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17 Pop Culture Variations on ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’
Freaking out because the weekend’s almost over? Have no fear! We’ve got five simple words that will help: Keep Calm and Carry On. Originally created as a poster slogan by the British government during the Second World War, the saying was intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion. Luckily, it never had to be used, and after the war, it fell into obscurity. In 2000, though, the poster resurfaced in a second-hand bookstore in Northumberland– and thus, a meme was born! Since then, the phrase has shown up on everything from tea towels to coffee mugs (Fact: I have a vinyl decal of the words adorning my wall). Naturally, since its rediscovery, the creative masses on the interwebs have taken the poster’s design and come up with endless variations, often with hilarious pop culture themes. So, as the weekend draws to a close, I offer you this advice: Keep calm, carry on, and take a look at these other versions so you’ll know exactly what to do if a Dementor attacks you or if a vampire falls in love with you. More »
How to Outfit Yourself Like a Superhero
So you want to be a crime fighter, eh? Capes, tights, aliases, arse-kicking? Well, if you’re going to get the job done, then obviously you’re going to need the gear with which to do it. Don’t know where to begin? Have no fear! Here, we’ve assembled for you some of the best superhero swag out there, making your job just that much easier. Here’s what your going to need: More »
Snap This: The Formula for a Successful Movie
Step aside, Joseph Campbell — your “hero’s journey” may explain some movies, but this diagram has you beat. More »
5 Facts About the Original Batgirl: Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Oracle
DC Comics’ decision to reboot the Batgirl series with original Batgirl Barbara Gordon has disabled fans in an uproar, because it would effectively erase 20 years of one of comics’ most admired disabled characters. After being shot in the spine by the Joker, Barbara was confined to a wheelchair and had to hand over her costume to other Batgirl successors. But this setback actually created an entirely new, more human identity for her: Oracle, a brilliant tactician and computer master who aids the Birds of Prey, the Justice League of America, and Batman himself. Here’s a rundown of her history and what the reboot means for Oracle fans. More »
Snap This: Angry Batbirds Are Angry
Marshmallow Peeps, Angry Birds… Man, Batman is masquerading as all sorts of things these days. Want to see what Robin and the Joker look like? More after the jump! More »
Poll: Batman Has a Musical, Too!
In case you didn’t hear, there’s another superhero musical in town: Batman Live. The Caped Crusader is getting his very own stage show, complete with spectacular stunts and a good chunk of the Rogue’s Gallery. At least, I’m pretty sure there are going to be spectacular stunts; the teaser trailer that was just released for it mostly features a whole bunch of characters frozen in place being stared at by an equally frozen audience. But the Rogue’s Gallery is certainly there– it looks like Batman and Robin will be facing off with the Joker, Poison Ivy, the Penguin, Catwoman, and I think Harley Quinn once they all start moving again. Check it out here: More »
Nerd News: DC Doesn’t Want You to Have a Batmobile
1) There is a company that will make you a custom Batmobile.
2) That company is getting sued by DC. More »
In Honor of Batman’s 72nd Anniversary, Here Are the Celebrities Who Have Played the Caped Crusader Through the Years
On this date in 1939, DC introduced its second major masked hero in Detective Comics #27: The steely, utilitarian Batman and his troubled, wealthy alter-ego Bruce Wayne. And for as many comics series he’s passed through in the past 72 years, he’s been immortalized in almost as many movies and cartoon series — campy and serious — by a bevy of recognizable actors. More »
‘The Dark Knight Rises’: Gordon-Levitt and Cotillard Casting, Plus 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Talia al Ghul
Remember all that crazy speculation about who Joseph Gordon-Levitt would be playing in The Dark Knight Rises? Well, the verdict is in, and we done been trolled. Gordon-Levitt will not be playing Alberto Falcone. He will not be playing Black Mask. He will certainly not be playing the Riddler. He WILL, however, be playing John Blake, “a Gotham City beat cop assigned to special duty under the command of Commissioner Gordon,” according to the official press release.
I would give you a rundown of five things you didn’t know about John Blake, but due to the fact that Blake is an original character who has never appeared in any of the comics, I sort of, um, can’t. More »
Snap This: Batman’s Secret Identity Is A Marshmallow Peep
Springtime is when the Peeps come out to play, and apparently, that includes the Dark Peep, too. Behold Batman’s origin story as told through the lens of a Marshmallow Peep. More »
Comics News: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Batwoman
Poor Batwoman. DC has been stringing her along for ages: giving her a green light and publishing the first issue this past November, then letting her languish in developmental hell, then giving her hope again for February and then April releases, then pulling her from shelves without so much as a by-your-leave. But, no more! There is hope! At the DC Icons panel at WonderCon last weekend, artist Amy Reeder stated that the official release date for Batwoman is now September. More »
Why Do Animators Feel the Need to Sex Up Female Cartoon Characters?
