Green Lantern Update: Concept Art, CG Costume, and Plot Updates!

Blackest Night may be over and Brightest Day is just beginning in comics, but what I'm really looking forward to is the upcoming Green Lantern flick, set for a June 17, 2011 release!

As reported by Enewsi, Warner Bros. is already on the road to developing their next summer superhero movie, Green Lantern! Tapping artist Jason Palmer to do costume designs, the movie is already seeing it's first concept artwork released by the illustrator, and it's none other than hotshot pilot turned GL Hal Jordan, as portrayed by actor Ryan Reynolds!

For first impressions, this looks mighty impressive! Reynolds is depicted in the new Hal Jordan costume sans mask, and even has the whole pose full of WIN green energy! Just imagine him being in full GL attire and kicking ass when a trailer's out! Check out more of Jason Palmer's works at his site here!

Speaking of costumes, movie news site /Film reports that there will be no Green Lantern costume actually made. Instead, everything will be fully rendered in CG, and that makes a whole lot of sense. Why? Because GL's suit is made of pure energy and light constructs turned into solid matter. There will be moments where the suit will instantly appear/ disappear, and that's where the special effects come in. Pretty good move if you ask me.

As for the GL Flick's plot, it's obviously his origin, but based on elements from the classic "Emerald Dawn" storyline and Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis' recent "Secret Origin". Reynolds is Jordan, while fellow castmembers Blake Lively, Mark Strong, and Peter Sarsgaard will portray Carol Ferris, Sinestro, and Hector Hammond respectively. Casino Royale and Mask Of Zorro director Martin Campbell is at the helm to guide this project, so everything is looking peachy. Stay tuned for more updates when they come!

Comic Review: Red Robin #4

It's been a rough road for Tim Drake/ Tim Wayne, but his first steps as Red Robin have been pleasant reads so far. Now on its fourth issue, "The Grail" arc finally sees resolution, and a significant discovery made by the former Boy Wonder leaves him with renewed hope... but with more questions at the same time. If none of you can follow what's going on at the point, I suggest you go back and read up the first three issues, which I reviewed here and here. Otherwise, if you're looking forward to finding out how Tim's adventure is currently, stick around and find out.


Red Robin #4
Written By: Chris Yost
Illustrated By: Ramon Bachs

After overcoming the odds and journeying to different parts of the world, Red Robin's search for evidence regarding Bruce Wayne's survival comes to a surprising conclusion. After successfully tracing the point of origin of an artifact he procured from a German Museum, he travels to the middle east to see things for himself, albeit with a few complications on the way. Fortunately, Ra's Al Ghul is also interested in learning about the fate of "the detective", so he instructs three of his assassins (the same ones who have been bothering Tim for weeks) as his "personal escorts". A disgruntled Tim begrudgingly accepts help from his mentor's nemesis to seek out the truth, but when he finally finds what he's looking for, will his journey bare success, or end in shameless disaster?

So arrives the end to the first arc of Red Robin. I'll admit, It wasn't the most exciting round up to things, but after seeing how things concluded in this issue, you can bet your bones that I'll still be sticking around "Tim Wayne's" corner for a little while longer to see where else his journey takes him. Still, what he was eventually going to find was already expected by most since the beginning. Using a plot device taken right out of Final Crisis and similar to a concept used in the "Back To The Future" film series, Tim finally finds the clue that proves Bruce is alive, confirming the lad's suspicions that his adopted father isn't dead. However, there was a little too much melodrama and angst he had to go through to justify his search for ol' Bats. Like I said in the reviews of the past issues, his new found attitude is a little out of character from the Tim Drake many knew back in the Robin series, but now that he's "Tim Wayne", he's on the path to become a dark and brooding figure... much like you know who. Christ Yost has turned Tim into an adult, and whether people accept it or not, that's going to be the status quo for a long time.

For the revelation in this issue, I wasn't expecting much of a pay off considering how soon it would be to bring Bruce back, but looking at how Batman: Reborn started, along with the promise of a new direction for Tim, everything turned out to pretty decent in the long run. It's established that the guy's got a new direction and a new foe to pursue, and along the way, a little quest to keep his hands full while Gotham City is taken cared of by the new Dynamic Duo. Speaking of which, the cover to this issue speaks volumes of a big fight between Dick Grayson and Tim Drake. I wouldn't really call it a fight, but it's a confrontation that was foreshadowed since the first issue and finally reaches a conclusion here. So, if anyone expected a smackdown between the new Batman and Red Robin, you'll be sorely disappointed. As for the villains, Ras Al Ghul still does his best to guide Tim on his journey, and I loved that quip he makes of the demon head being an evil version of "Alfred", heh. The League Of Assassins trio also return as escorts to Red Robin, with some of them getting more page time and fleshing out their characters more. Of course, that subplot where members of the League are slowly being killed off is finally brought out in the open at the conclusion of this issue, and it's where the series picks up its next major story arc. Just when Red Robin finds what he's looking for, he's thrown into another mess. How typical.

