Twelve years ago, DC Comics made the boldest publishing move in its history with the New 52 relaunch. That relaunch/reboot, while initially successful, ended up as a missed opportunity. Now, DC Comics is looking to start a new publishing initiative again with DC All In, only this time, they’ve seemingly learned from the mistakes of the past. The classic DC universe will remain, with a new, edgier universe existing alongside it. This was all announced by DC writers Joshua Williamson (Superman) and Scott Snyder (Batman, Dark Nights Metal) in a special announcement video, which you view below:

Snyder is part of what they are calling “Absolute DC.” This will be an adjacent universe featuring reimagined takes on DC’s biggest characters, starting with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. This resembles Marvel’s Ultimate Comics line from the early 2000s. Snyder himself will write Absolute Batman, which looks to feature the most jacked-up Dark Knight we’ve ever seen. Unlike the New 52, this new universe will coexist alongside the current DC Universe, which will continue with new creative teams or new storylines for their existing titles. The classic universe will not get a reboot again.

Another difference from Marvel’s Ultimate line is that while the DC Absolute titles will be their own universe, they will tie-in to a greater storyline connected back to the classic DCU involving Darkseid. As Snyder explained, the main DC Universe is a world predicated on “Superman energy.” This was something made explicit in the mini-series Doomsday Clock. Meanwhile, the Absolute Universe is a “wild world” composed of “Darkseid energy.” Certainly, the looks of the Absolute versions of the DC trinity look much darker and edgier. The heroes of this new universe will be underdogs. They’ll have to be “tougher and more resourceful” than their counterparts, according to Snyder.

Absolute Batman

This series is written by Batman legend Scott Snyder, featuring art by Nick Dragotta. In this iteration, fans will be introduced to a version of the Dark Knight that doesn’t have the money, mansion, or butler of his core-line counterpart. Readers will quickly find out what makes this the “Absolute” version of Batman when the debut issue arrives at participating comic book shops and digital retailers on Wednesday, October 9.

Absolute Wonder Woman

For Diana, there is no island paradise, no sisterhood to shape her, nor a mission of peace. So what is the purpose of an Amazon warrior in this new universe? Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson and breakout artist Hayden Sherman reinvent her from the ground up in Absolute Wonder Woman #1, on sale October 23.

Absolute Superman

Writer Jason Aaron (Thor) and artist Rafa Sandoval join forces to present a new Man of Steel with the launch of Absolute Superman #1. This Superman has no family, no Fortress of Solitude, and no home. Will he still stand for truth, justice, and a better tomorrow in this new universe? Readers can find out when Absolute Superman #1 hits participating comic book shops on November 6.

DC Universe Ongoing Series

All of this begins in October, with the DC All-In Special. The special will be an 80-page flip book. It contains one side drawn by Wonder Woman artist Daniel Sampere, and the other by artist Wes Craig. The other side of the book will be from the point of view of Darkseid. The seeds for all of this will begin in DC’s current summer crossover event, Absolute Power. The special will reintroduce Darkseid “As he should be, the greatest villain of the DC Universe,” according to Snyder. This will culminate in the much-anticipated return of a new Justice League, formed by Superman. The regular ongoing DC titles will get new creative teams, or new jumping on points for fans. Arriving first in October are the following:

Superman

Superstar artist Dan Mora joins Joshua Williamson in a new story arc spinning out of Absolute Power. One of Superman’s most lethal enemies returns. The Man of Steel and Superwoman (Lois Lane) must now deal with the return of the rampaging Doomsday. But how long will Lois’s newfound powers last? And as if Doomsday isn’t trouble enough, another one of Superman’s greatest enemies lurks in the shadows: the Time Trapper.

Action Comics

Another one of DC’s foundational titles goes weekly beginning in October! “Death of the Phantom Zone” spins directly out of Absolute Power and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest. Writer Mark Waid and artist Clayton Henry plunge Superman into the Phantom Zone to prevent an otherworldly horror from laying waste to Metropolis. In the second story, “Supergirl: Universe End,” Eisner Award winner and Zatanna: Bring Down the House writer Mariko Tamaki and artist Skylar Patridge take Supergirl to the farthest reaches of space. All in pursuit of a mysterious threat only she can handle.

Batman

Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jiménez, and Carmine Di Giandomenico are back with a vengeance with a new story arc, “The Dying City. It features an unexpected turn from the Riddler, a mysterious new superhero named Commander Star, and the shocking murder of one of Gotham City’s greatest citizens. Batman ships twice monthly in October.

Detective Comics

Following “Gotham Nocturne,” another of DC’s most historic titles gets a new creative team in the form of superstars Tom Taylor (Nightwing) and Mikel Janín, and a new story arc, “Mercy of the Father.” Years after the tragic murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, a ghost from Gotham City’s past has been lying in wait to strike at Batman ever since that fateful night in Crime Alley. This story will result in major changes for the Dark Knight, and things may never be the same again.

Expect more announcements for new creative teams for the classic ongoing DC titles at Comic-Con, as well as for the new series in the Absolute line.

Originally published July 17, 2024.

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For some time, it was believed that voice-acting legend Kevin Conroy’s last performance as Batman was going to be the recent Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League video game. Luckily, before his passing in 2022, he recorded one more performance as the character that made him famous. This was for the animated film Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Three. The scene was only a minute or so long. But we got to see Conroy’s Dark Knight fight Mark Hamill’s Joker one last time. Conroy’s dialogue is eerily prescient, as if predicting it would be his last time ever playing the Caped Crusader. You can watch Conroy’s final Batman performance down below: Try not to get misty-eyed watching it.

The scene above is but one example in the film of the villainous Anti-Monitor’s anti-matter wave destroying universe after universe. This is a direct reference to the classic Crisis on Infinite Earths comics from 1985 that reshaped DC Comics continuity. An event that would continuously happen over the next forty years. This three-part adaptation of Crisis (the second after the Arrowverse adaptation in 2019) also features other notable cameos. Appearances from other famous animated DC universes from across the decades. We won’t spoil which ones for you, You’ll just have to watch.

A nice touch fans of the DC Animated Universe will notice is in orbit of the Earth right after the Batman scene is the Justice League Watchtower. The very same one from Justice League Unlimited. That’s because the Earth we see destroyed in the anti-matter wave is Earth-12. That’s the designated home to Bruce Timm’s various animated shows. These include Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, and Justice League Unlimited. This brief scene is a final farewell to an animated universe that remains beloved by DC Comics fans everywhere. Other new DC animated universe will no doubt appear, but Timm’s DCAU, and especially Conroy’s Batman, will forever be the blueprint.

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DC Comics characters are going to have a big presence at Comic-Con once again, with tons of exclusive items featuring the World’s Finest heroes (that’s Batman and Superman, by the way). Among the items is an exclusive “Fusion” Superman/Batman Funko Pop! vinyl, straight from the pages of World’s Finest, a vinyl soundtrack commemorating 35 years of Tim Burton’s Batman, and a pair of posters showcasing Bruce and Clark from superstar artist Jim Lee. There’s even a Batman Returns poster for those of you who still worship Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman. You can check out images and details for each SDCC exclusive down below:

Funko Batman/Superman Fusion Pop! Vinyl Figure

The combined willpower of Batman and Superman has brought the ring of Green Lantern to them, which fused the two heroes into one: Pop! Batman/Superman Fusion! Complete your Batman/Superman: World’s Finest collection by welcoming this exclusive hero to your DC lineup. The vinyl figure is 4.55 inches tall. Customers may purchase up to one piece per household. This composite hero is $14.99.

Batman – Original Motion Picture Score LP + Graphic Novel Box Set – SDCC Exclusive Batstripe Vinyl

Click To View Gallery

Mondo’s Batman – Original Motion Picture Score returns as a collector’s box set, featuring new vinyl variants bundled with DC’s Batman ‘89 comic book, a brilliant continuation of the story by screenwriter Sam Hamm, Joe Quinones, and Leonardo Ito. The box set comes in a newly designed clamshell with artwork by series artist Quinones and Paolo Rivera.

Of course, the soundtrack boasts Danny Elfman’s iconic score conducted by Shirley Walker, liner notes by John Takis, and original art by Killian Eng. The colors on the vinyl give total Prince “Batdance” vibes. This exclusive vinyl soundtrack is limited to 1,000 copies, split between in-person (booth at SDCC) and online. There will be 600 in-person copies, and 400 online copies. You can snatch this one for $55.00.

Batman Returns Poster

Celebrate the ultimate power couple, Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle, in a poster honoring Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) also appear. This Booth exclusive features art of Batman (Michael Keaton) and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) by Dan Hipp, measures 24″ x 18″, and is an edition of 215. MSRP is $60.00.

All-Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder #1 Poster

This poster features the cover art from 2005’s All-Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder by iconic artist Jim Lee. This series was a collaboration he did with The Dark Knight Returns‘ Frank Miller. The poster measures 24″ x 36″ and is printed on silver foil paper. It arrives in an edition of 265, and will set you back $80.00.

Superman #205 Poster

The Man of Steel never looked more ready to take on the bad guys than on the cover for Superman #205. This 24″ x 36″ poster features the art of DC publisher Jim Lee. It arrives printed on gold foil paper, in an Edition of 265. Like Lee’s All-Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder poster, this one is also $80.00.

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We’re going to have to cancel our visitor’s pass for Gotham City’s most notorious mental hospital. Via Variety, we’ve learned that the Max streaming service is not moving forward with the proposed Arkham Asylum series, which was formally announced back in late 2022. This would have been the first Batman-centric series set in James Gunn’s new DCU, not in The Batman universe, like the upcoming Penguin series. Antonio Campos was developing the series, which originally began as part of Matt Reeves’ universe, before switching gears. Apparently, DC Studios and Warner Bros. have not ruled out another take on the Arkham Asylum series in the future.

This series has gone through several permutations since 2020. Originally, it was a show about the Gotham P.D. That evolved into a show about Arkham Asylum itself, where Gotham City’s most mentally deranged criminals reside. So basically every Batman foe not named Catwoman or Ra’s al Ghul. Creators like Terrance Winter and Joe Barton came in to develop the project, but both left over creative differences. The last iteration from Antonio Campos was described as a “horror movie or haunted house that is Arkham.” That sounds pretty cool to us.

If we were to guess why they’ve stopped development on Arkham Asylum, it might have to do with the DCU setting. If DC Studios has yet to introduce their Batman, how do you introduce his main villains first on another series? Whoever the director may be for Batman: Brave and the Bold might want a say in who will play their version of the Joker. Or Poison Ivy, or any other famous Arkham inmates. More than anything, this may be the hold-up on progress for Arkham Asylum. However, we think an Arkham-based series will see the light of day at some point. We’re just going to have to wait a bit longer.

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Fans have been waiting for a first look at Bruce Timm, Matt Reeves, and J.J. Abrams’ new Batman animated series. Now, we finally have our first trailer for Batman: Caped Crusader, which debuts on Prime Video on August 10. The new series is a period piece, set in a version of 1940s Gotham City. They’ve reimagined all the familiar villains, with some harkening back to their Golden Age DC Comics roots. Our new Batman/Bruce Wayne is Hamish Linklater. You can check out the first trailer for Batman: Caped Crusader right here:

The trailer showcases the distinctive animation style of Bruce Timm, who of course was one of the men behind the iconic Batman: The Animated Series over thirty years ago. Batman’s look harkens back to his earliest comic book days, in black and grey, with larger pointed ears. He almost looks like he stepped off the cover of Detective Comics #27 from 1939, his first appearance. We also see Catwoman (Christina Ricci), wearing her old school costume, which was a purple dress with a green cape. The Batman: Caped Crusader trailer gives us flashes of several other famous Bat-villains, like Two-Face, Clayface, Firefly, and a totally reinvented Harley Quinn. You can even see the Penguin, briefly.

The trailer for Batman: Caped Crusader also gives a lot of screen time to police detective Renee Montoya, who will play a prominent role in the show. Interestingly enough, Montoya was first created for Batman: The Animated Series, similar to how Harley Quinn was. Refreshingly, there is a distinct lack of Joker in this trailer. Probably the creators involved feel he is too overexposed right now. But we can’t imagine we’ll never see the Clown Prince of Crime on this series though, or The Riddler. Batman fans are just going to have to be patient.

Batman: Caped Crusader drops all 10 episodes on August 1.

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The new animated series Batman: Caped Crusader sounds more and more interesting with each new reveal. The 1940s-set noir superhero show comes to us from the all-star creative team of Bruce Timm, Matt Reeves, and J.J. Abrams. Now, we finally have a voice cast revealed. Via The Hollywood Reporter, we’ve learned that Midnight Mass star Hamish Linklater is our new Batman/Bruce Wayne, and iconic Wednesday and Yellowjackets star Christina Ricci will portray Catwoman/Selina Kyle in Batman: Caped Crusader. The series, set to debut on Prime Video later this summer, has also dropped a voice-cast announcement video. You can check out that video right here:

They have also announced several other actors for the show’s period accurate first season. Among them is Jamie Chung (Sucker Punch) voicing a new take on Harley Quinn/Dr. Harleen Quinzel. She is now a character introduced independently of the Joker. She’ll also have a romantic relationship with detective Rene Montoya in the series. Meanwhile, Diedrich Bader will voice Gotham D.A. Harvey Dent, and eventually, the villainous Two-Face. This is a role reversal for Bader, who voiced Bruce Wayne in Batman: Brave and the Bold, and other animated projects.

Other voice actors cast in currently unknown roles include Minnie Driver, John DiMaggio, McKenna Grace, Jason Watkins, Paul Scheer, Reid Scott, David Krumholtz, Haley Joel Osment, and Toby Stephens. Among the villains revealed for season one thus far are Clayface, the Gentlemen Ghost, Natalia Knight/Nocturna, and Onomotapia. No word yet on iconic Gotham baddies like Joker, Riddler, and Penguin. Below is the official series description for Batman: Caped Crusader from Prime Video:

Welcome to Gotham City, where the corrupt outnumber the good, criminals run rampant and law-abiding citizens live in a constant state of fear. Forged in the fire of tragedy, wealthy socialite Bruce Wayne becomes something both more and less than human—the Batman. His one-man crusade attracts unexpected allies within the GCPD and City Hall, but his heroic actions spawn deadly, unforeseen ramifications.

The entire 10-episode season of Batman: Caped Crusader will drop on Prime Video on August 10, so we will hear Hamish Linklater and Christina Ricci soon.

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2024 marks 85 years of Batman, and the folks at Mattel have something quite special planned for the Caped Crusader’s milestone birthday, available at this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego. The Fisher-Price Little People I Am Batman Set celebrates decades of the Dark Knight. It commemorates legendary on-screen portrayals by Michael Keaton (Batman 1989), Val Kilmer (Batman Forever 1995), George Clooney (Batman and Robin 1997), Christian Bale (The Dark Knight 2008), Ben Affleck (Batman vs. Superman 2016), and Robert Pattinson (The Batman 2022). Justice has never looked so adorable. The price for this one sets you back a mere $40.00. You can check out images of the I Am Batman collection below:

Fisher-Price Little People Collector Batman 85th Anniversary

The packaging for the I Am Batman collection includes fun movie poster art in Little People style. It also has a shiny bat belt, all together in the Batcave surrounded by rock walls and computer screens. Sadly, there is no Adam West version of Batman in this set. He was the first cinematic Batman after all, way back in 1966. No, not just on TV, there was a Batman ’66 movie as well. We suppose we’ll just have to wait for the 90th-anniversary set to honor the “Bright Knight.” In the meantime, this is a pretty great collection any Bat-fan would love to own.

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The Dark Knight is finally set to make his anime return. Warner Bros. Japan LLC has announced it is already in production on Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, a sequel to 2018’s Batman Ninja.

Batman Ninja brought Bruce Wayne back to Japan’s Warring States period to defeat some of his most famous enemies-turned-feudal lords. Now, the same team behind that film—director Jumpei Mizusaki, writer Kazuki Nakashima, character designer Takashi Okazaki, and composer Yugo Kanno—are back for the sequel.

This time around, Shinji Takagi will co-direct alongside Mizusaki. And the Batman Ninja movie will also see Koichi Yamadera return as the voice of Batman in the Japanese-language version.

While the new Batman Ninja movie’s announcement didn’t include an official synopsis, the movie’s title reveals who Batman will take on this time. And no matter what time period the Caped Crusader takes on the Yakuza, it’ll be a battle worth watching.

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The Super Powers line of action figures is a huge source of nostalgia for any DC Comics fan who grew up in the ’80s. The toy and merchandise line, which was introduced in 1984 and ran until 1986, defined the look and feel of DC Comics characters for the era. Most were based on the DC Style Guide art of José Luis García-López. Now, DC Comics is honoring the iconic toy brand on its 40th anniversary with a series of variant covers, imagining the classic action figure packaging with characters the original line never got around to.

In August, eight new DC Super Powers variant covers will imagine what an unreleased wave of action figures would have looked like if the Kenner line of Super Powers toys had continued. Variant covers appear on Batman #151, Gotham City Sirens #1, Green Lantern: War Journal #12, Nightwing #117, Power Girl #12, Superman #17, The Flash #12, and Titans #14. The covers feature brand-new art by original 1980s Super Powers product artist Alex Saviuk. One of the leading historians of the original Kenner Super Powers line and the cofounder of Action Figure Insider, Jason Geyer, designed and sculpted the variant covers. You can check out each one down below:

Superman #17 DC Super Powers Variant Cover

Superman Gold art by Jason Geyer and Alex Saviuk (On sale 8/21/24)

Batman #151 DC Super Powers Variant Cover

Batman art by Jason Geyer and Alex Saviuk (On sale 8/7/24)

Nightwing #117 DC Super Powers Variant Cover

Nightwing art by Jason Geyer and Alex Saviuk (On sale 8/21/24)

Titans #14 DC Super Powers Variant Cover

Wonder Girl (Donna Troy) art by Jason Geyer and Alex Saviuk (On sale 8/21/24)

Green Lantern: War Journal #12 DC Super Powers Variant Cover

Green Lantern John Stewart art by Jason Geyer and Alex Saviuk (On sale 8/21/24)

The Flash #12 DC Super Powers Variant Cover

Kid Flash (Wally West) art by Jason Geyer and Alex Saviuk (On sale 8/28/24)

Gotham City Sirens #1 DC Super Powers Variant Cover

Poison Ivy art by Jason Geyer and Alex Saviuk (On sale 8/7/24)

Power Girl #12 DC Super Powers Variant Cover

Power Girl art by Jason Geyer and Alex Saviuk (On sale 8/28/24)

Currently, McFarlane Toys has a series of Super Powers-style retro action figures in stores, producing figures that the original line never got to do, like Tim Drake Robin, or Deathstroke. Many of the figures for these covers are fan’s “Super Powers Most Wanted,” so maybe if we’re lucky, we’ll see them as more than just art on comic book covers one day. In the meantime, these DC Comics Super Powers tribute covers all hit comic shops this coming August.

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When Max, formerly HBO Max, the Warner Bros-owned streamer, decided to sell off its highly anticipated Batman animated series to Prime Video, we were shocked. Why would the people who own Batman not want to keep Batman? It’s yet another in a series of baffling moves from David Zaslav’s company. However, at the very least, we know the show is coming out. It won’t fall into the void that other unreleased (or even released) projects have. Batman: Caped Crusader will premiere on Prime with all 10 episodes on August 1 of this year, and we now have a solid look showcasing its 1940s vibe.

