Tag Archives: Superhero

TV

The Boys Presents: Diabolical – There Will be Blood

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WARNING! This contains spoilers!

Amazon’s adaptation of “The Boys” comic books have become a massive hit for the service. With two seasons already released, it has become insanely popular. With that popularity naturally comes discussions of how to expand the show and it’s universe. The first one out of the gate is this animated anthology series. With people like Seth Rogen, Awkwafina, Anthony Starr, Don Cheadle, and even comic book creator Garth Ennis working on this series, you can expect to see a wide variety of stories that will satisfy you until the next season of the main show comes out.

There is a wide variety of animation styles used for these stories. From a style influenced by classic Looney Tunes shorts to styles heavily influenced by Japanese animation, this show will try a little bit of everything. Some visual styles might be more to your liking than others, but that’s okay. Because all of the stories features in this anthology can fit right into the tone of the main show.

In the first episode, no dialogue is spoken and it takes it’s influence from Looney Tunes to tell the story. A scientist trying to free a super baby from Vought before she is terminated, a lot of physical comedy can be expected. Physical comedy that is drenched in blood of course. But there are a couple of episodes that have more of a dramatic leaning. One of the final episodes focuses on an elderly couple, the husband works as a janitor for Vought and steals Compound V in the hopes it will cure his wife with Pancreatic Cancer. The episode has a lot of death as it has an unintended effect on the cancer within the wife’s body. But it is arguably the most human episode of the entire series. You do feel the desperation and the sadness of the two main characters, as well as how much they care for each other. Even though the husband doesn’t want to loose her, he does realize that in order to do the right thing that he must let of his feelings and come to peace with loosing the love of his life.

But there is one question that does need to be addressed. Even though this is an anthology, does it actually take place in the main show’s universe? The answer is both yes and no. It really does depend on the episode. The final episode shows a young Homelander just joining The Seven and going on his first mission. It contains both Stan Edgar and Madelyn Stillwell to establish, with the latter especially showing early signs of grooming him and establishing the relationship we later see in the first season. We also see how Homelander starts off wanting to be a genuine superhero but ultimately loses control. The only other Supe in the episode, Black Noir, helps him cover it up and tell a story that earns the newest Supe support and admiration. This also establishes a level of respect for Black Noir that we see Homelander briefly show in a couple of episodes from the main show.

Another episode that can easily exist in the main universe is one that sees the debut of Groundhawk. But the focus of the episode is on the young daughter of two Supes, Nubian Prince & Nubia. The two of them are on the brink of divorce and the daughter seeks out Groundhawk to recreate the first battle her parents had together that began their relationship. While it does briefly rekindle their romance, it comes at the cost of the two of them seemingly killing Groundhawk as well as leaving emotional scars on their child who witnesses the entire thing. Ultimately pushing her to get her parents to sign the divorce papers.

But there are episodes that make it a little tricky to see existing in the same universe as the original show. There is one particular episode that, while definitely well done, basically makes it impossible. Written by original comic creator Garth Ennis, Billy Butcher confronts a guy who sells drugs for the Supe community and gets him to inject something into the drugs that he plans to give to a Supe about to be entered into the Hall of Fame. The events of the episode don’t contradict anything from the live action show. But character inclusions and appearances do go against what has already been established. Hughie shows up in the episode with a look that’s more in line with the comics than the live action show. And The Seven includes the Supe known as Jack from Jupiter, an actual alien. The live action show doesn’t have any indication a character like that was on the team in the main show, nor does the show have any signs that aliens actually exist either. Meaning that this episode does have to take place outside of the show’s universe in order to exist.

But at the end of the day, that’s for the best. A few episodes that can’t take place in the live action show’s main universe with a couple that could feasibly be integrated in. The rules don’t have to matter as long as an interesting and entertaining story can be presented. And that’s what you get with all eight episodes. With all the characteristics and trademarks that helped Amazon’s main show become a smash hit. The good, the bloody, & the nasty.

Comics

The Eternal Nature of Spawn

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The mid to late 1980s saw the release of a couple of graphic novels that would forever change the comic industry. Both “Watchmen” & “The Dark Knight Returns” had dark storylines that integrated mature themes not usually associated with comics, as well as explored complex philosophies/ideologies. After receiving widespread acclaim from within and outside the comic book community, comic book editors and creators took the wrong lessons from those books. Working under the assumption that comics need to be more dark and include intense violence, we got a lot of stories and characters that would define the industry for the early to mid 1990s.

If you read comics during this time period or you sought out books from this era, you are probably familiar with the most common traits across various titles. You have characters carrying these huge overdrawn guns. Ones that make you ask how the Hell can that guy hold that with just one hand. Characters that are constantly growling or expressing anger and never showing any other emotion to help you truly connect with them. The rise of the anti-hero, characters willing to kill or do ethically questionable things to achieve their mission. While the concept of the anti-hero isn’t inherently bad, it was over-exploited during this time and not always well executed. And while the industry always had an issue drawing female characters sexy and not fleshing them out, it was probably at an all time high during this time. Basically, these years weren’t the highlight of comic book history. While some good did come out of it, there is a lot of underwhelming. A lot of titles and characters created during this time have mostly fallen into obscurity.

But why has Spawn prevailed? After 30 years and now attempting to create it’s own universe like DC did in the 1940s and Marvel in the 1960s, he is still around with a strong fan base. To answer that question, you have to look at his origin story. For most people who don’t read comics this is the probably the only part of Spawn they would be familiar with. But it also touches on the best stuff of the character. Al Simmons was a solider and special agent serving his country. But he was betrayed by the people he worked for and killed by his own during a mission. He gets sent to Hell where he is offered the chance to see his wife again. But it came at the cost of serving as one of that realm’s soldiers, a Hellspawn. And when he does return to Earth, five years have passed and his wife has remarried his best friend and they have a kid. He also has to regain his memories as he fights against foes – human and supernatural – who try to manipulate him for their own ends.

