Real Life Catwoman Kind of Hilarious

Apparently there's a real life Catwoman running around New York. She's not exactly a criminal mastermind, but you have to appreciate her moxie. She walks into a store wearing a kitty mask, gives the clerk a note, they give her cash, she leaves.

Read here. But, mostly here.

Here's the video.



You kind of have to imagine how much having Batman around would escalate this whole situation. Here, the clerk is out $86. In Gotham, the windows would be smashed, the displays destroyed, and two bystanders somehow killed.

Batman is still kind of awesome, though.

Batman "City of Scars" fan film

Over the weekend, Ransom sent along a link to a Batman fan film. Unlike most fan films, this particular item isn't some pudgy guy in an off-the-shelf Batman costume yelling loud enough so that the mics will pick him up over the sound of the wind and his mom telling him to quit embarassing himself.

Created by Bat in the Sun Productions, the movie's production quality is surprisingly high. The folks behind this movie put a lot of love, thought and, frankly, money into making this one. The actor hired to play Batman/ Bruce Wayne is built (unlike Michael Keaton) like someone who could, likely, take your head off with a good spin kick. The actor selected for The Joker, and the makeup, all professional grade.

The story feels a bit like a two or three issue fill-in story that occasionally crops up in one of the main Batman titles. The events of the story include a grisly crime, and the nature of the crime (and the acts of the criminal) provide Batman with fodder for reflecting upon an aspect of his "mission", which, in the comics, we'd normally track with narration boxes, but in this case, we're given a voice over. Comic fans will be pleased to see how the filmmakers deal with Batman's costume, his vehicles and technology, as well as seeing characters who appear to be Montoya and Allen, two homicide detectives from the mid-90's through the mid-00's in Batman titles. Plus, we get a peek at live action interpretations of some of Batman's B-ist rogues gallery.

I don't want to dwell on how the script could have been tightened up, or how the film could have had a more deft directorial touch. There's no question that as a comics fan film, this is the best work to date.

However, this is a long movie for an internet clip, running over half an hour. So, you know, get comfortable.

Batman: What to Read/ What Order?

As much as you'll find a lot of Superman talk around The Signal Watch, I'm also a fan of The Dark Knight Detective.

Batman has been around almost as long as Superman, and its likely there's as much or more in the way of Batman in print out there as The Man of Steel. Reader Mike F. pinged me on Twitter. He's been reading the superlative "Batman: Year One" by Frank Miller and David Mazzuccelli. Which, if you like Batman but don't read comics, you owe it to yourself to read this comic.

There are a few ways to answer the question of "what do I read next?" Do you read more Frank Miller? More David Mazzuccelli? Or more Batman?

Well, I'm generally always going to recommend reading more Frank Miller and David Mazzuccelli. So let's talk Batman.

The biggest problem with jumping into Batman comics at the current date is that the monthly Batman comics are knee-deep in an ongoing, multi-year storyline (in which Bruce Wayne is not currently Batman, btw). So I don't recommend heading down to your local comic shop at the moment unless you're interested in picking up either "Superman/ Batman", "Batman: Confidential" or "Batman: The Brave and the Bold", all of which are intended for various audiences, but all intended so that a reader can pick up Batman comics any time without feeling like they just walked into the third act of a movie.

So, Batman...

I've tried to put these comics down in the order in which I think they should be read. I've also provided a "Required Read Level" or "Req Level", to help you judge how necessary this story might be to understanding subsequent comics. And, of course, this is my opinion and my opinion only. Counter arguments, suggestions, etc... are all welcome in the comments.

I should also note: There's a period in the mid-90's when I simply wasn't reading Batman. I abandoned Batman just prior to "Broken Bat" and didn't return to read "Contagion" or any of the earthquake/ "No Man's Land" stuff. I sort of regret not reading more of the "No Man's Land" stuff, but there you have it. I came back around 1998, and have been reading fairly steadily since. I invite other Bat-fans to join in with their take on what I might have missed, or to argue some of these "Required Reading Levels".

Batman: Year Two (Req Level: High) This comic isn't bad, but reading it reinforces the notion of what a feat Miller and Mazzuccelli pulled off with Year One to lift Batman out of the standard tropes of superhero comics. Mostly, Year Two serves an important function from a chronological standpoint and to answer some of the questions you might have about decisions a young Bruce Wayne would have had to answer early on in his career. The series is occasionally referenced in other media and the Batman comics.

Batman: The Long Halloween (Req Level: High) Jeph Loeb tells a great story, adding on to Batman's early career, following a pre-Robin Batman as he passes through a year of dealing with his rogues gallery, Gotham mobsters and a mysterious set of murders.

