Recently by Richard Mooney

Where will comic books be in 2019?

This is a question that I've been pondering for some time now.

Digital motion comics are becoming much more popular, but are nowhere near replacing their printed counterparts. Watchmen, Batman: Black and White and a few other comics have made the jump to digital and sold rather well.

However there is a rising popularity in comic book piracy. A quick search on Google for a torrent or a dcp/minute-men download will probably bring up a host of sites still containing your books.

Now is it legal? No. Is it ethical? Well...was it ethical for DC to kill off one of their largest franchises in the form of Batman?

No wait, Dick Grayson's him and Bruce Wayne is still alive in the past...yeah, I know the arguments. Basically he's inactive.

It's a different argument altogether, but

Universal Designs recently got the rights to produce a replica Batman motor cycle suit and the boys certainly didn't disappoint.

If you'd like it for Halloween though you're unfortunately out-of-luck as first deliveries aren't until 2010.

It's almost one thousand dollars for the outfit and has no cape/cowl....not that you need those on a motorbike anyway.

Head on over to Universal Designs to have a look yourself.

Now all we need is Harley Davidson to re-produce the Batpod and we're good to go. Imagine the cost for a spare tyre on one of those though....

DC synopsis:

"The Grail" part 4 of 4! In this explosive conclusion to the debut arc, Red Robin's search leads him to the deserts of the Middle East with the League of Assassins by his side. How many lines will he cross to prove that Bruce Wayne is alive? One journey ends, but a far deadlier one begins as Red Robin learns the truth - although he may not survive to tell anyone, because back in Gotham City, Red Robin faces off with the one man who could stop his quest: Batman!"

Story by Christopher Yost Art by Ramon Bachs Cover by Francis Manapul

The first arc of Tim Wayne's (Drake) new solo adventure comes to a close in Red Robin #4 and I'm sad to say it's a mixed bag of brilliance and bad scripting.

Being a fan and collector of the original Robin series - before DC brought it to a swift end earlier this year - I have massive hopes, and as such, great expectations for this book but so far it's been frustrating.

The core concept of the series is Tim's search for Bruce Wayne and his staunch belief that the former Batman is still alive somewhere out there. It's the only batbook dealing with this right now and when it does deal with the Bruce Wayne search, it does so brilliantly, as you'll see by reading Red Robin #4, which ties in with the shots of Bruce at the end of Final Crisis.

There's also a flashback sequence also between Drake and Grayson. This works well and reveals a bit more about why Tim left Gotham. It is an interesting read.

It's at this point the debut arc should have ended. Next we're faced with a mysterious villain from the council who easily disperses of the Red Robin and the league of assassins setting up the next arc, the Council of Spiders..

All in all, a horrid ending to what should have been a quality comic. This could have been so much better.

Let's just hope DC get their fingers out in the next arc. - R

Due out next Monday the first reviews of Warner Premier's latest effort at a DCAU original movie have already started hitting the net.

And it's a general feeling of good, but could have been better.

Swank-mo-tron at Big Shiny Robot commented that the the "action, adventure, and animation, were all" done right whereas the 67 minute running time was "paltry" in comparison to some other DCAU movies.

A reviewer over at Comic Book Movie movie said "the story is simple,if not obvious, and a little bit all over the place. In parts you don't really feel like bats and supes are public enemies. It just seems like it's all villains wanting to whoop their butts--which I think is boring to be honest." But also wrote that go betweens Bats and Supes was "classic."

Adam Tyner at DVD Talk believes the movie to be rent worthy and a cut above the Superman: Doomsday and the "unwatchable" Gotham Knight. He does note though "that even the size and scope of the superpowered slugfests never really manage to get my pulse racing. It's okay, but considering how phenomenal so many of these animated DC flicks have been, "okay" just doesn't seem good enough."

Most of the reviews also seemed to suggest that it was worth buying the Blu-Ray version over the normal DVD, as it seems this was animated for HD sets.

Check out this preview clip below

And for those of you who haven't seen it yet, here's the trailer

batman, superman, super hero movies, kevin conroy, tim daly,

So there you go, but remember more reviews will follow including one on here next week! - R

For those of you who truly appreciate the greatness of Marvel and DC, and are able to laugh at the company's shortcomings (ie Killing of Bruce Wayne and Captain America), then you'll love this web series.

YouTube film maker Itsjustsomerandguy has been producing these satrical and comedic videos for nearly two and a half years now.

Check him out if you can. And by the way, his Green Goblin character is by far the best rendition I've ever seen of the character....even better than Dafoe.

Dragonball Evolution is the best thing to happen to Akira Toriyama's franchise since it was made into a cartoon.

Sure it has some flaws, but about 75 percent of the film was absolutely spot on.

Let's get the flaws straightened out here right away- and there maybe some spoilers here. First off, Oozaru is supposed to be gigantic, film should have been a half hour longer- with way more on Goku's origin, final battle should have been way more epic and no flying during a Kamehameha (Goku should be stationary during it). And that's my fanboy qualms aside.

What can I say? I grew up watching this anime and it holds a special place in my heart.

Justin Chatwin is Goku in this film. No doubt in my mind. I was so certain his performance as the lead would flop it, but it didn't and he just simply as the Saiyan.

Chow Yun Fat was also on form as Master Roshi, he wasn't to much of a sex pest on Bulma, but bear in mind this was a PG and they pulled off what they could get away with.

James Marsters, of Spike fame, was really under used I felt and character of Piccolo could have used some expansion. His voice an make-up was expertly done.

Thumbs up to wardrobe aswell- everything was spot on and Goku's costume was just ace.

The special effects were great and James Wong pulled off a great first attempt with this Dragonball movie.

I'm hoping that's there's going to be more.

And yes, the Kamehameha is very cool.

WATCHMEN, by far, is the most accurate depiction of source material in modern times.

Zack Snyder, a fan boy at heart, set out to create the movie version as a companion to the original graphic novel and while his intentions are true and pure, has his purist attempts to create the ultimate book movie left the mainstream audience in the dark?

Sitting down and watching the movie for the first time last Friday I was amazed at the sheer accuracy Snyder had potrayed in getting this Watchmen unto the silver screen. It really is like watching the graphic novel, page-for-page.

While I thought the film was immense, I realised how hard this maybe for a non fan to take in. And some film goers could be left feeling very alienated by the complex plot- something a movie shouldn't do.

David Hayter aka Solid Snake wrote the script and managed to convey the story as best he could, however as Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes and 411 mania point out, the film still manages to alienate audiences.

While Snyder may avoid condemnation from hypercritical Watchmen purists, many cinema goers will not enjoy this movie due to its dedication to the source material.

It's a massive achievement that he managed to the story in the way that he did, however I'm left with the feeling that maybe staying true to the source material isn't always a great idea.

No matter what the fanboys say.

Okay, okay. So it's been a while since I actually wrote anything with some proper analysis in here.

So to answer your emails, yes I have been busy, no I haven't read Kevin Smith's Cacophony yet (still waiting on my signed order from Jay an Silent Bob's Secret Stash), I didn't get to a Watchmen preview screening, Batman's fate in Final Crisis did suck and Nolan HAS to direct the third Batman.

I have to apologise for my lack of blogs, things have been extremely busy at work and home. So sorry and thanks for the emails.

Now let's look at Batman in Final Crisis- Grant Morrisons's RIP was, in restrospect, a decent fate for The Dark Knight, it should have ended there and for me it will.

First off the Scots scribe completely places Batman in one of Darksied's uber scifi dungeons, gives him an gun, makes him fire it and attempt murder. The fanboys are saying "Wow! Complete full circle for the The Dark Knight, created with a gun and a bullet, ended with a gun and a bullet. Awesome!"

