Batman DC Editor Mike Marts give us the lowdown on the Batman relaunch titles coming in June and the direction the Batman Universe will be taking:

IGN Comics: As I understand it, the wall is a way for you and your editorial team to keep everything organized and straight, rather than keep all this in your heads. What I'm curious about is how you guys break it down initially and go about relegating certain characters to certain books.

With the wall, I get this image of something like the NFL draft, with you playing the role of commissioner and the different writers vying for the chance to use each character. Obviously that's not the case, but what's a more accurate way to describe how you break down which series will handle which character?

Mike Marts: It's a combination of a few different methods. We divide everything up by regular monthly titles, and then if there are any ancillary books like one-shots or events, we include those as well. More or less we're working from what's already there and then branching out.

In other words, if Grant Morrison has an outline in for Batman and Robin, and we know that certain characters are going to appear in that series, we'll earmark those characters for that series and know that their appearances in other books will be limited or restricted. We kind of work that way, using the outlines from our writers and our conversations with our writers. Then we leave an open area for characters that are at large. And "at large" doesn't necessarily mean they're at large in Gotham City and running free. It can also mean that they're at large in that they're not currently being used in any of the core monthly titles.

IGN Comics: So it is it a common occurrence for you to have to tell a writer that Character A is off limits because he's being used in another series?

Marts: Definitely. In fact it happened this morning. I got a script in from one of our writers who wanted to use Firefly. He's a good villain, but not really an A-lister, and he hasn't really been used in that past few years other than some appearances in Gotham Underground. Suddenly it seems like for whatever reason Firefly is all the rage. We had him appear in Battle for the Cowl, and he's also going to be used in Paul Dini's Streets of Gotham.

So for the other writer who wanted to use it in his book, I had to explain that the character is being used in a significant way over here, which means we kind of have to adjust or make changes or come up with a replacement villain to be used in his book. So that's one example. It happens a few times a week, actually. But that's just one example of how the board helped us in managing the characters and knowing who appears where, when and why.

For the full interview click here...

(Source - IGN Comics)

As I keep saying one of the Bat titles I'm looking forward to the most this June is Detective Comics featuring Batwoman. Newsarama have sat down with artist J.H. Williams to talk about his upcoming work on the title...

NRAMA: Looking at the character design sheets that have come out, you're tweaking Batwoman's costume somewhat - was this something that you wanted to do for her to make sense for you to draw her, or was it something that came from Greg or DC?

JHW: I definitely felt she needed to make more sense visually. The overall look is still there but we removed aspects that now let's you take the character more seriously. There was a bit of hokiness (is that a word?) to her before. She needed to be tough as nails. Greg also had certain things he wanted altered too, such as her skin tone, which I completely agreed on. He had been trying to get her skin redhead pale/white ever since her first appearance. It's a brilliant choice when concerning her visual palette; it gives her a more graphic appearance. He and I had some good conversations early on to get where we both wanted to come from with her. The first result was actually the cover to the first issue - that was the first time I drew her at all. Then DC wanted a rough construction drawing of the different elements and that is where the character sheet came from, so that was secondary to the first cover. Kinda backwards, but that is usually what happens with me since most of my designing is done on the actual pages, things like that tend to be filed away in my head rather than on paper.

For the entire interview click here...

(Source - Newsarama.com)

Comic Book Resource have recently spoken with artist Mark Bagley on his amazing run on Trinity for the last 52 weeks and he also talks about his upcoming run on Batman.

(Source - CBR.com)

Eidos Interactive Ltd, creator of some of the world's leading videogame properties, today announced the three major titles that will be on show at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), June 2-4, 2009. The Eidos booth, located at South Hall Booth #2422 will feature Batman: Arkham Asylum, Mini Ninjas™ and Just Cause 2™.

Last weekend fan's in the UK got the chance to play Batman: Arkham Asylum at the MCM London Expo. The Eidos team have posted some images on the official Batman:@ Arkham Asylum Facebook page of some the fans who also dressed up as their favorite characters to play the game... looked like a great day and wish I was able to make it!