So it turns out the Thundercats reboot is definitely coming to Cartoon Network, and even has a trailer. But aside from the souped-up graphics thanks to CGI, we couldn’t help but notice a big change. Two big changes, if you will.
That’s right, Cheetara went up at least a cup size, got luscious locks, and is basically a tarted-up version of the perfectly acceptable Cheetara we knew from the ’80s. But more and more, those in charge of animated characters — be it studios, producers, or the animators themselves — have decided that “update for a new generation” means “make sexier.” More »
Video: ‘The Dark Knight’ Meets My Little Pony
Why haven’t they tried to make a My Little Pony movie yet? I mean, they’re making a movie out of the Battleship board game. More »
‘Lois Lane, Girl Reporter’ Would Have Been Super Awesome
“At eleven years old, Lois has discovered her calling: investigative journalism. She sets out to right wrongs and help out her friends. In each book, Lois will tackle a problem or mystery affecting the members of the community she finds herself in as she travels around the country. The investigations in this series will not be mystical or supernatural (though some characters may suspect such sources), but real world problems that Lois works to set right.” Sounds awesome, right? Alas, it was not to be: Though creator Dean Trippe pitched the series to DC, pitched the series to DC, he found that “it doesn’t look like the current leadership of DC is remotely interested in this kinda thing.” More »
15 Lesser-Known ‘Batman’ Villains Who Are Cooler Than Catwoman
The fact that Anne Hathaway will be playing Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman, in The Dark Knight Rises is old news. Now, I dig Catwoman as much as the next villain fanatic, and I get that she’s sexy as hell, but I mean, really: Haven’t we seen enough of her already? The introduction of Bane , on the other hand, (Inception’s Thomas Hardy), is more exciting, as are all of the rumors flying around about Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Here are our votes for lesser-known Batman villains that should be brought into the films and who we think should play them. More »
‘The Dark Knight Rises’: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Black Mask
Okay, okay, we lied: In spite of the fact that two days ago, Variety was reporting that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was set to play Alberto Falcone in The Dark Knight Rises, this may not actually be the case. Of course, all we’ve got at this juncture is that “a source close to the situation” has stated that the casting rumor is incorrect, and given that the rumor initially came from “insiders” connected to the film, it’s anyone’s guess who’s right– if, in fact, ANYONE is right. Other rumors have speculated that our pal Joe will actually be playing Black Mask. So who’s Black Mask? Allow me to enlighten you: More »
‘The Dark Knight Rises’: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Alberto Falcone
Today in super hero news, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been confirmed as Alberto Falcone, son of Carmine Falcone (played by Tom Wilkinson in Batman Begins) in Christopher Nolan’s next Batman flick, The Dark Knight Rises. Early rumors had Levitt pegged as the Riddler, but I actually think this is a much more interesting choice. Back in the early days of Batman, the Rogue’s Gallery as we know it didn’t exist. Yep, you heard me: no acid-disfigured mad men, no crazed psychologists who fall for their patients, no riddling supergeniuses– just mob boss crime lords like the Maroni family (one of Batman’s earliest adversaries, which made its first appearance in 1942). The Falcone family made its debut in Frank Miller’s masterpiece Batman: Year One in 1987, and his son Alberto first appeared in the 1996 story The Long Halloween. Here are five things you didn’t know about Batman’s newest villain: More »
Batman Is Moonlighting As A Hotelier
Ever wanted to spend a night in the Batcave? Well, now you can, courtesy of the Eden Motel’s Batman room! More »
Is there a French villain in Batman? Apparently Marion Cotillard has just been cast in Batman 3. Cool. But here’s hoping she won’t have to do an American accent again. (People)
Trending Topic: Catwoman Brings Out Twitter’s Fangs
As we all found out yesterday, Anne Hathaway is going to be playing Selina Kyle (better known as her alter-ego Catwoman) in Christopher Nolan‘s next Batman installment, The Dark Knight Rises. Beating out contenders like Jessica Biel and Kiera Knightley for the role, Anne’s going to have to shed her good-girl image for some latex and whips. But not everyone is pleased with the casting choice, with the most vocal dissidents heading to – where else? – Twitter. More »
