GOTHAM CENTRAL

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Jeff G.  I've been invited to do a weekly round-up of Batman news here at Voices From Krypton (I will also be doing some Batman comic and graphic novel reviews).  I have a Ph.D. in Batmanology from the University of Self-Aggrandizement.  But enough about me, let’s get to the news. 

   Over at Newsarama.com, Brian Azzarello (Lex Luthor: Man of Steel) offered a glimpse into he and Lee Bermejo’s October 22^nd graphic novel Joker.  Fans are anticipating the release because of Azzarello’s success with Lex Luthor: Man of Steel and Lee Bermejo’s gruesome scarred-face Joker (Bermejo’s design actually preceded The Dark Knight).  According to Brian, the premise is Joker, released from Arkham, finds that his assets have been divvied up by the Gotham underworld and he wants them back.  The story is told from the point of view of one of Joker’s henchmen.  Many guest stars are promised, including Killer Croc (who plays a big role as one of Joker’s henchmen), Penguin, Riddler, and Two-Face.  Brian said, “It’s a brutal book. I have a reputation for writing all kinds of hardcore, violent things. This is the most violent thing I’ve ever written.” 

   Fans of All-Star Batman and Robin, The Boy Wonder (not me) will be relieved to hear that issue #10 has just been released.  It’s amazing that this title started in July 2005 and is only now on issue #10.  Apparently, Axl Rose is fed up with the delay (joke). 

   Looking at the current release dates, Morrison’s “Batman R.I.P” is taking a hiatus for the month of September. 

   Time for some movie news:  Blu-ray.com has The Dark Knight DVD release date as December 16^th.  In the domestic box office, The Dark Knight recently broke $500 million.  As for sequel news, there really is none at this point; Johnny Depp affirmatively denied being cast as The Riddler and denied that any casting is being done.  A sequel will likely happen, but Nolan was not too keen initially on even doing The Dark Knight.  The sequel and Nolan’s involvement is a “wait and see” matter.  But I hear two more DC animated original movies featuring Batman are planned, one being tentatively titled Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (based on the Loeb/McGuinness story of the same name which saw Lex Luthor deposed as President of the United States). 

   That’s all for this week batfans.  Tune in next week, same bat-time, same bat-channel. 

--Jeff--