If you have a Facebook account then click here to go and check all the images from thr event.

(Source - Facebook: Batman: AA)

Newsarama continue their 20 Q&A with Dan Didio in regards to Batman's (Dick Grayson) introduction into the DCU and JLA... Read below to see what's happening and a Worlds Finest Mini-Series.

1. Dan, let’s start with the biggest news that you can now talk about opening – the conclusion of Batman: Battle for the Cowl, and the new Batman and Robin. When was the choice of Dick and Damian made, and was there every any back and forth over it, or has this all been in the works in Grant’s long view for Batman?

Dan DiDio: It’s funny – we were trying to lock down the actual date when we first came to the decision. It feels like this has been in play since the beginning of Grant’s run on Batman. We knew we were going to move to a change, we knew Grant had the “R.I.P.” storyline in mind, and we saw it as the perfect opportunity to revisit the idea of who’s operating underneath the cowl. In my mind, it was always going to be Dick Grayson, even though there were some discussions about it. This really was, in some ways, an extension of the generational aspect of the DC Universe as it applies to Batman. If you’re looking at it in that sense, there was only one logical choice to be the next Batman, and that was Dick Grayson.

NRAMA: That works for Dick, but what about Damian as Robin? I think a lot of people saw it coming for a while, but it’s still a relatively controversial move, given how Damian’s been portrayed over the last couple of years...

DD: It is and it isn’t. I understand that it could be seen as a controversial choice because of what people see Damian as right now – especially in his role as Talia’s son and confronting the Bat-Family in the way that he has, but again, we can go back to the start of Grant’s run on Batman, and I think Grant always had it in his mind, and was even providing clues that Damian would be the new Robin.

The fun part about Damian is that he thinks he should be the new Batman – without a doubt and regardless of his age.

I still remember when Grant pitched this to me – it was one of those light bulb moments when he described it – Dick and Damian are the reverse of Bruce and Dick as Batman and Robin. Bruce was grim and Dick kept him light and centered, now we have something that is a complete reversal. Batman is the lighter one, and the one who’s enjoying what he does, and now he is the one who has to lighten this grim and gritty kid, and make him more understanding of the role of a hero. It gives us incredible potential for story.

2. It’s not ruining any big surprise to say that Dick’s run as Batman is a timed affair which will allow you to explore certain things, but speaking as a fan – how does Dick work out as Batman for you? You mention that he’s lighter than Bruce, which is a given, but yet, part of what made Batman “Batman” and allowed for his control of Gotham was that he was grim and dark...

DD: Dick’s going to be a different Batman, and that’s what’s fun. You really can’t compare apples to apples with Bruce and Dick. Even though Dick was trained by Bruce, Dick has a different center, a different sensibility than Bruce had. He’s going to approach everything from a different light, which will help him in some cases and hurt him in others. One of the things that we did not want to do is have Dick Grayson act lock-step in regards to how Bruce Wayne acted in that role, because if we did that, why make the change in the first place? The whole purpose of making a change like this is to expand the story opportunities and potential of the characters, and the only way that will work is by finding somebody who takes that same thing but twists it, and allows us to look at it with a fresh set of eyes.

What’s interesting about Dick Grayson is that he’s been by Bruce’s side, fighting all of these villains – Joker, Two-Face, Black Mask – he’s done all these things beside Bruce, and now he’s doing them as Batman, and yet it all feels brand new. That’s what’s fun about it.

