Matt Reeves’ The Batman could feature one of The Dark Knight’s most iconic villains. According to Variety’s Justin Kroll, the solo Batman film could see the return of the Penguin to the big screen.
Kroll took to Twitter to announce the news, making sure to let the public know that it’s just a rumor at this point:
Take this with a grain of salt as things are constantly changing in the DCEU but I’m hearing the Penguin is possibly the choice to play the main villain in THE BATMAN. Sources add even if Reeves decide to go another route the studio could then make him the main villain in BOP
He went on to add that Reeves is still tinkering with the movie’s script, however, whether or not Penguin appears in The Batman, Warner Brothers is looking to get the character involved in the DCU sooner rather than later:
Reeves is still working on the script, so that could always change but of the multiple BIRDS OF PREY scripts submitted, one does have the Penguin as the main heavy. Either way, it seems WB wants this character cast in the universe sooner rather then later.
When Ben Affleck was still onboard to direct the film, Joe Manganiello was brought on to play Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, and would be the main antagonist in the movie. When Affleck left, the plans changed. Reeves began rewriting the entire script, which altered the direction of The Batman.
If Penguin appears in the film, it won’t be the first time we’ve seen the character in a live-action movie. Danny Devito famously played Oswald Cobblepot in 1992s Batman Returns. Since then he hasn’t appeared in a film but has played a substantial role in Fox’s Gotham.
Who would you want to play Penguin in The Batman? Let us know in the comments below!
Staggering performances, a strong yet balanced narrative, and fantastic cinematography are just a few of the reasons why Adrift is the summer movie audiences can’t miss.
For those who may have soured on actress Shailene Woodley’s work after her jaunt into the Veronica Roth’s world of YA, this release reminds the world of who she is as an actress. Woodley isn’t some cook-cutter actress, who can be just plugged into a YA cinematic adaptation as the heroine; she’s one of the best young actresses in Hollywood. Her performance in Adrift will remind us all of why we loved her work in HBO’s Big Little Lies and how Woodley earned her Golden Globe nomination in 2011 for The Descendants.
Adrift is based on the real-life survival tale of Tami Oldham (Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Sam Claflin). These two soulmates set off on an adventure to sail across the globe not realizing they would face catastrophic conditions. After surviving what was later revealed to be one of the worst recorded hurricanes ever, Tami finds Richard badly hurt. With no help in sight, Tami has to find the resiliency to overcome unbelievable odds to ensure their survival.
What was immediately striking about Adrift was how crucial the casting was to the film’s overall success. Director Baltasar Kormákur needed two actors, who were able to project such emotional authenticity in their performance that it heightened the realism of the narrative. Woodley’s performance in the movie was riveting and profoundly moving. Rather than her portraying Tami, it was as if these two individuals became one. It felt like we were going on the same emotional journey Ms. Oldham went through during her ordeal. However, it was Woodley’s passionate portrayal, which allowed that journey to resonate with the audience.
Claflin’s portrayal of Richard Sharp proved to be the emotional core of Adrift. Remember, Tami wasn’t looking for love until a chance encounter brought those two together. Richard embodies the hope which Tami feels. Claflin’s performance has an optimal blend of sensitivity and reason (this will make sense after you see the film). However, it’s the chemistry between these two actors is what brings Adrift to new heights.
Kormákur direction is hugely measured yet shows off the wealth of experience he has shooting in the harshest conditions. During even the most intense moments of the film, nothing seems rushed, which allows the audience to process how severe each moment is. Screenwriters Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell, and David Branson Smith weave in elements of Tami and Richard’s love story without being corny while still highlighting the daunting set of circumstances they are facing. Cinematographer Robert Richardson masterfully paints a visual account of the horrific conditions they are facing. Richardson makes good use of the odd angles found on the ship during the worst part of the storm to create a greater sense of the boat being battered by mother nature. Volker Bertelmann’s score is the perfect thread, which holds this film together. His notes evoke feelings of loneliness and the emptiness which Oldham had to have felt.
