Two lucky comic book fans will win the opportunity to attend the World Premiere of director James Gunn’s Superman in Los Angeles by discovering “Krypto’s Golden Biscuit” hidden inside the front cover of DC’s facsimile-edition reprint of the 1955 comic book Adventure Comics #210 that will land in local comic book stores starting on June 18.
Written by Otto Binder with art by Curt Swan (including art by Ramona Fradon and George Papp), this iconic comic book with cover art by Curt Swan features Krypto’s first appearance in comics in the story “The Superdog from Krypton,” where a young Clark Kent rediscovers Superboy’s best friend in a heartwarming reunion spanning years of time and light-years of space.
Starting on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, fans can head to their local comic book shops to pick up a special polybagged edition of Adventure Comics #210 for their chance at discovering “Krypto’s Golden Biscuit.” Copies of Adventure Comics #210 Facsimile Edition can be preordered from your local comics shop, so talk to the staff at your favorite store about adding comics to your pull list.
DC Studios Presents a Troll Court Entertainment/The Safran Company Production, A James Gunn Film, Superman soars into theaters and IMAX® nationwide on July 11, 2025, and around the world beginning July 9, 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. U.S., 18+. Enter by 6/25/25 @12:00 p.m. ET. Prize award subject to verification & compliance with Affidavit/Release and background check requirements. Winner must be able to attend DC Studios’ Superman film world premiere in early July. Unclaimed prizes NOT awarded. Subject to Official Rules (including how to enter w/o purchase and odds) at www.KryptoGoldenBiscuit.com. Sponsor: DC – a Warner Bros. Discovery Company, Burbank, CA 91522.
WAMG headed to Hollywood over the Labor Day weekend and the town was buzzing over the upcoming release of Tim Burton’s BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE.
(Hollywood & Highland)
One of our stops was the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. We visited the studio lot decades ago when “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” was on the air in the mid 1990’s and was filming at Warner Brothers. It was a tram tour and it took visitors on a guided tour of one of the most famous movie studios in the world. And that was it.
In the immortal words of Robin, “Holy Cow Batman,” have they upped their game and revamped the whole tour – one movie geeks will absolutely LOVE!
Fans can step into the world of movies and TV, not only with a guided tour of Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, but really experience the magic of Hollywood! We were able to explore iconic sets, see props and costumes from TV shows, and even caught a glimpse of current productions. It’s a terrific tour that gives you a true look into Hollywood’s golden age.
This amazing tour now includes the backlots with a walking tour through the streets of Gotham City, Central Perk, Big Bang Theory and other famous locations. Our guide, Frye, gave an entertaining and informative tour, filled with expertise and humor. The entire staff was helpful, fun, and engaging.
Prop, Art and Production Design and Costume Displays where you can see original items used in movies and TV shows are also featured.
The Warner Bros. Costume Department offers a wide range of costumes for various productions, including films, television shows, commercials, and theatrical performances. With their vast collection of costumes from different eras and styles, they can help bring any vision to life. Over 60,000 square feet of climate-controlled stock, including selections from top designers.
The highlight was the Interactive Exhibits where you can explore the worlds of Harry Potter and Game of Thrones and dive into the DC Universe. From the Batmobile from 1989’s BATMAN to the costumes of The Trinity – Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman, as well as the members of The Justice League, comic book fans can celebrate their heroes in this awesome final part of the tour.
On September 21st, 2024, the studio is calling all Batman fans with the Bat-Signal and a special film screening of Tim Burton’s Batman on the iconic WB backlot. Bring your friends and family for a night of fun and memorable moments, as you go behind-the-scenes of your favorite Batman films and see original costumes, cowls, and Batmobiles.
In one week, Warner Bros. Pictures THE FLASH, directed by Andy Muschietti (the “IT” films, “Mama”) opens in theaters on June 16.
Ezra Miller reprises their role as Barry Allen in the DC Super Hero’s first-ever standalone feature film. Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?
“The Flash” is a film that puts the fan-favorite DC Super Hero front and center in a big-screen outing filled with epic action, surprising humor and heart, along with the wish-fulfilling superpower of the ability to bend time… and change the past. Reuniting iconic and beloved DC characters across timelines– Batman, The Flash, Supergirl and another Batman!–and featuring one of the canon’s towering villains in Krypton’s own General Zod, this film distinguishes itself as a cinematic spectacle that elevates the genre through the unique lens of Andy Muschietti.
And the character of The Flash is more than deserving of such extraordinary treatment. Introduced in 1940 as “quicker than the rapidity of thought” in Flash Comics #1, he was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert. Later, with Fox partnering with Carmine Infantino on 1961’s Flash of Two Worlds, The Flash became the first character in comics to play with a multiverse.
In creating THE FLASH, filmmakers were influenced by two seminal works within the comic book canon:
Flash of Two Worlds (Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino, 1961), where a Silver Age Barry Allen finds that by vibrating his molecules at a certain frequency, he is transported to another version of Earth, where he meets a Golden Age Jay Garrick
Flashpoint (Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert, 2011, a five-issue miniseries), where Barry Allen wakes to discover that his world has changed, and only he is aware of the difference between his real world and this altered one.
To get you pumped for the opening of the film, WAMG brings you the Top 5 movies to catch before you head out to cinemas to see THE FLASH.
