The Big Picture: Enough With The Batman Already!

[Strazdas]

completely agree. i been saying enough of batman 3 years ago and im still of that opinion. we need to explore other, better heroes.

 

[Vault101]

Unfortunately, Bob's complaints will fall on deaf ears, since WB doesn't give a shit about anything besides money, and they're not even all that good at predicting what will make money.

Sad but true...and you could actually apply this to ALL companies since the recent trend seems to be to redo everything that is "safe" enough to make money. See: All the grey-brown shooters.

oh for fucks sake..

really? I mean REALLY? your going to pull the "brown shooter" card? thats so friggrn 2008 its not funny..seriously, tell me hoq many brown shooters have we actually had besides COD?...warfighter? well everyone knows that was crap

 

[gorfias]

Don't get me wrong: I'm perfectly aware of how much room there is to do things with the Batman character (personally, I'd like something with a bit more color and less rubber armor next time around; maybe with a touch of pulp adventure to it or even a straight-up detective story) and his world, but I feel ready to take a break from him for awhile. Between all the movies and games and comics and TV shows, there's just so much Batman around that I'm just burned out on his whole world at the moment.

Also, past experience has given me a significantly less optimistic view of how well made the Justice League film, if it ever materializes, will actually be.

I'd love to see a more colorful Batman. Blue cape and cowl sorta thing. I do want hints that there is some bullet proofing to his outfit. He is not to be Ironman, but you have to think he'd do something to protect himself.

Increasingly these days, I don't worry too much about bad movies when it comes to franchise properties (although they happen) but meh stuff. Just saw Die Hard 5 and it does not even closely compare to Die Hard 4. It was by the numbers. The story was not logical. I'm not talking plot holes. I'm talking about not making sense and not really trying to do so. They just figured, put big explosions on the screen and people will like it. So, it was a 2.5/5 type of deal.

Even Avengers Phantom Menace battle ending showed signs of studio types saying, "OK, we got to rap this part up." even if it made no sense. (The invaders weren't centrally controlled robots: they were sentient aliens, the Skrull equivalent in a Marvel universe). So, I worry you are likely correct in that someone in power may say, just have them throw some costume types on screen. That will make them happy!

I was trying to think about what villain WB could bring to the table that could be powerful enough to take on the entire Justice League... and the only thing I came up with is Darkseid, And Batman dealing with Darkseid would be like nipples on a Batsuit-unnecessary, as well as outclassed.

Quick question: Do you know who Batman is? Due to writers compensating for putting the guy in a batsuit on a team with demigods, Batman has become the most feared and ruthless hero of DC's entire roster. His power is being the goddamn Batman.

That video sums up everything that's wrong with Batman. Batman's a normal human, that's his sell. Yet Darkseid (who can beat down Superman, who in turn has the strength to move planets) can punch him through a concrete pillar and Batman doesn't turn to soup. Superman can move faster than light and could punch someone into the sun, it doesn't matter how prepared you are, you're not reacting to that quickly enough. Batman has the ultimate super power, bullshit plot armour.

To be fair, Darkseid isn't trying to kill Batman, Bruce is visibly injured, and it's a PG13 film.

That said, I personally enjoy the absurdity of Batman's lack of acknowledged powers.

Yeah but humans are squishier than concrete. If you throw a human at concrete with enough force to break the concrete then you'll break the human. I know it's a cartoon but you can't hold up Batman just being a human as a major reason for his coolness then have him do clearly inhuman things.

That's artistic license. They're just letting you know Dark Seid is pissed off. But the plot works. You can believe Batman would break that code and make uncompromising demands what he'd learned. This is an excellent example of having Batman be relevant in the presence of so many demi-gods. In fact, more credible and important than, much as I like him, Captain America.

 

[Jeyl]

How about Batwoman?

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

We don't always get what we want, and what we get is going to be different than what we wanted.

Might as well accept the inevitable and admit that the JLA movie will suck. Unless they do what Marvel did and have setup movies for at least the 3 main characters, then half the movie will be 3 origin stories shoehorned in with a big bad boss fight 40 minutes later. It will feel rushed and it will look rushed. Despite all this, they will keep making JLA movies because they think it will cut in to Marvel's money bin sized profits.

 

[Paradoxrifts]

Batman's a normal human, that's his sell.

And that a superior intellect will always be the ultimate superpower. Every time Batman either comes to the rescue to or jeopardizes the lives of the rest of the Justice League, they're pandering to every comic book nerd convinced that their 'superior intelligence' is the main reason behind them being social outcasts. Some of the people who're into comic books are very intelligent people with poor social skills, but I've met my fair share of delusional numbskulls with poor social skills too and they tend to put on airs and try to act far more intelligent then they really are.

Two birds, one stone. The stone is probably shaped like a bat.

 

[Winnosh]

I love Batman He's a great character, but when it comes down to it. He's not needed for a Justice League team. One he's not a founding member and Two he isn't even in most versions of the team. Now for a movie you absolutely need him there but that's only because he'll bring in viewers.

 

[Winnosh]

As someone who has never followed, read, or watched any Justice League fiction, how did they get the whole "team of people with god-like powers" to work in the first place? Even more god-like enemies?

The Avengers have got some tough people, like the Hulk, Thor and his magic hammer, and Captain America. But they don't hold a candle to Mr. Arbitrarily-Fast, Mr. Arbitrarily-Fast-plus-Arbitrarily-Strong, and Mr. Can Wish Anything Into Existence With a Magic Ring. It just doesn't seem like the type of thing that will work that well in a movie short of making the stakes absurdly huge, never mind a series of movies where the temptation is going to be to constantly re-up the intensity and re-capture what sold the first movie.