Overall, Adrift is a dazzling film which oozes with intensity while emphasizing our capacity to triumph over insurmountable odds. In a cinematic landscape which seems to be chock full of superheroes and intergalactic smugglers, it’s nice to see something this good.
The trade paperback of No.1 With A Bullet will be out on June 6th, 2018. But before that check out a trailer for the book!
Her social media: strong. Her variety show segments: a hit. Nash Huang is at the top of her game. But when the iRis Shutter contact lens hits the market, Nash’s personal life is invaded. The latest leap forward in ‘technological progress,’ these contacts not only play video or augment reality… they also record footage. Fighting to keep her life together after a sex tape goes viral, a clingy superfan is the last thing on Nash’s mind. But then the bodies start to pile up… and the terror begins.
Cover to the TPB of ‘NO.1 With a Bullet’
No.1 With A Bullet is one book we at Monkeys Fighting Robot have been celebrating since its debut issue. We described it as “the kind of sci-fi comic that elevates both the genre and the medium”. And we are not the only one that loved it.
Donny Cates (Venom, God Country, Redneck) called it “Not just good, but important. A haunting shot across the bow of the worst the internet has to offer. A stunning and electric debut”.
And horror legend Clive Barker (Hellraiser/Candyman) described it as “a sublime piece of futurism that is both entertaining in its absurdity and terrifying in its predictions”.
The comic, from writer Jacob Semahn (GONERS, Marvel’s Spider-Man) and artist Jorge Corona (GONERS, Feathers, Big Trouble in China: Old Man Jack) is about to get collected in a trade paperback, so it’s very creative team decided to put together a trailer. Check it out below and be sure to get the trade on June 6th when it hits stands.
Adrift hits theaters this Friday and is anchored by two terrific actors (Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin). The film tells the real-life survival tale of Tami Oldham (Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Claflin) as they fight for their lives. Director Baltasar Kormákur was kind enough to give us a few minutes to talk about his latest project, and here’s what he had to say.
What drew you to this project?
Kinda of obvious. To make a movie about a woman against nature was very tempting to me in this time and day. Most of my movies have been about men in those circumstances. So I was drawn to that. I was a competitive sailor as a young man, into my 20’s, and I loved the idea of making a movie on a sailboat. Also, I have been in love with my wife for well over twenty years, and it was about time I made a love story. I didn’t want to make it “rom-comy” but loved the balance between a love story and a survival tale.
In looking at your filmography (examples – Everest, 101 Reykjavik, and now Adrift), you appear to be fascinated with the effects of nature on the human psyche and the impact of trauma as well. Why do you like to explore these realms in your work?
First of all, I come from a country that’s quite visceral, and you are always in the elements. Then, for example … when I think about this and look back you never think about why you like doing certain things. When I was young, I did like to sail, and I did have motorcycle .. which I got rid of quickly, but there’s something about capturing the energy of nature. I guess that’s who I am. So when I come across a project that allows me to do that, I get excited even though it’s the hardest way of making films.
What attracted you to Shailene Woodley thatled to her being cast in the film?
I think Shailene had all the right elements and Tammy (the real Tammy) comes from the West Coast, and she’s kind of free-spirited and nature-loving. She has a special West Coast energy that I sense, at least. I also wanted to have someone seen as a character, first and foremost, and a strong-headed young woman. That way … it would be about her character, rather than her physical appearance. I wanted someone who I believed would be strong enough to pull through. Then another thing that was very important about Shailene — and I saw it her earlier work — she’s very authentic emotionally. Everything she’s done is drawn from reality. She doesn’t ever fake her way through a scene. I thought that was very important, given that we were going to shoot this on the ocean and I wanted it to feel real both in the environment and in the chemistry between actors.
What did Sam Clafin bring to the film?
Well, Sam on the other hand .. he’s English like the real guy, and he looks like the guy to the extent that it was disturbing for the real Tammy to see him. There was also kind of a sweetness .. like a security in his masculinity .. he allows himself to be sensitive.
How vital was silence in making this movie?
I think silence and sensuality were important in making this movie. I love the scenes where a bird just lands on the boat, and the sea is a quiet place. Every little sound becomes important; it tells you what’s going on or even where you are going. I guess that was just part of my experience out there. It’s also about loneliness — I talked about this with [the film’s composer Volker Bertelmann] — which can stem from silence. Sensuality can come from silence too.
It has been announced that Andrew Lincoln is planning to leave The Walking Dead during the ninth season. Along with Norman Reedus, Lincoln is the longest servicing member of the cast, and most audiences know the Englishman as Rick Grimes.
The Walking Dead is a show that has no problem killing off characters: Glenn, Carl, Hershel, and Sasha have all bitten the dust, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Rick has the same fate. However, Rick is a special case because the show and the comics have centered around him and may want to continue focusing on the character. So let us consider some actors who could replace Lincoln as Rick.
Bobby Cannavale
Kicking off this list is New Jersey native Bobby Cannavale, an actor with a long and respected career. Cannavale is a character actor who has had played various characters and won and been nominated for numerous awards.
Cannavale is best known for his role as Gyp Rosetti, the main antagonist of the third season of Boardwalk Empire which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. As Gyp, Cannavale was an unusually violent and sadistic gangster who tried to muscle into the bootlegging trade and was a sexual deviant. One of his most horrendous acts was injecting Angela Darmody with heroin, turning her into a drug addict.
Cannavale has shown range throughout his career, and he would be an excellent replacement for Lincoln.
Sharlto Copley
Sharlto Copley was an acting late bloomer, coming to prominence thanks to his role in District 9. He quickly appeared in numerous Hollywood movie afterward like Oldboy and Maleficent. His best work has been with Neil Blomkamp, stealing the show as a violent and sadistic villain in Elysium and his sympathetic role as Chappie the robot.
Outside of Blomkamp’s films, Copley’s career has been hit and miss. He was the best feature of 2010’s The A-Team as “Howling Mad” Murdock, being humorous and showing he could do an American accent. But he has starred in lesser-known films and was awful as the villain in the 2013 remake of Oldboy.
A stint on TV could help Copley get some more mainstream recognition. He had a go on TV, sort of, in 2015 with the PlayStation Network adaptation of Powers, although the show only lasted 20 episodes.
Travis Fimmel
Australian actor Travis Fimmel is the youngest actor to make it on the list being Lincoln’s junior by six years. However, Fimmel looks older and considering how long Judith has been a baby in the show then it’s clear time moves more slowly in The Walking Dead universe.
Fimmel is most famous for playing Ragnar Lothbrok in the History Channel’s series Vikings. Fimmel was a charismatic presence in the historical drama, so it wouldn’t be an issue for him to lead the survivors of Alexandria. Plus Fimmel has no problem growing a bread. Vikings also matched The Walking Dead for blood-letting and Fimmel has plenty of experience handling weapons.
Since his character was killed off in Vikings Fimmel has focused on his film career, starring in Warcraft (a film franchise that’s going nowhere) and the drama Lean on Pete, so he is available for a more prominent role.
Ben Mendelsohn
Ben Mendelsohn is a respected character actor from Australia and often has had supporting roles in major Hollywood films. Audiences will properly recognize him as John Daggett and Orson Krennic in The Dark Knight Rises and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Yet there is more to Mendelsohn then appearing in blockbusters, having a long career in indie films in the US, UK, and Australia. He has won awards for his roles in the Aussie gangster film Animal Kingdom, and the British prison drama Starred Up.
Mendelsohn has played menacing, scummy and humorous characters throughout his career and in the case of 2012’s Killing Them Softly did all three, stealing the show. He would be an excellent replacement for Lincoln, and the Aussie deserves a significant mainstream role.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Irishman Jonathan Rhys Meyers has been acting since the 1990s and was seen as a rising star, appearing in Bend It Like Beckham, Mission Impossible III and From Paris with Love. Yet he focused on TV, leading Showtime’s The Tudors for three seasons, played Dracula for NBC/Sky Living and most recently was the warrior-bishop Heahmund in Vikings. Meyers is a youthful looking actor who would contrast with Lincoln more ragged looks yet if the span of time is slower in The Walking Dead then someone with a more youthful look would be fitting to play Rick. Meyers would also be able to show off his action credentials and his abilities as a leader. He could transfer some of his characteristics from Heahmund to Rick, as a brave fighter and a zealot.
