No Wonder Woman TV Show?

Poor Wonder Woman.  She just can't catch a break these days.  For years Warners has tried to find a way to bring her to the big screens, notoriously rejecting Joss Whedon's plans to write and direct an adaptation.  It looked like with a new creative department dedicated to revitalizing DC comics properties at least she would have a shot at a TV series.  And after a series of pitches to the networks, there will be no TV show for the Amazonian Princess (or whatever the hell her latest origin is).

According to rumors, the situation wasn't entirely due to the writing.  While many denied the script, the high liscensing fee demanded by Warners made it impossible to use at NBC.  Most interesting was the rejection by ABC, the network that seemed most suited for a Wonder Woman show.  Keep in mind that ABC is owned by Disney, who as of last year also owns Marvel.  Not only is ABC already developing superhero shows for the Hulk and Jessica Jones, I doubt they would want hire outside talent when they have the entire character library to work with.  So Wonder Woman just got beaten to a TV show by...Jessica Jones.  That's kind of embarassing.

So to all you Wonder Woman fans, it doesn't look like she'll be getting a show in the near future.  Warners will still develop a movie adaptation of the character, but knowing her track record I wouldn't hold your breath.

Dinosaurs + Superheroes = WIN

Today, my friend sent me a link to this guy's flickr.  Every once in a while, some genius comes up with an idea so brilliant you start despising yourself for not coming up with it first.  This is just one of those instances.  Dinosaur versions of some of Marvel's greatest heroes?  Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

All I'm hoping for right now is a set for some DC heroes, just so I can see a Batman Dinosaur.

No Superman/Batman Crossover!

With Christopher Nolan having a small part in reigniting the Superman franchise, many fans wondered if the Man of Steel would ever crossover with the current Batman movies.  And today, Superman's producer put and end to such speculation by confirming that Batman and Superman would not be crossing over.  At least not any time soon.

This doesn't come as any surprise to me.  From day one, it's been very clear that Nolan's Batman exists in a world with no superpowers or anything too outlandish.  After all, what was the point of a man dressed as a bat when you have someone with godlike powers right down the road?  Superman just has no place anywhere near Nolan's Gotham.

However, that doesn't mean Superman should never crossover with other DC heroes.  Superman fits in perfectly well with characters like Green Lantern or the Flash since they all share sci-fi origins and extraordinary abilities.  The question at that point is whether or not a shared universe is in the best interest of the story.

Now, it's tempting to say go for the crossover without doubt.  Personally, I love the interconnectivity between all the Marvel characters and how it will eventually build up to the Avengers.  And sharing that universe doesn't detract from any character's story.  Captain America only becomes more interesting when he's in a world of modern heroes and can have a legacy as an Avenger.  It gives him purpose.  Even outside of the Avenger movie, giving these stories context definitely offers new possibilities.  Can DC say the same?

Maybe not.  Does Superman become more interesting when he's a in a world full of other heroes?  Or is Superman at his best when he's the lone, shining figure in his world?  It's a simple question of direction.  I certainly think some franchises are better without a shared universe, like the X-Men and Spider-Man.  While Superman crossing over with the rest of the Justice League is still possible, we still have to ask whether or not it's for the best.

A New M.O.D.O.K. For a New Year!

M.O.D.O.K. is one of those rare creations that are so completely luducrous they only work in comics.  He's just some big, floating head.  Once the perfidious villain enters a story, any sense of realism is kind of thrown out the door faster than a speeding bullet.  But he's always had that certain charm about him that has given him semi-iconic status.  The thing's name stands for Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing.  Only in comics, my friends.  Only in comics.

But after 40 or so years, M.O.D.O.K. needs a bit of an update.  And here's your first glimpse at some creepy new concept art for the classic villain.