Batman: The Mad Monk and Batman and the Monster Men (Req Level: Low) Not a necessary read, but a darn good one. 80's comic legend Matt Wagner came roaring back with retellings of some of Batman's earliest and greatest stories from the 40's, integrating them into continuity. It definitely leans more toward superhero-ism than just detective work and the gritty feel of Year One, but its great to see DC making an effort to keep some of these original tales alive and updated.

Robin: Year One (Req Level: Medium) I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this particular comic. Retells the origin of Batman's sidekick from some of Batman's better writers.

Batman: Dark Victory (Req Level: Medium) The follow up to Batman: The Long Halloween.

Batgirl: Year One (Req Level: Low) A fun read. The origin of DC's Batgirl.

Batman: Son of the Demon (Req Level: Medium) A favorite 80's-era tale of Batman versus Ra's Al Ghul, one of the most interesting of Batman's Rogues Gallery.

Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told (Req Level: Low) Not really necessary reading, and the copy I have was originally timed for release with the Tim Burton-directed Batman film, so you can guess when they quit adding stories to the volume. But its a nice slice of Bat-history in one, very readable volume.

Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told (Req Level: Low) A very similar read to the Batman volume, but featuring tales starring the Clown Prince of Crime.

Batman: A Death in the Family (Req Level: High) One of the most important Batman stories, this four-issue series would be one of a few comics to dictate the direction of the Batbooks for 20 years.

Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying (Req Level: Medium) This series followed not too long upon A Death in the Family, and pulls double duty as Year Three and introducing the third Robin, Tim Drake.

Batman: The Killing Joke (Req Level: Highest) Perhaps the most iconic of all Batman/ Joker stories, The Killing Joke defined how a generation would interpret The Joker, and his relationship to Batman, ultimately spilling out into the movie The Dark Knight. As a kid, this comic melted my brain.

Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth (Req Level: High) A personal favorite. This comic would establish Arkham as far, far more than just a jail for Batman's villains. Today's readers will know the series mostly due to the influence its had on the current Batman titles and the game it helped spawn that sold millions of copies and is due for a sequel. Morrison's writing and McKean's surrealist imagery form an hallucinatory exploration of the archetypes of evil Arkham is damned to contain and create. Its also one of those comics where writing and art gel to create a work that seems to stand outside the genre and form. Unfortunately, its also led to a lot of half-baked attempts to milk the initial concept.

Batman: Hush (Req Level: Low) While I enjoyed Hush, and it was certainly a highlight of the post 2000-era Batman, this story seemed to generate more trouble than it was worth. However, it does contain key plot points and introduces the villain, Hush.

Batman and Son (Req Level: Medium) The first chapter in the current storyline for Batman comics. Spins directly out of the 1980's Son of the Demon comic. The beginning of an epic, multi-year arc.

Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? (Req Level: Low) While not required reading and hardly in continuity or canon, this story is an odd farewell to multiple visions of Batman as seen over the years.

A Special Mention:

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Req Level: incalculable) Probably the most important comic post 1945, The Dark Knight Returns isn't even in continuity, but Frank Miller reset how three generations would think about Batman, superheroes, and the content of superhero comics. It would also, artistically , change the form of the superhero comic forever. Rife with political satire, unpleasant truths about our caped heroes, and perhaps the first real look at how superheroes might play out given time... It also set up generations of people to think Superman was kind of dumb (which was always kind of missing the point).

Some Additional Batman Reading:

Batman: War on Crime A standalone, painted Batman oversized comic. Beautifully told and rendered, and cutting to the core of what makes Batman work as a character.

Gotham Central A series about the police force operating in Gotham City. The series was never properly appreciated in its time.

JLA: New World Order Grant Morrison reminded us why Batman is so crucial to the JLA in a few short issues. Would establish Batman's presence within the DCU for the next 10 years.

Nightwing: Year One

DC Comics Classics Library: Batman, The Annuals Batman used to be really goofy. I don't know what else to say about it.

From now on...

Whenever you see an article pondering the "dark" and "gritty" aspects of Batman, I want for you to think of this picture:






found at Pop Culture Safari

Batman Musical Tribute

This was found at the superlative Pop Culture Safari.

For some reason its a musical tribute to the Batman TV show. If you weren't there, for some reason TV in the 1970's was full of lots of elaborate song and dance numbers. I blame Donny & Marie.



Its worth it to make it to the end to hear:

"up next: John Denver salutes Jacque Cousteau!"

there was something brilliantly weird about late 70's TV.

In Brightest Knight! - Adam West/ Batman/ Paramount Theater

edit: You can read Steanso's post on this same outing with pics of the stage w/ West and Troubles and myself in the balcony


So this afternoon I attended a screening of "Batman", the film made with the same cast, props, effects, etc... as the famous Adam West starring TV series. If you ever remember seeing Batman's BatBoat, or Bat Shark Repellent or Batman running around with a lit bomb, desperately looking for a place to rid himself of the bomb (my favorite scene in the movie)... that's "Batman", or as some in the know call it "Batman 1966".

