Results tagged “Superman” from Modern Mythology

Something for Halloween?  Here you go...

I admit I have not been able to keep up with every crossover title in DC Comics' "Blackest Night," and it's not because it's been uninteresting.

For those who aren't hip to the Night, it's the event series spun from the Green Lantern side of the story-verse where dead heroes and villains are brought back evil-zombie-style by some dark, terrible force.  And they go after old lovers, friends and enemies with the aim of feeding off your emotions (and the beating heart from your chest). These creatures are known as the Black Lanterns. 

And while I fully expect to catch up and find out what's going on with the other parts of the series, it would be a little too expensive for me to do that right now.

I have been following one of the spin-off books: "Blackest Night: Superman."  In this three-issue series, Superman, Conner Kent (the new Superboy), Supergirl and Martha Kent have to face their own undead demons in Smallville -- Earth-2 Superman, Earth-2 Lois Lane and the Psycho Pirate. 

There are some interesting moments that give Blackest Night fans a few clues on the weaknesses of the Black Lanterns.  I won't give all of those away but I have to say my favorite moment is in the comic excerpt above where Ma Kent tells zombie Lois to "get off her lawn!"

OK, she doesn't exactly say it that way but watching her throw down and not be some helpless victim was cool anyway.

Related posts:

Green Lantern makes with the scary stuff

Live-action comic book-based films like "The Dark Knight," have ruled the day but animated movies featuring a few other famous super people have held their own.

On Sept. 29 the latest offering from DC Entertainment "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies" hits the stores, the interwebs and your cable/satellite service via On Demand.

No you smarties, it isn't about a team-up with Chuck D or Flavor Flav.  It's about Lex Luthor becoming president of the United States and Superman and Batman being cast as the bad guys.

Just like some of the other films released from Marvel and DC over the last few years, Public Enemies looks like it won't pull any punches -- literally.  Watch the clip above from MTV Splashpage and check out Superman saying a big, fat hello to the Kryptonite-powered super villain Metallo.

Is it me or are the animated superhero comic book flicks a little bit more fun than the live-action ones?  

Hey Robert when you do a poll maybe you should let other people know how it went?

I apologize folks. For more than a week I have left some of you in suspense over the results of whether readers of Modern Mythology would like to see another Superman movie.

That answer would be YES.
 
Obviously, it wasn't a landslide. That 39 percent of 'NO' respondents fell only 11 points short of the half of you who wanted another "Superman." Only 11 percent wanted to give other filmmakers a shot. I would consider this a vote of confidence for director Bryan Singer to put those considerable visual storytelling skills of his to work on another super-film.

My request would be for Warner Bros. to reach beyond any "dark-Superman" gimmicks and gather a panel of the best "Superman" comic book writers of recent years (MARK WAID and GRANT MORRISON should make that list) and sit them with screenwriter Steven Zallian ("AMERICAN GANGSTER," "SCHINDLER'S LIST").

Be true to the character and toss out the re-tread of the original Superman films. Wonderful as those movies were, it's time to make a picture that speaks to not only the lifelong comic-addicts like me, but to the new generation of fans who need to learn what the man of steel is really all about.


Image of Superman courtesy DC Comics

Comic book writer Mark Millar continues to expand his brand beyond the printed graphic novel page to the big screen after the success of "Wanted." In an interview with Empire he pitches his idea for a "Godfather" Superman story (About  8 hours worth) that would span the character's life from Krypton to his last days on Earth.

Leave it to Millar to take a story to its extreme. (Re: "Superman: Red Son"). Warner Bros. has expressed a desire to make their next superhero film properties darker like "The Dark Knight" even if it threatens to counter the essence of the character.

Dark Superman? Superman noir?

Is this a good idea or should they let the Superman film franchise idea rest a while?

 

Major 'Superman' comic news (Sort of)

There has been quite a scuffle in the web-o-verse about the BIG SPOILER (don't click if you don't wanna know) in the NY Daily News involving Action Comics #870. Don't worry I'm not going to give anything away. You can click here, see the cover and draw your own conclusions.

I'm gassed about comics getting more press than ever, but my fellow newspaper folk have to remember a big comic book story is just like most pop entertainment. You must cover them a little more like that big movie that's hitting the screens on Friday or even that highly-anticipated novel that may or may not have the death of a major character.

For many people who follow these storylines for a year, they want to find out what happens when they read it.


That's the dude from 'Friday Night Lights' and Wolverine!

Taylor Kitsch of "Friday Night Lights" did an interview with Media Blvd. and briefly discussed his part in the upcoming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" film as Gambit. The same film that will star Hugh Jackman and a host of others in a story that will focus on the origin of the popular clawed mutant with the unbreakable bones.

Or just call it "X-Men 4," like Kitsch did in his interview when he described the film. What would I call it? I would call it "Wolverine 3" because I thought "X-Men" and "X-men: United" were the first and second Wolverine films due to all the character focus and screen time for Jackman.

With Gambit tossing his explosive playing cards and Deadpool competing with Wolvie for bada*$ status there are all kinds of possibilities for some great action in this movie. I hope studio politics don't grind this flick into dust like the last X-movie.

I wish Taylor Kitsch all the luck as Gambit.


'Green Lantern' film may get Ryan Gosling?

I certainly don't know much about this, but you can get the skinny at Latino Review. Ryan Gosling is rumored to be in the running to play the Green Lantern. Which Lantern you ask? Review says the character in the script is Hal Jordan and he is about 27-years-old and perfect for Gosling who is 28.

The big hurdle will be introducing the character to a general movie audience considering he is not as familiar as the Batman or Spider-Man.

All they need do is follow the "Ironman" plan. This Marvel comics character was known vaguely to the non-comics reader by, I don't know, OSMOSIS or what have you. What appeared to have worked was not the origin story, all the movies have those. What worked was the front row seat to the creation of the armor. That suit was the coolest thing I had seen on a movie screen since "The Matrix."

So here's Green Lantern and, you know, he has a ring that not only allows him to fly, it can create anything the person can imagine. Since I'm on the Matrix kick consider the Green Lantern to be what Neo may have been if he had more imagination.

However, this should not discourage the Wachowski Bros. from directing this movie if it's offered to them. I hope you're listening guys.

Once again, read more here. And check out some Green Lantern required reading by correspondent Ryan Riley here.

Warner Bros. executives have been working to figure out what they could do to capitalize on what they have learned from the success of "The Dark Knight." One of those initiatives is to have upcoming films based on their comics properties take on a darker tone.

This plan is reported to include the next feature film based on the Man of Steel himself. The way I see it, it is an interesting idea for some characters, but maybe not Superman.

Only last week I read that a Green Arrow screenplay will not so much focus on the origins of the hero but will just hit the ground running with a tale of G.A. trying to break out of the notorious (to comics fans) Super Max prison. Green Arrow, a dark side? Sure. Superman?

That idea dredges up memories of Christopher Reeve as "Evil Superman" flicking peanut projectiles at liquor bottles in "Superman III."

I sincerely hope the makers of this next Superman movie leaves that "Superman Returns" concept behind and chooses to take a note from the most successful comic stories the character has been part of. And whatever kind of movie it's going to be it certainly shouldn't take too many notes from "The Dark Knight."

In the last twenty years Batman's stories have more than sustained the dark tone depicted in the aforementioned film.

Superman's best recent tales have taken the iconic nature of the character and either changed the world around him or tackled his origin story from a different perspective.

In Mark Millar and Dave Johnson's "Superman: Red Son," the concept of the hero being raised in the Soviet Union offers an interesting take with all kinds of possibilities.

In Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu's "Superman: Birthright" the origin gets a retake with some of the successful elements of the television series "Smallville" (Lex Luther and Clark Kent's relationship) worked into the plot.

The most recent and interesting character retake I find to be the most refreshing while not destroying the essence of Superman, is Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's "All Star Superman." Every issue in the 12-part limited series I have read so far I would breathlessly describe to my wife (much to her dismay).

And while there is but one issue to go in the All Star series, the simple concept of Superman having a short time to live and working to resolve the world's problems before he is done will and should be considered among one of the best and most character respectful stories in the Superman lexicon.

It is good to hear the WB is taking a note from the fans of their movies, but please don't forget the work most appreciated by the comic fans as well.