Showing posts with label Batman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Batman. Show all posts

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Top Ten Comic Events Of All Time




Top Ten Comic Events Of All Time

On the eve of Marvel's Secret Wars (actually comes out in May 2015) I have been thinking a lot about all of my favorite comic events. Events in comic books are a really big deal. They are a way to bring together characters and universes that might never have been caught dead in the same room together, then mash them up and stir them around, and then post-event they have a truck load of new content to jump off of. The actions taken in the event will often shape the things to come for that entire universe. Here are the Top Ten Comic Events Of All Time:



"Bane, the primary villain of the storyline, is introduced in Vengeance of Bane, and the vigilante Azrael is introduced in Sword of Azrael. Knightfall is divided into two parts. In The Broken Bat, Bane defeats Batman by breaking his spine. This requires Azrael to become the new Batman, and defeat Bane in Who Rules the Night?. Knightquest is also divided into two parts. In The Crusade, Azrael's Batman grows more violent and crazy, while in The Search, Bruce Wayne seeks a cure for his paralysis. In KnightsEnd, Bruce Wayne returns and takes his mantle as Batman back from the usurper Azrael." -(Source)


"Sinestro, former Green Lantern and foe of Hal Jordan, has begun the creation of his own lantern corps following his defeat in Green Lantern: Rebirth. After much time gathering ring-bearers who will "inspire fear" in their sectors, Sinestro and the Yellow Lanterns attack the Green Lantern Corps, killing many, freeing Superboy Prime, Cyborg Superman, and capturing Kyle Rayner, infecting him with Parallax. With their combined power, along with that of the newly resurrected Anti-Monitor, the Sinestro Corps seeks to destroy the Green Lantern Corps and conquer the universe. 
The Guardians, in an attempt to even the odds in the ongoing struggle between the two corps, authorize the use of lethal force for Green Lanterns. With their full potential now realized, the Green Lantern Corps takes the fight to the Sinestro Corps, but it is revealed that the Sinestro Corps is attacking Earth. As Hal frees Kyle from the clutch of Parallax, Sodam Yat is appointed the new Ion. With the combined efforts of the Green Lanterns, Ion, and the heroes of Earth, the Sinestro Corps is defeated and Earth is saved once more. But the War of Light has begun..." -(Source)


"Flashpoint picks up right after Professor Zoom unleashes a giant, reality altering blast of built up Speed Force energy that changes the time line completely. Barry Allen wakes up to find everything about his life different, his mother is alive, he isn't married to his wife, he isn't the Flash, and that's just the beginning of his problems. Wonder Woman and the Amazons are at war with Aquaman and the Atlanteans, Cyborg is the United States greatest hero, Superman is nowhere to be found and the world is at the brink of war. Knowing this reality is not his own, Barry Allen seeks out the help of the only man who may be able to help him figure out what happened.... Batman. But the Batman he finds is not who he expects..." -(Source)


"While DC had used the weekly format before, (most notably with Action Comics in April 1988), 52 was their first attempt to launch a new title as a weekly. Set in the time between the end of "Infinite Crisis" and the "One Year Later" story lines, 52 dealt with the events of the missing year - a year without Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, The title was masterminded by writers Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid, with Keith Giffen producing art breakdowns. Its weekly publication meant several artists had to handle the art, starting with Joe Bennett on the first four issues. A massive saga, spanning the whole DC Universe (and beyond), 52 introduced several new heroes and villains, including a new Question and Batwoman, before the big reveal of a new multiversse of fifty two realities, each containing an alternate Earth.
The story had a huge impact on the DC Universe, affecting everything from Black Adam's World War III spin off, to Booster Gold's post - 52 reality - spanning adventures. It also led into countdown to final crisis and left the DC Universe a dramatically different place." -(Source)


"Mistress Death believed that there was a cosmic imbalance in the universe - that there were more living than there were dead. As a result, Death resurrects her loyal servant Thanos, who is appointed the task of killing off half of the population of the universe. Not only is Thanos' power augmented by Death, he is granted access to the Infinity Well, where he realizes the power of the Infinity Gems. After much plotting and scheming, Thanos wrestles the gems from their owners and gains mastery over Power, Mind, Space, Reality, Time, and the Soul." -(Source)


"After the super-villain Nitro sets off an explosion in Stamford, CT, killing the New Warriors and hundreds of innocents, the American Government, blaming the super-hero community for these deaths, enforces a Super-Human Registration Act that forces super-heroes to reveal their secret identities and work for the government, labeled as weapons of mass destruction. This doesn't sit well with some heroes and the Super-Hero community is divides into sides: Iron Man's Pro-Registration Act team enforced by S.H.I.E.L.D. and its new director Maria Hill, and Captain America's Anti-Registration Act team called the Secret Avengers. This separation causes a super-human Civil War that pits the two teams against each other physically and morally.
The Civil War has many consequences including the separation of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four, the revelation of Spider-Man's secret identity to the world, the departure of the Thing to France, the death of Goliath and finally the death of Captain America himself at the end of the War." -(Source)