The animated series, from producers Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, and Matt Reeves, clearly takes inspiration from the original Golden Age comics of the ’40s. Batman’s costume, with its slightly convex ears and black hand gloves, is testament to that.

The other Batman: Caped Crusader images showcase Bruce Wayne, Catwoman/Selina Kyle, Commissioner Gordon, Clayface, and Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn. Definitely not directly from the comics, but certainly a completely unique take on everyone.

Click To View Gallery

Timm’s work on the 1991 Batman: The Animated Series was and is the hallmark of Batman’s look in animation. Here even more than that show, we get the influence of the Fleischer Brothers Superman shorts. We can’t wait to see a trailer to get an even better sense of the tone. But that Harley look is pretty terrifying. Batman: Caped Crusader has us very excited, to say the least.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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An MCU star is ready to cross the streams into James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DCU. Black Panther‘s Winston Duke revealed he’d like to play Batman in the upcoming DCU movie, Batman: The Brave and the Bold. We haven’t heard too much about this Andy Muschietti-directed film yet, but we’re more than willing to start the campaign for this Batman casting.

When asked about playing Batman, Duke shared the following with Slash Film, “Listen, man, can you start that [campaign]? [Laughs] I would say I challenge you to get on all these socials and push for me. Get your community. I would love to. I would love to do that as Batman. I’d love any opportunity to explore new characters, to change narratives around some of these entrenched ideas of how these characters are supposed to look, sound, and perform. I’m all for it.”

Duke, of course, has voiced Bruce Wayne/Batman in the podcast Batman Unburied. Casting Winston Duke as Batman would be perfect for the DCU and for us. Ten out of ten, no notes. And we’d love to see Winston Duke’s Batman interact with David Corenswet’s Superman. Do the right thing, James Gunn.

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For decades, the two titans of comic book publishing, DC and Marvel, would occasionally cross over for special event comics. But we haven’t had one of these in over 20 years. The previous crossover comics have remained out of print, available only via the back issue bins at your comic shop. Now, Marvel and DC are reprinting these beloved comics at last, in two massive hardcover omnibuses collecting almost every single crossover, including the ’90s DC Versus Marvel event, and its fallout, the fused-together Marvel/DC Amalgam universe. Both omnibuses will be coming out this summer.

DC President Jim Lee illustrates new covers for both omnibuses, showcasing his first time drawing Marvel characters like the X-Men in an official capacity in decades. You can see both covers, which are Direct Market exclusives, below:

DC vs. Marvel

Direct Market cover by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair

DC vs. Marvel: The Amalgam Age

Direct Market cover by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair

Here’s what we know so far about the DC and Marvel crossover comics reprints.

DC Versus Marvel Omnibus 

Who would win: Superman versus Spider-Man? Batman versus Captain America? The X-Men meeting the Teen Titans? DC Versus Marvel Omnibus collects crossovers between the core DC and Marvel characters starting from 1976’s Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man to 2000’s Batman/Daredevil. The collection includes stories from some of comics’ most revered talents. It features names like Dennis O’Neil, George Pérez, Dan Jurgens, Chris Claremont, Walter Simonson, J.M. DeMatteis, Mark Bagley, Gerry Conway, John Romita Jr., and more. DC and Marvel fans alike can’t miss these thrilling pieces of unearthed comic book history.

Specific issues included are Batman/Captain America #1, Batman/Daredevil #1, Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire #1, Batman/Spider-Man #1, Daredevil/Batman #1, DC Special Series #27 (Batman vs. the Hulk), Darkseid vs. Galactus: The Hunger #1, Green Lantern/Silver Surfer: Unholy Alliances #1, Incredible Hulk vs. Superman #1, Marvel and DC Present Featuring the Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans #1, Marvel Treasury Edition #28 (Superman and Spider-Man), Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights #1, Silver Surfer/Superman #1, Spider-Man and Batman #1, Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man #1, and Superman/Fantastic Four #1.

DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age Omnibus 

This collection features stories first told in 1996 of the two superhero universes fused together into a new Amalgam Universe, combining DC’s and Marvel’s heroes, villains, and mythologies. The result was a series of unforgettable one-shot comic books starring the likes of Dark Claw (Batman and Wolverine), Super Soldier (Superman and Captain America), Iron Lantern (Iron Man and Green Lantern), and many more. Among the creators are Peter David, Dan Jurgens, Mark Waid, Dave Gibbons, Ron Marz, José Luis García-López, Gary Frank, Bill Sienkiewicz, Claudio Castellini, and more. This represents one of the most fun and unlikely periods in comic book history.

This omnibus collects the 1996 DC Versus Marvel series, issues #1-4, and the subsequent follow-up one-shots. Included is DC/Marvel: All Access #1-4, Unlimited Access #1-4, Bat-Thing #1, Bruce Wayne: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, Bullets and Bracelets #1, Challengers of the Fantastic #1, Doctor Strangefate #1, Iron Lantern #1, Legends of the Dark Claw #1, Lobo the Duck #1, Speed Demon #1, Spider-Boy #1, Super Soldier #1, Thorion of the New Asgods #1, X-Patrol #1, and more. We imagine that the rest of the Amalgam issues like Amazon (Wonder Woman and Storm) and JLX (Justice League and X-Men) are also included. There will also be “a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes material.”

No JLA/Avengers…Yet.

Now, arguably the most famous of the Marvel and DC Crossovers is not included here. We’re talking about JLA/Avengers. That 2004 event comic was the biggest and last of the crossover events. It was written by Kurt Busiek and drawn by the legendary George Pérez. When Pérez announced his terminal diagnosis in 2021 the two publishers rushed a very limited-run reprint for charity. But it sold out almost instantly. We can only hope that the legendary title receives its own new deluxe edition. That’s one book that should never go out of print.

The DC Versus Marvel and DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age omnibuses both hit on August 6, 2024.

Originally published February 14, 2024.

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Two years ago, DC Comics’ ongoing flagship Justice League title ended with issue #75. It featured the death of the entire League. Oh, they got better pretty quickly. By the end of the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths event, they were all back in the land of the living. Having said that, the comic giant decided to let the concept of the Justice League rest while they figured out their next move, leaving the Titans as Earth’s protectors. However, these two years have been the longest DC has ever gone without publishing a title with “Justice League” in the name since 1960. So what’s the hold up with a new Justice League series? And how can DC make sure a new iteration becomes a necessary and talked about comic book?

DC Comics: A World Without a Justice League

The Justice League of America first appeared in Brave and the Bold #28, published in February 1960. After a successful three-issue trial, the JLA received their own series by the end of that year. Unlike the World War II era Justice Society, the JLA had Superman and Batman as regular members. This elevated the team to A-list status. Since 1960, an ongoing book with the words Justice League in the title has been published by DC. That unbroken run ended after 62 years in 2022. The idea was that they’d come back bigger and better very soon. But unless you’re talking about out-of-continuity tales like Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong, we’re all still waiting for the League’s return.

DC is probably thinking “absence makes the heart grow fonder” in considering when to bring back the League, which makes sense. Marvel did a similar thing when the flagship series Fantastic Four ended its decades-long run in 2015. When the quartet relaunched in 2018, it was to much fanfare. But what will make this League relaunch stand out from so many in the past, aside from an unusually long break? We have some ideas on angles DC could take with League when the World’s Greatest Superheroes make their very welcome return. In fact, some of these ideas could inform James Gunn’s new DCU.

The Original 7 Justice Leaguers Have All Died and Come Back, Forming a Unique Bond Among the Team

The original Justice League was founded by seven members—Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Flash (Barry Allen), Aquaman, and the Martian Manhunter. Many other members have come and gone over the years. Yet in a lot of ways, those original seven remain the most iconic version of the team. However, since Barry Allen died in Crisis on Infinite Earths, the founders have not headlined a book together. When Barry returned after 23 years in 2009’s Flash: Rebirth, the assumption was a big JLA reunion book was next. Then 2011’s New 52 reboot happened, and everyone met again for the very first time. However, the New 52 continuity has largely been undone, with much of the original history of the League restored. And we haven’t seen the Big Seven reunite as a team since. Now seems like an ideal time.

The Original Justice League: Death Becomes Them

Besides being a nostalgic reunion, one thing bonds the original seven. They’ve all died and come back. And not just the standard “We thought they were dead, but it was a clone/they were in a coma/it was an alternate universe version.” They all actually died, went on to a form of an afterlife, and returned. Yes, even the very human Batman in the event series Final Crisis. Some were dead for many years, like Barry Allen and Hal Jordan. Others, like Wonder Woman, for just a few months.

With this detail in mind, the Leaguers all having gone to face the Grim Reaper and come out the other side could serve as the basis of an interesting team dynamic. Are they all functionally immortal now? Writer Grant Morrison played with the metaphor of the “Big Seven” Leaguers as Olympian Gods of the DCU in his ’90s JLA series. Could that interpretation be more literal than metaphorical? They certainly share a weird bond no other team has at DC. (However, we must note, that the X-Men at Marvel certainly do.) It’s fodder for an interesting reunion take for DC Comics’ most famous heroes.

It’s Time for Justice League Unlimited in the DC Universe

Having said that, the original seven should just be a starting point for whatever DC does next. Because let’s face it, that’s a heavily white and male team for the year of our Lord Darkseid 2024. It’s time for the League to take a cue from their greatest media incarnation of the team, the Justice League Unlimited. It’s time to open the doors to every hero in the DCU. In the JLU animated series, the League became more than a team. It became almost a conglomerate for superheroes. It was a true society of superpowers, in a way their predecessors the Justice Society of America never were.

The comics have played with this notion before, like the excellent Justice League International run of the ‘80s. Yet never on the scale of the Justice League Unlimited cartoon show. The League expanding in this manner allows it to truly grow into something unique, something its rival the Avengers over at Marvel have never been. Maybe, the original seven founders realize they had to return from their respective graves to make the League something bigger than they ever dreamed of in the beginning. It could be something grander that goes beyond the definitions of what we now think of as a superhero team.

A Strong Comic Book Justice League Can Inform the Big Screen Version

Of course, comics are the primary source of inspiration for most live-action content. The New 52 League was the main inspiration for the DCEU version, from Cyborg as a founding member, to their first villain being from the planet Apokolips. So it would be fitting for whatever DC’s new Justice League becomes to inspire the eventual DCU version. We’ve believed for some time now that Gunn’s DCU would have an already existing Justice League in it, but if the comic book League is a gigantic group with many members and branches, we wouldn’t hate for that concept to make that transition to film and TV.

Whatever DC does when it inevitably relaunches the Justice League title, there should be top-notch creatives on it. Justice League should always be DC’s biggest title. It was in the Silver Age, again in the post-Crisis JLI era, and also in the ’90s Grant Morrison years. Like it or hate it, the New 52 Justice League carried the line, sales-wise, for a good long time. It was not an afterthought series for the publisher. It would be shocking if we don’t see a relaunch by 2025, the Justice League of America’s 65th anniversary. Here’s hoping it’s something that gets the readership excited, and springboard’s comics’ greatest superhero team into the future. They deserve a series that reflects their status as the world’s greatest superteam.

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Younger comic book fans might not know the name José Luis García-López. Rest assured, they do recognize his art. The Spanish-Argentine artist drew many iconic comics back in the day, like Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk, The New Teen Titans, and more. However, it’s one project that has cemented him as the DC Comics artist, and no fan could ever actually purchase it. In 1982, the publisher commissioned him to illustrate all their major heroes and villains for their in-house Style Guide. It was the reference book other artists were meant to use to get characters’ costumes right, especially in merchandise. Now, DC Comics is honoring JLGL with a series of variant covers using his original DC Comics Style Guide art.

Click To View Gallery

This July, the key character turnarounds from the legendary DC Comics Style Guide are set to be featured for the first time on a set of Artist Spotlight variant covers honoring the DC Comics legend. Look for Artist Spotlight variant covers on Batman #150, Green Arrow #14, Green Lantern #13, Shazam! #13, Superman #16, The Flash #11 and Wonder Woman #11. The Justice League of America has never looked so good. You can check each of them out in our gallery above.

DC uses many of these José Luis García-López illustrations in products for the Super Powers action figure line in the ’80s, and even on t-shirts, mugs, and other merchandise still today. Even with many costume changes at DC over the decades, these Bronze Age versions of the characters remain the most iconic. For years, fans have clamored for DC to release the entire Style Guide to fans, as before it was for internal use only (images have all been online for years). Here’s hoping this is the first step towards actually seeing that in print.

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Over the 20+ hours I spent piecing together the massive new LEGO Batman: The Animated Series Gotham City skyline set the company sent me I thought a lot about how I might start this post. I considered opening with a screed about how this beautiful and incredibly creative collectible fully captures the series’ iconic and influential Art Deco aesthetic. At various points I also debated comparing the challenge of putting together such an intricate and highly-detailed set with Bruce Wayne’s attempts to clean up his hometown. And during a few especially frustrating moments I considered explaining why the Joker isn’t always wrong. But by the time I snapped in the final piece, the Bat Symbol, I finally knew exactly what I wanted to say. It’s simple, but true: if you love Batman: The Animated Series you’ll absolutely love this set.

Despite its tableau design, you do not build LEGO’s Gotham City set atop a big sheet as I expected. It’s made up of smaller boards you connect throughout the process. It’s akin to making small individual mosaics of the city’s various regions that together form a single, cohesive work of art. And that’s exactly what this set is, a work of art. It’s not an exact re-creation of the show’s Gotham. Instead it’s an original amalgamation that brings together different locales from the series. The effect is something that is wholly of Batman: The Animated Series while also being totally new. It’s a homage in the best way, because it made me want to rewatch the series. What could be a better tribute and celebration of the show than that?

That’s easy to see even in pictures. But while you can certainly appreciate the beauty of this set from images, it’s impossible to fully grasp just how gorgeous it really is unless you see it in person. For one it’s much deeper than it looks. (It’s also heavier. You’ll need a shelf to display it. Hanging it on your wall is not an option.) There are layers and layers of depth, as buildings sit on buildings sitting in buildings. The design invites deep investigation into every nook and cranny. Every time you look you’ll find something new to appreciate.

Even the night sky with its dark red clouds have layers that give this otherwise static piece a kinetic energy—as do my favorite pieces, the billowing smoke stacks. They look like they’re actually operating. The easily removable row of bottom buildings are also hiding unseen depth and fun Easter eggs. From character stickers to the Batmobile, there are lots of extras to discover within. Only you might never find all of them unless you build the set yourself and know where to look.

Unless you put Gotham together you can never fully appreciate how much detail went into the many individual designs, either. Some of my favorite parts of this build involved making smaller structures that have triple the amount of LEGO bricks than you’d think by looking at them. Piecing this together is a different reward from admiring the finished product.

It’s a good thing working on this set provides its own kind of fulfillment, because the amount of detail involved is a double-edged sword. The 4,210-piece set designed for ages 18 and up features roughly 80,000 tiny parts. It can be aggravating adding molding and decor in a normal building. Adding small single piece details on a relatively thin LEGO set is really freaking hard. (Especially if you have sausage fingers like I do. Those are also why I hated putting the set’s many small stickers on pieces, too.)

It was really hard at the start. Initially the set felt much more delicate than I imagined. That made me especially cautious about how I connected the different components. I was terrified of breaking multiple parts. But as I kept going I realized the set is more sturdy and stronger than my first impression. That allowed me to pick up the pace. Out of the 44 individual bags that make up LEGO’s Gotham, I finished the first 10 at a much slower rate than the rest.

While I ultimately love this set and think it’s actually undervalued at $300 (even with only four minifigs), I did have some issue with its two massive instruction booklets. The set’s color scheme—which includes lots of black and brown pieces, various hues of grays, and dark blues—sometimes made it hard to see which exactly piece was needed. I often had to rely on my smartphone’s flashlight or a bright headlamp to distinguish between colors.

The booklets, which are genuinely excellent visual guides overall, also show everything at an angle. That was a helpful most of the time, but not when it came time to put something on top of something else or when connecting two large mosaics. It wasn’t always obvious exactly where or how they went together. An overhead picture would have cleared that up and saved me from my most consistent (and potentially disastrous) mistakes.

Once I became aware of that problem, I course corrected. I slowed down and took extra time when placing anything directly on the growing tableau. And by the time I finished that problem, like the others, didn’t seem like a big deal. What I was looking at was too incredible to focus on difficulties I experienced during the build. And that was before I realized you can backlight the whole thing to create a nighttime effect that truly evokes the aesthetic of the show it celebrates.

That’s why it took finishing this set to know how I wanted to start talking about it. As a fan of Batman: The Animated Series I love everything about LEGO’s Gotham City, especially the fact I have one in my own home.

Batman: The Animated Series Gotham City LEGO set is available now.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist who knows exactly where Condiment Man is hiding in the Batman Gotham City LEGO set. You can follow him on Twitter and Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Is Batman: The Animated Series the greatest cartoon ever? Some people say “yes,” while others say “probably.” But no matter whether you’re already on the right side of history or almost there, you can still make the most influential animated show ever a part of your. LEGO’s new set recreates Gotham’s infamous Art Deco skyline from Batman: The Animated Series.

The LEGO Group, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, and DC have come together to celebrate a legendary superhero locale. The new 4,210-piece Batman: The Animated Series Gotham City LEGO set is a 3D homage to the cartoon’s iconic city. The tableau-style design features detailed recreations of the show’s most important spots. That includes the Gotham City Court, Arkham Asylum, Joker’s Amusement Park, and more.

The collection also boasts the many LEGO police blimps that dotted Gotham’s sky. They’re joined up there by the classic Batwing and the one thing evildoers everywhere fear, the Bat Signal. 

The Batman: The Animated Series Gotham City LEGO collection, designed for ages 18 and up, measures 16.4-inches in length, 11.8 inches tall, and 2.3-inches deep. That will make it easy to place it wherever you like in your home or office, including on your wall. It also comes loaded with Batman: The Animated Series Easter eggs for fans of the show to find in their LEGOs. Some of those are located inside parts of the set that open up to reveal more components. And it’s all topped off with four mini-figures: Catwoman, The Joker, Harley Quinn, and Batman. (We absolutely need LEGO to release at least 30 more mini-figs for this. The show has one of the best and deepest lineups of villains ever.)

LEGO Insiders can grab their copy early, beginning on April 1. Everyone else will have to wait a few days. The Batman: The Animated Series Gotham City LEGO set ($299.99) goes on full sale on April 4.

Is this the greatest LEGO set ever? We don’t want to say “probably,” but we also don’t want to be on the wrong side of history.

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For years, fans have been clamoring for some kind of revival of Batman Beyond on the big screen, either in live-action or animation. The animated series, which turns 25 this year, retains a loyal following. DC Comics has even incorporated its characters and concepts into the comics. Well, a creative from Sony’s Spider-Verse films, along with writer/artist Patrick Harpin, actually did pitch a Batman Beyond animated film months ago and some of the gorgeous concept art is online. Spider-Verse production designer Yukhi Demers shared some of that art for the pitch via Twitter. In it, you can see Batman fighting off his adversary Inque. He’s hoping that it gets some traction and maybe the powers-that-be decide it’s worth a go.

