Matt Reeve's Batman movie is ramping up with cast announcements coming every few days. I do like that they are going with a younger cast that can stay in the roles for a while if this new vision is a hit. Many have been comparing the villain-heavy story to The Long Halloween, which is a great story to draw inspiration from. I am also getting the feeling that Batman: The Animated Series will be a big influence on the look and feel of this new incarnation. Batman has seldom been presented better than in that show, so I hope my hunch is correct.
I'll bet Abe turns out to be a survivor from the sinking of...Batlantis.
ReplyDeleteAll those Kingdoms of Atlantis in the Aquaman movie, and Abe doesn't seem to be from any of them. Hmmmm ... seems like a story (and team-up) there. But Ross, do a photo-cover with Abe and Mera, please.
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago, a friend of mine did an informal poll of who played the best Batman: Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, or George Clooney (at the time those were the only live-action choices). The winner, with a majority of the vote, was write-in Kevin Conroy. So yes, Batman has seldom -- if ever -- been presented better than on Batman: The Animated Series (and elsewhere in the DCAU).
ReplyDeleteIn fact, just to give Kevin his due, I'd suggest doing something around the time of Crisis on Infinite Earths on the CW, with him sharing a cover with Tom Holland's Spider-Man. (Yes, I know you prefer to use classic series for photo covers -- The Greatest American Hero with Patrick Warburton's Tick is an idea that comes to mind -- but this is another special case, given that this has been a special year for both actors.)
@Jay: Abe and Mera? I'd rather a photo-cover with Abe and Arthur. Or, perhaps as a follow-up to this cover, one with Abe and Michael Keaton's Batman... though on the whole I'd rather Jason Momoa's Aquaman (in all cases, Abe from the Ron Perlman films).
Just to underscore an item of interest, while watching E.T. info show recently, they mentioned a famous actress who identified the best Batman as Kevin Thomas. Point is she looked at the cartoon credits for voice acting and remembered Kevin as being the best Batman actor. Have to wonder how many Hollywood actors watch cartoons and learn voice over actors names.
ReplyDeleteI guess your friend forgot about the Batman serials with Lewis Wilson as a live action choice. I bought the series on DVD after seeing on TCM.
ReplyDelete@Bob @ Glenn: well, if we're also honoring voice-over actors, don't forget Olan Soule as the voice of Batman in 1968 (Filmation). And, then, from circa 1973-circa 1980 (Hanna-Barbera).
ReplyDeleteand Adam West did New Adventures of Batman and later, he did it straight on
ReplyDeleteSuperfriends as Olan became part of Firestorm.
Is there anybody that you can't team Batman with? From ultra serious to completely goofy, Batman seems to make it work? Super-Goof maybe?
ReplyDeleteStill have my fingers crossed for a ode to Michael Keaton Batman vs Vulture cover.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, does it count that one of the earliest Batman actors was the voice artist that did Bruce Wayne and Batman voice on the Superman radio show? Talk about early team ups!
ReplyDelete@Bob, story-wise Arthur would be better. I just want more pictures of Amber Heard in the Mera costume!
ReplyDeleteBut, does it truly matter what Amber Heard? ;-)
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