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Articles by Jay Yaws
Filippo Loreti The Batmobile Watch Review
“Tune in tomorrow- same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!” -Desmond Doomsday So would certain episodes of the classic 1960s Batman television series end, enticing viewers to return the following night to see the resolution of that installment’s exciting cliffhanger. But how does one know when to tune in, exactly? We know to come back at the “same Bat-time,” sure, but that would require some sort of timepiece or way to track the hours, would it not? Hence: clocks. Watches.
Filippo Loreti relaunch The Batmobile wristwatch
While I’m not exactly an expert in style and fashion, I still appreciate fine clothing and accessories. A bespoke suit, a well-tailored jacket, or a tasteful hat can help someone establish their individual sense of style, and who doesn’t like seeing someone in dapper fit? I mean, James Bond doesn’t just go on dangerous missions; he looks cool doing it. Clothing is definitely a large part of fashion, but smaller accessories can be just as important.
From the Batman News Desk: discussing 25 years of “Batman: The Hill” with editor Joseph Illidge
Welcome to From the Batman News Desk, a new series of op-eds and articles covering various aspects of Batman history. Each week one of the Batman News writers will share their thoughts on Batman characters and concepts across comics, film, television, and more. Twenty-five years ago, a one-shot Batman story came out off the tail end of the No Man’s Land epic.
From the Batman News Desk: a journey through Gaylord Texan’s DC Comics Universe of Light
Welcome to From the Batman News Desk, a new series of op-eds and articles covering various aspects of Batman history. Each week one of the Batman News writers will share their thoughts on Batman characters and concepts across comics, film, television, and more. One of the great joys of being a comic book fan is how much of an impact they have had on popular culture.
Head back to school in DC Comics' upcoming miniseries "Gotham Academy: First Year"
There have been a lot of different Batman comics over the decades. Understandably, most of them focus on the Dark Knight himself, or his extensive “Bat-family”, with stories ranging from street-level detective stories to time-hopping adventures to intergalactic journeys, and anything in between.
Superman: The Ultimate Guide review
With 87 years of history, you could fill a lot of books about nothing but Superman, his stories, supporting cast, and various exploits. And they have, what with the thousands of individual issues of Superman comics that are out there. If you wanted a comprehensive look at the Man of Steel, though, that would be quite the undertaking to fit all of his history into a single volume.
Superman: The Official Cookbook review
In my years of writing for this and other websites, I’ve reviewed a wide range of products. Single-issue comics and graphic novels, of course, along with prose novels, reference books, card and board games, action figures and statues, movies, and television series. You know what I’ve also reviewed a surprising number of? Cookbooks. Not like Joy of Cooking or Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook, though they contain tasty recipes just the same.
Comics writer Peter David has died
We’re sad to hear that writer Peter David has passed away, his family has announced. David had a long career in comics, prose, and television. Perhaps his best known work was his 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, which defined multiple aspects of this character that are still in place to this day, most notably the different “green” and “grey” parts of Bruce Banner’s alter ego. He also made an impact on DC Comics characters with extended tenures on Aquaman and Supergirl, and co-wrote the DC vs.
From the Batman News Desk: Batman Begins Turns 20 And We Are All Getting Old
Welcome to From the Batman News Desk, a new series of op-eds and articles covering various aspects of Batman history. Each week one of the Batman News writers will share their thoughts on Batman characters and concepts across comics, film, television, and more. In 2005, the Batman film franchise was in a state of limbo. After the critical failure of Batman & Robin in 1997, the onscreen exploits of the Dark Knight were effectively dead.
Spin Master Batman Forever Batmobile and Metal Force action figures review
As long as we have Batman, I think we’re going to have Batman toys. There have been countless figures made over the years, from almost as many manufacturers, rendering Batman, Robin, their rogues and allies in plastic. Some are meant for play, others for display, but there’s plenty out there for fans of any age.
Roger Pratt, cinematographer for “Batman”, has died
Reports have come in that British cinematographer Roger Pratt passed away this past December. Pratt was Director of Photography for 1989’s Batman film, where his use of lighting and shadow contributed to the noirish, Gothic look of the now-classic film.
A History of Gotham City in Live-Action
There are certain parts of the Batman mythos that are non-negotiables. Bruce Wayne has to be an orphan, for instance, he has to dress in a spooky costume to frighten superstitious and cowardly criminals, and he has to ride around in some sweet vehicles. While other aspects can vary, Batman’s home base also always remains the same: Gotham City in the state of SomewhereprobablyontheeastcoastmostlikelyNewJersey, USA.
