There seem to be a great many things happening in this place called America...sure am glad I don't live there. I mean, technically NYC seceded from the union in like, 1988, right? Right? Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
Anyway, we should all probably take a minute our of our busy schedules to watch the debate tonight. Rock Band II will still be there when it's over. And in the meantime, here's a little refresher on the Big Bailout from George Bush and his Wall Street cronies, with commentary from everyone's favorite Agent of Chaos.
This is the best DK mashup I've seen since our own Albo created the legend of Patrick Batman.
As we wrap up our Comic Con coverage, let's take a look at some of our favorite cosplayers... This Golden Age Green Lantern was extremely well put together. Although... *ahem* Alan Scott wore the ring on his left middle finger.
There's a bunch more enthusiastic dressers after the jump!
Batman sneaks up on his rogue's gallery while I distract them with a camera.
The Black Cat. Prrr.
This Chewie had an awesome voice box that gave him a very authentic Chewie grumble.
Team Fortress 2's Medic is looking for someone to heal. He struck this pose without even thinking twice about it, the body language is straight out of the game. TF2 was a really popular cosplay choice this year, probably cause it gives folks a chance to make big cardboard and PVC versions of the weapons.
Aura Sing is just happy to be here. Remember how big a deal she was before Episode I? She was supposed to be the new Boba Fett....but the prequels destroyed all that they touched, and she's been mostly forgotten, though apparently not by this lady.
An unlikely couple, but I guess Superman has plenty of time on his hands now that he's drinking Red Bull. Click to get the high res pic so you can check out his killer blue contacts.
An excellent Static Shock, looking like a life-sized action figure with flying disc included.
The Monarch and the butter-voiced Dr. Girlfriend. At the Venture Brothers panel, these two asked Doc Hammer to be their minister at their upcoming wedding. He said he'd seriously consider it. A match made in nerd heaven, obviously.
Mario and Luigi in the house, plumbing gear at the ready.
These Spider-Men were getting along famously, posing for photos together and chatting up a storm.
This guy nails the Hugh Jackman eyebrows, and his claws were impressive to say the least.
Ooh! So a bunch of studio stills from The Dark Knight have shown up online, supposedly via some Flickr account, but let's put aside that odd mystery and concentrate on two very exciting developments - our first real up close and personal look at the newest incarnation of DC's most murderous rouge, and confirmation of the Cillian Murphy cameo!
First, is this or is this not Cillian Murphy, second from the left? I say - proof positive!
They appear to be in a garage, which would link up with this fan video:
Yay, more Cillian! Hope he isn't there just to die! Probably is!
After the jump, it's Joker time! Via Solace In Cinema This is certainly the most "realistic" version of the Joker I've ever seen. The lack truly green hair shows how they're really trying to avoid going over the top in these movies. Also, only J-Man's face appears to be white, which to me says that either A) Just his head gets dunked or B) The white face is make-up, and maybe his only real physical transformation is the cut up smile. That scarred smile sure doesn't look like the result of an acid bath, perhaps his origin story will be completely different in this movie.
Check out the chair barricaded against the door - hardcore, Bats. I can't believe we have to wait a year for this movie.
Well, I can't attest that the site is new, only that I haven't seen it before. It has some goodies including pics of Joker wannabes and a police report detailing some recent disturbance they were involved in. Can't say I know what the heck that's all about, but the site also has a big teaser trailer that doesn't have much to recommend it other than the first taste of Heath Ledger's Joker voice. Sounds aight! In other Dark Knight news, here is Heath himself showing Maggie Gyllenhaal his knife: Looks aight!
The big twist at the end of Paul Dini's latest issue of Detective Comics features two very welcome returns; one by that master of disguise (?), The Joker, who was last seen mowing down pedestrians in the tons 'o fun Christmas issue. Only slightly less exciting is the reappearance of Joker's custom-made ELECTRIC CHAIR:
This little gem was last seen way back in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series! And not just any old episode, the BEST EPISODE EVER; "Almost Got 'Im"! In this episode, the electric chair was hooked up to a laugh-o-meter before a live studio audience...throw some Joker Gas in there and you're good to go!
As with many of the finest B:TASeps, "Almost Got 'Im" was written by Paul Dini, and features some of the finest writing for the Joker you'll ever see. Dini has always been able to nail the coveted funny-scary-crazy trifecta, and while he can really cut loose with Detective Comics, you never felt like he was holding back on the animated series. In the DVD commentary track for this episode, Dini observes, "Boy, the Joker really likes electrocution." Well, Paul, he does when you write him!
Dini was also referring to his screenplay for Batman Beyond:Return of the Joker, which features a flashback in which Tim Drake gets the Energizer treatment courtesy of the J-Man, as seen below:
This scene was considered so (ahem) "shocking" (thank you) that it was removed from the original video release. I guess my point is, Paul Dini likes writing stories where Joker electrocutes the Bat-Fam, and that's fine with me.
CONTINUITY WATCH
During the big rip-off-the-mask reveal, Joker is wearing a smiley face shirt with a bullet hole in the forehead, and refers to his "accident". Is this a reference to his being shot in the face over in Grant Morrison's Batman run?? I thought Detective Comics and Batman weren't sharing the same continuity...who can keep this shit straight?!
Get your hands on the first piece of Will Wright's new masterpiece, and make some creatures that'll put Jim Henson to shame. Well, not really. But you can dream.
