Review: THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS Shows Why He’s The Darkest Knight

It has been a long road with the Dark Nights: Metal tie-ins. Since the end of September, readers have dove into the dark multiverse learning more and more about the evil Batmen threatening our heroes. We have watched each Dark Knights’ origins and motives to become what they are. It’s been a fantastic and often twisted ride as we watch them reign.

There is only one evil Batman left to learn about. The Dark Knight with a twisted grin and a sick sense of humor. The one who will be the face of the Dark Nights: Metal Saga for years to come. I am of course referring to The Batman Who Laughs. This terrifying Batman has led his multiversal counterparts on a crusade against the heroes of Earth and his origin might be the most terrifying of all.

**SOME SPOILERS BELOW**

Story:

The Batman Who Laughs comes from Earth -22, where the Joker has no restraint on his anarchy. The Joker finds out that he is dying, so he spent the last of his days trying to burn Gotham to the ground. Batman is captured and forced to watch as Joker uses his toxin to create several children that look just like him. When Batman had enough, he broke free and killed the Joker. As he died, a powerful gas, similar to Joker toxin, leaks out of the Clown Prince of Crime and infects Batman. Over time, this toxin turns Batman into the leader of the Dark Knights we have known since the beginning of Metal.

While this dark origin is a lot more plausible than the others, it is by far the most interesting. Unlike the other Batmen, we watch the degeneration of this one take place. He murders the Joker, then we watch as he prepares for his end by training his sidekicks. You can tell that this version of Bruce is desperate, as he trains his sidekicks to save Gotham from himself. Sadly, the training falls just short, with Batman becoming a monster. A Joker with all the skills and technology of Batman. You feel empathy, but then can’t help but be amazed by the completed transformation.

The story is framed by the Batman Who Laughs talking to a bandaged prisoner, explaining his origin and master plan. I will not spoil it here, but the master plan raises the urgency to defeat the Dark Invaders.

Art:

This tie-in’s art encapsulates what makes the Dark Knights. It’s clear that the artist’s goal is to make each panel as disturbing as possible. It’s something that you would see in a horror movie, which fits the theme that Dark Nights: Metal has strode for. The pencil work of Riley Rossmo helped by giving off the nightmare feel through the designs of suffering Justice League members and humans. The color also helped the nightmarish feeling with its faded color style. It looks hazy and almost dreamlike, yet is still colored dark enough to keep the story on track in terms of tone.

Conclusion:

This might actually be my favorite of the Dark Knights tie-ins. We get a dark story more twisted yet entertaining than the rest. The art helps to sell the nightmare world that the Batman Who Laughs comes from. The reveal of the master plan might also be the biggest game-changer in this whole series. I highly recommend picking this up and let the monsters run wild.

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MAESTROS, A Unique & Twisted Must-Read Comic

Brandon J. Griffin

Written and illustrated by Steve Skroce, with colors by Dave Stewart, Maestros takes a tired concept to new places. Funny, haunting, and mystifying, this is a top-notch comic book.

***SPOILERS LIE AHEAD***

Now that William is Maestro, he begins putting his plans into action. He shakes the foundation of everything he’s inherited and does so with a childish sarcasm. It’s satisfying to no end, similar to watching Jude Law toy with the Vatican in The Young Pope.

This issue, we meet his arch-nemesis. Rygol is a traditional asshole who was behind the murder of William’s family. The new Maestro has plans as well, revenge on the tormentor of his past in spectacularly annoying fashion.

Maestros‘ world is being fully populated, making it feel even bigger. Not just focusing on the hierarchy, we get quick little insights from the people of various classes.

Every brilliant character design toes the line between goofy and deadly serious. Little details, like the small galaxy contained in a puff of smoke, add unique layers to a book already so much it’s own.

When Maestros gets gruesome, it catches you off-guard. There’s an underlying horror to this book; it’s masterfully tucked away and only peaks it’s head out when it’s meant to shock you.