I grew up on Batman. I talked a bit about my history with the character way, way back in 2005 at the release of "Batman Begins".

Family lore has it that Mr. West's version of Batman aired in syndication each evening around dinner time, and as I was a restless baby, The Karebear figured out that this was the only thing I'd sit for while she tried to cook up some dinner. Further, the family lore states, my first word was "Batman". And, hell, it may be my last. And it's no less likely I'll be running around in a cape and diaper singing the theme song to Batman then.

Our Signal Corps Cinema Event was attended by myself, Troubles, Steanso, Julia P. and her beau, Bill B.

Adam West, Himself, was in attendance. The first thing you need to know about Adam West is that he is COOL. Like, Joe Cool-cool. He had on what looked to be a linen suit, he's still got that voice, and he seems to genuinely love that he gets to meet his fans. He's very witty, and he appreciates that folks appreciate his work.

I have no idea how many seats are at Austin's Paramount Theater, but its hundreds and hundreds, and the place seemed to be 95% sold out. Not bad for a movie that debuted in 1966, at that very same theater with all of the stars in attendance (Mr. West told a story that Burgess Meredith had his wife fly him in in her own plane so he upstaged their airport press conference).

The theater was full of all ages, from four years old to the elderly and everywhere in between. Austin Books made an appearance and showed up with a table full of Batman memorabilia and merchandise. Further, as the screening was part of Austin's bat-celebrating "Night of the Bat", Bat Conservation International was there with our local friends, the Mexican Freetailed Bat (it's a tiny, adorable bat that eats our local bugs) and an African fruit bat of some sort (that was inverted, very large and very, very cute).

Seriously, Austin loves bats.

Mr. West is philosophical about his role in the weird, wacky pop culture world around the character and icon of Batman. He seems to understand that Batman is bigger than anyone, or even any one concept of Batman and talked about how he thought the new movies were cool, but that was the Dark Knight. He was very happy being recognized as The Bright Knight, and I think that was a very popular sentiment with the crowd.

My preferred seats at the Paramount are in the balcony, so I did not get anywhere close to Mr. West, which is too bad. But the film print they had was awesome, the sound was better than I remember from the last time I was there, and the crowd was very, very into the movie (including the kids!).

Outside of the theater, I stumbled upon an amazing sight:


In my collection, I have roughly 35 Batmobile toys. 3 of them are this car.


I was, needless to say, delighted.

As a quick note: I am a Batman fan. I am crazy for Superman, but there's no doubting my Bat-fandom. But I honestly think I'm as much a fan of the Batmobile and its many crazy different incarnations as I am of, say, Robin. Or Alfred. Anyway, its weird to be a fan of a fictional car, but it all started with the TV show Batmobile, so seeing the car up close (yes, it was a reproduction, but a stellar reproduction) was sort of a thing for me.


I got off my posed shot. Pretty sharp.


But then I noticed that Batman had wandered off...


I only drove it around the block, like, three times (not really)



I must be a good 5 inches taller than anyone they ever expected to drive that car.



My buddy Batman poses for a shot with yours truly (that guy's costume was awesome)



Why, yes, Catwoman. I will swing by and take you out for a lovely dinner of Fancy Feast and dead mice.

The car was a reproduction created and charactered by Cy Productions. It was AMAZING.

Anyway, a terrifically fun day.

Weekly Watch Wind - 04/30/2010

Congratulations!: A very special double congratulations to our pal Jill Hermann-Wilmarth! (A) Jill just got/won/earned tenure at the university at which she teaches and does other professory-stuff (her tweed jacket collection is amazing). (B) She and her partner, Jess, should be welcoming baby #2 later this year.

That's what we call a good year.

Now, Jill, get out there and start doing crazy stuff. You have tenure, and they can't stop you any more!

Comics: Ransom put up an exemplary post about a Memphis-based indie comic from the 1980's entitled "The Last Generation". It's an amazing case study.

Movies: For those of us born pre-1980, its hard to read a remake of Carpenter's classic "Escape from New York" as anything but a tragedy/mistake. Especially a remake which will not feature Kurt Russell, or John Carpenter behind the camera. But someone is doing it.

While I enjoy reiterations of franchise characters (Superman, Spidey) and their ongoing sequels and adventures (Dr. Who, etc...), something about Hollywood's current zombie-like approach to creativity is a bit unsettling.

Batman: This one is so out of left-field, but makes such perfect sense, that I'm inclined to believe its authenticity. AICN is reporting that there may be an elaborate Batman stage-show in the works. I am hoping for a "Batman: Brave and the Bold" stage show, but we'll see if they don't go all "Arkham Asylum" instead. Or read about it at Comic Alliance.

