New Post-Covergence Batman Revealed!

Who is in the new robo-batsuit? Well, we were supposed to find out from DC's free book on Free Comic Book Day, but a page from that been has leaked. Click below to find out the new person behind the cowl. Be warned it is a SPOILER!

Arrow "Midnight City" Thoughts/Review!

This week Danny Brickwell attempts to take over the Glades , Ollie walks around, and Laurel stabs a fool with her high heel! (Spoilers!)

Episode Description: Diggle and Arsenal confront Laurel about her dangerous work as the Black Canary; Felicity sees a new side of Ray as he helps Lance fight a villain who has kidnapped the city's Aldermen.


High Points:

• I really enjoyed the Roy, Maclom Merlyn confrontation  Pretty badass move by our boy in the red hood to take on the Dark Archer by himself.

• Laurel showed her badass side through out the entire episode. (High Heels make good weapons!).

• Hong Kong flashback scenes are becoming more intriguing especially with the revelation that Maseo and Tatsu are no longer together in the present day.

• Ray Palmer continues to be a favorite character for the Informers week in and week out.

• As Gronk would say, Ollie and Maseo were "throwin bitches out da club".

• Canary using a voice recorder to trap Brick in that room was a brilliant display of intelligence.

• Laurel is bringing a much different side to the Canary then Sara did, and I do not hate it.   

• Maseo and Katana taking out members of the league was awesome, but why are they so easy to kill? I know they are both, Maseo and Tatsu are skilled fighters but there should be some sort of fight from members of the League of Assassins.

• Team Arrow 2.0 (if you want to call it that) jacks Ray Palmer's helicopter (which does have keys) and saves the Aldermen in brilliant heroic fashion.

• It isn't an episode of Arrow until we see Thea Queen's mid-drift.

Superbowl Sunday is just 4 days away!

Low Points:

• I think Laurel needs some more fighting lessons. Gettin' your ass kicked a little to easily there Katie. I love ya, but more lessons.

• Why must villains go to the "I want all the cops in the city gone" routine. Did Brick not see Dark Knight Rises? It didn't work for Bane, Brick, it probably won't work for you.

• Can someone please tell Captain Lance Sara is dead? Stringing him along and now using the voice modifier is just cruel. The poor man is going to be dead by the end of this season from the heartbreak. 

• As I mentioned before, the league members seem way easy to kill. I would like to see a little more skill going into these battles.

• We need more Diggle. The guy gets less and less air time every episode I feel. He didn't even go along on the trip when Brick killed the Alderman.

Hey Brick that was my plan!

Verdict: This week's episode of Arrow was very "middle of the road". The reason is because it wasn't exactly boring, but it wasn't anything exciting either. So what really happened this week? Brick's plan to take over The Glades is in full swing and looks like it could carry on for another week or two. But what this episode was really about though was Laurel becoming the Black Canary. She and Roy became the new Ollie and Sara. Initially things didn't go so well (getting an Alderman killed doesn't exactly get you an A+ on a superhero exam), but when the chips were really down the new twosome stepped up to the challenge. I'm excited to see the new Canary progress as the weeks go by. As for the rest of the hour, the flashbacks stood out. I really enjoyed the bar scene where Maseo and Ollie just cleaned house by beatin' the hell out of people with dessert trays and martinis. Lastly, Christian predicted the ending a few weeks ago in his midseason review. He called it saying that Thea's DJ was part of the League and that he was secretly feeding information back to them about the Merlyns. It will be fun to see what badass Thea does to another boyfriend who betrays her.

All in all I would like to give tonight's episode a solid 7.0 out of 10!

How did you guys like tonights episode? Feel free to Tweet at us @Caped_Informers and comment on your thoughts. Make sure to tune into next week's episode "Uprising", where we may see the return of the Arrow!

Analyzing the Batman Franchise (Pt. 4 of 8): Batman & Robin (1997)

Batman & Robin (1997)

Directed By: Joel Schumacher

Batman/Bruce Wayne: George Clooney

Love Interest: Julie Madison (No one significant)

Villains: Mr. Freeze (Arnold), Poison Ivy (Uma), Bane (Bob Swenson)

Sidekicks: Robin (Chris O'Donnell), Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone)

Score: Elliot Goldenthal, but this time no hit Seal songs...

