The official site for Batman: Gotham Knight is now up, and offers a ton of exciting content for those that can't wait for the direct-to-DVD release in a few weeks. On the site, you'll find a chapter-by-chapter synopsis of the movie, plenty of images and videos, along with downloads and character bios to be added in the future. There are also links to the movie's MySpace and Facebook pages. Keep reading for a full breakdown of the synopsis straight from the site, and I've even assembled preorder links through Amazon after the post.
Batman: Gotham Knight comes out on July 8, but the graphic novel version ships next week!
If you've followed my posting at all, you've figured out by now that I'm a big fan of Batman. The Dark Knight is easily my most anticipated movie of the year, and I'm trying to spread my love for all things Batman. As a challenge to myself and a service to you all, I set out to compile a list of the best Batman stories of all time, across all media. That includes movies, television, and of course, comics. I don't want to spoil the list, but suffice to say my choices will likely ruffle a few feathers, especially for some of the older Batman fans out there.
You might not have realized it, but there is another Batman film coming out this year. Though it's strictly a straight-to-DVD release, Batman: Gotham Knight is shaping up to be a great buy, if the latest trailer is any indication. The idea behind Gotham Knight is similar to that of another Warner Bros. release, The Animatrix. The film is made up of six unique stories, all created by different directors and animated in an anime style. American viewers who just tuned out at the word 'anime' shouldn't bail just yet, as the film once again brings together producers Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett, both being principles for Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond. Of course, the most exciting return is Kevin Conroy's, who will forever be the voice of Batman in my mind. Enjoy the trailer, and after the jump a video documentary on the creation of the film.
Batman: Gotham Knight will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on July 8, 2008.
WildStorm, an imprint of DC Comics, has announced a partnership with Epic Games to create a comic series based on Gear of War, the bestselling Xbox 360 title. Slated for an October debut, there is still no word on who will be working on the book.
Commence PR-Speak:
“We are thrilled to be working with DC Comics to further bring to life the Gears of War universe. A lot of our developers are huge comic fans, and have loved the personas and chronicles unique to DC Comics since childhood,” said Dr. Michael Capps, president of Epic Games. “The Gears of War storyline and characters that millions of gamers have come to cherish will be a perfect fit under the WildStorm imprint.”
“Big guns and monsters — what a perfect comic book for WildStorm! We have an opportunity to work closely with Epic to add to the canon of the Gears of War mythos, so you can imagine how excited we all are, said Hank Kanalz, VP – General Manager, WildStorm. “Epic sets the bar very high, in graphics, story, and gameplay — and expect no less from our series, starting with our lead-in arc that fills in the gaps between the first game and the upcoming sequel.”
Since Heath Ledger's death of an accidental overdose in January, critics and fans have speculated that the studio and filmmakers might alter the film or change marketing strategies from focusing on Ledger's role as the infamous Joker. Despite his tragic death, marketing has gone on as originally planned and the Joker will be portrayed as intended.
"I think he'd be very pleased to see we're just moving ahead as is," Nolan said. "If you try to honor somebody, you honor them by respecting their work and putting it out there for as many people to see. He was immensely proud of the work he did on the film. I feel a great burden to present that in an undistorted form."
If you're anything like me, you can't wait for The Dark Knight to hit theaters this summer. Starring the late Heath Ledger as the Joker, the sequel to 2005's Batman Begins will retell Batman's first encounter with his most recognized villain, as well as one of his most tragic. Like its predecessor, The Dark Knight will likely draw much of its material from Batman's comic roots while putting a slight twist on the canon. Batman Begins relied heavily on characters and situations created by Frank Miller in the classic Batman: Year One, which was written in 1987 as a more modern take on the Bat's comic origins - just like Begins reboots the film version of the Caped Crusader by tossing Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher's movies out the window. So if you want to get a head start on The Dark Knight and get some hints as to where the story may be heading, it would make sense to scour Batman's print history where the film's writers likely got their material. But where to start?
