Cinematic Batmanology: The Dark Knight, Part One

 

 

This week, David Uzumeri and I kick off ComicsAlliance’s massive, in-depth analysis of The Dark Knight, along with the new addition to our team, Andy Khouri!

We honestly thought we’d be able to do this one in three parts — my initial review, if long-time ISB readers recall, was two words — but considering that we spent 11,000 words on the first 25 minutes of a two and a half hour movie, I think we may need to spread things out a little. Fortunately, Andy said that was okay, so prepare for rousing debates on why the Mayor is wearing eyeliner over the next eighteen weeks!

Cinematic Batmanology: Batman Begins, Part 3

 

 

This week at ComicsAlliance, David Uzumeri and I finally deliver Part 3 of our massive review of Batman Begins! The back third features a lot more action, but there’s still quite a bit to talk about as we close it out and gear up to take on The Dark Knight last week, but what you really need to see here is my surprise revelation surrounding Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s casting in The Dark Knight Rises.

Hint: He will be playing Cobra Commander.

Batman Incorporated #8: Abort, Retry, Fail

 

 

Nothing’s ever as bad as something that you thought was going to be good, and that’s definitely the case with this week’s Batman Inc. #8, which I’ve reviewed over at ComicsAlliance as the worst comic of Grant Morrison’s entire run on Batman. I think the record will show that I love that run and I’m willing to give that guy the benefit of the doubt, but man. This thing is bad in every way that it could be bad.

If, however, you want to read it yourself without spoilers (something I definitely do not recommend), I think this single panel pretty much sums it all up:

 

 

Adam West Naked: The Commentary Track For Batman ’66 Filmed In Adam West’s Basement

 

 

So a few weeks ago, I got an email from Matt Fraction that included the words “you have to get this.” He’s not a guy who throws around that phrase lightly, and when the object in question turned out to be an episode-by-episode commentary on Batman ’66 that Adam West made himself in his house, I knew he was right.

It’s one of the most beautifully strange things I’ve ever seen. And I say that as Batman’s best friend.

Cinematic Batmanology: Batman Begins, Part Two

 

 

Today at ComicsAlliance, David and I are continuing our exhaustive look back at Batman Begins, with the second act! Bruce returns to Gotham and decides to dress like an animal! Rachel gets reintroduced and tries her hand at acting! Meet Cillian Murphy, turned into a super-villain by his experiences fighting zombies in the UK! Jim! Fucking! Gordon!

And next week, we finally get to the action!

Remedial Batmanology: Catwoman, Part Two

 

 

Today at ComicsAlliance, David and I are finally through the woods with the final part of our review of Catwoman, in which we identify it as pretty much being a remake of Batman Returns, but with Sharon Stone as Christopher Walken and Alex Borstein as Cathy. The newspaper strip character. It’s… it’s not a great tradeoff.

But next week, brother! Christopher Nolan! Batman Begins! Finally, we have something to look forward to!