Batman Almost Pulls A Joker On Us … Almost

Arkham Knight Season Pass Details Announced

Several days ago, I had the wind taken out of my bat-sails when WB Games announced the season pass for the upcoming Batman: Arkham Knight game would be $40, and NO specifics were given. All anyone could guess was the pass included new story missions, challenge maps, and maybe a few character skins. Of course, the internet cries were loud and clear: How the heck could WB Games expect people to pay an extra $40 on top of the $60 initial purchase price on essentially a blind leap of faith?

It was destined to be the lone smear in the magnificent history of the Arkham games, but fortunately, publisher WB Games has performed a mea culpa, sort of: It's announced the first details of the content inside the $40 season pass, and I kind of like it.

As part of the new pass, players will be able to play in an original prequel storyline as Batgirl. It's not known how long the campaign will be, but it's a great addition to the Batman universe considering Barbara Gordon now serves as Bruce's wheelchair-bound in-ear support, Oracle. Might we see events leading up to her partial paralysis at the hands of the Joker? We can only hope.

First artwork for Batgirl prequel storyline

Other content that will make up the $40 season pass include: new Batman story missions, with the promise of "legendary super villains invading Gotham City," and players being able to drive different versions of the Batmobile throughout the Caped Crusader's 75-year history on custom race tracks. The "super villains" line has me a bit concerned. I'm not the biggest fan of DLC, and I'd hate to see key baddies get held out of the main storyline.

As for the new Batmobile tracks, I can't really say if I'm excited or not since I haven't had any hands-on time with the new Batmobile mechanics in Arkham Knight. All of the previews look fantastic, but nothing beats having some one-on-one time with the game. All I know is I better see the 1989 Tim Burton Batmobile and the Batman Begins-era Tumbler. Those are my two favorite iterations of the Bat's ride.

Finally, the last piece of content in the pass will include the expected set of challenge maps and character skins. I've never been one to applaud the challenge maps or skins in Arkham, but I know people dig 'em, so I shouldn't complain. In any case, WB is promising more details soon, but it's good to at least have a peek under the DLC hood ahead of the game's release next month. I'm not sure if I'm ready to say the $40 purchase price is justified, but it's definitely got my attention.

Batman Arkham Knight releases June 24th on PS4, XBOX One, and PC.

It's a Marvelous World Out There in DC-Land

My Hands On Time With DC Universe Online

Easily one of the biggest titles to be hitting store shelves in 2011 is DC Universe Online. For those of you who haven't heard, DC Universe is an MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) title from the minds of Sony Online Entertainment...the geniuses who created the hardcore, and not so user-friendly MMO "Everquest." DC Universe is looking to rain on World of Warcraft's parade next year by offering a unique playstyle in the realm of MMO's on both the PC and PS3. Players can create their own superheroes or supervillains, and fight alongside some familiar faces in the DC world like Superman, Batman, or even the Joker. I had the good fortune to try out the PC Beta version, and while the game has some been there, done that moments, there is a lot to be excited about.

Welcome to the Justice League

First thing's first...I have to talk about character creation. At first glance, DC Universe will draw many comparisons to another MMO of past, "City of Heroes." Heroes was the first game to try its hand at the superhero MMO genre, but was met with less than thrilling expectations. While hero customization was the highlight of that game, quests were stale, the city was lifeless, and loot didn't change the way your character looked. Well, I'm happy to say that DC Universe improves on what City of Heroes failed on, but there's still much work ahead for the folks at Sony Online. From my 3 hour playthrough, I got to roam the skies of Metropolis, Gotham City, and inside the Justice League, with Gotham being my favorite of the three. Gotham is dark, gritty, and pulsing with evil at every corner. Arkham Asylum is cut off from the city as it's menacing facade reflects off the dimly lit waters of Gotham, while Scarecrow's toxin constricts the Narrows, blinding anyone who enters with illusions of evil. It's a marvel (no pun intended) to behold, and I'm sure much more awaits for the full version of the game.

Sony has done a tremendous job in allowing players to live their fantasies as a superhero. Thousands of combinations are available for players to tinker with, whether you want to look like a beefed up chunk of madness a la Hulk or Bane, or whether you want to be a nimble, agile, hero similar to Wasp or Atom Ant, the possibilities are endless. Capes, Boots, Utility Belts, Spiked Gloves, or even Claw Hands (wink wink Edgar), the sky is really the limit as to how you want your hero to look. During my playthrough, I created a caped crusader who looked like a cross between Magneto and Spawn. I was really feeling the helmet and red/purple aethetic for some reason. His name..."Red Wisp" -- a name that will send shivers up the spines of crickets everywhere.