Superman and Batman are in a race against time to stop a world-killing asteroid from destroying the Earth. The mission is complicated by the fact that it is primarily made of kryptonite, so Superman will need Batmans resourcefulness and connections to stop it, all the while President Lex Luthor sees this as an excuse to demand all superheroes do his bidding. Naturally Superman and Batman decline and decide to solve this problem on their own, all the while evading all other superheroes that are out to get them. This is fifth on our list because is shows that Batman is way more than just a man in tights, way more. He is a leader and the brains behind the Justice League.
2013’s MAN OF STEEL stands right up there with 1978’s SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE as one of the best films on the famous Kryptonian. The music for Zack Snyder’s MOS from Hans Zimmer goes hand in hand with John Williams’ soaring score, Michael Shannon’s General Zod is as menacing as Terence Stamp’s in SUPERMAN 2 and, sigh, we never thought anyone could fill the red boots of Christopher Reeve’s Kal-El… and then along came Henry Cavill. Once again the familiar phrase of Truth, Justice and the American Way was an emotional mantra and as the SUPERMAN movie poster tagline said, “You’ll Believe A Man Can Fly.” Indeed we did.
The four hour version is a triumph and made us want an additional four.
An army of persuasive fans, and along with one very colorful, newly-shot scene, after four years in 2021, director Zack Snyder returned to the DCEU to complete his vision. Even before the 2017 version of the movie was released, there were rumblings from the fans. First it was quiet. Give us the Snyder Cut. After the movie hit theaters in November 2017, it only got louder. #ReleaseTheSnyderCut, people demanded, circulating petitions and pleading with the studio. Once fans learned an actual Snyder Cut existed, they were overjoyed and doubled down on their efforts. It worked. The extended Justice League allowed for extended world building. Never before seen, existing-footage scenes with Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello), Calvin Swanwick/Martian Manhunter (Harry Lennix), and Ryan Choi (Zheng Kai) rounded out the mythology. We got the opportunity to watch our heroes join forces to eliminate Steppenwolf, much to the chagrin of New God Darkseid, making his first appearance. With his soaring music cues, Tom Holkenborg’s score brought the film and earth’s defenders to new heights.
Producer Deborah Snyder said in our interview: “We were planning a 2nd and 3rd Justice League movie where we would be also able to complete the arcs we had fully fleshed out. The idea was to meet Cyborg, who was set to be the heart of this movie. At the time we hadn’t come up with a Cyborg standalone, but that was our plan. So, we did the deepest dive of the movie into Cyborg’s backstory and what makes him tick.”
The OG, Michael Keaton plays Batman/Bruce Wayne and Jack Nicholson, The Joker, go head-to-head in the ultimate BATMAN movie. Danny Elfman’s booming score, Bob Ringwood’s colorful costume design and Tim Burton’s direction instantly made the 1989 movie the ultimate superhero film by which all are measured. Anton Furst was the amazing English production designer who won an Academy Award for overseeing the design of Gotham City and the iconic Batmobile.
In an effort to change his mothers fate, the Flash causes a temporal ripple that creates a fractured reality where the Justice league has never formed, Superman does not exist and a war rages between Wonder Woman’s Amazons and Aquaman. Flash teams up with Batman and Cyborg to restore the timeline. Staring the voices of Justin Chambers, Michael Jordan, Kevin Mckidd, Dee Baker, Steve Blum, Kevin Conroy, Sam Daly, Dana Delany, Grey DeLisle, Cary Elwes, Nathan Fillion, Vanessa Marshall, Ron Perlman and, James Stuart.
This is number one on our list because it is the animated adaptation of the DC Comics story Flashpoint and THE FLASH Movie is an adaptation of both.
THE FLASH ensemble also includes rising star Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon (“Bullet Train,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”), Ron Livingston (“Loudermilk,” “The Conjuring”), Maribel Verdú (“Elite,” “Y tu mamá también”), Kiersey Clemons (“Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” “Sweetheart”), Antje Traue (“King of Ravens,” “Man of Steel”) and Michael Keaton (“Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Batman”).
THE FLASH is produced by Barbara Muschietti (the “IT” films, “Mama”) and Michael Disco (“Rampage,” “San Andreas”). The screenplay is by Christina Hodson (“Birds of Prey,” “Bumblebee”), with a screen story by John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein (“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming”) and Joby Harold (“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” “Army of the Dead”), based on characters from DC. The executive producers are Toby Emmerich, Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman and Marianne Jenkins.
Joining director Muschietti behind the camera are director of photography Henry Braham (“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” “The Suicide Squad”), production designer Paul Denham Austerberry (“IT Chapter Two,” “The Shape of Water”), editors Jason Ballantine (the “IT” films, “The Great Gatsby”) and Paul Machliss (“The Gentlemen,” “Baby Driver”), and costume designer Alexandra Byrne (“Doctor Strange,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”); the score is by Benjamin Wallfisch (“The Invisible Man,” the “IT” films).
Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Double Dream/a Disco Factory production of an Andy Muschietti film, THE FLASH. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in theaters in North America on June 16, 2023 and internationally beginning 14 June 2023.
Plus Max is showcasing the incredible DC Universe in June.
Viewers who are looking for DC’s legendary characters and enduring stories can check out the hundreds of hours of films and series available on Max’s DC hub. Max is the home of fans’ favorite DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains, timeless DC series and movies that resonate with the entire family, and epic blockbusters that feature larger-than-life characters from across worlds and generations.
