The Batman (Matt Reeves, March 4, 2022) Movie • Page 79

Hmm

 

Tweet was deleted

 

twitter is just fucked up

 

What did it say?

 

Nah the tweet is there:

 

Something about the beat down scene made me wonder, Zack Snyder apparently got that impression too. I still consider it unlikely, don’t think it’s even necessary, but I don’t think Reeves would get ridiculous with either even if he’s allowed so whatever.

Also, after my 20th trailer view, in the car chase scene, Penguin reminds of what I imagine a whacky Craig T Nelson would be like, haha.

 

Really loving Pattinson's look and the fact that he's not built like a brick shithouse.

 

He looks menacing in the suit, and that is really all that matters. I remember people being worried about his bulking for the role, but I hope they feel quelled after the trailer. His presence is what does it.

 

Reread Batman: Year One between last night & this morning. Yep, still the absolute pinnacle of Batman comics.

There’s been a lot to hate about Frank Miller (see: Holy Terror), but this particular 80s crime story did work well for his voice. But, above all else, that gorgeous David Mazzucchelli art with equally gorgeous Richmond Lewis colors is the best Batman will ever look. A perfect 80s take on old pulp vigilante comics.

Because I’m in a classic Batman mood, I’m gonna read some more old stuff next. Finally gonna read Year Two, which inspired Mask of the Phantasm & was drawn by Alan Davis & Todd McFarlane. Then, finally gonna read the late 70s classic Steve Englehart & Marshall Rogers collection Strange Apparitions.

 

So is Batman Year One followed by The Long Halloween the order I should tackle these?

 

Yep. Long Halloween was conceived as a sort of sequel to Year One.

(Even though it technically already had other sequels. But, the fun of comic continuity is that the same comic can exist in multiple versions of canon simultaneously.)

 

Mask of the Phantasm is probably the single best Batman work ever imo. What a fantastic film.

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is up there too.

 

One of my first 3 theatrical experiences, along with Lion King & Aladdin. It’s big, epic version of the Batman theme is so good, as is the Phantasm design.

Really glad Tom King’s upcoming Batman & Catwoman 12-issue series is gonna use Phantasm.

 

Okay excellent so Batman Year One followed by Long Halloween. Any other recommendations on what should follow?

 

Short answer: Dark Victory is a sequel with the same creative team. Then, there’s Hush, which has the same writer & a similar “let’s use a lot of villains” approach, & takes place years later.

Long answer:

 

...which, that long list mainly skews towards modern stuff set in what was basically continuity (at least at the time of publication; like I’ve said, that’s a fluid idea for DC).

If classic comics fit your tastes (usually requires either nostalgia or a growing appreciation for the medium of comics as a whole), there’s all sorts of classic 70s & 80s stuff. Most of which I haven’t read yet myself, though that is where most of my personal Batman interest seems to be going now.

And, there’s of course the Elseworlds type stuff. Paul Pope’s Batman: Year 100 rules. Gotham by Gaslight has great Mike Mignola art. And, I don’t like Dark Knight Returns as much as most people, especially its take on Superman, but it is a really good looking book with some cool moments sprinkled through.

 

A lot of this basically saying that if Reeves wants it to be R, it will be

 

I mean, I guess Arthur Clownman proved that an R-rated comic book movie can make a billion dollars so why couldn't a Batman movie do the same. Especially considering, you know, this movie will actually be good.

 

Dark Knight Returns was mostly boring.

 

This was extremely helpful. Thank you!

 

I love the idea of Reeves being able to just make the film how he thinks it should be and not worry about the rating. Hope that’s true.

 

I'll always always always rec people read Batman: Year 100 and Batman: Vampire

 

Vampire is Kelley Jones on art, right? He draws such a wild, intense Batman.

 

its wild lol

 

Logan made over $600M at the box office as a Rated R comic book adaptation.

The Batman will likely obliterate that number (if theaters are safe and ready for full usage by next fall).