2024 Holiday Gift Guide
As another year comes to a close, the holiday season is upon us once again. It’s a season of gift-giving, merriment, good cheer, and spending thing with loved ones. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for the Batman fan in your life, or you are that Batman fan hoping for the perfect gift, peruse our annual Gift Guide for the best merchandise of the Caped Crusader 2024 had to offer.
Kyle Chandler cast as Hal Jordan in HBO’s “Lanterns”
After weeks of swirling rumors and speculation, HBO have officially announced that the upcoming Lanterns series has found its Hal Jordan in Kyle Chandler. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Chandler will play one of the titular Green Lanterns, with co-lead John Stewart yet to be cast.
The Batman’s Gotham skyline inspired by The Room
When creating art, inspiration can come from the most unlikely of places. Be it a musician noodling and creating a masterful symphony, a painter conveying abstract thoughts and feelings through brushstrokes on canvas, or a director filming a literary work that was deemed to be unfilmable, there is no limit to true creativity and artistic expression. And that’s just as true when the subject of inspiration is… well, less than well received, let’s say.
James Gunn reveals A.R.G.U.S. logo for Peacemaker season 2
With 2025’s Superman wrapped and in post-production, James Gunn has wasted no time in diving into his next project, as the second season of the hit series Peacemaker has just started filming. At this point, we’re all aware that Gunn is no stranger to teases and early looks at various aspects of production, and he has revealed quite a doozy in a recent post on social media.
Fanhome announce The Legends of Batman collections
For comic fans, amassing a collection of single issues, graphic novels, and omnibus collections is a never-ending endeavor. With access to comic shops and online vendors alike, it’s never been easier to buy comics to start, continue, or complete your collection. As if a collection is ever complete. You know what I mean.
The Batman and Robin Adventures Omnibus review: another perfect collection of perfect Batman comics
Once again I find myself in a difficult position, unsure of how to introduce this book. Because really, something like The Batman and Robin Adventures Omnibus hardly needs an introduction. You know what this is. You want this. Heck, you’ve probably already picked up your own copy at this point. And the purpose of a review shouldn’t ever be to convince the reader to or dissuade the reader from enjoying something.
Celebrating 35 years of "Batman": Comparing the film and the novel
After 35 years, it’s really hard to think of something new to say about a movie like Batman. We’ve all seen it. We know the behind the scenes stories about the making of the film. We can each probably sing at least three of the Prince tunes on the soundtrack in their entirety, whilst performing the Batdance. A movie like Batman is a once-in-a-lifetime event, a true pop culture phenomenon. It’s a shared experience among fans across generations, with a legacy and popularity that endure to this day.
Looking back at Batman movie graphic novel adaptations
One of the list relics of a bygone era is the comic book adaptation timed to the release of a film. Yes, there are still comics based on movies, but used to be you could go into a drug store or gas station and pick up a bonafide issue of, like, a James Bond movie, or a full graphic novel retelling of a comic book film.
Exclusive: Mondo announce 1:6 scale Batman: The Animated Series Bane figure
Batman: The Animated Series continues to be a pop culture juggernaut, even thirty years after its debut. While there are countless other interpretations of the Dark Knight, the landmark cartoon has seen no end of merchandise over the years, with companies like Mondo scratching the itch for great Animated Series collectibles. We here at Batman News are proud to help Mondo announce the latest in their line of incredible action figures: a 1:6 scale Bane.
Pros and Cons of Cinematic Bat Vehicles
Batman looks cool. There is no arguing that at all, and I’ve even provided plenty of examples of just how cool he can look on the big screen. But Batman doesn’t just look cool himself; no, his gear is super cool too. Just look at the simple, humble Batarang, which is one of the sweetest weapons in the entirety of pop culture. He’s a man who knows how to brand, and that means he knows how to make himself some sweet vehicles too.
MAX release first teaser for The Penguin
While we still have a few years to wait for the next Batman movie, the MAX original series The Penguin will hold us over until then, and the first teaser for the project was just released. Oscar-nominee Colin Farrell reprises his role as Oswald Cobblepot, the titular Penguin and a scene-stealing favorite from Matt Reeves’ The Batman.
Meet the new members of the Batman News team
One of the things we love most about comics is how they connect us together, uniting fans in celebration of the medium. We don’t always agree on everything, but we share a passion for comics and, specifically, Batman. With so many Batman comics being published, and many more on the way, we wanted to bring in some new voices to join the team here at Batman News. It is my pleasure to introduce you to five new writers, a passionate group of Batman fans whose work you are going to love.
The Pros and Cons of Every Cinematic Batsuit
It’s probably safe to say that there’s hardly a character who has been on film more than Batman. Be it film serials, television series, movies, or cartoons, there have been countless hours of Batman media filmed, animated, broadcast, and what have you over the past nine decades. With all of those different representations come a variety of different Batsuits, easily one of the most recognizable designs in the history of popular culture.
