DC in Crisis?

Hello again nerds and nerdettes! Sorry I've been away for so long. Life can happen in the blink of an eye if you're not careful. I've missed you all and am happy to say that your favorite bearded nerd is back with all kinds of opinions, reviews and stories to share. Speaking of sharing, I recently joined the Instagram word! So give me a follow at Thee.bearded.Nerd for silly pictures and cool happenings in my life!

In the time of my absence, there has been a lot of talk about DC Comics and how they seem to be failing in making their mark with their movies. Too much hype but lacking, too dark, no real plot....etc. etc. Also, they recently "rebooted" their entire comic book line with what they're now calling their "Rebirth" stories. It would seem that DC is in turmoil and just can't gain any traction on getting their good company name back in the mainstream. That's if you listen to those so called "true believers" or "Marvelites". Those that never followed a DC comic’s story will say that DC is hurting.

Truth of the matter is this; DC is doing just fine. Their characters have never been more popular and their movies are setting records. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice came in at $872.7 million. But yet, the movie was just awful and still makes more than I'll ever see in 5 lifetimes. And Suicide Squad has made $384 million....and still counting. Will it make as much as BvS? Probably not. But, once again, a terrible movie. That is, if you want to listen to those hacks over at rotten tomatoes or metacritic. Both websites reviewed the two films the exact same. 27% by rotten tomatoes and 44% by metacritic. Granted, comic book movies don't really rank high on a movie reviewers list anyway but that's just a bit of coincidence if you ask me.

In my opinion, DC movies have been nothing but great. I fell in love with Superman all over again, Ben Affleck jumped way up the list of favorite actors to play Batman and Gal Gadot can only go up from here as far as Wonder Woman goes. Suicide Squad was just as enjoyable to watch as well! So, I don't understand how one can say that these movies were as bad as the entire internet is screaming. And now, with the trailers for Justice League and Wonder Woman released, it has made me even more excited to see my brand, the DC brand, come to power. DC in crisis? More like DC is just getting started.

What do you think, is DC in Crisis? Do you like the DC films they have recently put out?

Let us know in the comments below.

Posted by: Dustin

Deleted Scene From Batman v Superman | Jimmy Kimmel

Final Batman v Superman Trailer

"BATMAN V SUPERMAN" PROMO ART CALLS OUT "MAN OF STEEL" DESTRUCTION"

From ComicBookResources.com

Just like more than a de Superman fans, looks like the citizens of Metropolis weren't too happy about the way "Man of Steel" ended either. In a pair of "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice" promotional images found by Heroic Hollywood, the destruction of Metropolis gets called out in a big way in a defaced mock-up of a Superman poster. The phases "Help Rebuild Our City" and "Superman Destroyed Metropolis" can be seen stamped on the black and white image, with other phrases -- like "False God," which was also seen in the trailer -- scrawled on the poster in red.

The Batman one, on the other hand, features unusually positive messaging -- a surprise considering that the Dark Knight usually instills fear in everyone from criminals to the innocent. He even has a halo drawn around his Bat-ears.

This new dynamic will unfold on the big screen when "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice" opens on March 25, 2016.

Full Color Look At Ben Affleck As Batman In Batman V. Superman?

From ComicBook.com

A new full color look at Ben Affleck as Batman in Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice has surfaced on JPosters. The image is very similar to the officially released Batman IMAX poster for Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice, except it shows more of Batman's costume and is in full color. We've embedded the poster below.

 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicestars Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Superman, Ben Affleck as BruceWayne/Batman, Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, with Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane returning from “Man of Steel,” Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, and Holly Hunter in a role newly created for the film.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is written by Chris Terrio, from a screenplay by David S. Goyer. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.

Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice is being directed by Zack Snyder, who directed Man of Steel. Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice is scheduled to be released in movie theaters on March 25, 2016.

Batman V Superman Trailer: 6 Major Reveals For The Movie

By Jesse Merkel

Thanks to a Portuguese-speaking leaker, the official teaser trailer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice dropped three days early. While footage of both titular heroes was limited, information about the movie we’re going to get was not.

One thing that wasn’t hidden was the dark tone. We’ve known for some time that the DC Cinematic Universe was shooting for a darker, grittier and more realistic tone, and this teaser made no attempt to hide it.

After carefully examining the video, there are several obvious takeaways that any diehard fan will want to be aware of. 