The story of Spawn is one that touches on a few universal themes. Mainly the idea of second chances and redemption. Al isn’t a perfect person, as many different issues over the years will showcase. But he is someone who tries to do what he thinks is right. Which is what all of us aspire to. And even though his life has been destroyed and he has lost everything, he finds a way to move forward and make the best of his situation. Making better choices and break free from the influence others have had on him, before his death and now as a Hellspawn. This universe also establishes that Heaven isn’t all what it appears to be either. The relationship between Heaven and Hell reveals that it doesn’t truly matter if your an ethically good or bad person. Where you go to once you die is random…for most people. But it is revealed that Al and his ancestors have been manipulated so that he follows a destiny of becoming the Hellspawn to start Armageddon. And while that war does come, Al takes on both Heaven & Hell and wins Armageddon in defense of mankind, who are used only as soldiers by both forces. Years after Al beats them, he ends up closing the doors to both realms. No more angels or demons can come or leave Earth. Their influence on a cosmic/supernatural level has been taken away. And now Spawn is there to take on who remains and make sure that humans have the freedom to make their own choices and be free of manipulated destiny.

Spawn is the story of realizing you don’t have to be perfect to be good. You could make questionable choices but as long as you do what you feel is the right thing to do, you will be all right. As long as you get to decide what you make for yourself and not let someone else decide for you. These ideas, accompanied with some truly great artwork and imagery and the writers realizing what works for Spawn while getting rid of the weaker elements, connects with everyone and has made sure Spawn has endured for so long. And hopefully he keeps being a strong presence for many years to come.

Movie Reviews, Movies

Review – The Batman

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It’s been a long journey to get to this point. When this movie was first announced, Ben Affleck was attached to direct and star in his own film following “Batman v Superman” and “Justice League”. Long story made short, Affleck ended up walking away from the film and the role entirely and the new director Matt Reeves was given the freedom to come up with the story he wanted to tell. And now it is finally here. The Dark Knight returns to the big screen.

Let’s start by taking a look at the man wearing the cowl. Robert Pattinson has worked hard since “Twilight” to work on his acting, taking roles in indie films. And you can see the result of those years of dedication in his performance. When he first shows up in the movie wearing his Bat Suit, he gives off a menacing aura. The way he moves makes him come off as someone like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. He intimidates all the criminals he comes across. The first time the Bat Signal turns on, the movie lets us see the reactions of the criminals who take notice. They look to the shadows in fear of seeing the Caped Crusader walk out. Robert Pattinson puts forth terror. His Bruce Wayne is a version that is addicted to this lifestyle, who has almost given up entirely on having a life outside of the Bat Cave. But over the course of the movie, we see him interact with those he considers allies, creating new relationships and deepening old ones. The story forces him to rediscover his humanity, remember the true reason he put on the suit and go out into the night. You see his emotions in every looks he gives, in every movement he makes. Robert Pattinson does right by the role and gives one that leaves a dark yet complex impression.

But that’s not to discredit the the quality of the other acting performances. Jeffrey Wright as Lieutenant James Gordon is a standout in this film. The partnership between the cop and the vigilante is unique from the other film versions and you can tell that there is respect and some trust between the two, especially as they go against a corrupt city in order to solve the case. It is arguably better than the chemistry Robert shares with Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman. Their interests and goals align for most of the movie, which is when we see the spark between the two slowly grow between the two. Since this is the first time meeting each other, the relationship isn’t as intense as one might hope for. But that doesn’t mean you will be disappointed. You will see the beginning of a deep connection that would hopefully be revisited and deepen in future installments. Paul Dano as The Riddler reinvents the character from practically every other popular version in past movies, TV appearances & comics. Taking influence from both The Zodiac and Jigsaw from the “Saw” franchise, Dano’s character is truly disturbed with a dark sense of humor. You carefully watch and follow him as you want to know what his endgame truly is. Lastly but certainly not least, Andy Serkis as Alfred is a strong choice. The relationship between the butler and Bruce is more distant than in past iterations, but their relationship is also an indicator of how Bruce slowly reconnects to his humanity. And Andy shows genuine love and affection in those later moments, but you will also be impressed by the more stern posture he gives off early on as he subtly displays the role he played in creating the young Batman.

There is one character that has shown up in every film version of Batman that doesn’t always get the proper attention – Gotham. While Tim Burton gave us a city with beautifully gothic visual style, Christopher Nolan gave us a version that’s as realistic as it could be. Both have their strengths, but both ultimately don’t truly portray an authentic Gotham. But Matt Reeves takes the best of both versions and gives us the best portrayal yet. You feel the grit whenever you follow Batman out into the night, the aura of crime that is a part of every brick. A version of Gotham that makes you wonder why does anyone choose to live here. This is enhanced by the strong visual direction of the film, letting scenes speak with very little or no dialogue. The action is also well choreographed and displayed, allowing you to see what is happening in style and let’s you feel the weight of the vigilante’s punches. All of this accompanied by a beautiful musical score. One full of terror, beauty, and even hope. If you fear that the length is too long, you will probably forget that once you follow the along with the protagonists working to unravel the mystery put in motion by Gotham’s newest serial killer. Every scene feels like it has a purpose or reason for being in the movie.

Here you have it. A Batman movie with a strong Horror atmosphere, a story that has psychological effects on all those involved. Performances that keep you glued to the screen and a menacing Batman that reconnects with his emotional side by the end of the movie in the hopes of better serving his city. This is a film that you can’t miss.