother tell her a bedtime fairytale.

NYCC Exclusive: Super Best Friends Forever Poison Ivy PVC Figure!

She looks fantastic and you can only get her at New York Comic Con.  She is a limited edition of only 2500 pieces!

Justin Bieber Teases Batman vs. Superman Robin Casting. #WayWorseThanAffleck

Oh, so you just had to didn't you nerds?  You had to whine about Affleck didn't you?  Oh, what you didn't know it could get worse...FAR worse.  We're still hopeful that this is a prank.  However, its noteworthy to report that Justin Bieber posted this to his Instagram earlier tonight with #Robin?.  WB is probably punishing you all for whining about Affleck.  lol.   Likely a joke.  Hopefully so.  Bieber is a horrible human being.   ugh.

Beware the Batman coming to McDonalds Happy Meals!

This set will be offered starting on Friday, September 20, 2013 at McDonalds restaurants across the USA!  It will be offered in conjunction with a really cute Wizards of Oz set.  Unfortunately, no villains featured, but with such a deficit of Beware merchandise out there, fans of the cartoon, and of Batman fast food toys rejoice!

Stop Motion 1966 Batman TV Intro!

I thought this was fun.  Enjoy!

 

It's the third edition of Kyle Robert's stop motion mastery. You've seen TMNT and X-Men intro recreations, but it's Batman's turn. Zok! The Fox. Ben Affleck Batman

About 40 years ago, Adam West and Burt Ward socked and blapped its way into televisions around the world. Team Reckless Abandonment worked countless hours to pay tribute to the dark night and his young ward. Bam!

This isn't lego Batman. Mattel's newly released line of '60s Batman inspired action figures worked perfectly to bring this classic TV intro to life. Oklahoma City-based folk band, O'Fidelis, lent its musical talents to cover the catchy "Batman" theme song and Nathan Poppe once again supplied hand-drawn backgrounds to complete the fun. Oooof!

PBS ANNOUNCES "SUPERHERO​ES NIGHT" ON OCTOBER 15th

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PBS ANNOUNCES “SUPERHEROES NIGHT” ON OCTOBER 15th – Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle to be shown in one three-hour programming block, beginning at 8pm ET (check local listings) –  

ARLINGTON, VA;  SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 – PBS announced today that Tuesday, October 15, 2013, is “Superheroes Night,” featuring a three-hour block dedicated to the groundbreaking program SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE.  The newest film from Emmy Award-winning producer/director Michael Kantor (BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL; MAKE ‘EM LAUGH: THE FUNNY BUSINESS OF AMERICA) will premiere at 8:00 p.m. ET and include insightful interviews from Stan Lee; actors Adam West (TV’s “Batman”) and Lynda Carter (“Wonder Woman”); Geoff Johns (chief creative officer, DC Comics), Jeph Loeb (head of television for Marvel Entertainment); Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) and cartoonist/author Jules Feiffer (the long-running strip “Feiffer”), as well as appearances by the late comic book icons Joe Simon (co-creator of Captain America) and Jerry Robinson (who helped create the Joker). A full list of interviewees who appear in the show is located at the end of the release.

SUPERHEROES, cowritten by Kantor and Laurence Maslon, was initially to premiere October 8 and play over three weeks, but the series will now be a one-evening event of super entertainment.Narrated and hosted by Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Showtime’s Ray Donovan), SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE is the first documentary to examine the dawn of the comic book genre and its powerful legacy, as well as the evolution of the characters who leapt from the pages over the last 75 years and their ongoing worldwide cultural impact. It chronicles how these “disposable diversions” were subject to intense government scrutiny for their influence on American children and how they were created, in large part, by the children of immigrants whose fierce loyalty to a new homeland laid the foundation for a multi-billion-dollar industry that is now an influential part of our national identity. “SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE is one of the most comprehensive surveys of the vibrant comic book industry ever created; it explores cultural histories in an entertaining and educational way — just as PBS viewers have come to expect,” said Donald Thoms, Vice President, Programming and Talent Management for PBS. SUPERHEROES will be presented in three one-hour parts

PART ONE, 8 PM: “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” (1938-1958)

During the Depression, the popularity of dozens of superhero characters opens the door for a new generation of artists and writers. World War II creates a patriotic fervor for star-spangled adventurers to represent the American spirit at war and on the home front, but in the 1950s, superheroes are caught in the fire of government scrutiny and regulation. When the thrilling “Adventures of Superman” is broadcast on the new medium of television, America’s first and greatest superhero leads the entire comic book industry to renewed strength.

PART TWO, 9 PM: “Great Power, Great Responsibility” (1959-1977) 

In the 1960s, a new breed of superhero emerges in the pages of Marvel Comics, inspired by the age of atomic energy and space travel and, in turn, inspiring the pop culture and pop artists of the time. Spider-Man, the Hulk and others are the first to have “problems” with which an adult audience can identify, and contemporary social issues make their way into comic books. Black powerhouses such as the Black Panther and Luke Cage appear on the scene, and the pages of “Green Lantern/Green Arrow” explode with relevant storylines as comic books are forced to confront the reality of an increasingly complex world.

PART THREE, 10 PM “A Hero Can Be Anyone” (1978-Present)

Modern enthusiasm for superheroes has been embraced in all forms of media and by all demographics, beginning with the historic Superman movie featuring Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. In 1986, Batman is overhauled as The Dark Knight to reflect the nocturnal underside of his character, and Watchmen bring new sophistication to comic book narratives, illuminating a violent and politicized world. In the burgeoning new millennium, superheroes have taken over popular culture with feature films, television shows and video games complementing a new generation of web-based comics that bring superhero adventures to every corner of the world. 

A new book based on SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE, titled Superheroes!: Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture and penned by series co-writer Laurence Maslon and filmmaker Michael Kantor, will be available October 1, 2013, from Crown Archetype, a division of Random House. This stunning companion volume tells the story of the superhero in American pop culture, with interviews, character biographies and more than 500 illustrations both essential and rare.

PBS Distribution will release the DVD and Blu-ray version of SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE on October 15, 2013, coinciding with the PBS broadcast. The DVD will be available for a suggested retail price of $24.99 and the Blu-ray will be available for a suggested retail price of $29.99. The running time is 180 minutes and will include exclusive extra features. SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE is produced by Ghost Light Films in association with Oregon Public Broadcasting. Along with PBS, major funding for the series was supplied by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Founded in 1996, Ghost Light Films created the critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated six-part PBS series Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America, which was hosted by Billy Crystal and produced by Thirteen/WNET New York, in association with BBC-TV. In 2005, Ghost Light Films produced three hours of documentary material to accompany the 40th anniversary re-release of the film The Sound of Music, including a documentary hosted by Julie Andrews. That same year, Ghost Light garnered the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction series for Broadway: The American Musical with Thirteen/WNET New York, NHK Japan and BBC in association with Carlton International. Most recently Ghost Light created Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy (narrated by Joel Grey) for the GREAT PERFORMANCES series on PBS. For more information, visit www.ghostlightfilms.net

In addition to the names listed earlier in this release, the full list of interviewees who appear in SUPERHEROES includes: artist Neal Adams, Ed Catto (Bonfire Agency), writer Chris Claremont, writer Gerry Conway, writer Paul Dini, writer Mark Evanier, writer and editor Danny Fingeroth, historian William Foster, artist Ramona Fradon, artist Irwin Hasen, the late artist Carmine Infantino, writer and artist Phil Jiminez, writer Gerard Jones, publisher Jenette Kahn, the late artist Joe Kubert, artist and co-publisher of DC Comics Jim Lee, comic store owner Mike Malve, artist/writer Todd McFarlane, screenwriter Ashley Miller, writer Grant Morrison, writer Gary Phillips, writer/editor Denny O’Neil, writer Trina Robbins, chief creative officer of Marvel Entertainment Joe Quesada, casting director Andrea Romano, artist/designer Arlen Schumer, writer Louise Simonson, writer/artist Walt Simonson, Man of Steel director Zack Snyder, artist/writer Jim Steranko, writer J. Michael Straczynski, colorist Christina Strain, writer/editor Mark Waid, writer/editor Len Wein, writer Marv Wolfman and author Bradford Wright. The SUPERHEROES website is online at PBS.org/superheroes.

Beware The Batman "Family" Episode Pics & Video

“Family”

New Episode

Airs Saturday, September 7

10:00 A.M. on Cartoon Network

Synopsis: With the League of Assassins knowing where the SoulTaker Sword is, but unable to get Katana to return it, they decide their only course of action is to kidnap Bruce Wayne and hold him for ransom – that ransom being the sword.  Of course, they don’t realize that Bruce Wayne is actually Batman!  When Katana shows up to turn over the sword and rescue Wayne, Alfred causes a diversion, allowing Wayne to don the Batman suit and join the battle.  Teaming with Katana to end the League, Batman finds himself in an all-out ninja fight that ends with a startling revelation.

Video:




Image Gallery: 

Is this the first picture of the Bat-Fleck pre-production costume?

This leaked online directly from the artist Steve Scott.  We don't have a film that is even officially in pre-production...something like this would be extremely early and far more highly guarded, at least one would think.  This costume is amazingly Nolanesque with an Affleck head.  I'm calling bolonga on this one, but you can decide for yourselves.

Batman Crafts and Activities for Kids

  

Batman Crafts and Activities for Kids 

With school out it can be hard to find ways to fill your kid’s days, especially if it is raining.  Fortunately, you may be able to spark their creativity while also getting to enjoy the one and only Caped Crusader with them.  Here are 5 crafts and activities you can do with your kids to keep them busy, productive and learning about Batman.

1. Look the Part

One of the quickest ways to get into a day of Batman crafts is to dress for it.  You can make this as simple or sophisticated as you and your kids desire.  An easy option is to make Robin’s mask out of construction paper and a piece of string then throw on a blanket or sheet for a cape.  Another option for your children is to just change into a pair of kids Batman pajamas.  On the other end of the spectrum, you can go all out and put on a whole store bought costume.  Another fun thing can be using face paint to look like characters like the joker.  No matter what you do, if you and your kids are all looking the party, it may make everyone have more fun and get into the Batman spirit.

2. Batman Toilet Paper Rolls

Next time a roll of toilet paper runs out, keep the empty cardboard part (you can also use empty paper towel rolls, just cut them in half).  These can make great Batman figurines for your child to draw and color with paint, crayons, or markers.   To get started, make two indents on either side of one of the roll’s tips.  Each of these should be about half an inch deep.  These will be Batman’s characteristic ears.  Then, either you or your child can draw an outline of Batman on the toilet paper roll and color it in with whatever you would like.  If you don’t have a steady hand to draw the borders, another option is to print out an outline of Batman that is the appropriate size, and then glue it to the roll.  Once the Batman roll is complete, you can go on to make partners for him, like Robin, or enemies, like Mr. Freeze.  To add some extra authenticity, small pieces of fabric or paper towel can be attached to them for capes.  Even though they are simple, these action figures are great for kids because they are almost free and homemade.

3. DIY Bat-Signal

Gotham tends to only use the Bat-Signal when it is in dire need of help, but this homemade version doesn’t need to be so serious.  With a cheap flashlight, a bit of tape and cardboard, you and your family can have your own Bat-Signal in no time. 
To make the Bat-Signal, measure out how wide the lens of your flashlight is.  Then, draw the outline of a bat on cardboard (if you can’t draw it well you can easily find a printout online). After that, you just need to cut out the bat and tape it on top of the flashlight.  You can use the Bat-Signal to help your kids feel more secure at night, for your cat to chase around, to play games or possibly even as a spotlight on a dark cloudy night.

4. Flashlight Hide and Seek With Bat-Signals.

Since Batman generally keeps to the shadows is a master of secrecy and discretion, a fun game you can play with your new homemade Bat-Signal is flashlight hide and go seek.  At night, turn off the lights in your house and take turns being “it”.  The person who is it needs to count to 30 saying “Gotham City” between each number while everyone else hides.  When they finish, they have to find the other people and shine the Bat-Signal on them, at which point the person who was just found joins the search.  The last person to be found wins the game, or, you can just start over again with them being it.

5. DIY Batman Comics

This activity mixes writing, collages, drawing and more.  First gather a few Batman coloring books or print off some outlines of Batman characters in various poses.  Then work with your child to develop a story line for the issue of Batman that the two of you will make.  Once you have come up with this, the two of you can start coloring in the characters, and then cut all of them out.  In a scrap book or on a large poster board, arrange the characters so they live out the story the two of you came up.  You can add hand written caption bubbles or draw background images to make the story and graphics more exciting.  Best of all, this can become an ongoing project, where you do one scene a week, or multiple “comic book” issues.  This way it may be able to keep your child busy, writing, learning and creating all summer long.

If you’re on this site, you probably love Batman.  So why not share your interests with your kids?  With these activities everyone can have a great time learning more about Batman, playing, and spending the summer creating fun crafts. 

New Justice League / Batman Party Supplies

These can be found in stores, like Target.