The flashbacks, when William was a little meatball, are a funny way to fill out the rest of how and why the new Maestro is the way he is. It’s a painfully accurate depiction of an awkward kid thrust into an entirely new landscape.

Maestros is one of the best new books to come out late this year. These first two issues have everything a comic book reader needs. Dressing wizardry up in a sci-fi atmosphere is providing a unique experience.

Even if fantasy isn’t your thing, I urge you to give this series a try.

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‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ TV Spots Tease An Action-Packed Adventure

Kieran McLean

November 15, 2017

Disney and Lucasfilm have released four new TV spots for Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi. While fans will want to stay away from the various TV spots, teasers and clips that are upon us, these spots do a great job of teasing the latest Star Wars adventure, without spoiling the plot.

More – Stunning ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Poster Released

The new TV spots do include new snippets of footage and dialogue, all while putting Johnson’s darker style on display. Looking at these spots, it’s clear that Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be a darker entry in the franchise, but all of the lighter elements that we have come to expect from the franchise are still there.

Watch the TV spots below:

In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past. The film stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi lands in theatres on December 15, 2017!

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Stunning ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Poster Released

Kieran McLean

November 15, 2017

Dolby Cinema has revealed a beautiful new poster for Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Twitter. The poster features a new look at Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Rey (Daisy Ridley), Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the majority of the impressive cast.

More – Disney Starts Development on New Star Wars Trilogy From Rian Johnson

Much like the previous posters, this piece of material teases a much darker entry in the Star Wars Saga and yet again suggests a darker version of Luke Skywalker.

Check out the poster below:

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is just a month away from release, and this poster will undoubtedly spark a lot of discussion in the fan community. Possibly the most intriguing aspect of the poster is the piece which seemingly shows a battle between Rey and Luke, but of course, this could simply be a training sequence.

Directed by Rian Johnson, Star Wars: The Last Jedi stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.

Check out the trailer and official synopsis below:

In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.

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Review: MUDBOUND is a Towering Achievement, and a Breakthrough for Netflix

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

Mudbound is a staggering work of art, and an engrossing story about the harsh realities of Jim Crow’s Mississippi. It is an emotional, unforgiving ride, a journey of two families – one white, one black – and the obligations and friendships and hatred that percolate in this hostile environment. The gauntlet has been thrown down for awards season, and for whatever it’s worth, Netflix has its first legitimate Best Picture contender.

Director Dee Rees’s film begins with a murder, a burial, and backs up from there. The narrative framing of Mudbound effectively adds a looming sense of dread to the story, as it picks up in the waning years of the Great Depression, right before America’s unplanned involvement in World War II when people in this country were gradually inching towards any semblance of prosperity. We meet, over a period of a few years, members of the McAllen family. There is the patriarch, Henry, played by Jason Clarke; there is his virginal wife, Laura, played by Carey Mulligan; and there is the younger, more free-spirited brother, Jamie (Garrett Hedlund) who, when Pearl Harbor happens in the early minutes of the picture, ships off to war.

There is also Henry and Jamie’s father, Pappy, a villainous and vile old racist steeped in disgusting traditions of slavery and hate, played with a seething sneer and a menacing growl by Jonathan Banks. There won’t be a more frightening monster in the movies this year.

Henry makes the decision for the family that they will uproot from the city and move to a bleary-eyed farm in the middle of the Mississippi Delta. Things aren’t smooth early on, and this is where the McAllen’s meet The Jacksons, an African American family who’s lived and worked on this farm their entire lives. The father, Hap (Rob Morgan), is a noble man and a hard worker; his wife, Florence (Mary J. Blige), is a loving mother to their four children, the oldest of whom is Ronsell, played by Jason Mitchell.