High Points

• Batman mentioned Superman!
• The scenes between Bruce and Alfred were nice and actually held a tiny bit of weight.
• Commissioner Gordon actually seemed to have a relationship with Batman.
• John Glover (Lionel Luthor, voice of Riddler) cameoed as cliched crazy scientist #1.
• At least Bane was powered by Venom. (You hear that Chris Nolan?)
• The movie attempted to adapt Paul Dini's origin for Mr. Freeze from Batman: The Animated Series. (Then decided to take this tragic villain and turn him into an unsympathetic pun spewing fool).
• Julie Madison was a real Batman love interest from comics. 
• Poison Ivy's monkey dance and constant sexual innuendoes were awesome because Uma Thurman was extremely attractive.
• That part when Mr. Freeze "swung" on a vine.
• Coolio!
• Riddler and Two-Faces costumes were in Arkham.

Favorite Line: "What killed the dinosaurs? The Ice Age" - Mr. Freeze

Favorite Scene: The Bat Credit Card! Never leave the cave without it!

Low Points:

• Robin and Batman's relationship was once again misrepresented. Bruce and Dick have an unique bond that doesn't include bickering over Bruce being overprotective, Dick being a whiny pussy, and them both trying to bang the bad "guy".
• Adam West's Batman may be campy, but the humor of his Batman hit it's mark. This film on the other hand was campy in order not to be dark so WB could avoid another parental backlash. It's humor was plant + ice puns which if you actually found humorous (unless you think it's so bad it's good) you should have your head examined.
• The moment Batman slide down the back of a Brontosaurus and clicked his heels to unlock his hidden ice skates, you knew what you were in for.
• Freeze's plan in the beginning was to steal a diamond. So why did he need a rocket that "could destroy the city"? What was he trying to accomplish with that? 
• There was a scene where Freeze had Glider Wings and Batman + Robin surfboarded through the sky. (Yes, that really happened).
• Bane's origin was tied to Poison Ivy. Instead of the intelligent tactician baddie that broke Batman's back, we got Poison Ivy's brain-dead lackey. Yet somehow he is still the most compelling antagonist from this pile of crap.
• Poison Ivy's sole function was to be the object for Batman and Robin to fight over. In this incarnation, she needed to attach herself to men (Bane + Freeze) for her plans to succeed. The Pamela Isley from comics is a strong female character, who does use her feminine wiles and toxins to control men, but never needs a man as a partner in her schemes. If she does team up with someone, it's Harley Quinn. And when they do team up, watch out! Cause dem be some badass bitchez!
• The film wasted Paul Dini's tragic origin for Mr. Freeze and still expected the audience to sympathize with their ridiculous version. Anyone who wants to see the real Mr. Freeze go watch "Heart of Ice" from Batman: TAS. It made our top ten episodes list for that series because it redefined Batman's icy foe.
• Mr. Freeze made his gang sing along to "I'm Mr. White Christmas" and his hideout was inside an abandoned ice cream factory.
• Action scenes were awful. After one of the chase scenes, Batman defeats Freeze with one punch.
• Alicia Silverstone plays Barbara Wilson, niece to Alfred (yea cause that age difference makes sense for him to be her uncle), who later becomes Batgirl. Babs was from England and had no British accent. She liked to race bikes because she said it helped ease the pain of her parents' death, who died in a car accident  She also said that she enjoys it for the speed and the danger. Basically she is walking contradiction. And how does a "few casual Judo lessons" enable you to become a vigilante and not be killed? I'm just glad the real Barbara Gordon wasn't trashed by the Schumeister.
• Can anyone explain to me what the fuck is happening at The Rainforest Ball? 
• Bruce's subplot romance with Julie Madison is completely unneeded.
• Everyone just waits for Ivy to blow pheromones into their face.
• Rubber lips and The Bat Credit Card are both in the Caped Crusader's utility belt.
• Commissioner Gordon didn't get laid because he was old. Only time I felt sorry for that poor bastard.
• Finally, Arkham warmed up to the idea of co-ed cellmates!
• JOEL SCHUMACHER"S BIGGEST CRIME OF ALL: That poor bulldog that got frozen never got to take his piss, you fucking psychopath!!

Worst Line: "There's just something about an anatomically correct rubber suit that puts fire in a girl's lips." - Poison Ivy (But that feels like it came straight from Joel)

Worst Scene: In a movie in which I could have picked my favorite scene as the worst scene, I decided on this atrocity. 

Verdict: The world has seen many horrific events occur throughout it's existence. Some that come to mind are the sinking of the Titanic, WWII, and the time Hostess went bankrupt causing them to stop making Twinkies. But all of those pale in comparison to the sheer horror that is Batman and Robin. It literally took me an entire week to convince myself to watch my favorite character and his universe be utterly destroyed by leather fetish and puns. So with this review I didn't try to fool myself, this film is one of the most painful 2 hrs of my life that I will never get back. It was a franchise killer, unforgivable in so many ways (which I listed above, but could have listed much more). 

          The crazy thing is that I really like a lot of people who were involved in this movie. I have roasted Joel Schumacher for his bad Bat-films, but he directed one of my favorite movies, A Time To Kill. And besides him I am also a huge Arnold guy. He usually is action gold and his ridiculous voice is one of the funniest noises ever to grace human ears. And of course who doesn't love Clueless with Alicia Silverstone? That's the film that first made me fall in love with Paul Rudd. Anyway it's just a fucking shame that Batman and Robin is what those people produced.

          John Glover said that before every take, director Joel Schumacher would yell "Remember this is a cartoon!". I find that offensive to cartoons. Even awful cartoons like Uncle Grandpa are more serious than this abomination. Overall Batman + Robin gets a 1.5 out of 10. Finally the worst is over and the best is yet to come!

Thanks for reading! Did you think Batman + Robin was really that bad? Sound off in the comments. And make sure to check out the site soon for my analysis of Chris Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy as our look back into Batman's film history continues. Also be sure to follow us on Twitter @Caped_Informers or follow me @cstrand73 for all your comic book news.

Check out the rest of our look back at Batman's film history by clicking the links below.

Batman (1989)

Batman Returns (1992)

Batman Forever (1995)

Superhero Man Crush Monday: (5/26/14)

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Let's crush on some dudes.

Man Crush: Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy first caught my attention in Chris Nolan's Inception, but it was not until I watched Warrior in 2011 that I thought this guy is a star. Hardy played the role of Tommy Conlon. He was able to showcase his acting prowess as well as show off his physicality. I mean the dude has the biggest traps I have ever seen. So when Chris Nolan announced that Hardy would portray Bane in the final Dark Knight film, I was over the moon. Hardy brought a menacing presence to the villain and with most of his face covered by a mask his eyes spoke volumes. Not to mention he spoke in perhaps a voice that is even more fun to imitate than Bale's Batman growl. But above all that Hardy is my man crush because of his fight with Batman in the sewer. Every line that comes from his Bane while he beats the Dark Knight into submission is quotable and just plain awesome. Thanks Tom. Once this MCM is posted, you have my permission to call me.

"Ah, yes, I was wondering what would break first. Your spirit, or  your body!"

-Christian

Character Crush: Colossus

Colossus is the metal morphing and super strong member of the X-Men. First introduced in 1975 he has become a staple in the X-men franchise ever since. Colossus has been my favorite X Man since they introduced him into the movies in X2. That was the first time when he finally got to show off his powers. When he is in his metal form Colossus doesn't need sleep, food, water, and his body has resistance to any metal on the planet except Vibranium. He is a soft spoken, gentle, and caring individual he has a had a long lasting relationship with Kitty Pryde but with Doop stepping in it doesn't look good for Peter. Colossus is a great X-Man, while he doesn't get the publicity like others do he is a great character and often keeps the other more impulsive members in their place. He is the strong moral center that every team needs.

"I don't give my word unless I mean to keep it." 

-Adam

Batman TAS Consensus Top Ten Episodes!

All week, each of the informers has been counting down their top 5 favorite Batman TAS episodes, but now we are ready to present our top ten overall picks. Deciding on these ten was not an easy feat. There was much deliberation, fights broke out, marriages were ended, but in the end we finished it. So here are the top ten episodes according to the Caped Informers!

10. Jokers Favor

Why it's in the top ten: Joker keeps an ordinary man in fear for his life for over two years because of something so small as the man, Charlie Collins, yelling at him on the highway. Especially since initially he intends to kill poor Charlie. That is twisted. The Joker's massive ego is once again on display showing us that he cannot even allow himself to brush off just some average joe having a bad day. But most importantly we are introduced to Harley Quinn. That alone gains this episode top ten status. Harley Quinn has become a mainstay in DC comic lore since her beginning here.

9. If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?

Why it's a top ten: "Your about to match wits with the Riddler." The introduction to the Riddler on show comes in at number nine. Some of Batman's rogues only require the Bat to use his fighting skills, but not the Riddler. The Riddler always keeps the Dark Knight's mind sharp with his riddles. So when Batman and Robin get dropped like rats in a maze, they have to fight and think their way through the "Maze of the Minotaur" in order to save a greedy businessman who screwed the Riddler over. Nygma's anger can be justified, but his means of revenge cannot so Batman must intervene. Got to love tampering with the Hand of Fate.

