Evolution of the Batman (and Robin) - Batman: Under the Red Hood

In July of 2010, Batman: Under the Red Hood drew from not one but two classic Batman arcs and delivered one of, if not THE greatest animated Batman film to date.

The movie's brief pre-credits opening summarized the 1980's Death in the Family storyline in which the second Robin, Jason Todd, was brutally murdered by the Joker (as a result of a phone-in campaign in which fans opted for the bratty side-kick to die). Unfortunately, the inclusion of this sequence, though vital to the story, kinda spoils some of the movie's mystery.

Soon enough the masked Red Hood is introduced. This anti-hero's identity is not immediately revealed, but I will just say its the same guy it was in the more recent Under the Hood comic book arc.

Fortunately, the movie gave Red Hood a much improved origin than the comic, opting to include Lazarus pit loving Ra's Al Ghul rather than continuity punching Superboy-Prime (don't ask).

Much of the story focused on Red Hoods quest to take control of crime in Gotham from the gangster Black Mask, an underused and lesser known on screen Bat villain.

Of course, no classic Batman movie would be complete without the Joker, this time played as a real creepy and lethal psycho who gets some comeuppance.

Dick Grayson also appeared in the Nightwing persona.

Throughout the story there were lots of dark moments, making the lighthearted flashbacks featuring a young enthusiastic Jason Todd as Robin (as well as a campy Riddler) all the more tragically heart wrenching.

Up Next: Superman Batman: Apocalypse

Batman Serial * Batman and Robin Serial * Batman '66 TV * Batman '66 Movie * Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder * Batman on Scooby Doo * Batman the Super Friend * The New Adventures of Batman * Batman '89 * Batman Returns * Batman: The Animated Series * Batman: Mask of the Phantasm * Batman Forever * Batman and Robin * The New Batman Adventures * Boo Wonder * Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero * Batman Beyond * Gotham Girls * Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker * Batman on Justice League * DCAU Crossovers * Birds of Prey * Teen Titans * Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman * Chase Me * The Batman * Batman Begins * Batman Vs. Dracula * Justice League: The New Frontier * Batman: Gotham Knight * The Dark Knight * Batman: The Brave and the Bold * Superman Batman: Public Enemies * Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths * Batman: Under the Red Hood

* Special Musical Edition * Special Christmas Edition * Special OnStar Edition * Special Never Happened Edition * Special Canine Edition * Special Joker Edition * Special Imaginext Edition

Captain America Gets the Cover of EW

The uniform is surprisingly less cheesy than it could have been... then again, we are yet to see if his helmet has little rubber wings. In all this should please fans and should also be better received by the unfinished Green Lantern suit on the EW cover a few weeks back.

Superman and Shazam Leak onto the Interweb

Enjoy it while it lasts:

Oa Concept Art is Out of This World

This movie is really shaping up nicely to be the next big Epic. Who would have thunk it?

Iron Man 3 Claims a Date

May 3, 2013

Gaze into the Green Lantern

As much as I am looking forward to next summer's Green Lantern movie, this looks a bit odd. I guess they are going for an "alien" look, which will actually probably end up laying better in live action. Better this than some cheesy looking plastic Fisher Price style lantern. Like the ring and the suit, the design just might take a little getting used to.

Three Marvel Heroes Headed for the Small Screen

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Marvel comics is working on two upcoming live action superhero shows for television. The first is Cloak and Dagger (unrelated to the spy movie about the kid with the video game full of secrets and the lady with the missing fingers) a duo of light / dark power users. The second is yet another Hulk project.

I guess Cloak and Dagger could be interesting, but I really have no idea what to expect just yet. Hulk on the other hand is a bit of a surprise. Marvel seems determined to milk the Jolly Jade Juggernaut for all he is worth. In just the last few years he has been booted, rebooted, and now recast for The Avengers. I don't think casual audiences are that stupid, but having a new Hulk every couple of years is a little distracting at the least. Also, a parallel show makes a Hulk sequel movie seem unlikely in the near future. I know Marvel wasn't thrilled with the box office take for The Incredible Hulk, but it still seems like movies are the way to go with this effects heavy character.

Who knows, maybe Hulk will finally recapture the success of his 70's TV series, but if they go for TV budget CG transformations, I am going to be pretty skeptical. Rumors are they are also considering a Punisher series. Whats next, Elektra? Sometimes you just need to move on from a movie bomb to something fresh. I mean, does Catwoman the TV show sound like a good idea?