DC on DC
My Thoughts on James Gunn's Announcement
Big surprise, I like <Hank Hill>comic books and comic book accessories</Hank Hill>, so I have thoughts on the DC Studios announcement video from James Gunn.
Superman: Legacy
Out of the gate, I’ll tell you I’m somewhat indifferent to the announcements involving the “big” characters. I enjoy Superman but there’s been a lot of Superman movies. But I understand why people are excited. Just generally, but also because this is the first post-Snyder Superman movie. I see those movies the same way I see Nolan’s Batman movies: not totally unwatchable but lacking a fundamental understanding of the character.
If anything, I do look forward to the fact that Morrison & Quitely’s All Star Superman seems to be a big influence on the movie. Is All Star Superman the best Superman story? Debatable. Does it have an incredible understanding of what makes the character work? Absolutely.
The Authority
This one is very exciting to me. The Authority is a comic I truly love. On the surface, the idea of a super team that “does whatever it takes” to make the world a better place sounds so edgy that it makes you roll your eyes so hard you see your own birth. However, that’s not this book. This book is about a group of people who have seen too much yet are still idealistic enough to believe the world can be a better place. These are complex characters that you end up really caring about.
Time will tell if any of that translates to the screen, but I trust the guy who made you care about Rocket Raccoon and Peacemaker to oversee a version of this that will make people who know The Authority and those who don’t happy.
The Brave and the Bold
Technically, I am in a permanent state of looking forward to Batman media, but as I said with Superman, another Batman movie isn’t exactly going to get me off my tractor at this late date. But! This has a few things going for it from the little that is currently known.
The title has a legacy. Some know it as a Batman team up book, others as a Batman team up cartoon. Now, despite it being an existing ‘brand’ as it were, it’s speculation that it will have anything to do with that brand. But it’d be fuckin’ dope if there was a live action Batman teaming up with other characters in film.
Damian is in it. Damian Wayne is a bit of a controversial character, but I really love the idea of him being in the mainstream. He’s not my favorite Robin(that’s Tim Drake and maybe at some point I’ll get into why), but he is a great character. Basically, he’s the son Bruce didn’t know he had and now, he is Damian’s guardian. The kid has all of his father’s skill with none of his compassion and that is such a wonderful dynamic to examine.
Again, like Superman, this movie seems to be influenced by Morrison & Quitely’s Batman & Robin series. In that book, Dick Grayson was Batman and it was great, because now you had a lighthearted Batman and a grim, brooding Robin. I don’t think that’s the route they’re going but it would be wild to just be like, “Here’s Dick. He was the first Robin, now he’s Batman. ENJOY”.
I think it’ll be fun. I hope it’ll be fun. People don’t get that Batman is FUN. Sure, his origin is born of tragedy, but he’s a guy who dresses like a Dracula and punches a murder clown. Come on, now.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
I’m the first to admit Supergirl is in that “Dr. Strange” realm for me in that she’s a character that has always been at my peripheral and I’d see her in guest appearances in other things, but I have not often engaged her solo books. I’m interested in this movie due to that lack of knowledge and this one is, the way Gunn talks in the video, a direct adaptation of a series that I’ve heard is very good.
Swamp Thing
I don’t know if the plan is to follow Alan Moore’s run as a blueprint. There are so many great Swamp Thing stories. But it’s hard to imagine this movie not being influenced. Moore’s run changed the character so much that his work is woven deeply into the tapestry of Swamp Thing.
Anyway, this seems like it’s going to be horror and that’s great. Gunn talked about tackling different genres in the DCU, which is how it should be. Marvel movies are so samey but these comics, despite being in one cohesive universe, always were different genres. Just like life. Who hasn’t had comedy, horror, drama, and if you’re in the shower or your car—a musical? And that’s just in one day let alone across an entire life.
GUESS WHAT. HE ANNOUNCED SOME SHOWS AS WELL. SO LOOK FOR PART TWO SOON.