8. Beware the Gray Ghost

Why it's a top ten: We all know Batman's origin story, but this episode adds a nice new wrinkle to the tale. Bruce Wayne idolized the Gray Ghost, a fictional TV hero, as a child. Now combine that with his parents death and you get Batman. The story of the character of Simon Trent, the man who played Gray Ghost, is one that we hear about happening all the time in Hollywood. After his show, Simon had a fall from the spotlight and dove into obscurity. The great Adam West's vocals capture your heart as you sympathize with this broken man, but when Batman needs the Gray Ghost to stop the Mad Bomber he steps up and helps Batman. Adam West and Kevin Conroy are unstoppable together.

7. Robin's Reckoning

Why it's a top ten: Another origin story makes the list. Robin is spotlighted in this episode and we get to see him confront the man who killed his parent's Tony Zucco. The best parts of this episode are when we see the tight bond between Bruce and Dick. Bruce really cares deeply about his sidekick because they have shared such similar experiences. He helps Dick not only become a hero, but becomes his mentor and brother to help guide Dick emotionally as well. Also Robin taking Zucco out on a motorcycle is pretty sweet.

6. Almost Got 'Im

Why it's a top ten: Joker, Killer Croc, Two-Face, Penguin, and Poison Ivy share stories about almost getting Batman over a card game. Enough Said. You got a great villain ensemble that leads to comedic moments. "I threw a rock at him!"

5. Heart of Ice

Why it's a top ten: Mr. Freeze was forever changed after this episode aired. He became a man turned cold from a greedy man's horrendous crime. Paul Dini weaves together an origin story that makes you sympathize with Victor. Once again we see Batman have to save a greedy business man from a super villain. I guess you can't pick and choose who you save, but Freeze's story makes you kinda wish Batman would take a sick day and let him take this greedy bastard out. Freeze also has some of the most moving dialogue that the show ever produced. Powerhouse episode.

4. Joker's Wild

Why it's a top ten: Greedy businessmen are all over this list. This time Cameron Kaiser is out to piss off the Joker by making a casino in his image. Kaiser's hope is the Joker blows up this grotesque building so he can collect the insurance money. Joker's initial reaction to the casino is hilarious. His ego once again drives him to commit a crime. One other note about this episode is we get the only Bruce Wayne -Joker interaction of the whole series. Bruce is just looking to anger the Clown Prince of Crime as he shits on the decor of the casino. Another fun moment is when we see the Joker's police file. The file says his name is Jack Napier, a clear nod to 1989 "Batman" in which Jack Nicholson's Joker was originally named Jack Napier. " Jumpin' Jimney Christmas, an homage to me. Too bad, I'm gonna have to blow it up."

3. The Man Who Killed Batman

Why it's a top ten: Almost every episode of Batman TAS is told from Batman's perspective. So it is a real treat to see an episode from a low level gangster like Sid "The Squid"'s point of view. Sid has a wild ride after he believes he killed Batman. Including a run in with the Joker. Joker's eulogy is the highlight of this episode. The viewer really begins to understand how Batman is the ying to his yang. You'd expect Joker to be jubilant about Batman's apparent death, but Mr. J's intense anger gives us get insight on the Joker's true motivations. "You really put the FUN in funeral"

2. Over the Edge

Why it's a favorite: Bane vs. Batman to the death. Bruce's identity revealed to the world. Commissioner Gordon's one man quest to capture Batman. Scarecrow killing Barbara Gordon. A shoot out in the Bat Cave and even criminals looking to seek damages from Bruce Wayne for repeatedly beating them. This episode is chock full of amazing possibilities on how Batman could meet his end.

1. The Laughing Fish

Why it's a top ten: NUMBER ONE! The Joker's scheme to copyright fish. The Joker terrorizes and publicly threatens a copyright worker because he would not let him copyright fish. That may sound ridiculous, but to the Joker he has the right to profit off every fish that bears resemble to his "frankly fabulous face." So on his quest he threatens several individuals who he believes can make his quest for copyright possible. This leads to Batman dealing with Joker swordfish, Joker cats, and even a Joker shark. Batman vs. a shark. Can't beat it. Except when you have Batman and Joker fight on top of an aquarium and Joker savagely beats Batman with a wrench. That fight alone is not the only "gut busting" parts of the episode. Joker airs several Joker Fish commercials that are filled with classic Joker charm. "They're finny and funny and oh so delish. They're joyful and jolly. Jokerfish!" The combination of a dark scheme with classic Joker charm earns this episode our top spot.

 That is our top ten Batman TAS episodes. Shout to Paul Dini for writing seven out of the ten. Dude is a machine. Speaking of machines, Mark Hamill's Joker makes five out of ten episodes. Mark's portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime is legendary and he deserves all his spots on this list. Do you agree? What is your top ten? Tell us in the comments section. I hope you enjoyed our week long Batman TAS celebration. Thank you for reading.

Ryan's Top 5 Batman TAS

I remember watching both Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series when I was a kid and immediately loving both of them. It wasn't until I got a little older that I started to fully appreciate the darker and more in-depth elements that make Batman stories great. So without further ado, here is my definitive ranking of the animated series:

5) The Forgotten: While investigating the disappearances of Gotham's homeless in an undercover disguise, Bruce Wayne is kidnapped and imprisoned in a chain gang mining camp, suffering from amnesia. Alfred must thus track him down, help him escape and free the rest of the prisoners. 


Why it's a favorite: Got to love a white-haired Bruce Wayne. But beyond that we get an episode early on in the series that gives us a really good look into the character of Bruce Wayne. This is the first time the audience sees Bruce Wayne as someone who genuinely wants to help his fellow man and not just some guy who runs around in a bat suit "because he can afford it".

4) Showdown: Ra's al Ghul narrates a story from his past in which Jonah Hex stops his plan to destroy the new transcontinental railroad by using a war blimp. 


Why it's a favorite: This episode was a lot of fun because you get a story being told to us by Ra's al Ghul that took place years and years before Batman was around. I love it when you get a narration from a villain because it brings into question: Is the information I am receiving 100% accurate? You also get to see Ra's square off against a hero from a completely different time period: Jonah Hex. Watch as they face off on this blimp.

3) Harlequinade: The Joker steals an atomic bomb, and it is up to Batman and Robin to find and stop him. Since there is no time to spare, the duo enlist the help of Harley Quinn to track Joker down. Throughout the episode, it is briefly discussed how Harley met Joker.


Why it's a favorite: Gotta love the classic unlikely allies coming together story. I am also just a big fan of Harley Quinn in this series. For a character that had no history going into this show, she has come a long way and you even get that brief insight into how her partnership with the Joker came to be. 

2) Almost got Im': Joker, Killer Croc, Penguin, Two-Face, and Poison Ivy all meet at a poker table, each telling a tale of times when they almost defeated Batman. At the same time, Harley Quinn is about to kill Catwoman. Will Batman be able to save her? 


Why it's a favorite: Talk about an ensemble cast. You get four Batman stories in one episode, a ton of villains hanging out exchanging tales, and a surprise twist at the end of the episode similar to the one at the end of Cape and Cowl Conspiracy. Also it is just comical to see a bunch of people sitting around the table talking about Batman like he is "the one that got away". 

1) Over the Edge: During a fight with the Scarecrow, Batgirl is ambushed on a rooftop and falls to her death. Having watched his daughter's demise, Jim Gordon blames Batman for her fate and vows revenge, even recruiting Bane in the process. 

Why it's a favorite: I'm a big fan of the "what if" stories. That is why I am also such a big fan of The Flashpoint Paradox. You get a Batgirl death scenario that results in Jim Gordon waging an all out war against Batman. It ultimately results in the deaths of both Gordon and Batman but you find out at the end that it was just a big hallucination that Batgirl was having brought on by some good old-fashioned Scarecrow fear toxin. Also this Battle to the Death between Bane and Batman.

Honorable Mentions: Heart of Ice, The Man who Killed Batman, The Demon's Quest, Laughing Fish, If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?

Hope you enjoyed the list and be ready for the Top Ten Batman: The Animated Series episodes tomorrow!

WE ARE THE CAPED INFORMERS!

Hello and Welcome to the Caped Informers official blog!
We are a couple of spirited individuals who love discussing current comic book topics, so we decided to record it and put it online. Thanks for checking us out.

Tune in this week and listen to our hosts Brady and Christian discuss everything from The Amazing Spiderman 2 trailer to the Arrow mid-season finale. (Recorded 12/19/13)

Wanna keep up to date on all Caped Informers' podcasts, follow us on twitter @Caped_Informers

Our first podcast (Caped Informers #1: All Kinds Of Venom) is attached below. Enjoy!