ROBIN RETURNS? REAL QUESTION IS WHICH ONE

Batman and Robin. They go together like *insert favorite combination here*. They are the original dynamic duo, even though the role of Robin (and on occasion Batman) has been played by many. The most recent Robin of course was Damian Wayne, son of the Batman! Damian was a fan favorite for the most part as he met his cloned maker back in 2013 with Batman Inc #8. The folks over at Hero Complex have reported that this coming July, a one-shot called "Robin Rises: Omega" will be hitting the shelves and bringing Robin back into the mix of things. Peter J Tomasi and Andy Kubert will be bringing Batman's sidekick back to us. Which Robin? That is the question that is being left unanswered for now.

If you have been reading the "Batman And Robin" series as of late, you will know that Batman has been on "The Hunt For Robin" chasing after Ra's al Ghul, who has confiscated Damian's corpse. While this, coupled with Kuberts recent "Damian: Son Of Batman" mini-series that showed Damian in a possible future where he takes on the mantle of Batman. These would make it safe to assume the Robin returning will be Damian. However, don't forget that after Damian's demise, former "R" bearer Carrie Kelley made her New 52 debut, even dawning a Robin costume for a party. She is a possible choice as well. Oh, and of course there is the fact Peter J Tomasi, said, "Let’s just say that we are most definitely bringing back a Robin for Batman’s 75th anniversary," and also added, "everything that occurs in this epic story all has seeds that Pat Gleason and I planted back during our first arc in “Batman and Robin: Born To Kill."

That was not only a good way to hype the upcoming book, but also intrigues us to go back and look for the planted seeds. Will it be Damian, just with everything that Bruce had taught him lost? Is it going to be Carrie Kelley taking on a full-time role in the New 52? Or did we miss something? Perhaps a seed so small we overlooked and there will be a new Robin? Guess we will have to wait and see. Anything is possible, just take a look at what is happening with the original Robin HERE (Warning! Spoiler Alert!). It is almost safe to assume that regardless of who the returning Robin will be, with this creative team, it will be one heck of a story. Also helps that Tomasi also said this about it, "There’s no gimmicks. We’re telling a character-centric action-adventure story that new readers can easily jump on board due to the way we constructed the opening pages of "Robin Rises: Omega"." And for those against the return of Damian, your points will likely be valid, however remember these things; Damian's death was planned before the relaunch, and although his last name is Wayne, he is still an al Ghul. Making him a slight exception to the preferred rule of not bring back the dead in comic books.

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NIGHTWING DIES, GRAYSON LIVES

Thanks to DC Comics' Facebook page, we now know that Richard Grayson will survive the events of Forever Evil, however his alias Nightwing, does not. Something that we almost should have seen coming when the Crime Syndicate revealed to the world that Nightwing is Richard Grayson, but were blinded by that possibility of him joining the ranks of being killed off. Which has remained intact leaving him in the rare group of characters to have not been killed off in an attempt to garner sales.
Grayson will hit shelves this coming July. Where we will see Richard Grayson take on the role of a super spy (initiate Bucky comparisons), fighting the the greater good but in a different capacity. The original Robin will be stepping away from the Bat-Family and will a secret agent employed by Spyral (read Batman Inc for more on them).

Tom King and Tim Seeley will be at the writers helm of the new title, who did an interview with USA Today, and had this to say about the new series, "Obviously, he's a part of a legacy. He's been Robin, he's been Batman, and now he's out in the cold by himself." says Tim Seeley. While Tom King augments that with, "He's doing something that's going to cause pain to his friends and family, but he believes in the cause. That tension between having to do something good but having the cost of it being pain to his family, it drives him a little crazy." (you can find the entire interview over at USA Today).
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out, and if it garners any successful fan reaction. Likely it won't at first, understandably with the character getting a major overhaul even though having a successful run as Nightwing (both as a character and as a title). Perhaps though, the writing and art will be top notch and it will be an easy transition into the next chapter of Richard Grayson's story. If not, many ways to revamp this and have it all tie back into the acrobatic masked vigilante character we've come to love over the years. We'll find out this summer!

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DARYL DIXON HAS ARRIVED

If you don't know who "Daryl Dixon" is, then you clearly do not watch AMC's "The Walking Dead" where Norman Reedus brings the character to life. Or there is a small chance that you only read the comic book from which the hit series originates from. That would be acceptable as the character "Daryl Dixon" is one of the few who were created for the television series instead of being pulled from the pages of the comic book.

That is about to change. Image and Skybound Comics is bringing the roughneck to life within the pages of "The Walking Dead". The character made famous by Norman Reedus' portrayal is making his comic book debut in issue #129. The highly anticipated debut happens this summer on the Wednesday that is July 16th, 2014.

Just how much will this rendition be like the Daryl Dixon of AMC's "The Walking Dead" on television, is yet to be seen. Likely will stay close to Norman Reedus' rendition, but regardless, this is something that has been somewhat over due since the characters popularity exploded. Now when the television fans begin to cross-over to where this all began, they will see another familiar face to help keep them in tune. Instead of being turned off by the unfamiliarity of the comic book world that has lost a lot of the "TV characters" over the 120+ issues. Understandably, but now there is one the stars of the show there to keep interested for a longer period of time. Hopefully it is as good as Norman Reedus' "Daryl Dixon", and more so, hopefully they both have a long life within both the pages and the tv series that is "The Walking Dead."

IT'S THE YEAR OF THE BAT OVER AT DC COMICS

As many of us know, this year marks the 75th anniversary of Batman. Or his "birthday" as it is also referred. DC Comics is pulling out the stops all year around to mark the special occasion. Not just in the comic book aspect either, with them going batty across multiple mediums including animation with two new animated shorts focused on Batman. The upcoming FOX series "Gotham" is apart of the celebration, as well as an abundance of Bat-merchandise set to hit the shelves all year.
There is even going to be a "Batman Day" on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014, which numerous comic book shops will be partaking in the event, where a free special edition of Batman will be available. Check with your local comic book store to see if they are involved and what they have planned. It could make for a fun day. There are also other things that DC Comics has planned for the Dark Knight this year, you can check out the full list over at their website HERE.
There is also a website via DC Comics focused on the 75th Anniversary of Batman, which you can find HERE.
I wouldn't be surprised if the unveiling of "Batfleck" Ben Affleck's Batsuit is unveiled amongst the events this year. It is something many fans are eager to see, with those who've seen it hyping it up (Kevin Smith, Jennifer Garner, etc). It is also nice to see that this year the 1960's Batman television series will finally be available in boxsets, bringing Adam West back into the DC Comics family, who I am sure will be possibly working a more full schedule being more of the more iconic "Batmen". Remember to tune in next time, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel! Until then...

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NEUMAN GETS MAD TREATMENT FOR UPCOMING BIRTHDAY

You may not have ever read an issue of MAD Magazine, but there is an extremely high chance you know who he is, even if just by face recognition. It is soon to be MAD Magazine "mascot" Alfred E. Neuman's birthday, and DC Comics is showing their love by providing Neuman variant covers featuring the MAD man on a few of their monthly titles. With an April Fool's birthday, comes spoofed out covers with Alfred keeping with his traditional comedic ways while "dressing up" as comic book characters.

Unlike last year, where Alfred E. Neuman played the parts of various heroes upon the covers, this year Alfred brings his A-game showing his outtake, or his dark side if he even really has one, on some of DC Comics villains. Titles like Batman, Superman, and other usual variant recipients are getting one, but also closing issues like Nightwing are amongst the last (which you can find over at CBR HERE). Which villains will be chosen remains to be seen, CBR reports so far The Penguin (cover pictured), Earth 2 Superman and Parasite have been given the nod.

Curious as to how other alien-esque villains will look after having recieved the Neuman treatment come April. Until then...

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THE FATMAN INVOLVED IN 60's BATMAN

Looks like the multi-talented Kevin Smith will be working on the upcoming Batman '66 Meets The Green Hornet. Smith won't be working alone, teaming up with Ralph Garman to bring the classic version of both characters to life via the writing slot, while artist Ty Templeton will bring their words to life on the visual aspect. But it gets better, the Batman '66 Meets The Green Hornet 12-part series will be receiving the Ross treatment via the covers. That's right uber talented artist Alex Ross.

Having enjoyed the Batman '66 series so far, it will be interesting to see how well this spin-off limited series fares. It is easy to look at it with an optimistic set of eyes, given that Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) and company are Bat-Fans through and through. Alex Ross also has a strong preference with the "classic" looks on comic book characters.

 The series is set to drop digitally on the 21st of May, while the print version of Batman '66 Meets The Green Hornet hits shelves on June 4th, 2014. You can read more on the news over at USA Today's original article (via Smith's Facebook page) HERE

What do you think about the news? Have you enjoyed the current Batman '66 issues? Any Green Hornet fans out there jumping for joy, looking for any kind of redemption for the live-action film version? Personally, I am liking DC Comics willingness to finally embrace the campy style of Batman and now Green Hornet. Perhaps one day, some fans will get their Tim Burton Batman (1989) comic books available. Till then...

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