This won't be the only look, and M.O.D.O.K. will be boasting a more modular armor this time.  The new design is decent.  I can see it being executed well, but it doesn't have that instant charm of the classic .  Nevertheless, I'm happy that Marvel decided to update a great character.  Although Marvel has it's share of timeless villains, many heroes have relatively lackluster rogues galleries.  Even if the designs aren't perfect, at least they're trying to fix the issue.  I have to respect the sentiment.  And here's something extra to brighten your day.

The Red Lantern Corps. Rises

If one franchise could be considered successful in 2010, it's Green Lantern.  Blackest Night was easily the most successful comic on the stands, and the entire DC Universe revolved around the Lanterns' epic struggle.  In the wake of the event, a third ongoing series, Emerald Warriors, was added.  And now we have a new one.  But not for a Green Lantern.  Instead, Atrocitus and his Red Lanterns will take center stage.

Truth be told, seeing lobster face in an ongoing is a pretty big surprise.  Out of all the 6 new lantern corps created, the Red Lanterns were easily the least interesting.  For those of you who don't follow the comics, each of the seven Lantern corps has a different color and emotion associated with it.  The Red Lanterns were just a bunch of angry jerks who like puking blood.  Like a frat house, but with aliens.  They've recently received more depth, sure, but I've always preferred the Sinestro Corps or Agent Orange.  Yet the Red Lanterns do have one trick up their sleeve.  They have RAGE KITTY OF DEATH!

Be honest, now you're suddenly interested in this book.

It's such a strange turn of events to see Green Lantern as the driving force of the DC Universe.  Although Batman is still much more popular, Bruce has always had his own little corner in he form of Gotham city to play around in.  For the rest DC, it's the Lanterns that seem to be driving just about everything.

NBC's Own Superhero, The Cape

After Iron Man and The Dark Knight rocked the box office in 2008, it's been no secret that everyone wants in on the comic book movie superhero deal.  Even if it means making a whole new hero.  I suppose I shouldn't be so skeptical of TV getting a brand new hero.  Not leaving room for new creations isn't fair I guess.  But the Cape?  Seriously?

The show is set to premiere this Sunday on NBC.  The main character is just an honest cop who's been framed for a series of murders, before being attacked himself and left for dead.  Brought back to health by a circus ringleader, our hero then dons some kind of mystical cape to fight crime and clear his name.  I don't want to sound like some whiny internet critic, but really guys?  That's the most generic origin I've ever heard.  I'm pretty confident at least 5 characters from the 90's started out in that exact same way.  And calling himself "The Cape"?  That's either completely unimaginative or genre-aware and deconstructionist, neither of which are acceptable.

The one thing piquing my interest is the fact that Keith David will play the circus ringleader.  Fanboys will also rejoice at the inclusion of Summer Glau.  Still, I'm just not excited for this.  I do think that bringing a superhero to TV can work.  While I would never ask for a Thor or Iron Man live action series, someone like Luke Cage or Green Arrow might have better luck.  And I would rather see someone other than a network, like AMC or HBO, put some serious resources into a series.  But until then, maybe we can give the Cape a shot.

Batman: The Animated Series is the Greatest Thing Ever

For Christmas, my brother received two more seasons of Batman: The Animated Series.  The 90's cartoon was a hallmark of my childhood, and alongside Power Rangers and the X-Men pretty much determined that I would grow up to be a nerd.  But if you go back and watch some old cartoons, they often don't live up to your memories.  As you get older, you realize much of what you enjoyed as a kid was really, really stupid.

And now that I'm older, I can still say that this show is completely awesome.  In fact, I appreciate it even more.  The series has wonderful animation and voice acting, combined with downright captivating storytelling.  Kevin Conroy is Batman, and I'll never get tired of Luke Skywalker voicing the Joker.  It's a dark version of Batman with almost little camp that kids can still watch.  It has the perfect balance that captures the essence of the Dark Knight while still making him presentable.  If you grew up watching the show and haven't seen it in years or are a Batman fan who never saw it to begin with, I can't recommend it enough.  It's simply Batman at his best.