Yes, you can actually fight alongside all these little kids

Once I created my hero, I was then forced to choose an allegiance and play style. I'm sure more heroes and villains will be available once the full game releases, but I had the choice of siding with either Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Joker, or Lex Luthor. I decided to go the route of Superman (surprise, I know) because I had already checked out Gotham City while watching my friend Edgar play, and I really wanted to see Metropolis with my own eyes. Who you side with plays an important part in both your heroes' abilities and storyline. Choose Batman, and you'll be more of a gadget oriented hero. Choose Superman, and you'll be more of a genetically enchanced wrecking ball of power, and so on and so forth. Once you're done picking sides, you'll then be asked what kind of attack style you'll want, and this is the fun part. Depending on your affiliation, you can choose either to wield guns, rifles, one or two handed weapons, bare hands, or hand blasters...which is what I picked. Nothing says superhero to me than shooting pockets of fire energy out of the palms of my hands. You can then choose what kind of powers you want to have, and for my character, I chose fire. What can I say...I've always dreamed of shooting fireballs out of my hands.

Fighting alongside Superman...nerdgasm

Once your good to go and you've picked out a worthy superhero/villain name, the game begins. For the heroes, your journey begins inside of one of Brainiac's spaceships. According to the story, which was penned by DC scribes Geoff Johns and Marv Wolfman, Brainiac has managed to kill off all of the villains and heroes in the world, except for Lex Luthor. Luthor manages to go back in time to warn the heroes of Brainiac's plans, which has already been set in motion, and that's where you come in. You are the newest batch of superheroes called in to help defeat Brainiac, and there will be twists and turns to come in the story. Your hero wakes up in Brainiac's spaceship, and Oracle gets in touch with you to help you bust out of there. The game will feature plenty of in game voice acting (probably not to the caliber Bioware is aiming with its upcoming Star Wars MMO), and it helps drive the story along. Sony has really done a terrific job at creating a believable world where your favorite Heroes and Villains inhabit. There are even plenty of characters whom I never knew existed. Can anyone please tell me who the hell "T.O. Morrow" is? Comic junkies will be pleased with the amount of depth there is to the DC world, as even the secondary heroes no one gets to tsee in action wander the halls next to you. I was surprised with the amount of Green Lanterns there actually were in the DC Universe. Now to the big part of the game...combat.

To me, combat in DC Universe is like watching an episode of South Park. You know what to expect, but you're pleasantly surprised with the outcome. The way combat works in DC Universe is a combination of typical MMO elements woven together with action beat em ups. That's right, the game is more action oriented than most MMO's out there. You can actually dodge incoming attacks rather than fall mercy to a stupid computer accuracy percentage. Your hero can throw light and heavy attacks by clicking either the left or right mouse button, and your powers are hot-keyed to your keyboard. As you level up, you can set (for lack of a better word) "talent" points to your powers and attacks, and learn new moves along the way. The combat is still a little clunky at times, but I think it's because the game is still in its Beta stage, but overall its very satisfying. Most importantly, you feel like a true superhero while attacking. You can engage 10 enemies or more at a time and not suffer too much of a penalty in terms of health and your power supply. In typical MMO's like World of Warcraft, you can realistically only handle 2 or 3 enemies at a time, depending on how experienced your character is. DC breaks that norm, and lets players go bonkers on low-life thugs. I mean, the idea IS to feel like a superhero after all.

Exploring Gotham City is probably the most fun you'll have wandering inside a video game rather than fighting

While combat is the big draw for many players, I have to say exploration comes a close second. I decided to choose a flying superhero, and there is a thrilling aspect in searching every nook and cranny of Metropolis or Gotham City. There are no limitations to where you can go, and it's a fulfilling gameplay element that can only be compared to a game like Spider Man 2. And if you're the type of person who likes to PvP and rain some pain on some lower level villains or heroes, you'll be having a feast on the noob frustration. Questing works the way most MMO's do. You'll have your usual "fetch" quests and assassination quests, a majority of which take place in the cities, but I can't really say for certain if this will become a hindrance once more players buy the game and start doing the same quests as you. 

