DC Comics: Batman Day is happening in September 2015

After last year's big Batman 75th Anniversary and the success of "Batman Day" on July 23 last year, DC Entertainment is bringing the occasion back the second time around, as September 26, 2015 has been officially declared as "Batman Day" this year!

Making the announcement at their official website and news section for the press, the event will feature select libraries and comic book stores participating, and some of DC Comics' finest and creative talents like Jim Lee, Grant Morrison, Scott Snyder, and Greg Capullo participating.

You can find out more by visiting the DC Comics.com!

Son Of Batman: Cover Art and Release Date revealed

Following the release of the first trailer to the film accompanying "Justice League: War", Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment has revealed the official cover art and release date for their next DC Universe Animated Original Movie feature based on Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert's seminal Batman tale,  "Son of Batman".

Featuring the introduction and tale of Batman meeting his child prodigy with Talia al Ghul named "Damian Wayne" for the very first time, the animated feature is a adaptation of the 2006 storyline of the same name, except this time this version features Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, targeting Damian after seemingly eliminating his grandfather, Ra's Al Ghul. Trained to kill and use lethal force by the League of Assassins since his birth, can Batman prevent the son he never knew he had from using deadly force... Or getting himself killed in the process? For more information, visit the source post at World's Finest Online.com.

"Son Of Batman" hits Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital Home Media on May 6, 2014, and on the year of Batman's 75th Anniversay.

Batman Inc. #13 preview online

Coming out this week in comic book stores worldwide, the epic conclusion to Grant Morrison's acclaimed run on Batman reportedly meets a controversial end with the release of this month's Batman Incorporated #13, which sees the final showdown between Batman and his on and off love interest and enemy, Talia al Ghul, aka Leviathan!

Via The New York Post, here's a preview to the last issue of the 2nd volume of the series that began with The New 52 Universe in 2011, and brought about an emotional rollercoaster ride for Bruce Wayne and his army of Batmen.

DC Comics' Batman Inc. #13 goes on sale starting July 31.

First Look: Covers and details to Batman Annual #1 and Batman Inc. #1!

In anticipation for their second wave of New 52 books coming up this May, DC Comics has posted up new details and interesting material for their upcoming new titles from the Batman universe!

Above is the cover to Batman Annual #1, which will be written by fan-favorite Scott Snyder (of the regular New 52 Batman series), co-written by James Tynion IV, with art duties by Jay Fabok. Expanding on the event known as "Night of the Owls", The New 52 Batman will meet for the very first time his cool and cruel archnemesis... Mr. Freeze! How he plays in matters remains to be seen, but it ties in to the Court of Owls, and his origins will be explained! Check out more info via DC's blog The Source!

Also featured in The Source is the very first look at the cover to May's Batman, Incorporated #1! Grant Morrison returns to pen the book, and is joined once again by artist Chris Burnham, who also did art duties in issues for the first volume on Batman Inc. preceding the New 52! Read up more info via DC The Source and Comic Book Movie!

Batman returns in a big way this May for the second wave of DC The New 52! Don't miss it!

DC The New 52: The Superman "GD" Controversy

Honestly, I don't see what the fuss is about either with this one, but it's definitely making the rounds, and it happened "faster than a speeding bullet" as soon as the issue hit stands this week.

In the newly relaunched Action Comics #1 penned by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Rags Morales, Superman utters the words "GD" when he takes a hit from a tank missile. That was enough to send a retailer over at North Carolina, The Comic Conspiracy, on a campaign to boycott the issue, pulling it from his store. The story and reason behind this were reported in site Bleeding Cool, and here's the accompanying pic from the article.

For those who want to know the score, "GD" is a spelling of "God"that some Jews use (actually spelled "G-d"). This is where the controversy stems from, and some mixed reactions as of the story have come to light because of it. The NC retailer later on issued a formal apology to Morrison for his angry reactions to the Scottish writer which ran in this story in BC, and the retailer finally got his answer from the writer himself, explaining the meaning behind the word. As how most people (myself included) know and have come to accept after reading the issue, the caption was supposed to emphasize a "grunt" like "UUMPH" or "DHH". DC's official blog The Source also published the story along with Morrison's answer to the supposed controversy. It looked like things could be put to rest from that point forward, but something new related to "GD" popped up just recently, courtesy of writer Mark Waid and his Twitter.

From an old Superman story in 1964. I guess the speculation and meaning behind the word will continue.

DC The New 52 Preview: Action Comics #1

It ships into shops next week, and sites like Yahoo! and Newsarama have already featured 6 gratuitous pages of the much anticipated DC Comics relaunch of Action Comics #1, a title that focuses on the early days of Superman that is penned and illustrated by the dynamic combo creative team of Grant Morrison and Rags Morales respectively! After checking the preview for myself, all I can say is... Wow. I'm definitely going to consider picking this title up after what I just saw in those six pages!

As a bonus, here's the variant cover to the issue... As drawn by DC artist extraordinaire and  co-publisher of the company, Jim Lee!

Go to Yahoo! or Newsarama now to check on the preview!

DC Reboot Update: Full look at "NEW" Superman in Action Comics #1

If there's anything to feel awkward about the forthcoming DC Reboot, this new reveal presented by DC Comics and the New York Post of the cover to Action Comics #1 probably takes the cake:

Ok, let's take a moment to ponder and analyze this entire cover pic.

It's the new look of Superman.

He's wearing a classic blue "S" symbol T-Shirt.

He has a short cape.

He's wearing a regular pair of jeans and shoes.

How the heck this got approved to usher in the DC Reboot is beyond me and most of the DC fanbase. While the focus in this book is being justified as a "Year One" concept for Supes, I'm not too sold on the "half-assed"Supes outfit. It looks too much like one of those T-Shirts you can buy off the department store, and all you need is a red towel and you're good to go... in an awkward sort of way.

Granted, the good news is that the book will be written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Rags Morales, but this "new look" of Superman does the opposite of making me excited about reading this book based on DC's iconic superhero. I know this version of Clark Kent is actually his "past self", when he was still learning to control his powers and didn't have the ability to fly yet, but why couldn't they take a different approach at tailoring his costume, let alone NOT give him a costume at all? I know they're taking a page out of Tom Welling and his portrayal of a younger Supes from Smallville, but this is just a downright silly look for the Man of Steel. Heck, it reminds me so much of a Super Friends episode where Superman regressed to a child again (due to Red Kryptonite) and Firestorm used his powers to make his costume fit his age at the time. When he finally turned back, you can just imagine how tight fitting and small his costume was, and that's the feeling I get from this new costume. Well, one can only hope there's a good reason why Kal-El looks like this and why his marriage to Lois Lane had to go down south like Spider-Man's did a few years ago, but that's the repercussions of the DC Reboot for you. For more on the story, visit the source posts at the New York Post and Newsarama.

Comic Book Review: Batman: The Return #1

It's a great week for Bat fans, and I say this without any exaggeration in mind. A new beginning has dawned over the saga of The Dark Knight, and it involves escalating his war against crime by taking it to a new level. As witnessed at the end of Batman and Robin #16, Batman will take his fight worldwide, and he's going to expand his reach by recruiting some of the best and brightest to become Batmen of their respective countries.

If that concept doesn't sound enticing enough, then blame writer Grant Morrison for it. He's the brains behind the Caped Crusader's adventures ever since he introduced his biological son, Damian Wayne, into mainstream DC continuity, and so far that idea has been embraced and accepted by fans worldwide. As I've said many times before, if there's one thing to be said about the Scotsman, it's his tenacity to make the unexpected WORK and inevitably PAYOFF by the end, and he's pretty much accomplished what he set forth to do when he wrangled Bruce Wayne through time and brought him back to the present day. Now that the original Dark Knight is back, the focus can now shift to his spotlight, which now has room for more than his lone shadow apparently.


Batman : The Return #1
Written By: Grant Morrison
Illustrated By: David Finch
Cover By: David Finch

Comic Book Review: Batman and Robin #16

I'll come into this review with a simple reaction to the issue itself -WOAH!

By all accounts, Grant Morrison has fashioned quite the reputation for himself as writer and plot master behind all things Batman these past few years. He's put Bruce Wayne's alter ego through the ringer, stacked him with insurmountable odds to face, and orchestrated a journey through time that brings him full circle with his origins and being. If that sounds like a bunch of confusing hokey-pokey, then I don't blame you, it's a long story to follow. However, the payoff has been sweet, and there have been drastic changes to the Bat universe that most fans have embraced and accepted over time. The book I'm reviewing here, Batman and Robin, is the primary title of said change "Batman: Reborn", which showcases the adventures of a new Dynamic Duo protecting Gotham, namely the pairing of Wayne's first ward Dick Grayson and his biological son Damian. The series has run for 16 issues so far, and with the final one written by Morrison in place this week, Grant has once again brought something unexpected to the table, through what many people have summed up as a "game changer". I promise not to mention any reveals or spoilers... that's what the internet is for if you're impatient, haha.

Batman and Robin #16

Written By: Grant MorrisonIllustrated By: Cameron Stewart and Frazer Irving

Cover By: Frank Quitely

DC Preview: Batman and Robin #16

The end of an epic run comes this week, as legendary comic writer Grant Morrison tells the finale of his 16 issue run on Batman and Robin! With the pieces in place and Batman Incorporated just around the corner this month, DC has generously released a four page preview to the issue at hand, and it brings forth an ominous presence that could spell fortune or disaster for the legacy of The Dark Knight! Check it out in The Source, and I can't wait to grab it this week!

Batman: The Return and A New Batsuit!

This November, Bruce Wayne officially makes his return to the regular DCU timeline, once again donning the cape and cowl to battle crime and the superstitious lot. To commemorate his return, however, DC has given him a "new" costume, and by new I mean something very familiar and old school.

No Bat-Fans, your eyes do not deceive you. As seen in The Source, The yellow oval bat symbol has returned, and it's the cover to BATMAN: THE RETURN #1, by writer Grant Morrison and artist David Finch. The look that defined the Dark Knight during the pivotal Silver Age has made a comeback, but this batsuit looks a bit darker, and does have a few cosmetic changes to make it stand out from its predecessor. UPDATE: The suit also features in the cover to "BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT" as seen below, also drawn by David Finch, who also happens to be double timing as the writer of the series!

The suit is actually reminiscent of the Tim Burton Bat-flicks, and the one Bruce wore when he reclaimed the mantle from Dick Grayson the first time his young ward stepped in to fill his shoes after the events of Knightsend.

Notice that the belt is still the old school "capsule batbelt", and the boots actually have scallops. The new "Return" Batsuit shares the same color scheme, but the belt is like that of "Batman Forever", which saw actor Val Kilmer don the batsuit (with nipples).

Truth be told, the return of the yellow oval is going to take some time getting used to again. After embracing Jim Lee's artwork during the "Hush" storyline, Batman is now returning to the look that I grew up with.

Even Dick Grayson paid homage to his mentor when he was thought "dead", by assuming the mantle of the Bat and wearing the "retro look", with a slightly modified suit that is equipped with a new utility belt design, new gauntlets with two scallops, and a lighter cape to accomodate the young man's acrobatic fighting style, which also doubles as a para-cape reminiscent of what Chritopher Nolan introduced in "Batman Begins". Now with Bruce returning, what does that mean for Dick's tenure as Batman? Will he return to being Nightwing, or become something more?

No matter what he wears, Batman will always be BATMAN, and I can't wait to see where Grant Morrison and crew take him and his proteges when The Dark Knight returns, along with new books - namely BATMAN INC. and BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT! Watch out for Bat season this November!

Oh, before his return, Bruce Wayne will have to contend with the changes made during his absence, notably with his extended Bat family! Also seen in The Source, Check out the first look to the covers of the titles that make up "BRUCE WAYNE: THE ROAD HOME", by artist Shane Davis!