This Week: Fairy Tales

So, now that our fun with the caped crusader is over, we will move on to this week's theme. This week, we will review classic fairy tale collections.

Image retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crown_of_Rus-Ukraina.jpg

Batman Wiki

Batman Wiki. http://batman.wikia.com/wiki/Batman_Wiki

Plot: A wiki-based reference site for all things Batman. Individual series, episodes, and characters find there own pages, developed and edited by the community participating in the site.

Genre: Website, Batman

Reading Level: Anyone can edit the site. Use appropriate caution.

Similar Titles: Batman The Animated Series, DC Comics: Batman

Personal Thoughts: I normally avoid wikis, since, by nature, anyone can write anything, authentic, verified, cannon, or otherwise. As such, they are usually questionable resources. That said, with a fanbase as strong and determined as Batman's, any misinformation will be quickly addressed (if not flat out attacked), so this may be a reliable source. Most of the pages I viewed were well-sited and clearly presented. Additionally, the site presents new information, particularly regarding the upcoming Dark Knight Rises film.

Batman: The Movie

Batman: The Movie produced by 20th Century Fox.

Plot: Following the Adam West-style of the 1960's Batman show, the movie offers cheezy lines, gimmicky situations, and uncomfortable costumes. Batman and Robin seek to stop an alliance of the Penguin, the Joker, the Riddler, and (no the) Catwoman. While the dynamic duo attempt to locate the dastardly villains, they find themselves at the mercy of multiple traps, a megalomaniac plot, and an exploding shark.

Genre: Movie, Batman, Humor

Reading Level: Rated PG.

Similar Titles: In the world of serious and pseudo-serious Batman movies, this one stands alone. Fans may want to track down episodes of the television series, though.

Personal Thoughts: A delightfully campy movie. The costumes are ridiculous, the logic is insane, the characters are archetypes, and the script is corny. It still manages to be a fun show, though.

Batman: The Animated Series

Batman: The Animated Series produced by Warner Brothers.

Plot: Gothem city's famous caped crusader seeks to bring justice to the villains seeking to destroy it. Eventually assisted by Robin, Batgirl, and more than a few unexpected allies, Batman manages to topple foes, including the Joker, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, and Penguin.

Genre: Animation, Batman

Reading Level: The series was not rated, but most of the episodes include violence and a few include smoking or drinking references. However, gore and cursing were nonexistant. Still, many of the storylines were extremely intense. I suppose it would rank around a TV-G.

Similar Titles: The Batman-Superman Adventures, Batman Beyond

Personal Thoughts: My parents would not allow me to watch this when I was younger, primarily due to the violence present in the show. Also, some of the plots, such as the ones involving Mr. Freeze or Clayface, were very dark, discussing concepts like vengeance, loss, death, and futility.

Nevertheless, the series remains highly influential. This version of batman, unlike prior animations, was highly stylistic. Earlier cartoons followed the realistic style of the comics, but the series boasted of an angular, art-deco style that added to the starkness and seriousness of the series, while still allowing for humorous moments. The stories were also more intense without becoming preachy, and lead to the creation of animation with mature themes in the United States. Also, the development of formerly humorous characters, such as Mr. Freeze. Additionally, the series itself introduced several characters, like Harley Quinn, Baby Doll, and Renee Montoya, eventually became accepted into cannon Batman lore. While the series may not be for everyone, it definitely affected the perception and development of superhero animation.

The Batman Handbook: The Ultimate Training Manual

Beatty, Scott; Dixon, Chuck; and Hahn, David. The Batman Handbook: The Ultimate Training Manual. Philadelphia : Quirk Books, 2005.

Plot: Unlike most superheroes, Batman does not enjoy inexplicable powers or invincible techniques. He is an everyman, but an everyman with the will, intelligence, and money to become a super-vigilante. Through careful study of his abilities, the handbook offers instruction to aspiring bringers of justice. Chapters address preparation issues, such as creating a batsuit and building a batmobile, as well as more specialized techniques, like throwing a baterang, defeating a roomful of goons, and sliding down a batpole. More personal issues, including the pros and cons of taking a sidekick, also find note in this extensive but amusing guide to superheroism.

Genre: Batman, Humor, Parody, Realistic

Reading Level: Some of the physics-based chapters may discourage younger readers.

Similar Titles: The Superman Handbook, Becoming Batman: The Possibility of Becoming a Superhero, The Essential Batman Encyclopedia

Personal Thoughts: As I mentioned previously, I really enjoy fictional works that make the impossible seem entirely likely. Since Batman really is one, if not the only, non-super superhero, it makes the plot of the handbook appear possible. Some of the chapters, particularly those describing physics-based actions (i.e. swinging on a flagpole) drag a bit. Still, the book is highly recommended to fans of the dark knight or superheroes in general.

Change in Theme

So...after reviewing some resources, I was overwhelmed by how many superhero resources permeate libraries, DVDs, websites, and bookstores. To simplify a bit, I will focus on one hero...Batman.

Quick! To the Bat-saur!