Scarecrow...a man you'd want to babysit your kids

Other than that, another cool kick I got was how Sony is implementing the bigger known heroes of the DC Universe into the game experience. You'll come across certain quest moments where you'll have to fight alongside a hero. I was having a complete nerdgasm when I was fighting off droves of Brainiac's robotic minions with the help of Superman. We were like the two best friends that anyone could ever have. And Sony isn't shying away from supervillain encounters either. There are quests that have you fighting the likes of Scarecrow, Gorilla Grodd, and even the Joker. It's really a blast, and best yet...it works well on the fun meter.

Dude...your wings are so gay

Another thing to point out is that no two superheroes are alike. The customization in the game is equal to none, and I found myself entertained by checking out other people's creations. During my playthrough I came across all kinds of unique superhero looks, and some not so unique. I found a guy who looked like a carbon copy version of Superman, with the blue tights, and even the red cape with the "S" on the back. What's the fun in that? On the contrary however, there were some nice homages to heroes not in the DC world. I came across guys who created deadpan versions of Deadpool and Spiderman, and both looked like legitimate knock-offs...which is a good thing. And like I had mentioned before, the loot you get does affect your character, but only in a cosmetic way. What do I mean? I got new shoulder loot for my Magneto/Spawn hyrbid hero Red Wisp and when I equipped it, his appearance would change but it kept the red/purple motif that I had going. Unlike games like World of Warcraft which forces you to keep both the color and style of your loot, DC forces you to keep the style and not the color, which is a major plus.

A world waiting for comic junkies everywhere

Overall DC Universe is a step in the right direction for MMO's. Combat adds a pinch more action than we're used to, but I'm all for it. No more will you have to rely on random misses of your weapon, but more so on your ability to bob and weave through enemies. Character customization is the highlight of the game, with no two superheroes looking the same. I promise you that. Exploring the deep and engaging worlds of Metropolis and Gotham were a blast, but I hope Sony pushes the envelope and throws a couple of curve balls at us. Atlantis anyone? The game isn't expected to hit store shelves until Spring of 2011 for both the PC and PS3, but I'm sure there will still be a delay or two. Still, I'm curious to see as to how the PS3 version will function. Most MMO's tend to work better with a mouse and keyboard, but only time will tell. Until then, I'll be keeping my sights on X-Ray vision as this game comes closer to its release date.

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Super Snyder!!!

Zack Snyder Taking the Helm for Man of Steel

Zack Snyder ready to tackle the greatest comic book icon of all time

A glorious bit of news seeped out into the media this week, and it's good enough to make comic book fans feel really Super about themselves. According to an Deadline magazine, Zack Sndyer (300, Watchmen) has been given the daunting task to direct the upcoming Superman Reboot "Man of Steel." Hold up your glasses boys and girls, because this is a good thing. For years, Superman has not quite gotten the motion picture treatment he's deserved for this generation. The last great Supe movie came with Superman II, and suffice to say the man faster than a speeding bullet hasn't really been up to speed by today's superhero film standards. Recent comic book film successes like Iron Man and The Dark Knight have proven to moviegoers that it IS possible to make any superhero relevant in today's society, and right now I think it's time the most iconic superhero in comic book history gets his 15 minutes of fame.

Why should you be excited? Given the track record of Superman's big screen appearances, it's tough to imagine a good Superman film these days. Fortunately, the puzzle to creating a good Superman film is beginning to come together, and the pivotal first piece came when Christopher Nolan announced he was going to produce the film. If you can't appreciate what Nolan did for the Batman franchise, then close this blog, because you're probably 50 years old and hate children. Before Nolan became the powerhouse director that he is, Batman was in dire times with all the Nipple Suits and Joel Schumacher raping. Thankfully, Nolan took the source material very seriously, and decided to go in a direction where comic book fans would be taken seriously. Enter "Batman Begins," which presented us with a beautifully gritty, violent, and realistic take on the Caped Crusader, and well, the rest is history. The key...Nolan recognized what made Batman such an appealing character to comic fans, and if I were to put my money on it, he knows what makes Superman so appealing, and that's where Zack Snyder fits right in.

