The Dark Knight
Listening to: Jay Z "I know"
Yes. A collection of Animated short films by acclaimed anime directors is in the works, in a similar vein to the "Animatrix" shorts that were released in conjunction with "The Matrix: Reloaded".
I like most film and television renditions of Batman. Tim Burton's vision of Batman, in "Batman" and "Batman Returns" are childhood classics. I didn't like the subsequent sequels by Joel Schumaker so much (because they were too corny in all the wrong ways). But I did like watching reruns of the campy 1960s Adam West Batman as a kid after school (because they were corny in all the right ways... haha) "Robin... hand me the shark repellent.. Yes. The aerosol shark repellent... you know, just in case I'm attacked by a shark... in the air."
All of the above were great, but hands down, my favorite iteration of the Batman franchise was the animated series that aired in the early 90s. And "Mask of the Phantasm" is one of my favorite movies. Batman and Gotham City were originally illustrated creations, and they look so right (and so beautiful) in hand drawn animation. Also, the episodic format of an animated TV show over several years more accurately emulated the the story telling style of a comic book, in that it allowed for greater character development and exploration, way more than any 2 hour film can.
"Batman: The Animated Series" was a cartoon, but the content was so mature. It even aired during prime time, at 8pm. It was Batman for grown ups. That is at least during the shows original seasons (1993-95), before the animation studio merged with the same one that produced "Superman: The Animated Series". After 1996, "Batman: The Animated Series" evolved into a more saturday morning kid friendly version. The change in tone never felt right with me. That's why I'm psyched to see Batman return to form, in these new anime Batman shorts: violent and dark with adult themes.
Right after "Batman: The Animated Series", my favorite portrayal of Batman is the live action film "Batman Begins". And I'll be sure catch an early screening of the sequel, titled "The Dark Knight". I've always enjoyed the work of director Christopher Nolan (Momento, The Follow, Insomnia). And Christian Bale is one of my favorite contemporary actors, I've been a fan ever since American Psycho.
Speaking of favorites... I have a few favorite superheros. I like Spider man a lot, because we're both photographers in New York City (haha). I also feel a connection with Wolverine. When I was a little kid, I was hand picked for an experimental educational program. Though I gained a lot of useful abilities, I've always sort of felt a little bit like a laboratory project (haha).
But beyond a shadow of a doubt, the superhero I identify the most with is Batman. Yes. He's a badass: dark, quiet, brooding and methodical. But what really sets him apart for me, is the fact that he has no superpowers.
"Super powers" in superhero stories are metaphors for an extraordinary perspective. The powers of a superhero represent a unique way of seeing the world, or the ability to operate alternative epistemologies.
For instance, flying might be an example of someone who acts freely with an open mind. Or laser vision could be an accute understanding of things, like really really intense observational skills. Ok. That might be a stretch (haha). There isn't typically a direct correlation between a type of superpower and a specific personality trait. But its more of a way to express that the hero is somehow "different". The most common theme found in all superhero stories is that the hero greatly deviates from the societal norm of what a human being ought to be.
As a superhero lives their life, their unique perspective shapes the way the general public views them. Maybe they are celebrated or maybe they are aliented. Superman's incredible abilities of flight, strength and speed represent the hope of "freedom", and he is loved. The "X-men" were inspired by the events of civil rights movement. Their mutations represent the alienated perspective of a discriminated racial minority.
Batman has no superpowers. Though he is exceptionally strong, he can easily break like any normal human would. It's really a combination of his spirit, his wits and his constant training, that allows him to overcome his opponents.
Without superpowers, Batman is not "different" from you and I. He doesn't represent a unique perspective. Instead, he shares the perspective of humanity as a whole, violent and tortured, but constantly fighting to set things right. He is simultaneously a monster and an angel, and that makes him so much more accessible than your average superhero. And its also why Batman is my favorite.
Yes. A collection of Animated short films by acclaimed anime directors is in the works, in a similar vein to the "Animatrix" shorts that were released in conjunction with "The Matrix: Reloaded".
I like most film and television renditions of Batman. Tim Burton's vision of Batman, in "Batman" and "Batman Returns" are childhood classics. I didn't like the subsequent sequels by Joel Schumaker so much (because they were too corny in all the wrong ways). But I did like watching reruns of the campy 1960s Adam West Batman as a kid after school (because they were corny in all the right ways... haha) "Robin... hand me the shark repellent.. Yes. The aerosol shark repellent... you know, just in case I'm attacked by a shark... in the air."
All of the above were great, but hands down, my favorite iteration of the Batman franchise was the animated series that aired in the early 90s. And "Mask of the Phantasm" is one of my favorite movies. Batman and Gotham City were originally illustrated creations, and they look so right (and so beautiful) in hand drawn animation. Also, the episodic format of an animated TV show over several years more accurately emulated the the story telling style of a comic book, in that it allowed for greater character development and exploration, way more than any 2 hour film can.
"Batman: The Animated Series" was a cartoon, but the content was so mature. It even aired during prime time, at 8pm. It was Batman for grown ups. That is at least during the shows original seasons (1993-95), before the animation studio merged with the same one that produced "Superman: The Animated Series". After 1996, "Batman: The Animated Series" evolved into a more saturday morning kid friendly version. The change in tone never felt right with me. That's why I'm psyched to see Batman return to form, in these new anime Batman shorts: violent and dark with adult themes.
Right after "Batman: The Animated Series", my favorite portrayal of Batman is the live action film "Batman Begins". And I'll be sure catch an early screening of the sequel, titled "The Dark Knight". I've always enjoyed the work of director Christopher Nolan (Momento, The Follow, Insomnia). And Christian Bale is one of my favorite contemporary actors, I've been a fan ever since American Psycho.
Speaking of favorites... I have a few favorite superheros. I like Spider man a lot, because we're both photographers in New York City (haha). I also feel a connection with Wolverine. When I was a little kid, I was hand picked for an experimental educational program. Though I gained a lot of useful abilities, I've always sort of felt a little bit like a laboratory project (haha).
But beyond a shadow of a doubt, the superhero I identify the most with is Batman. Yes. He's a badass: dark, quiet, brooding and methodical. But what really sets him apart for me, is the fact that he has no superpowers.
"Super powers" in superhero stories are metaphors for an extraordinary perspective. The powers of a superhero represent a unique way of seeing the world, or the ability to operate alternative epistemologies.
For instance, flying might be an example of someone who acts freely with an open mind. Or laser vision could be an accute understanding of things, like really really intense observational skills. Ok. That might be a stretch (haha). There isn't typically a direct correlation between a type of superpower and a specific personality trait. But its more of a way to express that the hero is somehow "different". The most common theme found in all superhero stories is that the hero greatly deviates from the societal norm of what a human being ought to be.
As a superhero lives their life, their unique perspective shapes the way the general public views them. Maybe they are celebrated or maybe they are aliented. Superman's incredible abilities of flight, strength and speed represent the hope of "freedom", and he is loved. The "X-men" were inspired by the events of civil rights movement. Their mutations represent the alienated perspective of a discriminated racial minority.
Batman has no superpowers. Though he is exceptionally strong, he can easily break like any normal human would. It's really a combination of his spirit, his wits and his constant training, that allows him to overcome his opponents.
Without superpowers, Batman is not "different" from you and I. He doesn't represent a unique perspective. Instead, he shares the perspective of humanity as a whole, violent and tortured, but constantly fighting to set things right. He is simultaneously a monster and an angel, and that makes him so much more accessible than your average superhero. And its also why Batman is my favorite.
posted by Derrick Gomez at 1:00 PM
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