In his post Demers said, “Before we pitched, they warned us, ‘there is absolutely no way we can do a 𝘉𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 movie’, but they loved our enthusiasm. We pitched the outline for the entire film, and what started as a ‘never’ turned into a ‘maybe’. In the time since, we’ve been pitching our way up the company hoping to get to James Gunn. This means it never made it to the proper offices of DC Studios. But there’s no way Gunn doesn’t see this now, and see the intense enthusiasm for such a project. Especially if it’s coming from the people behind Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse.“

Batman Beyond takes place in a relatively near future, where Gotham City has become Neo-Gotham, a futuristic amalgam of Blade Runner’s Los Angeles and Akira’s Neo-Tokyo. Average Gotham teenager Terry McGinnis loses his father to a violent crime, and falls under the mentorship of an elder Bruce Wayne. Long retired from crime-fighting, Wayne trains Terry to be the new Batman, wearing a high-tech futuristic suit.

While we’ve long clamored for a live-action Batman Beyond with Michael Keaton as the elder Wayne. However, we’d take the very same concept in animation. Hopefully, seeing these Batman Beyond animated art images alerts someone at DC Studios this chance is too good to pass up.

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Batman has been protecting Gotham City in the pages of DC Comics for a whopping 85 years. To honor his incredible legacy, The Folio Society, independent publisher of illustrated hardback books, in collaboration with DC, honors the Dark Knight’s first appearance with the release of DC: Batman.

This collectible compilation includes twelve seminal comics by a host of iconic writers and artists. These creators include Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams, Marshall Rogers, Frank Miller, Dave Mazzucchelli, Alan Moore, Brian Bolland, and Kelley Jones. Former DC President, and Publisher Jennette Khan selected and introduced each story. You can check out images of the new scans from Batman #232 with art by Neal Adams, below:

Click To View Gallery

Along with the 320-page one-of-a-kind deluxe book, DC: Batman also comes with a stand-alone replica copy of Batman #1. Scanned in its entirety from an original 1940 copy, the replica copy of the Batman #1 comic book, which includes the original back-up strips and vintage ads, introduces DC’s Clown Prince of Crime, The Joker, and The Cat, later known as Catwoman.

Among the seminal comics included are the following stories from Batman’s publishing history:

Golden Age

“The Bat-Man,” from Detective Comics #27 (May 1939) by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, “Robin—the Boy Wonder,” from Detective Comics #38 (April 1940) by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, and “The Crimes of Two-Face!” from Detective Comics #66 (August 1942) by Bill Finger, Jerry Robinson, and George Roussos.

Bronze Age

“Batman and Green Arrow: The Senator’s Been Shot!” from The Brave and the Bold #85 (September 1969) by Bob Haney, Neal Adams, and Dick Giordano, “Daughter of the Demon” from Batman #232 (June 1971) by Dennis O’Neil, Neal Adams, and Dick Giordano, and “The Dead Yet Live” from Detective Comics #471 (August 1977) by Steve Englehart, Marshall Rogers, and Terry Austin.

Modern Age

“The Dark Knight Returns” from Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 (June 1986) by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, and Lynn Varley, “Batman: Year One—Chapter One: Who I Am—How I Come to Be,” from Batman #404 (February 1987) by Frank Miller, Dave Mazzucchelli, and Richmond Lewis, Batman: The Killing Joke (July 1988) by Alan Moore, Brian Bolland, and Richard Bruning, “The Last Arkham (Part One)” from Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1 (June 1992) by Alan Grant, Brian Stelfreeze, Norm Breyfogle, and “Knightfall Part 1: Crossed Eyes and Dotty Teas,” from Batman #492 (May 1993) by Doug Moench, Kelley Jones, Bob LeRose, and Norm Breyfogle.

Former DC president Jennette Khan sums up why Batman remains such an enduring myth in her introduction to this book:

“Trauma is a through-line in the Batman mythology. It has made psychopaths of Batman’s foes and brought him to the edge of madness himself. Batman’s battle is not just against criminals and crime. He fears the day he’ll look into a mirror and see, not Bruce Wayne’s face, but The Joker’s.” 

These comics have been reproduced in 10” x 7” treasury format. The anti-scratch laminated hardcover features Batman’s signature silhouette, with titles foil-embossed in yellow and midnight blue. The book itself has a pitch-black slipcase bearing the famous Bat-Signal. It’s a compendium of gothic artwork and Batarang-sharp storytelling. DC: Batman is an investigation into the adventures and pathology of one of the world’s most famous—and most troubled—superheroes.

DC: Batman will be available from for US $100/£65 on February 20, 2024, exclusively from Folio Society.

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DC Comics and Marvel Comics have always been publishing rivals. However, once upon a time, the two companies would join forces to produce crossover event comics, stories that superhero fans went wild over. The crossover comics sold like hotcakes. This began in the ’70s, only ending in the mid-2000s. With separate mega corporations now owning each comic book company, the chances we’ll ever get events like these again are slim. In fact, these comics are all out of print, and unlikely to ever get reissued. But if you can track these down online, or at your local comic shop back issue bins, we think these are the greatest DC and Marvel Comics crossovers.

10. Darkseid vs. Galactus: The Hunger (1995)

by John Byrne

This is one of the more off-the-wall Marvel/DC crossovers of the ‘90s, written and illustrated by John Byrne at the height of his popularity. It takes place in a universe where both the Marvel and DC characters co-exist, and always have. (In fact, most of these crossovers retain that conceit). In Byrne’s one-shot tale, two of Jack Kirby’s most powerful alien villains meet at last. Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds comes to Darkseid’s home planet of Apokolips to consume it for energy. Darkseid throws everything a literal God of Evil can throw at a galactic force of nature, including armies of Parademons. The Silver Surfer gets caught in the melee. We won’t spoil the twist ending here, but it’s a fun one. Of all the DC and Marvel Comics crossovers, this one counts as perhaps the most Biblical in its proportions.

9. Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk

by Len Wein, José Luis García-López, and Dick Giordano

There should be no question; the Hulk could trample Batman in a cold minute. So this seems like a very odd premise for a crossover. In 1981 though, Batman was still a superstar thanks to endless reruns of Batman ’66. The Hulk was a household name thanks to his TV series. So, kids wanted to see them interact. Somehow, writer Len Wein and DC style guide artist José Luis García-López made this crossover comic work. Hey, if Batman can use his genius to beat Superman, why not Hulk? The story finds Bruce Banner working in the science division of Wayne Enterprises, hoping to find a cure for his condition. Although the two team up against the Joker, the truly wild thing here is that the main villain is the cosmic entity the Shaper of Worlds, an obscure Marvel baddie. Track this one down for the stellar art and wacky premise alone.

8. Superman/Fantastic Four: The Infinite Destruction (1999)

by Dan Jurgens and Art Thibert

This was the first-ever crossover of DC’s first superhero and Marvel’s “First Family.” It was printed in an oversized Treasury Edition one-shot, in the style of the first crossover editions. While it should probably be better than it was, it has interesting things that make it worth reading. Revealing that Galactus destroyed Krypton is a cool twist to the Superman mythology ,as is Galactus trying to make Kal-El his new herald. And since the evil Cyborg Superman was originally a character from DC’s own twisted version of the Fantastic Four, it’s cool to see him included. Some of the interactions between the FF and the Man of Steel are truly enjoyable too. However, the oversized format actually hurts the art by Dan Jurgens and Art Thibert. The Dan Jurgens/Alex Ross painted cover is killer though.

7. Daredevil/Batman: An Eye for an Eye (1997)

By D.G. Chichester and Scott McDaniel

As much as Batman and Spider-Man were no-brainers for a team-up, so too were urban vigilantes Batman and Daredevil. It finally happened in 1997’s Daredevil/Batman: An Eye for an Eye. While enjoyable, this story could be better, despite some pretty good art from Nightwing artist Scott McDaniel. Two-Face and Mr. Hyde team up in this story, becoming the primary villains. One of the more enjoyable reinventions in this one has former lawyer Harvey Dent/Two Face having a history with attorney Matt Murdock, which leads to some juicy character moments. The best part of this one-shot is how much the (very similar) Dark Knight and the Man Without Fear do not get along. The initial “fight before we team up” makes this one worth a read.

6. Spider-Man and Batman: Disordered Minds (1995)

by J.M. DeMatteis and Mark Bagley

Batman and Spider-Man were the biggest heroes of their respective companies in the mid ’90s, dominating comic sales (and Fox Kids’ cartoons). For all their differences, both heroes were born of tragedy, and have the two best rogues galleries in comics. Fans wanted a meetup for decades. It finally happened in 1995 in Spider-Man and Batman: Disordered Minds. Written by longtime Amazing Spider-Man scribe J.M. DeMatteis and illustrated by Spidey artist Mark Bagley, it pits the two heroes against a union of villains Joker and Carnage. Both are deranged serial killers locked away in creepy asylums, so the two merging makes sense. As it turns out, Joker enjoys the theater of murder more than Carnage does, who just wants to kill for killing’s sake. Not that Bats and Spidey got along any better. This one’s a true time capsule of where Batman and Spider-Man were as characters in the ’90s.

5. Superman and Spider-Man (1981)

By Jim Shooter, Marv Wolfman, and John Buscema

Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man was the first DC and Marvel Comics crossover in 1976, making comic book history. But it was their second meeting that was really the most fun. In the 1981 sequel, Superman and Spider-Man, written by Marvel EIC Jim Shooter and Marv Wolfman, and illustrated by Marvel legend John Buscema, Superman and Spidey join forces to stop Doctor Doom. Not traditionally a Spidey villain, the Latverian monarch was a big enough threat to unite Clark and Peter. What makes this one better than the original is that we get our first-ever Hulk vs. Superman fight in it, and Spider-Man takes on Wonder Woman too. All four characters were media superstars in 1981, with TV shows and movies in the zeitgeist. For the readership of the time, this was the ultimate comic book. Yes, it’s dated in many ways, as it’s 40 years old. But we still love it.

4. The Incredible Hulk vs. Superman (1999)

by Roger Stern and Steve Rude

It’s probably the oldest superhero nerd debate of all time. Who is stronger, Superman or the Hulk? Well, despite brief fights in other crossovers, their real smackdown took place in The Incredible Hulk vs. Superman one-shot, published in 1999. What elevates this one over the other Man of Steel vs. Jade Giant fights is that it actually has a strong story and superlative art, and isn’t treated as just one long battle, like Superman vs. Doomsday. Written by comics legend Roger Stern and illustrated by Steve Rude, the story takes place in an alternate 1960s Silver Age, with both Clark Kent and Bruce Banner reflecting their depictions during that time. Rude’s art also has a very retro flair which fits right in with this interpretation. So who won? We won’t ruin the outcome in case you read it. But this brawl is a doozy.

3. DC Versus Marvel/Marvel Versus DC (1996)

by Peter David, Ron Marz, Dan Jurgens, and Claudio Castellini

This crossover event was born purely out of necessity. In 1994, the speculator boom of the early ’90s led to a massive crash in the comics industry. Desperate for a big hit, Marvel and DC teamed up to bring fans the knockdown brawl they’d been waiting decades for. This four-issue series was written by Peter David and Ron Marz, and illustrated by artists Dan Jurgens and Claudio Castellini. The two publishers would alternate issues, so when DC Comics published an issue, their brand name came first. When Marvel Comics did, the title changed to Marvel Versus DC. It’s hard to call this series “good” in any traditional sense, but it is thoroughly enjoyable and will bring out the inner child of anyone reading it.

The story of DC Versus Marvel is a pretty basic one, highly reminiscent of Marvel’s Secret Wars. It has two godlike beings, one from each reality, using the heroes of each universe to fight it out, determining which universe is stronger. Super basic plot or not, it delivered what every DC and Marvel fan wanted—to see these superhero icons duke it out. Comic book fans actually got to vote as to who would win each fight, leading to the story becoming more of a popularity contest than a real match between characters. (Sorry, Wolverine would NOT beat Lobo.) Having said that, this series led to the brief Amalgam Universe, where DC and Marvel fused together. That was even more wildly silly fun. For all of its faults, it’s hard not to remember this one fondly.

2. JLA/Avengers (2003 – 2004)

by Kurt Busiek and George Pérez

In many ways, JLA/Avengers is the ultimate DC and Marvel crossover, over 20 years in the making. A version of this crossover event was nearly completed by artist George Pérez in 1983, before Marvel’s EIC Jim Shooter killed the project. Pérez gave up hope that he’d never get the chance to bring the greatest heroes of two Earths together in one epic story. He finally got to illustrate this magnum opus crossover event in 2003/2004. Unlike previous DC and Marvel crossovers, this comic absolutely hinged on the fact that the Marvel and DC Universes were separate and that their colliding together was the entire plot. This series emphasized the DC and Marvel universes were inherently different, almost destined to conflict.

Kurt Busiek, famous for writing Avengers and Superman, understood that the actual plot of a series like this was secondary. It was all about the small moments between iconic characters. What makes this book great is Black Canary dating Hawkeye instead of Green Arrow, or Wonder Man and Wonder Woman arm wrestling in a panel. And, of course, seeing every character ever to call themselves an Avenger or Justice Leaguer appearing on the page together was nerd nirvana. The four-issue mini-series is always an engaging fan service of a read, and a joy to look at in every issue. Sadly, it was the final DC and Marvel crossover. But man, what a way to go out. It’s truly criminal that this seminal comic is not perpetually kept in print. It should be, just to honor the late, great George Pérez.

1. The Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans (1982)

by Chris Claremont, Walter Simonson, and Terry Austin

What could possibly be better than the Justice League meeting the Avengers? How about DC and Marvel’s two biggest-selling teams of the ‘80s, the X-Men and the Teen Titans, joining forces? In 1982, both comics ruled the sales charts, and were at their peak creatively. So teaming them up for the Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans one shot was a true event. X-Men writer Chris Claremont wrote this special edition issue, illustrated beautifully by Thor artist Walter Simonson. The story is truly an epic one, featuring DC’s Darkseid resurrecting Marvel’s Dark Phoenix to use as a way of conquering all known reality.

Uncanny X-Men/New Teen Titans was written a mere two years after The Dark Phoenix Saga, when the death of Jean Grey was a fresh wound for the X-Men. Even out of continuity, this was a devastating moment for the mutant heroes. This special issue had Claremont writing at the peak of his abilities, foreshadowing many things that would occur in the regular Marvel continuity, such as Jean’s return. On the DC front, this story also predicted Darkseid becoming the DC Universe’s biggest bad, and Beast Boy developing a crush on Kitty Pryde foreshadowed his crush on the Titans’ own “evil Kitty,” Terra. Because of its high emotional stakes, incredible art, and iconic moments, Uncanny X-Men/New Teen Titans takes our top spot.

Hopefully, one day both DC and Marvel Comics find a way to reprint these issues. Perhaps the companies could collect them in an omnibus, with all proceeds going to charity? These are seminal comics, which don’t deserve to be deleted from history.

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For an entire generation, actor Kevin Conroy was Batman. For 30 years, Conroy played the iconic character in Batman: The Animated Series, its spinoffs, the Arkham games, and multiple films. When he passed away in 2022, we knew we’d at least one more appearance by Conroy as Batman. This was ultimately revealed as part of the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League game. According to IGN though, Conroy reportedly had recorded two other Batman roles before his death. But, it looks now that it’s for just one role.

According to the original report, one of these appearances was in the upcoming Batman: Caped Crusader animated series. Bruce Timm and Ed Brubaker developed this show, originally meant for Max, but now headed to Prime Video.

However, Bruce Timm was quick to debunk this. While posting on the AnimeSuperhero forums, he said of Conroy’s participation “We were hoping to have him do a voice for the new show (and he was eager to do it) but sadly he passed away before we could make it happen.”

The other reported appearance would be as the original version of the character Conroy played in Batman: The Animated Series (and later, Batman Beyond and Justice League Unlimited). It’s said that Conroy would voice that version of Batman in the animated film Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 3. The first part of this animated trilogy just came out, and it’s putting an end to the so-called “Tomorrowverse” of animated DC films. But fans have speculated the finale might include heroes from various DC animated series from across the decades, thus, making it truly seem “infinite.” It’s possible we do hear Conroy, and it’s archival audio. If DC included the DCAU Dark Knight too, it would be an incredible swan song to Conroy’s Batman legacy. Here’s hoping that’s the case.

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Although we think of the Rubik’s Cube as an ’80s phenomenon, the iconic brain teaser toy first came out in 1974. This means that 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Rubik’s Cube in our lives. The toy, now owned by Spin Master, is celebrating with a variety of new products, commemorating the past, while also leaning into the future. Some of these products include Rubik’s Cubes with Batman and Marvel themes, and even one honoring Wednesday Addams.

Despite its ’80s heyday long in the rearview mirror, the Rubik’s Cube has never really gone away. Its creator, Hungarian professor Ernő Rubik, said the following about his world-famous creation in a statement.

The Rubik’s Cube is a piece of art. It comes to life when we attempt to discover our own solutions to the vast complexity of the challenge. It speaks to the universal values in human nature: curiosity, perseverance, and ingenuity. Recognizing the Cube’s 50th anniversary is a celebration of these eternal values.

You can check out some images of upcoming items down below, as well as preview even more Rubik’s Cube products celebrating the golden anniversary in 2024.

Rubik’s Cubers

Cubers bring your favorite characters to the Rubik’s Cube with Rubik’s Cubers. Collect, solve, and display these puzzle characters, including Batman, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Black Panther. (July 2024, $14.99).

Rubik’s 50th Anniversary Retro Cube

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Displayed in a replica of the 1980s issue packaging, this blast from the past is decorated with the original Rubik’s logo and classic-colored stickers. (January 2024, $14.99).

Rubik’s Gridlock Board Game

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A new challenge, in this game one tests flexible thinking and problem-solving skills. With blocks in place, the objective is to fit all of the pieces onto the board to solve each puzzle. (March 2024,$14.99).

Over the course of the year, they’ll also bring out other Rubik’s Cube products, including the Rubik’s 3×3 Speed Cube, made for competition, the Rubik’s Sensory Cube, with different tactile shapes for each color, and the Rubik’s Connected X, bridging together the physical and digital world of solving via a Bluetooth-enabled 3×3 cube. In addition to Wednesday Addams’ Official Rubik’s Cube, there will be more themed cubes coming in 2024, including one for Barbie! For more information, head over to the official Rubik’s Cube site.

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From Harrison Ford posing with an anime chair, to Robert Downey Jr. doing a dramatic reading of Taylor Swift, to Oppenheimer finally heading to streaming, here are some of our favorite pop-culture news odds & ends from recent history.

• Oppenheimer Sets Streaming Date, Heads to Peacock
• Madame Web Suit First-Look Comes From an Unlikely Source
• Lost David Lynch Dune 2 Script Uncovered
• Patrick Stewart Says a Picard Movie Script Is in the Works
• Incredibly Long Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Godzilla RC Figure Has Landed
• Robert Downey Jr. Dramatically Recites a Taylor Swift Song
• Harrison Ford Strikes a Pose with Suzume‘s Chair!Souta
• Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Promises to Preserve Kevin Conroy’s Final Batman Performance
• Tekken 8 Meets Succession‘s Brian Cox in Hilarious Collaboration

Oppenheimer Sets Streaming Date, Heads to Peacock

Oppenheimer is finally heading to your streaming screens. If you didn’t catch the movie in theaters over the summer, you can find it streaming on Peacock beginning on February 16.

