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!

Director Michelle MacLaren Leaves Wonder Woman

Bad news for Wonder Woman fans! The Hollywood Reporter has found out that director Michelle MacLaren (Game Of Thrones) has left the upcoming Wonder Woman film that is set to star Gal Gadot (Fast Five) and maybe Scott Eastwood (The Last Ride). The main reason for her departure is being cited as "creative differences with WB" for the direction of the project. No replacement has been named and the movie is still currently slated for 2017.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Wonder Woman is an icon. She has long deserved the movie treatment. And this news is just another kick in the balls. Michelle MacLaren is a talented person. It sucks to lose her. Similarly Joss Whedon left a potential Wonder Woman movie a few years back. My question is what the fuck are the "creative differences" that WB wants that are turning off all these talented people off with? Do want her to be a damsel in distress for Steve Trevor to save? Do they want her to be a porn star? Cause seriously whatever it is they need to cut the shit and let the creative people craft the character and story. 

          My best guess to why MacLaren left is that WB probably wanted a large romance subplot tied to Scott Eastwood's Steve Trevor and she didn't want to focus on that bullshit and left. That's just me though cause I'm pretty much done with romance in superhero properties. (I'm such a happy person!) It's ruining Arrow right now. Olicitiy is a fucking disease that has infected the show and changed the funny, charismatic Felicity into weepy romantic fodder for Ollie and Ray to fight over. But back to Wonder, my point is that WB needs to stop turning everyone off with their idea of a Wonder Woman movie. Cause clearly people who know stuff about the character don't like their ideas. 

          Diana is one of my favorite heroes. She has had many great runs in comics by some awesome writers like George Perez, Gail Simone, Greg Rucka, and most recently Brian Azzarello. The movie could just put the ideas straight from there and I'd be happy. Or fuck it be lazy just adapt the 2009 animated movie that starred Keri Russell (The Americans) as Diana. Personally I don't care what you do just get this movie made. We have heard bullshit excuses for years like "writing a female led film is tricky" and "we just got to get the right people in place". I'm done with that crap. Hunger Games is one of the highest grossing franchises of all time. Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow is one of the most popular characters at Marvel. Women can kick ass. They are not tricky to write for. Just ask Game Of Thrones author George RR Martin.

          There is nothing tricky about it. Craft a vision for the characters and let's do this shit. Stop the excuses. Stop the dumbass demands to your creative talent. And make a movie about a superhero that every wants to see. Not just because she is a woman, but because she is an inspiring character who has earned the right to grace the silver screen. (End Rant)

Thanks for reading! What director do you want for Wonder Woman? Is there a character that you are really passionate about that deserves a movie? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews.

New Ant-Man Trailer!

Hot off their new found Netflix success, Daredevil, Marvel Studios has released their second trailer to their upcoming tiny superhero flick Ant-Man. This one is considerably better than the first one. Check it out!

Three things really struck me in this trailer:

1. Corey Stoll is a perfect bad guy. His bald head was born for evil. And his Yellowjacket looks pretty cool as well.

2. Tonally this trailer still can't seem if it wants to be humorous or serious. But at least the humorous parts hit better this time.

3. How cool is it that an epic fight is taking place on a Thomas the Train Engine play set? Thomas was always an underrated badass. A tank engine who has always had balls and was fucking fearless. Glad he is finally getting the respect he deserves. 

Ant-Man hits theaters this July. Before that though you can check out Marvel's indie flick dropping May 1st called The Avnegers: Age Of Ultron.

Daredevil Season 1 (Ep. 7-13) Review

Daredevil and Kingpin are on a collision course to decide the future of Hell's Kitchen in the kickass final seven installments of Daredevil. (Mild Spoilers)

High Points (Ep. 7-13)

• Stick was an asshole and I loved every second he was on screen. He gave us insight on what drives Matt as well as one kick ass fight scene. With an eventual Defenders team up occurring, Stick looks to factor in on future of the MCU Netflix-verse.
• Ben Urich became one of my favorite characters on the show. A gumshoe journalist who seeks the truth instead of promoting bullshit. 
• Flashbacks to Wilson Fisk's past were extremely well done. Learning about what happened with his father was very enlightening. And goddamn Dom from Entourage as Bill Fisk was some of the best casting I have ever seen. Guy just drips a prick vibe.
• The significance of The Rabbit in a Snowstorm painting was amazing.
• The later episodes make great use of Matt's Catholicism as both a metaphor for himself and Fisk.
• Foggy and Matt bumping heads was an interesting conflict. Imagine having to question if anything about your friendship is true? Heavy Stuff.
• The fight scenes against Nobu and Gladiator were excellent. Matt got hit by a lot of sharp shit. 
• The first Wilson Fisk vs. Matt was brutal. Fisk is no slouch. Amazing strength comes with his rage.
• Madame Gau is sure to factor in the other upcoming Netflix series (...Iron Fist!). She reminded me of the magician at the beginning of The Prestige, who pretended to be feeble in order to protect his secrets. Like him, Gau puts on an act. She is tough and very formidable.
• That Electra reference! I wonder if any of Matt's other former lovers could come out of the woodwork say maybe Black Widow?
• Karen Page's past will definitely be explored in the future. 
• Daredevil's new suit is awesome! Armor, but with horns. Absolutely love it.

• Fisk and Vanessa's romance grew on me. It became integral to the story and how Fisk began to falter.
• Matt had no love interest and it was fucking great. None of that Olicity bullshit to get in the way of awesome fight sequences and badass dialogue.
• Matt, Foggy, Karen, and Ben drove the Kingpin to the edge. He was forced to kill off his comrades left and right.
• The entire finale is epic. Especially the final clash between Daredevil and Kingpin. Showrunner Steven DeKnight excels at finishing stories. Look at his finales for each season of Spartacus. 
• This season was an origin story that didn't feel like an average origin story. It integrated past and present well.

All that was missing was a little of this!

Low Points (Ep. 7-13)

• Stick was only in one episode. 
• Rosario Dawson kinda fell off the map, but she will show up in other Netflix series.
• Karen's storyline dragged at some points. It was vital, but could have been shortened. 
• Second Season isn't online right now.

Verdict (Ep. 7-13): Everything I said in my first review still applies. This show is just grand. Amazing acting, writing, cinematography and fights that will make you physically ache like you were in them. I am just running out of amazing stuff to say about it. All I know is that I'm an asshole for giving the first half of the season an 8.5, it should have been a 9.5. That is my cross to bear. But back to what matters, Daredevil is exactly what the MCU needed. A dark character who fights street level crime. A character that lends himself well to long form storytelling. And Daredevil fit both those categories. Marvel has given us action comedies, fantasy films, a 70's political thriller and even a space opera with dancing trees. Now it has given us the gritty crime drama that we, the fans, deserved and the one we needed right now. So for all this amazingness I'm giving the second half of the season a 9.0 out of 10. 

Best Episode (Ep. 7-13): Episode #13 "Daredevil"

Best Superhero Fight Scene Ever: Hallway brawl in "Cut Man"

Watch it on repeat!!!

Season Average: 8.75 out of 10

Full Season Grade: 9.25 out 10 aka "Let the devil in!"

P.S. If there is a God, he will introduce Frank Castle, The Punisher, in season 2. Along with Bullseye, Electra, and the Hand. Please and thank you!

Thanks for reading! What do you think of Daredevil's 1st season? Who should be introduced in season 2? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash reviews.

Daredevil Season 1 Midseason (Ep.1-6) Review

The path to the Defenders begins as Matt Murdoch's journey to becoming the the Man Without Fear is set in motion in the all new Netflix/Marvel show Daredevil. (Very Mild Spoilers)

Episode Description: Matt Murdock opens his law practice while also starting his career as a nightly vigilante.

High Points (Ep 1-6)

• Excellent performances from the entire cast, Cox in particular.
• Brutal fights scenes are reminiscent of Spartacus. Every punch that is thrown in this show has consequences. Nobody leaves a fight unscathed. It is the type of bone crushing violence that Frank Miller loves.
• That hallway fight at the end of the second episode is legendary. 
• Love how Matt's powers are really secondary to his fighting skills. 
• Slow burn introduction to Wilson Fisk. 
• Fisk reminds me of Tony Soprano not because they are two fat mob guys, but rather they both have two sides to them. A family side and the violent monster they can unleash when needed.
• Speaking again on the level of violence this show is by far the darkest content Marvel Studios has produced. Marvel is showing it has balls.
• Because this is a show and not a movie, every character gets a chance to stand out. From Foggy to Urich to Fisk each person has had their strong character moments.
• Flashbacks to Matt's past are utilized quite well (You hear that Arrow?). 
• Ties to the rest of the MCU are there, but this still feels like a great standalone story in a small corner of the MCU. I love that the stakes are smaller than world conquest but that doesn't make it any less interesting.
• I would be remiss not to mention I love Rosario Dawson as Night Nurse. 
• The show makes good use of Murdoch and Nelson as defense attorneys. This led to some great court room scenes.
• This show makes several choices to distance themselves from 2003's Daredevil and they all work. Especially how they display Matt using his powers.

Showrunner Steven DeKnight knows how to build great fight scenes

Low Points (Ep 1-6)

• Opening episode is slowly paced
• I understand showing a different side of the Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) when we first see him, but him courting his future wife from the art gallery are the least interesting scenes on the show.
• Some early humor falls flat.
• I wish we got to see Battlin' Murdoch fight Crusher Creel.
• The show launched at 3:00 am EST. 

Was anyone else waiting to see Battlin' Jack save Fisk from Zed + the gimp?

Verdict (Ep 1-6): Daredevil is exactly what the Marvel cinematic universe needed. Something different, something dark that stand-alones from it's other popular properties. Using Netflix as a platform for it's newest TV show, Marvel has finally allowed for some darker tones mixed with brutal violence. Not every part of the Marvel universe is so chipper and this show cements that fact.
          As a lead Charlie Cox is a star. You will actually believe his Matt Murdoch would go out and be able to handle himself against insane mob fighters. Then when needed he can flip a switch and be an ace in the courtroom. As for his associates Foggy, Karen, and Claire each of them have their moments. I am particular to say that I am a massive Rosario Dawson fan and love that she is on this show. I hope she pops up in Jessica Jones + Luke Cage as well. Just outstanding casting all around.
         Lastly, I just cannot say enough about the fighting on this show. I thought Arrow had great stunt choreography. This show makes that stuff look like it's for pre-schoolers. Each brawl is intense and never ends with only one or two punches. Feels more like a man is fighting another man. No super strength or armor here. Really helps keep the spirit of the Daredevil the comic character alive.
          Truly I made this review short because I want to go back to binging this awesome show. Daredevil is legit and gets an 8.5 out of 10 for it's first 6 episodes. Can't wait to see what the next 7 have in store.

Best Episode So Far: Episode #2 "Cut Man"
          

Thanks for reading! What do you think of Daredevil's 1st season? Who should be introduced in season 2? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow and Flash reviews.

Wonder Woman Is Getting Her Traditional Colors; Starts Shooting In The Fall

Scooper El Mayimbe just dropped a scoop that Michelle Maclaren's (Breaking Bad) Wonder Woman will begin shooting in the fall. He also claim the design team is making 6 different costumes (including a dive suit) for Diana and they will include her traditional colors (Red, Blue, yellow or silver). The initial costume from Batman V Superman with Gal Gadot (Fast Five) as Diana of Themesycria was met with backlash for having no color. So hopefully those negative few including former Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, will be appeased by this news.

Source: El Mayimbe

I would be into the New 52 look from Cliff Chiang. Especially since rumor is the production is having Diana be the daughter of Zeus like in this recent run.

Thanks for reading! Are you happy with Wonder Woman's costume? Can Gal Gadot pull off the role? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews.

Jared Leto Has Begun His Joker Transformation!

David Ayer keeps tweeting out gold. Moments ago he dropped this photo of a green haired Jared Leto as an homage to Alan Moore's famous Batman story "The Killing Joke".

Wow! That is awesome. Rumors that Joker killed Jason Todd in this universe are swirling. Could he have paralyzed Barbara Gordon as well? Whatever the case, when Batman and The Joker do finally meet up in this universe they are going to have some serious history.

I can't wait till we finally get a Joker + Harley photo. That shit is gonna be gorgeous.

Suicide Squad doesn't come out until August 2016, but the hype is high right now! Leto is gonna kill it!

Green Hair!

Thanks for reading! What do you think of the events of Killing Joke having possibly occurred in the DCCU? Would you dye your hair green? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews.

Phil Lord And Chris Miller Are Developing The Flash Movie

Warner Bros. is continuing it's trend of bringing in high end talent to further it's DC comic book films. Today, Deadline has confirmed that the studio has tapped directors/writers Chris Miller and Phil Lord (21 Jump St.) to develop the story for 2018's The Flash with a possibility that they may also direct the film. The duo do a great job of mixing action and comedy so this is some great news for Flash fans. Especially for the ones who were irked by Ezra Miller's casting. 

Source: Deadline

I'm a huge fan of Miller and Lord. The guys have knocked it out of the park the last few years with the Jump St. franchise and The Lego Movie. They have qualities that work well with the Flash's universe.

The biggest plus of adding this duo is that it puts an end to that bullshit rumor that DC films will have a "no humor" policy. These bros excel at writing humor. One can easily surmise that The Flash script they write will have plenty of it.

Miller and Lord have past running credentials

Now all I can think about is ridiculous casting possibilities that Lord + Miller could make happen:

Jonah Hill as Captain Cold

Rob Riggle as Gorilla Grodd

Dave Franco as the Trickster

Ice Cube as Captain Frye

Channing Tatum as Heat Wave

Elizabeth Banks as Golden Glider

Sounds crazy, but I would be all in on that cast.

Thanks for reading! What do you think of The Flash movie? Can it be as good as the TV show? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews.