Going "Batty" Over Barbara

      In a previous blog I mentioned that DC Comics is doing a relaunch of 52 of its books, starting next month. In the last few days there has been a huge outcry of dissent, as well as support, for one particular "reboot"- bringing Barbara Gordon back as "Batgirl".

     For those who aren't familiar with the back story, Barbara became a sidekick to the Dark Knight in the mid-60's, as a way to introduce the character into the "Batman" tv show. She continued as Batgirl on and off until the late- 80's. 

     In the revolutionary graphic novel, "The Killing Joke", in an attempt to drive Commissioner Gordon insane,the Joker shot Barbara, paralyzing her. In an attempt to continue fighting crime, Ms. Gordon became a computer genius named "Oracle",the persona she has maintained until the upcoming re-boot.

 

    At this point, I'd also like to mention that I can relate strongly to the Oracle character, because I too am disabled. Unlike characters like Daredevil, who overcame his blindness, to the point where it became a "non-issue", Barbara overcame her disability but, it continued to be ever present.

     Now for the controversy. Many people, including myself, would like to see Barbara continue as Oracle. In the re-boot the timeline will go back to BEFORE Barbara's shooting, restoring the use of her legs. I feel that there are so few disabled characters portrayed in comics, especially in the DC Universe, so why take one away? Many women want to see her restored to Batgirl so she can be portrayed as a strong woman in a predominantly male comic book universe.

     I can see their point but my argument is can't she be both? As Oracle, can't she be portrayed as a strong disabled woman? Thereby representing both groups?

     Overall, I'm happy with the idea of DC's re-boot, but in this particular case, I'm very disappointed in their creative decision

     It seems Chris Nolan has been busy- behind the camera and on the 'net. This week the Dark Knight Rises director released stills of two of the films villains, in all their villainy glory. 
    Earlier, photos surfaced of Bane, played by actor Tom Hardy. The production stills showed him on a modified (modernized?) version of Batman's Tumbler and even battling the Dark Knight, himself, played, of course, by Christian Bale.

         Today, new photos surfaced of Selina Kyle aka Catwoman, played by Anne Hathaway. Initial reports stated that Ms. Hathaway was cast as "Selina Kyle" which led to some speculation on whether or not we would see her as her alter-ego. The photos released today confirm that we will see that famous catsuit in, at least, some form.

        While I am impressed with the look of Bane. He's big, bald, a typical goon villain, capable of breaking Batman's back like a twig. That mask makes Hannibal Lecter's look like a dollar store Halloween mask.
    On the other hand, I'm not so impressed by Catwoman.  The goggles are pretty neat but, she looks more like a character from "The Matrix", then the Catwoman we're used to seeing. I know Nolan has always favored the idea of functionality in his Batman films (like the two piece Batman cowl) but Selina's costume is just plain boring. She's a cat burglar yet the only way she hides her identity is with a pair of over-sized glasses? I'm hoping that this is just an early incarnation of the suit, that will evolve over the course of the film into something more familiar to diehard Batman fans.
       Overall,  I'm impressed by the  images coming from the set of Dark Knight Rising and can't wait for this film to hit theaters during the Summer 2012.

Head or "Tails"?

      Lucasfilm just released the theatrical trailer for George Lucas' much anticipated film "Red Tails". It is the story of the famous Tuskegee Airmen of World War 2. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American combat squadrons made up of the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps. The films title comes form the fact that the squads painted the tails of their planes bright red.

     The film is written and produced by George Lucas and directed by rookie director Anthony Hemingway.  It stars Terrence Howard (Hustle and Flow), Cuba Gooding, Jr (Jerry Maguire) and Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad).

     While it has a pretty decent cast, (where the heck has Cuba Gooding been??)from the trailer it looks like a typical World War 2 action flick but with an ILM twist. It reminded me of Pearl Harbor or Memphis Belle with fight sequences modeled after the first 10 minutes of "Revenge of the Sith".

     Despite the cast and the fact that George Lucas' name is attached to this film, I don't see myself lining up at midnight to check it out, like I did for The Phantom Menace...Okay. You can stop laughing now!