A look back at Batman: The Animated Series novels
Any time I write about Batman: The Animated Series, it gets harder and harder to come up with something to say. I touched on this in my review of The Batman Adventures Omnibus, in that while I could talk all day, every day about this series, so much has been said and written about this property that at this point we’re all just coming up with different ways of saying “it rules.” Let it never be said that you can’t discover new aspects of a beloved series, though, BTAS included.
Tom Wilkinson, Carmine Falcone in “Batman Begins”, has died
We’re sad to report that veteran British actor Tom Wilkinson has passed away. With a career spanning five decades in both television and film, Wilkinson garnered great acclaim in films such as The Full Monty, In the Bedroom, Michael Clayton, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, as well as television projects like John Adams, The Kennedys, David Copperfield, and Watership Down.
Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman Mission Masters and Spectrum of the Bat Action Figure Lines
If nothing else, the existence of these Batman Mission Masters and Spectrum of the Bat toylines show just how many wild, crazy, random ideas were slapped onto action figures of the Dark Knight. So many colors, so many Noun Verb naming variations, so many pegwarmers. That’s all part of the fun and charm, though, in seeing all the silly ideas used to make just one more Batman figure. Since this is largely based on designs from The New Batman Adventures, think of this as part two of last week’s list.
Ranking the Best and Worst of The New Batman Adventures Action Figure Line
Batman: The Animated Series was a revolutionary series when it debuted, and it has more than stood the test of time three decades on. Its followup, The New Batman Adventures, was a more somber, serious affair, one that I absolutely adored when I was a kid. As time has gone on, my appreciation for it has dampened, to the point that I consider the shows completely unrelated in terms of continuity and characterization.
The Batman News 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Here we are once again, approaching the end of yet another year. With the holiday season upon us, surely you’ll find yourself asking at least once, what gift should I get for the Batman fan in my life? Or, perhaps more accurately, you will be asked this question by others, because you are the Batman fan in question. As in years past, we have you covered with our annual Holiday Gift Guide, covering the latest and best products featuring the Dark Knight and other members of the DC Universe.
Ranking the Best and Worst of the Adventures of Batman and Robin Action Figure Line
Batman: The Animated Series not only changed cartoons, but the public perception of Batman on general. Much like the 1989 Batman film, it showed what could really be done with the character in less (purposefully, anyway) campy stories, yet the show went even further by distilling everything great about Batman and his world into a show that could be enjoyed by anyone.
Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman: The Animated Series Action Figure Line
Over the years, and even as recently as a few months ago, I’ve written so, so many words about how much I love Batman: The Animated Series. I don’t need to tell you that any more, nor do I need to tell you about it either, because you know. It’s BTAS. We all know it. I will say that in writing these action figure articles, this is the line I was most afraid to approach, because I thought it would be too daunting.
Ranking the Best and Worst of the Young Justice Action Figure Line
Up to this point, the action figure lines I’ve been looking at have mostly been from the ’90s, with a little bit of 1980s thrown in for good measure. Today, let’s jump forward a few decades to the 2010s and take a look at the toy line for the highly acclaimed animated series Young Justice. Now, this might be a bit of cruel irony, as the show was supposedly originally canceled due to poor toy sales.
Robert Butler, director of the ‘Batman’ pilot, has died
It’s been reported that prolific director Robert Butler has passed away. Butler had a long career directing television and film, including series such as Star Trek (most notably original pilot “The Cage”), Remington Steele, Moonlighting, Gunsmoke, and The Fugitive. He also directed films for the big and small screens, like Disney’s The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes and The Barefoot Executive, Turbulence, and Up the Creek.
Ranking the Best and Worst of the Total Justice and JLA Action Figure Lines
I sure do miss the days when you could go to a toy store and… Well, I could just leave it at that, really, since standalone toy stores are few and far between. Still, I used to love going to a store and seeing all sorts of toy lines, some of them cool, some of them crazy, all of them appealing. Nothing really beats the excitement of seeing a brand new set of figures on the shelves, especially if they’re related to your favorite characters.
Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman: Knight Force Ninjas Action Figure Line
A funny thing happened while I was writing these action figure ranking posts. I took a trip down nostalgia lane with some of the lines, sure, but they also awakened memories I’d forgotten I even had. When I Googled an image to use for the last post, I was reminded of the existence of Batman: Knight Force Ninjas.
Ranking the Best and Worst of 90s Batman Action Figure Lines
The ’90s were a wonderful, weird time. It was the heyday of grunge music and teenybopper boy bands, an era when being a summer blockbuster actually seemed to mean something, and a time when seemingly anything could get a toy line. That was especially true for comic book characters, as we got some pretty sweet action figures for characters like Superman, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and even Ghost Rider. Oh, and Batman, of course, and boy oh boy were there some Batman action figures.