But then again, what do I know? As long as Wonder Woman looks hot, there's tons of explosions and action scenes, and either a melodramatic or funny plot, it will probably make a ton of money overseas.

What's up with this hang up of Batman being the only member with no superpowers forgetting another team member can be taken out with a number 2 pencil?
Seriously batman's intelligence and worldliness has more than in one occasion proved, useful. Most of the team can't do stealthy investigation or hack computers and like that Darkseid scene no one who else could convince someone like Darkseid he'd blow up a planet? Speaking of which Batman was wearing 2 kinds of armour to absorb most of the force (along with Darkseid's fist), if you can believe a man can fly let it go.

In the Timmverse (and animated world in general) most Superpowers where scaled down from the comic or movie counterparts what i liked about DC more than marvel was it had more none superpowered superheroes but that's me.

Really if they get Aquaman and WW right it'll be okay, make Batman's look Arkham City like, dial back Superman's powers and you have a movie. I do think Bob is right that they keep over-thinking and over-emphasizing Batman.

They'll probably scale them down just like they did in the Avengers. Thor's just as powerful as Superman and yet we didn't see him going all nuts in the movie.

 

[Winnosh]

I wouldn't mind a blue beetle movie.

Ted Kord or Jaime Reeys?

 

[CrazyGirl17]

I agree, as much as I love Batman... maybe it's time we took a break... despite what some folks say. (Also, loved the Leauge introduction bit).

 

[michael87cn]

If something is awesome, it's awesome. You can't get enough awesome. Defies the laws of awesomnium.

If you need a break, take one yourself!

 

[Ishal]

I'd agree. I'm generally kind of sick of batman, and I'm sick of all the memes too.

"Be whatever you want to be, unless you can be Batman, then always be Batman" hur hur hur

I never grew up with comics so I just can't understand the allure of them, especially in today's time. But thats the reason, I think. I have the internet now where I can "plug in" to nerd culture at a whim. Back then comics were one of the only things around right?

But as someone who doesn't really care about the Marvel or DC universe. The whole Bruce Wayne with Demigods is kinda irrelevant. He should just be their PR guy or handle their taxes or something. Actually, he wouldn't be a good PR guy cuz of the whole mental issues thing. hmmm

 

[Winnosh]

As someone who has never followed, read, or watched any Justice League fiction, how did they get the whole "team of people with god-like powers" to work in the first place? Even more god-like enemies?

The Avengers have got some tough people, like the Hulk, Thor and his magic hammer, and Captain America. But they don't hold a candle to Mr. Arbitrarily-Fast, Mr. Arbitrarily-Fast-plus-Arbitrarily-Strong, and Mr. Can Wish Anything Into Existence With a Magic Ring. It just doesn't seem like the type of thing that will work that well in a movie short of making the stakes absurdly huge, never mind a series of movies where the temptation is going to be to constantly re-up the intensity and re-capture what sold the first movie.

But then again, what do I know? As long as Wonder Woman looks hot, there's tons of explosions and action scenes, and either a melodramatic or funny plot, it will probably make a ton of money overseas.

JLA is mainly about dealing with threats to the entire planet or the entire universe. and everyone brings something different to the table other than just their powers

Superman and Batman are the Smart guys
Wonderwoman and Aquaman are the leaders of armies with the resources of nations
Martian Manhunter is the Coordinator
Flash is the heart
Lots of others hold other things other than just their powers.

 

[Jennacide]

I personally had be wondering why the hell they were debating about what to do with Batman, when the one of the trio they need to focus on getting right is Wonder Woman. Nothing in media outside the comics with her name on it has been successful, which is a friggin Greek tragedy. (See what I did there?)

The best she's been was in her original TV/movie series and the Animated universe. Her Animated movie was really good

I'll have to look into that. I admit I forgot about the Justice Leagure cartoon, which at least did a good portrayl for once. Point still stands though, don't fuck it up WB!

 

[MrCalavera_v1legacy]

I agree with Bob. Our Caped Crusader should go on a retirement... So we can get Batman Beyond Begins.

 

[Crazy Zaul]

Agree, screw Batman. Make a Flash or Hawkgirl movie. Not only is Batman overdone but having a new Batman series first would mean having to wait like 7 years for a justice league movie.

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

Batman's a normal human, that's his sell.

And that a superior intellect will always be the ultimate superpower. Every time Batman either comes to the rescue to or jeopardizes the lives of the rest of the Justice League, they're pandering to every comic book nerd convinced that their 'superior intelligence' is the main reason behind them being social outcasts.

Is Batman any more of a brain than Sherlock Holmes, The Doctor, or MacGyver? Just because a superhumanly smart character resonates with nerds doesn't make it pandering.

Pandering would be if Batman saved the day thanks his collection of Magic the Gathering or the massive slashfic library on his Bat-harddrive.

 

[Cpt. Slow]

And in the end when WB give Zack Snyder the GO-ahead to just make awesome comic-book movies, we will have a "NERD-OFF" Between him and Joss Whedon And it will be glorious

Don't think that Zack '300' Snyder is the man for the job, nor will he be for the Man of Steel film. Actually, I think Josh Whedon made a great 'the one superhero film to rule them all' and should have said no to any other sequel project. I am tired of superheroes, we (the audience) have been bludgeoned with Batman, Iron Man, Thor, Captain 'Murrica, Spiderman, Fantastic Four, Green Lantern, The Punisher and many other superhero films whom ranged from cream of the crop to 'oh-my-god-that-was-so-bad-I-want-to-go-home-and-take-a-hot-shower-while-crying-and-clenching-my-knees' bad. Maybe it's time to come up with something new, or at least hasn't doused our minds for the last 13 years.