Editorial - Next Batman Franchise

The Nolan Batman movies have finally come to their epic conclusion with the Dark Knight Rises. With Hollywood throwing out reboots of films like it's Halloween candy, maybe it's time to have a fresh new take on the Batman story. Everyone is still in love with Christopher Nolan's interpretation of the Dark Knight, what director in their right mind would want to follow that?

Here's my pitch: Batman Beyond.

It'd be great to see the cult television cartoon that appeared at the end of the 90s on the big screen. It's fresh enough that we can get a entirely new Batman experience, but with the same themes and elements that we have all come to love from the Batman character.

Set in a Neo-Gothic future, a new Batman takes the mantle as Bruce Wayne's successor. Batman Beyond can be the new film we need to tide us over until the next appropriate reboot of the Batman franchise.

Joseph Kosinski, the director of Tron: Legacy, would be a perfect candidate to direct this futuristic take on Gotham City.

Something to think about.

Trailer - The Dark Knight Returns Pt. 1

Hot off the release of The Dark Knight Rises, DC Universe Original Animated Movies have officially released the trailer for the next installment of their animated film franchise, The Dark Knight Returns. Adapted from Frank Miller's legendary graphic novel, the story focuses on an elderly Bruce Wayne returning to a life of crime-fighting as the Batman. The movie is to be split in two parts, with the first releasing on DVD and Bluray on September 25.

With the commercial success of The Dark Knight Rises, fans are probably eager to get their next Batman fix. Peter Weller, better known for his role as RoboCop, will provide the voice of Batman. DC animated movies have been pretty hit-or-miss, but they have more or less hit a consistency of good storytelling when it comes to Batman.

Very excited for this!

Review - Batman: Earth One

Almost years ago, DC Comics teamed writers J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis together to create Superman: Earth One, a contemporary take on the Superman legend. Now, with DC golden boy scribe Geoff Johns and powerhouse artist Gary Frank, they have released Batman: Earth One.

.: SPOILERS AHEAD :.

Batman: Earth One covers the early days of Bruce Wayne's venture in to vigilante business. But what's unique about the story is what they do to the more secondary characters in the world of Batman. Two particular examples are Alfred Pennyworth and Detective Harvey Bullock. Pennyworth is brought to the States by Thomas Wayne as head of security during his mayoral campaign. In this alternate world, the two were war buddies and Wayne trusts Pennyworth with his life. Bullock, who's an overweight drunk in the main Batman universe, is a hotshot Detective who, here's the kicker, was the host of his own television reality show for five seasons: Hollywood Detectives.

What's interesting is that while these two characters begin as polar opposites of who they are in the mainstream universe, Johns creates a gradual transition for their characters throughout the novel. You can see what chain of events lead them to what they become when the story comes to an end. Geoff Johns has a knack for developing obscure characters and making them cool again.

Then there's Bruce Wayne. Earth One Batman is a cocky kid who's pissed off at the world. He lacks the depth and control that the mainstream Batman has, and everyone knows it. This Batman screws up more than he is successful. He's angry that his parents were killed and he's looking to lash out at the world. But by the end of the story, you get a better sense that he'll eventually become the Batman we all know.

Gary Frank, mostly associated with his Superman work, is a phenomenal artist and delivers dynamic illustrations that engage the readers just as much, if not more, than the story. I bet if there wasn't any dialogue, you could still piece together a great story just from the pencils alone.

Rating: 4/5

Definitely something to pick up.

Exclusive Interview with How It Should Have Ended!

The Phamtom Zone has landed an exclusive interview with Tina Alexander from the online cartoon sensation: How It Should Have Ended! HISHE features cartoon shorts that poke fun of the illogical endings of some movies and adds a more realistic, and hilarious, solution to the plot.

Phamtom Zone: About how long does it take to create an episode of HISHE. How many people contribute to the production of a single episode?

HISHE: Right now we are on a three week production cycle. Week one is artwork and script writing. Week two is finalizing artwork and completing animation. We also do all our voice recording during Week two. Week three is music and sound effects. It is a lot of work!!

Daniel and I work together daily on all aspects of the cartoons, but we also have a composer [Bryan English] and Tommy Watson is a huge help on the business side of things and a great resource when we are stumped creatively. HISHE is also made up of a team of great friends that help us with ideas and voices when we need it. Stephanie Fisher being our constant, and awesome, female lead. So there's about eight of us total. We couldn't do it without the help of our friends.

Phamtom Zone: Do you guys plan on doing anything else with HISHE other than the shorts? Maybe a feature length movie?

HISHE: Not anytime soon, although we get lots of requests to do this with our Terminator/Back to the Future mash up. It might be fun someday, who knows?!

Phamtom Zone: What was your favorite HISHE?

HISHE: That's a really tough question. From the original collection, I really love How Lord of the Rings Should Have Ended and it's probably the one that we hear the most about from fans when we attend conventions. I also love our Terminator short, it still gives me goosebumps. More recently I have to say I'm really proud of our TRON rap video. That was a HUGE undertaking and I'm really happy we attempted something different and outside our box.

Phamtom Zone: What movies can the fans look forward to in the future that HISHE will spoof?

HISHE: Well, we're working on Toy Story 3 right now. And Harry Potter fans can relax because we promise we'll spoof that this summer when the series ends.

Our Scream HISHE is already up on our website, but will debut on Youtube this Thursday if you want to embed it on your blog. Thanks for your interest in us, we really appreciate bloggers spreading the word!

Phamtom Zone: Thank you for the interview!

Exclusive Interview with Batman Artist: Dustin Nguyen!

Here it is folks, an exclusive (albiet quick) interview with DC comics superstar, and the current artist for Batman: Streets of Gotham.

Phamtom Zone: When and how did you get your start in this business?

Dustin:I broke into comics the summer of 1999 through the DC/Wildstorm portfolio review lines, somewhere between the SDCC (San Diego Comic Con) and the Chicago one.

Phamtom Zone: Your work on the Batman titles have been amazing. Do you have any plans for major projects afterward?

Dustin: Thanks! And yes, this fall. We should be able to announce if not at least talk about it more around this year's major SDCC. It will still have Batman, of course.

Phamtom Zone: If you could host a meal with three superheroes, who would they be and what would you serve?

Dustin: Definitely be Dr. Doom, Bruce Banner, and The Flash ( Wally West one, not
the scientist), and I'd serve them nothing but ice cream.

Phamtom Zone: Thank you so much, sir!

Dustin: Thanks, Peter!