Max features a collection of classic and current animated series and films spanning across different eras of the DC Multiverse including Batman: The Animated Series, Static Shock, DC League of Super-Pets,Batman: Gotham Knight, Justice League: The New Frontier and more. Even the house’s youngest members can enjoy animated titles such as Super Friends,Batwheels, The LEGO Batman Movie, and the Teen Titans Go! series.
DC favorites like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman are brought to life through a lineup of iconic films and series spanning decades, all available to stream on Max. Oscar® nominees Joker and The Batman, and other notable titles such as Wonder Woman, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Superman the Movie and the HBO Original Watchmen are just a handful of the series and films that bring DC’s characters to life on screen.
Fans can embrace titles aimed towards older members of the household with films like The Suicide Squad,Injustice, Batman: A Death in the Family and Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons. Max Originals like Peacemaker, Titans, Harley Quinn, and Doom Patrol offer fans an alternative view into the DC library, with dark twists and laughs along the way.
Below is a look at some of the DC library available to stream now on Max:
Animation Masterclass:
Batman: Year One, 2011
Batman and Harley Quinn, 2017
Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons, 2022
Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero, 1998
Batman vs. Two-Face, 2017
Batman vs. Robin, 2015
Batwheels, Season 1
Batwheels Holiday Special: Holidays on Ice, Season 1D
Batwheels Origin Special, Season 1A
Catwoman: Hunted, 2022
DC Super Hero Girls: Legends of Atlantis, 2018
DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year, 2016
DC Super Hero Girls: Intergalactic Games, 2017
DC League Of Super Pets, 2022
Green Lantern: First Flight, 2009
Harley Quinn, Max Original, Seasons 1-3
Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen Part One, 2023
Justice League Unlimited, Seasons 1-3
Legion of Super-Heroes, 2023
The LEGO Batman Movie, 2017
LEGO Batman: DC Super Heroes Unite, 2013
LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash, 2018
LEGO DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drain, 2017
LEGO DC Batman: Family Matters, 2019
LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman: Rage of Atlantis, 2018
LEGO DC Shazam: Magic and Monsters!, 2020
LEGO Justice League: Cosmic Clash, 2016
Meet the Batwheels, Season 1
My Adventures with Superman, Season 1
Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave & the Bold, 2018
Static Shock, Seasons 1-4
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, 2009
Superman: Man of Tomorrow, 2020
Superman vs. the Elite, 2012
Teen Titans Go!, Seasons 1-8
Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse, 2022
Teen Titans Go! See Space Jam, 2021
Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo, 2006
Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans, 2019
Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, 2018
Wonder Woman (Animated), 2009
Wonder Woman: Bloodlines, 2019
Vixen, 2017
Iconic Characters:
Aquaman, 2018
Batman, 1966
Batman, 1989
The Batman, 2022
Batman Begins, 2005
Batman Returns, 1992
Batman v Superman: Ultimate Edition, 2016
Batwoman, Seasons 1-3
Black Adam, 2022
The Dark Knight, 2008
The Dark Knight Rises, 2012
DC’s Stargirl, Max Original, Seasons 1-3
Doom Patrol, Max Original, Seasons 1-4
Green Lantern, 2011
Peacemaker, Max Original, Season 1
Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, Max Original Seasons 1-3
Shazam! Fury Of The Gods, 2023
Supergirl, 1984
Superman: The Movie, 1978
Superman II, 1980
Superman Returns, 2006
Superman & Lois, Seasons 1-2
Titans, Max Original
Wonder Woman, 1975
Wonder Woman, 2017
Embracing the Magical, Mystical and Villainous Side of Comics
The Batman vs. Dracula, 2005
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, 1993
Catwoman, 2004
Constantine, 2005
DMZ, Max Original
Gotham, 1988
Gotham Knights, 2008
Joker, 2019
The Suicide Squad, 2021
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, 2010
V for Vendetta, 2005
Watchmen, 2009
Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic
DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains:
Batman & Robin, 1997
Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn), 2020
Kicking off their multi-platform connected DC Universe – Chapter One, Gods and Monsters – DC Studios’ Co-Chairmen & CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran announced that Gunn, who penned the screenplay, will also take the helm of the hugely anticipated Superman: Legacy, with Safran producing.
The press release states the all-new action adventure is set to soar into theaters worldwide on July 11, 2025.
Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.
Gunn will direct from his screenplay based on characters from DC. Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
Superman: Legacy is the trailblazing first title in a dynamic slate of films, with writer/director Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II hitting theaters on October 3, 2025.
Safran’s most recent film, New Line Cinema’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods, from director David F. Sandberg, was released in theaters worldwide this Friday, March 17, from Warner Bros. Pictures.
See Gunn’s social media post on March 15.
Yes, I’m directing Superman: Legacy to be released on July 11, 2025. My brother Matt told me when he saw the release date he started to cry. I asked him why. He said, “Dude, it’s Dad’s birthday.” I hadn’t realized. pic.twitter.com/ohQNV8nI4g
It was announced in late October that industry veterans James Gunn and Peter Safran had been appointed to the new roles of Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of DC Studios, overseeing the overall creative direction of the DC Universe across film, TV, and animation under a single banner. Both Gunn and Safran have extensive experience with the superhero genre having brought some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Universe’s most popular characters to life in hit films and series that include: Marvel’s blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy, and DC’s highest grossing movie, Aquaman; Shazam!; The Suicide Squad; and the HBO Max original, live-action series Peacemaker.