Once again, Ramon Bach's art still doesn't do much for me. Granted, it's bit more polished and cleaner now than the earlier issues, but it still feels off. The same can be said for coloring, which I really can't compliment on either. Now that the first arc has concluded, I do hope that things speed up, and probably it's about time we get a new art team on board for the next issue, just for a "change in scenery". It's about time for a change anyway, and judging from the previews of the coming Red Robin comics, things look to be in better hands.

Looking back, I compared the Red Robin series to "The Bourne Identity", and in many ways, that's exactly how it plays out. It has the action and dynamics from the film, only with a superhero theme etched to it. There's also a bit of an exploration that's akin to Indiana Jones for this particular story arc, especially since Tim's making trips around the world and discovering stuff people would normally give up searching for. Granted, he's determined to find Bruce, but along the way, he's facing lots of baddies that are out of his native Gotham, which can be a little out of character, again. Then again, he still retains the attitude and detective skills that make him a formidable hero and fighter in the first place, so it won't alienate too many fans. Overall, what I'm saying is this: you can give Red Robin a try if you're a fan of Tim Wayne and want to see how he's doing currently. Otherwise, if you're not used to the changes made by Batman: Reborn, drop the title and just remember the guy for who he was during his Robin days. This issue also ended with another cliffhanger, so things are just bound to get stranger and messier from this point forward.

Score - 7/10

Batgirl's Identity Revealed... It's A Spoiler!

The New Batgirl... who is she?
The new Batgirl series has finally begun this week, and I have yet to pick up my copy since the books were delayed. However, thanks to the folks of DC, the whole world now knows the identity of the new Batgirl in town... and no, it's not Cassandra Cain or Barbara Gordon. The chick with the cowl is a girl who's never worn the costume, yet has fought alongside Batman and his allies for quite a long while now.











SPOILERS!!!!













Literally, it's a Spoiler!!!








The new Batgirl is... Stephanie Brown, aka The Spoiler!
STEPHANIE BROWN... yes, THE Steph Brown. Also known by her original costume identity as "The Spoiler", she was introduced as a supporting character to Tim Drake, the third Robin and currently the new Red Robin.

The Spoiler... Stephanie's original costumed identity
As the daughter of The Cluemaster, a low tier Gotham City criminal, Stephanie originally took up the identity of The Spoiler to stop her father from returning to a life of crime, which she succeeds in doing with the assistance of Batman and Robin. Afterwards, Steph and Tim began a relationship, as crimefighters and then as on and off lovers. At one point, Stephanie found herself pregnant with the child of an ex-boyfriend. With the help of Robin, she carried and safely delivered the child to term, but painfully had to give it away for adoption for the promise of a better life she couldn't provide as a young mother. Since then, Stephanie and Tim's relationship became even closer... for a while at least.

Stephanie as the fourth Robin

Eventually finding out his son's dual identity as the Boy Wonder, Jack Drake confronted Bruce Wayne and forbade Tim from donning the mantle again. A worried Steph wonders what has become of Robin, until Batman shows up and offers to train her himself. He gives her the Robin costume, making Stephanie the forth person to take up the identity. However, this is a short-lived change, as her recklessness and disobedience forces the Dark Knight to fire her. Wanting to prove herself again, Stephanie as The Spoiler steals and activates one of Batman's contingency plans to deal with the criminal underworld, not knowing any of the factors involved. This backfires and begins the "War Games" saga, placing Gotham under siege. In the ensuing chaos, the criminal Black Mask captures Stephanie and tortures her for information regarding Batman. She manages to escape, but is severely injured, and even with medical assistance from Batman's ally Dr. Leslie Thompkins, Stephanie seemingly dies from her wounds, with Batman himself at her side.

Later on in the War Crimes saga, it is revealed that Dr. Thompkins intentionally withheld medication that could have saved Stephanie's life. She did this in order to deliver a painful message to the youth who would follow Steph's example. Of course, all of this proved to be one big hoax; Stephanie was actually alive and well, and the patient who died was a girl who overdosed and looked exactly like her. Hiding with Leslie in Africa, she eventually returns to Gotham, reuniting with Batman and Robin and resuming her crime fighting escapades. At one point, she even worked as a freelance operative for the Penguin, but this too was just a temporary stint.

Currently, Stephanie's relationship with Tim is rocky at best. Under orders from Batman himself, she distracted Tim from his search of the Dark Knight after he went missing following the events of Batman R.I.P. After assuming the mantle of Red Robin, Tim has become more distant than ever, and his refusal to accept Batman's death has made him severe ties with his allies, Steph included. With her new future now as the new Batgirl, will Stephanie ever reconcile with the former Boy Wonder, or will her new identity alienate the two even more? Time will tell I suppose. For now, go and pick up Batgirl #1, available in stores now.