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Post by cstower on Jul 19, 2015 21:19:17 GMT -6
Well, if he's already into the DCAU, there's MAD LOVE AND OTHER STORIES, collecting comics done by the creators of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES. If you want a bonafide classic he may not have read, Goodwin and Simonson's series MANHUNTER (a backup strip from the 1970s that features Bats as a supporting character) is available in both a regular paperback edition and a super-deluxe artist's edition. And for an international take of Batman, BAT-MANGA! reprints some of the Japanese Batman comics of the 1960s, with The Dynamic Duo going up against characters like Lord Death Man.
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Post by artdork on Jul 21, 2015 15:26:17 GMT -6
OOO, CST, thanks for the recs! Mad Love seems like it would be right up his alley, and I think he'd get a kick out of Bat-MANGA. THANKS!
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Post by cstower on Jul 29, 2015 7:46:21 GMT -6
Watched JUSTICE LEAGUE: GODS AND MONSTERS last night; although very well-done, it's also a perfect example of the problems inherent in mega-franchises. I've posted the prequel cartoons earlier in this thread, but to summerize briefly: In a parallel universe, alternate versions of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are being framed for the murders of prominent scientists, and seek to find the real killer. The positive first: despite the facts that it carries the weight of absurd amounts of backstory, it's remarkably self-contained; indeed, it might work even better for the viewer who's never heard of these characters before (of course, with a story revolving around Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, such a creature is nonexistent). It manages to tell a complete stand-alone story(complete with full origins for it's main characters); it even manages the neat trick of not just coming off as a pilot for a new series even though it ends in a way that points to both a generalised "new series of adventures", but also to a specific sequel based on one of it's subplots. (in terms of narrative complexity, it's ALREADY one-upped Zack Snyder's BVS- a film that will probably have a running time twice as long as GAM's sleek 80 minutes). Far more importantly, it manages to imbue these alternate versions of the iconic trio with distinct personalities- and make them more sympathetic than you might expect, given it's mandate of making them "dark heroes".(Happily, "Vampire Batman" avoids the cliched "tormented by my LUST FOR BLOOD!" approach; he's come to terms with what he is and has found a way of dealing with it- his heartache is of a sort us non-blooddrinking types can relate to more easily) It will certainly please fans of the DCAU- but that just kind of points to the problem at the heart of the enterprise: Every single character (and I mean EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER, and there is a LOT of characters!) is an alternate version of an existing DC character. Some are radically altered; some remain close to their original versions; but every name is familiar. Yes, some of this has resonance for those familiar with the originals (and the alterations keep it from being too predictable, like the clumsy foreshadowings of some misconcieved prequel (lookin' in your direction, GOTHAM)... but that may just get in the way of, y'know, TELLING A STORY. And there are other, better ways of getting that resonance: GAM's Lex Luthor bears a resemblence to another pre-existing DC character... but it's his resemblence to the real world's Stephen Hawking that gives him nuance. And I emphasise again that Timm and company have made this work as a stand-alone story; it doesn't impair a new viewers comprehension in the slightest if they don't recognise the significance of that scientist in the Arctic being named "Victor Fries". But it's symptomatic of the growing problem of mega-franchises: they're just choking to death on continuity, and the obsessive need to tie everything into everything else, and NOT ACTUALLY CREATE NEW THINGS.(weirdly enough, the weight of DC continuity would probably feel a LOT less oppressive if Timm had just done a REGULAR story about someone framing the ORIGINAL Justice League; it would just be "hey, Bruce Timm's back!", kind of like his 75th Anniversary short last year). Admittedly, this may just be my mega-franchise burnout talking. GAM is well done, and will please fans (i suspect a repeat viewing down the line will benefit it greatly). Ultimately, Bruce Timm delivers as promised, as he always does: superhero adventure that's a cut above the competition.
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