Saw Batman Begins...

Terje Larsson · August-1st-2005, 04:39 PM

Ok, so I loved Batman as a kid. It was the visuals of it, of him, the character looked so cool. Then. Now he looks silly. And he never really works in films. But still, it's by far the best Batman movie ever made. That doesn't say much but it wasn't that bad, didn't feel like a total waste of time.

However, I would like to point to two masterpieces that should not be forgotten, both written by Frank Miller (who is the source of yet another film that runs now... that doesn't quite make it either) and that's Batman: The Dark Night Returns and Batman: Year One. In the former he's also the main artist. To make a story of the older Batman and making him a fascist is pure genius in itself but the details in the story, the way he describes our modern life is much more than that.

Miller also realized that the more interesting character was of course Gordon, since he has no tricks, no cape, nothing that sets him aside from a "normal" person. Year One is extremely well written. Some of the better lines in that one made it to Sin City which makes Sin City even more boring.

August-1st-2005, 06:16 PM

Always dug the Dark Knight stuff. That's what the new movie is supposed to be based on, right?

The colorful, campy shit always ground on my last nerve. Although, I did somewhat enjoy the first two movies with Keaton. At least they were semi-dark in nature.

BFrank · August-1st-2005, 08:24 PM

I thought the new one was a real sleeper. I had trouble holding my eyes opened for the first 1/2 hour - 45 minutes. His "quest" could have been condensed to about 15 minutes, tops.

I agree with Dolan - the Keaton films were probably the best of the bunch (and I don't mean Buster or Diane).

Monte Smith · August-1st-2005, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terje Larsson

However, I would like to point to two masterpieces that should not be forgotten, both written by Frank Miller (who is the source of yet another film that runs now... that doesn't quite make it either) and that's Batman: The Dark Night Returns and Batman: Year One. In the former he's also the main artist. To make a story of the older Batman and making him a fascist is pure genius in itself but the details in the story, the way he describes our modern life is much more than that.

The Dark Knight Returns is the greatest example of a reinvention of a character in modern comic history. I have the books lying around somewhere (in mylar bags, in comic book boxes). Geek! But one reinvention that I would have loved to have read, but I've yet to lay my hands on it, is a two or three year old reimagination of the Superman mythos. In this take, Kal-El's rocket lands in rural Russia, not Kansas. He is raised by a kind, elderly couple to use his magnificent powers to do good and support the patriotic values of the state. He becomes Superman in the Soviet Union! A real man of steel (stalin). To me, that sounds fascinating.

Anyone know the name of this Superman series? I heard about it but have never seen.

August-1st-2005, 11:32 PM

Obviously, Monte has been drinking to an excess that even I can appreciate.

August-1st-2005, 11:35 PM

Beefy, rock on, brother!

We agree once more!!!!

One more time and the universe will explode!

BFrank · August-1st-2005, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Beefy, rock on, brother!
We agree once more!!!!
One more time and the universe will explode!

Uh-oh...............STAND BACK!!

August-1st-2005, 11:48 PM

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!

Terje Larsson · August-2nd-2005, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Always dug the Dark Knight stuff. That's what the new movie is supposed to be based on, right?

Not really since Dark Knight Returns is about him as a middle aged man.

Ah... all the great one-liners in both these albums.

"There are seven working defenses from this position. Three of them disarm with minimal contact. Three of them kill. The other... hurts!"

"It was tough work carrying 200 pounds of socipath up to the top of Gotham's highest tower. The scream alone is worth it."

"Remember, rats carry diseases. Don't eat any."

"No guns. Bullets don't hurt me. But I know pain. I do know pain. Sometimes I share it. With people like you."

jaka · August-2nd-2005, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Anyone know the name of this Superman series? I heard about it but have never seen.

Superman: Red Son (originally 3 issues, 2003)
Mark Millar, writer
Dave Johnson & Kilian Plunkett, pencillers
Andrew Robinson & Walden Wong, inkers
Paul Mounts, colorist

Available as a DC Trade Paperback, 160 pages

Monte Smith · August-2nd-2005, 10:05 AM

Thank you, jaka!

moneyp · August-2nd-2005, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Anyone know the name of this Superman series? I heard about it but have never seen.

I had to look it up (honest), but it's called SUPERMAN: RED SON. There is a trade paperback available.

Edit: Whoops, never mind! Sounds interesting. Let us know what you think, Monte.

Monte Smith · August-2nd-2005, 10:16 AM

Thanks to you, too, Mone. I will let you know what I think.

Monte Smith · August-2nd-2005, 07:03 PM

Just ordered it thru Amazon marketplace. This is the first comic book I have bought since I turned 34 a few days ago. So, I'm going to say I'm a fucking dork.

moneyp · August-2nd-2005, 07:05 PM

Hey, I just ordered WATCHMEN and V FOR VENDETTA for my girl to read. I'm twice the dork.

August-2nd-2005, 07:19 PM

Finally............

Monte Smith · August-2nd-2005, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mone peterson

Hey, I just ordered WATCHMEN and V FOR VENDETTA for my girl to read. I'm twice the dork.

Those are classics that I have on hand and wouldn't have to order.

Wait, no I don't! You ARE twice the dork!

August-2nd-2005, 08:06 PM

Combined you're four times the dork.

Where's Darryl when you need him most?

Monte Smith · August-2nd-2005, 08:20 PM

I think you have been arguing with him all day. I think Rollhead is Darryl.

August-2nd-2005, 09:19 PM

Good call. Combine dullhead and JamesH and they damn near reach the "intelligence" of Darryl.

Monte Smith · August-2nd-2005, 09:34 PM

No, I'm serious, I think Rollhead is Darryl. You'll recall a few weeks back Darryl got seriously called out on the "racism" of his posts. It seemed to take him aback in a way it wouldn't have taken me aback if I was Darryl. And then the next thing you know, ol' Rollhead, a grand master of assumed identities, reappears on the JC after a long absence. I said to myself, I said, "ah ha."

August-2nd-2005, 09:53 PM

Yeah, but you say "ah ha" to yourself all the time though. Remember? It's part of your Tourettes..........

Monte Smith · August-2nd-2005, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Yeah, but you say "ah ha" to yourself all the time though. Remember? It's part of your Tourettes..........

Your face looks like a dick.

August-2nd-2005, 11:37 PM

So?

That changes nothing.

Monte Smith · August-2nd-2005, 11:43 PM

I know. I was just lashing out.

August-2nd-2005, 11:45 PM

And it hurt, Monte. It hurt!!

Monte Smith · August-2nd-2005, 11:57 PM

August-3rd-2005, 12:01 AM

Consider yourself crossed off my imaginary Christmas card list, you dirty fucker!!

cookie · August-3rd-2005, 12:18 AM

Batman is my very favorite of all the super heroes. He doesn't have any crazy supernatural powers; he isn't an alien. He's just a really freakin' rich and buff vigilante with great gizmos and one of the hippest cars ever.

I liked Batman Begins much better than any of the rest of the movies. It just got the right "tone" IMO.

Monte Smith · August-3rd-2005, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Consider yourself crossed off my imaginary Christmas card list, you dirty fucker!!

Last thing I need is some dirty peckerwood like yourself dirtying the Mass of Our Lord's Birth with an imbecile greeting.

Cookie: I like Batman, too.