While the stage show sounds more akin to a Monster Jam rally than the next "Cats" (and if you haven't watched Monster Jam, I secretly think its awesome in small doses), you can see clips of Batman before the footlights from when we pondered a musical Batman at LoM.

Superman: Outside of a the miniature/ putt-putt variety, I don't play golf. But if I did, I would own this golf club snuggy.

Superman/ Batman: Apparently President Obama has recruited Superman and Batman into the State Department. During a meeting discussing an attempt to renew relations with the Muslim world, Obama mentioned a previously undisclosed project:

There has also been cultural outreach, Obama said -- including a comic book series in which Superman and Batman work with their Muslim counterparts.

"And I hear they're making progress," Obama said.

Well, what do you know?

Movies/ Comics: Dark Horse Comics is adapting the movie of "Let the Right One In" to comics. However, that movie was based on a book, and the author may not dig on the idea so much. Here.

Legal/ Comics: Kirby Family v Marvel is moving to New York. Disney is going to have a hell of an interesting fight on their hands. The family of Jack Kirby is looking for a piece of the $4 billion pie that their father co-created (Hulk, Captain America, Thor, X-Men, Fantastic Four... all Kirby) at Marvel, which recently sold to Disney.

Comics: In working in a library, I've learned that librarians work with the long view of time and the world. I mention this as a school library voted to keep all-ages friendly comic "Bone" on their shelves despite a parental complaint that an adult behaved like an adult somewhere in one of the Bone comics.

The Red Hood (I liked Jason Todd better when he was dead)

I will be blunt: It's my belief that DC made a mistake when they let Judd Winick bring Jason Todd back from the grave (leaving others to explain how it happened). I continue to feel that it was a mistake and that Jason Todd worked great as a Robin, and what his death meant in the ongoing Batman comics was infinitely more interesting and palpable than his return as The Red Hood.

Whatever short term gains DC earned in sales, it not only lost reader trust of guys like me who were kids when Robin got blowed up good, and had become quite used to the idea of Batman and his dimly lit cylinder he kept in the batcave, keeping Jason's costume as a reminder and tribute.

All of the "I liked it better my way" reasoning aside, the return of Jason Todd was a seriously shoddy bit of story-telling that never did get properly wrapped up, leaving DC to wrestle with the fact that this guy was running around in their mega-narrative with no defined character or agenda.


We'll just stick him in the oven for ten minutes at 300, and he'll be ready to go...

Readers like myself might hope DC would right the Todd-related missteps via the Johns-proven method of in-narrative course correction. (Perhaps Hugo Strange cloned Todd and it was never actually him? It doesn't matter, so long as the character wound up safely back under 6 feet of fictional dirt.) But it doesn't seem to be the case that DC could leave well enough alone, or admit that maybe this whole Jason Todd thing just wasn't working. And, really, the recent Blackest Night storyline served as DC's mea culpa regarding the "revolving door of death" in superhero comics, indicating that DC editorial was at least a little bit ashamed of their policy on the big sleep. And yet, Jason Todd really didn't come into play.

Of the many, many writers to tackle Jason Todd since his return, I've only enjoyed Grant Morrison's take, and the logical face-off between Dick Grayson (aka: the original Robin and current substitute Batman), and Jason Todd as The Red Hood. But that had far more to do with Damian getting mixed up in the whole mess (and, yes, I like Damian far more than I ever liked Tim Drake).

At any rate, it seems as if I'm to continue reading Batman, Detective and Batman and Robin, I can expect to see Jason Todd keep popping up.

DC Animation has a film coming, written by Winick, who seems dead set on making sure his mostly-reader-panned run on Batman leaves an indelible mark on Bat-lore.



I'm not averse to saying that Batman comics can get a little stale, cycling through the same set of villains, most of whom were introduced early on in Batman's publishing history. And some things work, and some things don't. And usually these things have a way of sorting themselves out. But somehow it seems DC is oddly invested in making this idea work, mistaking any reaction from the fanbase as emotional investment.

Watching the trailer, you can almost get why DC bought into the idea. An equal number for Batman. A guy who knows which drawer he keeps his cufflinks in, and what punch he'll throw first. Hush was the beta-version (and sort of nonsensical first draft) of the concept. But so was Bane. And Hugo Strange. Todd, on the other hand, had lived in the mansion and could be a story of Batman's failure.

But for longtime readers, it just feels cheap. And a bit of a cheat.

I'm not clear on why DC feels this is the right thing to do, but there you have it.

Update: Curiously, Daily DCU discusses the same item today, and I'm 99.9% certain they aren't reading this site. Apparently they'd posted on the topic before (I missed that post) and have been taking some heat from what the author assumes to be younger readers.

Not having that empty Robin costume hang in the cave any longer took away something for me. Jason Todd may still be Batman’s failure, but he’s no longer his greatest failure.