Ronsell, like Jamie McAllen, is off fighting in World War II when the paths of the McAllen’s and Jacksons cross. While tension simmers between the two families – whether it’s Hap enduring the spittle-soaked anger of Pappy, or Henry’s own unwillingness to shed the racist DNA of his family tree – Jamie and Ronsell are becoming heroes; they’re becoming survivors. They are seeing The World in their battles, watching their friends die, and gaining a crucial bit of perspective that comes back with them, in different ways, when they return to Mississippi.

It’s best to not discuss the second half of Mudbound. As tensions mount, Rees and Virgil Williams story (based on the Hillary Jordan novel) reaches harrowing levels of violence and pain, before finding some level of comfort and catharsis in a final shot that is at once devastating and hopeful. The film is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the performances; everyone here is on top of their game, so much so it’s difficult to pinpoint any one actor. Clarke is reliable as always, and it’s refreshing seeing Carey Mulligan back after a curious absence these last few years.

The all-star of the first half is Rob Morgan, whose Hap finds himself in difficult situations time and time again, but Morgan shows Hap dig deep inside to find resolve. In the second half of the film, the focus shifts to Ronsell and Jamie, who are dealing with their war experiences in different ways. Both Mitchell and Hedlund are captivating, even if Hedlund is doing a pretty solid imitation of Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday. The screenplay sings with the mournful, poetic dialects of the early 20th century; it’s hard to believe this world existed only seventy years ago.

Netflix has been flirting with cinema’s awards season for a few years, and Mudbound might be their breakthrough film. It needs to be, because it’s one of the best films of 2017. They may have inched closer to acting nominations with last month’s The Meyerowitz Stories, but Rees’s movie belongs in the upper echelon of Best Picture hopefuls. Writing, directing, cinematography, at direction, they all deserve recognition here. Not that that justifies the merits of this film; it will stand on its own as an unforgettable experience either way.

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An Upcoming ‘Labyrinth’ Comic Is Set To Tell Jareth’s Origin

Anthony Wendel

November 15, 2017

David Bowie was a man of abundant talent but many remember him most for his portrayal of Jareth the the Goblin King in the 1980s film Labyrinth. Fans often wished the Goblins would take them away to Jareth’s fantastical world after seeing this film. Soon, a new comic is set to help grant this wish and so much more.

Released by Archaia, a subgroup of Boom! Studios, the new comic, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth is set to be released in February of 2018. It will help to showcase how Jareth found himself in the Labyrinth and how he eventually earned the title of the Goblin King. Writer Simon Spurrier (X-Force, The Spire) and artist Daniel Bayliss (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Big Trouble in Little China) are set to work on the series and make sure fans get what they want. The series will be presented with flashbacks as Jareth tells the baby Toby of what brought him to his current position. The series is set to be ongoing so there is a chance after the initial arc, the comic will keep going past where the movie left off and help to flush out the world of Labyrinth even more.

You can take a look at three of issue 1’s covers, first revealed on EW, right here:

Solicitation Info:
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth #1

Publisher: Archaia, an imprint of BOOM! Studios

Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Daniel Bayliss
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Fiona Staples
Subscription Cover: Rebekah Isaacs
Variant Cover 1: Laurent Durieux
Variant Cover 2: Jill Thompson
Variant Cover 3: Bill Sienkiewicz
Format: 32 pages, full color
Price: $3.99
On sale: February 2018
Synopsis:

Simon Spurrier (Godshaper, The Power of the Dark Crystal) and Daniel Bayliss (Jim Henson’s Storyteller: Dragons, Kennel Block Blues) present a magical look into the world of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth.
Before Sarah braved the Labyrinth to save her brother, another young woman sought to save a young boy named Jareth from the clutches of the Goblins.
Set in 18th-century Venice, Italy, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth is a striking look into the history of the Labyrinth itself, and what happens to the little boys who don’t get rescued.
This is the untold history of the Goblin King.