Newsflash. That isn't Batman of 70 years past. That's a common thug with a gun, just like Joe Chill. Say what you want, but the fundamental elements are the same. You know what really hacks me off though, the fact it didn't even murder Darksied. It wounded him in the shoulder!

So not only does does Batman break his fundamental oath he swore on his murdered parents grave, get fried alive, sent out of DC continuity.............he's a bad shot aswell.

What's next Batman and Fred Flintstone team up/cross over?

I enjoyed Mr Morrisons run on Batman and I thought it was some of the best stuff in recent memory- three ghosts of Batman, club of heroes, the black glove, issue 666-
and maybe this will turn out good in the end. But the whole RIP/Final Crisis feels as if it's been a huge PR stunt of the back of the success of The Dark Knight.

Now onto the Dark Knight sequel. There shouldn't be one unless Chris Nolan or Zack Snyder's involved. Chris Nolan could finish of his planned trilogy or if push comes to shove and he backs down, the third batman would be a great excuse to make The Dark Knight Returns, hence Snyder.

Set it 20 years after the events of TDK and cast an aged Christian Bale. Have a flash back montage to sum up the past two decades- death of the joker, justice league years, the robins-and bam, you have a platform for The Dark Knight Returns.

Having read the Battle for the Cowl preview over at IGN, I have to say I am really excited about Tony Daniel's upcoming mini-series. It's got a lot of hype to live up to, but if his writing is any good as his art, well, it's gonna rock.

Whose the next Batman gonna be check this out....http://i.livescience.com/images/BATMAN676-01.jp

Probably Nightwing, Tim Drake or Alfred Pennnyworth. No one else. Alfred is the obvious choice :P

And to answer other questions,, yes I am looking forward to Watchmen and no I don't consider it thee defnitive graphic novel of all time :)

Torchwood star John Barrowman has penned an exclusive comic book strip along with his sister, Carole Barrowman, for the February issue of Torchwood magazine.

Below is pictures of the script an the transcript of an interview between John and his sister.

CB: Ready to chat about our Torchwood Magazine comic?

CB: Are you game for another one?
JB: !bOng! !bOng! !bOng!

Torchwood Magazine Issue #14
On sale in the UK and Ireland 19th February
http://titanmagazines.co.uk/torchwood

On sale in the US 17th March
http://titanmagazines.com/torchwood

Torchwood Magazine Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Torchwood-Magazine/18692307341

GRANT Morrison shouldn't have promised bat fans the most shocking revelation in the character's 70 year history at the end RIP.

That's my biggest qualm with 681, the Scots writer promised an ending on which he did not deliver.

There's hints to what the revelation maybe but at the end of the day we're left with as many questions as we had answers.

Many readers could be forgiven for expecting a dark grizzly end for the caped crusaders in 681, but it was the entire opposite, infact it's a plot device we've seen again and again throughout the hero's history.

Batman as we know him appeared to be finally subdued. The Batcave over ran, the betrayal of Jezebel, the possibility of Batman's origin being based entirely on a lie, and Batman himself, out his mind on heroine and crystal meth. This was a BRILLIANT set up for a tragic demise or spiritual death for the Dark Knight.

This was our chance to see Bruce Wayne pushed beyond his limits, this was our chance to his famous resolve break, to see his iron will shatter. But no, Morrison opted for the almost standard Batman ending, which we've seen time and time again.

Just when you think he's down the count, the Dark Knight explodes out of a coffin, takes back Arkham, mauls the Black Glove lackies and reveals that everything that had happened to him, was planned for, by him because as Morrison put "that's the thing about Batman, he thinks about everything."

To me this was a ridiculous ending and nothing like what we were promised from DC or Grant.

But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. We've still got Batman: Last Rites and also Final Crisis where we'll learn the final fate of Bruce Wayne, post RIP.

But what do you think of Batman's RIP in 681?