Alexander Skarsgård
Alexander Skarsgård, son of Stellan, was an actor set for big things: he led two HBO shows, Generation Kill, and True Blood. However, his film career has yet to take off: The Legend of Tarzan failed to launch a franchise, he was killed off in the first 30 minutes of Battleship and Mute was mauled by critics. His best films tend to be his indie offerings. This is a shame because Skarsgård is a talented actor and because of his experience playing military and law enforcement figures he could easily handle the action sequences and act as the leader of Alexandra. The Walking Dead could give his career a boost.
David Tennant
David Tennant is an actor that does not need an introduction: he is known as the Tenth Doctor and the Purple Man in Jessica Jones. Tennant is a classically trained actor who has played many Shakespearian roles for the Royal Shakespeare Company and is a force on British TV, leading shows like Broadchurch.
Tennant is no stranger to genre films and TV – besides his roles in Doctor Who and Jessica Jones he was a scene stealer as a magician/vampire expert in 2011’s Fright Night. Tennant also has worked as a voice actor, playing Scrooge McDuck in the DuckTales reboot and appeared in 15 episodes of Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon.
Tennant would have no problem exploring the darker, more tortured aspects of Rick and he would be able to play a character pushed to his limited, seeing some of the worst incidents imaginable. The biggest issue for Tennant would be the Southern American accent because he has mostly played Scottish and English characters.
Vince Vaughn
Last but not certainly least is Vince Vaughn. Vaughn is best known for being a comedic star in hits like DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story and Wedding Crashers and this may make you wonder why he be considered for the role of Rick Grimes. Well before The Walking Dead, Andrew Lincoln was famous for appearing in the Channel 4 sitcom Teachers and wooing Keira Knightley in Love Actually. Recently, Vaughn has focused on more dramatic roles: he did his best R Lee Emery impression as Sgt. Howell in Hacksaw Ridge, starred in the second season of True Detective and most recently wowed critics in the prison movie Brawl in Cell Block 99 which is quickly becoming a cult film. Vaughn is no stranger to darker and more serious roles either, like playing a mercenary in TheLost World: Jurassic Park, and Norman Bates in the remake of Psycho. Leading a major TV show like The Walking Dead would complete his comeback after a string of duds.
Who would you like to see as the next Rick Grimes? Comment below.
Monkey Fighting Robots caught up with writer Donny Cates at MegaCon in Orlando this past weekend to talk all things VENOM!
Donny brought us up to speed on how he’s approaching Venom, what kind of questions he’s going to be answering in the series, why Venom is Spider-Man’s true arch-nemesis, and more!
Watch the full interview here:
Was there a 90s influence in the first issue of Venom?
Donny Cates: I think the art helps a lot with that, you know? Stegman is obviously a child of McFarlane, you know, he’s got his own flavor and stuff obviously, but that’s definitely the era that he comes from. And I’m heavily influenced by nineties stuff. I mean, I’m the guy who created Cosmic Ghost Rider, which is the most nineties character that’s ever been made. So I think it’s not intentional as much it is the Venom comics of the nineties are what I grew up on and that’s the stuff that I love. And so I think that when I got a chance to get my hands on the character, just kind of the stuff that I default to, you know?
How do you expand a comic book universe and remain respectful to the previous creators?
DC: There’s a difference between an additive approach and a deconstructive approach. Right? So like the, the, the two examples that I always use are two books written by Grant. Grant’s Batman is an additive approach. Everything counts and he builds on top of what counts, right? Then there’s a deconstruction which is Grant’s X-Men. “Fuck all this shit. This is the new stuff,” right? I really like additive stuff, I love adding toys, giving toys. And when you’re doing that, you know…it helps that I’m an enormous fan and I’ve been reading it my entire life. I didn’t have to do a whole lot of research because it’s been there forever. So, to answer your question, I think the greatest gift of becoming the writer of Venom is that even though the character’s 30 years old, there’s still so much that’s left unexplored, both with the Symbiote and with Eddie, right? But you have to build off what’s there and what you know about those things.