Snyder's signature action, in action...One can only hope Superman gets the same treatment

If you haven't seen any of Snyder's work, you might as well not have watched The Wizard of Oz. Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen, and the upcoming film Sucker Punch, are havens for nerds. Each of these films contain an obscene amount of action, but it's not mindless explosive action a-la Expendables. The action sequences are stylistic, using a combination of High Speed Cameras, CGI, prosthetics, and of course, lots and lots of violence. And this my friends, is what Superman has been missing all these years. Looking back at Bryan Singer's "Superman Returns," I think we can all agree it wasn't necessarily a bad film. The problem however, was that it wasn't a great film. A superhero like Superman, who can fly, use heat ray, frost breath, and has super strength, needs to have an explosive presence on camera. Throughout all of Superman Returns, we never really saw The Man of Steel do much of that. He never got into a fist fight, and the climax of the film was that he lifted a Kryptonite continent into space. I felt like a kid who just watched a lousy fireworks show, because I left the movie asking myself "That's It?" Superman is all about the fights, and if the film is going to connect with audiences today, I need to see Superman down in the trenches, bleeding, battered, with his suit ripped and shred to pieces, and he's still ready to take more. On top of that, as iconic a villain as he may be, Lex Luthor no longer cuts it. I am a firm believer that a hero is only as good as his villain, and for this next film they need to bring a person that can go toe-to-toe in a fight with Superman, and if the rumors are true, that man's name could be General Zod

You can never really trust the internet once big news like this comes out, but one of the bigger rumors going around the web is that General Zod will be the villain of the film. Zod, who was so notoriously played by Terrance Stamp in Superman II, was a worthy adversary to Superman (considering both men came from Krypton and had the same powers here on Earth). Of course, the internet trolls are clamoring for baddies like Brainiac or even Metallo, but I think General Zod would be a good start. You can tackle some of the Krypton Origin story, and bring a nasty villain to the table. Ultimately, that decision will rest on writer David Goyer, who is handling script duties on The Man of Steel. Goyer is probably best known for his work on Batman Begins, but his credits also include the Blade Trilogy and Dark City, so the man has his comic book roots in check. That, multiplied with his  Nolan and Snyder team-up, and we should have a recipe for Super success.

As for the casting, no one knows just yet. And for the life of me, I can't think of a proper casting choice at the moment. I hope Nolan and crew don't bank their film on a Triple A Hollywood star, because once that happens, the film's substance gets thrown out the window and everyone is interested in the star attached to it. Given Nolan's track record with casting Christian Bale as Batman, and Heath Ledger as Joker, he has a good eye for these things, however, the casting also shouldn't be a complete unknown. Brandon Routh donned the red cape in 2006 with varying success, ultimately lacking any kind of emotional depth with his performance. Plus, I always envision Superman as a guy in his early 30's, and Routh's look just didn't cut it for me. Instead, the casting should rely on an emerging Hollywood talent, preferably small screen, with enough credibility to tackle a big project like this. Think about it, we already know whomever gets selected to play Kal-el will see his film career launch, so I see no point in picking a well known actor.

Whatever the case may be, I proudly ride the "In Nolan We Trust" bandwagon and hope for the best. Superman: Man of Steel is expected to come out sometime in 2012, and until then, the sky is NOT the limit for the possibilities with this film. Nolan and company will have to think beyond the big blue sky, and maybe hang a hard left around the Sun if they're going to give the Son of Krypton his due justice on the silver screen.

Pinch Me...I Must Be Dead

The Zombie Genre Invades Your Living Room

The Walking Dead -- Appearing on AMC this fall

This could turn out to be one of my shorter posts, but I am so excited to finally have seen the trailer for the upcoming AMC series "The Walking Dead." In case you haven't heard, The Walking Dead is a new Television series coming out this fall on AMC based on a comic series created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore. I will admit I was not familiar with the series at all, but after watching the newest trailer for the TV adaption, I have the ultimate jitters.

Black and White zombies, a clear homage to George Romero

The Walking Dead follows the life of a small town sheriff who is injured on duty and goes into a coma. After waking up, he somehow avoided being eaten alive and comes to terms with the zombie apocalypse that has spawned around him. It seems almost like a cliche premise, but I'm hooked nonetheless.