"X-men invited to Avengers Tower to discuss the fate of Wanda Maximoff. There's a lot of discussion to whether or not to kill someone whose effectively a god while she's down. Pietro seeks his father, Magneto kidnaps Wanda and Wanda uses her magic to create an ideal world for everyone...except it backfires for a lot of people.
Captain America was a great American Hero but forgotten when he wouldn't compromise his ideals for humanity or later mutant kind. Mutants are ascendant rulers of the world but it's a lie since most people were made mutants by Wanda's magic. Spiderman is married to Gwen Stacy and a pro-wrestler with Uncle Ben still alive but only pretending to be a mutant. Tony Stark is the richest man on Earth....but part of a hated underclass. Scott is married to Emma. Luke Cage is a Crime Lord who nevertheless protects the "little guy" while Falcon is a Police officer who never screwed up his life. Sentry is a normal human being. Doctor Strange is a psychologist (i.e. actually helping people) but otherwise no magic. Wolverine is a SHIELD agent...but he remembers EVERYTHING so he knows the truth. Oh yes and Hawkeyes' alive.
Wolverine hunts allies and after a false start with Professor Xavier finds Luke Cages boys and eventually convinces them their right. They gradually assemble their team for assaulting Magneto and do so. Apparently, telepathy can restore people's memories.
The confrontation is the usual dragged out fight but Magneto basically does something that ROYALLY cheeses Wanda off and convinces her that Magneto cares more about Mutantkind than his own family (more or less true). Wanda thus says "NO MORE MUTANTS!"
Doctor Strange casts a spell to prevent this from happening but it only affects the team in the immediate vicinity." -(Source)


"What happens when evil wins? That's the question Superman, Batman, the Justice League and every being in the DCU have to face when Darkseid and his otherworldly legion of narcissistic followers actually win the war between light and dark. Featuring the deaths and resurrections of major DC characters, FINAL CRISIS is more than your average multi-part event - it's a deconstruction of Super Hero comics and a challenging, thought-provoking take on the modern, four-color icons.." -(Source)


"Marvel's greatest heroes and villains have been brought to a mysterious planet with unlimited power promised to those who can defeat their foes! See Spider-Man, the Avengers, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four battle Doctor Doom, Ultron, Doctor Octopus and more in this classic saga!" -(Source)


"This is the story that changed the DC Universe forever. A mysterious being known as the Anti-Monitor has begun a crusade across time to bring about the end of all existence. As alternate earths are systematically destroyed, the Monitor quickly assembles a team of super-heroes from across time and space to battle his counterpart and stop the destruction. DC's greatest heroes including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Aquaman, assemble to stop the menace, but as they watch both the Flash and Supergirl die in battle, they begin to wonder if even all of the heroes in the world can stop this destructive force." -(Source)
So that is my list in all of its glory. What does your list of best comic events look like? Sound off in the comments!

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-Demo




Friday, February 6, 2015

The New 52 Comes To An End

The New 52 Comes To An End


The New 52 Comes To An End



Well … sort of. DC Comics has announced that the “New 52” branding will finally come to an end after it’s 4 year run as the tagline of the DC Universe. However, fans can rest assured that the stories and current continuity will remain the same (collective sigh of relief!) and is in no way another franchise reboot.

Beginning June 3, 2015 with the conclusion of April and May’s Convergence event, the DC line up will launch 24 brand new titles in addition to the 25 ongoing staples to ensure that there will be something for everyone, especially in light of Marvel announcing a still mysterious reboot of their own with the conclusion of this May’s epic Secret Wars event, which promises to change the Marvel Universe as we know it (stay tuned)!

The New 52 Comes To An End



As for the new titles, the folks at IGN have gained exclusive access to eight of them, which include ::


  • Batman Beyond by writer Dan Jurgens & artist Bernard Chang
  • Cyborg by writer David L. Walker & artists Ivan Reis and Joe Prado
  • Dark Universe by writer James Tynion IV & artist Ming Doyle
  • Doomed by writer Scott Lobdell & artist Javier Fernandez
  • Harley Quinn/Power Girl by writers Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner & artist Stephane Roux (4 issue mini-series)
  • Red Hood/Arsenal by writer Scott Lobdell & artist Denis Medri
  • Starfire by writers Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner & artist Emanuela Lupacchino
  • We Are Robin by writer Lee Bermejo & artists Rob Haynes and Khary Randolph


With an additional seven announced through CBR ::


  • Justice League of America by writer/artist Brian Hitch
  • Bizzaro by writer Heath Corson & artist Gustavo Duarte (6 issue mini-series)
  • Bat-Mite by writer Mark Russell & artist Ben Caldwell (6 issue mini-series)
  • Omega Men by writer Tom King & artist Barnaby Bagenda
  • Mystic U (tentative title) by writer Alisa Kwitney & artist Mauricet
  • Section Eight by writer Garth Ennis & artist John McCrea
  • Dr. Fate by writer Paul Levitz & artist Sonny Liew

And the final batch coming to us from Newsarama ::


  • Robin, Son of Batman by writer/artist Pat Gleason
  • Black Canary by writer Brenden Fletcher & artist Annie Wu
  • Martian Manhunter by writer Rob Williams & artists Ben Oliver, Paulo Siqueira
  • Earth 2: Society by writer Daniel H. Wilson & artist Jorge Jimenez
  • Midnighter by writer Steve Orlando & artist ACO
  • Bat-Mite by writer Dan Jurgens & artist Corin Howell


As for the 14 titles not making the cut come June, grab a Kleenex© as we mourn the loss of the following titles::


  • Aquaman and the Others #11
  • Arkham Manor #6
  • Batman Eternal #52
  • Batwoman #40
  • Green Lantern: New Guardians #40
  • Infinity Man and the Forever People #9
  • Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Three #12
  • Klarion #6
  • Red Lanterns #40
  • Secret Origins #11
  • Star-Spangled War Stories Featuring G.I. Zombie #8
  • Swamp Thing #40
  • Trinity of Sin #6
  • World's Finest #32
Do you have a comic, graphic novel, comic event or story line you’re itching to read or learn more about? Sound off in the comments below, find me on Twitter or let us know on the New Geek Protocol Facebook page!


Until next time True Believers,


-ArchangelEZE

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Who Is The Arkham Knight?

Who Is The Arkham Knight?

The game's release is still several months away but with every new trailer and tidbit of information we get a bigger and better picture of it is painted. One of the bigger reveals was the introduction of the Arkham Knight character. The developers are saying he is a new character to the Batman universe. However, being a typical media consumer, I know there is something that Rocksteady is keeping secret to protect the integrity of the game's plot. What that secret is I have no idea. However the following video sums up what the collective ideas around the interwebs are. Take a look.



Who do you think the Arkham Knight is going to be? Sound off in the comments!

-Demo

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Nerd Block - November 2014



Pretty excited for this weekend’s Grand Rapids Comic Con. Lots of cool people to meet and see. I’ll be going for all three days. There will be plenty of posts about it following the event. For this week’s post I will be writing about this month’s Nerd Block.


I regret to say that this is my last Nerd Block for a while. They haven’t been super exciting for me besides the occasional POP figure and very minimal amount of Star Wars items. I only kept it around for another month because I knew there would be a Boba Fett themed item and Boba is my main man so I couldn’t give up yet.


This month’s block wasn’t too shabby, there wasn’t one thing I didn’t like.

1. Iron Man Coffee Mug (my wife has an infatuation with Iron Man so this mug is all hers)

2. Super Mario Bros. Boo Slap Watch


3. Deadpool - King of Chimichangas T-shirt


4. Boba Fett Fan Wrap for my car (wish it would have been more than just a sticker for my car)




And…

5. The Featured Item of the Month - Batman plush (Adaaaaam Weeeesssst!!!)




Like I said not too shabby, definitely a step up from previous months. If you are still interested in Nerd Block please sign up it is a great service, just didn’t fit for me. Next month should be great as well, every subscriber is guaranteed an autographed Willow print from either Warwick Davis or Val Kilmer! That’s pretty exciting, but I am going to resist. Now if it were an autographed pic of Wicket or semi-decent looking Batman then I’d be all in.


Stay tuned for our upcoming posts on the Grand Rapids Comic Con!


May the Force Be With You!

- Da_Fettman

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Not Just Another Lego Game


Not Just Another Lego Game

I know, I know! Another Lego game right? But here's the thing....they are so much fun and you know it! Even though it is the third game in the series, Lego Batman 3 still holds the appeal that every other Lego game holds. I have a ton of Lego games, but no matter how many times I go through frustrating puzzles (that I wonder how kids seem to beat so quickly), I can't help but form anime eyes when they announce a new one.

In fact, they could pretty much make Lego game off of any of my favorite TV shows and it would probably go a little something like this:



I don't know if anyone else sympathizes with my obsession over Lego games and honestly I don't really care. 

But I digress!!

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Saturday, September 6, 2014

Top 5 Batman Gadgets


Top 5 Batman Gadgets

5.)

Grapple Hook - Batman (1989)

So you can’t fly. So you don’t have laser beam shooting eyes. Well do I have a one-stop-shop of a gadget for you. Pull weapons right out of criminals hands and leap from roof top to rooftop in a single trigger pull with the lovingly nicknamed Batclaw. In a super powered world this piece of hardware makes Batman more than just a man in a costume.

4.)

Power Armor - Dark Knight Returns #4
So you are a regular human being with no super powers except for the fact that you have world class training and bazillions of dollars in your bank account. You have to take on the most powerful superhero on the planet, possibly on any planet. What do you do? You create a power suit that can withstand a punch that could knock out Doomsday. Seriously, Tony Stark might even crack a smile at this suit.

3.)

Explosive Gel - Batman Arkham Asylum
Is the bad guy you need to take down hiding behind a concrete wall and there aren’t any ducts to conveniently sneak around the wall in? Spray some of this stuff on the wall, wait for him to walk by, and blow cinder block debris all over that villanous scum from a safe distance. You can also be creative with the design you spray on the wall but why not do the bat signal every time?

2.)

Memory Cloth Cape - Batman Begins
This is one of the biggest technological advances that Batman has ever seen. The cape went from an intimidation device with its highest tech feature being an awesome “woosh” noise to a device that allowed him to glide long distances. Combine the upgraded cape with the use of the Grappling Hook and Batman doesn’t even need to have his boots on the ground to kick some ass.

1.)
This bat gadget is the most versatile of them all. Coming in different flavors such as explosive, electric, and remote controlled, every time it comes out of that utility belt it’s pretty much a guarantee that a bad guy is going down. Guns are for cowards. It takes a real Batman to throw a technologically advanced piece of metal with accuracy to take down the scum of Gotham City.


-Demo

For a a bigger list of Batman's huge arsenal visit the pop culture icon Complex.

Monday, August 25, 2014

The Weekly Pull : You Don’t Know Dick


The Weekly Pull : You Don’t Know Dick

If you’ve been following my posts here on New Geek Protocol, it’s probably no surprise to you that I’m a Marvel fanboy through and through. I’ll dabble in the DC Universe from time to time when something really strikes my interest, such as the recent Forever Evil mini-series and story arcs featured in Justice League, or in today’s case, a very clever marketing ploy I felt was worth my hard earned $2.99.


Within the events of Forever Evil, former side-kick, Robin, turned independent hero, Nightwing, Dick Grayson, was publicly unmasked by the Crime Syndicate, thus ending his tenure as the vigilante. With his secret identity ousted, the character takes a drastic turn as the Nightwing series comes to an end, and Grayson, a secret agent counterintelligence spy-thriller begins set out to prove one thing : You might think you know Nightwing - but you don’t know Dick.



Intrigued by the new concept, I picked up the first two issues of the series …


The Weekly Pull : You Don’t Know Dick

The first issue begins as any good spy-thriller should. On a train. But that’s about as much of a positive for this first issue that I could find. The Who, Where and When questions are all answered in the opening panels of the book, but the reader is quickly thrown into a conflict between Grayson and his target without any explanation as to What is going on, Why he’s operating as an unmasked spy or How he came to possess this particular skill set. Luckily, I had enough personal background knowledge on the character to begin assembling some of the bits and pieces as I read on, but from the perspective of a new reader and a jumping on point (as a #1 issue should be), the flow of the story didn’t re-introduce or explain the character or his current situation. I’ve read time/space continuum displacement stories that can cover more ground in 32 pages,and can only hope that writes Tim Seeley and Tom King, along with artist Mikel Jane, can pull things together.



The second issue of Grayson is a huge improvement over the first. Although I still have some minor issues with the title, Seeley and company have started to lay the ground work for a Bourne Identity-esque story, that is jam packed with action and shrouded in mystery (in the appropriate places). The Dark Knight himself even makes an appearance to help shed some light on the Grayson's current place in the DC Universe, which contributes to a far more solid and well paced story. However, the final page of the book alludes to a five year "flash forward" Future's End story for Issue #3, which feels far to early for a newly developed character and makes me question the titles chance of survival.


Although the concept and marketing behind Grayson is fantastic, it's not an introduction to the character or the DC Universe by any means. Current fans of Nightwing and other Batman Incorporated titles should enjoy the unique take and direction the series has to offer, but as for me, Issue #2 is the end of the line. Give me Nightwing any day, I could care less about Dick.


Do you have a comic, graphic novel, comic event or storyline you’re itching to read or learn more about? Sound off in the comments below, find me on Twitter or let us know on the New Geek Protocol Facebook page!


Until next time True Believers,


-ArchangelEZE