This is a Man of Steel Follow-Up

When the title for the second installment in DC’s fledgling shared universe was announced, the Internet reacted with concern. Would this be a Man of Steel follow-up? Would we get to see the reactions to the impact of Superman’s arrival?

In short, yes. This is a direct sequel. We’re dropped into a Metropolis that’s in the midst of rebuilding, as evident by the memorial statue and the construction crane in the background. Given the range of emotional reactions on display, it’s all-to-evident that this movie is going to answer a lot of the questions that audience were left asking in 2013.

Realistic Reactions

We live in a world where the masses constantly fear and resent those a the top who horde all of the money and power, and because of that, there’s no way in hell that Superman would earn the publics trust the way he did in Richard Donner’s time.

Each week, the news cycle contains stories of another famous person in the middle of some kind of scandal, and a public that is more than happy to pile on. The audio clips from Charlie Rose, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Holly Hunter and Jesse Eisenberg in the trailer realistically mirror how things would be.

An alien with powers that seem downright godlike has been revealed to the world. Other members of his race attempted to invade and terraform the planet with radically advanced technology. Of course the planet would be thrown into chaos. Half of the people seem ready to worship him, while others fear and distrust him.

Society loves tearing down politicians and movie stars. Can you imagine the urge to rip someone like Kal-El apart?

A War-Weary Batman

Given that this version of Bruce Wayne/Batman is influenced by The Dark Knight Returns, it’s not surprising to see an older version of the character. Ben Affleck’s temples have a touch of gray, while both of the batsuit’s shown have signs of damage from previous conflicts.

The haunting speech given by Jeremy Irons, who plays Alfred Pennyworth, show a butler talking to a friend that’s considering rekindling a fire that may have put out long ago. No one would ever want to see someone they love take up that lifestyle again, especially if they’re thinking of going after someone like Superman.

We also see suits that are incredibly intimidating. An older and more wise batman knows how valuable a psychological edge is when fighting crime, and whereas Iron Man’s suits are designed for extreme combat, Batman’s cape and cowl were always made to instill fear first and foremost.

More Bat-Tech

The Batman films in the 90’s showed tech that bordered on cartoonish, while Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy waded in with its toes. In truth, the only time that Batman’s crime fighting and detective technology has been done justice is in DC’s animated features.

This take on the caped crusader seems to have upped the level of tech, without crossing the line to things that can’t be explained with real world science.

Both suits look extremely durable, but it’s the armored suit, with glowing eyes that may indicate infrared or night vision, that stands out. The suit also appears to have a built-in vocal modeler to both disguise and intimidate. Lord only knows what other tech is hidden away.

The batmobile looks like the marriage of a corvette and a tank. The batwing seems inspired by the B-2 stealth bomber. The classic shot of Batman perched on a rooftop holding rifle with a scope? That seems to be directly from the pages of The Dark Knight Returns, where Bruce Wayne had used guns to shot rubber bullets and small grappling hooks.

A Global Problem

Superman may still stand for truth, justice and the American way (He did grow up in Kansas, after all!), but the trailer gave us indications that he’ll probably be serving as a protector around the world.

There have been rumors of a catastrophic opening scene taking place in the Middle East, which may or may not have to do with the soldiers that are bowing before Kal-El in sand, with bright sunlight coming from over head. The trailer also shows him catching a fallen Russian spacecraft or missile, and making an appearance at what looks like the Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico.

Given what a political and cultural lightening rod that he appears to become, it’s probably safe to assume that these acts of heroism will be viewed with both adulation and resentment.

A Preview of Things to Come

The trailer was filled with several hints at the future of DC’s shared universe. Remember that scene of Batman standing in the large disheveled room with graffiti on the pillars? Not only was a Riddler question mark present, but if you look closely underneath it and to the left, the word “Aphrodite” has been spray-painted as well. As any Wonder Woman fan will tell you, it was Aphrodite who gave Diana Prince her beauty and power after she was born.

A number of people believe that the glass case behind Bruce Wayne could be holding a Robin memorial, which could give credence to the rumors that Red Hood could be showing up in the future.

The icy stare from Bruce Wayne may also hint that this version of the character will be like the one shown in comics such as JLA: Tower of Babel. He’ll never fully trust, even when he should. He’ll also no doubt be prepared for every possible contingency, either through technology or detective work.

In Conclusion…

The darker tone presented here is not for everyone. In fact, the serious tone and real world emotions may scare off fans that have become accustomed to Marvels lighter, more escapist theme. Some people just want good popcorn fun that doesn’t require deep thought, and that’s okay.

As a big DC fan however, I’m excited that these characters are making their way to the big screen with a different take than the one exhibited by Marvel. Superhero movies shouldn’t need to have slapstick moments, witty zingers, or forced romance peppered in to reel in audiences. They can ask the audience to take the idea of superheroes seriously, and thank God that DC decided to take this risk!

Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice Official Teaser Tailer

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Trailer Tease Could Come Thursday!

By Jesse Merkel

Strap in folks, because we’ve got an awesome one for you here! On Tuesday evening, Latino Review broke the news that Zack Snyder and the rest of the powers that be over at Warner Bros. may be set to release the first tease for the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer!

So what’s the surprise? The fact that it could be coming this Thursday!

According to the sources that spoke to El Mayimbe over at Latino Review, Zack Snyder will tweet out five seconds of the trailer at 9:00 am PST on Thursday morning. That’s one full hour before the start of Star Wars celebration.

This just makes it one of the best weeks for movie news in a long time. This week, Avengers: Age of Ultron, will be opening in theaters, along with the much-anticipated Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens trailer.

According to El Mayimbe’s Instagram page, people will be able to follow a link from Snyder that will allow them to sign up to see the full trailer in a movie theater on April 20th.

If the rumors are also to be believed, the trailer will be in front of showings of Avengers: Age of Ultron as well. Wow. Trailers for Star Wars and Batman v Superman in one theater is a recipe for fan boy heart attacks!

Stunts like this are not uncommon. Well before Star Trek Into Darkness hit theaters, director J.J. Abrams showed a fraction of a second of footage on Conan. While only three frames of footage, it sent the Internet into a tizzy. Expect this to do the same.

Now that this has been leaked, we will have to wait and see if DC and Warner Bros. blink, and decide to alter their plans. Those of us who really want to see a preview of this movie (ahem!) really hope that they stick to their guns. Either way, this will be a fantastic week for comic book movie fans.

If history is any indication, these rumors are probably right on the mark. Latino Review has a knack for breaking news that is completely accurate. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that this is just as accurate as the majority of their scoops are!

Come on Snyder, don’t let us down!!

5 Predictions For 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'

By Jesse Merkel

For those of you playing the home game, there is less than a year to go until Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theaters. It may feel like an eternity, but the echo chamber of the Internet will continue to churn out enough stories to keep us entertained.

Recently while re-watching Man of Steel, I took notice of the many subtle ways it was designed to set up the universe. As opposed to Iron Man, which was a great stand alone movie in 2008, but may be lacking in world building elements, especially when you consider it was designed to kick off the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Since the beginning, Marvel has relied almost entirely on their exciting post-credit sequences to tie things together. That’s fine for the episodic storytelling, but with the serialized format that DC appears to be going for, the tie-ins need to be a lot more involved. When you keep this in mind, Man of Steel starts to make a lot more sense.

Man of Steel wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially if they fell in love with the comedic and escapist style that Marvel has been crafting for nearly a decade. Instead, it set the stage for the DC characters in the modern and skeptical world. Instead of just accepting the fantastic as normal and enjoying the ride, we’re going to get a world with more rules and scientific explanations.

Here are five predictions for he upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice:

5. Superman Backlash

In Man of Steel, Superman basically gave a clinic on rookie mistakes. Yes he saved humanity, but the collateral damage was appalling. He failed to draw the bad guys away from populated areas, and probably cost the taxpayers nearly a trillion dollars in property damage.

A seasoned superhero would have done better, but in this new origin story, Clark was anything but seasoned. He had only begun to discover his power, and as a consequence, acted like a proverbial bull in a china shop.

This is going to be central to the plot of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The government may grow to trust him, or at least decide to take advantage of his abilities, but there will definitely be some who are suspicious of him. Chief among them will be Batman and Lex Luthor.

4. LexCorp is Bigger than Facebook

One of the main issues that people had with the casting of Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor is that it was a clear indication that this take on the iconic villain would be nothing like Gene Hackman or Kevin Spacey. Why? Because it’s 2015, and in this day and age, it’s the CEO’s of the younger and hipper companies that rule the world.

Eisenberg may not come across as physically intimidating, but he does look like someone who could sway public opinion with a speech at the TED Talks. Like those in charge of large young corporations today, we can expect this Lex Luthor to be a tech savvy master of media.

If he is indeed going to be one of the few helping to pick up the pieces in Metropolis under the guise of philanthropy, you can expect more than a few subtle jabs about ‘the alien’ when he speaks.

3. Batman is Public Enemy Number 1

By now we’ve all heard the rumors that Batman will be, at least in the first act of the movie, straddling the line between urban legend and government bogeyman. If it’s true that no picture or video footage has ever been taken of the caped crusader, it would confirm the indications that this incarnation will be a true master at the height of his crime fighting craft.

Whether it’s the government that nudges Superman to hunt down Batman, or Batman himself decides that Superman is far too reckless to continue unchecked, it would play into the mythos of Bruce Wayne being a true vigilante. They’re typically not popular with authority figures.

2. Batman Will Run Circles Around Superman at First

Superman is big, strong, and has all the powers that one could want, but he’s still young and inexperienced. He’s got a temper, and could be easily provoked. The more level headed and calculating Batman will be able to size him up instantly.

If you’ve read The Dark Knight Returns, Hush, or Tower of Babel, you’ve seen Batman’s methodical strategy at work against Superman. Not only does he know how to get inside Superman’s head, but he’s also been able to injure and subdue him to the point where he was at least temporarily not a threat. And then there was the eponymous Armageddon 2001 storyline, where Batman actually killed him.

The more experienced Batman would never underestimate a seemingly all-powerful alien, while Superman probably wouldn’t find any human adversary too intimidating. Superman is powerful, but Batman is DC’s answer to Sherlock Holmes. He’ll find any weakness to exploit, especially overconfidence.

1. Batman and Aquaman Were There All Along.

An alien force landing on one of the biggest cities on the planet doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by someone who has spent two decades or more as a vigilante withouteven being photographed. Bruce Wayne is one of the few who would have the money and resources to get himself to Metropolis when everything was going down.  

I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a scene that not only recapped the fight between Superman and Zod, but also showed Batman ducking in and around the falling buildings, saving people who would have otherwise been crushed. All the while, he would be observing the abilities of the brawling aliens. Sound like something Batman would do?

As for Aquaman, he probably wasn’t there when Clark fell in from the collapsing oil platform. Instead, he was most likely in the Indian Ocean when Superman was taking out the World Maker. After destroying the machine, Kal-El was knocked out, and presumably fell into the ocean.

When he woke up, the sun was beating down on him. His face and suit were wet, but he wasn’t floating in the water. Something had to have placed him here.

No matter what happens, I’m going to agree with the estimates given last year by The Motley Fool that assume the film will sail past the $1 billion dollar mark. First of all, these are all marquee names. Take a list of the most recognizable super heroes, this movie has the top three playing big parts, with at least one or two more making a cameo. It’s going to smash the competition on brand recognition alone.

Throw in the fact that fans have been waiting to see these characters share the big screen for decades, and you have a whopping success on your hands.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theaters March 26, 2016. Will you be there on premiere night?

Get your copies of Batman Superman Vol. 1 & 2

Batman Superman TPB Vol. 01 Cross World - $13.49
Retail Price: $14.99
You Save: $1.50

Batman Superman TPB Vol. 02 Game Over - $13.59
Retail Price: $16.99
You Save: $3.40

The Reason Why Batman And Superman Fight In Dawn Of Justice Revealed?

For this and more check out ComicBook.com

Since Warner Bros. first announced that the title of their Man of Steel follow-up would be Batman Vs. Superman, fans have wondered just what the two would be fighting about, and how much of the movie that would take up versus how much will be spent actually fighting bad guys.

Well, there's a rumor that we finally have an answer, at least to the first part.

Most fans had predicted that Lex Luthor would be the one to set the two at one another's throats, although many suspected that he would try to dupe Batman into going after Superman. It appears to be the opposite, per a report at Badass Digest:

It is Superman who goes to Gotham and starts the confrontation... at the behest of Lex Luthor. And unlike The Dark Knight Returns, Superman comes out swinging, pulverizing the Batmobile with one punch. Why would Superman do Lex Luthor's bidding? What is Lex hoping to accomplish? That would be spoiling. But know that when the fight is over, Batman will be able to point to Superman and say, "He started it!"

We'll see more soon, surely. It's one year until the movie hits theaters on March 25, 2016 with Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman and huge expectations.