And I appreciate it! We’re excited to be shepherding the great films made before we arrived & working hard to create an extraordinary, wondrous, & unique DCU beyond that. https://t.co/DNxV6BmwNx
Gunn and Safran commented: “We’re honored to be the stewards of these DC characters we’ve loved since we were children. We look forward to collaborating with the most talented writers, directors, and actors in the world to create an integrated, multilayered universe that still allows for the individual expression of the artists involved. Our commitment to Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Harley Quinn, and the rest of the DC stable of characters is only equaled by our commitment to the wonder of human possibility these characters represent. We’re excited to invigorate the theatrical experience around the world as we tell some of the biggest, most beautiful, and grandest stories ever told. We’re especially enthusiastic about doing all of this with Mike, Pam, Casey, Channing, and the whole Warner Bros. Discovery team, and are grateful to David Zaslav, whose bold vision for the future of the franchise we share and allows for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Most of all, we can’t wait to bring you all into the story of the DCU.”
The Blue Beetle movie features the third character in comics to bear that name. Jaime Reyes is a young man from El Paso who bonds with an alien scarab that attaches to his spine and creates a suit of specially powered armor for him. The scarab at one time appeared in the possession of the wizard Shazam, which could tie Blue Beetle in to the rest of the existing DCEU.
While there’s no word on a Djimon Hounsou cameo as yet, the movie stars Cobra Kai‘s Xolo Maridueña as Jaime. The supporting cast includes Bruna Marquezine, George Lopez, Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, and Susan Sarandon. Angel Manuel Soto directs.
“We’re the Justice Society…” says Dr. Fate in this brand new and thrilling new trailer for BLACK ADAM, smashing into theaters and IMAX October 21, 2022.
From New Line Cinema, Dwayne Johnson stars in the action adventure “Black Adam.” The first-ever feature film to explore the story of the DC Super Hero comes to the big screen under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra (“Jungle Cruise”).
In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods. After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years have passed and Black Adam has gone from man, to myth, to legend. Now released, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone.
Johnson stars alongside Aldis Hodge (“City on a Hill,” “One Night in Miami”) as Hawkman, Noah Centineo (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”) as Atom Smasher, Sarah Shahi (“Sex/Life,” “Rush Hour 3”), Marwan Kenzari (“Murder on the Orient Express,” “The Mummy”) as Sabbac, Quintessa Swindell (“Voyagers,” “Trinkets”) as Cyclone, Mo Amer (“Mo,” “Ramy”), Bodhi Sabongui (“A Million Little Things”), and Pierce Brosnan (the “Mamma Mia!” and James Bond franchises) as Dr. Fate.
(L-r) ALDIS HODGE as Hawkman and MARWAN KENZARI as SabbacNOAH CENTINEO as Atom SmasherQUINTESSA SWINDELL as Cyclone
Collet-Serra directed from a screenplay written by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, based on characters from DC, based on characters created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck. The film’s producers are Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, with Toby Emmerich, Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Chris Pan, Walter Hamada, Adam Schlagman, Geoff Johns, Eric McLeod and Scott Sheldon executive producing.
The director’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar-nominated director of photography Lawrence Sher (“Joker”), production designer Tom Meyer (“Real Steel”), editors Mike Sale (“Red Notice,” “Skyscraper”) and John Lee (“Anyone Home?”), costume designers Kurt and Bart (“Deadpool 2,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 & 2”), Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Bill Westenhofer (“Life of Pi,” “Wonder Woman”), and composer Lorne Balfe (“Black Widow”).
New Line Cinema Presents a Seven Bucks/Flynn Co. Production, A Jaume Collet-Serra Film, “Black Adam,” hits theaters and IMAX internationally beginning 19 October 2022, in North America on October 21, 2022. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
“You can go to any timeline, any universe… why fight to save this one?” – Michael Keaton’s Batman.
The MCU has it’s Avengers, but the DCEU has it’s HEROES!
DC/Warner Brothers has released a new one minute teaser trailer titled “The World Need Heroes” for it’s four upcoming superhero movie offerings, and things are looking good. The films in question are The Batman, Aquaman, The Flash and Black Adam, and of all of these, THE GEEKS are most excited about Black Adam!
DC has a long history with superhero movies, but they have tended to play things very safe, sticking mostly to the big 3, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. They did an outstanding job with Shazam, and did something that was almost unthinkable: brought in the whole Shazam family, which was off-the-chain nuts at the time, and was a big part of why the Shazam movie was so popular and fun. Along this same vein is why I’m so stoked for the Black Adam movie: the side characters. Hawkman, Doctor Fate, and Atom Smasher are supposed to be pivotal in the shaping of Adam, bringing him in from the villain role.
What’s so exciting here isn’t just that, but it shows that DC may be finally ready to dip it’s toe in to it’s C and D catalog of characters. I know, I know, before you start screaming “But…SUICIDE Squad” and “Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey”, no. For one thing, these were either outright villains and both were treated like disposable products. I like them, but they felt cheated of any real substance, and still…VILLAINS. And the lightweights at that. Joker wasn’t even the same joker from the comics (no way that movie version was anything like ANY version of the Batman adversary) the Harley Quinn characters were all down-on-their luck villains (Black Canary and Huntress weren’t played as heroines at all), the Suicide Squad were all D-level throw-a-ways. No, we need HEROES.
Hawkman is, at his most refined, incredibly interesting, savage, and complex. Yay, they have him in the movie, I hope they keep with the integrity of the character. Doctor Fate is powerful, fascinating, other-worldly, and wise, while the striking choice of Atom-Smasher for this movie shows that now DC can stop pretending that they don’t have a plethora of very interesting characters that are not remotely similar to Superman. If written well and kept true to their comic book origins, these C and D heroes can be original, interesting, funny, scary, complex, and worth a feature film.
The era of single character origin stories is over, but a duo or small team with a good supporting cast could really make the company crowd pleasers. Booster Gold and Blue Beetle (both Beetles in the same film!), or Plastic man and Captain Atom are ready for the big time so they can showcase a diversity of powers that are nothing like the Big 3 of DC.
Come on DC… stop tip-toeing, it’s time to break out the breakouts, and claim your place on the comic book cinematic universe throne!
THE BATMAN In theaters and IMAX in North America March 4
Directed by Matt Reeves, the cast stars Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Jayme Lawson, with Andy Serkis and Colin Farrell. Two years of stalking the streets as the Batman (Pattinson), striking fear into the hearts of criminals, has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City. With only a few trusted allies—Alfred Pennyworth (Serkis), Lt. James Gordon (Wright)—amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens. When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle/aka Catwoman (Kravitz), Oswald Cobblepot/aka the Penguin (Farrell), Carmine Falcone (Turturro), and Edward Nashton/aka the Riddler (Dano). As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans becomes clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City
BLACK ADAM In theaters and IMAX in North America July 29
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, the cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, Marwan Kenzari, Quintessa Swindell, and Pierce Brosnan. Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.
THE FLASH In theaters in North America November 4
Directed by Andy Muschietti, the cast includes Ezra Miller, Ron Livingston, Kiersey Clemons, Michael Shannon, Antje Traue, Sasha Calle, and Michael Keaton Ezra Miller stars as Barry Allen, AKA The Flash, who pushes the limits of his superpowers in the DC Super Hero’s first-ever standalone feature film.
AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM In theaters in North America December 16
Directed by James Wan, the cast includes Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Randall Park, Temuera Morrison, Dolph Lundgren, and Nicole Kidman [cast order TBD] When an ancient power is unleashed, Aquaman must forge an uneasy alliance with an unlikely ally to protect Atlantis, and the world, from irreversible devastation.
Contributed by Michelle Hannett and Marc Butterfield
The World Needs Heroes.
Powerful line up ✊🏾
From the BLACK ADAM UNIVERSE. Your 1st LOOK at the JUSTICE SOCIETY:
As we enter the final weeks of Summer, the multiplex presents a new entry in the film adaptations of the (as they used to say in their comic books) “Distinguished Competition” to Marvel (sounds nicer than their other label, “Brand Ecchh”). Yes, the MCU made its return to the cinemas several weeks ago with BLACK WIDOW, which continues on the smaller screens (and its behind-the-scenes” conflicts are played out in the entertainment news venues), so it was only a matter of time before Warners shot back with a film based on its DC properties. And yes, it’s a sequel, with several characters from the 2016 original coming back, but it’s also kind-of-a-reboot since one of the Marvel “guiding lights” has “jumped the fence” to serve up a new take on the “high-concept” “revolving door” comic series. Perhaps that’s why the title sports a “proper article’ rather than a number two (or II). So. let’s strap in for a new movie mission for the misfits known as THE SUICIDE SQUAD.
So, did you need to see the David Ayers-directed original before viewing this? Not really, as the film begins with a zippy retelling of its basic premise. Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) , the head of a “hush-hush” deep underground government agency is still “recruiting” imprisoned”super-villains” for clandestine projects. She explains to the “newbie”, that a microchip will be planted at the base of his skull, and if he deviates from the “errand”, like say trying to run away, she’ll press a button at the monitoring center and the chip will explode his noggin. But if all goes well, he’ll be released from jail. Soon we’re onboard a stealth flying craft as several agents jump into the dark murky ocean waters off the coast of a South American island nation known as “Corto Maltese”. And though several SS vets are there, including military liason Col. Rick Flagg (Joel Kinnaman) and the Joker’s ex Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), things go “sideways” and those two are scooped up in the surrounding jungle. Luckily there’s another crew on a deserted nearby beach. Their releuctant leader is the skilled super-assassin “Bloodsport” (Idris Elba), who’s only there because Waller threated his teen daughter with an “adult’ prison sentence. But also claiming to be the “boss” is the stubborn and deadly vigilante known as “The Peacemaker” (John Cena). Either way, they’ve got to keep tabs on the others: “Ratcatcher 2” (Daniela Melchoir) who can command the rodents, “Polka-Dot Man” (David Dastmalchian), a twitched guy with extreme “mother issues” who shoots destructibe multi-colored “balls” from his body, and “King Shark” (voice of Slyvester Stallone), a powerful hulking man-shark metahuman with a near-insatialble appetite for…anybody. So, can these squabbling cons join forces to free Harley and Quinn, in addition to completing their task of destroying a secret lab that’s trying to harness a deadly captured alien entity? If they don’t liqiidate each other, then …maybe.
Of this motley squad, the most prominent, this time around is played by Elba, who makes a good “straight man”, or “sounding board” for the more outrageous and wacky characters. He’s a weary, jaded “everyman” who only wants to keep his head down (often scrubbing toilets) and get through his “time”. Then we see his rage begin to emerge as the threats from Waller make his cold blood begin to boil. He makes us wish for a “prequel” in order to see Bloodsport in his element. That’s hinted at during his frequent verbal and sometimes physical stand-offs with Peacemaker, played with fervent comic glee by an energized Cena, tossing off his glowering villain role in the recent F9. In his shiny helmet, Cena is a beacon of pure confidence, deluding himself into believing he’s an indestructible hero, that even society can’t see it. Robbie as Harley has a smaller, though still vital role in this outing, As opposed to that 2016 original and the BIRDS OF PREY follow-up, Harley is often part of a “cutaway” “B” plot, but her dangerous unpredictability makes her a most compelling “wild card”. I was most delightfully surprised by the addition of Dastmalchian, a scene-stealer from the MCU’s ANT-MAN series, who brings unexpected pathos to the seemingly silly “gimmick” anti-hero Polka-Dot man. We can see by the sadness in his eyes that he’s been a hapless Patsy” for most of his life, thanks to his super-scientist matriarch. Stallone generates lots of laughs as the child-like King Shark, though he often comes off as a mix of Groot and Drax from the GUARDIANS flicks. Fans of TV’s “Doctor Who” may be bummed that Peter Capaldi, a recent “time lord”, has little to do as the arrogant Thinker. He’s more of a human “MacGuffin” who mainly warns the heroes and baddies that they don’t comprehend the powerful forces only he can control, all the while he resembles a human virus with his bald head sporting multi-colored tubes. Kinnaman is once again the stalwart, stoic soldier who can still keep up with these “weirdos”. And Davis builds on the ruthless Waller, even as she’s kept within the confines of the monitoring station (the “lady behind the desk” ala the recent SPIDER-MAN flicks), making her the ultimate screeching, spewing “boss from Hell”. Her counterpoint might be Melchoir who brings a sweet vulnerability to the often emotional fragile Ratcatcher, especially as she thinks back to her childhood years with RC 1, played by Taika Waititi in fuzzy, fairytale-like flashbacks.
So, who’s the filmmaker playing “both sides” of the comic book movie battlefield. None other than James Gunn, who changed “sides” after a social media scandal (all’s resolved now as he’s working on his last film in the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY trilogy). A big incentive for him might have been the lifting of the “PG-13” restraints as Warners continues their pursuit of that “R” rating box office that the DEADPOOL series unleashed (that last SS flick had the tamer rating). Without Kevin Feige and the MCU masterminds, to watch over him, Gunn lets his Troma Studio (the TOXIC AVENGER exploitation house gave him his early movie “breaks”) roots show. There’s a barrage of “F-bombs” that is almost matched in volume for the gallons of gore and exploding bodies. When the baddies (and a lot of the semi-reformed, now “goodies”) take a hail of bullets, the blood splatters the camera lens (wonder how that looks in 3D, if that version’s being provided) with lingering corpse close-ups. Though it may be catering to the “first shooter” gaming fanatics, it becomes quite numbing after a while despite some of Gunn’s directorial “flourishes”. During a long Harley blitzkrieg, animated flowers and birds cover much of the carnage (perhaps to show her indifference, but I’m thinking to may have been done to steer the rating board away from an “NC-17′ box-office dooming label). Oh, and later we view much of a brutal hand-to-hand fight in the reflection of Peacekeeper’s shiny helmet (perhaps this should’ve been trimmed) Ditto for the often cloying “chapter headings” As the script’s sole screenwriter Gunn sometimes goes to the “schtick” well a couple of times too many (another “everybody is Mom” mirage), but much of the humor does “stick”, especially as he has some fun at the expense of many second…no…third-rate supervillains like Nathan Fillon’s T.D.K. and the man-sized furball known as Weasel (who we’re told is the killer of dozens of kids). Yes, the lil’ ones are not off-limits as collateral damage, along with with some cute feathered friends (don’t get me started with the way-too-frequent tobacco usage). And while Corto Maltese and its residents seem to have wandered in from a 60s spy flick, Gunn literally demolishes the cliche with an inspired tribute to the lumbering giant monster flicks of that same era (and featuring a “Silver Age” comics creature that will delight the pulp fans). Oh, if you’re wondering if this is better than the 2016 flick, well that’s an enthusiastic yes, despite the obligatory multiple ending (if only there were a movie bartender who’d yell “Cut ’em off!”). So if you can handle your comic heroes and villains with blood and brains staining those nice latex and kevlar super suits, then you’ll want to “blow s#*t up real good” with THE SUICIDE SQUAD.
3 Out of 5
THE SUICIDE SQUAD opens in theatres everywhere and is streaming for the next 30 days on HBO Max.
The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has been hitting all the right notes as of late with a string of successful audience pleasing films. Super heroes WONDER WOMAN, AQUAMAN and now SHAZAM! have been box office hits and received positive reviews from critics.
Now comes the villains.
Watch Joaquin Phoenix as the JOKER in this first look at the film coming to theaters October 4
The Joker has been one of the most iconic villains in comic book lore.
Whether by way of award-winning films like “The Dark Knight,” Emmy-winning animated programs like “Batman: The Animated Series,” video game appearances such as the record-breaking “Batman: Arkham Asylum,” or the countless comics stacking comic book shelves and digital libraries, the Joker stands unquestionably as the most recognizable and popular comic book villain in pop culture history. Unpredictable, violent and incredibly dangerous, he is chaos personified and has taken on everyone from his archenemy Batman to even the Man of Steel.
But Gotham remains his primary home and Batman his biggest adversary, and no hero is perhaps better suited as in many ways, the Joker is the polar opposite of the Dark Knight. Both were created by a great tragedy, but Batman has since vowed to do whatever it takes to prevent similar incidents, the Joker revels in creating chaos and destroying lives, believing that life’s a big joke and psychotically demonstrating that in a moment, it can all change. Not much is known about his past, but his acts during the present are what define the Joker as one of the greatest threats to our heroes and the people they’ve sworn to protect. He’s killed a Robin, crippled Batgirl, and tortured and murdered countless people throughout the DC Universe—all just for a laugh.
Warner Bros. Pictures’ Joker stars Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, alongside Oscar winner Robert De Niro, and is directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
Joker centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society, is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
The film also stars Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2), Frances Conroy (TV’s American Horror Story, Hulu’s Castle Rock), Marc Maron (TV’s Maron, GLOW), Bill Camp (Red Sparrow, Molly’s Game), Glenn Fleshler (TV’s Billions, Barry), Shea Whigham (First Man, Kong: Skull Island), Brett Cullen (42, Netflix’s Narcos), Douglas Hodge (Red Sparrow, TV’s Penny Dreadful) and Josh Pais (upcoming Motherless Brooklyn, Going in Style).
Phillips (The Hangover trilogy) directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver (The Fighter), based on characters from DC. The film is produced by Phillips and Bradley Cooper under their Joint Effort banner, and Emma Tillinger Koskoff. It is executive produced by Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada, Aaron L. Gilbert, Joseph Garner, Richard Baratta, and Bruce Berman.
Superheroes in the Springtime? Oh yes, they’re not the mainstay of Summer cinema any longer. Hey, a few even pop up in the Winter (Dr. Strange, Thor, and even the JLA dropped by just in time for “turkey day”). Just about four weeks ago Marvel Studios released their super-powered, high-flying hero CAPTAIN MARVEL to much praise and big box office bucks. So this new flick has a fairly familiar fella’ in red tights and white cape, guess he’s from the same producers. right? Nope, this powerhouse actually predates all the MCU stars (even WWII’s Captain America). Oh, and he hails from Marvel’s long-standing rival, DC Comics. Technically though he’s an acquisition (a wise one, indeed) from a defunct comic book kingdom (a bit more on that later). And what’s the source of his astounding abilities? Born on a distant planet? Exposure to weird rays or energy blasts? A bite from an irradiated animal? None of the above, for his myriad of gifts come from uttering a single word (not said while imitating Jim Nabors’ Mayberry Marine, please): SHAZAM!
This hero’s journey starts out in 1974 (hmmm, same year as the debut of the CBS Saturday morning live-action “Shazam!” TV series). A timid young lad named Thad fails a magical test given by an ancient wizard leading to tragedy. After the title logo flashes with a white hot burst, we’re on the streets of modern-day Philladelphia as fourteen-year-old orphan Billy Batson (Asher Angel) bends (and breaks) the law in his all-consuming quest to locate his birht parents. Said law catches up to him , and he’s back in “the system”, soon to be assigned to another group foster home. This one is run by a nurturing couple, Rosa (Marta Milans) and Victor (Cooper Andrews) Vasquez, who have already opened their house and hearts to bound-for-college Mary Bromfield (Grace Fulton), quiet introverted Pedro Pena (Jovan Armand), whip-smart gaming whiz Eugene Choi (Ian Chen), and sweet, welcoming Darla Dudley (Faithe Herman). Oh, and there’s Billy’s new roomate, motor-mouthed superhero fan (certified collectables) physically challenged Freddie Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer). Despite his friendliness, Billy remains aloof to the others since it’s just a brief “pit stop” before resuming his search. However, when Freddie is threatened by bullies at school, Billy comes to his defense. When the thugs chase him to a subway stop, he hops aboard to escape. Then things get weird. The digital banner displays odd icons and symbols. The lights flicker and the other passengers disappear. Ice forms around the car. The doors open and Billy is in a dark cave, and is soon standing in front of that same ole’ wizard, Shazam (Djimon Hounsou). He offers Billy the chance to become a powerful champion of good, one who will protect the world from the Seven Deadly Sins. All he need do is say his name while holding the magic staff. Billy laughs it off, but gives it a try.He’s enveloped by lightening, and when the smoke clears he’s a towering thirty-something adult man in a red suit and flowing white cape (Zachary Levi). And in a blink, he’s back sitting in the subway car.
“Big” Billy makes his way back to the group home and contacts Freddie, since he knows about these “super guys”. Over the next couple of days they conduct tests (shooting videos for the internet, natch’) to discover just what new powers this Billy now has. Meanwhile young Thad has now grown up into the dour Dr. Sivana (Mark Strong), who is obssessed with finding a way back to the wizard’s lair. When he finally succeeds, Shazam is long gone, and those “7 Sins” offer him God-like gifts if he will be their “host”. The monstrous creatures turn to vapor and enter the doctor’s body. But he still wants more. When Sivana sees the newsreports and videos of Billy and Freddie, he makes them his new mission: to acquire and retrieve all of the magic that the wizard Shazam has gifted the boy. But can Billy sharpen his skills (the flying thing is tough) and summon the courage to become the hero to defeat Sivana and save the world from those demonic creatures he possess?
This coming of age/origin (not orange) story soars thanks to the ingratiating effortless charms of Levi as the juggernaut with the heart of a child (well, pre-teen). Much as Tom Hanks did in that 1988 classic, Levi carefully (while making it look easy) treads a fine line, giving “super Billy” an engaging innocence and enthusiasm and avoiding making him a muscular simpleton or doofus. Particularly funny are his attempts at his interpretation of adult behavior whether buying some “brewskis” or playing Freddie’s “papa”. These endearing scenes heighten the drama of the big action-filled finale as Levi holds back the tears of real pain as an equal power pummels him. This leads to him finding his hero’s heart (that Achilles courage) and using his brain rather than brawn to save the family he’s finally embraced (along with humanity). Luckily Levi has a fearsome nemesis in Strong as the sinister single-minded Sivana who won’t hesitate to destroy any in his way. As Billy might say, “A real scary super-villain!”. As “regular” Billy, Angel carries most of the intimate dramatic story arc as tries to be aloof around his new “crib”, throwing up a wall between him and his “siblings”, in order to toss them aside when he finds his “true” roots. The conclusion of his “quest” provides the story with a dose of “real world” emotion as Angel shows, through his soulful eyes, Billy’s acceptance. While Strong is a formidable foe, Grazer is a most entertaining sidekick/ confidant as the energetic wise-acre Freddie, who enlightens Billy on “super-heroing“, but also delivers a needed “wake up call” insisting that the powers weren’t bestowed on him in order to make some fast cash (as a “super-busker”). Grazer has great comic timing and proves to be a perfect “wing man“.Hounson is gruff, intimadating, and “other worldy” as the wondefully wise, but cranky wizard. Kudos to Milans and Andrews as the warm, caring (no “push-overs’, though) parents any kids would be lucky to have, along with the adorable Ms. Herman whose big pleading brown eyes can melt any hero’s heart (her sister and brothers are terrific too).
As with 2017’s WONDER WOMAN the DC cinematic universe seems to be getting “back on track” and steering away from the “one tone suits all” dark, nearly pitch black flicks that Zack Snyder began with MAN OF STEEL back in 2013. This film is infused with fun, charm, and a bright color palette (as opposed to the desaturated look of most of this DC WB entries). And then there’s that whole “not really a DC hero” thing I mentioned earlier. Shazam and his original name, Captain Marvel, were created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck for Fawcett publishing (that’s why Billy and Freddie attend Fawcett High) in 1940. Almost immediately National Periodicals, home of Superman, sued for copyright infringement, and the case dragged along for a dozen or so years. In the meantime the good captain regularly outsold all the other comic heroes (1.5 million copies per month) and was the first movie superhero (in the 1941 Republic serial “The Adventures of Captain Marvel”). When sales sagged in the 50s Fawcett settled the suit paying a hefty fine and discontinuing that line of comics. With the character in limbo, in the mid 60s, Marvel Comics swooped in and secured a copywright on the Captain Marvel name (which eventually led to the film that opened last month). In the early 70’s DC liscensed the origianl characters and stories from DC, but because of Marvel’s actions, had to title the book “Shazam”. Eventually DC bought the rights to all the Fawcett heroes in 1991, and jettsoned the Captain name and called the hero Shazam.
Veteran horror film director (LIGHT’S OUT, ANNABELLE: CREATION) David F. Sandberg keeps the film rolling along at a brisk pace only faltering, but not quite derailing when dealing with Shazam’s “dark mirror”. A kid becoming a superhero would seem to be “sure-fire” family fare, but the slithery, slimy “sins” seem to have oozed out of any “near R-rated” thriller. Their CGI tentacles and snake-like tongues could send the “wee ones” diving to the theatre floor particularly as Sivana unleashes them in a fancy business boardroom (little gore, but lotsa‘ screaming). Plus these “creepy crawlies’ are big players in the otherwise very satisfying finale (just think of the final episode of “Buffy”, you TV geeks). Speaking of which, the script from Henry Gayden (with a story assist from Darren Lemke), which relies heavily on the DC reboot from 2011, has some good twists and turns, and balances the action, comedy, and heart-tugging fairly evenly, though the flying fisticuffs over the city come close to MAN OF STEEL repetitive excess (the bit with Sivana shouting inaudible threats to Shazam from a mile away is LOL hilarious). And they’ve got several asides and nods to those Golden Age classic comics (an odd big bug in a case, alligator-men behind a door, several toy tigers, and news reporters from WHQZ-TV) as a bonus (plus two fun scenes intercut with some bouncy line-drawn end credits). Still, this is not an adaptation of those whimsy-filled fables that read almost like children’s’ bedtime stories next to the harder-edged superheroes like Batman. It’s set in gritty, real Philadelphia, not the squeaky-clean, glimmering Fawcett City. But considering the track record of the DC films (their last one, AQUAMAN, despite the gregarious Jason Momoa, was dull, over-cooked, CGI-infused cod), this is a vast improvement, closer to the breezy spirit of most of the Marvel Studios flicks. As we await the big ENDGAME (three weeks), the magical movie word is SHAZAM!