The Archaia publication house is not new to working on Jim Henson properties as they also helped to launch the well received, The Power of the Dark Crystal (also written by Simon Spurrier) earlier this year. If the new Labyrinth series is anything like their other releases, fans have nothing to worry about with the upcoming release. Make sure to return to Monkeys Fighting Robots in the upcoming future for a full review of this highly anticipated series. And remember, “should you need us for any reason at all…”

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Are you excited about the news of more adventures back to the Labyrinth? Leave a comment below and let us know.

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Here’s Why ‘The Defenders’ Won’t Show Up In ‘The Punisher’

Aric Sweeny

November 15, 2017

SYFY Wire talked to The Punisher Showrunner Steve Lightfoot and got some information regarding the show. Although the Marvel/Netflix shows take place in the same universe, he explains why we won’t see The Defenders popping up in Frank Castle’s story.

“I think it’s something that you need to talk to someone in Marvel about that because when I came in to take the show on, it was always very clear to me that they wanted it to sort of tell its own story and run on its own track and not really intersect with what was happening in The Defenders. That was part of the brief.

I guess I could speculate on the reasons for that, but I think from what I understand the original concept for the four characters that became The Defenders was always the plan and the Punisher spun out of that. But very much certainly when I came in the brief was always that it was to be its own show and its own thing separate from that.”

Not having Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist in the show is both a positive and negative. Although I want to see more of the characters in action, The Punisher also needs to be a cohesive, singular story about Frank Castle. Shoehorning in The Defenders likely would’ve resulted in a mess.

“After exacting revenge on those responsible for the death of his wife and children, Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) uncovers a conspiracy that runs far deeper than New York’s criminal underworld. Now known throughout the city as The Punisher, he must discover the truth about injustices that affect more than his family alone.”

The Punisher hits Netflix on Friday, November 17.

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Episode 20: Bendis to DC, and Batman Finally Gets The Joke

Anthony Composto - EIC

November 15, 2017

Welcome to the twentieth episode of the Comic Show by Monkeys Fighting Robots! We start this week by discussing Brian Michael Bendis’ move to DC Comics, and debating how big an impact he truly had on Marvel. Then we review Moon Knight #188 and The Batman Who Laughs #1. Did we pick two overly depressing books to discuss this week? You tell us.

Buckle up, True Believers! Episode 20 of the COMIC SHOW by Monkeys Fighting Robots is here.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

2:25 – Discussion: Brian Michael Bendis to DC Comics

12:25 – Moon Knight #188 Review
Anthony – 4.3 Monkeys
Matt – 4 Robots

26:00 – The Batman Who Laughs #1 Review
Anthony – 4.5 Monkeys
Matt – 4.25 Robots

Thank you for listening!

Do you want to be our FAN of the week? All you have to do is comment on this podcast to be eligible.

Do you have a question that you would like answered during the show? Email your questions to matt@popaxiom.com.

Reviews are greatly appreciated – How to Rate and Review a Podcast in iTunes

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The First ‘Deadpool 2’ Teaser Is Hilariously Bonkers

Kieran McLean

November 15, 2017

I don’t think we need to worry about Deadpool 2 not being as funny as the original. 20th Century Fox has released the very first teaser trailer for Deadpool 2, which features Ryan Reynolds’ Merc doing a pretty impressive Bob Ross impersonation. Worry not, the teaser also gives us a brief look at the actual movie, including new footage of Deadpool, Domino, and Blind Al in action.

More – The ‘Deadpool 2’ Poster Has Been Served Up

It’s great to see that Fox and Reynolds will work to create a marketing campaign that is equally as entertaining as the first films. If this is any indication of what’s to come, I can only imagine what the first official trailer will look like.

Watch the teaser below:

Possibly even funnier than the teaser itself, 20th Century Fox has revealed a hilarious synopsis for Deadpool 2, which crowns the infamous Merc as a disfigured cafeteria chef, a hot bartender, and the world’s best lover. Check out the synopsis below:

After surviving a near-fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor – finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best Lover.

Deadpool 2 will land in theatres on June 1, 2018.

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Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE A Reboot In The Right Direction

Matthew Sardo

UPDATE: After a good night’s rest and some time away from the film I have additional thoughts. Scroll to the bottom.

‘Justice League’ is the first DC Extended Universe film where the audience can smile for all the right reasons, and leave with a twinge of anticipation moving forward.

Is ‘Justice League’ a flawed film? Yes.

Does ‘Wonder Woman’ have a more cohesive story? Yes.

That being said, what ‘Justice League’ brings to the table is a complete philosophical change to the DCEU. As comic book fans, we have an understanding of what makes a good adaptation. For comic book films, it’s the little details and the nods to other characters that can elevate average superhero movie. It’s the comic book formula; the reader wants a complete story, but they want to be compelled to buy the next issue. The dire need to read the next issue right now is part of what makes the medium of comics great.

The same can be said for the Heroic Age of film. With ‘Justice League,’ 15-minutes into the movie I wanted to see ‘Justice League 2’, maybe even more. The plot is simple: put the Justice League together, defeat the powerful bad guy, and set up the further adventures. Snyder’s film (with a hefty assist from Joss Whedon) executes just about every place in the playbook. Just about.

You don’t even need to watch the first films to understand and enjoy ‘Justice League,’ (which some might see as a relief). It would be an injustice not to watch ‘Wonder Woman,’ but it isn’t required viewing. Warner Bros., Johns, and Whedon bring drastic changes to the DCEU here, and they economically bring a great deal of setup and payoff to the table time and time again.

‘Justice League Unlimited’ is the Standard in the comic book world when it comes to what it means to be a hero and part of a team.

‘Justice League’ feels like a two-part episode of ‘Justice League Unlimited,’ and that is the greatest compliment I could give.

Yeah, the film does have its flaws. Besides Wonder Woman, the costumes just don’t work. Ben Affleck looks like he’s wearing a muscle Bat Suit he bought from the Spirit Halloween store. The helmet on the Flash suit makes Ezra Miller look ridiculous in action. The Cyborg CGI is just a hot mess. Jason Momoa should have been shirtless throughout the entire movie, but they decided to put armor on him. ‘Project Runway’ would have cut the costume designer in week one. Yet, all the actors handled their characters well enough to where the costume issues didn’t take you out completely.

Steppenwolf looks so much better than Ares from ‘Wonder Woman,’ but it’s still a giant CGI monster that serves as a massive disconnect between the audience from the film. We get lost in the green-screen muck that plagues the palette of these movies.

The simple plot, bad costumes, and CGI mess aren’t enough to take away from the successful accomplishment: it’s entertaining. In football, they call this an ugly win. But a win is a win. Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and Superman did just enough to make this the best DCEU film to date. The Dark Reign is over!

Update

The beginning of the film sets the tone of this “reboot.” The cellphone footage of kids interviewing Superman establishes right away that this is a film about hope, not darkness. Danny Elfman’s Batman theme connects ‘Justice League’ more to Tim Burrton’s ‘Batman’ than Snyder’s ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’ Elfman’s score also connects the viewer to ‘Batman: The Animated Series.’ These are all good things.

There is also a tone of racism that mimics the current administration’s stance on immigration. This one scene reaffirms the need for heroes today, more than ever.

Civilians are mentioned and saved! Wonder Woman has a great opening scene defending innocent lives from a terrorist group in Paris. How Snyder and Whedon interpret, her power is simply incredible.

Ezra Miller and his facial expressions as The Flash are the highlights of the film. The is one aspect of the film where the actor, directors, and story are all on the same page.

The most significant and brightest tonal shift is the color of Superman’s suit. It’s only a slight difference, but that bright blue is iconic and inspirational.

Who knows, I might have more thoughts on film tomorrow. Stay tuned.

After you see ‘Justice League’ on the big screen, come back and leave your review in the comment section below. Thanks for reading!

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Story:

Art:

Conclusion:

Solicitation Info: Jim Henson’s Labyrinth #1

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

Update

Solicitation Info:
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth #1