Has Spidey's Black Cat Marked Her Territory?

Rumors are swirling that casting for the Black Cat is underway for a lead role in Spider-Man 4. Since production on the film is ramping up, this rings a bit truer than far fetched stories last year touting Cher as the pick to play Catwoman in the next Batman movie. I guess I am fine with this as long as love triangles are kept under control.


One interesting side effect of this news is the possible impact it may have on DC's Batman franchise. It was never a sure thing that Catwoman would appear though it has been suspected, and it seems that fans would like it. But it seems unlikely that a pair of black clad cat-themed anti-heroines would appear in back-to-back comic franchises. In this showdown, Spider-Man may have beaten the Bat to the punch, though technically Catwoman has already appeared in Batman feature films (Batman'66 and Batman Returns) not even counting the Halle Berry abomination.

And just to set the record straight, although Catwoman predated Black Cat by nearly 40 years, the current version of Black Cat has been around much longer than the similar incarnation of Catwoman.

Spotlight on the Wonder Twins

Sometimes (though probably erroneously) credited for inventing the "fist bump," the Wonder Twins first activated their powers in 1977 on the All New Super Friends Hour, the show for which they were created. The duo were created as replacement sidekicks to the Justice League AKA Super Friends for the non-powered teens Wendy and Marvin. The twins were subsequently adopted into the comic books.

When the two bumped knuckles, Zan (the male twin) could take the form of anything made of water. He could be anything as simple as a rain cloud or ice cube to a fully functional ice rocket. Most of the time, he just turned into a puddle of water and rode around in a bucket. Jayna (the girl twin) could assume the shape of any animal from dinosaurs to dragons to gophers. Her favorite seemed to be an eagle, a form she would use to carry around her puddle brother. Oh and they had their own sidekick - a "space monkey" named Gleek.

They were always coming up with ridiculous ways to use their powers, like burrowing a moat to stop a grizzly. Note in the picture, Jayna is the gopher, not the bear.

Elephant / ice bridge was another fun combo.

As was squid / ice boat.

After Super Friends, the duo were gone but not forgotten. They could be spotted by a keen eye in statue form cameoing in an episode of Justice League.

The Justice League Unlimited run paid homage to the twins as well as the "ethnic heroes" (sans El Dorado) that were created for Super Friends. The Ultimen were a government created team of heroes built as an contingency plan in case the League ever went rogue. Downpour and Shifter were wussy purple clad twins with powers very similar to those of the Wonder Twins.

Well, just like Speedy, Metallo, and Hawkman, the Wonder Twins is a coming to Smallville this season. The episode Idol will show the two fist bumping away with their signature purple attire. Hopefully, no bears will attack. No word yet on Gleek.

Lastly, here is a look at Adult Swims comical remixing of the classic "Gopher Moat" rescue.

When Fanboys Go Too Far

Sure, I liked Iron Man, but I never thought about making my own iron suit. Lets hope this guy doesn't start using his invention to fight crime and or dude with even bigger home made flame thrower gloves.

Introducing DVDeels (Star Trek and Harry Potter 6)

Although not always superhero related, I often stumble upon DVD deals that are too good to keep to myself (as they may have a broad geek appeal). For example the evil empire aka Walmart.com is now offering free shipping and a low $10 price point on numerous "hot" and not yet released DVDs. This will be enticing for Potterphiles and Trekkers alike and it doesn't even necessitate being seen entering a Mart of Wal.

Notable to borderline notable titles include:
Star Trek
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian
Angels and Demons
Terminator Salvation

Other titles such as Santa Buddies aren't worth even $1.00. In any case, you may be getting more of these types of posts in the future, hope that doesn't mean I am selling out.

EDIT: Now price matched at Amazon.

Evolution of the Batman (and Robin) - Batman Returns

How do you follow up one of the biggest movies of all time? Not with Batman Returns. Here is one of the few superhero "part 2s" that is a big step down from the original.

A year prior to Nightmare before Christmas, it was Christmas in Gotham City and the ante was upped. Instead of just the Joker, we got Catwoman, a nasty Penguin complete with penguin army and circus o' freaks, and a third villain, Max Shreck (not the ogre).

The movie was just a little too goofy thanks to Tim Burton's "wild imagination." The 1989 Batman set up a great world, but this movie seemed to slip into an alternate fantasy dimension with Batman taking a minor role. Also, pretty much every Penguin related subplot was awful. I mean, why are Emperor Penguins living in the Gotham City sewers? I have to admit though, I think Penguin is one of the worst supervillains ever made, so I am a bit biased, but this film did little to change my opinion.

On the other hand, Catwoman (Meow) was great, and in my mind is the definitive portrayal of the character. Her inclusion is what makes this a worth watching film.

In the end, parents were not pleased at the darker turn and innuendos in the film. It still made money, $163 million to be exact, but it was a big drop from Batman '89 and made producers decided to "lighten things up" paving the way for Batman and Robin.

Up Next: Batman: The Animated Series

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
* Special Musical Edition *

Spotlight on Hawkman (and Hawkgirl)

The bare chested Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1 in 1940 and though he has had various names (Katar Hol, Carter Hall) origins (alien, reincarnated Egyptian) and affiliations (Justice Society, Justice League) over the years, he has long been a DC staple. And who couldn't love a superhero with a beak (aside from Howard the Duck perhaps)?

Old bird brain first appeared both in his own adventures and as a member of the Justice League in the 1967 DC Super Heroes animated series.

In his solo outings, The Winged Avenger teamed with his sidekick eagle Skreal.

Hawkman next appeared a decade later along with Hawkgirl in 1977's All New Super Friends Hour. In 1978, Hawkman was promoted from special guest to main character for the Challenge of the Super Friends season, though Hawkgirl disappeared. In subsequent iterations of Super Friends, Hawky again took on a supporting role to the other heroes.

During those Super Friends years, Hawkman also appeared in the Legends of the Superheroes live action variety show, his first live action appearance.

By 1997, Hawkman had fallen from grace and his second live-action appearance was even more humiliating than his first.


Hawkman was seen schilling Baby Ruth's while flying into glass windows in this horrific commercial:

In 2000, a Hawkman-esque character Warhawk was shown as a member of the future Justice League Unlimited on the Batman Beyond episode, The Call. It was eventually revealed, that Warhawk was (retroactively written to be) the son of Hawkgirl (and GL John Stewart).

In 2001, a new Justice League was assembled and to mix things up a bit, it was Hawkgirl not Hawkman that made the cut.

In the Justice League finale, a Hawkman Hro Talak (anagram for Katar Hol) from alien world Thanagar appeared. Hro looked a lot like Hawkman, though he wasn't what some would consider a hero and he wasn't technically Hawkman.

Finally, in the Justice League Unlimited Hawkman Carter Hall was introduced. This time taking the reincanation (though of an alien Hawkman) approach, Justice League finally had a man hawk to court Shayera Hol (she having dropped the Hawkgirl moniker).

Hawkman was introduced to The Batman in 2007. He teamed up with Batman in a pair of episodes to take down the Shadow Thief and Black Mask as well as some pesky alien invaders.

Most recently, Hawkman was shown beating the snot out of Superman and Batman in the Superman Batman: Public Enemies movie, only to be taken down off screen.

In the upcoming Smallville 2-part episode beginning with "Society" Hawkman will return to live-action and will even be donning his trademark wings. Hopefully a Baby Ruth free appearance will finally restore some dignity to the live action version of the character.

Heroes "Spoiled" Everyone Last Year

So, word on the street was that a "major death" is coming to Heroes soon. The death was an original cast member, and a male. So, who will it be...

Turns out Nathan Petrelli is the victim. The only problem is, he was killed onscreen in last years season finale. To be fair, he has been seemingly killed on the show before as have numerous others only to be miraculously revived. Even last night they showed that Mohinder was dead, though I guess he will be coming back somehow since he wasnt the death spoiler. I guess the big surprise here is that not only is Nathan dead, but he is staying dead. Wow! Talk about a twist.

The thing is, season 4 of the show has actually been much improved over last year., perhaps attributable to the absence of many characters (Micah, Mohinder, and, and even fake Nathan) There are still ample portions of Sylar, but at least he isn't on a continuing quest to find his real, real, father. So, I will try to assign this lame twist to being a remnant of season 3 and hope that Heroes season 4 can continue being the dumb, but at least no longer aggravating, entertainment for however much longer it lasts.