Richard Moll, voice of Two-Face, has died
We’re sad to report that actor Richard Moll has passed away. Known for his large stature and booming voice, the 6’8” actor achieved fame as the kindhearted bailiff “Bull” Shannon on the sitcom Night Court. Moll was a series regular for all nine seasons of the show, and also had parts in multiple television series and movies throughout his career.
Ranking the Best and Worst of Animated Batman Movie Action Figure Lines
In discussions about the greatest Batman films of all time, most moviegoers would probably name Batman, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Batman as some of the strongest contenders for the top spot. With good reason, as they are all good to great in their own ways. There are two movies that are often overlooked with the general public, though, that most hardcore fans would agree need spots on those lists: the animated films Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman '89 Action Figure Line
Regardless of your feelings about the movie itself, there’s no denying that 1989’s Batman was a phenomenon. It spawned an entire “Batmania” movement in popular culture, with toys, video and board games, comics, apparel, and all sorts of merchandise appearing everywhere that summer. It changed movies, comic books, and even the character of Batman forever. The toy line in particular is the stuff of legend, focused more on quality than quantity.
DC Comics reviving Elseworlds imprint in 2024
In a surprising bit of news, DC Comics have announced that the long-dormant Elseworlds imprint will make a comeback next year with several waves of new, out of continuity titles. Elseworlds, for those unaware, was a line of comics where creators could take familiar characters and put a brand new spin on them. And not just ideas like “what if Superman were Batman?”, though that was certainly an option.
Writer and artist Keith Giffen has died
We’re sad to hear and report that prolific writer, artist, and all-around comics legend Keith Giffen has died.
Ranking the Best and the Worst of the Batman Returns Action Figure Line
I don’t know about you, but I’m having a blast looking at all of these old Batman toys from years past. This week we’re headed back to 1992 for what might be the most divisive Batman movie, Batman Returns. Granted, there are better Batman movies, and there are worse Batman movies, but this one film seems to have huge fans and huge detractors, with very little middle ground in between.
Barry Keoghan discusses his Riddler audition video for The Batman
Last year, an audition tape Barry Keoghan made in the hopes of playing the Riddler in Matt Reeves’ The Batman was released, and now Keoghan has some more to say about it. In a profile with Esquire magazine, Keoghan reveals that he spent a measly $10 at a costume shop to purchase a cane and bowler hat, which he wore in the unsolicited video. He tells Esquire: “I just made it up. I wanted to make it Kubrick-y: symmetrical, the X on the back, the square doorframe, everything square.
Batman: Arkham Trilogy for the Nintendo Switch has been delayed until December
In a bit of upsetting news, the release for the highly-anticipated collection Batman: Arkham Trilogy for the Nintendo Switch has been pushed back. The game will now release on December 1, 2023, so while it’s just a few months delay, it’s still a bummer for anyone waiting to play these classic games all in one place. There’s good news, though: pre-orders are now open, so you can ensure that you get your copy the minute it’s released.
Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman Forever Action Figure Line
Welcome back to what is turning into a recurring column, wherein I look at Batman toys from yesteryear and judge them (almost) solely on pictures I find on the internet. There’s hardly a character out there with more action figures based on them than the Dark Knight himself, so there’s plenty of toyetic goodness to look at.
Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman & Robin Action Figure Line
One of the best things about getting a new Batman movie is all of the cool new toys, collectibles, and other merchandise released in stores. These days, there are definitely some impressive pieces to be had– that Jim Lee-inspired The Batman statue from McFarlane is one of my favorite Batman collectibles I own– but there’s something to be said about the truly weird toys we would get in decades past. You know exactly what I’m talking about, too.
Insight Editions’ Batman: The Multiverse of the Dark Knight book review
The Multiverse is all the rage these days, for better or worse, but it’s really not difficult to see why. With an endless supply of characters comes an endless supply of variations on those characters. It’s great reading stories where Batman teams up with his fellow heroes, but you know what’s better than Batman? Two Batmans. Why, the only thing that would make that better is if one of those Batsman was a pirate or a cowboy, and friend? I have good news for you.
LEGO Technic The Batman Batmobile building set review
There’s something about The Batman that I find compelling. Honestly, I was dreading the movie up until its release, because it just didn’t seem like the type of Batman movie I was wanting. Granted, it wasn’t, but I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would. Some of the aesthetic choices I initially hated I’ve now come to accept within the context of the movie, and while I won’t ever quite love the film, I find it curiously rewatchable despite the hefty runtime.
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