First and foremost, add zombies to anything, and I'm sold. Zombies have evolved into a mainstream genre that there are even acclaimed works of literature such as "Pride and Prejudice" being re-written to include zombies. I am not kidding, this book actually exists. But this isn't just about my affection for zombies. Instead, this is about a TV series that looks to appease both zombie fanatics such as myself, and Television devouts alike. The Walking Dead is being written and directed by Frank Darabont, who is responsible for some cinema classics like "The Shawshank Redemption," "The Green Mile," and "The Mist." Sure any mediocre talented director could've tackled this adaptation with ease and cashed in quite easily, but the fact that Darabont is heading the production adds major credibility points for me.

The cast of the Walking Dead, just waiting to shine in the spotlight

Besides a good amount of action and gore, The Walking Dead looks to be like a series that is mainly devoted to character development. It is vital for any TV program to have that sense of character progression to connect with audiences. Good or bad, audiences need to be able to follow along with what a character is thinking and doing if they're going to commit to the series, or even next week's show. And Darabont is no slacker when it comes to this. Fans of Darabont know that he can bring it when it comes to creating thought provoking characters. Andy Dufresne (Shawshank Redemption) has to be on an all time greatest character list. Not only that, he's also got the experience in creating creature-filled action. If you've watched Darabon't last film "The Mist," you'll understand why it's a very highly underrated creature film. If The Walking Dead avoids being pigeonholed to previous zombie films, and is anything like "The Mist," then we're in for a deadly fun time.

The game changer of Zombies. Go watch it now!

Until then I leave you all with a link to the trailer for The Walking Dead. The series is set to premiere on AMC on Halloween Night around 10 pm, which hopefully allows for some more brutal action sequences than usual. Not only that, the casting on the series looks to be solid. Actors like Andrew Lincoln and Michael Rooker are bringing the much needed acting chops required for a production like this, but The Walking Dead looks to include the perfect mixture of up and coming Hollywood talent, allowing for it's supporting cast the chance to shine. Until then, I'll be shuffling through my daily routine in anticipation of this series. Heck, it's even inspired me to check out the comic series when I get a chance. It's too bad it's about 70-something issues and still going strong. Damn you zombie love. Enjoy.


http://www.amctv.com/originals/The-Walking-Dead/?bcpid=111717822001&bclid=88963904001&bctid=593569611001

This Class is Getting Crowded

X-Men: First Class Seeing too Much of a Good Thing?

As many hardcore comic book fans may know, next summer's movie line-up will be a haven for lovers of the mutant kind. With the likes of Captain America, Thor, the Spider-Man reboot, and Green Lantern, one of these anticipated titles includes the reboot of the X-Men franchise "X-Men: First Class." Directed by "Layer Cake" and "Kick-Ass" helmer Matthew Vaughn, the film will chronicle the early beginnings of Professor Xavier's friendship with Magneto, and how both would ultimately turn against each other in their growing disagreement over how to handle the relationship between humans and mutants, ultimately spawning the X-Mansion and the Brotherhood of Mutants. Anyways, the film is set to release next June and lately there's been a flurry of casting choices that really has me concerned over just what kind of shape this movie is in.

Mcavoy as Professor 'Wheels' Xavier

Today it was announced that 'Mad Men' starlet January Jones is the newest addition to the film, which is adding to an already heavy line-up of Hollywood talent. Headlining the film are James Macavoy as a young Professor Xavier, and Michael Fassbender as a young Magneto (both of which are excellent choices in my opinion). Among the rest of the big line-up of talent are Kevin Bacon as an unknown villain, Oliver Platt as a mysterious character called "Man in Black," Rose Byrne as a possible Moira McTaggert, and the list goes on and on. But just like Lebron joining the Heat with D-Wade and Chris Bosh, this film has me concerned over who will be the star in this movie. Just how many characters will audiences have to keep track of, and will each of them have their due screen time?

The dude from 300 as Magneto...nice

Another concern of mine is not just the big name casting, but the fact that the film hasn't even begun filming yet, and we're about 9 months away from its release. I'm not sure how the movie industry works, but I imagine 9 months to shoot, edit, re-shoot, and polish your film has to take a bit of time. On top of that, news broke a couple of weeks ago of director Matthew Vaughn claiming he had to scrap at least 12 pages of the film's script because an action sequence in 'First Class' involved a zero-gravity fight scene which Vaughn claims was too similar to a  scene in Christopher Nolan's "Inception" (which is truly an amazing film by the way). So some of the big questions I have is whether this film will be delayed, or will it be too rushed in its production?

Nolan makes the guy from 500 Days of Summer badass

Whatever the case may be, I have a great deal of trust in director Matthew Vaughn. He's dealt with problems like this in films before, (look into the drama to get Kick-Ass funded) and he's come out swinging for the fences and kicking the audience's ass with his awesomeness(no pun intended...who am I kidding? hells yea it is!). I'm all for adding as much amazing talent to your film as possible, but sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad and it's just hard for audiences to really connect to a character that gets 5 minutes of screen time. I mean, just look at the Ocean's Eleven franchise. Until then, as Stan Lee would say, stick around true believers!

Why Hollywood needs more movies like Scott Pilgrim and Kick-Ass

Here's looking at you Hollywood

 
So as we all know Hollywood is a melting pot of filled with beautiful, talented, and creative individuals. It's also filled with some of the most narcissistic, egotistical, and self-depreciating pricks of all time. However Hollywood is something we've all grown up with, and it's something that we will never stop appreciating or following for the rest of our lives. Still, there are many moments where I have to remove my hat and take a big bow of thanks. Enter "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" and "Kick-Ass."

Seriously one of the best video games of all time

I got the opportunity to watch Scott Pilgrim this weekend and let me tell you, as an extravagant fan of video gaming, films, and comics, this movie is the perfect homage to fans of the "nerd" culture. Just from the opening title sequence of the film, I knew this was going to be something extremely different from the norm of standard filmmaking. Director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz fame) was able to grasp the nature of the graphic novels and translate it with success. Everything from the sound effects (Legend of Zelda music) to the narrative structure of the battles is a throwback to the glory days of the good ol' NES. Perfect example, everytime Scott defeats one of the bosses they turn to coins....Brilliant.

Anyone wanna check out my blue junk?

Anyway, as I was watching Scott Pilgrim, I couldn't help but compare it to another comic-book adaptation "Kick-Ass." This was another film I thoroughly enjoyed which was another service to fans...specifically to comic book mafiosos. It was a film that never completely strayed from its roots, and challenged the norm of typical filmmaking. I mean, our supposed "hero" character gets his ass kicked to a literal, and quite gritty, bloody pulp, a 12-year-old girl is a believable potty-mouth assassin. Kick-Ass challenged the norm of comic-book movies by giving us a realistic, sometimes uncomfortable take on the genre. The only other movie that came close to this was "Watchmen," which was also a great fan service film.

So here's my gripe, many of these fan service films are underperforming at the box office, which is leaving many studios to turn a blind eye to adapting works of this nature. Scott Pilgrim came in 5th at the box office this weekend, scoring a meager $10 Mil. dollars on its opening weekend. Kick-Ass had a similar fate. The film scored something like $20 Mil. on it's opening weekend, which was well below what the studio wanted.Last year, Watchmen was able to rake in more cash, but it had a massive budget and also underperformed to studio expectations.

Hey...did anyone get Jean-Claude Van Damme's invitation?

My point in all of this is that I want studios to understand that just because a fan-service film underperforms at the box office doesn't mean audiences don't love it.  Many factors could play into why a film was unsuccessful. Things like competition, release date, marketing, casting, and even the economy play a major factor in a film's success. Sure Scott Pilgrim and Kick-Ass are going for a specific audience, but movie-goers need films like this to balance out the selection at the box office. What kind of world would we live in if we were forced to choose between "The Expendables" or "Eat, Pray, Love?" I think I'd rather grow pony-tails and have Miss Trunchbull from 'Matilda' hammer throw me across the patio.

Dude...I thought I was the Flash?

Hollywood needs to stop being a bunch of wusses and continue to make these fan service films. Many studios are sticking with the sure-fire bets like Captain America, Green Lantern, and X-Men First-Class, but I hope they continue to produce the "lesser known" works of art that need to go mainstream. Sure us 'hardcore' fans will drag our girlfriends to see these films with us, but movie-goers in general need a break from the routine bullshit that Hollywood churns out every year. Studio executives need to take a risk and slap movie-goers in the face with a comic-book/video-game adaptation that pulls our pants down and reminds us why our parents spanked us. Plus there are always DVD sales and rentals. HOLLYWOOD...LEND ME YOUR SPECIAL FEATURES!!!