So I don’t really know. A lot of it is me answering questions that I had when I was like nine and ten reading Venom comics. The most surreal part about writing Venom is that all these questions that I had when I was nine and ten, eventually they would all be answered. And the weird thing is that they will be answered by me, which is the weirdest thing to realize. You know, little things like I’m going gonna be explaining the green slime. I had an explanation about where the green saliva comes from when I was ten and I just waited around for someone to beat me to it and no one ever did, so I was like, well that’s canon now, you know, and so I’m just having fun, man. You know, Marvel’s been really great and just kind of after Thanos and Doctor Strange, uh, kind of just let me off the leash and just told me to go and have fun. So I’m just having fun.
“Venom is a character that can, and should, and will stand on his own.” – Donny Cates
Has your perception of Venom changed in your time writing the book, now that you’re in Eddie’s head?
DC: Yeah, it’s always hard to just switch that off. Right? It hasn’t been that hard for Venom, actually. I was talking to my editor about it when I turned in the first issue, I turned it in ahead of schedule and he was like, “Geez, that was fast.” And I was like, honestly, I’ve never felt more comfortable writing a character and I slipped right into it. I think it’s because I’ve read more Venom books than I probably have anything else. I’ve been following it my entire life.
Thanos was was way harder. Thanos is not a dude that you want hanging out in your head for very long. I got dark. I got really dark when I was like trying to inhabit Thanos. My wife came into my office and I was like sitting in my chair like this and she like came in and I was like, “Hello?” And she’s like, Jesus, dude, calm down. Um, I started having nightmares with Thanos. I just, I swear to God I had this nightmare that I was being chased and I couldn’t run fast enough and Thanos was behind me. I could hear him talking and stuff. Ugh.
But with Eddie? Yeah. I kind of just slipped right into it. So it didn’t change my perception of him much, as much as I just, I know what he sounds like, you know, I’ve been talking to this dude my entire life. And obviously there’s some built in metaphors with the character that I really relate to. I’m sober almost four years now. And the idea of having a dark half of you that tells you to do things that are maybe not in your best interest, and especially in my run, something that is kind of operating without your consent is stuff that’s pretty easy for me to kind of put on, you know?
Why is Venom Spider-Man’s greatest enemy?
DC: Well, it’s Venom because Peter’s never won in a toe to toe fight with that dude. It’s never happened. There’s never been a scene where Peter stood victorious over him and it was like, “yeah, I beat you.” He always runs away or does some trick or Venom backs off. I mean, if you just want to go straight to the numbers, Venom wins every time.
But I will say part of my goal – and it goes back to me expanding the mythology of him – is I am trying my damnedest to bring Venom out of Peter’s shadow. He’s so intrinsically tied to him. And for the longest time, Venom has been a character that has pivoted off of where Spider-Man lives. Right? And so what I’m trying to do is give Venom his own universe in the same way that Thor has his own world. Thor interacts with us and interacts with the heroes, but he has his own world that he explores and exists in with his own set of supporting characters and cast and everything. Venom has always just kind of gleaned off of Peter’s supporting cast and I’m done with it. I’m like, I’m trying to build Venom’s world for himself, the world of the symbiote and Eddie’s supporting cast and Eddie’s family. So hopefully, coming up soon, people will come to realize that yes, while he used to be “Venom: Spider-Man’s Greatest Enemy” and stuff, Venom is a character that can, and should, and will stand on his own.
Thanks again to Donny Cates for taking the time to talk with us! Venom #1 is out now.
And check out Donny’s current creator-owned work, Redneck and Babyteeth, as well as past projects God Country, Thanos, Doctor Strange, and more!
This chapter of Doomsday Clock pushes the story further as the DC and Watchmen characters connect through their adventures.
It has been a while since the last issue of Doomsday Clock has graced comic stands. Last time, we saw the origins of the new Rorschach, as well as him adjusting to Arkham. Before long, a blonde woman who has not been seen since the start of DC Rebirth approaches him with the idea to escape. With the mission being the one thing on his mind, Rorschach agrees to escape with her. With the pair now escaping Arkham Asylum, what will their next course of action be?