You can check out what we thought of the film, below.

Madame Web Suit First-Look Comes From an Unlikely Source

Sometimes our first looks at movies come from trailers, magazines, or dramatic social media drops. But we were treated to our first look at Madame Web‘s supersuit from the most unlikely of sources, a bottle of Ocean Spray cranberry juice. Absolutely iconic.

Here’s everything we know about the movie so far.

Lost David Lynch Dune 2 Script Uncovered

As we prepare to experience Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two this summer, another Dune 2 has emerged. This extra Dune comes in the form of a recently uncovered script for David Lynch’s Dune 2, Dune Messiah. The script was thought to be lost, but we can finally dive deep into its contents. You can take a look at what adventures the half-finished script holds over at Wired. Spoilers: It involves “a shape-shifting ‘face dancer.’” Yikes.

In the meantime, here’s everything we know about Dune: Part Two.

Patrick Stewart Says a Picard Movie Script Is in the Works

Hold onto your hats because a Picard movie could be coming our way. Patrick Stewart shared with the Happy Sad Confused podcast that a script had been written for him in the role. He notes, via Gizmodo, “I heard only last night about a [movie] script that is being written, but written specifically with the actor, Patrick [Stewart], to play in it… And I’ve been told to expect to receive it within a week or so. I’m so excited because it sounds like the kind of project where the experimentation that I want to do will be essential for this kind of material. It’s good at 83.”

This podcast filmed quite a while ago, so, chances are, Patrick Stewart has already seen a version of the possible Picard movie.

It’s a good thing too, because a Picard movie is exactly the story Patrick Stewart has been hoping for.

Incredibly Long Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Godzilla RC Figure Has Landed

How often can you say a figure is longer than it is tall? Well, this Godzilla RC figure from Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire certainly takes the prize for one of the longest figures we’ve seen. It’s got its pink on, it’s ready to blow some heat-ray breath, and it’s 25 inches long. (And only 12.5 inches tall.)

You can also take a look at the first trailer for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire to see Godzilla in action.

Robert Downey Jr. Dramatically Recites a Taylor Swift Song

Who doesn’t need to hear Iron Man dramatically recite a Taylor Swift song? We’re obsessed. At the start of his interview with W Magazine, Robert Downey Jr. took a little time to give us a dramatic reading of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space.” We want for nothing.

Unfortunately, Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark will stay dead in the MCU and won’t be able to catch the latest hits from Taylor Swift.

Harrison Ford Strikes a Pose with Suzume‘s Chair!Souta

Another meeting of strange bedfellows included Harrison Ford and… a chair. Yes, Ford struck a pose with Suzume‘s iconic chair at the Golden Globes. This chair, of course, is also one of Suzume‘s main characters, Souta, transformed. We don’t know who is luckier to meet who. But we are seated should they ever want to make a movie together.

We thought Suzume was an absolutely iconic movie.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Promises to Preserve Kevin Conroy’s Final Batman Performance

Kevin Conroy’s final performance as Batman can be found in the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League game. Since this is a live-service game, fans worried that if service to the game were ever to be stopped, the performance would be lost. But, as we saw via Comicbook.com, Rocksteady Production has promised to launch an offline version of the game to preserve the performance.

Rocksteady Production Manager Jack Hackett shared, “I completely understand that concern. To be clear, we’ve really heard that, and I understand the concern. Obviously, in the short term, that’s not any kind of risk, but I’m happy to tell you that we will support, post-launch, an offline mode where you can play through the story of this game in perpetuity. We hope to deliver that in 2024. That’s our goal. I won’t promise that under all circumstances. But, I totally get that kind of archival concern about a game like this.”

You can watch a moving tribute to Kevin Conroy’s Batman, here:

Tekken 8 Meets Succession‘s Brian Cox in Hilarious Collaboration

What could you need more in your life than Succession’s Brian Cox explaining the Tekken universe to you? Very little. We particularly love Cox’s emphasis on how the franchise loves fathers that throw their sons off cliffs. It’s poetic. And also informative. Tekken 8 will release on January 26, 2024, so you have a lot of time to review the franchise’s history with Cox.

For more video game fun, check out Dave Bautista recreating a nostalgic Mortal Kombat ad to celebrate Mortal Kombat 1.

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New Year’s resolutions. Almost everyone makes them. Very few people hold to them. But what about superheroes? If you’ve got the powers of a god and you make a resolution to “eat less dairy,” do you have a bigger obligation to keep to it? Well, we may never get an answer to that question. But via DC Comics’ official Instagram, we did get the New Year’s resolutions to several of the company’s most iconic heroes. In fact, six of the seven main members of the Justice League all revealed their New Year’s resolutions going into 2024. Sorry, Martian Manhunter, maybe next year. You can check them all out down below:

Ok, so all of these Justice League New Year’s resolutions were very tongue-in-cheek. Although some of these are ones we think the actual characters might actually have in the comics. Wonder Woman vowing to “mediate daily on the freeing power of truth?” is very on brand for her. And, “Revise the contingency plan for my contingency plan’s contingency plan?” That sounds very Batman. Hey Bruce, how about no more contingency plans on how to stop your fellow Justice Leaguers in case they go bad without telling them first? That never goes well.

Speaking of being mind-controlled and going bad, we kind of love that Superman has “Make it the full year without being mind-controlled and going evil” as part of his resolutions. The world would surely be a better place if that happened less, Clark. We have enough “evil Supermans” on The Boys and Invincible. Some major DC Comics characters didn’t get to reveal their New Year’s resolutions alongside the Justice League. But we’d like to think Nightwing’s is, “Stop competing with my father figure.” Maybe Black Canary’s resolution is, “Stop raising my voice to Green Arrow, it makes his ears bleed.” Hopefully, next year we find out the DC Villains’ New Year’s Resolutions. Although we admit, we’re a wee bit scared to see the Joker’s.

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The DCEU may be over, but over the decade of its existence, it left more than a handful of films to be watched and debated about endlessly. Although the original plan was for all DC films to have an exclusive home at Max, as of January, 14 DC films are also now on Netflix. Although two of them are technically not DCEU films, just films based on DC properties. Chalk this one up to the realities of streaming service revenue in tough financial times for all the major studios. This is why many of these same films are now on ad-supported Tubi as well. The news came via Netflix’s Tudum.

So which DCEU movies can you now enjoy on Netflix? You can literally start with the first DCEU film, Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, and work your way down. Next is Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

While that’s most of the DCEU films, there are a few still only on Max at the moment. 2023’s The Flash and Blue Beetle are still exclusive to that streaming platform, at least for now. Also, Zack Snyder’s extended 4-hour version of Justice League remains a Max exclusive. There are also two DC films not part of the DCEU as part of the Netflix deal—The Batman and the animated DC League of Super Pets.

As for classic DC Comics-based films, right now, most are only streaming on Max. Those include the four original Christopher Reeve Superman films (and Superman Returns) plus Supergirl and the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher Batman movies. Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy is also there, too. For those brave souls out there, the 2004 version of Catwoman and Ryan Reynolds’ Green Lantern are also available to watch.

How long the previously mentioned DC movies will remain on Netflix is a mystery at the moment. However, if you have a fix to watch Cavill as Superman and Affleck as Batman and only have a Netflix subscription? Then now’s your chance to watch the “Martha scene” in BvS as many times as you like.

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Apart from the upcoming series about Colin Farrell’s Penguin, Matt Reeves is bringing another extension of the Batman world to Max. But as James Gunn recently revealed, this new series won’t take place in the Gotham City of The Batman. It will take place in the new DCU. It will focus on the inmates of Arkham Asylum, Gotham City’s home for the criminally insane. Most notably, the Dark Knight’s very long list of rogues. Naturally, the show’s setting brings to mind one important question. Which Batman villains will we soon see roaming the halls of this Arkham Asylum series? We have some ideas on who should make the cut.

What We Know So Far About the Arkham Asylum Series

In an interview, Reeves had the following to say to Games Radar about the upcoming Arkham series. Note: Reeves said this when the Arkham show was still a spinoff of The Batman, although we feel much still applies.

We’ve actually now [moved] more into the realm of exactly what would happen in the world of Arkham as it relates coming off of our movie and some of the characters and their origins…almost leaning into the idea of, it’s like a horror movie or a haunted house that is Arkham. Again the way that Gotham is a character in the movie, I really want Arkham to exist as a character. You go into this environment and encounter these characters in a way that feels really fresh.

While this is a very early description of the show, we have some ideas on how we think it should play out. An Arkham Asylum series would be perfect as an anthology, with each episode dedicated to a different villain. The episodes would reveal how the villains came to be and how they wound up in Arkham. This idea perfectly sets up the Bat-villains for the DCU’s eventual Batman-centric The Brave and the Bold movie. In a haunted house, there are many rooms to visit. And one by one, you meet new scares along the way.

In this imagining, the new DCU Batman would play a small part in the show, as it would be from the villain’s perspective. You wouldn’t necessarily even need that same actor under the mask as on the big screen. This could work similarly to how Pedro Pascal appears on The Mandalorian. You could get name actors for each Arkham Asylum villain, and then later use the spinoff characters in The Brave and the Bold. Let the series do the heavy lifting for the villain intros.

Use Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on a Serious Earth as Inspiration

As for which Batman villains we think will appear in the Arkham spinoff? Well, we’re going to explain why we didn’t choose some big ones. Harvey Dent/Two-Face as a person is too intimately tied to Bruce Wayne, so DC should reserve his story for a movie. Established and overused villains in live-action like the Joker should act as more peripheral characters. Ra’s al Ghul and Bane are international terrorists and not Arkham material. But so many other classic bad guys are all long overdue for a live-action appearance. We feel a little inspiration from Grant Morrison’s graphic novel Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on a Serious Earth is in order. That darker, psychological take on Arkham influenced all its portrayals going forward. With that in mind, here’s who we think should get the spotlight in a future Arkham Asylum series.

Which Batman Villains Will Appear in the Arkham Series?

Here are the villains we most hope to see in this new DCU series.

Scarecrow (Jonathan Crane)

Professor Jonathan Crane, who first appeared in 1941, is one of the many Batman villains who holds up a twisted mirror to the Dark Knight. Like Batman, he has an obsession with fear. But he uses fear as a weapon of control over the weak, not to scare the wicked, as Batman does. Despite his status as a college professor, one fired for his unethical experiments, the Scarecrow lost his grasp on reality. Mainly because of exposure to his own fear toxin. A whole episode based on his origins, and how Batman locked him up at Arkham, seems like an easy decision to us.

Man-Bat (Kirk Langstrom)

The Man-Bat is far more than just Batman’s name in reverse. First appearing in Detective Comics’ 400th issue, along with Ra’s al Ghul, he ushered in a new age of Batman villains for the Bronze Age of comics. Although, he was more of a tragic figure than a straight-up villain. Kirk Langstrom was a scientist who tried to give humanity the sonar sense of bats. But his experiments on himself led him to become a hybrid human/bat creature. He acts as a combination of Dr. Jekyll and Mister Hyde with a dash of werewolf. He’s not technically insane, but the experiments on his body have left him with no control of his mental faculties, leading him to be locked away in Arkham. Far too sci-fi for the Matt Reeves The Batman universe, Man-Bat is a perfect fit for the DCU.

The Mad Hatter (Jervis Techt)

Since his original appearance in 1948’s Batman #49, Jervis Tetch has been a classic villain who disguises himself in the garb of innocent childhood iconography. He’s a genius scientific inventor who develops mind control tech that’s extremely advanced. Alas, he does not wish to use his genius for good. His obsession with all things Alice in Wonderland and his true belief that he’s the Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s story make him one of Batman’s most unhinged foes—and most dangerous.

Poison Ivy (Pamela Isley)

Pamela Isley has been a legendary Batman villain, ever since 1967. Some perceive her as an antihero, because her targets are anyone who contributes to deforestation and climate change. Having said that, Ivy murders anyone who gets in her way. So, good cause or not, she’s not really a hero. If this were set in The Batman world, Matt Reeves would likely go in a grounded direction for her. But in the DCU, she could absolutely be someone who controls giant Venus flytraps and such. A whole episode focusing on Ivy’s rise and fall, and eventual Arkham lock-up, would be perfect for this series. Not to mention, we could see her meet a certain psychiatrist named Harleen Quinzell. Those two have quite the history all their own.

Professor Hugo Strange

This is another must-have Batman villain if you’re doing a show based on Arkham Asylum. Because as a psychiatrist, Professor Hugo Strange was actually on staff at Arkham for years. Before being committed to being a patient there, that is. It probably had something to do with his penchant for making “monster men” out of corpses. An action like that will result in the label “criminally insane.” He is one of only a handful of villains to have deduced Batman’s secret identity as Bruce Wayne. Because of this, and the fact that Strange once treated the other Arkham inmates as his own patients, it makes him an ideal candidate for any Arkham Asylum series.

Mr. Freeze (Victor Fries)

As Matt Reeves has indicated in recent interviews, there is probably a good way to tell the story of Victor Fries in a more compelling way in live-action. The tale of a scientist who loses all emotion except rage when he loses his wife Nora in a terrible accident. He’s one of the great tragic villains in Batman history, and an entire episode from his point of view would be incredible. In fact, we’d root for Paul Dini, father of the modern version of Freeze in Batman: The Animated Series, to write the episode. No one understands Victor better than he does. Just please, skip any ice-related puns.

Professor Pyg (Lazlo Valentin)

Here’s a villain that is a somewhat recent creation. Lazlo Valentin is as dark as Bat villains get. Wearing a creepy pig mask straight out of a horror movie, he has a criminal fixation with the myth of Pygmalion—especially its twisted ideas about physical perfection. His obsession leads him to kidnap people and perform surgery on them, transforming them into living drones. It’s really twisted stuff, but perfect for the “haunted house” vibes of an Arkham Asylum series. Professor Pyg appeared in live-action before, butwe think this is the chance to do Pyg right and not pull any punches.

Clayface (Matt Hagen)

Many Batman villains have been named Clayface, going back to the 1940s. But for an Arkham Asylum series, we think we’d go with the most popular version of the character, Matt Hagen. His popularity is a result of his longevity in the role of Clayface, but also the fact that he was the version introduced in Batman: The Animated Series. In animation, he was an actor disfigured in an accident, who uses an experimental drug to make his appearance look normal, but also to shapeshift into looking like anyone. But the side effects of the drug turn him into a creature of literal sentient mud, raging against the world. Hagen winds up in Arkham, although others use his name while incarcerated. Too sci-fi for The Batman world, he’s perfect for a DCU that has metahumans in it.

Together, these Batman villains could work perfectly for the anthology characters for this Arkham Asylum series. Once fully introduced, we could see them meld into the world of James Gunn’s new DCU, perhaps led by Joker and Riddler. It sounds like an exciting journey and potentially chilling journey to us.

Originally published on March 11, 2022.

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James Gunn has said the new DCU will make room for “Elseworlds” style stories. In other words, it will allow for DC Comics-based stories not tied to any overall continuity. Matt Reeves’ The Batman and the upcoming Penguin series as well as The Batman – Part II are part of this standalone approach. But the Max Arkham Asylum series, announced in 2022, and also produced by Reeves, won’t take place in that version of Gotham City. Instead, it will take place in the Gotham that exists in the new DCU. Via IGN, we learned Gunn was asked by Threads user if Reeves was “producing another Batverse project, other than The Batman 2, Penguin and Arkham?” This is how Gunn replied:

“Right now Matt is producing Arkham as a DCU series, so there’s just the two for now. We love Matt as a director and producer so he’ll be producing stories both within his The Batman universe and within the DCU.”

This is a pretty big change. Until now we only believed Matt Reeves’ involvement extended to one iteration of Gotham City and the Batman world. And we’re not sure this was always the case. Comments from Reeves previously about the Arkham series made it seem as if he tied it to The Batman world. So why the change? We can only guess as to why this is part of the DCU and not a totally separate thing. But we have a theory.

Given how realistic and grounded the Gotham City of The Batman is, maybe Reeves wanted something a little more sci-fi? Or maybe something leaning into the supernatural? Something that did not fit in with the world established in The Batman. This means we might see more bizarre villains from Batman’s rogues’ gallery, like Mr. Freeze, Clayface, Poison Ivy. Heck, why not Man-Bat? These villains will eventually battle whoever the eventual DCU Dark Knight may be. We think it’s long overdue that we see some of these iconic characters on the big screen.

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When it comes to the greatest ever cinematic trilogies, there’s the original Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. (Perhaps the only trilogy named after its second and third installments and not the first, but we digress). As Bottleneck Gallery did for Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings trilogies, it is releasing a new The Dark Knight triptych trilogy poster from artist Gabz. This latest print is the ultimate tribute to Nolan’s Batman films, featuring the heroes, villains, and moments which solidified this as maybe the greatest DC Comics-based superhero film saga of all time. 

The Gabz Dark Knight Trilogy triptych screen print measures 36 x 24 inches, and is a hand-numbered timed edition. Prints go on sale on December 7 and end on December 10. Bottleneck Gallery will determine the edition size by the number of prints sold through Sunday, December 10 at 11:59 PM ET. The “Darkest Night,” “Purging Fire,” and “Legendary” aluminum print have already sold out. But you can still order the “Bhutan Blue” timed edition for $50.00 by clicking right here. The prints will then take 8-10 weeks to ship out.

The Dark Knight trilogy print focuses prominently on Christian Bale’s Batman and Heath Ledger’s Joker. However, just about every main character from Nolan’s Gotham City crime saga appears here. Interestingly though, only one version of the Rachel Dawes character made it to the print. In this case, the one played by Maggie Gyllenhaal and not Katie Holmes. But we suppose having two actresses playing the same character in one poster might have been a tad bit confusing. Although we don’t spot Morgan Freeman’s Lucius Fox character here either. Well, he always preferred to be in his R&D lab anyway. In any event, this is a fantastic print, and a must-have for any Dark Knight fan.

The post Celebrate THE DARK KNIGHT Films with Amazing Trilogy Triptych Print appeared first on Nerdist.

Some films are obviously Christmas movies, like The Muppet Christmas Carol. But that designation is not so clear cut for others. They may be set during the holiday season, and they may even touch upon Christmas themes, but does that mean they truly qualify in the traditional sense? To find out we’re putting those movies on trial and laying out all the evidence for and against them by answering some pertinent questions, just as we did with Die Hard, Gremlins, Edward Scissorhands, Iron Man 3, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Rocky IV. And the latest movie to take the stand in our great Christmas movie debate asked for a courtroom in Gotham. That’s right, it’s time to send up the Santa-Signal for Batman Returns.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, ask yourself…

How much of Batman Returns takes place at Christmastime?

Outside of the opening scene, all of Batman Returns takes place during the Christmas season. Oswald Cobblepot is not born during the holidays, but by the time his parents decide to abandon their cat-eating newborn in the sewers their giant tree is already up. When his circus gang then attacks Gotham 33 years later it’s during the city’s big tree lighting ceremony. The entire movie, which is full of seasonal decorations, presents, and snow, then ends by Christmas Day.

Would Batman Returns be fundamentally different if it were set at any other time of the year?

The film features major scenes connected to the fact that it’s Christmas. There’s actually two big tree lighting sequences. (RIP Ice Princess who was also an actress.) Mistletoe also ends up playing a significant role in the development of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle’s relationship. And just like the North Pole, it’s full of penguins who shouldn’t live there. Yet, if you moved the film to any other time of year and slightly changed the details/décor you would still have the exact same story. The movie takes place entirely during Christmas. It’s just not really connected to Christmas beyond scenery. The tree lightings could just as easily be the opening of a new building. The mistletoe could be a star constellation.

The only thing you couldn’t change without ruining everything was how the city made workers clean up after a terrorist attack while dressed as elves. There’s no equivalent indignity.

Do any of the film’s major themes apply to Christmas?

Batman Returns is about the duality of self and identity, isolation, and acceptance. Batman, Catwoman, Penguin, and Max Shrek all have two different identities—their public persona and their secret self—and they struggle to find a balance between the two. Interesting, but not very Christmas-y. The movie’s also about revenge, power, greed, and class. The closest any of those come to being traditional holiday themes are greed and class, but considering Bruce Wayne is the film’s hero, it’s not exactly Gotham’s take on It’s A Wonderful Life. The billionaire is the guy we want to see come out on top.

Does watching Batman Returns at Christmastime enhance the experience?

Even though the film’s plot and themes have nothing to do with the holiday, the film is so specifically set during Christmas that watching it in December does enhance the experience.* It’s easy to get caught up in the characters’ lives while also personally surrounded by a Christmas tree and festive lights. And when Bruce Wayne ends up alone at the end you feel a little extra sting because you know it will be another lonely holiday for him. You can really feel the holiday blues in the moment.

*This was obviously not the case when it first came to theaters. Batman Returns premiered in June 1992.

Has this film been accepted as a Christmas movie tradition?

Some fans consider Batman Returns a Christmas movie, but not enough. The film also has yet to break into the holiday movie zeitgeist the way a movie like Die Hard has. Since it didn’t before the streaming era began we can’t imagine it will anytime soon. If will likely need to start airing on basic cable a lot more in December to do that. If/when it does we’ll reevaluate this section. For now it’s simply a niche Christmas-adjacent movie.

THE FINAL VERDICT

We love Batman. He’s also provided us with lots of great Christmas memories over the years. For those reasons and more it would make us very happy to judge this film a true holiday entry. We just can’t do it after looking at the evidence objectively. Because while this movie embraces the feel of the Christmas season, it’s not a Christmas story. Not by its plot, themes, or characters. And since it hasn’t established itself as a holiday viewing staple, there’s only one verdict we can give.

Turn off the Santa-Signal, because Batman Returns does not qualify as a Christmas movie.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter and Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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The Joker occupies an almost mythological place in popular culture. With his green hair and clown makeup, the Joker has transformed from one of Batman’s campy villains to a figure of terror. The Joker’s darker turn has only increased his popularity, thanks to live-action DC films. Every new actor to take on the Joker role faces the challenge of adding their own disturbing dimension to the character. It seems like every version is trying to be the scariest one.

But as menacing as actors like Heath Ledger and Barry Keoghan are as the Clown Prince of Crime, there is a uniquely haunting effect to the character on the page. In the comic book format, the only limits on the Joker are the imaginations of the creative team producing his story. Considering that chaos motivates his character, this limitlessness adds another layer to his actions. As such, his most terrifying form—seen in Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, and Jonathan Glapion’s “Death of the Family” arc—feels too visceral to ever become a live-action film.

The Joker in “Death of the Family,” spanning Batman (2011) #13-17, brings a tailored sense of terror to Gotham City. For those who aren’t familiar, Batman’s network of adopted children and allies, known colloquially as the Bat-Family, play a significant role in his comics. The Bat-Family makes Batman strong, but it can also make him vulnerable to villains like the Joker. “Death of the Family” is a story that plays on that vulnerability. The title inverts the famous Batman: A Death in the Family storyline from the late 1980s. There, the Joker murdered Jason Todd, the second Robin.

As the title suggests, the Joker in “Death of the Family” acts as a disruptive force. He removes the sense of safety that Batman has in Gotham and within his own family. To start, the Joker sports a dramatically different look. He wears a mask of his own detached face skin, stretched over the raw flesh underneath. Writer Scott Snyder deploys the Joker like a slasher movie villain. The Joker lurks in the shadows, strategically revealing himself for dramatic effect. In one scene during a power outage, he murders an entire unit of Gotham City police officers Michael Myers-style: through brute force. 

What makes “Death of the Family” Joker so terrifying is his pursuit of maximum psychological damage for Batman and his children. He doesn’t want to directly kill anyone in the main cast, because that would spoil the fun for him. It’s the same reason why he kills those GCPD officers in front of Jim Gordon, leaving him the only survivor. The Joker’s cruelty thrives on letting a select few witnesses live. Then they can be disturbed for the rest of their lives. 

Furthermore, because of the comic book format, a certain level of abstraction applies to the Joker that film and television will simply never measure up to. Even if Hollywood adapted this story, the Joker’s actions would lose some of their impact. This is because audiences would be watching an actor embody the role. Regardless of how excellent Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, or Barry Keoghan are as the Joker, we are ultimately watching a familiar face briefly slip into a costume.

In a comic book, the Joker is a drawing. He is no one but himself—an idea that “Death of the Family” touches upon. Artist Greg Capullo and inker Jonathan Glapion conjure this haunting appearance of the Joker onto the page from nothing. Together with Scott Snyder’s scripts, this vision of terror is born, not in our world, but in the world of the story. Because “Death of the Family”‘s Joker is so divorced from our reality, we fear the unknown. 

The Joker’s detached face, one of the primary vessels of fear in the story, contributes to this abstraction. That rotting skin held taut by staples and wires reminds us the familiar can be easily cut away to tease the horror of the unknown lying beneath. If the Joker’s face, a sight we’re accustomed to and maybe even desensitized by, can be warped into a new nightmarish vision with one change, then couldn’t the same be done for Batman?

“Death of the Family” answers this question when the Bat-Family awakens with their faces bandaged and bloody while seated at a dinner table. The Joker taunts them and Batman before revealing the horrific main course on the table. It appears to be the skinned faces of the Bat-Family. Fear is a subjective and personal experience. The Joker in “Death of the Family“ leans into fear’s individualized nature, recalling another standout appearance of his in Grant Morrison and Dave McKean’s Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth. In order for the Joker to be scary, a story must understand what Batman himself fears.

The post Which Version of the Joker Is Actually the Scariest? appeared first on Nerdist.

Dwayne Johnson was right when he said, “The hierarchy of power in the DC universe is about to change.” He was just wrong about who would end up on top. Power now rests in the hands of new co-heads of DC, James Gunn and Peter Safran. We’ve wondered what their ascension would mean for the superhero franchise since the moment they got hired. But we don’t have to wait any longer. Gunn has announced “Chapter 1” of projects in a unified DC universe, or what is known as the DCU.

Gunn shared the plan for the new DC Universe that he and Safran have devised for the first 8-10 years of their regime. That will include a space for other projects that don’t fall under the main DC Universe purview. Films like The Batman Part 2, Teen Titans Go, and Joker: Folie à Deux will fall under the DC Elseworlds banner, same as in DC comics.

Movies already in the works like Shazam: Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman 2, will lead to Gunn and Safran’s new unified DC Universe. (Notably, Gunn said The Flash “resets the entire DC Universe.”) That singular universe will encompass film, television, and gaming. Gunn said characters will even move between animation and live-action, with the same actors playing the voices for the former.

But the biggest news from Gunn is the slate of new films and television shows DC is calling “Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters.” Below, we break down what we know about these DCU entries so far.

DC UNIVERSE CHAPTER ONE MOVIES

Superman: Legacy: The film side of the new DCU will kick off on July 11, 2025 with Superman: Legacy. Gunn is writing the script, which he says is “the true beginning” of this new unified era.

According to a release, the Superman movie will “focus on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.”

You can check out everything we know about Superman: Legacy here:

The Authority: Gunn’s “passion project” is a “big movie” that will introduce a very different group of superheroes. They believe the world is broken and needs saving. But they will also interact with all of the franchise’s other big characters.

A release shares more about this DC Universe movie, It notes “WildStorm characters will join the DCU as members of The Authority take matters into their own hands to do what they believe is right.”

The Brave and the Bold: Batman will come to the DCU in a story based on Grant Morrison’s comic series. It will feature Batman’s actual son, Damian Wayne, as Robin.

According to Gunn, “This is a story of Damian Wayne, who’s Batman’s actual son that he didn’t know existed for the first eight to ten years of his life. He was raised as a little murderer and assassin. He’s my favorite Robin.”

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow: Tom King (and Bilquis Evely)’s comic book series from last year is getting turned into “a big science fiction epic film.”

Gunn shares, “In our story, we have Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by incredibly loving parents. Kara was on Krypton. She was on a piece of Krypton that drifted away from the planet, and she lived there for the first fourteen years of her life in a horrible situation where she watched everyone around her die. So, she’s a much harsher and more f*cked up Supergirl than you’ve been used to thus far.”

It was recently reported that Ana Nogueira will write the DCU’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow movie.

Swamp Thing: Though “tonally outside the rest of the DCU,” the origin story of Swamp Thing will still feed into the rest of the DC Universe’s stories.

DCU CHAPTER ONE TELEVISION SHOWS

Creature Commandos: The first project for the new DCU is an animated series based on characters first introduced in 1980.

A release shares that this show will be “a seven-episode animated show in which Amanda Waller creates a black ops team out of monstrous prisoners; Gunn wrote all the episodes of the first season.” Gunn further shares, that team will include, “Rick Flag, Sr. He’s going to show up in other stuff. Then Nina Mazursky. Doctor Phosphorus, a Batman villain. Frankenstein—Eric Frankenstein, specifically. The Bride of Frankenstein, who’s the lead. Finally, G.I. Robot and Weasel.”

Waller: The second series from Gunn and Safran is Waller, a live-action spinoff from Peacemaker. It will see Amanda Waller teaming up with members from the Peacemaker team.

Christal Henry (Watchmen) and Jeremy Carver (Supernatural) will write this entry in the DC Universe.

Lanterns: Gunn says Lanterns will be a big HBO series starring Hal Jordan and John Stewart. The “terrestrial-based” show will be akin to True Detective. The two will investigate a “terrifying mystery” that has huge ties to the entire franchise.

Paradise Lost: Paradise Lost will take place on Themyscira, home of Wonder Woman. Gunn says it has a lot in common with Game of Thrones. A release shares this entry into the DC Universe “focuses on the genesis and political intrigue of an island of all women.”

Booster Gold: Booster Gold might be DC’s most popular loser. He’s a hero who travels back in time with technology from the future that lets him be a superhero. That tech is also getting him his own show.

Even more exciting for DC fans? Gunn says these are just the stories he can tell us about right now. But this slate is enough to know the hierarchy in the DC universe really has changed.

Originally published on January 31, 2023.

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I always imagine the holiday season is especially tough on Bruce Wayne. That’s when the Penguin murdered Gotham’s Ice Princess. It’s also when the Joker ruined Christmas Eve by kidnapping a bunch of city officials. And you just know the “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells” song hurts his feelings even if he doesn’t want to admit it. Plus, he probably misses his parents. But there’s good news about this year’s celebration: he’s going to spend the special with both his son and his new beard. The bad news is they’ll be fighting some famous villains rather than opening presents. That will make for another tough holiday for Bruce, but the first trailer for Prime Video’s animated movie special Merry Little Batman is an early gift for all of us.

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Not because it’s the holiday season, but because that’s true anytime we get a new Batman special. This one is a lot more lighthearted than previous seasonal Dark Knight stories, though. This Merry Little Batman trailer promises a festive holiday movie that’s a straight-up family comedy with some famous rogues. There’s even a shout to Batman’s infamous nipple suit.

Here’s the Batman Christmas movie’s official synopsis from Prime Video:

This Christmas, Damian Wayne wants to be a superhero like his dad—the one and only Batman. When Damian is left home alone while Batman takes on Gotham’s worst supervillains on Christmas Eve, he stumbles upon a villainous plot to steal Christmas and leaps at the chance to save the day.

Mike Roth (Regular Show) directs with a script from Morgan Evans (Teen Titans Go!) and Jase Ricci (Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham). Merry Little Batman stars Luke Wilson, Yonas Kibreab, James Cromwell, and David Hornsby. This Batman movie will show up under our digital tree at Prime Video on December 8.

Hopefully, the rest of the month goes a lot better for Bruce Wayne. And we do mean that even if we always get a great Batman story when Christmas goes terribly wrong for him.

The post MERRY LITTLE BATMAN Trailer: Bruce Wayne and His Son Save Christmas From Grinchy Joker appeared first on Nerdist.

It’s been a bit of a wild west in the streaming world recently. Streamers have been canceling shows and movies left and right, even ones that are ready to go. In the world of HBO Max, animated shows got hit extra hard, though live-action series weren’t exempt from the culling either. This is why we’ll take good news where we can get it. After a cancellation at HBO Max, J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves, and Bruce Timm’s Batman: Caped Crusader series has found a new home at Amazon. In addition, the streamer will also bring to life an original Batman animated film called Merry Little Batman and a spinoff series called Bat-Family.

And, even more exciting, per The Hollywood Reporter, the Batman: Caped Crusader series has received a two-season order, ensuring we’ll get a ton of the Caped Crusader to enjoy. There are certainly some powerful minds working on the show. Ed Brubaker is even on the creative team. So we can imagine it will turn out pretty well.

Merry Little Batman Reveals Plot Synopsis and Release Date

Merry Little Batman will be the first Batman piece to hit Amazon’s Prime Video. This family action-comedy follows Damian Wayne becoming “Little Batman” to defend against villainous rogues who wish to ruin the holidays. A new Merry Little Batman synopsis reveals more about its plot, it shares:

Merry Little Batman is an animated family action comedy destined to join the rogue’s gallery of classic holiday movies. When young Damian Wayne finds himself alone in Wayne Manor on Christmas Eve, he must transform into “Little Batman” in order to defend his home and Gotham City from the crooks and supervillains intent on destroying the holidays.

Additionally, Prime Video has revealed Merry Little Batman‘s release date. Unsuprisingly this holiday twist on Batman will arrive just in time for some merriment. Merry Little Man releases on Prime Video on December 8.

The movie is “produced by Warner Bros. Animation and based on characters from DC.” Merry Little Batman features the voices of Yonas Kibreab, Luke Wilson, James Cromwell, and David Hornsby.

More About Amazon’s Batman Plans

We don’t know too much yet about the other Batman series coing to Amazon. Presently, the only information shared is that Bat-Family follows Batman, Alfred, and young Damian Wayne as they navigate being a super family. 

Sam Register, president, Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, shares “We are excited to partner with Amazon to begin an all-new animated chapter of Batman. From the cinematic noir storytelling of Batman: Caped Crusader to the comedic adventures of Merry Little Batman and Bat-Family, these new projects ensure that there will be an animated Batman story ready to excite fans of all ages.”

As DC consolidates its on-screen universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran, it’s interesting to see some of its Elseworlds projects end up outside the main Warner Bros. Discovery hubs. Whether that’s a good move or not is yet to be determined.

Originally published on March 9, 2023.

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For over 80 years, DC Comics has been continuously publishing Batman and Detective Comics. And in that time, they have produced some of the best, most creative runs on any superhero comic book series ever. So many, in fact, it was hard to narrow them down to a “10 best.” But for our money, the following are the greatest creator runs by a specific comic writer or writer/artists combo in the history of Batman.

10. Doug Moench and Kelley Jones

Writer Doug Moench and artist Kelley Jones were a dream comics team on the Batman titles, producing a 42-issue run from 1995 to 1998. These issues leaned heavily on supernatural stories and good old-fashioned detective yarns. This writer/artist duo picked up from where the Knightfall Saga left off. That 1993 story saw Batman seriously injured and replaced for a time. Their mid-’90s run was a back-to-basics approach, after two years of different characters under the cowl, like Azrael and Dick Grayson.

Moench’s propensity for the spookier side of Batman lore was perfect with Jones’ art style, which often made Batman’s villains look more grotesque than ever. Although the two had a lengthy run on the ongoing title, we can’t forget to mention their Batman and Dracula DC Comics trilogy. These were a series of out-of-continuity stories that told what-if style tales about Batman as a vampire. When you combine these three Elseworlds stories with their regular run in the ongoing Batman title, it all makes for a truly memorable run on the character.

Issues in Doug Moench and Kelley Jones‘ Batman Comic Run:

Batman 516-552 (1995-1998) Batman and Dracula: Red Rain (1991), Batman: Bloodstorm (1994), Batman: Crimson Mist (1998)

9. Paul Dini

Writer Paul Dini became a Batman legend in another medium outside of comics before tackling the Dark Knight’s adventures in print. As a producer and writer on Batman: The Animated Series, Dini wrote several iconic episodes, including redefining Mr. Freeze in “Heart of Ice,” and co-created Harley Quinn. Not to mention he wrote both the Arkham Asylum and Arkham City video games. But years after the show ended, Dini did a significant run of Batman stories in Detective Comics and Batman: Streets of Gotham.

Working together primarily with artists Dustin Nguyen and Don Kramer, Dini wrote stories that expanded and gave depth to newer villains like Hush. He also wrote several one-and-done mysteries stories, once that reflected some of his best work on the animated shows. While his non-comics Batman stories might have had a greater impact on popular culture, his run on the character in the pages of the Dark Knight’s birth medium of comic books shouldn’t be forgotten.

Issues in Paul Dini’s Batman Comic Run:

Batman: Streets of Gotham #1-4, #7, #10-14, #16-21, DCU Holiday Special #1, Detective Comics #821-824, #826-828, #831, #833-834, #837-841, #843-850, #852, (2006-2009)

8. “New Look” Batman

When most people talk about the best Batman and Detective Comics runs, most people begin in the ‘70s. But a very important Batman comics run happened in 1964 -1968, which literally saved the character from irrelevance. For much of the ‘50s/early ’60s, the restrictive Comics Code censors neutered Batman as a character. Instead of fighting criminals, he fought aliens and wacky monsters in stories mainly aimed at 6-year-olds. And Bob Kane’s art (and those of his copycat ghost artists) was hopelessly dated in an era of Marvel heroes. Sales slipped badly, and something needed to be done. Legend has it that if DC couldn’t raise sales on the Batman comic books, they would cancel one or both of them.

So DC editor Julius Schwartz hired veteran writers John Broome, Gardner Fox, and artist Carmine Infantino to revamp Batman, just as they had for the Flash. Infantino illustrated every other issue of Detective, with longtime penciler Sheldon Moldoff now instructed to mimic Infantino’s art, not Bob Kane’s. The stories featured a lot of one-off bad guys and dynamic artwork. And saw Batman actually being a detective for the first time in years. This era also gave us the iconic yellow oval Bat emblem and introduced Batgirl and Poison Ivy. This 1964-68 comics run of Batman revitalized the character for younger readers. Many saw Batman as their dad’s hero in previous. The success of this Batman run led directly to the ABC creating the TV series. Which, of course, mercilessly spoofed the comics, but the comics themselves remain a retro blast to read.

