One of the most exciting and unique aspects of the newly launched DC Universe from DC Studios is the fact that actors will cross over between animated and live-action projects. With Creature Commandos launching the franchise, a lot of fans are wondering if and when the characters from that show will pop up in live-action formats, hoping to see those actors transition their voice roles into on-screen performances. Unfortunately for some of the show’s stars, there were characters who didn’t make it through the first season of Creature Commandos, leaving their potential DCU futures a little murky. WARNING: Spoilers for Creature Commandos ahead…

One example is Maria Bakalova, who is starting to become one of James Gunn’s frequent collaborators. After voicing Cosmo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Bakalova was cast in Creature Commandos as Princess Ilana, a character created just for the series. In a surprising twist, Ilana was killed at the very end of the Creature Commandos season finale, after being revealed as the true villain behind the show’s events.

So does that mean Bakalova is done with the DCU for good? There’s a lot of backstory to explore with the Princess, given that she’s a new character, not to mention the fact that Bakalova could always take on another role in the franchise moving forward (Sean Gunn is already playing three characters). Ahead of the Creature Commandos finale, ComicBook spoke with Bakalova about her future with the budding franchise.

“I’m trying to take it one step at a time, because you never know what’s going to happen at the end,” Bakalova told us. “My dream is to be able to work with James again and again and again, do the rest of my life. I do want to be a part of this new DC universe, because knowing that he is behind it. I just have incredibly big hopes for it, and Creature Commandos is evidence of that.

“I mean, if I’m able to play this character in the future, I will definitely do it. If I’m able to play something else with James in charge, I will definitely do it. It’s really my dream to just be a part of this team.”

[RELATED: Everything Creature Commandos Taught Us About the New DCU]

It sounds like, if it were up to her, there would be no end to Bakalova’s time with the DCU. Given how much James Gunn likes to work with his repeat cast members, it seems like the chances are high for Bakalova to return at some point down the line. Just don’t bet on Princess Ilana coming back with her.

The entire first season of Creature Commandos is now streaming on Max.

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Creatures Commandos has given DC fans their first look at the DCU and what a look it was. Many people questioned the wisdom of starting with such an unknown concept, but Creature Commandos‘ cast of monsters has proven to be a very interesting doorway into the all-new cinematic universe based on DC Comics. The show was packed with clues about the shape of the new DCU, revealing many familiar aspects. Now that the first season is over, it’s time to look at everything the show set up and see just what might be in store for the future. All of it points to it being an exciting future for DC fans.

The DCU Already Has Films In Its Canon

So, we’ll start with the easy stuff. The very existence of Task Force M shows that much of James Gunn’s previous DC work is canon to the DCU. The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker happened, down to that story about Superman getting shot. This is to be expected; since Gunn is in charge of things, it makes sense for those projects to be canon. John Economos and Amanda Waller are the same characters, and the death of Rick Flag Jr. at Peacemaker’s hands had been established by Waller and Rick Flag Sr. Flag probably doesn’t know all the details, but that’s just how Waller rolls.

Amazons Are A Controversial World Discovery

The show went into greater detail about the DCU as the season progressed. Its first phase concentrated on Circe and the Sons of Themyscira, establishing that Themyscira is not only known to the world but also rather controversial with the chuds of the manosphere. There are even university classes taught about it, as evidenced by Professor McPherson, who Clayface killed and impersonated in an attempt to trick the Creature Commandos in going back and killing Princess Illana Rostovic in Pokolistan. An interesting little wrinkle about Pokolistan is that the Princess’s knights are vaguely reminiscent of the Atomic Knights, survivors of a nuclear holocaust on either a future or alternate Earth, depending on the DC continuity in question. This fits Grodd’s plans for the world – he may have created that nuclear Earth if he got his way.

DC’s WWII Heroes

G.I. Robot made fans of DC’s Golden and Silver Age very excited. The robot’s origin episode establishes that Sgt. Rock and his Happy Company exist in the DCU. This opens DC’s entire slate of WWII war heroes – including the Losers, who are Flag family-relations – and also could open the door for the Justice Society of America to exist at some point. G.I. Robot’s meeting with scientist Will Magnus also opens things up for the Metal Men, a group of robots with different personalities and element-based capabilities made by the roboticist.

The Long History of DCU’s Monterverse

The stories of The Bride and Eric Frankenstein show that the monster side of the DC Universe is in full effect. Both of them have been long-time DC characters, and their existence also means that perhaps the Patchwork Man – a Swamp Thing-related monster that is created similarly – potentially exists. Monsters are a very important part of the show, and this fits in with the name given to the first story arc of the DCU: “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters”. Monsters have always been special in the DC Universe; while many of them are frightening enemies, just as many are heroes. Task Force M could play a major role in the future dealing with the monsters of this world.

RELATED: Creature Commandos: DC Studios Logo Pays Homage to a Classic Superman Story

The DCU Batman Universe

The biggest reveals from Creature Commandos are all Batman-related. The show’s inclusion of Doctor Phosphorous let us know that Gotham exist (something reinforced by the appearance of Clayface), but the season’s penultimate episode showed that Gotham is pretty much exactly the way it is in all other media. Well, Rupert Thorne is dead, but other than that, it’s Gotham. Viewers even got a glimpse of the Caped Crusader himself. James Gunn clarified that Batman has existed for some time in the DCU, meaning that we’re not jumping in at the exact beginning of the heroic age. This is a universe that has been in motion for a very long time, which is extremely exciting for fans of DC Comics. Also, Marvel Comics exists in the DCU – the Bride called Doctor Phosphorous “Ghost Rider.” So that’s interesting and does fit something that DC and Marvel have done in previous years, with comics often showing aspects of the other fictional universe of superheroes.

More Hero & Villain Teases

Star City and Metropolis are things as well. The latter is obvious because of Superman (2025), while Nina’s origin episode revealed Star City, which opens the door for heroes like Green Arrow to eventually show up. Gorilla Grodd has been established as a major potential threat in the DCU, using his telepathic powers to move people like pieces on a game board, all in the pursuit of the destruction of humanity, a familiar role for the simian tyrant.

This is actually perfect for Grodd; while he’s often portrayed as a brutal monster – which again plays into the title “Gods and Monsters” – he’s also a cunning evil super genius, who can manipulate events from the shadows. Grodd’s existence means that Gorilla City exists (fingers crossed we get to Solivar and maybe even the Ultra-Humanite in the albino gorilla body), which also opens the door to the Flash and the DCU version of twin cities of Central City and Keystone City. That last one depends on whether the DCU is going to do a classic Earth-Two, which is the original home of Keystone and the Justice Society; after all, multiverses are all the rage).

The DCU Is More Fully Formed Than We Guessed

Creature Commandos turned out to be the perfect way to introduce fans to the DCU. For years, everyone thought that the only way to be successful was the MCU’s method – a slow rollout at the beginning of the universe, holding fans’ hands and showing them everything as it builds and progresses. However, Creature Commandos went in a different direction: Gunn used what fans already knew about DC – The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, Batman, Gotham City, Themyscira – to widen the foundation of his universe. He used each member of Task Force M to expand upon a variety of things, opening doors for a lot of DC characters and concepts to come.

Creature Commandos was a perfect starting roadmap for the DCU, building excitement for what’s to come. It’s the most entertaining extended trailer for a franchise universe ever – a seven-episode run that teased the breadth of this new DC cinematic endeavor. In Gunn we trust.

You can stream Creature Commandos on Max.

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Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is getting up, up and away. Filming has begun on the next DC Studios film following summer’s Superman, which officially launches the DC Universe from James Gunn and Peter Safran. Milly Alcock (HBO’s House of the Dragon) is playing Kara Zor-El/Supergirl — the Krypton-born cousin of Kal-El/Superman (David Corenswet) — leading a cast that includes Eve Ridley (3 Body Problem) as the plain-raised alien girl Ruthye Marye Knoll, Matthias Schoenaerts (The Old Guard) as the Kingsagent Krem of the Yellow Hills, and Jason Momoa (Aquaman) as intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo.

The second DCU film is shooting at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the U.K., already home to Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon and future site of the main hub for DC Studios starting in 2027. (While the Atlanta-based Superman shot in the United States, Gunn has confirmed most future DC projects will film in London.)

RELATED: DC Movies and TV Shows to Watch After Creature Commandos

Productions shot on the state-of-the-art film and television studio’s soundstages include the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, Barbie, and DC adaptations Wonder Woman (2017), Justice League (2017), Pennyworth (2019), Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), Sandman (2022), The Batman (2022), The Flash (2023), and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023). The Batman 2 and HBO’s Harry Potter TV series are also scheduled to shoot at WBSL this year.

Gunn and Safran are producing Supergirl, which is directed by I, Tonya and Cruella‘s Craig Gillespie. Ana Nogueira (The Vampire Diaries), who is also scripting the Teen Titans movie for DC Studios, wrote the screenplay based on the eight-issue Woman of Tomorrow comic book run by writer Tom King and artist Bilquis Evely.

The True Grit-inspired series sees the 21-year-old Supergirl — one of the last survivors of the planet Krypton — chaperone farm girl Ruthye on a galaxy-spanning journey for justice to track down her father’s killer: Krem of the Yellow Hills. And to avenge another of Krem’s victims, vulnerable and wounded while under a red sun: Superman’s beloved dog, Krypto. Over eight issues, Kara and Ruthye embark on a months-long quest as they battle bounty hunters, dinosaur-like alien beasts, and space dragons.

It’s a “much more hardcore” version of the F-bomb-dropping Supergirl, Gunn said when announcing the DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters in 2023. “We see the difference between Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents from the time he’s an infant, versus Supergirl, who was raised on a rock chip off of Krypton, and watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life.”

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is scheduled to open in theaters on June 26, 2026.

The post Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow Movie Starts Filming appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Batman Epic Crime Saga spans a feature film (2022’s The Batman), a prequel comic book (The Riddler: Year One), and a spinoff television series (2024’s The Penguin), with a sequel (2027’s The Batman: Part II) in development at DC Studios. Connecting them all is Matt Reeves, who oversees this expanding corner of the DC universe that is — at least for now — standalone, existing separately from the interconnected DCU under the purview of DC Studios co-chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran. Now that The Penguin has wrapped up its Golden Globe-winning first season on HBO and Reeves’ Batman sequel has been pushed from 2026 to 2027, the filmmaker has one priority: the Dark Knight’s return.

“I would love to do more [spinoff series],” Reeves told MTV News, adding that “the thing we’re really focused on” is The Batman 2.

“We’re talking about doing the second season of The Penguin, but my big priority is to get The Batman 2 shooting and going,” Reeves said. “And then it’ll be exciting where we’ll go from there.”

RELATED: The Batman 2 Director Teases Sequel’s Unexpected Villain and Story: “It’s Going to Show Different Sides” of Robert Pattinson

Reeves also confirmed that production is scheduled to begin this year on the sequel, which will come five years after Robert Pattinson suited up as a year-two Batman in the 2022 film. “Our plan, and our hope, is absolutely to do another season [of The Penguin],” Reeves said. “We just have to come up with the idea that we think is the right idea, which is what we’re working on.”

While development on The Batman 2 is “taking longer than I would have wanted,” Reeves said, “I’m super excited about what we’re doing, so I really can’t wait to share that with everybody.”

In 2020, it was announced that Reeves was developing a streaming series set in the world of The Batman for HBO Max (later Max). Described as an “examination of the anatomy of corruption in Gotham City,” the GCPD series from Boardwalk Empire creator Terence Winter was to launch “a new Batman universe across multiple platforms.” But Winter eventually exited the since-scrapped series, elements of which were folded into The Penguin (about Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb and his rise to power as Gotham City kingpin).

Reeves was also developing an Arkham Asylum series that was allegedly being reworked into a spinoff series focused on Barry Keoghan’s Joker, although Gunn dispelled those rumors. One thing Reeves isn’t ruling out, however, is a Penguin-style spinoff following Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), half-sister of the currently incarcerated Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti).

As series producer Dylan Clark previously told ComicBook, HBO is interested in Batman spinoffs for “marquee characters” like Farrell’s Penguin, who is confirmed to return opposite Pattinson in Batman 2.

“The streaming-cable space was was a no-brainer for some of the bigger characters. Casey [Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO and Max Content] was the first person that said, ‘I need a marquee character,’” Clark said. “And Matt said, ‘You know, I have this really good idea for Colin for the second movie.’ And Casey said, ‘I want that. You can’t just have these characters be in the movie space.’”

Clark continued, “It was a natural transition that way, and I think we have some great ideas to explore more characters from our movie space to do this same thing with Casey and Sarah [Aubrey, Max original programming chief].”

All episodes of The Penguin are available to stream now on Max. Warner Bros. has dated The Batman 2 for Oct. 1, 2027.

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Despite an illustrious career spanning over two decades, including two Academy Award nominations, actor Djimon Hounsou has revealed he’s still struggling financially in Hollywood. The revelation is particularly striking considering Hounsou’s trajectory, from his breakthrough role in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad to becoming a staple of blockbuster franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Universe. During a recent interview with CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, the star opened up about the challenging financial realities of his acting career, highlighting ongoing issues of pay inequality in the entertainment industry that persist even for performers of his caliber.

“I’m still struggling to make a living,” Hounsou admitted in the interview. “I’ve been in this business making films now for over two decades with two Oscar nominations, been in many blockbuster films, and yet I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid.” The actor’s candid revelation contrasts his impressive resume, which includes critically acclaimed performances in films like Amistad, Gladiator, and Blood Diamond, the latter earning him his second Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2007.

[RELATED: Djimon Hounsou Reveals How Rebel Moon Brought Friendship With Zack Snyder Full Circle]

The actor further elaborated on his experiences with pay negotiations in Hollywood, sharing how he often faces lowball offers despite his extensive experience and accolades. “I still have to prove why I need to get paid,” Hounsou explained. “They always come at me with a complete low ball: ‘We only have this much for the role, but we love you so much and we really think you can bring so much.'” These struggles persist despite Hounsou’s involvement in major box office releases, including roles as Korath in Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel, the Fisherman King in Aquaman, and the wizard Shazam in multiple DC films.

From Oscar Nominations to Ongoing Industry Struggles

Hounsou’s journey in Hollywood began with Steven Spielberg’s 1997 historical drama Amistad, though his breakthrough performance was met with unexpected obstacles. “I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars,” the actor recalled. Despite this early setback, Hounsou would go on to earn two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor – first for Jim Sheridan’s In America in 2004, where he delivered a powerful performance as an HIV-positive artist, and then for Edward Zwick’s Blood Diamond in 2007, starring opposite Leonardo DiCaprio.

The actor connected his personal experiences to broader issues in the industry, stating, “That’s a sign for you that systemic racism is not something you can deal with lightly. It’s so deeply inserted in everything that we do, across the board.” He also referenced fellow actor Viola Davis’s similar struggles with fair compensation, noting how even acclaimed performers continue to face pay equity challenges regardless of their achievements. Davis, who has won an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony Award, has previously spoken about facing similar compensation disparities despite her accolades.

In recent years, Hounsou has maintained a strong presence in major productions, taking on roles in films like A Quiet Place Part II and Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon. His work has also extended beyond acting, as he founded the Djimon Hounsou Foundation to address the cultural disconnection between Africa and its diaspora. “My acting work really opened my eyes,” Hounsou shared. “As I was doing research for [Amistad], I became profoundly aware of the disconnect between Afro-descendants from their roots and culture. Because when you don’t know where you came from, you don’t know who you are.”

The post Marvel, DC Star Djimon Hounsou Says He’s “Definitely Underpaid” by Hollywood appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Fastest Man Alive wasn’t a runaway hit with audiences — especially women. That’s according to The Flash director Andy Muschietti, who says in a new interview that his DC film flopped in part because it failed to draw an audience of all four quadrants: older men, older women, younger men, and younger women. The antepenultimate chapter of the DC Extended Universe (since relaunched as the new DC Universe), which starred Ezra Miller as the titular scarlet speedster Barry Allen opposite Michael Keaton’s Batman, ended its nine-week run in theaters with just $266 million at the global box office when it opened in the summer of 2023.

“The Flash failed, among all the other reasons, because it wasn’t a movie that appealed to all four quadrants. It failed at that,” Muschietti told Radio Tu’s “La Baulera del Coso” show. “When you spend $200 million making a movie, [Warner Bros.] wants to bring even your grandmother to the theaters.”

RELATED: The Brave and the Bold Director Andy Muschietti Says Robert Pattinson Won’t Be the DCU Batman

According to Comscore PostTrak exit polling, which reports audience demographics, The Flash‘s first Thursday night screenings pulled in 47% men over 25, 29% men under 25, and 17% women over 25 and just 7% women under 25 (per Deadline). The film went on to receive a B CinemaScore from opening night moviegoers and a 77% from PostTrak exits, with 59% of audiences giving it a “recommend.”

In an opening weekend postmortem, Deadline reported that the “male-heavy” Flash failed to pull in as many women as 2017’s Wonder Woman — the first female-led movie from DC Films — or 2018’s billion-grossing Aquaman, starring a frequently shirtless Jason Momoa in the title role. (Compared to The Flash‘s 17% from women over 25 and 7% from women under 25, Aquaman received 84% approval from the female 25-plus demographic, and it was more popular with moms than dads at 91% approval versus 85%.)

“I’ve found in private conversations that a lot of people just don’t care about the Flash as a character,” Muschietti told La Baulera del Coso. “Particularly the two female quadrants. All of that is just the wind going against the film I’ve learned.”

While The Flash placed first in its opening weekend with $55 million, pulling ahead of Pixar’s animated Elemental ($29.6 million), it dropped to third place in its second weekend with $15.1 million (behind the leggy Elemental‘s $18.4 million) as Sony’s animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse swung back to No. 1 in its fourth weekend. Flash‘s second weekend was just a hair above the female-skewing No Hard Feelings, the R-rated Jennifer Lawrence comedy that opened in fourth place with $15 million. By its second weekend, the Sony comedy’s $7.8 million outpaced The Flash‘s $5.2 million — a 65% plunge in its third week in theaters — and Flash fell behind Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid in its sixth week.

In addition to the many controversies of its embattled lead actor, who previously appeared as Barry Allen in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, 2016’s Suicide Squad, and 2017’s Justice League, The Flash failed in part because of its barely-fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes (63%) and B CinemaScore — at the time tied with Batman v Superman as the worst for the DCEU, lower than 2016’s Suicide Squad (B+), 2017’s Justice League (B+), and other divisive installments like 2020’s Birds of Prey (B+), 2020’s Wonder Woman 1984 (B+), and fellow 2023 bomb Shazam! Fury of the Gods (B+).

Last month, when DC Studios co-chief James Gunn was asked why a Clayface movie was greenlit over a “more prominent” character like the Flash, Gunn wrote on Threads that DC Studios is “holding a beat on development” on a potential Flash project set in the DCU.

Meanwhile, Muschietti is attached to direct The Brave and the Bold, which will introduce the DCU Batman and Robin, and Max’s animated Creature Commandos featured cameos by the Flash villain Gorilla Grodd. (The Flash also appeared, albeit briefly, in a vision of a since-averted post-apocalyptic future alongside Batman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and more superheroes who are confirmed to exist in the DCU.)

DC Studios’ Superman, written and directed by Gunn, will officially launch the new DCU when it soars into theaters on July 11. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will follow on June 26, 2026, with Clayface set for Sept. 11, 2026. Also in the works are Peacemaker season 2 (TBA 2025), HBO’s Lanterns, a second season of Creature Commandos, and Muschietti’s The Brave and the Bold, which isn’t expected until after The Batman: Part II opens in late 2027.

The post The Flash Director Reveals Why Film Flopped: “People Just Don’t Care About The Flash” appeared first on ComicBook.com.

2025 is looking to be the year of Superman and that’s alright with me. The recent release of the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman as gotten not just comic book fans but moviegoers more hyped than ever for the upcoming film, reigniting an interesting in and a love for it’s titular character. I am one of those fans. While I’ve long been a fan of Superman, it’s a love that has waned over time, but that trailer has reminded me of exactly why I am such a fan of the character and it all comes down to how much Gunn’s movie reminds me of a particular story: All-Star Superman.

Mark Waid Boiled Superman Down to His Essence for Me

All-Star Superman is one of the greatest Superman stories ever told. I’d go so far as to say it’s one of the greatest superhero comics ever, if not the greatest. Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely teamed together to create a story that took everything great about Superman and put it on display. It showed how cool all the things that the post-Crisis DC tried to convince us were lame really were. It’s beautiful. In the second volume of the hardcover reprints, Mark Waid wrote the introduction and it shows an understanding of the character of Superman that few have. Waid wrote, “Gods achieve their power by encouraging us to believe in them. Superman achieves his by believing in us.”

That quote took All-Star Superman and brought it to the next level for me. That’s when I truly realized why I loved Superman. Superman represented something that humanity needs. He’s the hero that humans have created over and over again. He’s Sinbad. He’s Hercules. He’s Arthur. He’s something that we feel the need to constantly create.

While Waid showed me the way, it was Morrison who again drew the throughline for me when I was reading SuperGods. Grant Morrison is all about the reality of fiction. To paraphrase what Morrison said at one point in the book: Superman will outlive us all. How are we more real than that? We create the things that we want to see in the world and Superman is just that. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created a character that represented the things that all humans want in the world. We want someone who cares about us. We want someone who will save us from ourselves long enough for us to reach the next stage. Just like Jor-El says in Superman: The Movie, “They will join you in the sun.”

Superman‘s trailer was a massive success because it hits that button that makes me, you, everyone love Superman. James Gunn captures the super and he captures the man. He captures the bombast and he captures the hope. There’s a feeling throughout the trailer, a sense of who Superman is and what he means that is always there. I watched it and I got the same feeling that I got when I read Mark Waid’s introduction to All-Star Superman Volume Two. That feeling, that sense of wonder, that sense of awe, that sense of love is right there in the trailer. Watch it again. It just feels like Superman, doesn’t it? It feels like Superman in a way that nothing else has in a while, right? That’s why we love it.

Superman has a lot riding on it. The failure of Superman in the DCEU – and yes, Snyder failed with Superman – is a big reason why that cinematic universe never really worked. Superman is such a huge part of DC, of pop culture, that when he’s not right, it’s obvious. Gunn is making Superman right, just like Morrison did, just like Waid and Siegel and Shuster and Donner and Magin and Binder and so many others have. We need Superman right now. Hope is short order, the world is falling apart. We need someone to believe in us. We need someone to believe in us.

If Loving Superman Is Wrong, I Don’t Want To Be Right

The world can be a cold place. We all watch it all the time, on our phones, and we make jokes about the terror that infects every second of our lives. Regardless of what you’re political beliefs are, you feel it. Hope is far off at times – more often than not, really – but we have Superman. Over the last eighty-six and some change years, thousands of people – writers, artists, editors, directors, actors, film crews, special effects crew, and more I’m forgetting – have banded together to create stories of this god who loves us. We have thousands of hours of this strange visitor from another planet, this Titan that could easily lord over us, just loving us. Fighting for us. Trying to be like us.

Maybe if Superman wants to be like us, we aren’t that bad. Maybe the darkness, the cold isn’t total. Maybe it won’t win. Superman – who is really us in every way that counts – can be better, so we can, too. And there’s something about that feeling. If we can make Superman, we can make the world better.

James Gunn’s Superman opens in theaters July 11th.

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Over its first season, Creature Commandos used its story of a quirky group of monsters to build the foundations of James Gunn’s and Peter Safran’s DC Universe. Even though the series has kept the focus on Task Force M’s operation in Pokolistan, each episode has cleverly placed nods to other characters, locations, and events that help flesh out the larger cinematic universe, underlining how metahumans and caped heroes are common in this world. It couldn’t be different with Episode 7 of Creature Commandos, which adds some unexpected references on top of everything we’ve seen so far.

Star City, Bludhaven, and Metropolis

The flashback scenes of Episode 7 of Creature Commandos unfold in Star City, the birthplace of Nina (voiced by Zoë Chao). That’s relatively easy to verify, given that Star City’s name is featured in newspapers and broadcast channels in the episode. If the name rings a bell, that’s because Star City is closely associated with Green Arrow, a fan-favorite character who became incredibly popular thanks to The CW’s Arrow, a TV show that spawned a beloved interconnected universe of live-action DC heroes.

Star City is not the only key DC location mentioned in Episode 7. As a news report explains, the hunt and capture of Nina after she’s found in Star City was conducted by animal experts from Metropolis and Bludhaven. Metropolis is the city of the Man of Steel, which will be prominently featured in the upcoming Superman. As for Bludhaven, the town is the base of operations of Nightwing, aka Dick Grayson, the first Robin. Since The Brave and the Bold is set to introduce Damian Wayne as Robin, Dick Grayson has probably already flown away from his Bat-nest and is acting in Bludhaven, which makes the Creature Commandos nod even more enticing.

Marvel Comics Exists in the DCU

When Task Force M breaks into Princess Ilana’s (voiced by Maria Bakalova) castle, The Bride (voiced by Indira Varma) pokes fun at Dr. Phosphorus (voiced by Alan Tudyk) by calling him “Ghost Rider.” That’s obviously a nod to the flaming-skull Marvel hero of the same name. That means Marvel Comics exists in the DCU, continuing a decades-old tradition of the two major superhero publishers fondly referencing each other. For instance, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Iron Man 3 namedrops the Super Friends DC animated series, while in Eternals, Ikaris (Richard Madden) is mistaken for Superman. It’s nice to see Gunn is keeping the trend alive, proving that the Marvel vs. DC rivalry has more to do with fans than the companies.

[RELATED – Creature Commandos Is Setting Up Frankenstein as DC’s Biggest Monster (and Not Just Physically)]

How Long Has Batman Been Active?

The most shocking detail of Creature Commandos Episode 7 is that the DCU’s Batman might be older than we all expected. By the end of the episode, Dr. Phosphorus tells the Bride he hasn’t been intimately touched in 15 years since transforming into a radioactive skeleton. Episode 6 of Creature Commandos establishes the fact that Dr. Phosphorus kills Rupert Throne and takes over his operation right after the incident that warped his body and mind. Following that, Dr. Phosphorus’ crimes attract the attention of Batman, who defeats the villain and sends him to Belle Reve. Even if Dr. Phosphorus enjoyed years of prolific criminal activities, that would mean the DCU’s Batman is active for at least a decade. That’s a surprising timeframe that would nevertheless explain how the Bat-family is already established.

All Hail the King (Shark)!

At the end of Episode 7, Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) gives The Bride leadership of all future Task Force M operations to reward her for killing Princess Ilana and preventing World War III. In this scene, The Bride is introduced to her new team. Dr. Phosphorus and Weasel (voiced by Sean Gunn) remain active assets, while GI Robot (voiced by Sean Gunn) has been rebuilt into a hulking metal body. Since GI greets The Bride as if he doesn’t know her, it’s fair to assume he doesn’t preserve his memories, making his Episode 3 death more meaningful.

Among the new recruits are Nosferata and Khalis, two Creature Commandos members with cameos in Episode 4. Rounding up the team is King Shark, one of the prominent members of Task Force X in 2021’s The Suicide Squad. Creature Commandos confirmed that Project Starfish and the operation in Corto Maltese happened in the DCU, making The Suicide Squad at least partially canon. King Shark’s presence is another piece of evidence that Gunn’s first DC movie is mostly still part of the new continuity.

All episodes of Creature Commandos are currently available for streaming on MAX.

The post Every DCU Character and Franchise That’s Referenced in Creature Commandos’ Episode 7 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Part of why the American superhero movie is so popular with studio executives isn’t necessarily because it works every single time. However, when these titles do resonate with the general public, they do so in a profound manner. Several of the biggest movies in history have happened to be superhero features. These titles are capable of delivering massive box office hauls that go down in the history books in all the right ways. From the 2000s even to the erratic years of the 2020s, superhero films bring the noise in theaters in the best way possible.

Nine superhero movies, in particular, set the kind of box office records that fill up the dreams of the Bob Iger’s or David Zaslav’s of the world. These weren’t just profitable tentpoles, these were motion pictures redefining just how big theatrical movies could be. These nine superhero movies shattered box office records that, even decades later in some cases, still register as quite impressive.

Spider-Man

While Blade and X-Men had proven lucrative before 2002, it was Spider-Man that really proved Marvel Comics movie adaptations could soar to extreme heights domestically. To boot, its gargantuan $400+ million domestic haul outdid even 1989’s Batman in terms of superhero movie box office hauls. Spider-Man‘s box office run was impressive just from its first three days of release, though. This title’s $114-million domestic haul was the first time in history any movie exceeded $100+ million on its three-day North American opening weekend.

X-Men: The Last Stand

Though it would sink like a stone in the weeks afterward, X-Men: The Last Stand was certainly a magnificent record-smasher for its opening weekend. At the time of its release, The Last Stand had the biggest Memorial Day opening weekend in history. It was also the largest X-Men opening title ever and only the fourth movie ever (circa May 2006) to exceed $100 million on opening weekend. In hindsight, The Last Stand also started three consecutive years of glorious Memorial Day openers, with Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull also delivering $100+ million bows in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Spider-Man 3

Spider-Man had become the first movie to open to $100+ million back in 2002. Why wouldn’t Spider-Man 3 (also opening the first weekend of May) set a new opening weekend record of its own? With a $151 million three-day bow, Spider-Man 3 was the first movie in history to exceed $150 million on its domestic opening weekend. Just six years earlier, no movie in history had cracked nine-digit figures over its opening weekend. Spider-Man 3 showed that the box office landscape was evolving at an exponential rate.

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight snatched Spider-Man 3’s domestic opening weekend crown just 14 months after that Sam Raimi movie debuted. Whereas Spider-Man 3 had a major dropoff after its gargantuan opening, The Dark Knight was unstoppable in its theatrical run. This film generated enough repeat business to eventually become the first non-James Cameron movie in history to clear $500+ million domestically. A barrier once thought to belong only to Titanic was now also the territory of Batman.

The Avengers

It’s odd how poetic the film industry can be sometimes. Ten years to the weekend that Spider-Man broke the $100+ million domestic opening weekend ceiling, The Avengers strolled into multiplexes to set another opening weekend record. This time, this Joss Whedon feature became the first movie in history to hit $200+ million in its domestic opening. Given that the previous Marvel Studios high in terms of opening weekend had been Iron Man 2’s $128 million debut, this Earth-shattering $206-million debut was astonishing to witness. As George Lucas might say, The Avengers opened to numbers that somewhat rhymed with Spider-Man’s domestic bow.

[RELATED: Is 2025 the Make-or-Break Year for Superhero Movies?]

Deadpool

Though it took eons for Deadpool to reach movie theaters, once it did, people came out in droves to see it. Deadpool’s $136-million domestic debut was an industry-redefining bow since it was the first time in history an R-rated movie exceeded $100+ million in its domestic opening weekend. Any perceptions that an R-rating would immediately obliterate a movie’s box office potential were erased thanks to Deadpool’s huge numbers.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice

A month after Deadpool’s arrival, a much darker take on superheroes, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, hit theaters to extraordinary numbers. The $166 million debut of this project outpaced the opening weekends of all but three Marvel Studios releases at the time. It was also the biggest March opening weekend in history as well as the largest domestic bow for a DC Comics adaptation. Dawn of Justice took down many records on opening weekend, though, like The Last Stand ten years later, it didn’t stick around in theaters long after its debut.

Avengers: Endgame

It’s truly extraordinary how much the Avengers franchise blew up between 2012 and 2019. In just seven years, this saga went from opening to $207 million to scoring a mind-boggling $357 million debut. Avengers: Endgame was the first motion picture in history to open over either $300 or $350 million in its domestic arrival. In a single North American weekend, it exceeded the lifetime domestic haul of Spider-Man 3. 17 years earlier, a $100+ million opening staggered the industry. Now Endgame had once again redefined the domestic opening weekend record to amazing results.

Spider-Man: No Way Home

2021 was a rocky year for the film industry. Theatrical exhibition was trying to get its sea legs back with COVID cases still surging and studios sending countless titles to streaming. Spider-Man: No Way Home capped off the year with some extreme hope, though. This production scored the biggest December opening weekend in history, beating out Star Wars: The Force Awakens for that honor. Seeing pre-COVID box office records shatter once again was an extremely hopeful sign for exhibitors. Once again, a Spider-Man movie’s record-breaking box office haul was a game-changer for the industry.

The post 9 Superhero Movies That Shattered Box Office Records appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The new DC Universe franchise kicks off this year with Superman, followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow next year, and appropriately, Warner Bros. just made its classic 1984 Supergirl movie available to stream on Max. Supergirl starring Helen Slater as Kara Zor-El was added to the Max catalog on January 1st and is there for subscribers now. Whether you’re a nostalgic long-time fan or a student of superhero history, now is the time to revisit this one.

Supergirl is a part of the continuity established by the 1978 Superman movie starring Christopher Reeve. It takes place after the events of Superman III and is the penultimate movie in this series before Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. Supergirl was a critical and commercial flop in its time, even earning two Golden Raspberry Award (Razzie) nominations. These days, DC fans are used to this kind of disappointment and may find something to like in this quirky movie.

These four Superman films and Supergirl were produced by Ilya Salkind, who persuaded his father and co-producer Alexander to purchase the film rights to Superman in 1974. There are many reports that the Salkinds had contentious relationships with other creatives on these projects — particularly director Richard Donner. Ilya wrote a treatment for Superman III that would have introduced Supergirl in a very convoluted manner, but his ideas were reined in by studio intervention.

[RELATED: The Only Three Superman Movies With a Fresh Rating on Rotten Tomatoes (But There Should Be More)]

Instead, Supergirl was introduced in her own film the following year. The movie was written by David Odell and directed by Jeannot Szwarc – neither of whom had worked on the previous three films. It finds Kara living in Argon City — a Kryptonian community that survived the planet’s destruction by transporting itself into an alternate dimension. When that city’s power source is accidentally launched toward Earth, Kara takes a ship to go after it. In the process, she becomes Supergirl, taking after her long-lost cousin.

Superman does not appear in this movie, though Marc McClure reprises his role as Jimmy Olsen. We also meet Lois Lane’s younger sister, Lucy, played by Maureen Teefy. Beyond that, connections to the Superman films are tenuous at best. The story is mostly about Kara’s battle with a witch named Selena (Faye Dunaway) for control of Argo’s power source and for the affection of a young man named Ethan (Hart Bochner). In the end, Kara returns to Argo, leaving her future involvement in the series questionable.

What Went Wrong With Supergirl?

The original plan was for Christopher Reeve to make a cameo appearance in this movie as Superman, but the actor bowed out of the project early on. Instead, we see a news broadcast explaining that Superman is currently off the planet on an unspecified “peace-seeking mission.” Meanwhile, Supergirl did not make an appearance in Superman IV, leaving this spinoff generally disconnected from the rest of the franchise.

Supergirl earned a total of $14.3 million at the global box office against a $35 million production budget. Critics tore into Dunaway’s performance as the villain Selena, as well as Peter O’Toole’s portrayal of the Argonian wizard Zaltar. At the time of this writing, the movie has a dismal 8% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 3.4 out of 10. The audience score is a little more generous at 26% fresh, and retrospective critics have been kinder to the movie in recent years, which has actually driven its average score up.

Revisiting Supergirl now could be a fun way for many fans to prepare for the DCU to take off this summer. Even if you’re not tempted to watch it on its own, a completionist must include it in a binge-watch — all four Superman movies starring Reeve are on Max as well, along with the belated sequel Superman Returns.

However you prepare, Superman hits theaters on July 11th, followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow on June 26, 2026.

The post Before Superman, You Can Stream DC’s OG Supergirl Movie appeared first on ComicBook.com.

One of Batman’s most iconic tools may just be the Batmobile. The vehicle is pretty much the vigilante’s Swiss army knife of equipment, serving as everything from transportation to protection to weaponry and beyond and has seen many iterations over the decades. Most recently, DC’s Absolute Batman #2 debuted a brand-new version of the vehicle, on that is more insane than even The Dark Knight Trilogy’s Tumbler but now, the Scott Snyder-written book has done it again, introducing another new version of the Batmobile that makes the case that bigger isn’t always better.

Warning: spoilers for Absolute Batman #4 from Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, and Gabriel Hernandez Walta beyond this point.

Absolute Batman #4 gives readers a deeper look into the early moments of Bruce Wayne’s efforts as Batman, revealing some of his first forays into fighting Gotham’s crime — including something of a proto-Batman that not only used a gun but was much more theatrical, complete with face paint and a pair of fangs containing a paralytic that deployed when he bit a foe. But we also see Bruce’s efforts evolve and that leads us to the introduction of what may just be the tiniest ever Batmobile — just don’t let the size fool you because that thing is lethal.

[RELATED: DC Reveals the Tragic Origin & Meaning of Batman’s Wild New Absolute Costume]

While in pursuit of a tractor trailer truck full of weapons and drugs being brought into Gotham by the Maronis and Falcones, Batman uses a radio-controlled car that he’s tricked out to wreck a shipment and subsequently take down the henchmen driving the truck. The tiny Batmobile isn’t anything particularly special; the issue describes it as “a bottle jack. An RC Roadster loaded with a 4600KV, Some black paint. All under a grand,” but it packs a major punch. It also serves as a reminder that while Absolute Batman is an alternative version of the iconic hero with a different origin and vastly different resources, he’s still incredibly intelligent and able to come up with elaborate and effective tools to support his crime-fighting trade.

The tiny Batmobile also isn’t the only new and interesting gadget of sorts that we’re introduced to in Absolute Batman #4. The issue also reveals Bruce testing out a new tool, the Bat-Thumb. That device is a sort of grappling hook but isn’t one that you have to manually throw or fire out of a gun. Instead, it’s a device that’s worn strapped to his hand and wrist that activates with a bend of the hand. Once activated, the Bat-Thumb extends and curls to attach to whatever surface the user plans to anchor themselves to. The issue shows Bruce using it to climb in through a window and while the Bat-Thumb looks like a ridiculous device, it’s one that seems a lot more practical, giving Batman an on-demand device that presumably could have other uses as well.

Between the tiny Batmobile and the new Bat-Thumb, Absolute Batman is really giving readers not just new equipment to be excited about as part of the vigilante’s arsenal, but also serves to highlight that, at the core of this character in any iteration is his ingenuity — which means it will be interesting to see what this version of Batman comes up with next.

Absolute Batman #4 is on sale now.

The post Batman Just Got Another Wild New Version of the Batmobile (And It’s Lethal) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

One of the most thrilling athletic competitions of the year is right around the corner, and as if seeing Team Ruff and Team Fluff going head to head in Puppy Bowl XXI isn’t already enough reason to tune into the event, this year gives DC fans even more to be excited about. In honor of the upcoming Superman, which brings Superman’s beloved canine companion Krypto into the mix, fans can get an all-new look at the upcoming DC film when they tune in to the festivities. With filmmaker James Gunn drawing heavy inspiration from his own dog Ozu to develop Krypto’s on-screen performance, Gunn (and Ozu) will have a special message for fans during the event. Puppy Bowl XXI kicks off on Sunday, February 9th at 2 p.m. ET and will air across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max, and discovery+.

“Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl serves as an annual pop culture programming event that continues to expand in reach, awareness, and of course, puppies, every year,” Howard Lee, Chief Creative Officer of U.S. Networks and President of Discovery Networks, shared in a statement. “Win or lose, Puppy Bowl XXI will have the cutest players in the game on Sunday, February 9th and will inspire families across the country to adopt a new furry friend.”

The special look at Superman is described, “One incredible pup who displays ‘super’ abilities will be presented with the Krypto Super Play award. Audiences can catch a special sneak peek of Superman within Puppy Bowl before its theatrical release on July 11th. During the game, writer and director James Gunn will deliver a special message with his dog Ozu, who serves as the inspiration for the character Krypto in DC Studios’ Superman.”

Per press release, “The annual three-hour television event will feature 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states – and two countries – as they compete in the cutest competition of the year. With more puppies than ever before, Puppy Bowl XXI will highlight their inspiring journeys from birth to adoption, as well as the tremendous dedication of the rescues and shelters that help find animals their forever homes.”

“The game kicks off when Puppy Bowl referee Dan Schachner blows the whistle and the PEDIGREE Starting Lineup players take the field at PROGRESSIVE Stadium. Julep, the first-ever St. Bernard-mix, and Smoosh, the only Pekingese to compete in the games, will head up Team Fluff while Mr. Pickles, a Pug-Chihuahua from Dallas, and Tuani, a Chihuahua-German shepherd who traveled all the way from Nicaragua, will look to bring Team Ruff to victory. The two teams will go head to head on the gridiron in hopes of bringing home the Walmart ‘Lombarky’ trophy and see which puppy player has what it takes to be named the MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) and win the SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Underdog Award.

[RELATED – Why DC Studios Is About to Have a Big Year in 2025]

“Eleven inspiring special needs dogs, including Jolene, an American Pit bull terrier-mix competing in a wheelchair, and Sprinkle, a blind and hearing-impaired Australian shepherd-mix, will take the field, giving it their all and not letting their disabilities slow them down.

“Interspersed with extended puppy play, star matchups and behind-the-scenes moments are the SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. ‘Pup Close and Personal’ segments, sharing the backstories of some of the all-star athletes. Dan Smyers, from superstar country duo Dan + Shay, will bring a rescue puppy from Wags & Walks Nashville backstage at one of his concerts for some socialization and to boost their chances of being adopted. Additionally, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi and his girlfriend, Nani, will visit The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, where they’ll meet Parsnip, a rescue Pit bull-mix about to compete in the games. Derrick and Nani spend time helping train Parsnip and detailing the kind of home that will be a good fit for him.

“Fan-favorite returning elements include the Adoptables segments featuring puppies — and a few kittens — that will be available for adoption during the game, sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks providing play-by-play commentary, the Wisdom Panel pet DNA test results to help provide insights into each player’s breed mix and other unique traits, the Kitty Halftime Show presented by ARM & HAMMER Hardball and much more.

“Before the big game, the brand-new Puppy Bowl XXI Kickoff will air at 1 p.m. ET on Animal Planet. Ten puppy prospects from across the country will engage in practice drills and show off their moves in the first-ever Puppy Combine. Each pup will compete to be selected as the top pick in the Puppy Bowl Draft and join the Team Ruff and Team Fluff rosters. The show will also check in with BISSELL and the BISSELL Pet Foundation to see how they are continuing to make an impact with their lifesaving efforts and as they prepare to send Trixie from their partner shelter, Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, to compete in Puppy Bowl XXI.”

Puppy Bowl XXI kicks off on Sunday, February 9th at 2 p.m. ET and will air across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max, and discovery+.

Will you be tuning into the event? Contact Patrick Cavanaugh directly on Twitter or on Instagram to talk all things Star Wars and horror!

The post Superman Sneak Peek Coming to Puppy Bowl XXI (Along With Lots of Puppies) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

In just the third episode of Creature Commandos‘ first season, the series bid farewell to what was easily its most beloved character at the time. G.I Robot immediately won fans over with his straight-forward, Nazi hating attitude, and many were devastated when he was blown to smithereens in just the third episode of the show. The best character in Creature Commandos was wiped off the board less than halfway into its first season. Fortunately, robots can be made whole again.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for the Creature Commandos Season 1 finale! Continue reading at your own risk…

G.I. Robot hadn’t been seen in any capacity since his “death” at the end of the third episode. That changed in the very last scene of Creature Commandos Season 1. G.I. Robot is back in action and appears to be better than ever.

At the end of Creature Commandos Season 1, Waller puts the Bride in charge of the team moving forward, and introduces her to a handful of new members. In addition to Weasel, Doctor Phosphorus, King Shark, and a couple of new monsters that weren’t officially introduced, the Bride was met by a full revamped G.I. Robot. The character is now much bigger, towering over everyone else, complete with an enormous chest plate and broad shoulders. He honestly looks more like the Iron Giant than the version of G.I. Robot from earlier in the season.

Addressing the Bride, G.I. Robot makes it clear that he’s still the same guy on the inside, so it’s not a situation where the same parts were used for this new edition but his memories were reset. This is the G.I. Robot we know and love, just with a powerful new exterior.

The biggest takeaway here is that the fan-favorite character will be back in action for the second season of Creature Commandos, which was already given the green light by Max and DC Studios. So we know that we’ll get to see G.I. Robot get back to his Nazi-killing ways.

[RELATED: Creature Commandos Set Up the Bride As Cornerstone of the DCU]

If anything, it seems like he will be a more proficient slayer of bad guys this next time around, given his physical upgrades. We don’t know yet what sort of new weapons or abilities he has packed into that enormous shell, but the change in size alone has to make a massive difference.

Fans will also be holding out hope for a live-action version of G.I. Robot at some point in the near future, but nothing has been announced just yet. The best chance for such a thing will likely exist in the upcoming Sgt. Rock movie, which is being directed by Luca Guadagnino and will star Daniel Craig. Sgt. Rock was a close ally to G.I. Robot during World War II, as we saw in flashbacks earlier in Creature Commandos Season 1.

All seven episodes of Creature Commandos‘ first season are now streaming on Max.

The post Beloved Creature Commandos Character Returns to the Team Just in Time for Season 2 (And With a Brand New Look) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Two years ago, DC Studios co-chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran announced the first chapter of their new DC Universe: Gods and Monsters. And on Thursday, the first season finale of Max’s animated Creature Commandos — the inaugural project in the relaunched DCU, which officially takes flight this summer with Gunn’s Superman movie — capped off a season that featured both gods and monsters.

Amanda Waller’s (Viola Davis) Task Force M — incarcerated monsters the Bride (Indira Varma), Nina Mazursky (Zoë Chao), Weasel (Sean Gunn), and Dr. Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk), led by the human Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) — initially assembled against witch-goddess Circe (Anya Chalotra), only for the real monster to be dealt with in the final moments of “A Very Funny Monster” season finale.

RELATED: Where to Watch Static Shock, Teen Titans, and More DC Shows Removed From Streaming in January 2025

If you’re looking for more movies and TV shows like Creature Commandos to fill the wait for the already-greenlit season 2, here are some recommendations:

The Suicide Squad

The first DC film from Guardians of the Galaxy writer-director James Gunn (who describes The Suicide Squad as “a war-caper movie with s—ty supervillains”), the R-rated redo of 2016’s Suicide Squad assembles another expendable squad consisting of Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Bloodsport (Idris Elba), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone), Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchoir), and Peacemaker (John Cena), with a reluctant Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) as field leader. As graphically violent as it is funny and heartfelt, Gunn’s Suicide Squad is, essentially, a live-action Creature Commandos, and it features Weasel (Sean Gunn) to boot.

Where to watch: stream on Max

Peacemaker

From the brains behind The Suicide Squad comes Peacemaker, the Gunn-created spinoff series following Cena’s Christopher Smith after his near-fatal mission to Corto Maltese. In the Max series, Peacemaker is recruited into Amanda Waller’s Project Butterfly, and joins a motley crew — Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks), Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), the unhinged Vigilante (Freddie Stroma), John Economos (Steve Agee), and Clemson Murn (Chukwudi Iwuji) — on a mission to save the world from body-snatching alien invaders.

Where to watch: stream on Max

Harley Quinn

The irreverent adult animated comedy from Creature Commandos showrunner Dean Lorey has maniacs, mayhem, and monsters (including the Tudyk-voiced fan-favorite Clayface). If you want more gore and more DC villains — besides the titular Harley (Kaley Cuoco), the series features Batman rogues like Poison Ivy (Lake Bell), the Joker (Tudyk), and Bane (James Adomian), as well as the likes of King Shark (Ron Funches) and the Dark Knight himself (Diedrich Bader) — there are four seasons to enjoy before Harley Quinn season 5 is up to bat on Jan. 16.

Where to watch: stream on Max

Doom Patrol

“What the f— is the Doom Patrol?” asks Jane (Diane Guerrero) of this offbeat crew of misfits who are part support group, part superhero team. There’s Robotman (Brendan Fraser and and Riley Shanahan), Negative Man (Matt Bomer and Matthew Zuk), Elasti-Woman (April Bowlby), and Cyborg (Joivan Wade), who joins the residents of Doom Manor in their battles against Mr. Nobody (Alan Tudyk).

Where to watch: stream on Max

Justice League: Gods and Monsters

The DCU chapter 1, Gods and Monsters, shares its name with 2015’s animated Justice League: Gods and Monsters. The DC Universe Animated Original Movie is directed by Sam Liu (who directed Creature Commandos episodes 2, 4, and 6) and puts a twist on the heroes of the Justice League.

Produced by visionary producer and animator Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series), the movie is set in a dark alternate world where Superman (voiced by Law & Order‘s Benjamin Bratt) is Hernan Guerra, the son of General Zod; Batman (Dexter‘s Michael C. Hall) is Kirk Langstrom, a.k.a. the vampiric Man-Bat; and Wonder Woman (Bones’ Tamara Taylor) is Bekka, from the warring nation of Ares rather than Themyscira.

Where to watch: rent or buy on Apple TV+

All episodes of Creature Commandos — written and executive produced by James Gunn, and featuring the voices of Indira Varma, Frank Grillo, Zoë Chao, Sean Gunn, Alan Tudyk, David Harbour, Steve Agee, Maria Bakalova, Anya Chalotra, and Viola Davis — are now streaming on Max. Producers DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation have announced a second season is now in development.

The post If You Liked Creature Commandos, Watch These DC Shows and Movies Next appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The first season of Creature Commandos concluded this week, with the season finale of the first official project in James Gunn’s DCU not only packing some major emotional punch but also positioning one character to be a major player going forward. With Season 2 of the animated series already having been confirmed by Max, going into this week’s episode, fans were already wondering exactly what would be next for the team and it turns out the answer includes the return of a major fan-favorite from the old DCEU.

Warning: spoilers for the Season 1 finale of Creature Commandos beyond this point. Read on only if you want to know.

In the season finale, The Bride (voiced by Indira Varma) kills Princess Ilana (voiced by Maria Bakalova,) not only preventing World War III but getting justice for her friend Nina Mazursky, after the Princess killed her. For preventing World War III, The Bride is rewarded with leadership of Task Force M. With only herself, Weasel, and Dr. Phosphorus having survived, The Bride is going to need a new team and a new team is what she gets. We see an upgraded new G.I. Robot — seems he survived after all — as well as some new faces. There’s the revived mummy Khalis and the vampire Nosferata, both of which who have been Creature Commandos in the comics. However, the biggest surprise is another addition: King Shark.

[RELATED: Creature Commandos Just Set Up the Bride to Be a Cornerstone of the DCU]

As fans may recall, King Shark not only does King Shark appear in the animated Harley Quinn where h’s voiced by Ron Funches, but the character also appeared in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad where he’s voiced by Sylvester Stallone. It’s worth noting that for the beloved character’s Creature Commandos appearance, King Shark is voiced by DC veteran Diedrich Bader, but even with the casting swap it seems pretty clear that this is the same King Shark from The Suicide Squad.

What Does A New Team Mean for Creature Commandos Season 2?

There are a couple of things that the new team reveal means or the future of Creature Commandos. The first lies with the revelation of King Shark. Even from its first episode, Creature Commandos had some connection to Gunn’s The Suicide Squad and thus, the DCEU. The introduction of King Shark even with him being voiced by a different actor only strengthens those connections and suggests that we could see more in the future.

Going beyond that, however, the establishment of a new team signals that Season 2 will likely see a new mission and the post-credits scene suggests that we will have a new antagonist with Eric Frankenstein (voiced by David Harbour). The scene confirmed that Eric is alive after being shot by The Bride and, more than that, is more convinced than ever of her love — which is really just delusion on his part. And given that the first “chapter” of Gunn’s DCU is “Gods and Monsters” having Eric — as well as the Creature Commandos — be a major part of that simply makes sense.

Creature Commandos is now streaming on Max.

The post Creature Commandos Finale Sets Up a New Squad for Season 2 (Including a Major Fan-Favorite) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

DC vs. Vampires: World War V, by Matt Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt, continues the story of a world smashed by a vampire plague. There are shades of DCeased here, but DC vs. Vampires has always been able to hold its own because of Rosenberg and Schmidt’s vision, something that becomes apparent in the latest issue. World War V has seen the uneasy truce between humans and the ascendant vampires, end. Each side is looking for the child of Mister Miracle and Big Barda and issue six sees the results of that search, which spells doom for Aquaman when the real threat behind the little girl shows up.

Aquaman Makes a Terrible Mistake

The issue kicks off with the heroes and the vampires getting to Mister Miracle’s family at about the same time. Vampire-Aquaman has already taken Scott Free and his daughter, while the heroes have found Big Barda. Aquaman, sent by Grodd to retrieve the child alive, decides instead to drown her and Mister Miracle. Jayna, the only remaining Wonder Twin, tries to stop him, but Mera shows up and uses her hydrokinesis to stop Jayna’s water construct, allowing Aquaman to drown Mister Miracle and the little girl.

The heroes go home, with Green Arrow and Lois Lane arguing over his recent attack on Gotham City and the breaking of the truce with the vampires, with the vampire Damian Wayne revealing that Alfred may have survived the Gotham attack. A mysterious stranger asks about Scott Free’s daughter and learns that she’s dead, just as the vampire army, led by Queen Gordon, Grodd, and Aquaman, march on the human stronghold. The stranger is revealed to be Metron (the first indication of what’s coming), and the vampire army arrives to break up the humans’ pow-wow. The two sides face off, with Supergirl trying at first to get the vampires to respect the truce despite both sides’ actions, and then drawing a line in the snow, leading to a massive battle.

Related: DC Reveals New Look at DC vs. Vampires Sequel

The human forces are outnumbered and Aquaman asks Queen Gordon if she wants him to send in the rest of the army. She says she likes to see them fight while they still have hope when a familiar villain shows up: the God of Evil known as Darkseid. He reveals that he sent Granny Goodness, whom none of the vampires recognized, to get the vampires to retrieve the daughter of Barda and Scott Free because Darkseid wanted his granddaughter by his side.

Aquaman sasses Darkseid, telling him that the vampires don’t care about his commands and that he should leave now so they can destroy the humans. The underwater monarch then reveals that he killed the young girl, robbing Darkseid of his prize. Darkseid takes that as well as expected, grabs Aquaman, and crushes him, with the Atlantean vampire dying in an explosion of blood, bone, and viscera. Darkseid then commands his Boom Tubes to open, sending in legions of Parademons to destroy both sides.

Darkseid’s Arrival Completely Changes the Conflict of DC vs. Vampires

DC vs Vampires has stayed pretty Earthbound, but it was only a matter of time before Darkseid got involved in the whole conflict. The loss of his granddaughter has caused him to decide that the Earth is surplus, which completely changes World War V‘s story. Darkseid has a nearly inexhaustible supply of Parademons to throw at both sides of the war, and doesn’t care about the survival of the humans or the vampires. There’s really only one way for both sides to survive – to team up against the God of Evil and his forces – and even that’s not going to guarantee Earth will weather this conflict.

The death of Aquaman is something of a shock. The vampire Atlantean definitely deserves Darkseid’s judgment – he drowned a little girl – but DC’s pushing Aquaman pretty hard elsewhere, so seeing him die in such an anti-climactic manner feels weird. However, it’s quite satisfying as far as it goes and definitely hurts the vampire forces. Aquaman was one of their leaders and losing him is going to weaken them in the conflict to come.

This series is about to completely change and that’s a good thing. These types of stories often come down to the much-reduced humans somehow triumphing over the more numerous and powerful monsters, but injecting the forces of Apokolips into things sets World War V apart from stories like DCeased. It’ll be interesting to see how Rosenberg and Schmidt develop this new facet of the conflict.

DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 is on sale now.

The post DC’s Aquaman Just Suffered an Extremely Gruesome Death appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The first season of Creature Commandos has come to an end, which means fans are already looking ahead to the future of the newly formed DCU. One of the most exciting things about this franchise is that James Gunn revealed very early on that actors will retain their roles through different mediums. The actors behind animated characters will appear as those same characters in live-action projects, should their characters appear in said films or shows.

So what does all that mean for the Creature Commandos? This Max animated series launched the DCU and fans have already fallen in love with many of the oddball characters. There’s a genuine desire to see many of these characters in live-action DC films or shows at some point. What we don’t know, however, is how many of them have futures in the franchise outside of Creature Commandos.

Fortunately, a couple of these questions have already been answered for us. At least one of the Commandos will be appearing in not just one, but two different live-action projects in 2025.

Rick Flag Sr.

This is the Creature Commandos character we have the most certainty about when it comes to their DCU future. Frank Grillo was tapped to play Rick Flag Sr. in the DCU, and he’s set to appear in the franchise’s first three projects.

After debuting in Creature Commandos, Grillo will reprise the role of the elder Rick Flag in the second season of Peacemaker, as well as in Gunn’s Superman movie, which hits theaters next summer.

The Leftovers (Waller, Economos, Weasel)

Viola Davis, Steve Agee, and Sean Gunn all made the jump from the old DC regime to the new, as did many of the characters from Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad. All that to say, we’ve already seen this trio in live-action.

Weasel’s next appearance may not be until Creature Commandos Season 2, but we do know that at least Economos will be featured in the second season of Peacemaker (and that a Waller appearance in likely). Waller is set for a standalone spinoff series down the line.

G.I. Robot

Of the Creature Commandos characters that haven’t yet been announced for anything beyond the series, a live-action role for G.I. Robot feels the most likely, at least for the foreseeable future. We have Daniel Craig and Luca Guadagnino to thank for that.

Sgt. Rock was an ally of G.I. Robot in WWII. In fact, the character is featured in the third episode of Creature Commandos as a part of the G.I. Robot flashbacks. He was voiced in the episode by Maury Sterling.

News broke late last year that Guadagnino would be directing a live-action Sgt. Rock movie, and that Craig would be starring as the titular character. When Sterling recorded his work on Creature Commandos, the Sgt. Rock movie wasn’t yet happening.

The Bride and Frankenstein

These are the two characters from Creature Commandos that fans most want to see in a live-action format, especially given the actors already attached to the characters. Game of Thrones alum Indira Varma voices The Bride, while Frankenstein is voiced by Stranger Things and Thunderbolts* star David Harbour.

Both characters are perfectly cast and they really caught on with fans over the course of Creature Commandos Season 1. Unfortunately, neither one of them has been announced for any live-action projects just yet.

Peacemaker Season 2 remains a possibility for either or both of them, given the involvement of Rick Flag Sr. and the rest of the Belle Reeve personnel. There’s also the potential for at least Frankenstein to show up in Mike Flanagan’s Clayface movie. which is on the calendar for 2026. Frankenstein and Clayface had some run-ins during Creature Commandos that could lead to some additional story in that film.

For now, though, there’s nothing official for the fan-favorite monsters.

The post Which Creature Commandos Characters Will We See in the Live-Action DCU? appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Batman is one of the most iconic superheroes, though that’s hardly news to anyone. The thing is, in the past few years, especially with new generations, people are getting to know a version that, even for the younger ones, shows that the hero has always been dark. But I have to say, it’s not exactly like that. The idea that Bruce Wayne carries the memory of his parents’ murder and decides to use his pain as motivation to fight crime, creates a fine line between him becoming a hero or a dogmatic villain. Since it’s totally out of place to put him in an antagonistic role, Batman’s image ended up being built with a lot of darkness to justify it. A more violent personality was even added to Zack Snyder’s version, played by Ben Affleck.

I wonder why Hollywood focuses so much on this depiction fo Batman, which honestly doesn’t fit the original essence of the character. A big part of it comes from the influence of Frank Miller’s comic The Dark Knight Returns, which gained recognition for creating a more complex and mature version of the character in the 1980s. At a time when superheroes, especially those from DC Comics, were seen as pretty traditional and lacking depth, TDKR definitely had an impact on both fans and other creators. Unlike Superman or Wonder Woman, Bruce was the perfect character for this new, recurring approach. Still, I’m really tired of seeing him in this dark aesthetic onscreen, which has been around since 2005 – or even 1989, if you count the first Tim Burton film. It’s time for a change.

The Dark & Gritty Tone of Batman Needs to Stop

A fact about Batman is that he is one of the most malleable characters in the superhero universe. This is because he’s multifaceted, which allows him to be interpreted in many ways, from a dark vigilante to a more conventional superhero, to a brooding Noir detective. Putting him in a box is the wrong thing to do, especially since people want to see different versions of the character. How many times have we seen heroes remade and adapted in different ways? James Gunn’s Superman, for instance, is one of the most eagerly awaited versions by fans, simply because the approach is different from what we’ve been used to seeing at the movies for a long time. So, what makes Batman have such rigid standards of characterization?

I realize that since Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, there’s been this belief that superhero films need to be mature and realistic, or else they might get criticized. This mindset started in the 1970s when it was thought that comics needed to be revamped to be more credible on a literary scale. When that thought process was brought into the audiovisual world alongside new generations, it continued in the same vein. However, we must remember that Bruce Wayne is still a man of kindness and compassion, and that doesn’t mean he’s fragile.

[RELATED: The 5 Best Batman Action Scenes (Christopher Nolan Only Has One)]

I confess that sometimes I wonder if they think that taking away the darker aesthetics and vibe of Batman might make him seem less powerful. If this has ever crossed the minds of great screenwriters and directors, the answer should be a resounding “no.” Did they think a lighter take on Batman would bring in fewer viewers? I have no doubts. But I must say, this reluctance to embrace a less serious, more humane, and hopeful Batman feels more like ignoring fan feedback – a stubborn insistence that the hero is locked into a dark persona with no way out.

For a while, even seeing Batman in Snyder’s DCEU was interesting, even if it was a far cry from what the hero truly represents; after all, unrestrained violence has nothing to do with Batman. Wayne isn’t someone who goes to great lengths to seek justice by losing his humanity and becoming insensitive, selfish, or irrational. You could argue that experiencing this more adult approach to Batman was (somehow) worthwhile; however, what genre audiences have always wanted is fidelity to the original source material. Sure, Batman’s gritty tone became canon with Miller’s 1980s creation, but how many times have we seen this version in films, and how many times has he been portrayed with a lighter personality in comics, especially lately?

In cinema, the 1966 Batman series and movie, along with 1997’s Batman and Robin, showed us a more funny and over-the-top Batman. After that, we got more of this in animated shows like Batman: The Brave and the Bold. We also saw a nice balance in Batman: The Animated Series and The LEGO Batman Movie, but due to the industry’s focus, these versions don’t get the same recognition as live-action productions. The real problem is that Hollywood doesn’t understand that fans want a movie Batman based on lighter versions of the character and done creatively – an experience we only get from the DCAU at the moment

Batman Movies Need to Follow the Classic Version

When it comes to Batman now, there’s still a Matt Reeves sequel that’s likely to become a trilogy with a Bruce Wayne who’s not only serious and dark but even more introspective and depressed. Was the idea to reflect modern times? If so, I’m sorry to say that choosing this path was also the wrong thing to do. At least, the new DCU looks promising in this sense, since Gunn has managed to see what fans are yearning for and is guaranteeing a universe that’s more focused on the origins of superheroes. The live-action of The Brave and the Bold has been postponed, but even so, knowing that it could show the hero the way he should be again, makes me feel much more relieved.

It’s pretty much guaranteed that we’ll see a more fun vibe with less focus on Batman’s darker issues. He can and should be portrayed in a way that’s more faithful to his essence, including even more fantastical and humorous moments, which is a declared wish of many in the fandom. This will never make him lose his depth. The fact that he’s an independent figure fighting crime on his own, not fully submitting to the law or the system, still holds. What changes is the weight of the reflection on his actions.

In short, it’s all about trusting that a change in approach will work. I often say that what the genre studios lack is the ability to listen to and understand the audience, who just want a character that’s less superficial and more interesting. The idea that Batman is the “light” in a dark world, even while carrying his own demons, is a powerful way of showing that he doesn’t need to be all dark and gritty to be effective and inspiring.

Batman movies are streaming on Max.

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While Creature Commandos did an excellent job giving the entire main cast their opportunity to shine, The Bride (voiced by Indira Varma) has been the series’ main character from the start. That’s why the first flashback episode explores The Bride’s origins, the Pokolistan setting connects directly to her story, and her nemesis, Eric Frankenstein (voiced by David Harbour), serves as one of the first season’s main antagonists. The season finale of Creature Commandos further cements The Bride’s importance by establishing her as a cornerstone character for the entire DCU.

After The Bride kills Princess Ilana (voiced by Maria Bakalova) and prevents World War III, she’s rewarded with leadership of Task Force M. This marks a fitting conclusion for The Bride, as the first season helped her forge meaningful connections following a century of being on the run. The Bride not only learns how to work as part of a team but also steps up to lead other monsters, which feels like a natural conclusion to her character arc and gives fans satisfying closure. However, The Bride’s new position of power in Belle Reve also has significant implications for the DCU as a whole.

The Bride Is Now the Bridge to the DCU’s Prison System

The prison system has always played a vital role in the DC universe. However, it takes on even greater significance in the DCU, thanks to James Gunn’s interest in themes of justice, punishment, rehabilitation – and, above all else, the necessity of vigilantism in a world filled with supernatural threats. That’s at the core of The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, which have both been made canon by Creature Commandos. 

So far, Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) has been the recurring character who ties all these different projects together. However, since she functions as a brutal villain with whom audiences can’t sympathize, it benefits the DCU to use another character as the reference point for the prison system.

With The Bride’s promotion at the end of Creature Commandos, audiences now have someone to cheer for when different projects explore the fate of supervillains in Belle Reve. Waller can maintain her recurring appearances as a looming threat willing to crush anyone who opposes U.S. interests. Meanwhile, The Bride can serve as a likable antihero who champions the monsters’ best interests, perhaps even standing in opposition to Waller at times.

Monsters Are a Big Part of the DCU

While The Bride ultimately saves the world from the future threat of Ilana and Grodd, it’s revenge that drives her to kill the princess. As The Bride puts it, Nina (voiced by Zoë Chao) was the best of Task Force M’s members and didn’t deserve to have her life ended as part of Ilana’s schemes. The Bride isn’t motivated by love for humanity – on the contrary; She doesn’t value human lives and believes the world mistreats those who are different from the average person as “monsters.”

The unfair treatment of monsters is a recurring theme in Creature Commandos, from Nina’s unjust incarceration to Weasel (voiced by Sean Gunn) being falsely branded a child-killer. It’s clear that Waller has been using Belle Reve to maintain her various suicide squads, willing to forge sentences to keep powerful creatures under her control. For Waller, the ends justify the means, and monsters are merely expendable resources to be used for protecting humans (at least American humans.) These actions have reinforced the “us vs. them” mentality now embedded in The Bride’s resurrected brain.

[RELATED: Creature Commandos Is Setting Up Frankenstein as DC’s Biggest Monster (and Not Just Physically)]

While Waller’s decision to put The Bride in charge of Belle Reve’s inhuman inmates makes strategic sense, it could ultimately backfire. If The Bride grows frustrated with the systemic mistreatment of her colleagues, she’ll have both the resources and moral influence to challenge Waller. It’s worth noting that the first chapter of Gunn’s ambitious DCU storyline is called “Gods and Monsters,” so as the de facto leader of said monsters, The Bride’s influence will likely extend beyond the animated boundaries of Creature Commandos.

Finally, The Bride’s centuries-old existence creates opportunities for connections with other DCU monsters across various projects. The season finale demonstrates this when The Bride alone recognizes Clayface (voiced by Alan Tudyk) on the castle’s security footage. Not even Waller knew of Clayface – Economos (Steve Agee) has to explain the villain’s shapeshifting abilities to her. This raises intriguing questions about when and how The Bride encountered Clayface. With Clayface set to receive his own DCU movie in 2026, The Bride (and actress Indira Varma) could be poised for a live-action debut, solidifying her role as the link to the monstrous corner of the DCU.

All episodes of Creature Commandos are currently available on MAX.

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When you buy through our links, Comicbook may earn an affiliate commission. McFarlane Toys / DC Direct’s Batman cowl replicas have been a big hit in both 1:1 scale and 1:3 scale variants, and we have no doubt that the next drop will continue that trend. A full-size replica of the cowl worn by Christian Bale in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 film The Dark Knight is set to launch on January 9th, and everything you’ll need to get your hands on one can be found right here. UPDATE: Pre-orders for the cowl are live here on Amazon priced at $99.99 with a release date set for July. Like with the ’89 Batman cowl, specialty retailers like Entertainment Earth are selling it at $149.99 or higher for some reason.

ORIGINAL: Look for the 1:1 scale The Dark Knight Batman cowl to arrive on January 9th at 9am PT / 12pm ET here at Entertainment Earth and here on Amazon. The release follows full-scale cowl replicas inspired by Michael Keaton in the 1989 Batman film and Adam West in the 1966 tv series. Both of those cowls were priced at $99.99, so we would expect The Dark Knight version to follow suit. You can take a closer look at the cowl design below.

James Gunn Teases The DCU Batman

Batman recently made a cameo appearance in DC Studios’ animated Creature Commandos on Max, which marks the first appearance of the character in James Gunn’s DCU. He had the following to say about the reveal:

“[Batman] already exists in this universe, just like when we come to the Superman movie and we see Superman already exists and is already known by the people of Metropolis,” Gunn, who wrote all seven episodes of Creature Commandos, told Rotten Tomatoes. “We don’t need to hear the origin story again.”

“When they first gave [the episode] to me, we saw a lot more Batman,” Gunn added of the caped crusader’s shadowy cameo appearance. “I would say, ‘I’m not ready to commit to that, I’m not ready to commit to that, I’m not ready to commit to that.’ So I was like, ‘More silhouette!’ It’s a great way to show that Batman does exist.”

“This is the DCU Batman… listen, I gotta tell you, I just love Batman, I love him!” Gunn continued. “I’ve loved him since I was a little kid. He’s one of my favorite characters, I have gone on the record in the past when I was at Marvel saying, ‘My favorite character is Batman, I love him.’ We’re going to do great things with him, he’s the most popular superhero in the world and I can’t wait for people to see more of him, along with Superman and together.”

Unfortunately, director Andy Muschietti (IT, The Flash) revealed that DC Studios has hit “pause” on its development of the Batman film The Brave and the Bold, so it looks like we will have to wait a bit longer for Batman to return in live-action.

The post McFarlane Batman: The Dark Knight Cowl 1:1 Replica Is On Sale Now appeared first on ComicBook.com.

If you were worried there wouldn’t be real stakes in the new DC Universe, you can put those fears to rest. With big franchises and comic book fare, there is a notion that certain characters will always be safe, or that these stories tend to shy away from killing characters off. Gunn showed in The Suicide Squad that this type of storytelling wasn’t his style. Now that he’s in charge of the new DCU, he’s bringing those ideals along with him.

Creature Commandos, the Gunn-created animated series that launched the DCU, saw its first season come to an end on Thursday. By the end of the season finale, it was made very clear that nobody in this franchise is safe, and that story will always be put first in the DCU, even if it comes at the cost of a fan-favorite protagonist.

WARNING: Spoilers below for Creature Commandos

The final moments of Creature Commandos Season 1 saw Nina Mazursky die at the ends of Princess Ilana. While Nina isn’t exactly a franchise icon (like Batman or Wonder Woman), she was very clearly the beating heart of Creature Commandos. In fact, the creative team behind Creature Commandos treated her as such.

In an exclusive interview with ComicBook ahead of the series premiere, showrunner Dean Lorey told us that Nina was not only the heart of Creature Commandos, but also the point of view for the fans.

“But what’s nice about it is when you take away part of the trappings of the characters there’s a real clean drive and direction for each of the characters. Like Nina is really the heart of the show. She’s the sweetest of the characters,” Lorey explained.

“She is, I think, the point of view character for the audience. And then we get into her backstory and you’ll see she’s really gone through a lot.”

[RELATED: After Creature Commandos and The Penguin, DC Is Coming for Marvel’s Crown]

Throughout the season, Nina was built up to be the moral compass of the Commandos, the person needed to keep the team moving in the general direction of what’s right. She was also crafted to be the key character of the whole team, essentially acting as the glue holding everyone together. And that’s what makes her death so fascinating from a story perspective.

Yes, seeing Nina die creates a truly gut-wrenching moment to cap off an incredible season of television, but it also acts as a massive launching pad for Season 2. The good person of the group is gone. The member of the team that arguably learned the most from Nina — The Bride — is now in charge of the Commandos moving forward. By losing Nina, and learning from her heart, the Bride is in a place where she will be questioning her own decision-making and empathy. It completely changes her dynamic moving forward.

Losing Nina is absolutely brutal, both for the viewers and the other characters on the show. But that loss opens Creature Commandos up for many possibilities moving forward. And that’s the whole point of this headline’s article.

Nina being a beloved and wonderful character wasn’t more important than the story itself. If she’s able to be taken off the board after just one season of Creature Commandos, it’s clear that the characters of the DCU aren’t safe, no matter how important you may think they are.

That’s great news for this budding franchise.

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There’s a lot Creature Commandos does to set up the future of the DCU, from teasing big baddies to showing fans the next iteration of Task Force M. However, one of the most significant pieces of the puzzle comes with the season finale’s post-credits scene. At first glance, Creature Commandos’ post-credits scene seems to be a casual confirmation that Eric Frankenstein (voiced by David Harbour) is alive after his bloody encounter with The Bride (voice by Indira Varma). Yet, these few extra seconds tell us a lot of what we can expect from Season 2 of the show and the DCU in general.

First of all, in the post-credits scene, Eric is having supper with the elderly lady (voiced by Maria Bakalova) who warned him of The Bride’s appearance in Pokolistan. The dinner mimics Eric’s relationship with Bogdana (voiced by Irina Maleeva), the blind woman who took him in after he was set on fire by The Bride. As Episode 5 tells us, Eric murders Bogdana in cold blood as a warped act of kindness – but in the post-credits scene, he is breaking bread with another motherly figure, which hammers down how villainous Eric truly is. He doesn’t care about this unnamed old lady, just as he doesn’t care about Bogdana. He only wants someone to take the role of a mother so he can feel better about himself.

That takes us to Eric’s relationship with The Bride. In the post-credits scene, Eric is still deeply delusional about The Bride, convinced that her shooting him multiple times comes from a place of genuine love. Inside Eric’s selfish and childish mind, there’s just no way The Bride could ever refuse his romantic devotion. Like Bogdana and the new elderly lady, The Bride is not a person for Eric Frankenstein, but an object that refuses to stay put where it should.

[RELATED: Creature Commandos Confirms One of the Weirdest Batman Characters Exists in the DCU]

Since Creature Commandos was renewed for Season 2, we can expect Eric to return as an antagonist – maybe in an expanded role. Furthermore, since Eric was shown to have a lot of money, power, and god-like regenerative powers, he could easily become a significant threat in an upcoming DCU project outside of Creature Commandos.

Creature Commandos Post-Credits Scene Teases How Powerful The Bride Truly Is

Eric’s miraculous recovery in the post-credits scene also teases how powerful The Bride truly is. In its first few episodes, Creature Commandos established how Eric Frankenstein and The Bride are powerhouses with superhuman strength, increased longevity, fast healing, and impressive resistance. Nevertheless, the final episode has The Bride shooting multiple bullet holes through Eric’s torso, most likely perforating his heart. Still, he’s back on his feet for the post-credits scene. That means Eric, and consequently The Bride, might be near-immortal beings of the DCU, capable of regenerating any wounds due to their supernatural origin.

This power upgrade for Eric and The Bride immediately makes them critical for the DCU, as they can stand alongside big-league powers (no pun), and show-up at various points in DCU history. Creature Commandos’ Season Finale has now established The Bride as a cornerstone of the DCU, serving as the new leader of ‘Task Force M.’ Given that the franchise’s first story arc is called “Gods and Monsters,” it shouldn’t take long for the events of Creature Commandos to ripple through the larger DCU.

All episodes of Creature Commandos are now available for streaming on MAX.

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Batman is possibly the most popular superhero ever. One of the most formidable superheroes, The Dark Knight has a reputation not only as being The World’s Greatest Detective, but when it comes to more formidable foes, that with prep time, he can defeat pretty much anyone. Over the years, he has taken down plenty of extremely skilled and powerful villains leaving little doubt Batman is the best of the best, and often times it’s hard to imagine him beaten.

But Batman isn’t infallible. Over the years, several DC villains have been able to take down Gotham’s greatest hero, trouncing Batman in variety of ways. These are 7 DC villains that have earned some rather epic wins over the Dark Knight, showing that he isn’t invincible, no matter how formidable he is.

The Joker

The Joker is one of Batman’s most well-known villains, and is the among most popular supervillains ever. The Joker and the Batman’s war has taken both of them to some rather dark places, with Batman constantly having to hold himself back from killing the Clown Prince of Crime. While Batman almost always triumphs over the Joker, there have been some times when the Joker has been able to defeat his archfoe, one of the most notable times coming in the 2014 story known as Batman: Endgame.

Written by Scott Snyder, in Endgame, Joker was able to use Joker toxin to get the Justice League to attack Batman and constantly nipped at the Dark Knight’s heels. Eventually, he was able to get into the Batcave and the two foes had an epic battle. They tore each to pieces, and technically this battle was a draw. However, both of them ended up dead afterwards – resurrected by a Lazarus Pit-like liquid that ran under the Batcave – so this counts as one of Joker’s most brutal victories over Batman.

The Riddler

The Riddler and Batman have clashed for years and while The Riddler isn’t a physical threat to Batman – although recent years have seen creators make him much more physically imposing – his genius has been enough to challenge Batman. The Riddler is constantly trying to outsmart Batman and has been able to do it several times. The Riddler’s biggest victory over Batman isn’t one where he beat the Dark Knight physically, but one where he was able to move Batman around like a chess piece.

The Riddler was the mastermind of the classic Batman story Hush. Written by Jeph Loeb, in Hush The Riddler met Tommy Elliott and used his connections with Gotham’s villain community to help Hush in his attacks on Bruce Wayne. The Riddler learned Batman’s secret identity and was able to keep him guessing until the very end of the Hush affair. While Batman was able to eventually to figure out that Riddler was the true mastermind, the fact that Riddler was able to stay in the shadows for so long and learn Batman’s secret identity is one of the greatest losses that Batman has ever suffered. The Riddler sustained a brain injury and forgot Batman’s identity, but for a time he had a weapon that most other Batman villains wish they had.

Bane

Bane has jumped over many other villains to become one of Batman’s greatest foes. He did this by defeating Batman in the classic story Batman: Knightfall. In 1993’s Knightfall, Bane attacked Gotham, breaking open Arkham Asylum, and forcing Batman to race all over the city in order to apprehend all of the released villains. Bane ran the Dark Knight ragged and then attacked him, breaking the back of the Batman, leaving him paralyzed. This forced Azrael to become Batman, with Bruce Wayne leaving Gotham in order to find a way to heal his broken body.

While many consider this Bane’s greatest victory, Bane also has a second big time victory over Batman that is more impressive to some. In Tom King’s Batman run, specifically the “City of Bane” arc, Bane decided to attack Batman and went into overdrive to show his tactical genius. Bane created a plan that involved many of Batman’s greatest villains, and Batman never realized that everything he went through was a part of a plan that Bane created to defeat him and throw him out of Gotham City. Bane even ended up killing Alfred. Bane’s defeats of Batman make a great argument for him being Batman’s most dangerous – and greatest – foe.

Darkseid

Darkseid is sometimes considered the greatest villain in the DC Multiverse and for good reason. Darkseid is the God of Evil, a multiversal force whose only goal is the complete and total enslavement of the entire multiverse. He’s out of Batman’s league in a lot of ways, but Batman’s place in the Justice League means that he’s faced off against Darkseid several times. For example, in an alternate future where Darkseid took over the world, Batman was able to fool Darkseid into thinking he was DeSaad, Darkseid’s chief torturer, and allowed the surviving Leaguers to attack Darkseid. However, Darkseid killed him in that alternate timeline.

[Related: DC Reveals the Tragic Origin & Meaning of Batman’s Wild New Absolute Costume]

In the main universe, Darkseid was eventually able to get the Anti-Life Equation, and attacked the Earth. He made sure to capture Batman, wanting to use clones of him as shocktroopers to use in his armies. Batman was able to escape and confronted the God of Evil, preparing to shoot him with a Radium, a god-killing element, bullet that Batman had found in the body of Darkseid’s son Orion. Darkseid used the Omega Effect before Batman shot him, throwing the hero back in time, causing everyone to think he was dead. However, it was all part of Darkseid’s revenge plan. Batman was pursued through time by a demon created by Darkseid, building up Omega energy as he moved forward. The plan was that when Batman reached the present, he would explode and destroy the multiverse, avenging Darkseid’s loss. However, Batman and Tim Drake were able to stop this eventuality.

The Orghams

The Ogrham family is an ancient one, having dealing with Ra’s al Ghul in the distant past. The family gained a measure of immortality – with son Arzen and matriarch Dariah surviving into the present day – and became fabulously wealthy, mastering magic and using the reality altering Thelemus Engine to manipulate the world around them. Their money made them one of Gotham’s founding families, and their servants had violent dealings with one of Batman’s ancestors in Gotham City’s early days. Eventually, they decided to return to the city, wanting to take back what they saw as their property.

Batman stood in their way, but they were able to out think at every turn. Using their wealth, they were able to hire Gotham’s villains to attack Batman and used their servants – the lycanthrope Gael Tenclaw, the priestess of serpents Shavhod Erhad, and the fleshcrafter Neang Modhram – to keep Batman on his toes. With the help of the Thelemus Engine, they were able to turn Gotham against Batman, eventually arresting him and staging a public execution, all while Batman battled a demon placed in his mind by them. Catwoman and a group of allies were able to rescue and spirit him out of the city to Talia al Ghul, during which the Orghams took complete control of the city. While Batman was able to come back and depose them, the Orghams were one of the few villains to actually take Gotham from Batman.

Ra’s al Ghul

Ra’s al Ghul has been operating for centuries, moving in the shadows of the world. He’s amassed more power than many countries, leading the League of Assassins, and has played a silent role in world history. Using the Lazarus Pits to stay alive, al Ghul is one of Batman’s most cunning foes. He’s a master strategist and combatant, and has challenged Batman in a number of ways. He’s also defeated Batman.

Ra’s al Ghul has killed Batman. The two had a sword fight and al Ghul was able to use his centuries of experience with a blade to kill the Dark Knight. Batman was resurrected by al Ghul’s daughter Talia, using one of the Lazarus Pits to bring back the man she fell in love with. This was the first time that Batman had faced off against Ra’sl al Ghul and after this, the Dark Knight never took the Demon’s Head lightly, knowing exactly what the villain was capable of.

Failsafe

First appearing in Chip Zdarsky’s 2022 Batman run, Failsafe is a creation of Batman which makes this villain one of the hero’s own design. Batman is always known for making plans for everything, and made plans to deal with the Justice League should things go sideways with those heroes. He also made plans to deal with himself in case his mind was ever taken taken over and that was the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, an alternate personality that would allow him to break free of any mental attack. Zur-En-Arrh then created Failsafe, a robot that combined all of Batman’s anti-metahuman technology with his database on how to defeat anyone he’s went up against. Failsafe was basically unstoppable and would only be activated if Batman killed someone.

When Batman was blamed for a death, Failsafe came online and went after him. The robot tore through all of Batman’s allies, whether they be part of the Bat-Family or his Justice League friends, forcing Batman to go on the run. Every time they fought, Failsafe nearly killed Batman and eventually the two had a climactic battle that saw Failsafe throw Batman into the multiverse. Batman would eventually return and defeat the robot, which would lead to Zur-En-Arrh to take over the body and team up with Amanda Waller, but Failsafe still did something that few have done – defeated the Batman in nearly every way and earning a place as one of his biggest foes in the process.

The post 7 DC Villains That Defeated Batman (And How Bad They Beat Him) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

After decades of struggling to match Marvel Studios’ consistent success, DC appears to have finally found its identity. While Marvel grapples with recent setbacks like The Marvels‘ disappointing box office performance and Secret Invasion’s critical disaster, DC Studios has delivered two consecutive hits that suggest James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new approach might succeed where previous attempts failed. More importantly, the critical and commercial triumph of both The Penguin and Creature Commandos proves that quality storytelling, rather than forced interconnectivity, is the key to building a sustainable cinematic universe.

There’s poetry in DC’s newfound success emerging from the ashes of failure. After Warner Bros. Discovery pulled the plug on DC Extended Universe in 2022, following years of diminishing returns and creative missteps, many wondered if DC could ever pose a real challenge to Marvel’s dominance. Yet, by learning from past mistakes and embracing a radically different philosophy, DC Studios is crafting stories that don’t just match Marvel’s best offerings. They might even surpass them.

Why The Penguin Changed Everything

The Penguin represents everything the DCEU got wrong, and DC Studios is getting right. Instead of rushing to introduce new characters or plant seeds for future crossovers, the series takes its time exploring Gotham City’s criminal underground through the eyes of Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobb. Each episode peels back new layers of the character’s psychology while building tension through carefully crafted storylines that pay off in deeply satisfying ways.

This methodical approach to storytelling has resonated with audiences in unprecedented ways. While The Penguin‘s premiere numbers were impressive – drawing 5.3 million viewers and outperforming recent HBO hits like Succession – what’s truly remarkable is how viewership grew with each subsequent episode. The show’s mounting success proves that audiences will stick around when characters are given room to breathe and evolve naturally.

That’s even more relevant when considering The Penguin as a spinoff of Matt Reeve’s The Batman. This TV show entered development organically because creative minds were willing to make it happen. So, instead of ordering a specific TV show for the sake of a cinematic lineup, DC Studios has just stepped out of the way for Reeves and showrunner Lauren LeFranc to do what they were passionate about.

[RELATED: Creature Commandos Is Setting Up Frankenstein as DC’s Biggest Monster (and Not Just Physically)]

With all that in mind, the Golden Globe win for Colin Farrell isn’t just another accolade for the trophy case. Instead, it validates DC’s new strategy for movies and TV shows. By prioritizing character development and emotional depth over spectacle, The Penguin achieved something that eluded even Marvel’s most acclaimed Disney+ series: serious awards recognition. The show’s additional nominations for Best Television Limited Series and Cristin Milioti’s powerhouse performance as Sofia Falcone demonstrate that superhero content can transcend genre limitations when creators are given the freedom to tell the stories they want to tell.

Creature Commandos Proves Lightning Can Strike Twice

If The Penguin showed that DC could excel with established characters through the Elseworlds initiative, Creature Commandos proves they can work the same magic with obscure properties. The animated series, which follows a black ops team of monsters and outcasts, had every reason to fail. First of all, animation usually attracts a smaller audience, especially when it’s developed for mature audiences. Furthermore, The Penguin rose from the shadow of Batman, DC’s most profitable character, while the members of Creature Commandos are a bunch of unknowns. Yet, the show became one of the highest-rated DC adaptations ever while steadily building its audience through word-of-mouth.

The show’s success is particularly meaningful because it launches James Gunn’s DCU proper. Unlike previous attempts to chase Marvel’s formula, Creature Commandos carves its own path by embracing weirdness and horror elements that set it apart from typical superhero fare. In other words, the show is not too worried about how it will connect to the supposed family-friendly tone of 2025’s Superman, focusing instead on telling a story that fits the quirky criminals that lead the story.

While Marvel still dominates the box office overall, recent projects have been hit or miss due to the MCU’s apparent creative fatigue. The studio’s rigid commitment to interconnectivity often comes at the expense of individual stories, with shows and movies increasingly requiring homework to be fully appreciated – that becomes even more evident when we realize Marvel Studios found unexpected success with Agatha All Along, a low-budget quasi-standalone story. That, combined with DC Studios’ success with more focused, character-driven narratives, suggests another way forward might exist for superhero media.

A Better Future for Everyone

The success of Creature Commandos and The Penguin arrives just as Gunn prepares to launch the DCU’s theatrical slate with Superman in July 2025. These shows provide a blueprint for success. Gunn and his team have shown that superhero fatigue isn’t inevitable by prioritizing contained storytelling over multiple-project ambitions and embracing what makes DC characters distinct. That shows audiences haven’t grown tired of the genre. They’ve simply become more discerning about quality. As DC Studios reaches for Marvel’s crown, the MCU will be forced to adapt and rethink its strategy, which is excellent news for fans.

History shows that strong competition between DC and Marvel ultimately benefits fans. When Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight pushed superhero filmmaking to new heights, Marvel responded with increasingly ambitious projects that culminated in the groundbreaking success of the Infinity Saga. Similarly, Marvel’s mastery of shared universe storytelling forced DC to innovate, leading to the current renaissance under DC Studios.

This healthy rivalry between DC and Marvel promises to drive both studios to new creative heights. As they push each other to innovate and improve, fans can look forward to more sophisticated and engaging stories from both universes. The real winners in this competition will be audiences, who are finally getting the best of both worlds.

The Penguin and Creature Commandos are currently available to stream on MAX.

The post After The Penguin and Creature Commandos, DC Is Finally Coming for Marvel’s Crown appeared first on ComicBook.com.

James Gunn has really outdone himself once again. The filmmaker and co-chair of DC Studios is known for delivering highly emotional moments in his projects, sometimes when you least expect them. His third Guardians of the Galaxy movie is basically an action-comedy that makes you cry just about every 5-10 minutes. That trend has continued with the animated Creature Commandos, which has delivered a couple of gut-punches throughout its first season.

None of the emotional moments can compare to the finale, though. The seventh and final episode of Creature Commandos Season 1 hit Max on Thursday, and it included an absolute haymaker of a death scene, one that nobody saw coming and was sure to bring at least a couple tears to the eyes of viewers. WARNING: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Creature Commandos Season 1! Continue reading at your own risk…

Throughout the first season of Creature Commandos, the character of Nina Mazursky has been established as the heart and soul of the series. She has been the team’s moral compass, the one character consistently standing for what we all know is right, even in the face of evil and impossible circumstance. It seemed like Nina was being set up for a key role in the new DC Universe. Well, that’s not happening.

Nina, probably the most beloved member of these Creature Commandos, met a shocking end in the third act of the show’s Season 1 finale. When moving in to kill Princess Ilana, Nina hesitated, wondering if she was doing the right thing. This gave Weasel time to warn the princess, who was one of the only people to show him kindness. That warning was enough for Ilana to see Nina swimming in the water beneath her, and she flipped Nina’s dagger around on her, stabbing her several times.

Almost as heartbreaking as the death itself was the timing of this scene, which came right as Waller thought she discovered the truth that Ilana was actually innocent, and that Circe had lied about everything. Waller called the Bride to stop the assassination attempt, but the Bride only received the call after Nina’s body had floated to the surface of the lake.

[RELATED: Creature Commandos Confirms Bizarre Batman Character Exists in the DCU]

The fortunate silver lining for the Commandos is that Ilana wasn’t actually innocent, and the Bride knew it. She saw Ilana with Clayface on a security tape and figured out the princess’ entire scheme. The Bride killed Ilana in the final minutes of the episode, and was sure to let her know she was going through with the assassination because Ilana killed Nina. So justice was ultimately served, but that doesn’t make things easier for the Bride, who admitted to losing her “only friend” when Nina was killed.

When Creature Commandos returns for a second season, Nina Mazursky sadly won’t be part of the group.

The post Creature Commandos Finale Shocks Viewers With the Most Heartbreaking Death of the Series appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Aquaman is back in his own series and things are about to get absolutely dangerous for the underwater monarch. Aquaman has had a rough couple of years since the end of his last book. They tried to expand the Aqua mythos by making the new Aqualad into another Aquaman and put Arthur back in the Justice League, but never actually gave him a solo book. However, DC’s All-In initiative has given many classic DC characters a new lease on life and Aquaman #1 kicks off a brilliant new era for the King of Atlantis.

Absolute Power ended with a huge twist, with some heroes losing their old powers and gaining new ones. Aquaman is one of those, gaining his wife Mera’s hydrokinesis. This first issue of his new series sees him learning the ropes with these new powers, but during the battle with a mysterious water monster, Aquaman is called back to Atlantis. Racing home, he finds his kingdom gone, with the only left behind a pearl found earlier in the issue by Jackson Hyde.

The Pearl Is the Key to Another World

The pearl seems to be the key to the disappearance of Atlantis. Earlier in the issue, an asterisk relates that the pearl should be familiar to readers of Flashpoint Beyond #1, The Flash #785, and Batman: The Brave and the Bold #18, all stories that have some sort of multiversal connotations. Aquaman brings the pearl to the Justice League Watchtower, where Zatanna uses her magic powers to plumb the mysteries of the pearl.

Zatanna reveals that it is an object of great power. She feels like she should know what it is, but something has hidden it from the tapestries of the magic, perhaps before the beginning of time. However, she senses something related to it, and Aquaman, Batman, and Wonder Woman go on a trip under the sea to a mysterious gate. Aquaman releases the pearl and it flies into the gate, which Aquaman goes through. After he’s gone, the gate transforms into an omega from the Greek alphabet, the symbol of Darkseid. This could only mean one thing – that Atlantis, and now Aquaman, have been pulled into the Absolute Universe.

Related: Absolute Superman Reveals Shocking Fate of Key DC Character

What Is DC’s Absolute Universe?

The Absolute Universe is DC’s most popular creation in a long time. Its origin comes from the end of the Absolute Power event series and the one-shot DC All-In #1, an issue that sees Darkseid attain greater power than ever by stealing the powers of the Spectre and “die” in a battle with the Justice League. However, that death was revealed to be a red herring, as Darkseid instead was sent to an Earth that he could reshape in his own image. This led to the formation of the Absolute Universe, and the bestselling titles Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman, and Absolute Wonder Woman. This universe is based on Darkseid’s evil, making it a very different Earth than any other in the DC Multiverse.

Aquaman‘s pearl seems to be some kind of bridge between DC’s main continuity and the Absolute Universe – like similar orbs that DC’s heroes have encountered before. Zatanna saying that it was modified at the beginning of time to be outside of the tapestry of magic could point to it being created by Darkseid. Darkseid went to the blank slate Earth and had to mold it; this could mean that he started at the beginning of time, retroactively traveling back, and created the pearl to steal parts of other universes to bring to his. Darkseid is not exactly known for his creative ability, so this could be an explanation for how he created much of his Earth. It also means that Aquaman and Atlantis could be anywhere on the Absolute Universe’s timeline.

Aquaman Is In for the Fight of His Life

Aquaman #1 kicks off by saying that this isn’t the story of Aquaman the king, but that of Aquaman the god-killer. This makes his journey to the Absolute Universe a tantalizing one. While Aquaman is definitely not going to kill Darkseid in this series, Aquaman traveling to the Absolute Universe to save Atlantis is almost certainly going to pit him against some very powerful foes. In the past, readers have seen Aquaman battle Poseidon and Triton, and this new series may see him battling whatever evil god that Darkseid has put in charge of the oceans. Aquaman’s sojourn into the Absolute Universe is going to challenge him like never before.

Aquaman #1 is on sale now.

The post A Justice League Hero Just Crossed Over to DC’s Absolute Universe appeared first on ComicBook.com.

DC’s “Absolute” line of comics has offered bold new re-invention of core characters like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman (with more on the way). Each of the books debuted by re-introducing us to the character within a world that was already fully formed (or “en media res”). After that intro, they’ve each looked backward at how Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince became these darker versions of their heroic alter-egos, as well as doing more world-building with supporting character connections, and lore history. With Absolute Batman #4, writer Scott Snyder pulls out a masterful piece of origin story to explain why this version of Bruce Wayne/Batman has such a gnarly costume and the abilities that come with it.

WARNING: SPOILERS FOLLOW

From the first issue it was established that in DC’s Absolute Universe continuity, Bruce Wayne’s father Thomas became a teacher instead of a wealthy surgeon – a teacher who heroically sacrificed his life protecting Bruce and his other students from a mass shooting event perpetrated by a violent and disgruntled gunman named Joe Chill. However, in “The Zoo: Part Four” we learn the heartbreaking truth about the events that led to that doomed school trip to the Gotham Zoo, and how it relates to the Batman suit Bruce eventually designs.

Absolute Batman’s Costume Was Born From Bruce’s Tragic Past

It turns out that Bruce won the trip to the Gotham Zoo for his class, after winning the Young Engineers Competition that year. The challenge for the competition was building an animal-themed bridge that could service one of the “Distressed Areas” that the zoo’s animals were rescued from. Bruce (shockingly) chose a bat for its intimidating nature; when his dad questioned whether intimidation is what a distressed population of people needs, Bruce revised his approach. He built a bridge that used an adjustable framework of girders and sturdy lightweight fabrics that allowed the bridge to transform into whatever the people needed – and could even be folded into a bat shape so that it could drop from planes and glide into remote areas to reach people in need. Based on his father’s guidance, Bruce thinks he’s tapped into the core aspect of a bat: its environmental versatility; the ability to map and learn an environment and create the optimal conditions for thriving and surviving there.

After the Zoo shooting m and his father’s death, an older Bruce Wayne eventually revisits the idea he started with his school project. After some failed first attempts at a vampire-bat costume (with paralysis fangs!), Bruce embraces his inner engineer and develops the “Bat-thumb,” a device that gives him Spider-Man-style thumb command of those same Bat-bridge functions he developed as a kid. The final version of Bruce’s design is the one-man-army cape and cowl Absolute Batman wears, allowing him limitless ways to fight, defend, or even go aerial. The first issue of the series was a detailed demo reel of the suit’s capabilities and functions during that epic battle scene. Now that we are tied into the deeper meaning of the suit, hopefully there’s another great action scene coming in Chapter 5.

[RELATED: What Is Absolute Batman’s New “Bat-Thumb” Device???]

With this deeply emotional chapter, Snyder provides a powerful explanation for what initially seemed like Absolute Batman having a symbiote costume. From the fabric wrapped around his forearms to the hand poses he does in battle, this new Batman suit’s look and function flow beautifully into the character’s backstory and motivations. Before the costume’s meaning was drawn from Bruce simply encountering a bat and thinking it a scary symbol; now, Batman’s costume and his entire methodology (Bruce working as a city engineer, mapping out Gotham, setting up safehouses and supply caches, planning to not only clean up crime but improve infrastructure) all reflect this metaphor of the bat as a brilliantly adaptable and methodical animal that conquers and commands its territory.

Absolute Batman already has a clearer mission and more attainable set of goals than main universe Batman – and thematic consistency carried right down to the fabric of his cape.

Absolute Batman is on sale at DC.

The post DC Reveals the Tragic Origin & Meaning of Batman’s Wild New Absolute Costume appeared first on ComicBook.com.

While Batman is known for a number of things — everything from his origin story, his personal rule against using guns, and his deep roster of foes just to name a few — there is another aspect of The Dark Knight that is iconic. That would be his gadgets. Across just about every version of Batman, the vigilante has his gadgets and tools that help him fight Gotham’s crime and Scott Snyder’s Absolute Batman is now different. While this version of the iconic DC hero has some sweeping differences, his gadgets it turns out is a constant — and this week’s Absolute Batman #4 just gave Batman what might be the most unusual tool in his utility belt yet: the Bat-Thumb.

Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Batman #4 from Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, and Gabriel Hernandez Walta beyond this point.

Absolute Batman #4 takes place over two points in Bruce Wayne’s overall timeline — his childhood and the present day. In the past, we’re taken into how Bruce was impacted by his father’s murder at the city zoo by Joe Chill with young Bruce giving a victim’s impact statement, something that will come back around by the end of the issue in the present day. The other bit from Bruce’s childhood is that we see him developing his bat bridge and the thought process and innovation that went into — as well as the conversations with his father. Bruce’s development of his invention is key to the more present-day timeline as we see him working out early versions of his Batman persona but, perhaps most interestingly, we also see him testing a new tool: the Bat-Thumb.

So, what the heck is the Bat-Thumb? The best way to describe the Bat-Thumb is that it’s a sort of grappling hook, but not one that you have to wind up and throw. In the issue, we see Bruce testing a device worn strapped to his wrist that, when he bends his hand, extends and curls it so that it attaches to whatever surface the user intends to anchor himself to. Bruce is shown using two of the Bat-Thumb devices to climb in a window, giving him a seemingly more practical way to enter place that would otherwise potentially be inaccessible to him.

[RELATED: Batman’s New Batmobile Makes The Dark Knight’s Tumbler Look Like a Hot Wheel]

By having his grappling hook type devices quite literally strapped to his wrist, this new gadget could give Batman a little bit of a unique advantage as compared to having to use a genuine grappling hook or grappling gun. It appears to be lighter weight and having it literally in hand would certainly be more convenient. Of course, the Bat-Thumb isn’t the only interesting gadget we get a look at in the issue. Absolute Batman #4 also introduces the tinies Batmobile ever, but this little set of wheels isn’t something that Batman is cruising around in himself. The tiny Batmobile is actually a remote-controlled device tricked out with some extras that Batman is able to use to disable a tractor trailer load of weapons before beating down the criminals hauling said weapons into Gotham.

Absolute Batman #4 is on sale now.

The post Batman Just Got His Strangest New Gadget (But It Makes So Much Sense) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Robert Pattinson’s Batman is flying solo. In 2023, DC Studios co-chairmen James Gunn and Peter Safran announced the new Batman film The Brave and the Bold, which would introduce the Batman and Robin of the DC Universe: Bruce Wayne and his son, Damian Wayne. “This is the introduction of the DCU’s Batman, of Bruce Wayne,” Gunn said at the time, adding that a new Batman actor would be cast for the father-son dynamic duo. “It is not Robert Pattinson. It is not Ben Affleck.”

Gunn and The Batman filmmaker Matt Reeves have since confirmed that there have been talks about incorporating Reeves’ Batman Epic Crime Saga into Safran and Gunn’s new DC Universe, with Pattinson acting as the DCU Batman. But in an interview with Spanish radio station Radio TU, director Andy Muschietti said that it will be “quite obvious” that the Batman in The Brave and the Bold isn’t the same Batman from The Batman: Part II.

With Reeves’ sequel recently being delayed from 2026 to 2027, Muschietti said that it “will take a while” until The Brave and the Bold is released because “it would be absurd to release two Batman movies at the same time.”

RELATED: Matt Reeves Confirms Talks About Robert Pattinson as the DCU Batman: “We’ll Have to See Where That Goes”

The Flash filmmaker added that DC Studios is “putting together a plan” so that The Batman 2 and The Brave and the Bold can coexist while remaining separate. “As for my participation in the film, there are good intentions,” Muschietti continued. “I want to make the movie and we’re talking about ideas and story and tone. I can’t say anything, but it’s going to be great, that’s what I can tell you for sure.”

Andy and Barbara Muschietti, whose credits include 2017’s IT and 2019’s IT Chapter Two, are producing the live-action feature that is based on the 2006 “Batman & Son” storyline from writer Grant Morrison’s Batman run.

“This is a story of Damian Wayne, who’s Batman’s actual son that he didn’t know existed for the first eight to ten years of his life. He was raised as a little murderer and assassin,” Gunn said in 2023. “He’s my favorite Robin. It’s based on the Grant Morrison comic run, which is one of my favorite Batman runs. We’re putting it all together right now.”

Because Batman already exists as an established crime-fighter in the DCU, The Brave and the Bold is “going to feature other members of the extended Bat-Family,” Safran said. “We feel like they’ve been left out of the Batman stories in the theater for far too long.”

By the time of “Batman & Son,” Tim Drake has succeeded Dick Grayson (now Nightwing) as Robin and clashes with Damian, the son of Bruce and Talia al Ghul. Spanning Batman #655-658, the four-issue storyline also features appearances by the Joker and an army of ninja Man-Bats.

“I’ve contemplated it, yeah,” Gunn recently told the Happy Sad Confused podcast when asked about bringing Pattinson’s Batman into the more fantastical DCU. “I contemplate everything, we talk about everything. You’d be an idiot not to.” However, Gunn said that he and DC Studios are “committed” to telling Elseworlds stories like Reeves’ universe that has grown to include The Penguin.

“I want the freedom to tell Elseworlds stories. We want to be able to tell a story in which Superman is very different [from his DCU counterpart],” Gunn said. “We want to play with these characters in different ways. One of the things I love about DC over Marvel comic books is that those things are much more plentiful — there’s many more Elseworlds stories, there’s many more presentations of Wonder Woman, and Batman, and Superman, especially, that you see them showing up in different ways in different Elseworlds stories. I think that’s part of the fun of DC.”

“The Batman’s not a stepchild. It’s all under DC. We are fully invested in the success of The Batman just like we are everything else,” Safran said during the DC Studios slate reveal in 2023, with Gunn adding that “everything is going to be balanced so The Brave and the Bold is not going to be coming out in the same six-month period as The Batman [2].”

Warner Bros. has scheduled The Batman 2 for Oct. 1, 2027. The Brave and the Bold doesn’t have a release date, and the project won’t be officially greenlit until there’s a script.

The post The Brave and the Bold Director Says Robert Pattinson Won’t Be the DCU Batman appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Happy new comic book day, and happy new year! It’s another big week in the world of comics, and the ComicBook staff have come together to break down and review as many of the new releases from this week as possible. Now obviously this isn’t every single comic on stands, but we’re breaking down new releases from Marvel, DC, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse, Dynamite, Oni Press, IDW, Mad Cave Studios, DSTLRY, and more!

We’ve also carved out some additional space for two of this week’s biggest books in Aquaman #1 and The Lucky Devils #1, so if our smaller reviews here pique your interest, make sure to check out the full reviews for a much more comprehensive analysis of those issues. As for ratings, we keep things simple with a whole or half number out of five, and you can check out some of our previous reviews right here. With all that said, let’s get to this week’s new comics!

DC

Absolute Batman #4
Absolute Batman #4 takes us into the earliest iterations of Batman as Bruce works out exactly how he wants to approach his crusade against crime in Gotham all while juxtaposing it against his past. While this is by no means new for the title, using the past to inform the present is particularly interesting here in that we get a stronger glimpse of just how Bruce’s father’s murder changed him while also seeing how Bruce’s innovations started young. It also expands the overall “lore” by giving readers more of what this take on Bruce Wayne’s family looks like all while further reinforcing that this Bruce Wayne is much more all-consumed by his trauma than perhaps we’ve seen before. The art in this issue feels a little less clean, but there is a lot of hard emotion in each panel, making it all work together just so well. It’s a very solid issue. – Nicole Drum
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Aquaman #1
Aquaman has a number of Titles to his name, whether that be Father, Husband, superhero, or King. More often than not only one of those aspects are the focus at any one time those elements and more are all on display for Aquaman’s DC All In debut. The team of Jeremy Adams, John Timms, Rex Lokus, and Dave Sharpe look to encompass elements from each and every part of Arthur’s world, and while ambitious, Aquaman #1 effortlessly soars and delivers a grand adventure that no fan should miss. – Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 5 out of 5 (Read the full review here)

Batman and Robin #17
Batman and Robin #17 is easily the best of the Memento arc so far. The issue sees Batman go perhaps too far in his pursuit of Memento to near-catastrophic result for himself personally while for Robin, we see him get some important insight and perspective about his own role in things and ends up being something of a voice of wisdom and reason while cementing that he really is his father’s son. The issue also gives us a solid answer about little Emma’s fate all while bringing an unexpected ally into things. There are a lot of twists and turns to this issue and it’s a thrill of a read all while deepening the mystery of Memento in a meaningful way. – Nicole Drum
Rating: 5 out of 5

Batman: Dark Patterns #2
Batman: Dark Patterns continues to be a must read as series writer Dan Watters is delivering what is poised to be a classic Batman story. There’s a timeless quality to the narrative being told, one that feels like could have arrived in any era of the character’s history, which not only makes it approachable and new reader friendly, but fresh for longtime fans too. Once again series artist Hayden Sherman and color artist Triona Farrell are doing stellar work, making Gotham feel alive and the character designs unique. The pacing of the story’s visuals is also a highmark, and one that’s setting a standard that other Bat-books on the shelves cannot follow. – Spencer Perry
Rating: 5 out of 5

DC Vs. Vampires: World War V #6
DC Vs. Vampires lives up to its World War V title as the fragile alliances and hopeful moments of the past have now come to an end. Now two desperate armies clash for survival in what is a beautifully bloody battle from the talented team of artist Otto Schmidt, colorist Pierluigi Casolino, and letterer Tom Napolitano. Then when you feel you’ve settled into some sort of comfort with how things are going, writer Matthew Rosenberg sends you reeling with a reveal that changes the whole landscape of this conflict. Supergirl vs Wonder Woman? Check. Justice Leaguers getting crushed? Check. Major twist? Triple Check, and you want to miss any of it. – Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 4 out of 5

MARVEL

All-New Venom #2
All-New Venom #2 is a straightforward, solid superhero story with stellar art, crisp and clean. There are some fun flourishes in there, too, including the new Venom taking on a gang of criminal jugglers and new tryouts, one a clear Gritty knockoff, and another an overcommitted pirate cosplayer. While it could have been a throwaway scene, this opening fight goes a long way toward distinguishing this new Venom’s tone from the previous hosts, giving them a slightly slapstick flare as they eat a bomb to save civilians and their head expands like a cartoon character’s from the explosion. There are also some new wrinkles in the mystery of the new Venom host that make this sophomore outing a clear improvement over the debut issue. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Daredevil: Unleash Hell #1
Elektra acting as the second Daredevil of Hell’s Kitchen is a tricky tight-rope to walk. The former Hand assassin and love of Matt Murdock’s life is attempting to turn over a new leaf, fighting against crime and corruption in New York City while maintaining a rule of not taking any lives. For this latest series, the “Red Band” banner does live up to its name as Elektra is seemingly about to be dragged into a hellish fight against a deceased Daredevil villain, Muse. The issue is one that ventures slightly into Elektra’s headspace while painting a gruesome picture for Muse to boot. Unleash Hell doesn’t feel on the same level as the main Daredevil book but it sticks its initial landing, justifying its existence. – Evan Valentine
Rating 3.5 out of 5

Magik #1
There have been many attempts to spin X-Men characters into ongoing solo books without many long-running successes outside of Wolverine. The X-Men aren’t the Avengers or the Justice League; it’s not a group formed out of preexisting characters meant to stand on their lonesome, but original characters created to be one aspect of a larger whole, more like the Fantastic Four. Once one of those characters Is standing on their own, it becomes clear that they lack a foundational premise needed to generate new and exciting adventures in the long run. For its part, Magik #1 does a stellar job of building that foundation for Illyana Rasputin. Now an adult, Magik suffered a traumatic childhood in Limbo and a traumatic adolescence as a New Mutant. She finally let her guard down and her friends in while enjoying the safety of Krakoa, only to have that security ripped away from her during the Fall of X, re-traumatizing her into adulthood. Magik #1 sees her wrestling with metaphorical demons to match the real demons that have long been a part of her life, a notion that the dark and dreary artwork drives home. With Magik now unwillingly made the mentor toward a young boy in a situation not altogether dissimilar from her origin, Magik is shaping up to be a stronger tale than what your average X-Men solo series has to offer. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

New Champions #1
New Champions might cause a bit of confusion regarding its name, but if you give it a chance you are likely to find an endearing new group of heroes that might just capture your heart, and it’s bound to only get better from here. That’s because the book starts with the core four but then shows how quickly that group is set to expand, and the possibilities with hat wild lineup are endless. Writer Steve Foxe picks up the story from the recent Spider-Woman series that first introduced these characters into the Marvel Universe, so if you’ve read that you’ll be able to pretty much hit the ground running. Those who haven’t might be a bit fuzzy on some details, but the book quickly expands from that initial premise and starts to roll in its own direction, so things should clear up relatively quickly. Foxe does a wonderful job of establishing who each member of the team is and their unique skillset and personality, building around the mystery of Hellrune’s origin and powers to provide the key spark. It works pretty well, and so far Moon Squire, Liberty, Cadet Marvel, and Hellrune make for a compelling central quartet. That said, things really hit second gear when they find themselves colliding with a host of other young heroes, with the team of artists Ivan Fiorelli, Ig Guara, colorist Arthur Hesli, and letterer Travis Lanham showing what they can do when the toybox is loaded with so many variables. New Champions delivers an entertaining debut, but if those final few pages are anything to go by, this is nothing compared to what the series will be down the line. – Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

NYX #7
NYX has been sort of doing its own thing since the fall of Krakoa, and there’s been a lot to love about this ever-evolving team. Unfortunately most of what I’ve loved about the series doesn’t come into view much throughout NY #7, which focuses mostly on a rushed confrontation between Prodigy and Synch as opposed to the contrasting personalities between the team. The ongoing discussion through their battle feels incredibly condensed, and while I was intrigued to see what would come of their clash, it just ends rather abruptly and without the moment that would justify that ending. On the other hand, Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly do keep the confrontation between Ms. Marvel and the Truthseekers moving in an intriguing direction, and the artwork from the team of Enid Balam, Raul Angulo, and Joe Sabino during that battle specifically is stellar. NYX #7 is one of the weaker issues of the series so far, but there’s still some memorable moments along the way. – Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 3 out of 5

The Amazing Spider-Man #65
The Amazing Spider-Man #65 sees Spidey facing the inevitability of death, the latest challenge from one of Cyttorak’s scions playing out like an existential crisis as he gets the long view of human existence, which always ends the same way. This issue’s art team of penciler Cafu and colorist Frank D’Armata create pages with a statuesque quality to them, scenes of frustration and, ultimately, futility as even Spider-Man can’t hold back the reaper (here played by Phil Coulson, which is a bit distracting). Ultimately, it leads to a dramatic turn. While we’ve seen Peter Parker try to abandon his duties before, the bone-deep weariness and sense of nihilism underpinning everything is a different flavor than Pete’s usual melodramatics. This issue feels like the real turning point in the “8 Deaths of Spider-Man” saga, and the creative team does a stellar job of driving the weight of everything home to the reader. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

The Uncanny X-Men #8
The Raid on Graymalkin comes to an end with a shaky landing as it feels like the meeting of the two premiere X-Teams post-Krakoa didn’t ultimately warrant a four-issue long crossover. Simone has a few twists and turns in the conclusion of Scott and Rogue’s teams butting heads but it hardly feels much like a satisfactory one. The true identity of “Inmate X” remains a mystery and Xavier simply tells his students “better luck next time” in the final moments. Simone and Garron are still at the top of their game here in both characterization and art direction but the overall story is one that simply feels a bit like a letdown in terms of what we’ve seen from Uncanny so far. Raid of Graymalkin feels like a missed opportunity for a crossover that could have been so much greater than what we saw when it wrapped. – Evan Valentine
Rating: 3 out of 5

Ultimate Black Panther #12
I have quietly been begging Ultimate Black Panther scribe Bryan Hill to dive head first into something different, to really make this series feel like something readers couldn’t get in the main Marvel universe. The pieces have been there, but they’ve often been put in alongside familiar elements. With Ultimate Black Panther #12 though, the dive has finally started and we’re seeing something we can’t see elsewhere. Hill’s Vodu-Khan, almost like a Wakandan version of Dune’s Bene Gesserit, are integral to the issue which not only gives this one a unique DNA but also delivers us a characterization of T’Challa himself that feels fresh. Series artist Stefano Caselli is back with color artist David Curiel and the pair continue to deliver tremendous work. There’s a dramatic buildup in the final pages of this issue that are built on the way Caselli chooses to frame his shots but also their pace, resulting in a moment that genuinely took me by surprise. – Spencer Perry
Rating: 5 out of 5

Wolverine #5
Unfortunately, the same problems I’ve had with the first four issues of the Canucklehead’s post-Krakoa storyline remain in issue five. Ahmed’s approach to characterization is one that works for Matt Murdock in Hell’s Kitchen but that same approach fumbles for Logan. The Adamantine are an interesting enough concept but the villainous entity is still a bit too wrapped up in mystery to make it truly compelling. Wolverine was a series that was marketed as diving into Logan’s wild side, running through the wilderness and struggling with his Berserker side, though those ideas have mostly fallen to the wayside. There are some clever moments in this latest issue but not enough to buck the trend for Wolverine’s latest series. – Evan Valentine
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

IMAGE COMICS

Geiger #10
Junkyard Joe is back! Geiger #10 sees the return of the fan-favorite character, but also sees Geiger with a major problem: something is very wrong with him. Geiger being unwell — as well as the revelation of Junkyard Joe being a help rather than a hindrance — is the bulk focus of the issue, as well as a glimpse into Geiger’s life from before. It’s all interesting and gets us to Lewiston and perhaps the next big challenge. In the larger scheme of the overall story, it’s a solid issue and it’s clear that there are a lot of details being laid down. However, it does feel a little like a bridge to something else. Not exactly filler, but not exactly not filler at the same time. – Nicole Drum
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Moon Man #6
The latest issue of Moon Man is certainly one of its most satisfying narratively as writers Scott Mescudi, Kyle Higgins, and Joe Clark weave in and out of time to fill in the gaps of the backstory. What ends up becoming especially true for the issue though is that series artist Federico Bertoni is showing off exactly what he can do not only with unique panel layouts but massive splash pages. Moon Man has spun its wheels at times, but what Bertoni along with colorist Igor Monti and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou pull off in Moon Man #6 is remarkable stuff to behold. The plot remains somewhat elusive, both simple in its design but dense in execution, so this is a good one to just stare at in awe. – Spencer Perry
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Snotgirl #17
Lottie accidentally stumbles on something she shouldn’t when it comes to Caroline (and Virgil’s) family trauma. Virgil stumbles upon a mysterious sisterhood that might be up to something, and Lottie’s own family drama is about to get even wilder when a meet the family dinner shifts to a getaway — and her sister is along for the trip. Snotgirl #17 proves that the story hasn’t lost any momentum since its return and the complicated connections and deeper mysteries are just as interesting. This time around, however, we’re getting a little bit deeper into Lottie as a person and seeing a bit more about the factors that make her, well, Lottie. It’s fun, even if it is a slightly challenging read. – Nicole Drum
Rating: 3 out of 5

The Lucky Devils #1

Lucky Devils is a comic that hits the ground floor running, presenting a fiendishly clever premise via four main appealing characters. The new Image Comic has a big act to follow after Eight Billion Genies and this opening salvo does just that. Collar and Rake might just be the top demons of 2025 and I look forward to seeing what Soul and Browne have in store for the rest of the series. – Evan Valentine. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (Read the full review here)

Transformers #16
Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona continue depicting one of the most brutal battles featuring the Autobots and Decepticons to this day. The fact that classic Cybertronians like Optimus Prime and Starscream are requiring to forge new body parts from various sources makes the war that much more hard-hitting, adding an unsettling layer to the affair. In my past reviews, I’ve spoken highly of the Energon Universe as a whole and this latest Transformers series is one that continues to act as the torchbearer for the new crossover universe. The comic remains a larger-than-life, hard-hitting thrill ride that remains one of the best takes on the Transformers in any medium and is well worth your time, whether you have followed Cybertron in the past or not. – Evan Valentine
Rating: 5 out of 5

What were your favorite new comics of the week? You can talk all things comics with me on Bluesky @KnightofOA!

The post Comic Book Reviews for This Week: 1/8/2025 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Aquaman has a number of titles to his name, whether that be father, husband, superhero, or king. More often than not only one of those aspects are the focus at any one time those elements and more are all on display for Aquaman’s DC All In debut. The team of Jeremy Adams, John Timms, Rex Lokus, and Dave Sharpe look to encompass elements from each and every part of Arthur’s world, and while ambitious, Aquaman #1 effortlessly soars and delivers a grand adventure that no fan should miss.

Arthur’s sphere of influence is incredibly daunting, but Adams manages to boil each slice of Arthur’s life down to its core importance and then seeks to explore the attention that each of those slices demands from him. Adams has worked wonders with Hal Jordan in Green Lantern with a similar approach, and while they are very different characters, the air of relatability and humanization that has benefited Hal is already having an effect on Arthur.

Now, while the attention is exploring the many sides of Arthur Curry, that doesn’t mean the book lacks in the superhero action department, providing fans with epic clashes that showcase Aquaman’s new and improved skillset. Whether that’s against a god-like creature in the future or against a Kaiju-size water beast in the here and now, Timms, Lokus, and Sharpe bring an aura of elegance, style, and power to the King of the Seas that deserves immense praise. Speaking of powers, without going into major spoilers, Adams finds a way to imbue Arthur with new abilities while also creating more complexities within his inner circle, which creates new opportunities for character development as opposed to just being a flashy new power that will be forgotten about in six issues.

[RELATED: Absolute Superman Reveals Shocking Fate of Key DC Character]

A genuinely intriguing mystery is also key to making this feel unique amongst past Aquaman stories, and just like Arthur’s new powers, this mystery ties directly into the people and the things that Arthur holds dear. What does his life look like without those people, and what lengths will go to in the effort to bring them back? Well, we’ll get our answer soon, but as those final pages tease, the stakes are absurdly high, and we can’t wait to see how it all plays out from here.

Aquaman #1 is a stellar debut, moving in fresh directions and setting the stage for even bigger things to come. Issue #2 can’t get here soon enough.

Published By: DC Comics

On: January 8, 2025

Written By: Jeremy Adams

Art By: John Timms

Colors By: Rex Lokus

Letters By: Dave Sharpe

What did you think of Aquaman #1? You can talk all things comics with me on Bluesky @KnightofOA!

The post Aquaman #1 Review: A Grand Beginning to a Bold New Era appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The villain of The Batman: Part II is a mystery worthy of the Dark Knight detective. First announced in 2022, director Matt Reeves’ Batman sequel has kept its lead villain under wraps even as the next chapter of the Batman Epic Crime Saga prepares a 2025 shoot ahead of its new 2027 release date. We know that Batman 2 will pick up after the events of The Penguin series (which bridges the gap between the two Robert Pattinson-fronted films) that positioned Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb as new kingpin of Gotham City and Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone — the half-sister of Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman — as an inmate of Arkham Asylum, incarcerated alongside Paul Dano’s Riddler and Barry Keoghan’s Joker.

“This year we’re going to be shooting, and I’m very excited about it,” Reeves told MTV News at the 2025 Golden Globes. “There’s a lot of stuff going on, and it’s taking longer than I would have wanted, but also, I’m super excited about what we’re doing. So I really can’t wait to share that with everybody.”

RELATED: Matt Reeves Confirms Talks About Robert Pattinson as the DCU Dark Knight: “We’ll Have to See Where That Goes”

Asked if the villain will be “surprising,” Reeves said, “I hope so. I think so. The story is a continuation in a certain way and completely different in another, and it’s going to show different sides of Rob. I think it’s going to be really exciting and really cool.”

Rumored villains have included a pre-Two-Face Harvey Dent, the Bruce Wayne-obsessed master impersonator Thomas Elliot/Hush, and even the shape-shifter Clayface (who will headline his own solo movie set in Peter Safran and James Gunn’s DC Universe).

“You just kind of look at [online rumors] casually and go, ‘Is that what they think now? Interesting. Okay,'” Reeves said. “But you just put your head down and do what you do, and try to do it as best you can.”

In September, Reeves confirmed that Farrell’s Penguin will return in The Batman 2, with his eight-episode spinoff series acting as the “entry point” to the next film.

“There are details that actually connect right into the way the next movie begins, and the way that Oz enters that world as we hand the baton back to Batman, and Batman is on another case,” Reeves told SFX Magazine. The director also teased that the sequel is “going to dig into the epic story about deeper corruption, and it goes into places that [Batman] couldn’t anticipate in the first one. The seeds of where this goes are all in the first movie. It expands in a way that will show you aspects of the character you never got to see.”

“Batman is constantly battling these forces. But those forces can’t be entirely exorcised. So the next movie delves deeper into that,” Reeves added.

One villain that can be ruled out: Gentleman Ghost. The supernatural supervillain made an appearance in the Reeves-produced animated series Batman: Caped Crusader, but such fantastical rogues will not be adapted into Reeves’ gritty and grounded universe.

“What was important to me was to find a way to take these pop icons, these mythical characters that everybody knows, and translate it so that Gotham feels like a place in our world. We might push to the edge of the fantastical but we would never go into full fantastical. It’s meant to feel quite grounded,” Reeves explained to SFX Magazine. “It doesn’t mean that you won’t see characters that people love. That’s exactly what we want to do.”

He continued, “Gentleman Ghost is probably pushed a bit too far for us to be able to find a way to do, but there is a fun way to think about how we would take characters that might push over into a bit of the fantastical and find a way to make sense of that.”

Warner Bros. has scheduled The Batman: Part II to open in theaters on Oct. 1, 2027.

The post The Batman 2 Director Teases Sequel’s Unexpected Villain and Story: “It’s Going to Show Different Sides” of Robert Pattinson appeared first on ComicBook.com.

In 2008, the same year that Christian Bale’s watchful protector returned in the Christopher Nolan-directed The Dark Knight, Warner Bros. cast Armie Hammer as Batman in George Miller’s Justice League Mortal. That film — which would have also starred D.J. Cotrona as Superman, Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, Adam Brody as the Flash, Common as Green Lantern, Santiago Cabrera as Aquaman, and Hugh Keays-Byrne as Martian Manhunter — never made it to screen, and then-unknown Hammer never donned the cape and cowl of the Dark Knight.

But now the embattled actor, who was accused of rape and “other acts of violence” in 2021, has been cast as a vigilante in Uwe Boll’s The Dark Knight. According to Variety, which first reported the news, Hammer plays “Sanders, who takes justice into his own hands as he sets out to hunt down criminals. While his crusade transforms him into a social media sensation and a hero in the eyes of the public, the local police chief sees him as a menace to society and aims to take him down.”

RELATED: The Batman 2 Director Matt Reeves Confirms Talks About Robert Pattinson as the DCU Dark Knight: “We’ll Have to See Where That Goes”

Boll — best known for helming live-action video game adaptations like 2003’s House of the Dead, 2005’s Alone in the Dark, 2008’s Far Cry, and the In the Name of the King and the BloodRayne trilogies — is directing from an original script he wrote.

Besides a similar premise and title evoking one of the biggest blockbusters of the past two decades, executive producer Michael Roesch told Variety that Boll’s Dark Knight “is very different from Chris Nolan’s movie, so there is no danger of confusion.”

“With Armie Hammer in the lead role and more great actors to be announced soon, and with an outstanding script, we are excited to build up on the great response we got for First Shift and Run, and will have another strong movie soon,” Roesch added of Boll’s most recent films.

Added Boll of his 37th film as director, “The story of The Dark Knight couldn’t be a more current topic, and I’m excited to bring it to life with this excellent cast.” Boll is producing the film that will begin production in Croatia on Jan. 27, reuniting him with director of photography Mathias Neumann (Boll’s Assault on Wall Street, the Rampage trilogy), line producer Boris Velican (Blubberella), and editor Ethan Maniquis (First Shift).

Hammer first referenced the then-unnamed project during a recent appearance on the Your Mom’s House podcast, which includes a segment titled “Addressing The Cannibal Allegations” regarding his alleged cannibalistic fetishism.

“I’m turning down jobs. My dance card is getting pretty full,” The Social Network and Call Me by Your Name actor said. “By the way, that first job that I turned down after four years of this sh-t, it was the best feeling I’ve ever had. I’ve got these jobs, right? Not a single one of them came through an agent.”

Hammer’s post-Social Network career included such big budget bombs as 2013’s The Lone Ranger and 2015’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Most recently, he appeared opposite Gal Gadot and Kenneth Branagh in 2022’s Death on the Nile.

The post The Dark Knight Movie Casts Armie Hammer as a Vigilante — But It’s Not Batman appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Matt Reeves’ Batman Epic Crime Saga continues in The Batman: Part II — and potentially in the wider DC Universe. Weeks after DC Studios co-chief James Gunn revealed that he “contemplated” incorporating Reeves’ universe and knighting Robert Pattinson the DCU Batman, Reeves gave an update on The Batman sequel scheduled to film this year. The filmmaker told MTV News that the focus is on the next chapter of his Crime Saga now set to open in theaters in October 2027.

“It really comes down to whether or not it makes sense,” Reeves said when asked about integrating Pattinson and the Batman Epic Crime Saga into Gunn’s DCU. “What’s been great is there is a story that I wanted to tell we’re calling the Epic Crime Saga, which is the thrust of what we want to do. And it’s been important to me to be able to play that out.”

Reeves added that Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios, producers on The Penguin and The Batman: Part II alongside Reeves’ 6th & Idaho, “have been really, really great about that, and they’re letting us do that.”

RELATED: Creature Commandos Confirms One of the Weirdest Batman Characters Exists in the DCU

“What the future brings, I can’t really tell you,” Reeves continued. “I have no idea right now, except that my head is down now about getting The Batman: Part II shooting and to make it something really special, which is, of course, the most important thing.”

Asked what happens should Gunn and Safran decide they want Pattinson as the DCU Batman, Reeves said, “You know, I don’t know. We’ll have to see where that goes.”

Reeves also served as an executive producer on the 1940s-set Warner Bros. Animation series Batman: Caped Crusader, and will produce — alongside Gunn and Safran’s DC Studios — the live-action Clayface movie scripted by Mike Flanagan and the animated Robins movie Dynamic Duo via his 6th & Idaho Productions. Reeves was also overseeing a since-scrapped Arkham Asylum series first announced to be part of the Reeves-verse before Gunn clarified that show would also take place in the DCU.

Gunn recently told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that “[we] contemplate everything, we talk about everything” when asked if there have been discussions about potentially integrating The Batman universe into the relaunched DCU.

The Max adult animated series Creature Commandos is the first title in the rebooted canon, which officially launches with Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie this summer. (Recent episodes of the Gunn-penned Creature Commandos featured brief cameo appearances by the DCU Batman, although the Dark Knight was appropriately concealed in shadows.)

“You’d be an idiot not [to consider it],” Gunn said before adding that DC Studios is also “committed” to telling Elseworlds stories set outside of the DCU canon. One of the first DCU projects greenlit by Gunn and Safran is The Brave and the Bold, which will introduce the DCU Batman and Robin (Damian Wayne).

“I want the freedom to tell Elseworlds stories. We want to be able to tell a story in which Superman is very different [from his DCU counterpart],” Gunn said. “We want to play with these characters in different ways. One of the things I love about DC over Marvel comic books is that those things are much more plentiful — there’s many more Elseworlds stories, there’s many more presentations of Wonder Woman, and Batman, and Superman, especially, that you see them showing up in different ways in different Elseworlds stories. I think that’s part of the fun of DC.”

In interviews, Pattinson has expressed a fondness for more fantastical Batman rogues like Mister Freeze and Clayface. Reeves, meanwhile, has opted for a more grounded approach with grittier versions of villains like Colin Farrell’s Penguin and Paul Dano’s Riddler.

“In my view, I just feel drawn to finding the grounded version of everything,” Reeves said in 2022. “To me, it would be a challenge in an interesting way to try to figure out how that could happen. Even the idea of something like Mr. Freeze, that’s such a great story, right? I think there’s actually a grounded version of that story that could be really powerful and could be really great.”

“I love that fantastical side of Batman, but this iteration, obviously — while being very comics faithful — I don’t think this one, necessarily, doesn’t lean into the fantastical,” he continued. “But I think, to me, what would be interesting would be to try to unwind that fantastical and see, ‘Well, how could that make sense here?’ And so that’s how I see it.”

Warner Bros. has set DC Studios’ Superman for July 11, and has dated Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow for June 26, 2026, followed by Clayface on Sept. 11, 2026, and DC Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s Dynamic Duo on June 30, 2028. The Batman: Part II was recently delayed a year from Oct. 2, 2026, to Oct. 1, 2027. DC Studios has yet to announce a release date for the DCU Batman movie The Brave and the Bold, which has tapped The Flash filmmaker Andy Muschietti to direct.

The post The Batman 2 Director Matt Reeves Confirms Talks About Robert Pattinson as the DCU Dark Knight: “We’ll Have to See Where That Goes” appeared first on ComicBook.com.

When you buy through our links, Comicbook may earn an affiliate commission. McFarlane Toys has a new drop that might make you feel a bit chilly. Once again, they’ve up with Entertainment Earth to bring fans an exclusive Gold Label black light version of Mr. Freeze, but this time it’s based on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of Doctor Victor Fries in the infamous 1997 film Batman & Robin. What’s more, only 3000 will be produced. Here’s what you need to know.

If you’re hoping to “stay cool”, just like Mr. Freeze, then you can head to Entertainment Earth and pre-order this Gold Label action figure for $29.99, where it currently has an arrival estimated for April 2025 (you won’t be charged until it ships). The figure includes a freeze ray with ice effect, an exclusive card stand, and a detailed black light base with two battery-powered black lights, and an art card.

This isn’t McFarlane and Entertainment Earth’s first rodeo with a black light Mr. Freeze exclusive. Back in December 2023, McFarlane Toys launched a colorful Mr. Freeze figure that was based on the character’s first comic book appearance in The Ice Crimes of Mr. Zero (1959). That figure sold out quickly, and we expect the same to happen with the Arnold version.

It seems that Mr. Freeze and black light deco go hand-in-hand. The punny, ice-themed villain is still a fan-favorite after all these years, standing the test of time right alongside more prominent Batman villains like the Joker, Penguin, or the Riddler. For me, Mr. Freeze’s icy escapades in Batman & Robin offer up some of the best moments in a bad film, so it’s appreciated that McFarlane continues to show the character love.  

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The post McFarlane Black Light Batman & Robin Mr. Freeze Figure Drops As An Exclusive appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Since its release in 2001, Smallville remains one of the most beloved superhero origin shows, charting Clark Kent’s journey from high school teen to becoming Superman and often being noted as the first CW show to help birth the Arrowverse. However, with over 200 episodes spanning 10 seasons, the series may seem daunting to newcomers, but the good news is not every installment is a must-watch. While the core storylines and character arcs are positive and intense, some episodes fall flat, offer little narrative value, or just feel like filler. For those looking to get into the series but wanting to trim the fat, these Smallville episodes you can easily skip without missing much of the main plot.

“Drone” (Season 1, Episode 18)

In this episode, the students of Smallville High run for class president, and a villain-of-the-week uses genetically engineered bees to manipulate the election. While the episode does explore Clark’s reluctance to step into leadership roles, the execution feels like it could have been improved, and the bee-themed antagonist lacks depth, menace and importance. The plot in turn is very inconsequential to Clark’s overall development, and the episode is often remembered for its absurd premise rather than its contribution to the narrative at hand. 

[RELATED: Smallville Animated Sequel Series Gets Major Update]

“Drone” has a few charming moments, like when Clark grapples with his responsibility to lead rather than stay in the shadows, however these themes are better explored later when he takes over the Justice League and leads Cyborg, Impulse, Green Arrow and Aquaman to a victory against Lex Luthor. For fans focused on Clark’s key developmental milestones, skipping this episode won’t cause any real issues.

“Ageless” (Season 4, Episode 20)

“Agless” revolves around Clark and Lana finding an abandoned baby who rapidly ages into an adult. While Clark’s struggle with the idea of parenthood is noble and a fun idea, the storyline suffers from unneeded drama and questionable writing choices. The episode tries to tug on heartstrings but ends up feeling forced and overly sentimental. The rapidly aging trope is a familiar sci-fi plot device, but Smallville‘s take doesn’t add anything particularly fresh to the concept. Furthermore, the lack of connection to the broader Season 4 arc – the search for the Kryptonian stones – makes it feel more like a filler episode than a necessary event in Clark’s story.

“Thirst” (Season 5, Episode 5)

In “Thirst,” Chloe joins the college newspaper, and Lana is bitten by a vampire sorority. Yikes. While they try to lean into campy horror territory entertainment, it comes across as silly and ultimately inconsistent with the show’s main tone. The episode’s attempt to blend classic vampire mythology with Smallville‘s universe feels ultimately unneeded, and contributes very little to the ongoing story. Skipping this won’t disrupt your understanding of the season’s overarching plot – an important one that involves Lex Luthor’s descent into villainy.

“Subterranean” (Season 6, Episode 9)

Clark helps an immigrant boy whose family is being exploited by a ruthless farm owner in this episode. While it attempts to tackle serious social issues such as racism and culture, the final product ultimately feels out of place within Smallville‘s greater narrative. The villain is forgettable, and the social commentary, while well-intentioned, comes across as too simplistic. Though it is true not all heroes wear capes, Clark’s non-powered heroism doesn’t really reveal anything audiences didn’t already know when it came to his personality. With Season 6 heavily focused on the conflict between Clark and Lex, this episode is more of a distraction than a meaningful addition to the series.

“Hero” (Season 7, Episode 13)

Pete Ross returns to Smallville for the first time in four years. In this episode after chewing Kryptonite-infused gum, Ross is given the ability to stretch (like DC favorite, Plastic Man). Though Pete’s reappearance is a nice nod to earlier seasons, the execution feels cartoonish, and his storyline lacks any sort of emotional weight that it could have carried, especially given his involvement in the earlier seasons. Plus, the gum-related superpower gimmick feels out of place, and the conflict in the episode lacks tension. If you’re watching Season 7 for its major arc involving Lex’s dark transformation, this episode can be safely skipped.

“Power” (Season 8, Episode 13)

The focus of this episode is primarily on Lana Lang’s transformation into a super-powered hero, but it ends up being one of the more frustrating episodes throughout the series. The story feels rushed, and Lana’s character arc takes an incredibly unsatisfying turn. Instead of giving her a meaningful send-off, the episode keeps itself down with unnecessary drama. While it does have a few redeeming moments, such as her final confrontation with Lex, the episode ultimately feels more like a missed opportunity to make her the next Supergirl – after Kara Danvers of course.

“Harvest” (Season 10, Episode 6)

In this final season episode, “Harvest” ends up feeling like filler in the show’s final season. Clark and Lois find themselves in a remote village where the locals are devoted to an ancient ritual involving Blue Kryptonite. By Season 10, most fans are invested in the show’s endgame and Clark’s final transformation from Superboy to Superman. Unfortunately, this episode feels like a detour, rather than a meaningful contribution to the series’ climactic final arc.

The post 7 Smallville Episodes You Can Skip When Watching the Superman Series appeared first on ComicBook.com.

In The Penguin, Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) ruffled the feathers of Batman’s rogues gallery. As the new kingpin of Gotham City, Oz outmaneuvered the likes of Sal Maroni (Clancy Brown) — a rival gangster who caused Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face in the comics — and Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), the half-sister of Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), after their father was gunned down by the Riddler (Paul Dano) in 2022’s The Batman movie. The DC Studios and HBO drama also introduced versions of the lesser-known Bat-villains Magpie (Marié Botha), Squid (Jared Abrahamson), and Dr. Ventris/Mirror Man (T. Ryder Smith).

As chief psychiatrist at Arkham State Hospital, Ventris subjected an incarcerated Sofia to electroshock therapy and sparked an obsession within her psychiatrist: Dr. Julian Rush (Theo Rossi).

RELATED: Colin Farrell Wins Third Golden Globe for The Penguin: “I Guess It’s Prosthetics From Here on Out”

Theories speculated that Rush — who doesn’t have a counterpart in the comic books — was a cover for his true identity: either the twisted psychiatrist Hugo Strange (who once experimented on Arkham Asylum inmates) or psychologist Dr. Jonathan Crane (the fear-inducing supervillain Scarecrow). Fans noticed what appeared to be a burlap mask and a needle-fingered glove on display in Rush’s office, similar to the glove Scarecrow used to inject his fear toxins in the Batman: Arkham video games.

So, was Rush Scarecrow all along? Afraid not.

“I can say he’s not the Scarecrow,” The Penguin series creator and showrunner Lauren LeFranc told ScreenRant.

RELATED: The Penguin Might Not Be the Villain in The Batman Part II — and the Comics Explain Why

While the series utilized Magpie and Ventris when unspooling Sofia’s 10-year incarceration in Arkham — which eventually houses fellow Batman villains like the Riddler and the Joker (Barry Keoghan) — LeFranc decided against teasing some of the more infamous inmates from the comics.

“Honestly, for [episode 4], we thought just about Sophia’s journey [in Arkham],” she said in a previous interview. “We didn’t want to have a character that would detract from her experience or have people be like, ‘Oh, it’s [that villain]. Not a casual Joker, not a Harley Quinn.”

“Those characters are amazing,” LeFranc continued, “but for what we were doing, we’re telling Sophia’s story. And we just wanted you to be immersed in her perspective.”

All episodes of The Penguin — starring Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti alongside Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Michael Kelly, Theo Rossi, Carmen Ejogo, Michael Zegen, and Mark Strong — are available to stream now on Max.

The post The Penguin Creator Addresses Secret Batman Villain Theory appeared first on ComicBook.com.

2024 is in the books – and what a year it was. While there were some big failures in various fandoms, there were also a lot of signs of hope. The fandoms that makeup pop culture were taken on quite a ride, with some huge moments sticking out to make 2024 one of the more memorable years in recent memories.

The best moments in fandom shone brightly in 2024. These moments redefined their respective fandoms, grabbing some that were in the mud and cleaning them off for a sparkling tomorrow. 2025 is going to be an epic year, and some big reasons for that can be found in the best fandom moments of 2024.

The Avengers: Doomsday/Secret Wars Reveal

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been on something of a downswing in the last few years, but 2024 changed all of that. Fans are excited again for the first time in ages and a big reason for that came from San Diego Comic-Con. Marvel was back in Hall H, and they made an announcement that set the Internet on fire – not only would Captain America: Winter Soldier/Captain America: Civil War/Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame directors the Russo Brothers return to direct the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday/Secret Wars, but Robert Downey Jr. would take up the role of Doctor Doom in the movie.

The announcement was hype personified and it was all anyone could talk about for days. The Russos and RDJ were huge parts of the MCU’s prior success – arguably they are the best directors and the best actor/character in the MCU’s history. Having them come back for the next Avengers film took movies that fans weren’t that excited about and shot their expectations into the stratosphere. However, Marvel wasn’t done with their announcements for the next Avengers duology – Chris Evans is also going to return for Doomsday/Secret Wars.

2024 was a banner year for Marvel Studios, but there was another moment in July that would remind everyone that Marvel is still the biggest name in fandom, one that would show the future of the MCU…

Deadpool & Wolverine’s Massive Success

Everyone knew that Deadpool & Wolverine was going to be successful, but it’s doubtful that anyone figured it would be as massive as it was. Deadpool & Wolverine made over a billion dollars, and it impressed fans and critics alike. While the MCU was nowhere near dead, it had been in a funk for several years, with movies and TV series showing diminishing returns. 2023’s The Marvels was Marvel Studios’ first bomb and they needed something massive to show fans that things weren’t going down the tubes. That was Deadpool & Wolverine.

Deadpool & Wolverine is the best multiverse project that Marvel has put out, bringing back characters from previous Marvel movies like Jennifer Garner’s Elektra, Chris Evans’s Human Torch, Aaron Stanford’s Pyro, Dafne Keen’s X-23, and Wesley Snipes’s Blade – it even gave fans a taste of Channing Tatum’s Gambit. Most importantly, it brought back Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, getting the longest-tenured superhero actor back to the game.

Everyone knew that Jackman and Ryan Reynolds’s Deadpool would be like Reese’s Cups – two great tastes that taste great together – but Deadpool & Wolverine was better than everyone expected. It gave MCU fans, Fox X-Men fans, and anyone who liked superheroes a great story and succeeded in every way. It showed that Marvel Studios could still put out amazing projects, giving hope that Fantastic Four: First Steps, the upcoming Avengers movies, and the still-just-over-the-horizon X-Men films would be as great as what came before.

Wicked Made Everyone a Theater Kid

Author Gregory Maguire wrote Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West in 1995. It was the first in a series of books Maguire wrote about the villains of classic fairy tales and would be his most successful. Maguire wrote sequels to Wicked, all of which became bestsellers, but the story truly entered the zeitgeist with its Broadway debut on October 30, 2003. Wicked became a sensation, becoming Broadway’s hottest ticket before touring the country.

Big-screen Broadway adaptations aren’t exactly common, but Wicked became enough of a phenomenon to warrant one. Pop star Ariana Grande was cast as Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo got the nod as Elphaba, the titular Wicked Witch. The two went on a media tour together and showed off the kind of relationship that shows they built a connection working on the movie, which is usually a good sign. People were excited about the movie and luckily, Wicked delivered.

Wicked is the kind of movie that (nearly) everyone enjoyed, which is a rarity. For two and a half hours, everyone in whatever theater Wicked is playing becomes a theater kid, which is quite an accomplishment. What makes the movie so great is not only the quality of it as an adaptation or the great songs or the work the crew put into the film, but the love that everyone involved had for Wicked and each other. Wicked has gone from a beloved book to a Broadway phenomenon to a pop-cultural cinematic event. Talk about “defying gravity.”

Related: Wicked Star Cynthia Erivo Reveals She Co-Wrote Original Song for Sequel

Marvel Rivals Made A Near-Perfect Hero Shooter

The summer of 2024 saw fans get their hands on the beta for Marvel Rivals, a third-person hero shooter that starred the heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe. The beta showed off a good portion of the roster and the gameplay, enough to make players excited for the full edition of the game. After the beta ended, NetEase Games started to release videos with the rest of the roster, building anticipation until almost the last moment before the game’s full release.

Marvel Rivals was released on December 6, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and XBox Series X/S, and it blew players away. Up until this point, hero shooters were defined by Overwatch, but Marvel Rivals has taken that crown. The art style is unforgettable, and the fact that it took this long for a hero shooter based on Marvel feels like a travesty after seeing just how great Marvel Rivals plays. NetEase was able to pull it off, with the Steam version of the game hosting an average of 400,000 players a night. Streamers have embraced the game as well, and there are reports that Marvel Rivals has cut Overwatch‘s player base in half.

Marvel Rivals has an insane amount of hype behind it, with players waiting breathlessly for updates. Marvel Rivals was always going to be successful, but no one could have guessed it would have become this big. The game is the perfect hero shooter for the moment, and it can only go up from here.

Superman ‘s Trailer Broke the Internet

In October 2022, it was announced that writer/director James Gunn, of Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad, and Peacemaker fame, and producer Peter Safran would become the heads of a new DC Studios. A slate of movies, called “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” were released, but the biggest news was that Gunn was going to write and direct the next Superman movie, which was then called Superman: Legacy, and it would be the first film in the new DCU. The movie was slated for July 2025, and the hype train left the station.

2023 and 2024 would see more information released about the movie, with the title being changed to Superman. The hype built and built, until December 2024 saw a poster and the teaser trailer released. Fans had been burnt by DC and Superman movies before, so a lot was riding on the new trailer. It was a make-or-break moment.

And the trailer killed it.

Superman’s trailer showed off a variety of characters and events, exciting longtime DC readers, but what truly made the trailer work was the feel. The whole thing felt like a Superman project should feel. Gunn captured the hope at the core of the character and put it onscreen. Superman‘s teaser trailer made fans even more hyped. It was heavily discussed for days, with everyone having an opinion on it. It truly broke the Internet and showed that maybe DC movies would finally reach the levels that Marvel ones had.

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Max subscribers suffered a shock to the system when Static Shock was removed from the streaming platform on January 1. All 52 episodes of the four-season series, which is based on the Dwayne McDuffie co-created superhero Static, are no longer available to watch on Max — the official streaming home of the DC universe. Warner Bros. Discovery also pulled the animated DC shows Teen Titans, the first seven seasons of Teen Titans Go!, and Green Lantern: The Animated Series, as well as the Cartoon Network original series The Looney Tunes Show, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, and Ed, Edd n Eddy.

2000’s Static Shock was added to Max (then HBO Max) in February 2021, nearly a year after WarnerMedia launched the service. Later that year, Warner Bros. announced that a live-action Static Shock movie was in the works with producers Reginald Hudlin (Marshall, Safety) and Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther, the Creed movies).

RELATED: What’s New on Max in January 2025

But now fans can’t get a jolt from the series starring Phil LaMarr as Virgil Hawkins, a 15-year-old high school student transformed into a master of electromagnetic energy after he’s exposed to a mutagen gas, and Jason Marsden as best friend Richie Foley, the tech-based eventual superhero Gear.

Why Isn’t Static Shock on Max?

“Some movies and shows are available for a limited time only,” a Max spokesperson told ComicBook. “We aim to provide the most robust offerings and will continue to bring high-quality programs to our streaming platform.”

In January 2023, Max temporarily removed multiple DC titles — including the animated DCAU series Justice League and Justice League Unlimited — alongside 1967’s Aquaman and 2008’s Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Both Justice League animated series went to Netflix and eventually returned to Max along with Brave and the Bold, but it’s not known whether Static Shock will migrate to another service now that it’s been removed from Max.

Teen Titans Streaming

All five seasons of 2003’s Teen Titans are now included as part of Prime Video’s library for Prime subscribers, while 2011’s Green Lantern: The Animated Series and episodes of the 2013 series Teen Titans Go! — which were once available to stream on Prime — are now unavailable “due to expired rights,” according to a notice posted on the platform.

Warner Bros. Discovery previously licensed the rights to some of its Max content to third-party FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) services like Roku and Tubi, while a number of live-action DC movies made their way to Netflix and Prime Video as part of a limited-time licensing deal last year.

How to Watch Static Shock Online

Static Shock currently isn’t available to stream anywhere. However, all 52 episodes are available for individual purchase (priced $1.99-$2.99) on platforms like Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu), Google Play Movies, and the Microsoft Store. You can also purchase the 13-episode seasons for $14.99 each (or $59.96 to own the complete series).

The post Where to Watch Static Shock and More DC Shows Removed From Streaming appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Inspired by the dark reimagining of the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton’s Batman films, Batman: The Animated Series proved that superhero cartoons weren’t just gaudy colors and cheesy villains. Premiering in 1992, the show embraced a neo-noir aesthetic and tone that enshrouded Gotham City in shadows, imbued its characters with layers of complexity, and added thematic depth to its 85 episodes. While still largely aimed at younger audiences, Batman: The Animated Series was sophisticated enough to appeal to adults as well. The combination of profound storytelling, moody atmosphere, and brilliant character work made it one of the most definitive depictions of Batman ever made in the minds of countless fans.

Of course, we’d be remiss if we failed to include the Joker – voiced with maniacal glee by Mark Hamill – as yet another reason why Batman: The Animated Series is still regarded as a classic. This version of Batman’s longtime archnemesis struck the perfect balance of humor and menace, making him totally unpredictable as an agent of chaos. Is it any wonder that some of the best episodes of Batman: The Animated Series involve the Joker? Here, we take a look at the show’s seven best Joker episodes, each of which reveals a different side of the Clown Prince of Crime.

#7 – Season 1, Episode 7: “Joker’s Favor”

Most Joker-centric episodes of the series focused on his neverending battle against the Dark Knight. Not “Joker’s Favor,” however; in this episode, we see Charlie Collins, an ordinary citizen of Gotham City, who becomes an assistant of sorts to the Joker after a chance run-in. But after running a few errands for the Clown Prince of Crime, Charlie outsmarts his “employer” in a hilariously clever way.

Batman takes a backseat in this episode, which is to its benefit, as it allows the audience to really invest in the diabolical relationship between the Joker and Charlie. The Joker’s sadism and manipulation is on full display here, making it all the more cathartic when he’s outwitted by a mere accountant. Charlie is also a welcome addition to the pantheon of one-and-done characters; the citizens of Gotham City are generally there to serve as potential casualties, but Charlie is a reminder that the city, no matter how dark and grim it is, is filled with people who are capable of more than being innocent victims.

#6 – Season 3, Episode 7: “Make ‘Em Laugh”

In this episode, the Joker uses his signature laughing gas to manipulate a group of Gotham’s stand-up comedians into carrying out a series of unusual crimes around the city. On the surface, this may seem like yet another attempt by the Joker to bring Gotham to its knees, but his goal is far more petty. You see, back before he became the Clown Prince of Crime, he was a struggling comic and so now, years later, the Joker is on a mission to destroy the reputation of the comedian who beat him in a comedy competition, and he’s using the city’s comedians to do it.

The Joker usually has grand plans, so this episode was a nice change of pace by showing us how even someone as brilliant as him could be fueled by something as trivial as an old vendetta. In a weird way, “Make ‘Em Laugh” humanizes the Joker, revealing an oddly personal side to him rarely seen before. This episode’s touches of absurdity add to its overall enjoyment, such as the introduction of the Condiment King who uses – you guessed it – weaponized versions of everyday condiments when committing crimes.

[RELATED: DC Just Revealed a Perfect Plot for The Batman Part II (Including Fan-Favorite Villains)]

#5 – Season 1, Episode 46: “The Laughing Fish”

While we can all agree that the Joker is an inherently horrible person, we can’t deny that he can certainly be creative when it comes to carrying out his sinister schemes. “The Laughing Fish” sees him contaminate Gotham City’s fish supply with his trademark laughing toxin. His plan is to give the fish the same horrifying grin he has, and then force Gotham’s citizens to buy his fish so that he can make massive profits. But when the Joker discovers that he can’t copyright something that exists in nature, he sets his sights on the city employees standing in the way of his fortune.

“The Laughing Fish” features one of the Joker’s most outlandish plans in the series, and it works well within the show’s otherwise moody atmosphere. It usually takes a lot to take down the Joker, but it was quite hilarious to see that not even he could fight City Hall. Despite the zany humor of the villain’s plan, this episode actually boasts some nice cat-and-mouse dynamics between him and Batman, making it one of the show’s more tense episodes as well.

#4 – Season 1, Episode 46: “The Man Who Killed Batman”

Considering how long the two have been duking it out, Batman and the Joker seem destined to hunt each other down for an eternity. That is, of course, until small-time criminal Sidney Debris accidentally kills the Dark Knight during a scuffle on a warehouse. Sid instantly gains the respect of everyone in the criminal underworld – except the Joker. The Clown Prince of Crime had always hoped to be the one to take down his eternal rival, so it’s with a heavy heart that he learns to accept that Batman will no longer be around to thwart his plans.

While Sid is the main character of this episode, the Joker is the real star. You’d think that he’d rejoice at the prospect of plaguing Gotham City without having to deal with Batman, but he instead responds to news of the Dark Knight’s death with genuine sadness, an emotion he rarely displays. “The Man Who Killed Batman” gives us a look at the Joker’s complexity – while he may be Gotham’s own agent of chaos, there’s more to him than a mere urge to cause anarchy. Just like everyone else, he needs a reason to exist.

#3 – Season 1, Episode 15: “The Last Laugh”

In “The Last Laugh,” the Joker hatches a devious April Fool’s Day-themed scheme that involves exposing everyone in Gotham City to his signature toxin, sending them all into hysterical fits of laughter. While everyone is impaired by the toxin, the Joker and his flunkies go on a spree to loot the city of its valuables. Batman traces the source of the toxin and ends the Joker’s reign of (hilarious) terror.

This episode perfectly demonstrates how the Joker weaponizes laughter as part of his sadistic plans, turning an innocent behavior into a tool of madness and anarchy. Even Alfred is infected by the Joker’s laughing gas, revealing just how close the Clown Prince of Crime came to Bruce Wayne / Batman, dramatically ramping up the stakes. Hamill gives it his all voicing the Joker in this episode, and it shows; rarely has the Joker been so demonically crazed as he was in “The Last Laugh.”

#2, The New Batman Adventures, Season 2, Episode 24: “Mad Love”

Harley Quinn looks back on how her relationship with the Joker first developed when he was a patient of hers, only for him to manipulate her into giving up her career as a psychiatrist and become his partner in crime. She’s become increasingly frustrated with his countless failed attempts to take down Batman, and decides to do it herself in order to win his admiration. During their encounter, Batman reveals just how terrible of a partner the Joker is to Harley, but that does little to diminish her devotion to him.

This episode is considered a classic primarily because it introduced Harley Quinn to the world; she was so popular she became a massive part of the DC Comics universe and has been featured in numerous movies. However, it’s also a standout Joker episode, as it gives us a deeper understanding of how rotten he is personally. In “Mad Love,” he’s not just a maniacal supervillain threatening innocent civilians – he’s an incredibly cruel person even to those who care most about him, and has no problem exploiting that adoration for his own purposes.

#1 – Season 1, Episode 42: “Joker’s Wild”

Someone has just opened a massively popular casino in Gotham City themed around the Joker, and everyone’s loving it – except the Joker, that is. Angry that someone is trying to make money off of his image, the Clown Prince of Crime decides to crash the opening reception. However, this is exactly what the casino’s owner, Cameron Kaiser, wants, as it’s part of a larger insurance scam. Obviously, when the Joker discovers the true intent behind the casino, he gets even more angry.

This episode’s plot is one of the cleverest parts of the series, packed with humor and action in equal measure. But it’s the Joker’s response to someone trying to profit from his likeness that really makes it essential viewing for fans of the villain. Despite the Joker’s brilliance as a bad guy, no one can deny that he also has serious ego issues; when committing a crime, it’s very important to him that he gets credit for it. His arrogance is on full display in “Joker’s Wild,” and seeing his rage-fueled quest to outwit someone who outwitted him is an absolute blast.

The post The 7 Best Joker Episodes of Batman: The Animated Series appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The 2025 Golden Globes returned to form Sunday night with a vibrant ceremony marked by unexpected moments of hilarity. For starters, host Nikki Glaser didn’t hold back during her opening monologue, particularly when aiming for the critical and box office disappointment Joker: Folie à Deux. However, the true scene-stealer of the evening wasn’t the sharp-tongued host but rather the ceremony’s peculiar addition of “fun facts” about presenters and winners. Popping up every time one of the ceremony’s celebrated guests appeared on screen, these tidbits revealed bizarre and fascinating details about Hollywood’s elite.

Glaser’s takedown of the DC musical sequel was particularly savage. The comedian set up the dig by first praising Wicked and its theatrical success. “I loved it. I loved it so much. My boyfriend loved it. My boyfriend’s boyfriend really loved Wicked,” she said before turning her attention to Joker 2. “Some people complained it was ruined by the images on the screen and the sounds that accompanied them,” Glaser told a laughing audience when the time came to talk about DC’s biggest 2024 failure. She followed the jab with mock concern: “I’m sorry, Joker 2. Where is their table? Oh, they’re not here. That’s right.” The joke landed particularly well given that the Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix-led musical was notably absent from any nominations.

Beyond Glaser’s crowd-pleasing presentation, the ceremony’s innovative pop-up facts became an instant hit on social media, offering viewers delightfully random insights about their favorite stars. For instance, did you know Demi Moore has over 2,000 vintage dolls? That was the fact the Golden Globes decided to reveal about the night’s Best Actress winner, who took home an award for her breathtaking performance in The Substance. As if outing Moore’s quirky hobby wasn’t enough, another fun fact tag read: “Demi Moore was born in Roswell, New Mexico, a town famously associated with alien conspiracy theories.”

[RELATED: 2025 Golden Globes: Which Comic Book Movies and TV Shows Are Nominated (And Which Ones Aren’t)]

The Golden Globes fun facts ranged from endearingly nerdy (Vin Diesel being “passionate about Dungeons & Dragons“) to absolutely unhinged. For instance, viewers learned that Nicolas Cage owns “a pet crow named Hoover who lives in a geodesic dome in his Las Vegas home.” Thanks to the Golden Globes, we also know Andrew Garfield kept being transferred from store to store when he worked at Starbucks because he was “always caught sitting down by his bosses.”  Even the night’s more straightforward facts had an oddly specific quality, like revealing that Dwayne Johnson “holds multiple Guinness World Records, including one for the most selfies on a red carpet in three minutes.”

Big Winners and Surprising Upsets

While FX’s Shōgun dominated the television categories with its impressive four-win sweep, HBO Max’s The Penguin secured perhaps the most meaningful victory of the night. Colin Farrell’s win for Best TV Actor in a Limited Series validates the network’s faith in the gritty crime drama, which expands The Batman universe beyond the cape and cowl. 

Despite critical acclaim and strong viewership numbers, the series surprisingly missed out on both Best Limited Series – which went to Baby Reindeer – and Best TV Supporting Actress for Cristin Milioti’s powerful performance as Sofia Falcone – snatched by Jodie Foster for True Detective: Night Country. However, Farrell’s win cements the show’s position as a worthy spinoff for Matt Reeves’ hit movie, in a moment where DC Studios does not know what to do with the filmmaker’s Elseworld universe. Hopefully, a win at the Golden Globes can put the Reevesverse back on track.

The Penguin is currently available for streaming on Max.

The post Golden Globes Roasted Joker 2, But Ceremony’s “Fun Facts” Got the Most Laughs appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Colin Farrell’s performance in The Penguin is nothing to squawk at. Farrell, who reprised his role from 2022’s The Batman movie as Oz Cobb in the acclaimed HBO series, won the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television at the 2025 Golden Globes on Sunday night. It marked Farrell’s third Golden Globe win and his first in the category following wins for the films In Bruges (2008) and The Banshees of Inisherin (2022).

“No one to thank on this one. I did it all by myself. Just a raw, pared-away performance,” Farrell joked in his acceptance speech. “35, 34… [There are] too many people to thank. You all know it takes a village, whether it’s on the small screen or the big screen. I’m here on the backs of the talents of so many people through the years, maybe this one more than others.”

RELATED: All the 2024 Comic Book Movies and TV Shows That Are Nominated (And Which Ones Aren’t) at the 2025 Golden Globes

Farrell first thanked the makeup team and makeup designer Mike Marino, who previously received an Oscar nomination for the prosthetics that, over three hours, transformed the Irish actor into the scarred, crooked-nosed Gotham City criminal.

“I became a catalyst for that team’s brilliance,” Farrell said, before going on to thank co-star Cristin Milioti, who played Oz’s rival Sofia Falcone, and “genius” series creator and showrunner Lauren LeFranc. (Milioti was nominated in the actress category for limited series or motion picture made for television, which was awarded to Jodie Foster for HBO’s True Detective: Night Country.)

The actor went on to thank Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO and Max Content, Max’s Head of Original Programming Sarah Aubrey, as well as The Penguin executive producer and The Batman director Matt Reeves for “re-envisioning [Gotham City] for The Batman film.”

“I guess it’s prosthetics from here on out,” Farrell quipped.

Farrell also thanked fellow nominees Ewan McGregor (A Gentleman in Moscow), Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer), Kevin Kline (Disclaimer), Cooper Koch (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story), and Andrew Scott (Ripley).

In a 2022 interview, Farrell described his three-hour transformation of makeup and prosthetics as “absolute liberation.”

“I thought that it would be very limiting. I really did. I thought I’d be just oppressed by this [suit] – and it was totally the opposite,” Farrell said. “When the piece moves as well as the piece that was designed for the Penguin moved, my eyebrows moved to my cheeks and my smile, it was f—ing insane. I didn’t have any fear that Colin could be seen through.”

All episodes of The Penguin — starring Farrell and Milioti alongside Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Michael Kelly, Carmen Ejogo, Michael Zegen, Theo Rossi, and Mark Strong — are streaming on Max.

The post Colin Farrell Wins Third Golden Globe for The Penguin: “I Guess It’s Prosthetics From Here on Out” appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Batman Part II director Matt Reeves has provided an update regarding the film’s production start date, sharing that the cameras will begin rolling soon. While at the Golden Globes (where The Penguin is nominated for three awards), the filmmaker spoke with Deadline and was asked about The Batman Part II‘s progress. “I can tell you that we’re gonna be shooting this year and that we’re excited about it,” Reeves said. He did not provide an exact window for when he’ll be shooting.

Reeves couldn’t delve into The Batman Part II plot details during his interview, but he did shed some light on his approach for the film. “What I’m excited about is I feel like we’re doing something that absolutely continues where the story came from, but is something that I hope people are going to be really surprised by,” he said.

Initially announced back in April 2022, The Batman Part II has endured a very difficult path to get off the ground. The movie has been subject to numerous delays; its release date was pushed back to October 2027, as there still is no completed script. DC Studios co-head James Gunn has defended the Batman Part II delays, comparing it to extended gaps between other sequels, like his own Guardians of the Galaxy movies. If the current release date holds, The Batman Part II will premiere more than five years after its predecessor.

[Related: The Batman Franchise Is Dying From Delays]

At one point, The Batman Part II was targeting an early 2025 production start date, but recent developments made that increasingly unlikely. In addition to the script’s status, star Robert Pattinson joined the cast of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which reportedly begins filming in the first half of this year.

After all the bad news concerning The Batman Part II of late, it’s encouraging that Reeves still intends to shoot the film this year. If he sticks to this timeline, it means fans should learn some concrete details about the highly anticipated sequel in the near future. In his talk with Deadline, Reeves mentioned getting “new people involved,” alluding to new casting additions. It will be interesting to see which actors join the project and which characters they play; Reeves has talked about wanting to incorporate new villains in the franchise.

Hopefully The Batman Part II doesn’t encounter any further delays from this point forward. As illustrated by the positive reception for both The Batman and The Penguin, Reeves’ take on Gotham City has resonated with audiences, and many are excited to see the Batman Epic Crime Saga continue. It’s unfortunate there will be a long wait for the next installment, but if Reeves’ track record is anything to go by, it will be worth it.

The post The Batman Part II Director Confirms Production Start (And It’s Soon) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

2024 wasn’t a super year for superheroes at the box office. Besides Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine — which clawed its way to become the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time at the global box office — comic book adaptations had more misses than hits. Joker: Folie à Deux, The Crow, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter bombed at the box office. The low-budgeted Hellboy: The Crooked Man skipped theaters entirely. And Venom: The Last Dance, the final film in the Tom Hardy trilogy, underwhelmed and underperformed.

Comic book adaptations fared better on television, with The Batman spinoff series The Penguin and the WandaVision spinoff Agatha All Along each earning nominations in the acting categories at the 2025 Golden Globes.

RELATED: Analysis: Is 2024 the Worst Year for Superhero Movies?

This year, only three comic book-based projects received a total of five nominations in five categories at the 82nd Annual Golden Globes, which celebrate the best of both film and television:

Cinematic and Box Office Achievement Nominees

Alien: Romulus

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Deadpool & Wolverine

Gladiator II

Inside Out 2

Twisters

Wicked

The Wild Robot

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominees

Baby Reindeer

Disclaimer

Monsters

The Penguin

Ripley

True Detective: Night Country

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy Nominees

Kristen Bell, Nobody Wants This

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary

Ayo Edebiri, The Bear

Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building

Kathryn Hahn, Agatha All Along

Jean Smart, Hacks

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominees

Colin Farrell, The Penguin

Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer

Kevin Kline, Disclaimer

Cooper Koch, Monsters

Ewan McGregor, A Gentleman in Moscow

Andrew Scott, Ripley

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominees

Cate Blanchett, Disclaimer

Jodie Foster, True Detective: Night Country

Cristin Milioti, The Penguin

Sofía Vergara, Griselda

Naomi Watts, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans

Kate Winslet, The Regime

Those five Golden Globe nominations between three projects mark the most for the genre since 2020, when the billion dollar-grossing Joker received four nominations, winning two: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Original Score – Motion Picture for composer Hildur Guðnadóttir. (The R-rated DC movie also earned nominations for Best Motion Picture – Drama, and Best Director – Motion Picture for Todd Phillips.)

The 2021 ceremony had zero nominees from the genre, while WandaVision stars Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany were nominated in the Best Performance by an Actress/Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture categories in 2022. In 2023, Angela Bassett was the lone nominee, winning the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture for her role in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

And in 2024 — a ceremony dominated by the Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer (five wins) and the television series Succession (four wins), The Bear (three wins), and Beef (three wins) — the comic book genre walked away empty-handed. The first-ever Golden Globe for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement was awarded to 2023’s Barbie, beating out fellow nominees Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The animated Spider-Verse sequel also received nominations for Best Original Score and Best Motion Picture — Animated, although it lost in the latter category to the Hayao Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron.

2018’s Black Panther is still the only superhero film to receive a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Drama (awarded to Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody at the 2019 ceremony), while 2008’s The Dark Knight is the only comic book film to be awarded the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor (won posthumously by Heath Ledger for his performance as the Joker). The Joker role also won Phoenix the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Golden Globe in 2020, with 2019’s Joker the lone comic book-based film to win the award.

For our part, the 2024 ComicBook.com Golden Issue Awards — which annually celebrate the best in film, television, comics, and more — ComicBook staff named The Penguin the Best Comic Book TV Series and X-Men ’97 the Best Animated Series of the year.

The Penguin also received multiple awards for Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb and Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone, while Aubrey Plaza’s Rio Vidal/Death was named Best TV Scene Stealer (Agatha All Along) and Channing Tatum’s Gambit was named Best Scene Stealer in Film (Deadpool & Wolverine). The latter was also ComicBook’s pick for the Best Comic Book Movie of 2024.

Other projects that met the eligibility and consideration rules — programs first aired during the qualifying year, Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024 — but received no nominations include Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97, Marvel TV’s Echo, Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives, DC Studios’ Creature Commandos, and the final seasons of TNT’s Snowpiercer (based on the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige) and The CW’s Superman & Lois.

The 82nd Golden Globes air Sunday, Jan. 5, on CBS.

The post 2025 Golden Globes: Which Comic Book Movies and TV Shows Are Nominated (And Which Ones Aren’t) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

It’s not that uncommon to walk between the worlds of DC Comics and Marvel on the big screen these days, but one of the first to do it was Terence Stamp. The English actor played General Zod in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), and later played Stick in Elektra (2005). In many ways, Stamp blazed a trail for actors in comic book adaptations for years to come.

Stamp was firmly established as DC star before he took on the role of Stick. Zod made a brief appearance in Superman, then became the main villain in Superman II. Stamp’s portrayal of the Kryptonian warlord was lauded at the time and is still celebrated today — no small feat in the comic book genre, where many early adaptations are laughed at in hindsight. Stamp later contributed to a BBC Radio special called Superman on Trial, and in 2003, he even returned to the franchise to play Jor-El in Smallville.

With all that time as a Kryptonian, Stamp could have easily been typecast out of any Marvel Comics adaptations. However, even at 67 years old, Stamp couldn’t be kept out of the fight. In 2005, He played the blind martial arts master Stick in the Daredevil spinoff Elektra. He is front and center from the beginning of the movie, reviving Elektra Natchios (Jennifer Garner) from the dead and training her in an ancient, mystical discipline.

[RELATED: Star Wars Was “Boring,” Says Superman’s Terence Stamp]

Stick is central to that story, and is a major character in Daredevil’s mythos in general. If things had gone a little differently, Stamp could have been signing on for another years-long ride with sequels and spinoffs. Sadly, Elektra was a critical flop and was not a commercial success, either. Meanwhile, plans for a Daredevil sequel never materialized, with Ben Affleck saying at the time that “wearing a costume was a source of humiliation for me and something I wouldn’t want to do again soon.” This left no chance for Stick to even meet his disciple.

Despite that, one could now make the case that Stamp’s portrayal of Stick is canon in the MCU. The franchise is now treating many older adaptations as alternate realities in its multiverse, including Elektra. Garner reprised her role in Deadpool & Wolverine, meaning Stamp was out there somewhere under the watchful gaze of the TVA.

Stick’s Abilities and Comparison

Stick’s power can fluctuate greatly depending on which comic book or adaptation you’re looking at, but it’s fair to say that the version played by Stamp is one of the most powerful ever. He starts the movie off by reviving Elektra from the dead and goes on to teach her that she could do the same by mastering the martial art Kimagure. It also provides practitioners with a form of precognition, allowing them to see their enemies’ moves ahead of time. That’s part of the explanation for how a blind man can fight in this adaptation.

For comparison, the MCU version of Stick we met in the 2016 Netflix original series Daredevil displays no such esoteric power. In fact, the very first time we meet this character — played by Scott Glenn — he loses a fight to Matt Murdock. At the same time, the comic book versions of Stick have displayed some incredible abilities we haven’t seen on screen yet, including chi manipulation and astral projection.

Matt Murdock is returning to our screens on March 4th in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, but so far, there’s no hint that Stick will be appearing in the new series. As the MCU explores more and more alternate realities, there’s a non-zero chance we could see Stamp play Stick again at some point. If not, his legacy in the world of comic book adaptations will still be secure.

The post An Iconic DC Villain Once Played One of Marvel’s Best Martial Artists appeared first on ComicBook.com.

In the superhero world, whether it’s in movies, TV, or comics, it’s always been about Marvel and DC. Both have a long history, full of iconic stories and characters that shaped a lot of people’s childhoods. But since both companies started in the early 20th century, during the 1930s and 1940s, they eventually became huge entertainment giants of the genre, and a rivalry naturally started to grow over time. Today, it’s not really a big deal anymore, even though some people might still see it that way. But back in the day, when Marvel started standing out and influencing other publishers, that’s when the real battle began, lasting for a long time.

The truth is, this rivalry was mostly driven by the fans back then, which led to some indirect moves from DC. The fact is that Marvel started to become a reference for many, which pushed its competitor to even tweak their universe to attract the same kind of readers. Stan Lee, co-founder of the Marvel comics, often emphasized that there was no real issue with the rival publisher. Although he did get bolder with his words over time, at one point, his comments highlighted why Marvel and DC shouldn’t be enemies. The styles are very different, and that’s still clear today.

Stan Lee Had to Step In to End the Marvel and DC Rivalry in the Past

Every Marvel fan knows Stan Lee, especially since he appeared in several scenes and Easter eggs in Marvel movies. In the past, the comic book publisher was still known as Atlas Comics before Lee came in and revamped it with stories that quickly grabbed attention. At the time, DC Comics was the big star in the comic book world, but in the 1960s, when Fantastic Four was released, followed by The Amazing Spider-Man, the landscape began to change. Publishers started feeling threatened by Marvel Comics. With the new competitor gaining fans, many people began to fuel Marvel’s first rivalry with DC, even going so far as to criticize the latter.

Lee had the famous Bullpen Bulletins with “Stan’s Soapbox“, a column in comic books where he could interact with readers by answering questions and making comments. In this context, he quickly addressed that there was no reason to pit one publisher against the other. However, it can be said that, in a way, Marvel’s success ended up influencing him, and he chose not to be as humble in his later speeches when it came to rivalries.

[RELATED: Fantastic Four Honors Stan Lee With Out of This World Wrap Gifts]

In fact, Marvel was changing the entire comics industry, even more positively, when other publishers started to mirror this success in their own stories. The big selling point for Marvel was the depth of its heroes, who had human flaws and conflicts – something that was innovative for characters that were supposed to be seen as unbeatable and “perfect.” Subtly, DC began to make changes inspired by this, but that’s when Lee didn’t hold back. In one of his Soapboxes, he declared that Marvel was being imitated and threw shade at the other publishers. DC wasn’t too happy about this, and responded in Adventure Comics #350, using Chameleon Boy to throw a sly jab at Spider-Man.

So, when the Batman series debuted in 1966, the comic book world grew even more, and consequently, the influence of Marvel Comics grew enormously. It was then that Lee decided to be more direct and bold about the topic of the rivalry. “Actually, they’re not competition! You see, they obviously aim for a totally different type of reader than we do. We don’t cater to any special age group, but we do cater to a special intellectual level,” he said in one of his Soapboxes. “Our rollickin’ readers, no matter what their ages, have proven to be bright, imaginative, informal, and sophisticated! So we don’t mind when some of our roguish rivals claim to outsell us.”

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2017, Lee recalled this past, saying that Marvel always had a sense of humor that DC didn’t quite understand. Even in the cinematic universe, this is still very clear. For the publisher’s co-founder, that was the secret – since their readers wanted identification and a balance between drama and humor. DC’s stories, on the other hand, took a more traditional and idealized approach, which is where the two publishers differ. And that’s why there’s no real reason for rivalry. The target audience is distinct, and this still has repercussions today, considering that both Marvel and DC remain leaders in the superhero genre. There’s room for everyone.

Also, let’s not forget that Marvel and DC have actually done crossovers in the comics before, though they always seem to include little jabs at each other. Now, the cinematic universe could do the same, but if that ever happens, it’s probably gonna take a while.

What Are the Main Differences Between Marvel and DC?

The approach is the main difference, since DC has more classic stories and characters focused on heroism. It’s very difficult to see Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman in a more human way, as fragile and flawed. Plus, they also play around with a mix of tones in their stories. Marvel, on the other hand, uses the normal characteristics of a human being to build its characters, such as Spider-Man or Iron Man, for example, who struggle with everyday challenges like lack of money and alcoholism. Its tone is more uniform and integrated as well.

The villains are also important to highlight because they follow a similar pattern. In DC, they are more established as clear-cut antagonists, while in Marvel, they can even be seen as anti-heroes. Also, Lee’s publisher has always played with the issue of rivalry between the heroes themselves, as seen in the case of Civil War, for example. It’s only when these internal conflicts are resolved that major threats like Thanos or Doctor Doom emerge.

Apart from that, it’s also important to note the setting. In DC, the cities are treated almost like characters due to their more fantastical aspect. For example, Gotham City has some references to real locations like New York and Chicago, but overall, the comics feature more unique and fictional places. Marvel, on the other hand, focuses on a more real and less fictional setting. There are exceptions, like Wakanda, but overall, it’s about realism.

As for the symbols, colors, and representativeness of the publishers, DC values icons, while Marvel focuses more on colors. The visual identity of their heroes is quite distinct, with characters like The Flash or Batman being strongly connected to their striking icons, while Captain America, for example, is remembered for the colors red, white, and blue.

The post 57 Years Ago, Stan Lee Put the Marvel vs DC Rivalry to an End appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Creature Commandos is an early success for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU. Gunn’s superhero projects don’t miss, and the way he combined pathos, humor, and high action made Creature Commandos a series for the ages. One of the more important aspects of the show’s success is its use of rather obscure DC characters. Gunn took a group of DC‘s C- and D-listers and showed that with the right attention, any character can shine like Batman or Superman. DC has legions of characters like this, all ready for their close-up.

The DCU is putting a lot of spotlight on lesser-known DC characters, and that’s the right way to go. Not every superhero has to be about a superstar, but every hero should have the potential for it. DC Studios can scour DC’s back catalog, and find numerous characters that would translate to amazing adventures on the big and small screen.

Below you’ll find some of the more compelling DC characters who all deserve to get the Creature Commandos treatment.

Kamandi

Jack Kirby helped codify the language of superheroes in the Silver Age, working with Stan Lee to create the greatest run of superhero comics of all time at Marvel. Kirby’s working relationship with Lee and Marvel eventually imploded and he went to DC. While there, Kirby created legions of amazing characters, from the New Gods of New Genesis and Apokolips to the rhyming son of Hell the Demon to the futuristic O.M.A.C., running the gamut of sci-fi, fantasy, and superhero concepts. Kirby did what he always did — created legends that would inspire fans for generations.

One of the best pieces of Kirby’s work from this period is Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth. Kamandi’s story is set in the far future, with the titular character being one of the last humans on Earth after the Great Disaster. Kamandi was trapped in a world of ruined and sentient animals, fighting to survive a world that hated him, and that’s rich storytelling soil. Kamandi would be perfect for the next big animated DCU project, giving fans post-apocalyptic thrills of the highest order.

Animal Man

Animal Man is DC’s most famous obscure character. Buddy Baker was introduced in the Silver Age as a character with a cool power set and a bland personality and life. However, all of that would change in the 1980s, as writer Grant Morrison and artist Chas Troug teamed up for Animal Man, a series that redefined the animal-powered hero for a new generation. He became a vegetarian and an eco-warrior, fighting for the rights of animals, and his family got fleshed out, making the Bakers one of the best families in comics. However, Morrison also decided to explore the interaction of fiction and the real world in the series, which is what has made that classic book so beloved.

To the vast majority of DC fans, Animal Man is just a character with a silly name who comic fans wax poetically about. Gunn is known for his love of Grant Morrison’s work, so if there’s any time for Animal Man to make his way into pop culture, it’s right now. An Animal Man DCU series can either adapt the classic comics or just give fans the adventures of Animal Man, his wife Ellen, and their kids Cliff and Maxine. It could be high-concept superhero art or a fun romp with a great character and supporting cast, and either way would be worth it.

Ambush Bug

The late, great Keith Giffen was a DC legend, creating stories and characters that showed off every facet of the DC Universe. Giffen has a raft of great titles under his belt — Legion of Superheroes, Justice League International, Blue Beetle, and Lobo. One of his most fun creations is Ambush Bug, a character who presaged the fourth-wall-breaking hijinks of Deadpool years before the Merc with a Mouth made his first appearance. Ambush Bug is the perfect comedy character and would be excellent in any capacity in the DCU.

Ambush Bug feels completely at home in a James Gunn project. His teleportation powers, dumb luck, and unerring ability to get into huge mischief would make him an entertaining addition to any show or movie. Humorous characters like Ambush Bug have an important place in the pantheon of DC and few funny DC characters fit into the new DCU like Ambush Bug.

Hourman

JSA was one of DC’s big 2024 announcements, a book built around the heroes of the Golden Age and their predecessors. The Justice Society of America is full of great characters, but Hourman’s legacy is one of the more interesting. Rex Tyler created the Miraclo pill, which gave him superhuman strength and durability for an hour at a time. The pills were also highly addictive, causing him to become addicted to his costumed lifestyle. Rex was able to create a non-addictive version of Miraclo, but still had to deal with the aftermath of his disease. The family bug also bit his son Rick, who became the second Hourman, working hard to live up to his father’s legacy and keep his sobriety. There is also a third Hourman, but he was a nanotech colony lifeform from the future, created from the DNA of the Tyler family.

Hourman’s struggles with addiction, both those of Rex and Rick, can be used to tell powerful stories in the DCU. Creature Commandos introduced DC WWII characters like Sgt. Rock and Easy Company, so establishing the Golden Age legacy of the Justice Society shouldn’t be too much of a stretch. Hourman’s story makes him the perfect Justice Society member to spotlight, with the themes inherent in the character taking superheroes to a new place.

Metal Men

Creature Commandos itself set up the Metal Men. G.I. Robot was given to roboticist Will Magnus in the show in the past, who took a look at what made G.I. Robot tick. DC fans were ecstatic at this scene, because it meant that there was a chance for the Metal Men to appear. Magnus created the responsometer, which allowed him to create intelligent robots with complex personalities. He also used metals from the periodic table in his work, creating Gold, Iron, Platinum, Lead, Tin, and Mercury. Each of them had powers relating to their elements, making the Metal Men a formidable unit when they weren’t bickering among themselves.

Gunn basically telegraphed an upcoming Metal Men project at some point. A show about the Metal Men, taking place in the 1960s or ’70s, would be amazing. It would allow fans to see how the new DCU developed, as well as give them one of the more entertaining groups in DC history. The Metal Men represent an important technological link between G.I. Robot and the present day, and that link should be explored.

Detective Chimp

Detective Chimp is a character that is ready for superstardom. Detective Chimp was created to take advantage of the fact that comics with apes on their cover sold better, and over the years has become a respected member of the superhero community, working with Wonder Woman and the Justice League Dark, as well as the magical team known as the Shadowpact. Detective Chimp is a simple character — a chimpanzee given the power to speak who decides to become a detective — and fits in well with the DCU established in The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, and Creature Commandos.

Detective Chimp is a smoking, drinking chimp with an acerbic wit, which are all points in his favor. His knowledge of the seedier side of the DC magical universe makes him a doorway character to the best magical characters in comics. Detective Chimp has appeared previously in Batman: The Brave and the Bold in a form more in line with his Silver Age portrayal, but an entry into the DCU could bring the modern version of the character to life in all his glory. Andy Serkis as Detective Chimp is worth any amount of money.

The post If Creature Commandos Works, So Will These Obscure DCU Characters appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Jason Momoa will be entering the new DC Studios universe as a brand new character, trading in the royal title and trident of Aquaman for a biker vest and a Spacehog as he steps into the role of Lobo. The announcement understandably got people talking and excited to see what Momoa can do with the role, and as he revealed in a post on Instagram, he’s preparing for the role in just about the best way possible.

On Instagram, Momoa shared a video that with him sitting in front of a fire, and as he smoke a cigar the camera pulls back to reveal he is holding a script for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. The front page lists Ana Nogueira as the writer and also credits Tom King and Bilquis Evely with the originals story, but the finishing touch is the “For Lobo’s Eyes Only” written aross it.

As Momoa starts to open the script the video stops, but the photo that follows shows Momoa and Zoe Kravitz celebrating with the script in hand. Momoa posted the video and photo with the caption, “BOOM Day 3 of 2025 I AM LOBO #letsfraggingo aloha j” You can watch the video below.

Lobo has been a dream role for Jason Momoa for a while now, and now it’s finally happening. “I used to collect comics and I don’t do so much anymore, but [Lobo] was always my favorite. And I’ve always wanted to play Lobo,” Momoa told Fandango. “It’s pretty perfect. It’s the perfect role. I mean, listen, if they call me and ask me to play it? It’s a f— yeah. That’s a guarantee. So you don’t have to worry about that.”

[RELATED: How Does Jason Momoa’s Lobo Fit Into DC’s Supergirl Movie?]

Now it’s actually happening, and it’s happening in one of the most anticipated projects in DC’s slate with Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Lobo isn’t actually in the original story, but he fits in rather seamlessly. The story features a bounty hunter that’s sent after Supergirl by Krem, and while it’s not Lobo, it’s not a difficult switch to swap him in and allow this to either be a first meeting between him and Kara or a reunion after issues in the past.

Lobo has had a wild history with the Superman family, which came back up in a major way in the recent storyline House of Brainiac. That saw Brainiac reveal that Lobo was in fact not the last Czarnian as he initially thought, and now this army of Czarnian’s worked for Brainiac. Superman and Lobo would end up teaming up to take them down, though that had its own issues.

Now we’ll see Lobo and Supergirl meet on the big screen, which could end up with an eventual clash between Lobo and Superman, and it all begins in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

Are you excited for Momoa playing Lobo? You can talk all things DC and Marvel with me on Bluesky @KnightofOA!

The post Jason Momoa Prepares for DCU Lobo Role in the Perfect Way appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The constant delays on Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II may be fairly worrying, but the franchise was kept on audience’s collective mind in the best way possible with HBO’s The Penguin. Not just one of the best comic TV series ever made but one of 2024’s best shows period – a masterwork of sublime pacing and even better acting. And, while Colin Farrell is again extraordinary as the title character, Cristin Milioti gave him a serious run for his money as Sofia Falcone.

As of now, The Penguin Season 2 is not set in stone. However, should it pick up a slew of nominations come Emmy season later in 2025, the chances would greatly increase. It has already proved to be both a ratings smash and a critical darling, so that outcome seems fairly likely and, if so, Milioti will almost certainly be leading the charge to gold as much as Farrell. The question is, should The Penguin be renewed, what comes next for the woman formerly known as the “Hangman?”

Cristin Milioti Talks Sofia Falcone’s Future

IndieWire sat down with Cristin Milioti and asked her what she would like to do as the character in the future. After acknowledging that the series allows for several avenues Sofia could traverse, Milioti said “Obviously I would want to see her get out of Arkham. That’s like number one. I don’t want her in there. So, I want to see her get out [of] there, and exact revenge.”

As anyone who watched the series knows, it closes with her in Arkham State Hospital, which is a horrible place with which she’s well acquainted. This time, though, she has someone on the outside who seems to be interested in teaming up. Specifically, her half-sister, Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman.

[RELATED: The Penguin‘s Sofia Falcone Is the Best TV Villain of 2024 (Golden Issue Awards)]

The Batman showed that Kyle is pretty far from above seeking revenge, so the two would make for an excellent pair. And, given Falcone has essentially had her freedom stolen from her twice by the same man, vengeance would likely very much be on the menu. As Milioti said: “Maybe now she would be even more of a loose cannon, because before it was pretty focused on him [Penguin] and gaining power, but depending on what happens to her in there, it could be an even larger target. I would love to explore that.”

The Penguin‘s finale indicates that, either in The Batman Part II or in a second season, Oz Cobb will enter the world of politics, an environment so cutthroat he should feel quite comfortable. But that’s going to make him a lot harder for Falcone to take down. It seems inevitable that these two will cross paths again, and when they do only one is going to walk away. For the most part, the audience is probably rooting for Falcone.

The Penguin and The Batman are streaming on Max.

The post The Penguin: Cristin Milioti Wants Sofia to Become “More of a Loose Canon” appeared first on ComicBook.com.

DC’s Absolute line has been firing on all cylinders, presenting new versions of their classic heroes, and Absolute Superman by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval has done an amazing job with the Man of Steel. Absolute Superman is setting up a new status quo for Superman, and the third issue continues telling the story of the end of Krypton. There is a lot in the issue that is interesting, especially the changes made to the El family and Krypton as a whole, but the biggest moment of the issue comes at the very end. Not only is an integral Superman character is introduced, but her fate is quite different from what readers are used to seeing in DC Comics. Spoilers for Absolute Superman follow!

Superman’s Parents Play New Roles in the Absolute Universe

Absolute Superman #3 revolves around the relationship between Kal-El and his parents. Kal isn’t the best student, mostly because instead of depending on Krypton’s computers to do the work for him, he prefers to write his own work. Kal-El wanting to use his own words plays into the journalistic soul of him, and Jor-El and Lara encourage this rebellion against Kryptonian orthodoxy in him. It’s rare for readers to see Kal-El having an actual relationship with his birth parents, and Absolute Superman #3 shows how important they are to his development in this universe.

Jor-El and Lara are rebels against the Kryptonian Science League, the planet’s government, which is something that readers expect. Jor-El is imprisoned when he tries to tell the klerics of the Science League about the forthcoming destruction of Krypton, which Kal witnesses while on a field trip. He races home at his father’s insistence and gets his mother. The two of them attack the Halls of Wisdom, with Lara fighting the guards to free her husband. As that is happening, Kal is able to get the passcodes of one of the guards and discovers the truth about the Science League – that they know about the destruction of the planet and have built their own ships.

Related: DC’s New Superman Starts With a Major Political Message (And That’s Not New)

Kal broadcasts this information to the entire planet, playing the journalist even as a child, which steals the thunder from his parents when they tell him about the fate of Krypton. However, they tell him something he doesn’t know – that they’ve built a ship big enough to take many people off planet, which is a major change to Superman lore. All of this illustrates the example the Els set for their son, taking the place of the Kents. The end of the issue shifts to the present day and drops a bombshell on readers, as it shows a bedridden Martha Kent in a nursing home. Bereft of family according to the nurses, he’s fading away with a picture next to her of Jon, herself, and a familiar young man. Throughout the scene, she continually asks for her “angel” to come back to her. Eagle eye’d readers will notice a nurse on the prior page that sure looks familiar too.

The Status of Martha Kent Sets Up More Of Absolute Superman’s Origin

Absolute Superman’s origin is vastly different, and seeing Martha Kent like this brings that home. In the Absolute universe, it’s the Els that have inspired their son. The Absolute Els encouraged Kal to be different and taught him to fight for the little people while also always revealing the truth. This is usually the work of the Kents, and presents a very interesting twist on Superman.

However, Absolute Superman #3’s reveal of Martha Kent shows that the Kents played some kind of role in Kal’s life. Readers still don’t know the circumstances of Superman’s arrival on Earth, but they do know that Kal-El was much older when he landed. This could play into why the nurses say that Martha has no family – it would be harder to get him in the system, so the Kents had to hide his existence and couldn’t publicly raise him as their child. Absolute Superman has been downright cinematic and this latest reveal presents another facet to readers.

The post Absolute Superman Reveals Shocking Fate of Key DC Character appeared first on ComicBook.com.