**Some Spoilers Below**
Story:
After stealing their uniforms back, it is revealed that the blonde woman is an amnesia-struck Saturn Girl of the Legion of Superheroes. She agrees to help Rorschach find Dr. Manhattan but believes they need to find a ‘great big light’ to attract him, which sends them to Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Ozymandias escapes police custody and comes face-to-face with Batman. Before they can have any form of agreement, the cops show up for both of them. As they escape, more anti-Superhero riots begin as they hunt for the Dark Knight. While all these events are going on, Lex Luthor has recovered from his injury and speaks to Lois, stating that a member of the Justice League had formed the political conspiracy against superheroes.
If it wasn’t made clear by the summary, there are a ton of branching paths throughout this issue. It’s amazing to finally see the characters of the Watchmen universe interact with those of the DC universe. Of all the storylines so far, it is the Rorschach/Saturn Girl story I want to see more of, especially after its jaw-dropping cliffhanger ending. The other stories are told masterfully as well, progressing the story, but leaving enough mystery to entice readers. That being said, while all are intriguing, it’s beginning to feel crowded. I want to read about all these stories, but we are now months apart regarding release dates. A story this size should come out more frequently if DC wants to keep readers invested because the story itself is fantastic.
Art:
What can I say about Gary Frank’s art that hasn’t been said before? It’s dark, yet beautiful, and fits the story perfectly. There are scenes throughout that capture a feeling of dread that reaches out and grabs the reader. The amount of detail in the violence helps to grab the reader as you will feel every broken bone shown on the page. Gary Frank is a master at his craft, and it is illustrated well in this series. What else can be said?
Conclusion:
Doomsday Clock has not lost its quality despite it being delayed. There are several stories, each equally investing, that will take hold of readers until the last page. The art is phenomenal as usual, fitting the dark, cruel world this takes place in. I highly recommend picking this issue up and enter this world yourself.
Amazing Spider-Man #800 is out today, wrapping up the Red Goblin story and celebrating all things wall-crawler.
As Norman Osborn enacts the final stages of his plan, Spider-Man follows him throughout the city to stop him and protect his own loved ones in the process.
This comic is 80 pages of full throttle action. It’s one big, bombastic fight scene after another, and everyone’s along for the ride, from Spidey’s friends and family to his greatest foes. Writer Dan Slott weaves in plenty of little character moments among the chaos to show how important these people are to Peter Parker, and how big an impact he’s been on their lives (and they on his).
Truthfully, some of these moments feel a little clunky and forced, including one decision concerning the Venom symbiote that doesn’t make much sense outside of “oh this would be a cool thing to happen in an anniversary issue.” But overall, ASM #800 is a fun ride for webheads new and old. An 80-page juggernaut like this runs the risk of dragging, but the pacing stays strong and it actually flies by.
And this is a pure Spider-Man story too. He’s not sporting a ton of tech gizmos or special toys. He’s just your friendly neighborhood hero. We get plenty of inspirational, heart warming moments that remind us why this character has remained Marvel’s #1 guy for so long. It’s nice to see that Slott hasn’t lost sight of that throughout all of the changes he’s seen Peter Parker through.
The story is broken up into chapters, with different artists handling each one. In the end, it depends on what you look for in your Spider-Man art, but the standout chapters are those by Humberto Ramos, Stuart Immonen, and Marcos Martín. The first two are packed with explosive, dynamic action, and Ramos and Immonen draw two of the best takes on Spidey in the modern era. Ramos in particular brings such feeling to the mask. Martín, meanwhile, draws a much quieter, more emotional epilogue. His work has a classic feel to it, harkening back to the character’s beginning and generating a very simple kind of joy.
If you’ve been reading Amazing Spider-Man, you’ve already picked up this issue. If you haven’t, this probably isn’t the place to start – even for seasoned fans – since it’s the conclusion to a story. So either pick up the whole “Go Down Swinging” story, or wait until next month. ASM #801, Slott’s final issue, is sure to be a standalone story continuing to celebrate our favorite menace.