3. The Batman books will be going through their expansion in June and July, which will pretty well cover the Batman Family in Gotham, and with Red Robin, around the world. But what about in regards to the rest of the DC Universe? When and where will we see Dick interacting with the rest of the DC Universe as Batman? When you’re talking about story potential, it seems that there’s tremendous potential the first time Batman walks into the JLA’s meeting room, and everyone’s left wondering for a minute as to who this guy in the cape and ears is…

DD: There’s a good chance that Dick Grayson as Batman will be appearing in Justice League towards the latter part of the year, which will be a fun moment, especially with the changes that are in store for the League as the year progresses. On top of that, we’re also doing a four-part miniseries for the back half of the year called World’s Finest where the changes in Batman’s world meet up with all the changes in Superman’s world. It won’t be a head-to-head Superman/Batman meeting, but everything that’s happening in those books right now will meet up.

19. And finally in our creator roundup – where might we see Tony Daniel now that Battle for the Cowl is completed?

DD: He did so well with the Bat group, I’d hate to see him leave it.

20. Last one for this time – a reader asked how the Bat-office and DC sees the future Grant laid out for Batman in Batman #666? With his work on Batman seemingly taking steps toward it, should we be seeing that as a strongly possible future for Batman that things will be moving towards for the next little bit, such as Kingdom Come and Dark Knight influenced the characters for a time?

DD: It’s just one of the many possible futures of the DC Universe and it is something that stays prevalent in Grant Morrison’s mind as he’s continuing to tell his stories of Batman.

To read all the Q&A click here...

(Source Newsarama)

Mattel has released packaged images for two upcoming DCUC 2-packs featuring Fists of Clay Figure Pack with Clayface vs. Batman. This two-pack is available from August 2009

Newsarama talks with writer Peter J. Tomasi on his upcoming arcs on GL: Crop and the Blackest Night tie-ins. Here's what he had to say regarding Blackest Night: Batman #1

NRAMA: You're writing the three-issue mini-series Batman: Blackest Night, which the solicitations said includes the "Black Lantern Flying Graysons." Is this as creepy as it sounds?

PT: There's some scary ass stuff in it. Batman and Robin have to deal with some serious issues as they face loved ones not only coming back from the dead, but trying to kill them. Gotham is in a bad way, and I'd like to say it's always darkest before the dawn, but that isn't always true. The horror that infects Gotham brings the Bat Family to the breaking point, and we're going to see them on the edge like we never have before. I'm getting to write a favorite character of mine, Deadman, so that alone is a blast.

For the entire interview click here...

(Source - Newsarama)

I know this isn't Batman but I'm getting prepaired to launch Gotham Knights Online sister site for Green Lantern, so keep checking back soon for the launch...

In the mean time WB animation have passed me details of a recent interview Alan Burnett has done for the screenplay for the new DC Universe animated movie Green Lantern: First Flight.

To read the interview click here...

Toys "R" Us has announced an exclusive 12" Joker action figure from The Dark Knight!

The pose is the resemblance of the teaser poster showing the Joker from the back and will be a part of the movie masters range.
This figure comes complete with stand with an estimated Ship date: 06/19/2009.

Keep checking the site for more news regarding upcoming figure releases from the movie masters range.

Tony Daniel has just posted an awesome sketch on his blog for his new art direction. He says, this piece was done while being tired and is a little rusty!!! yeah right. If he carries on like this when he's rusty, then when he back in full swing it'll be awesome.

(Source - Tony Daniel Blog)

Friday 22nd we saw episode 18 of Brave and the Bold titled "The Color of Revenge!". This episode was the first introduction of Robin the boy wonder and the villain Crazy Quilt.

Synopsis:
Batman and Robin team up again, but it's not like it always was--there was a reason Robin left to go work on his own. As Crazy Quilt comes after Robin for revenge, all the dirty laundry comes out between the dynamic duo!

The episode was written by Todd Casey directed by Michael Chang.

Review by Bob Tilley

Another great character introduction and one of the most important in regards to relationship between the dynamic duo. The teaser (or intro), to this episode just screamed Batman 1966 TV series starting of with Bruce Wayne and his ward Dick Grayson cloaked in shadow (we've still yet to see Batman as Bruce), receiving a call from Commissioner Gordon. The Shakespeare bust-head is lifted to reveal the button that opens the Batcave!!!