Issues in the “New Look” Batman Comic Run:

Detective Comics #327-371, Batman #164-200 (1964-1968)

7. Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers

Though it’s one of the best, this Batman comic run often gets forgotten, thanks to the long shadow of game-changing work from Denny O’Neill. And, it was only eight issues long, running in the late ‘70s. But writer Steve Englehart, famous for work on Marvel titles like Avengers, wrote several character-defining issues of Detective Comics that were some of the best Batman work ever published until that time. Englehart, together with artist Marshall Rogers, really doubled down on Bruce Wayne as a suave, James Bond-style ladies’ man, giving him a femme fatale love interest named Silver St. Cloud.

Together, Englehart and Rogers gave new life to discarded Golden Age villain Dr. Hugo Strange and introduced the definitive version of the assassin Deadshot. Both characters would become mainstays of Batman’s rogues gallery from then on. One of his Joker stories, “The Laughing Fish,” even found new life as a fantastic episode of Batman: The Animated Series years later. He even made a once-cheesy villain like Doctor Phosphorus cool. Steve Englehart would return years later for a Batman tale here and there. But nothing beats the original Englehart and Rogers combo. Their Batman run was brief, but the impact on Batman and his comic legacy was big.

Issues in Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers Batman Comic Run:

Detective Comics #469-476, 1977-1978

6. Tom King (with various artists)

Writer Tom King had the unenviable task of following up Scott Snyder’s celebrated Batman run back in 2016. Yet King’s Batman introduced lots of new concepts in innovative stories, some of which worked like gangbusters, and a few that landed with a thud (killing off Alfred Pennyworth counts as the latter). But during King’s nearly 100-issue run, he finally deepened the Batman/Catwoman relationship, even if fans were (wrongly) denied their wedding. However, the abruptly ended nuptials of Bruce and Selina were part of a pretty amazing story involving the oft-misused Bane.

King’s Batman comic run also included the Joker vs. Riddler crime saga “The War of Jokes and Riddles,” a story that stands as one of the great modern Gotham City stories. They paired King with incredible artists during his run—David Finch, Mitch Gerads, Clay Mann, Lee Weeks, Jason Fabok. But especially Mikal Janin, who illustrated Batman the most. But everyone brought their A-game. We eagerly await our first Tom King Batman omnibus, DC Comics. This run one was one of the greats, flaws and all. And yes, one big flaw was killing Alfred. That keeps this entry down one whole notch on our list of the best Batman comic runs.

Issues in Tom King’s (with various artists) Batman Comic Run:

Batman: Rebirth #1, Batman (Vol.3) #1-85, Annuals #1-3, Batman/Catwoman #1-12 (2016-2022)

5. Frank Miller

You thought this run would be way higher on the list, didn’t you? We wouldn’t blame you if you did. The footprint that writer/artist Frank Miller left on the character of Batman is, quite frankly, enormous. Both his Batman: Year One, which he produced with artist David Mazzucchelli, and The Dark Knight Returns, are the most iconic versions of Batman’s “first” and “final” stories ever put to print. And everyone who has adapted Batman in every medium since has found influence in them. And they’re both really, really good.

So why this mid-level placement in the best Batman comic runs list? Well, both Year One and Dark Knight Returns are just eight issues long, all together. And his other, later runs on Batman? Well, Miller’s All-Star Batman was so terrible even Jim Lee’s art couldn’t save it. His 2001 Dark Knight Strikes Again is one of the most disappointing sequels ever made in any medium. The third chapter, which had a co-writer and different artist, was just ok. So, in the end, it’s a draw. If we were judging individual Batman comic stories, then Miller’s Dark Knight Returns and Year One would be at the top. But in terms of extended runs on the Caped Crusader, collectively, it’s all about as great as it is awful.

Issues in Frank Miller‘s Batman Comic Run:

The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One, 1986-1987, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, 2001-2002, All-Star Batman 2005-2008, DKIII: The Master Race (2017)

4. Jeph Loeb, with Tim Sale and Jim Lee

Most of writer Jeph Loeb’s run on Batman was in mini-series format, with one notable run in the regular ongoing Batman title. But man, what a way to leave a stamp on a character. Loeb and artist Tim Sale first worked together on a series of Halloween specials in the mid-90s. However, their pièce de résistance remains the 13-part mini-series The Long Halloween. This intense murder mystery involved almost the entire rouges gallery in key ways, and it had a payoff worthy of the year-long build-up. Every panel of Tim Sale’s artwork is a stunning composition.

This creative team reunited for the underrated sequel, Dark Victory, a few years later, which introduced Robin into the story. But Loeb wasn’t done quite yet. In 2002, he teamed with superstar artist Jim Lee (now DC president) for a 12-part story called Hush. It’s another long-form mystery, but Loeb played to Lee’s strengths and gave him big action in addition to mystery. All of these comic runs stand out as some of the best Batman stories of all time to this day. One can see the fingerprints of these modern classics all over modern Batman films, including the recent The Batman.

Issues in Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale, and Jim Lee‘s Batman Comic Run:

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special, Batman: Madness – A Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special, Batman: Ghosts -A Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special, Batman: The Long Halloween #1-13, Batman: Dark Victory #0-13, Catwoman: When in Rome #1-6, Batman #608-619 (1994-2004)

3. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo

The 2011 New 52 reboot of DC was hastily put together and is largely disliked today. But there was at least one big exception to the quality dip of that reboot everyone agrees on, however. And that is writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo’s run on the series. This run introduced one of the coolest concepts to the mythology in years, the mysterious Court of Owls, a secret society controlling Gotham for decades. Snyder and Capullo also gave us one of the best Jokers storylines in decades in The Death of the Family. After decades of Frank Miller’s Year One as being the definitive “early years” Batman, Snyder and Capullo unleashed Zero Year. This was an arguably more epic take on Batman’s first twelve months on the job.

Scott Snyder found a way to combine a psychological take with big superhero action, and it always works. We should add, even before the New 52 reboot, Snyder wrote one of the best Batman stories ever, The Black Mirror. Only that time it was with Dick Grayson as the Dark Knight and not Bruce Wayne. The Snyder/Capullo run officially ended with the two-part Last Knight on Earth. But they unofficially continued their Batman partnership in the event series Dark Nights: Metal and Dark Nights: Death Metal. Both of which featured Batman in a central role. This one is the most recent of the truly great runs of Batman’s ongoing comic titles.

Issues in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo‘s Batman Comic Run:

Batman (Vol.2) #0-52, #23.2 and Annual #1-4 Batman: Futures End #1; Detective Comics #1000 and Batman: Last Knight on Earth #1-3, Dark Nights- Metal #1-6, and Dark Nights – Death Metal #17 (2011-2018)

2. Grant Morrison (with various artists)

By the time they took on the regular ongoing Batman title in 2006, writer Grant Morrison was already a comics legend. Specifically, Morrison was known for Batman, having written the graphic novel Arkham Asylum and given the character a significant part in their JLA run. But their take on the Dark Knight’s ongoing series successfully combined elements of every era of the character before, from the ‘50s sci-fi goofiness to ‘70s high adventure, in one wonderful almost surreal run that even saw Batman dead and his former protégé Nightwing replacing him in the role.

Morrison’s run also introduced Bruce’s son Damian Wayne as Robin, now an iconic part of Batman’s lore. Their extended storyline Batman: R.I.P. remains one of the greatest and trippiest Batman stories of all time. They also created new villains that are now legit parts of the rogues gallery, like the Flamingo and Professor Pyg. Combined, it was an epic seven-year run on the character, playing across multiple series and even the event Final Crisis. The art by Adam Kubert, Frank Quitely, Tony S. Daniel, and others also raises this run into the stratosphere.

Issues in Grant Morrison’s Batman Comic Run:

Batman #655-658, #663-683, Batman & Robin #1-16, Batman #700-702, Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1-6, Batman Incorporated #1-8, Batman: The Return #1, Batman Incorporated #0-13, Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes #1, Batman Incorporated Special #1, Final Crisis (2006-2013)

1. Dennis O’Neil (with Neal Adams, various artists) Has the Best Batman Comic Run

After the end of the Batman ’66 TV series, the character’s reputation as a joke was cemented in popular culture. So DC did something drastic and doubled down on returning Batman to his 1939 status as an avenging creature of the night. Writer Dennis “Denny” O’Neil and artist Neal Adams produced 11 issues from 1970 to 73. These stories restored Batman to his role as Gotham’s Dark Knight Detective. They separated Batman from Robin (mostly), making him a brooding loner again. In their Batman comic run, they introduced major villains like Ra’s al Ghul and Talia. They made the Joker a homicidal maniac again, and brought back Two-Face after decades.

O’Neil also introduced the concept of Batman as a sexy globetrotting adventurer, in the style of James Bond. While the O’Neil/Adams collaboration only lasted three years. Later, O’Neil wrote dozens of other Batman stories with collaborators like Irv Novick and Dick Giordano. One of those stories, “Appointment in Crime Alley,” is widely considered one of the best Batman stories ever. O’Neil became group editor of the Batman line by the ‘90s, guiding what other writers did. But his own Batman run is the most influential run on the Dark Knight of any creator to date. Bob Kane and Bill Finger might have created the architecture of Batman, but Denny O’Neil and his artistic collaborators did the rest.

Issues in Dennis O’Neil’s (with Neal Adams, various artists) Batman Comic Run

Detective Comics 395,397,404,410, 480-491, Batman 232, 234, 235, 237, 243-248, 251-266, (1970-1980) Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (1989)

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We associate very few things with Batman more than his slick ride, the Batmobile. While there have been many, many iterations of the Batmobile over the decades, a few specific Batmobiles have risen to the top as the most iconic. And now, DC is releasing a series of commemorative pins celebrating the Dark Knight’s legendary vehicles via the DC Shop. You can check out images of these new pins and their creative packaging in our gallery below:

Click To View Gallery

This new limited-edition Gotham City Classics Batmobile pin set comes packaged inside the stylized wheel with hubcap in a set of five (5) collectible enamel pins. Each pin is black nickel plated. There are moving wheels on the Batmobiles and a glow-in-the-dark feature with the Batman Forever Batmobile. The fan-favorite Batmobiles included in this set include the one from the Batman TV series (1966), Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), Batman: The Animated Series (1992), and Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever (1995).

The fifth pin in this set is a chase limited-edition of 495. It’s the Batmobile Communicator from the 1989 film, which slides out the “microphone.” There is also a special super chase pin of the fifth pin. That one is a limited edition of 5—a gold version of the Batmobile Communicator from Tim Burton’s 1989 film, which slides out the “microphone.” Below are the specifications for each separate pin in the set.

Batman (1966) Batmobile: H: 0.78” W: 2.75”
Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) Batmobile: H: 0.66” W: 2.875”
Batman: The Animated Series (1992) Batmobile: H: 0.55” W: 2.75”
Batman Forever (1995) Batmobile: H: 1.12” W: 3” (glow-in-the-dark)
Batmobile Communicator: H: 1.89” W: 1.06”
Gotham City Classics Batmobile pin set box: 12” x 12” and about 2” deep
Gotham City Classics Batmobile pin set box weight: 1 lbs.

The pin set can be yours for $175.00, at you can order them now at the DC Shop.

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Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, arguably the greatest Batman movie ever (yeah, you heard us), is finally out on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. And just in time for the animated classic’s 30th anniversary. But it’s a bittersweet release. Simply because we’re all still mourning the loss of that film’s Dark Knight, Kevin Conroy, who passed away a year ago. So, part of this new Mask of the Phantasm release is a special tribute to him from his friends and colleagues. You can watch a clip from that special feature, I Am the Knight, below:

Kevin Conroy is the definitive Batman as far as we’re concerned. He voiced the character for decades, starting with 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series, all the way through to 2019’s Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? He also voiced Bruce Wayne in numerous video games, not to mention DC ensemble shows like Justice League Unlimited and Justice League Action. And his “Old Man Bruce” was arguably the best part of Batman Beyond. He even got to play Bruce in live-action in 2019, as part of the CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover.

Among the folks paying tribute to Conroy in the featurette are Batman: The Animated Series co-creator Bruce Timm, producers Eric Radomski and Paul Dini, and voice director Andrea Romano. Notable DC Comics creators like Geoff Johns and Paul Levitz sing Conroy’s praises too. Timm admits that finding the right voice actor for other roles was relatively simple. But finding the right Batman? That was very difficult. Luckily, Andrea Romano had heard of a Juilliard-trained actor who would be perfect for the role. And the rest, as they say, is history. Other Dark Knights have come and gone in animation, some very good. However, all pale in comparison to Kevin Conroy, who will always be the best Batman ever.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is now available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.

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Many still argue about which Batman feature film is the best. But there are very few disagreements on which is the best Batman feature film theme music. To this day, composer Danny Elfman’s iconic score from Tim Burton’s original film is still what many hear in their heads when they hear the words “Batman.” And now, Bat-fans will get the chance to hear that music performed live as part of the DC In Concert series, starting in 2024. All of this coincides with the 35th anniversary year of Tim Burton’s blockbuster film, which hit theaters in June, 1989.

The upcoming Batman tour kicks off January 2024 in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theater. After that, it will stop in twelve U.S. cities before heading to Paris and London. Guests who attend will enjoy the film projected onto a larger-than-life screen. All while a live orchestra performs Danny Elfman’s iconic musical score. They reused the classic Batman score in Tim Burton’s follow-up film Batman Returns. Which was also scored by Elfman. But perhaps it remains associated with the character so very much because of its inclusion in Batman: The Animated Series. While Shirley Walker composed music for the actual series, the opening title was a reorchestration of Elfman’s 1989 live-action film theme.

DC in Concert attendees enjoy an enhanced concert experience with spectacular stage lighting, post-event autographs, merchandise sales, and more. They even encourage guests to dress up as their favorite DC superhero. Who, we hope, are Gotham City-related in some way. Might be awkward to go to a Batman concert dressed up like Aquaman. Although we kind of hope someone goes as Bob the Goon, the Joker’s ill-fated henchman. That’s a deep-cut character we’d appreciate. You can visit www.DCFilmsinConcert.com for ticket information and to see the other 12 U.S. dates.

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Who our new big-screen Batman will be in the upcoming DCU is still a big mystery. But for many of you out there, we know Christian Bale is your forever Bruce Wayne. And you’ll soon have a chance to see his starring turn as the Caped Crusader in movie theaters once more. Via Collider, we’ve learned that for this upcoming Batman Day on September 16, Christopher Nolan’s entire Dark Knight Trilogy will screen at Showcase Cinemas. What better way to celebrate Batman on his big day than by seeing Nolan’s whole saga in one sitting?

Of course, you might not have access to a Showcase Cinema near you. Or maybe you just don’t want to sit in a movie theater for seven hours. Other theater chains are showing The Dark Knight only that weekend. It makes sense that of the entire Christopher Nolan trilogy, if they only had to pick one film, it would be that one. The Dark Knight changed the game in how superhero movies were perceived by the general public. Not to mention, it resulted in a posthumous Oscar for Heath Ledger, for his iconic portrayal of the Joker. It raised the bar for what we expect from a film based on a comic book. Even with the critical acclaim for The Batman, some think it will be impossible for it to ever top The Dark Knight.

There are other ways to celebrate Batman Day of course. This year is the 30th anniversary of the excellent animated film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. And the new 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray hits just before Batman Day. So you can celebrate in the comfort of your own home. But for those of you out there who are Nolan die-hards, and live near a Showcase Cinema location, you can get tickets for Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises now. And for those of you who just want to watch The Dark Knight? You can get your tickets now via Fandango, or the Alamo Drafthouse.

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Actress Arleen Sorkin, the original voice of Harley Quinn on Batman: The Animated Series, has passed away at age 67. The sad news was confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. Sorkin reprised her role in The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, Justice League, and the DC Universe Online game, as well as the first Arkham Asylum game in 2009. Health issues in recent years caused her to retire from the role, replaced by various actresses, including Tara Strong. Mark Hamill, who played Harley’s Joker, a.k.a “Mister J,” posted a loving tribute to his friend and colleague on social media.

Arleen Sorkin wasn’t just the original voice of Harley. She was the actual inspiration for the character. Sorkin played the character of Calliope Jones in the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives from 1984-1990. (In the series, she played opposite future Q from Star Trek, John de Lancie.) Sorkin was an old college friend of Batman: The Animated Series producer and writer Paul Dini. One day, while home sick, he watched an episode of her show. In the episode, she was playing a Harlequin character in a fantasy sequence and inspiration struck for Dini.

That character inspired Harley Quinn, who they intended to appear in just one episode of Batman: TAS, “Joker’s Favor.” When it came time to produce the episode, he asked Sorkin to voice her. They quickly realized Joker’s intended as a one-off girlfriend was too good for one episode. Harley Quinn became one of the breakout characters of the series. And, arguably, the most popular DC character to debut outside of the actual comics. They finally expanded her origin story in the 1999 episode “Mad Love,” which revealed she was once Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a psychologist at Arkham Asylum assigned to the Joker. Without a doubt, Harley’s real name Harleen was also an homage to Arleen.

Because of her memorable voice and characterization, Harley Quinn is one of the most popular characters in the entire DC pantheon. She now has several solo comics, her own animated series, and has been portrayed on film by Margot Robbie and soon Lady Gaga in Joker: Folie à Deux. An anime Suicide Squad series has been greenlit which will focus on Harley Quinn. None of these things would exist if not for Sorkin’s iconic take on the deranged clown girl with the thick Brooklyn accent. Arleen Sorkin is survived by her husband and two children.

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San Diego Comic-Con will soon be upon us and DC Comics and Funko fans will have a lot to be excited about this year. There are several DC-related exclusives coming to the Con featuring the heroes of the Justice League. Among this year’s releases is a Pop! Barry Allen (In Electric Chair) from The Flash, from the scene where he gets his speed powers, several Bitty Pop! DC Comics Figures, a DC Super Friends REWIND Batman, in a VHS style case, and The Batman – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 3XLP from Mondo. You can check out details, images, and pricing for each SDCC Funko offering below:

Pop! Barry Allen (In Electric Chair)

Pop! Barry Allen (In Electric Chair) is buckled in for an electrifying experience! Defend your The Flash collection by reuniting this exclusive Pop! “Fastest Man Alive” with the superheroes in your DC collection. Vinyl figure is approximately 4.05-inches tall. Will be sold at the Funko booth on the show floor and will be available on funko.com on July 20. MSRP is $15.00.

Bitty Pop! DC Comics 4-Pack Series 2 (Black Light) 

Your favorite Pops! have been shrunk into Bitty Pops! Expand your DC collection with this exclusive, 4,000-piece limited-edition assortment of black light Bitty Pop! DC Comics figures featuring your most beloved heroes and villains! This 4-pack includes Bitty Pop! Batman, Scarecrow, Robin, and a mystery Bitty Pop! figure. The possible mystery Bitty Pops! are Hyper Rare (1/6) Robot Batman, Hyper Rare (1/6) Batman Beyond, Rare (1/3) Catwoman, and Rare (1/3) The Penguin.

Acrylic display cases are stackable and hold four Bitty Pop! figures each. Vinyl figures are approximately 0.9-inches tall. Four figures per single package purchase. Bitty Pops! come packaged in hard acrylic cases with detachable bottom lids. Acrylic display cases are stackable and hold four Bitty Pop! figures each. Vinyl figures are approximately 0.9-inches tall. Four figures per single package purchase. They will only sell this item at the Funko Rewind Booth on the SDCC showfloor. MSRP is $15.00.

DC Super Friends REWIND Batman (Funko Rewind)

Take flight on vengeful wings with REWIND Batman! This exclusive defender of justice is ready to protect your DC Super Friends collection. REWIND collectible comes in VHS-inspired packaging with a matching character card! There’s a 1 in 6 chance you may find the Chase of Evil Batman. The vinyl figure is approximately 3.5-inches tall. The collectible case is approximately 5.85” H x 3.6” W x 1.65” D. These will sell at the Funko Rewind booth and fans can head to Funko.com on July 20 to be notified when product will be available. MSRP is $12.00.

The Batman – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 3XLP (Mondo)

This Gotham Glow Vinyl was produced exclusively for San Diego Comic-Con 2023, Mondo and WaterTower Music present our SDCC 2023 variant of Michael Giacchino’s score to DC Films/Warner Bros. Pictures’ The Batman, featuring artwork by Henry Abrams. This is a limited edition of 500. MSRP is $50.00.

For more information about these Funko SDCC exclusives, be sure to head on over to Funko.com.

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It’s not exactly a total shock, since The CW has been slowly putting an end to most of its superhero shows, but according to Deadline, the Batman series Gotham Knights has been canceled after only one season. It turns out that not even the star power of fan-favorite Misha Collins was enough to save Gotham from its fate.

Of course, ironically, in Gotham Knights‘ one and only season, Collin’s character Harvey Dent, a.k.a. Two-Face, was destined to become Gotham’s worst nightmare. But now, cancellation has achieved what Batman’s numerous foes could not, at least not fully.

Gotham Knights mainly focuses on the story of Batman’s adopted son Turner Hayes after Bruce Wayne’s murder. Turner joins forces with unlikely allies, the children of Batman’s enemies, after they are all framed for the hero’s murder. Generational stories always hold a lot of promise, but we guess we’ll have to wait for the next, next generation to arrive to get more of this tale. Especially since Gotham Knights was unable to find a new home.

The showrunners have been trying to find a future for Gotham Knights, but they have not had success (via TVLine). They shared the below on social media. Ultimately, they said The CW wasn’t able to renew the show, and the studio wasn’t able to find a new home for it.

Previously, The CW’s Entertainment President Brad Schwartz noted, “We love all those shows, and they all do very well for us in different ways.” But apparently not well enough. Ultimately, it seems like the writing was on the wall for Gotham Knights to end up canceled.

However, we did get to see Misha Collins go full Two-Face in the series finale of Gotham Knights. So at least we will always have that gift to cherish. And, who knows, maybe one day he can reprise the role again in some fashion.

Originally published on June 13, 2023.

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DC characters at the movies may be in a state of flux, as we are at the end of the DCEU and the dawn of James Gunn’s new DC Universe in film and TV. But the actual DC comics have been going strong for 87 years now. As the home of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and many, many others, DC Comics spawned a modern mythology, chronicled in a new 3-part documentary series on Max called Superpowered: The DC Story. It premieres on July 20 on the platform, and you can watch the trailer right here:

Leslie Iwerks, who directed the excellent The Imagineering Story on Disney+ last year, directed Superpowered. Rosario Dawson, herself no stranger to DC as someone who voiced Wonder Woman in several animated features, is the narrator. The 3-part series will cover the birth of DC during the Great Depression. Then, of course, the arrival of Superman and Batman and the Golden Age of comics. And also the near collapse of the comics industry when it was under siege in the ’50s. This led to the Silver Age and characters like the Justice League, and ultimately, to modern icons like Sandman and the Milestone heroes. It’s 87 years folks, there’s a lot of story to tell in this one.

Superpowered: The DC Story premieres on July 20 on Max.

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Since first appearing on-screen way back in the ’40s, Batman has worn many variations of his costume. Many different actors have worn the cape and cowl of the DC Comics icon. But which version is the best one? We looked at almost 80 years of live-action Batman costumes, and ranked them from best to worst. We judged them on their accuracy in representing the iconic character, and their overall visual aesthetic.

1. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

While we might not be the biggest fans of the film it came from, there’s almost no denying that the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Batman suit looks absolutely perfect. The costume, designed by Michael Wilkinson, looks like it stepped right off the comic book page. Ben Affleck simply had the perfect jawline for this cowl. He wore the mask, the mask didn’t wear him.

The BvS suit took bits of Frank Miller’s Dark Knight, with a dash of artist Jim Lee’s, and the result is the most comics-accurate Batman costume of them all—one that actually looks good on-screen (and almost comfortable) on the actor wearing it. Also, unlike many other Batman costumes on this list, the bat emblem stands out and isn’t obscured by armor plating or other things. This one nailed it.

2. Batman, Batman Returns (1989, 1992)

Although the costume took some liberties with the source material, the Michael Keaton 1989 Batman costume creates one of the most striking silhouettes of them all. Yes, in the comics at the time, Batman wore blue and gray, or sometimes black and gray. The all-black suit was a complete Hollywood concoction. But it worked. True, Tim Burton’s Bruce Wayne might not have been able to turn his head with that rubber mask, but it looked so cool, we didn’t care.

The pitch-black body suit with the bright yellow emblem and yellow utility belt made a stark contrast that was extremely eye-catching. There were slight modifications for the Batman Returns version a couple of years later, but it was essentially the same outfit. When we saw Michael Keaton wear this one in the trailer for The Flash, we got all the nostalgic feels. Because it’s that good of a Batman costume, even years later.

3. The Flash (Michael Keaton Suit) 2023

In The Flash, we are reunited with Michael Keaton’s Batman, some 30 years since we last saw him in Batman Returns. And although now retired, he continued as the Dark Knight for many years after the Tim Burton movies. We saw many of Bruce’s former costumes in his Bat-closet, many based on old ’90s action figures. But we’re going to focus on the suit worn by Keaton in the film, which is an updated version of his Burton-era costume. This version is still black rubber, but with more details on the shoulders and more flexibility. It’s not quite as great as the original film suit, but pretty darn close.

4. Batman Forever (First Suit) 1995

For almost 30 years, people have clutched their pearls over the nipples on the Batsuit, first seen in Batman Forever on Val Kilmer. And they use it to knock this costume down. But you know what? This is a pretty cool upgrade to the Keaton suit. The only downside we can see is that the oval is mustard yellow. It doesn’t really pop like on the Keaton suit. Also, the utility belt is black. It should be yellow to break up the absence of color in the torso. Otherwise, we might have ranked this one even higher. Oh, and every other muscle and contour of the human body is replicated in this rubber on this suit. Who cares if there are two tiny dots representing nipples? Go outside.

5. The Batman (2022)

We love the most recent cinematic Batman suit, worn by Robert Pattinson in The Batman. Yes, it has too much padding and extra details in order to be “realistic” looking for a more grounded Caped Crusader, which kind of bugs us on other Bat suits. But the cape and cowl are perfection, and bring to mind great DC Elseworlds comics like Gotham by Gaslight. We also like the gauntlets above the hands, which make it look almost like a steampunk Dark Knight. We’re not crazy about the Bat-emblem on this one, we hate when it’s hard to make out. However, the good outweighs the bad here. Nice job, Matt Reeves.

6. Batman Begins (2005)

The original Batman costume worn by Christian Bale in Batman Begins was essentially a more modern, more practical version of the 1989 Michael Keaton suit. He still had a cowl that didn’t allow him to turn his neck, but it sure looked cool. This one was made of more flexible materials than the rubber body suit from the Tim Burton movies, without being overwhelmed by all the extra padding of the follow-up films. It also has perhaps the best onscreen Batman cape, that actually flows in the wind. We would vote for this one as “most underrated live-action Batman suit.”

7. Batman TV Series (1966)

Yes, by today’s standards, the Adam West costume is a totally ridiculous relic of a bygone age. The tights, the cape, the cowl, all look like a cheap Halloween costume. But in 1966, the Batman TV series suit did its job, which was to bring the comic book look to life. And the comic book costume of the time pretty much looked like that. It was a blue cape and cowl over gray tights with blue trunks, just like a Carmine Infantino Detective Comics drawing of the time. Is it silly looking? Yes. But it’s oh so iconic, so we love it.

8. The Flash (Ben Affleck) 2023

Although it only appears briefly at the start of The Flash, Ben Affleck’s Batman suit is the first big live-action costume since Adam West that is blue and gray. It only took five decades, but it finally happened. Unfortunately, like most modern Batman suits, it’s got way too much tactical gear and harnesses. It becomes kind of a mess. All of those things are distracting, but it’s great to see Batman in his old-school colors in a modern action scene context.

9. The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises (2008, 2012)

We understand all the reasons why Christopher Nolan updated the Batman suit for The Dark Knight, and later The Dark Knight Rises. He wanted even more realistic fighting gear for Bruce Wayne to use, and a cowl that lets him turn his neck for once. But from an aesthetic standpoint, the armor looks way too much like the hockey pads his fanboy imitators used in the film, which Batman openly mocked. It works in the movie, but it loses all its sleekness for the sake of realism. It isn’t that pleasant to look at overall. We do like the white eyes when he turns on his surveillance mode in his cowl. That scores it some points.

10. Batman v Superman Power Suit (2016)

We could easily go our whole lives without seeing Batman fight Superman in any media ever again. However, to give credit where credit is due, the folks behind Batman v Superman recreated the best Batman battle suit, from Frank Miller’s seminal 1986 story The Dark Knight Returns, to a tea. It genuinely makes Batman look like someone who could legit beat the Man of Steel in a fight. And the glowing white eyes? Again, we love when any live-action Batman suit gives us that. We wouldn’t want to see it all the time (or even ever again), but Zack Snyder deserves credit for bringing this iconic suit to life in such a faithful way. Martha would be proud.

11. Batman Forever “Sonar Suit” (1995)

As much as we loved the first Batman Forever costume we saw Val Kilmer wear in the film, the second chrome “sonar suit” felt like it was made for the Kenner action figure only. The extra details don’t look like muscles, just weird shapes that don’t make sense as armor-plating. If they were on a black rubber suit they might blend in, but in shiny silver tones, they pop out and are distracting. Everything about this outfit screams Happy Meal toy. Also, why do the Bat-ears have all those ridges? That’s weirder than any nipples. Still, it’s better than our next entry, also from a Joel Schumacher Batman film.

12. Batman and Robin “Ice Suit” (1997)

The first Batman costume we see George Clooney’s Dark Knight wear in 1997’s Batman and Robin is basically the same one Val Kilmer wore at the start of the previous movie, with only minor alterations. No, the truly terrible Batman costume Clooney made famous was the ice suit that he wore in the film’s big climax when fighting Mister Freeze. There is way too much silver plating all over this costume, for no real reason except, once again, to sell action figure variants. It’s an awful design overall.

13. Justice League Tactical Suit (2017)

This costume, which appears in both versions of Justice League, commits the biggest crime of all: it doesn’t quite look like Batman anymore. Yes, the extra armor plating is much like the Nolan suits, and is equally not aesthetically pleasing. But it’s not that which makes us rank it so low. The goggles and the ears on the cowl make Affleck’s Batman look way more like Nite Owl from Watchmen. Say what you want about the other suits on this list, they all instantly read like our favorite Gotham vigilante. He should never look like another famous superhero. We should never look at Batman and ask “hey, is that Batman?”

14. Batman Serials (1943, 1949)

Ok, this one is the worst of all. The Columbia Pictures Batman movie serials of 1943 and 1949 were done on the cheap, even by ‘40s standards. But still, there was no excusing that cape and cowl. The cowl literally slides down the actor’s face, looking extremely silly, and his ears don’t even look like bat ears. They look like horns on a devil costume. The Batman costume of the comics of the time looked much cooler, and unlike the ‘60s suit, this didn’t evoke the comics’ look sufficiently. We get it, it was a different time. But it’s still an embarrassing effort.

Originally published on March 28, 2023.

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Not too long ago, James Gunn dropped a number of bombs with regard to the brand new, revamped DCU. (First, it’s no longer the DCEU) Among the things he said were movies like Matt Reeves’ The Batman sequel and Joker: Folie a Deux will get a clear “Elseworlds” label to let people know—much like in the comics—that they are not connected to the overarching DCU. Gunn also gave us a huge list of movies and shows coming to our screens. One of those will be the DCU’s new Batman, a feature film titled The Brave and the Bold. And this Batman movie will have a familiar director at the helm.

The Flash‘s Andy Muschietti Will Direct the DCU’s Batman Movie

Speaking to Variety, James Gunn revealed that Andy Muschietti will direct the DCU’s The Brave and the Bold Batman movie. Gunn noted:

We saw The Flash; even before taking the reins at DC Studios, and knew we were in the hands of not only a visionary director but a massive DC fan. It’s a magnificent film – funny, emotional, thrilling – and Andy’s affinity and passion for these characters and this world just resonates through every frame. So, when it came time to find a director for The Brave and the Bold, there was really only one choice. Luckily, Andy said yes. Barbara signed on to produce with us and we were on our way. They’re an extraordinary team, and we couldn’t have better or more inspiring partners as we embark on this thrilling new adventure in the DCU.

Of course, Muschietti already directed Batman or two in The Flash, Michael Keaton’s Batman and Ben Affleck’s Batman, to be specific. But there’s no telling yet how similar or different the DCU’s Batman will be when he arrives. Still, experience is never a bad thing.

The Brave and the Bold in DC Comics

Traditionally, The Brave and the Bold at DC Comics pointed to any number of team-ups, usually involving heroes who wouldn’t normally work together. The Silver Age was the big heyday for this title. Beginning in issue #59 the title shifted to almost exclusively a Caped Crusader book, owing to the popularity of the Adam West Batman TV series. While the movie Gunn announced will feature Batman and Robin, it won’t be the familiar dynamic duo most fans know.

The movie will adapt Grant Morrison’s run of Batman comics from the mid-2000s. Morrison took Batman all over the place, killed him off, sent him through time, and then franchised him across the globe. But in specific, Gunn said The Brave and the Bold will focus on Bruce Wayne’s Batman and perhaps Morrison and artist Andy Kubert’s most important contribution to Bat Family canon, his adolescent son Damian Wayne. Damian is Batman’s son with Talia al Ghul, whom Talia and Ra’s al Ghul raised as an assassin.

As Gunn says, the movie will follow Batman’s journey to take the violent nightmare child Damian under his (bat)wing and teach him how to be Robin. While Morrison’s run proved incredibly dark, with new villains like the terrifying Professor Pyg, it was also quite funny.

DC films have long shied away from the idea of Robin, entirely because of the campiness of the Schumacher films. However, Robin is a huge part of the Batman lore. Perhaps using Damian, a darker version, will be a good gateway for people. And Gunn said it will introduce the “Bat Family,” so we might even see a grown up Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, and Barbara Gordon in the film too.

No word yet on casting, but we are, as with all of these announcements, we are jazzed to all heck.

Originally published on January 31, 2023.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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The Flash wasn’t the franchise game-changer some superhero fans expected, but it still delivered some big superhero changes. The film’s surprise ending and post-credits scene revealed exactly how Barry Allen’s actions in the past altered both the present and future. What does it all mean, including for Warner Bros.’ switch from the old DCEU to James Gunn’s new DCU? Here’s what happened and what it tells us about a post-Flash timeline.

Why Did George Clooney Appear as Bruce Wayne at the End of The Flash?

“Who the f*** is this?”

Uh, it’s Batman. No, not that one. No, not that one either.

Michael Keaton’s Batman wasn’t The Flash‘s only alternate Bruce Wayne to appear. Once Barry Allen realized he couldn’t save his mother’s life without dooming the whole world, he went back and stopped himself from stopping her death in the first place.

Doing so had created an entirely new reality. Time in The Flash is not linear, and by altering one single event Barry changed history both before and after his mom was supposed to die. Letting her go, painful as it was, stopped General Zod from conquering Earth. But Barry’s decision to ensure his father’s eventual release from jail still resulted in an alternate timeline.

By moving those tomato cans to the top of the grocery store shelf years earlier, Barry exonerated his dad in the present. He also completely changed Bruce Wayne as a person. Instead of the version played by Ben Affleck, Barry walked outside the courtroom to discover a different version of Bruce Wayne. He was now played by George Clooney.

When Did George Clooney First Play Batman?

George Clooney’s first (and until now only) time playing Bruce Wayne came in 1997’s Batman & Robin. Fans have panned both the film and his performance since the movie’s release.

Clooney himself agrees with that assessment. The Oscar-winner has said he messed up the role “so bad.” (In fairness, there’s only so much you can do when your Batsuit has nipples.)

Not only did The Flash give Clooney a bit of Bat-demption with his surprise cameo, it also used turned his previous performance into a great meta joke. Upon seeing the alternate Bruce get out of his sports car, Barry said, “You’re not Batman.” To that an incredulous Clooney answered, “What’s wrong with you?”

As the movie’s post-credits scene revealed, what’s wrong with Barry is that he didn’t feel the need to immediately fix his timeline and bring back his friend.

What Did The Flash‘s Post-Credits Scene Reveal About the New Timeline?

Ben Affleck’s Batman might be gone (at least for now), but Jason Momoa’s Aquaman is still around. An extremely intoxicated Arthur Curry appeared with Barry Allen in The Flash‘s only post-credits scene. Though mostly played for laughs,* the scene did provide vital information about the state of the world, the timeline, and reality at the end of the film.

Barry was trying to explain to his fellow Justice League member that he had traveled back in time and altered the past, resulting in an entirely different Bruce Wayne. Arthur had no idea what he was talking about, showing that only Barry remembers the old Batman. The Flash is the only bridge between the world that was and the reality he finds himself in now.

This reality still resulted in Barry working with other meta-humans and heroes. But to get Batfleck back, he’d need to go back in time again and put the tomato cans back where they originally went. Clearly he did not do that, and there’s no indication he has plans to anytime soon, if ever.

That leaves George Clooney in place as Bruce Wayne, for now anyway, along with all the other changes to the timeline we don’t know about yet. To save his father Barry sacrificed his friend, which raises one last major question.

*A passed out Aquaman can’t drown in a puddle. But you can. Even if you have a friend who can travel back in time, please drink responsibly.

Did Barry’s Decision to Rearrange Those Tomato Cans, and Thus Change Bruce Wayne, Completely Undermine His Entire Character Arc in The Flash?

Yeah, kinda! Weird, right?

But time travel and tragedy are both complicated. Besides, if there’s one thing we learned from the end of The Flash it’s that Barry Allen can always go back and change things if he wants.

Featured Image: DC Comics

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at  @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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The DCEU is coming to an end. Warner Bros. hired James Gunn and Pete Safran as co-CEOs to lead the superhero franchise into a new, more unified DCU. While that will soon mean an entirely different Superman, the two aren’t starting over entirely from scratch. The Flash‘s time travel adventure is a bridge between the two eras, with Barry Allen’s foray into the past changing the present and future forever.

Ultimately, The Flash didn’t deliver the definitive hard reset some expected. It certainly changed things in a big way, but rather than establish the DCU outright, The Flash instead provided the blueprint for how it might happen eventually.

How Does Time Travel Work in The Flash?

As Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne explained, time is not linear in the world of The Flash. If you go back to a specific point in the past and change what happened you don’t merely change the events that follow that moment—you also change what happened before it. In this superhero franchise, there’s no clean split from the timeline into an alternate one.

Back to the Future, which The Flash vaguely referenced with its spaghetti scene, would be fundamentally different if it had the same rules of time travel as The Flash. It would mean when Biff gets the Sports Almanac in the original 1955 timeline, the original timeline no longer exists. The new one would simply share a single point with the old one the moment Biff got the almanac.

That’s why Barry’s time travel resulted in the world getting an entirely different, much older Bruce Wayne than the one he knew. When Barry saved his mom it altered the future along with everything that happened long before that day. In that alternate reality Bruce Wayne was born much earlier. Just as Kal-El was not the Kryptonian who safely made his way to Earth, a place without Aquaman or Wonder Woman.

The results of Barry’s actions didn’t just change history and even people. It nearly doomed the entire world.

How Did Barry Allen Fix the Timeline in The Flash?

Once Barry understood his mother had to die to save the world, he went back to the moment he saved her. (That was the single cross point between the original timeline and the new one he created.) Once there, he removed the can of tomatoes he’d previously placed in her shopping cart. Her death was the only way to save the world from General Zod and restore things as they were. It was tragic for Barry, but also necessary. He’d seen firsthand from Dark Barry, who’d spent countless lifetimes futilely trying to keep their mom alive without destroying the planet, that some things simply cannot be changed

Only, the original Barry couldn’t help but alter one thing in the past. And while it didn’t lead to the end of the world, it did lead to the beginning of the end for the old DCEU.

Why Did George Clooney Replace Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne?

Barry’s goal in the present was to exonerate his father Henry (Ron Livingston). Barry thought he finally had evidence to prove his dad didn’t kill his wife, but it was insufficient. Henry had been shopping during his wife’s murder, and Bruce Wayne used his technology to clean up the previously useless corrupted store security footage. Only Henry never looked up high enough for the camera to capture his face. Without that clear shot to establish his alibi he’d be doomed to a life behind bars.

So instead, moments after removing the life-saving/world-destroying can of tomatoes from his mother’s cart, Barry rearranged all the cans. He made it so the specific variety his father needed would be on the top shelf. That meant Henry would look up high enough so that camera could capture his face. He did, resulting in him going free in the present.

Henry Allen walked out of court a free man. And outside that court Barry Allen discovered what else he’d done by moving those tomato cans. His friend (played by Ben Affleck) had once again been replaced as Bruce Wayne. Instead of the Caped Crusader who helped Barry get his dad out of jail, the Flash found a different, quite dapper Bruce Wayne instead. “Who the f***” was it? It was George Clooney, who originally played the role in 1997’s much maligned Batman & Robin.

Why The Flash Did Not Fully Establish the DCU

The Batfleck is (seemingly) gone, but Jason Momoa’s Aquaman is not. Barry explained to his very drunk fellow Justice League member about what he’d done to the timeline and to Bruce in the film’s only post-credits scene. (Which established both that Barry didn’t undo his tomato can switch and that no one else in this new timeline remembers the old Bruce.)

Clearly the franchise is not the same one it was before The Flash started. But there’s probably a zero percent chance 62-year-old George Clooney is going to be the DCU’s new Bruce Wayne either, so clearly the movie did not end with a total reset.

Something else (or elses) is going to lead to whomever ends up as Batman in the DCU eventually. That means Momoa’s presence only confirms he’s still Aquaman for now. (He does have a sequel coming after all.) Clearly lots more will change eventually, we just don’t know when they will. We just know how they might.

How The Flash Paved the Way for the DCU

The DCEU/DCU is a place of countless dimensions and timelines. Multiple Supermans and Batmans all exist at the same time on many parallel worlds. And Barry Allen can change or destroy all of them by going back in time. He could seemingly even make it so he’s a totally different human in his own timeline, just as he changed Bruce Wayne.

So while The Flash didn’t entirely bid farewell to its old franchise anymore than it said hello to its new one, whenever James Gunn and Peter Safran decide to fully establish their new superhero era they have a very fast way to do it.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at  @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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A tabletop game that brings puzzle-solving and escape room sensibilities to the world of Batman seems like a no-brainer. Until now, no game has brought all the right pieces together. The Arkham Asylum Files: Panic in Gotham City from Infinite Rabbit Holes and Animal Repair Shop does, though. It blends an original Gotham story centered on Harley Quinn with mystery, puzzles, props, and augmented reality (AR). If it sounds like a lot of elements, it is—100 of them, actually. All of them come together for a unique, challenging, and fun experience.

Infinite Rabbit Holes sent us a copy of The Arkham Asylum Files: Panic in Gotham City for review. The story unfolds across seven chapters. You spend time on the streets of Gotham City, which you literally build, and then inside Arkham Asylum. Dr. Harleen Quinzel has a key role—she’s back at Arkham as a therapist—but Harley Quinn shows up too. The primary villain in the game is Anarky, but I won’t go into spoilers on the story or everyone who shows up. I will, however, note the Batman presence is minimal.

As you play through different chapters, the free companion app featuring the Joker will instruct you when to open various envelopes or boxes. Each chapter sets up the next part of the story, often with video components, and then getting into puzzles. You’ll use the AR features to help solve puzzles often, but not every time. I found the various puzzles got more challenging as the game continued, and I turned to hints more often as I progressed. If you get super stumped, you can skip a puzzle to proceed. I had to do so once.

One puzzle in particular utilizes a timer, adding much-appreciated stakes to gameplay. For many things, you can work at your own pace. While the timer did stress me out slightly, it was for an appropriately tense situation.

The Arkham Asylum Files: Panic in Gotham City has many points in its favor, but the biggest is definitely its design, including the sounds and music. This game overflows with attention to detail. Case files, puzzle pieces, packages—it’s a whole lot of surprise and delight for a game set in Gotham’s gritty streets. If you’re the kind of person who likes opening presents, this game brings that type of joy chapter after chapter. Pay close attention to every scribble and every piece of art; Easter eggs abound, as do little character touches. You could easily turn game components into collectible display items.

A few small things to keep in mind for The Arkham Asylum Files:

• If you want to repack the box for future replays, have a letter opener on hand for the many envelopes and boxes.
• Take the recommendation about setting up on a surface you can navigate around seriously. You need room to look at the buildings and board from various angles, especially if you use an iPad instead of an iPhone.
• I recommend splitting game play into chapter-long sessions. It gives your brain some time to rest. For the most part, each chapter has a satisfying conclusion. The final chapter is a little underwhelming as far as activities, so I’d plan to play chapters six and seven at the same time. If you do split up gameplay, you should ideally set the board and buildings up somewhere you can leave them. However, I had to pack my game away after each chapter (I left the buildings assembled) and it was not the end of the world.

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I played The Arkham Asylum Files: Panic in Gotham City with one other person. I’m glad I did—I would have found playing by myself to be too much of a challenge. Even with two people, we finished the entire game in roughly seven hours, split between six sessions. With its creative use of AR paired with a stack of tangible elements and an engaging story, The Arkham Asylum Files is an immersive must for game night.

The Arkham Asylum Files: Panic in Gotham City is available from Infinite Rabbit Holes now.

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Movies don’t exist in a vacuum any more than the people who make them do. That’s never been more true of a film than The Flash, a movie many will justifiably refuse to see because of the abhorrent off-screen actions of its leading star. We all have our own personal line of when we can’t—or simply won’t—separate the art from the artist, and Ezra Miller easily crossed that for some long ago. Despite all the awfulness surrounding DC’s latest feature film, though, it’s still a movie with huge ramifications for a billion dollar franchise. Moreover, it’s one that thousands of others who’ve done nothing wrong worked hard on. And it features characters that mean a great deal personally to generations of fans. The Flash doesn’t merely belong to the Flash. All of which is why it ultimately needs to be evaluated on its own merits.

By that standard it’s unlikely to make anyone happy. Because if you were rooting for The Flash to be a huge disaster, it’s not. It’s never really bad. If instead, you were hoping for the greatest superhero movie ever, it’s not even close to that. The Flash looks unfinished and is thoroughly mediocre until it realizes it’s an emotional drama and not a comedy. Once it understands what it should have been all along it really excels with a moving and powerful story. But that might be the most frustrating part of what this movie delivers on screen. It wasted an opportunity to make something special.

The first two-thirds of The Flash plays more like a whimsical comedy than the intense emotional drama its trailers promised. That approach, which has been done far better by far superior superhero movies, is completely at odds with the very nature of the story being told. Barry Allen is a sad, awkward, lonely superhero who realizes he can go back in time. That means he can stop his mother’s murder when he was a kid, which would also save his wrongly convicted father from prison in the present.

That approach might have still worked if the movie’s dialogue and gags weren’t woefully mediocre. Some jokes occasionally land, usually the ones that come entirely from characterization. But far too many feel easy if not downright lazy. Others are more clever than actually humorous. And making it all worse is that there are just far too many of them. This movie only takes off when it takes itself seriously. Some of the funniest moments actually happen when it does, because they’re organic and character-driven in the moment.

One huge issue that is true even when the film is at its best is that its CGI often looks awful. There are sequences in The Flash that look far cheaper, unfinished, and downright terrible compared to anything Marvel Studios has put out during its current VFX problem era. (Yes, I saw Quantumania.) There are moments when both versions of Barry Allen are on screen that look so clumsy it almost feels intentional. Apparently someone destroyed the technology that believably put two Lindsey Lohans on screen at the same time in Parent Trap 25 years ago.

However, what’s really bizarre about the film’s special effects is that not all of them look awful. Some actually look great, like when Barry travels faster than the speed of light. Clearly DC had the ability to pull off good VFX. (As it has in the past and surely will again.) Apparently nine years of development just wasn’t enough time for this specific entry.

So how can a movie that doesn’t look good and is stunningly mediocre for 66% of its runtime not be outright bad? The Flash has a high floor even at its relative worst because of its characters and cast. And the other third of the movie—the portion that knows why we love these heroes and understands the nature of the story it’s telling—is genuinely excellent. I was bored to tears for long stretches, yet still very emotional at others.

Ben Affleck is really good in what is likely his final, short Batfleck performance. His Bruce Wayne, first introduced as bitter and angry, has arrived at a place that resemble the best version of the character. Meanwhile, Michael Keaton and Sasha Calle are both standouts who lift every scene they’re in. Keaton’s return as an older Bruce Wayne feels true to the character we once knew. He fully commits to the role. There’s also just enough of him that he’s a major part of the film without it being his movie. And Calle is so good as Supergirl it would be a shame if this is her only time playing her. She does so much as Kara Zor-El without a lot of dialogue. Her mere presence outshines the size of her role.

It also does an incredible job of making them feel like an actual team. During their big battle they have defined roles that complement one another. These aren’t four heroes (there are two Barrys) working next to one another during a big fight. They’re working together, in a way that makes sense and makes the sum greater than the parts. This element is strengthened by the movie’s opening sequence, when we see the regular timeline’s Justice League mostly working as a group of individuals with a common cause. The Flash understands what a team is in a way most superhero movies don’t, not even some of the best.

But the best part of The Flash comes when it embraces the heart of its story, which is a tragedy and not a comedy. Inevitably Barry Allen must face the consequences of saving his mother. That forces him to make an impossible choice. The way that happens is among the script’s smartest, most well-written moments. And it leads to the film’s most emotional scene. It’s when we finally get the movie we should have been watching from the start, the one that lives up to its entire premise about facing our past, who we wish we got to be, and who we are. Sometimes the most heroic thing we can do is recognize “not every problem has a solution.”

Which brings us to The Flash‘s biggest problem, the one that does not exist in a vacuum. This is Ezra Miller’s movie in every way. And if you can’t separate the art from the artist, nothing else matters. If you can’t root for the two Barrys because of who plays them, don’t bother watching this film. It’s not nearly good enough to even try and overcome your misgivings if you’re on the fence.

All the fun surprise cameos in (the multiple versions of) the world can’t overcome The Flash‘s problems. Neither can its performances and the powerful, smart, emotional scenes that show how good this movie could have been in a different timeline. Average writing, below average effects, and a refusal to embrace its emotional core make for a mediocre viewing experience far longer than The Flash provides anything great. And that would be true even if everything outside the vacuum of this movie wasn’t so awful.

⭐ (2.5 of 5)

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Being a superhero isn’t easy—especially not in a city like Gotham. Batman manages the task—some days more successfully than others—and one aspect that has to help is his secret hideout. He stocks his Batcave with technology, weapons, and extra Bat-supplies. Plus Alfred shows up from time to time with tea. LEGO has captured the coolness of the Batcave in its new set from Batman Returns. The LEGO Batcave Shadow Box features a cut-out of the Batman symbol in front of the Batcave. You can open up the Shadow Box to peek inside the Batcave and see the Batmobile, bats, batarangs, and many more details, as Nerdist discovered when LEGO sent us a Batcave Shadow Box for review.

This LEGO set is massive. With 3981 pieces, the box has some heft. It comes with 29 bags, sticker sheets, and four thick manuals. You need room for this build. I’ve put together several LEGO sets, but I wasn’t prepared for this one’s in-construction footprint. Unless you plan to assemble the LEGO Batcave in one marathon session, you’ll need a place to store it when you’re not building and plenty of room as you build—the set needs to swing open at various points during construction.

In addition to this requiring the most physical space of any LEGO sets I have constructed, it also took the most time. Watching Batman Returns during the first build session prolonged the time spent snapping pieces together. I didn’t put on anymore Batman movies as I continued and actually paid full attention to the LEGO Batcave. Assembly took around 10-11 hours total, split between 12 sessions.

When I first glanced at all the bags of seemingly endless gray and black bricks, I didn’t feel confident about how it would come together. Yes, that is Batman’s color palette. No, Gotham isn’t known for being a place of jewel tones or pastels. Still, I wasn’t sure if so much sameness would lend itself to showing off details. I was wrong.

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Those gray and black LEGO bricks brought together a dimensional Batcave layered with stalactites and stalagmites and formations in the cave’s walls. Scaffolding, tools, and various Bat-gadgets break up the space. Moving parts such as a door that lowers to reveal an extra Batsuit, a garage door for the Batmobile, and sliding doors and screens add toyetic components to the Shadow Box. You can roll out the Batmobile and move it around on its own, too.

As far as minifigs, the set pulls from characters in Batman Returns. It comes with seven figures, including two versions of Batman, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, the Penguin, Catwoman, and Max Shreck. I didn’t know I needed a Christopher Walken minifig in my life until this set. As is often the case with LEGO, the accessories for the minifgs are excellent finishing touches.

The LEGO Batcave Shadow Box design is such that it blends the organic shapes of the cave, the flowing lines of the Bat-symbol, and Batman’s vast array of technology perfectly. The variety of pieces makes for dynamic visuals. It’s the kind of LEGO set that demands more lighting to illuminate the background (the set comes with a single light brick). We can see this Shadow Box concept translating to other properties, particularly Star Wars. But until then, I’ll be over here playing with the Batmobile and posing Alfred with his pot of tea.

The LEGO Batcave Shadow Box set is widely available from LEGO’s site or LEGO stores on June 8 for $399.99.

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An entire generation will always think of Michael Keaton as their Batman. And now, after over 30 years, he’ll be wearing the cape and cowl again for The Flash. His costume, although slightly altered for modern times, still has the familiar silhouette from Tim Burton’s classic films. Hot Toys is bringing the old/new Batman to life in a deluxe 1/6 scale collector’s figure. Is it just us, or can you already hear that classic Danny Elfman Batman theme? You can check out images of this new figure below in our gallery.

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The Michael Keaton Batman modern suit 1/6 Scale Figure features two brand-new, hand-painted portraits. Both of these are equipped with Hot Toys’ rolling eyeballs feature, allowing collectors to adjust the figure’s gaze. Owners of this figure can swap out the meticulously sculpted and ultra-realistic Bruce Wayne/Michael Keaton head sculpt for a cowled head, which includes interchangeable lower face plates to alter Batman’s expression. (He does have more than one, you know). This Batman figure stands at approximately 30 cm tall.

They’ve dressed the highly articulated 1/6 scale body in a detailed Batsuit, with two interchangeable fabric capes. These replicate the texture and detail of the updated Batman suit we’ll soon see in The Flash. The Dark Knight’s many accessories include his signature Bat-gadgets of course. These include a line launcher, a Batarang, a remote, a bomb timer, and more. The specially designed LED-illuminated display stand is perhaps the coolest addition. This deluxe collectible figure will set you back $305.00, and you can pre-order it now from Sideshow Collectibles. They expect the Batman modern suit figure to ship in July, 2024.

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A cinematic feature film for DC Comics’ The Flash was first announced way back in 2014. Since then, we’ve had several appearances of the Scarlet Speedster in movies like Justice League and Suicide Squad, as well as some TV cameos. Not to mention many seasons of a Flash TV series that gave us an enjoyable turn with the character. But ultimately, The Flash will arrive in theaters in 2023.

We guess we’ll have to wait and see The Flash before we think to hard about its sequel. Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming movie.

Title

Despite early reports that this film was to be called Flashpoint, based on the DC Comics event of the same name, it will simply be called The Flash. 

The Flash‘s Plot

Based on the DC FanDome 2021 trailer, it appears that The Flash is indeed loosely adapting the 2011 DC event series Flashpoint. In that story, Barry Allen uses his super-speed powers to run into the past, preventing his mother’s murder from taking place when he was a child. But when he returns to his present, he finds things are drastically changed. In the film version, it looks like Barry will somehow alter time and space and bring in Michael Keaton’s Batman from the classic Tim Burton films. Also, in this altered universe is a new version of Supergirl and at least one alternate Barry. Flash will also receive a new costume in the film, replacing the one he used in Justice League.

A poster reveals the Batman influence looming large in the world of The Flash. And the first trailer for the movie cemented that notion.

At a recent screening of The Flash, Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti discussed a possible sequel for the franchise and how it could fit in with James Gunn and Peter Safran’s newly restructured DC Universe. The director and producer had this say about the idea of The Flash 2:

We didn’t talk about it. I think that we’re all waiting to see how this movie does. Of course, there’s excitement about continuing the story, especially if this movie is successful. Of course, there’s an architecture in DC that is brewing and it’s being created. And the question is, will this new architecture absorb this story? The good thing about the multiverse is that it is possible. The multiverse allows all of these different worlds to coexist and interact, and so, hopefully, yes, I mean, we don’t know yet. That’s the truth.

Additionally, the creators noted of The Flash itself and its future, “We can’t predict the future; everything that we hear is gonna happen is very exciting. We don’t know much more than you do, honestly. But again, this is a movie about beginnings and not endings, and we certainly hope so.”

Behind the Scenes 

In the years since the film’s initial announcement, many directors have come and gone. However, It and It: Chapter two director Andy Muschietti helms The Flash. The film’s final screenplay is from Birds of Prey and Batgirl screenwriter Christina Hodson, with a story by Hodson, John Francis Daley, and Jonathan Goldstein.

The Flash‘s Cast

Ezra Miller returns to his role as Barry Allen/Flash, alongside Kiersey Clemons (Iris West), Sasha Calle (Supergirl), Ron Livingston (Henry Allen), Michael Shannon (General Zod), Antje Traue (Faora), and two distinct Dark Knights—Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton as their universes’ respective Batman. And given the multiversal aspect of this movie, we do expect some surprise cameos. Perhaps Grant Gustin might appear? Only time will tell.

The Flash’s Release Date

The Flash speeds into theaters on June 16, 2023.

Originally published on March 8, 2022.

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