Bendis’ first full issue of Man of Steel continues to shape mysteries and sets up an intriguing villain.
In November 2017, longtime Marvel Comics writer Brian Michael Bendis announced he would write for DC Comics. Shortly after, it was revealed that he would take over the Superman title after Tomasi and Gleason finished their run. When Action Comics #1000 came, it gave readers the first glimpse into Bendis’ story, which involves an axe-wielding monster that hunts Kryptonians. DC Nation #0 furthered that by hinting that the life of Clark Kent has changed in some way. With Superman being hunted and Clark being quiet, this reviewer asks, what has happened to our Man of Steel?
**Some Spoilers Below**
Story:
We see two storylines play out throughout the issue, following Superman and the villain, Rogol Zarr. In the past, Zarr observes the planet Krypton as they reach spacefaring technology. He speaks to a council of immortal beings with the belief the Kryptonians will begin to conquer the galaxy and asks to stop them. In the present, Superman has been investigating a slew of fires across Metropolis, noticing a pattern with all of them. He tries to report it as Clark Kent as an arson conspiracy but is shut down by the Planet.
While I was hoping to get more answers to Man of Steel’s current predicament, I can’t lie when I say I am intrigued by this new villain. There are plenty of stories that portray Krypton as unsavory, but this is the first time I’ve seen one where the villain sees himself as a hero. Rogol wants to end Krypton before they can control the galaxy, despite the council he answers by saying otherwise. There’s a backstory that is waiting to come out, and I can’t wait.
As for the present storyline, there is some mystery laid out by the arson, but I was left wanting more. It’s obvious that there is more to come, but after the mystery that was dropped in DC Nation #0, you’d expect some answers. There is a tease at the very end of the issue, but readers could have been given a little more than what we got.
Art:
Ivan Reis is the illustrator for the issue, and he does an overall good job. The design of the immortal council and Rogol himself are awesome, but it’s Superman stopping the fire that stands out. The detail in the fire and the way Superman puts it out is drawn fantastically. The only thing that could make it better is the masterful colorwork of Alex Sinclair. There are a few places that could have used some touching up, but it doesn’t detract from the book.
Conclusion:
Overall, this first issue was good. Not a masterpiece, but I’m intrigued to see it go on. The villain of the story has me hooked for more, despite the lack of answers in Clark’s life. The art team does very well for the opening, and I hope the next team will do just as well. If you’re still on the fence on Bendis’ writing, give this book a shot, you might like it.
The Walking Dead is one of the most popular shows on television right now; and with the concept combined with a passionate fanbase, the show could continue for another decade.
UPDATE: We can now confirm Andrew Lincoln will leave AMC’s The Walking Dead after season nine. According to Collider, Lincoln will appear in only six episodes.
With the fact Lauren Cohan will only appear in six episodes next season and the rumor season nine will be Andrew Lincoln’s last, it is time to recast characters on the show so the writing becomes the most critical aspect of the series. When writers are forced to change the narrative of a series because an actor leaves, the show suffers. The viewer never gets to see the true vision of the show. When Jeffrey DeMunn left the series in support of Frank Darabont, Dale was killed off way too soon, and major plot points were shifted to Scott Wilson’s Hershel Greene. Chandler Riggs was forced out by showrunner Scott Gimple, and Carl was killed off. In the comics, Carl’s story keeps evolving, and he has the most potential for growth in the book. The fans will never see Carl become a man because AMC did not recast the character and took the easy way out.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has never looked back after recasting the HULK and WAR MACHINE. Edward Norton was a massive star ten years ago, but now Mark Ruffalo is the definitive Bruce Banner. Terrence Howard thought he was bigger than IRON MAN, but he quickly found out Marvel Studios had other ideas. Don Cheadle stepped into the character of Lt. Col. James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes and proved to have better chemistry with Robert Downey Jr.
Lincoln and Cohen are great actors, but if they want to move on, let them, but don’t sacrifice the story in the process. When the story is the most essential part of a show, everyone wins; even if a fan favorite actor is replaced.
Who would recast as Rick or Maggie? Comment below.
