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.

New CW Series - Arrow

We all know that this fall, CW will be premiering their new series: Arrow. The show will be based on the Oliver Queen/Green Arrow character. The incarnation had previously appeared on Smallville, played by Justin Hartley. But the CW has made it adamantly clear that the show will have no ties to one another and that the new Oliver Queen is a completely different and new character.

From the trailer, it looks like we'll be getting a much darker version of the Emerald Archer. Most people on the message boards are hoping it will be more closer to the Mike Grell version of Green Arrow, where he's more of a hunter than a superhero. From the looks of it, it will be. 

What I'm most excited for is that they're bringing in some of the most bad-ass comic book villains in the DC Universe pretty early on in the show (Deathstroke, Deadshot, and Constantine Drakon). The first two being a complete waste of an opportunity when they appeared on the final season of Smallville. 

The only thing I'm worried about is that they seem to be calling him "Arrow" instead of "Green Arrow" and that crappy face paint mask he has.

Other than that, I'm pretty stoked to catch the premiere. 

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!

Smallville Season 11

As all of you know, Smallville ended it's tenth and final season with Clark taking to the skies as Superman. Earlier this year, it was announced that an eleventh season would be picked up. In comic book form.

As a fan of Smallville since the very first episode (I was in eighth grade), the thought of furthering the adventures of the characters I grew up with sounded amazing. I didn't have to say goodbye just yet. Thankfully, Smallville Season 11 still has most of the heart of the TV show. The pacing is a bit faster since each chapter is only a handful of pages, but the story and medium allows for much more action than the television show. It's great to see Superman in costume flying around in action.

The art is pretty spot-on when it comes to making the characters look like the actors that once portrayed them, also giving them the freedom to do things in the book that the budget on the show once would not allow. As far as the writing goes, it's pretty hit-or-miss depending on the chapter.

But then again, that's Smallville.

The best part is, there's no summer break in between as this is a comic book. Definitely worth checking out.

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 Philip Tan!

The Phamtom Zone has landed an exclusive interview with comic book artist Philip Tan. Tan is known for his work on Spawn and recently some cover work for DC Comics.

PZ: You have a very impressive resume in comics. What was your most memorable experience in the industry?

PT: There are quite a few, but one of them got to be meeting Stan Winston and visiting the creature effects production house, when I was drawing his book for him. Getting lessons from Todd McFarlane is another!

PZ: Fans may recognize your work on Spawn for so many years and more recently your work in DC Comics. Do you draw your inspiration from any particular styles?

I love the majority form of comic mediums, Asian to American to European.. they all influence me a lot.

PZ: Do you any major projects coming up that you are allowed to talk about?

PT: For DC? Not really, sorry. Although I am working away slowly on my own book. Hopefully to be published someday

PZ: Lastly, if you were to host a meal with three fictional characters, who would they be and what would you serve?

PT: Kinda tough, never thought about it. Probably give Jiraya nude sushi?

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!