At this point I was expecting to see the obligatory Bruce and Dick names attached to the pole's but I think the production team made a good choice to leave this out. We see both Batman and Robin appear in costume as they slide down the pole (another 1966 TV series homage), and they both leap into the a 1950's version of the Batmobile.

Now this teaser is the set-up for the show were we see Batman and Robin going up against one of the worst Batman villains ever to be created... Crazy Quilt! Voiced by Jeffrey Tambor who some people might remember him as as Tom Manning in the recent Hellboy movies.

So many great moments in this segment, first we see Batman and Robin scaling the side of a building on the Batropes and Robin again playing homage to the 1966 TV series by saying "Holy delusions of grandeur Batman", which I loved. We see Crazy Quilt trying to steal a "Stimulation light amplifier" which is mounted on-top of a tank?... yes I thought that as well. There is a showdown between the dynamic duo, Crazy Quilt and his three henchmen Red, Blue and Green ending with Robin blinding Quilt, which maddens him further.

Now the episode begins, switching to possibly 10-15 years later in Bludhaven with a bank robbery in progress. The robber is Solomon Grundy who is obviously to much for the local police to handle, upon calling for back-up we see a now older Robin riding to the rescue on his Robin cycle dressed in what was the Earth 2 costume in the DCU.

After taking down Grundy and getting the thanks and recognition for this efforts from the police we first get to hear of a rift between Batman and Robin. Suddenly a blinking eye appears in the sky, Robin is about to deduce the blinking as Morse code when Batman appears out of no where and plucks the answer away from Robin...

Batman explains that Crazy Quilt has escaped Arkham Asylum and is plotting revenge on Robin after he blinded him. The tension between Batman and Robin continues to elevate and the explanation of Robin leaving Gotham to become his own man, we quickly see that Batman (also through the entire episode), is not able to see past Robin as his child side-kick, something Robin continues to resent.

Once the duo reach Quilts lair a rash decision by Robin running head first into a trap designed to flatten them both is sprung. Batman come to Robins rescue but the tension between them still grows and especially after Quilt trashes the Robin cycle forcing Robin to ride along side Batman on the Batcycle in the side car. Great line here when Batman says "I thought you liked the side car", and Robin responds "Yeah when I was eight".

The next clue leads Batman and Robin to S.T.A.R. Labs were Quilt is trying to steal the light amplifier again. During the fight Quilt ends up getting the upper hand and destroys part of the building burying Robin and kidnapping Batman.

Robin figures out another of Quilts clues and come to Batman's rescue, where we finally see the confrontation between the pair, while Batman is attached to a giant carpet weaving machine.

Quilt come crashing into the building with the giant light amplifier tank, but this time he's wired the devise into his head and is hellbent on destroying Robin. This is where the relationship switches and Batman says to Robin "Your villain, your call".

The final showdown finally sees Robin take charge and knocks out Crazy Quilt proving to Batman he is his own man now and is just as good as Bataman. After Quilts arrest Batman receives another call about a money train robbery and asks is Robin wants to help ending with another hilarious moment showing a not amused Robin in the sidecar.

Overall a great intro to Robin, loads of references to the golden age comic books and Batman 1966 TV series. The Crazy Quilt is still a lame villain but voiced by Jeffrey Tambor made up for that.

SCORE: 3/5

This week we have an interview with comic book artist Frazer Irving to talk about his recent run on Azrael: Deaths Dark Knight as part of the Battle for the Cowl series.

CLICK HERE TO GO OVER TO THE PODCAST PAGE INCLUDING SCHEDULE DETAILS.

Every fortnight we get together to discuss all the current news topics, merchandise announcements, media news and also reviewing as many of the Batman comics that have been released in that two week period.

Bob and Gary.

Tony Daniel will be giving fans of the course of the week a behind the scenes look at the making of Battle for the Cowl as a three part segment aimed at breaking down the creative process through the three issues, from initial ideas and plans to what finally made it to print.

To check it out click here for Tony Daniel's Blog

(Source - Tony Daniel Blog)

IGN Comics also has an exclusive interview with writer Grant Morrison to discuss his up coming work on Batman and Robin with artist Frank Queitly and how the Batman universe will be shaping up after Battle for the Cowl...

IGN Comics: So the wait is over and now fans know the identities of the new Batman and Robin – Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne. Before we get into specifics though, I'd like to talk about the big picture. You've made no secret of the fact that this is all part of a greater, long ranging story that you're telling. How does Batman and Robin fit alongside your recent Batman work?

Grant Morrison: It's pretty simple. It comes in straight chronological order after the recent stuff. This is the sequel to Batman RIP, which is why the first arc is called 'Batman Reborn.' It builds directly off of it, and there are threads we pick up from before. As I've said before, the main villain in the first arc has already been seen in Batman #666, which had the potential future for Gotham City in it. So it's a straight continuation and the next part in the long running story from 'Batman and Son' onwards. We'll be picking up threads from that first book as well.

IGN Comics: You described Batman RIP as Batman fighting the greatest evil he's ever come up against. How would you describe the "tagline," so to speak, for Batman and Robin and 'Batman Reborn?'

Morrison: Basically, I suppose it's 'Can the a whole new Batman and Robin team cut it in the wild world of Gotham City 21st century?'. The only way I can explain the tone is that I had this idea of recapitulating the television show in a certain way. I wanted to do something different with that kind of format – the short, punchy serial format. Because obviously I looked at a lot of the Batman fifties stories when I was doing RIP and the stuff leading up to it. I've kind of always had this notion of looking at the dark and dusty corners of any character. If there's a long running character, there are almost always certain parts of their history that no one wants to talk about because everyone's embarrassed by it.

So with Batman, there's that kind of fifties era with weird modernist aliens and paranoid stories where Robin's constantly breaking down in tears because he thinks Batman is going to leave him. That era was something that people didn't like at all because it obviously just did not fit the tone of modern stories. That was a time in the fifties when the comics code stopped Batman from being able to fight crime or deal with anything realistic at all. Those stories really didn't fit the character, but I tried to bring them back in and give them a new slant and freshen them up. Because it was an area of inspiration that nobody had really gone to. It was kind of an untapped well.

So with Batman and Robin, it was the same thing. I was thinking of what other aspects of Batman are completely out of favor - that people tend to hate and don't seem to work anymore. The Batman 60s TV show was one of those. Obviously it was camp and a product of its time. But when I was a kid I thought it was really serious. [laughs] So I wanted to take some of that bizarre, psychedelic feel. I wanted to take the idea of very short, punchy stories that just kind of existed on their own terms. Rather than Batman RIP, which was a big, epic story that had a lot of secret subtext and hidden meanings and stuff, these are just crazy stories that are pretty upfront.

It was taking that aspect of the Batman TV show and then trying it in with David Lynch and Twin Peaks. [laughs] And creepy European cartoons and marionettes and stuff like that. That bad dreamlike feeling of a Marilyn Manson video in the '90s, or like Chris Cunningham's video for 'Windowlicker'. [laughs] Again, it was about trying to fuse those two things together into a bad trip, Lewis Carroll kind of world. I realize I give a massive, long answer every time we speak, Dan. But that was kind of what obsessed me about Batman and Robin going into it – to take these weird elements and marry them together to see what we could get.

IGN Editors Note: Throughout this interview we've included the J.G. Jones variants for the June Batman titles - Batman and Robin, Batman, Detective Comics, Streets of Gotham, Red Robin and The Outsiders. Gotham City Sirens is not included in this article, but will have a Jones variant when it ships.

For the entire interview click here...

(Source - IGN Comics)

Eidos have passed me the character render and bio for Poison Ivy featured in yesterday's new trailer release.

Arkham Asylum is home to some of the most stunning and diverse characters ever imagined. Revealed in this latest vignette, Poison Ivy is an enemy to be reckoned with. With the ability to control all forms of plant life, this sultry, green-fingered vixen might look like a dream, but she packs an awesome - and seemingly unstoppable - punch through interaction with the living environment. She’ll invade your dreams and terrorise your nightmares, pushing Batman to the very limits of his strength and stamina.

POISON IVY
REAL NAME: Pamela Lillian Isley
OCCUPATION: Professional Criminal
BASE OF OPERATIONS: Gotham City
EYES: Green
HAIR: Red
HEIGHT: 5 ft 8 in
WEIGHT: 115 lb
FIRST APPEARANCE: Batman #181 (June, 1966)

BIO:
Botanist Pamela Isley was transformed by a science experiment gone wrong into a plant-human hybrid. With chlorophyll flowing through her veins instead of blood, she developed a toxic touch and a pheromone-fueled talent for seduction. Her crimes have become more ecologically focused as she has increasingly abandoned her human side, identifying more with the natural world. Her unique brand of eco-terrorism often puts her into conflict with Batman, whose iron will usually protects him from her seductive powers.

Attributes:
· An ability to encourage and direct the growth of all plant life
· Plant genes mixed in with her DNA make her an unpredictable and formidable physical opponent
· Exudes natural pheromones that enable her to exert control over victims
· Skin secretes a toxin that can make her touch deadly
· Pathological drive to rid the world of humanity and make it safe for plant life

Newsarama have been given the first talk with artist and writer Tony Daniel to discuss the series overall and set-up for the Batman Universe to come.

Newsarama: Now that the series has ended, Tony, how was the experience for you of writing a "big event" comic at the same time as drawing it? Glad for it to be done? Or ready to do more of this stuff?

Tony Daniel: The experience was a great one. It was great to have the opportunity to write and draw it. I didn’t think a year ago I’d be in this great situation so I’m enjoying it and making the best of the opportunity. I’m happy it’s done, but yeah, that’s mainly because I’m ready and excited to do more writing and drawing.

NRAMA: With all of your writing experience – including your successful Image series The Tenth, the other comics series you've done, and your writing for Hollywood -- how different was this series to pull off as a writer? What are the challenges of not only working with well established characters instead of your own creations, but within a shared universe where so much has to be planned for future monthly series?

TD: The main challenge was telling each issue with a different narrator, the three sons, so to speak. I was afraid it would be too jarring. They’re almost like three one-shots that make one larger story.

The other challenge was the length. It was such a big story, when you have the Black Mask sub-plot and the chaotic Gotham backdrop to throw in too. A typical story you would find in a monthly, or longer mini-series, has a bit more set up and eventual pay-offs. The different narratives and story length kept the story extremely linear. It’s really not the typical story approach. As far as coordination, I knew in the planning stages what I had to as to not paint any other writers into corners.

To read the entire interview click here...

(Source - Newsarama)

If your a UK resident Eidos are giving gamers at London MCM Expo a chance to be among the first in the UK to play the fantastic new Batman: Arkham Asylulm on both PS3 and 360.

Eidos will be on Stand 530 with eight pods ready and waiting so hope to see you then! If you think you can make it down this weekend we'd love to see, check the MCM Expo site for more times and ticket details!

Warner Bros Animation have passed me a sneak peak at Batman: The Brave and The Bold episode 20 titled “Hail the Tornado Tyrant!”, which is due to air on Cartoon Network on June 5th.
Check out the three video's below.

Synopsis:
Red Tornado attempts to create a being that will possess the one thing he lacks: human emotion. His experiment goes awry after an attack from Major Disaster and his "Tornado Champion" quickly turns to the dark side as "Tornado Tyrant" whose only goal is to destroy all humans!

The teaser includes Batman and Green Arrow hunting down the Joker and Catwoman.

The episode was written by J.M. DeMatteis and directed by Brandon Vietti.

Voice actors starring in this episode include: