If you’re a fan of Gunn’s other projects like the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, “The Suicide Squad” or “Peacemaker,” you’ll love “Creature Commandos.” The writer and director plays to his strengths as he makes you fall in love with and feel for this group of misfit monsters.

Each episode, in addition to forwarding the main storyline, provides a backstory to one of the commandos. Whether it’s the Weasel (Sean Gunn), a radioactive skeleton named Dr. Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk), Nina the fish woman (Zoë Chao), Nazi-killing G.I. Robot (Sean Gunn) or the stitched-together Bride (Indira Varma), all of these creatures are made to feel real and human. Though they are not necessarily good people, the series will have viewers rooting for the team’s members as they experience ups and downs over the seven episodes.

The stories and well-written characters are brought to life by an incredible voice cast which makes these animated monsters feel real and three-dimensional. There are so many characters with the potential to be viewers’ new favorites, and incredible villains and threats to stand in their way.

The animation team also went above and beyond in its creation of this story’s cast and settings, making everything from a massive fight scene to a simple conversation engaging and kinetic. Gunn’s use of needle drops brings added depth to each episode, with its soundtrack contributing to moments of emotion and action alike. Each episode is an entry into a fun, thrilling and at times, even heartbreaking experience that’ll pull viewers in and leave them wanting more.

As the first official project of the new DC Universe, and not even serving as the full-fledged beginning, “Creature Commandos” might not seem like it’s worth viewing to some — especially when its cast is filled with many characters audiences wouldn’t have heard of unless they regularly dive into comic book back issues. However, this story is something special — speaking to the quality and passion behind Gunn’s work and the new universe he’s working to bring about.

There are few characters today that are more iconic than Batman. For over 85 years, fans have enjoyed a variety of stories inspired by the Dark Knight — so many that, according to comic book writer and historian Mark Waid, Batman is the most written-about fictional character in the history of the written word. Over the past few decades, there have also come many different adaptations of the character with their own takes.

One of the most beloved adaptations by fans is “Batman: The Animated Series” from the 1990s, a show that shaped the character in the roughly 30 years since. But this year, the creator of “Batman: The Animated Series,” Bruce Timm, “The Batman” director Matt Reeves, acclaimed filmmaker J.J. Abrams and award-winning comic book writer Ed Brubaker and others teamed up to reinvent the Batman mythos in the animated series “Batman: Caped Crusader.”

Blending what came before but setting out to make it its own, this series sees a Batman in the early days of his career, facing off against reimagined versions of his iconic enemies. But did these talented creatives pull off their effort to step out of the shadow of takes like “Batman: The Animated Series” while staying true to who Batman is? They absolutely have, possibly delivering one of, if not the best, takes on the character in the past decade.

When watching a Batman show, the first thing you should look at is the actor playing the titular Guardian of Gotham, and Hamish Linklater does a great job of bringing him to life. Linklater does not just do his impression of the late Kevin Conroy, one of the character’s most iconic voice actors. He delivers his own take on the signature vocal change, adding in just the right amount of growl balanced by emotion and not falling into any of the easy mistakes to make voicing the character, like being too breathy and scratchy or coming off as shouting. This take on Batman is incredibly new in his career, meeting all of his villains and much of his supporting cast for the first time, and this youth can be felt while still seeming like a capable Batman.

Although the show portrays Batman as a looming presence, it also focuses on other characters like Barbara Gordon, adding to the mythic nature of the character early on and making it so that other plot elements can unfold and shine.

All of the supporting characters of Gotham City are created so well in this show. Iconic villains and characters of the Batman mythos are reimagined in ways that often paint them in a new light or show a side of them that adaptations have not touched on thus far. The overarching plot of the first season and the individual stories of each episode are incredible, using different tones and genres throughout the season. In this respect, it honors what many have loved most about the animated series while making their decisions work for this show’s aims. Longtime fans of these characters will love their decisions, and it is bound to make any casual viewer a Batman fan.

Overall, “Batman: Caped Crusader” is an incredible take on an iconic character and mythos that makes great use of its elements, all while keeping the core of Batman’s story. The only problem with this show is that fans of its successor cannot help but draw comparisons, and both “Batman: Caped Crusader” and “Batman: The Animated Series” being based on Bruce Timm’s art style does not help that. Even though the animation of “Batman: Caped Crusader” can feel more rigid at times than the incredibly fluid and groundbreaking look and movement of “Batman: The Animated Series,” the show manages to take on much of what is best of what came before and provide new takes and perspectives to create something special. There is no doubt that further seasons will allow the show to grow on its own as well.

It is clear that the creators of the show know Batman and the creative decisions made to introduce Batman to a new generation show how Batman has been reinvented and reimagined for 85 years. “Batman: Caped Crusader” has the potential to become one of the definitive pieces of Batman media down the line, and diehard fans and casual viewers alike should get in now at the beginning of something great.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Despite this third film of the Deadpool franchise being under Disney and its MCU, it doesn’t lose any of its edge. As the first MCU project to be R-rated, “Deadpool & Wolverine” has all of the crudeness, obscenity and violence that made the first two films stand out among the ever-expanding landscape of superhero media. Reynolds’ joking and fourth-wall-breaking anti-hero plays perfectly against the comedic straight man that is Jackman’s Wolverine. This emphasis on humor and fun throughout the film not only gives many fans more of what they wanted after the first two Deadpool films but also manages to show a new side to the character of Wolverine that Jackman has been portraying for almost a quarter-century.

At its core, this movie is a buddy comedy that plays its two protagonists off of each other incredibly well, having them both clash and work together over the course of its story — all to incredibly exciting and often humorous effects. The opening titles alone bring viewers into the film with all the fun, humor and violence you could want and expect from Deadpool. The additions of characters like Cassandra Nova and Mr. Paradox, as well as many other incredible inclusions, only add to the fun that this franchise has been known to bring.

Besides the main plot and the incredible dynamic between its two main characters, what can really excite fans when watching “Deadpool & Wolverine” are the many surprises it presents to viewers. Any long-time Marvel fans, whether it’s of the comics or of Fox’s and Marvel Studios’ franchises, will be blown away by the amount of shocking cameos and appearances throughout the movie. From emotional returns to A-list talent making its way onto the screen, “Deadpool & Wolverine” had many packed theaters screaming out with joy in moments they never thought they’d see. The best part though is that many of these cameos aren’t gratuitous — they serve a purpose to the story in some form and feel earned. If you’re able to go in blind, you’ll have an unforgettable experience. If you’ve gotten a spoiler or two told to you already, don’t worry because there’s so much more the movie has up its sleeve to surprise you.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” is not only a great comedy but a fantastic action movie and an amazing example of superhero storytelling. It serves as a love letter to the end of an era as Fox Marvel projects are no more. With Deadpool being the property that gets to continue, they took it upon themselves to say goodbye to what has come as Marvel is preparing to move forward with new iterations of these characters that fans have seen on screen for decades. Even if you’re not familiar with every name and appearance, you’ll be sure to have a great time. Longtime fans can expect to be rewarded with what they’ve loved, what they’ve wanted and what they’d never expect. “Deadpool & Wolverine” works to push this franchise into new territories, and it does that incredibly.

Rating: 4 out of 5

This past week saw the release of “Kingsman” director Matthew Vaughn’s newest spy film, “Argylle.” The movie follows a spy novelist, Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), as she gets thrust into the same world of espionage, discovering shocking truths about herself and those around her along the way.

The marketing for the film, which centered around the mystery of who the “real” Agent Argylle is, sparked speculation about multiple aspects of the movie leading up to the release date. Despite this, “Argylle” is reported to have done poorly at the box office on its opening weekend, earning only $18 million domestically on a budget of $200 million. Unfortunately, though “Argylle” had so much going for it between Vaughn’s proven track record and a star-studded cast, it still wasn’t enough to make up for its many shortcomings.

Though “Argylle” may not be great overall, the film still has potential. Before the big twist is revealed, the first hour of the runtime is incredibly fun and features some incredible moments showcasing the talent of its cast. The dynamic between Elly and Aidan Wilde (Sam Rockwell) brings levity and helps make even the less stellar latter part of the movie more watchable. If viewers were going to the theaters for other actors, though, such as Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa and Samuel L. Jackson, they may be disappointed to learn that their screen time is much shorter than what was suggested — especially given the film’s heavy advertisement of their roles.

After the big twist of the movie is revealed — something that could probably be guessed by a viewer less than 20 minutes into the runtime — the film takes a turn downhill. Any cleverness or intrigue slips away into clichés. The dialogue throughout the last hour of the film is especially repetitive and exposition-heavy, pulling one out of the film and creating a sense of boredom as all the momentum of the beginning is quickly lost. The second half became standard and uninteresting, almost as if the filmmakers were simply trying to get the plot done rather than tell a story.

What is most surprising about this film is that Vaughn actually directed it. Some scenes feel like his distinct style, especially one or two visually distinct action sequences, but most scenes feel as though someone else tried, and failed, to replicate him. This could possibly be due to the PG-13 rating, as it feels very much like a toned-down version of Vaughn’s R-rated “Kingsman” films. Vaughn’s involvement also muddles the film’s ending as in a credit scene there are new reveals out of nowhere that seemingly conflict with the movie as a whole and create confusion, which also appear to be the studio’s attempt to fold “Argylle” into a successful franchise.

The most egregious aspect of this film is its borderline infuriating ending. While the film may have hoped to end with a full-circle moment, it’s rather confusing and makes so much of the film seem pointless. The first and second halves of the movie might as well have been written by different screenwriters, because the quality across the board is night and day. The film clearly thinks it’s saying something and riffing off the modern spy film, but all it does is replay familiar elements, often without anything of its own to add.

Overall, if fans enjoyed Vaughn’s other spy films like “Kingsman,” they may want to give “Argylle” a try. The best experience would be going in with no expectations so that the big twist will be intriguing when it’s revealed. A viewer couldn’t be blamed for wanting to walk out after that point, though — and if they’ve seen pretty much any modern spy movie they could more or less guess where things will go in its third act without having to sit through it.

A few fun moments and even an incredibly well-done first hour just weren’t enough to make up for what follows. The film’s plot clearly depends on the sequel it sets up, but “Argylle” probably won’t prove to be the franchise hit that the studio was hoping for.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

DC and Warner Brothers have recently released their newest superhero movie, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” A sequel to the highly successful first film from 2018, which earned over one billion dollars at the box office, this story sees Jason Mamoa return as Arthur Curry, the King of Atlantis. Aquaman and his allies, including his previously villainous half-brother Orm, must defeat Black Manta before he can unleash an ancient and lost force of death and destruction.

This film marks the end of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), the connected films having begun with 2013’s “Man of Steel.” Though feelings on this past decade of superhero storytelling have often been mixed, as DC goes into its reinvention beginning fully with 2025’s “Superman: Legacy,” it is clear that “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” represents the end of an era. So what note does this film leave all of this on? Unfortunately, though fans of the first film will likely enjoy and appreciate many aspects of this movie, overall it seems to end the DCEU with a whimper rather than a bang.

Having watched this film, it is evident that the people making it, both on camera and behind it, were having fun throughout the process. This can be seen in character interaction, dynamic camera movements, fun concepts and designs and the tone of various scenes. There are moments where characters are just doing something cool and the excitement becomes infectious as Aquaman is taking down bad guys or traversing the sea on a giant seahorse.

Mamoa and the rest of the film’s cast for the most part seem to enjoy these characters and what they are doing, and it really helps at times when the audience can find themselves pulled out of the film or losing interest momentarily. The visuals also keep viewers engaged. This film brings us back to “Aquaman” (2018) director James Wan’s incredibly vivid and breathtaking world of Atlantis. On par with the first movie, the sequel showcases the kingdoms, creatures and magic of this corner of the DC Universe and utilizes its visuals and set pieces to effectively world-build and make it all feel real in many ways. When at its best, the viewer is immersed in Atlantis and other fantastical settings as the characters go about their journey. What detracts from all of this, though, would be what that journey is and what the writers were trying to accomplish with the film’s plot.

What is incredibly evident about “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’’ is that it is trying to make a commentary on climate change and its impact on the planet. This is of course something incredibly important and relevant, especially considering the character and world portrayed, and was also addressed in the first film — though to a much greater effect. Although it is a plot point in the 2018 film, serving as part of Orm’s reason for hating the surface world, in the sequel the issue of climate change becomes the entire plot in a sense. The sequel builds its story around the issue in an incredibly overt and heavy-handed way, taking out all subtlety that could’ve created a powerful message and leaving what at times felt like a $200 million public service announcement.

The film simply lacks substance and leans on what have become cliches of the genre to tell its story, which is quite literally about Black Manta releasing mass amounts of greenhouse gasses to melt the ice caps, releasing a force of death while also coming close to killing the next generation in the process. Though there are interesting elements, such as exploring Arthur as a new father and balancing that with his roles as a hero and king, they don’t get the attention that they deserve and are mainly utilized for seemingly forced drama and stakes in the problematic and bloated third act.

The film falls into many of the pitfalls of modern superhero movies and in addition to that shoehorns in its climate change message without any semblance of subtlety at every turn. Its undoubtedly important message becomes so forced that it often causes eye-rolling reactions in its audience. Messaging such as this is best as a subplot or motivation, not the entire basis of the movie and its story. This ends up arguably undercutting what it may be trying to accomplish by pushing its commentary too much and too hard on the viewers.

Overall, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is a visually stunning film that does at times feel like the thought and effort ended there. Though fun and engaging at times, particularly when it focuses on what plot and character moments it does have, it is a far cry from the original film and doesn’t quite stand out within its genre. Hopefully, as DC leaves behind the DCEU and enters its limited release slate of 2024 as somewhat of a palate cleanser, they will be able to start somewhat fresh with fans excited for their new universe under James Gunn’s DC Studios.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Comic book content has been at the forefront of the Hollywood zeitgeist for over a decade, and with it comes many different takes and adaptations of the superhero. In addition to the half a dozen Marvel and DC projects every year, this wave of superhero media has also brought different twists and subversions of the ideas and tropes that have enamored the public.

None perhaps have pushed the envelope as much as the Amazon Studios series “The Boys.” Three seasons in and with a fourth on the way, “The Boys” explores a corporate and political world of superheroes through a satirical lens, often diving into the dark and explicit. The show has achieved an incredible amount of acclaim and has managed to stick out among — and arguably because of — the influx of comic book projects within the entertainment industry.

Recently, the universe of “The Boys” was expanded with the spin-off series “Gen V.” Fans will have no idea what they’re in for as this series is just as shocking and over the top as its predecessor. “Gen V” will certainly introduce new fans to the franchise while pleasing any existing ones wanting more as they wait for season four of “The Boys.”

“Gen V” centers around Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) and other superpowered students she associates with at Godolkin University, a school for those with superpowers run by Vought International, a malevolent corporation behind superpowered activity in the franchise. At this university, Marie and friends uncover a conspiracy around the school and the harm it is planning on doing, creating conflict and division as they don’t know who they can trust and what to do to stop this.

The show sets itself firmly within the world of “The Boys,” with characters from the show making appearances and events and plot points being referenced in the series. The show is a continuation of season three of “The Boys” and sets up what we will be seeing in season four. This makes the show a recommended viewing for anyone hoping to get the full picture, even if both series seem like they will make sense on their own as well. The plot is compelling and surprising, with moments of both fun and darkness throughout. The tone, the plot and the writing resembles the show’s predecessor and feels at place within that world.

Where “Gen V” really manages to shine though is in its characters. Unlike “The Boys” where many of the main characters are human and working against the superheroes and Vought, “Gen V” has a main cast of almost entirely superpowered characters, allowing for a greater exploration of what it means to have these abilities within this world.

Powers are presented in ways that no other superhero media has shown up to this point, taking out the glamorous side of these abilities. Marie has the ability to manipulate and control blood while her roommate Emma Meyer (Lizze Broadway) can grow and shrink in size by eating and vomiting, which is used to speak to bodily perceptions and social media. London Thor and Derek Luh portray different aspects of the character Jordan Li, whose gender fluidity creates representation for a group that hasn’t been seen in the medium thus far. These ways of looking at powers and how they relate to characters and their identities is best seen with Cate Dunlap (Maddie Phillips), who is telepathic, and creates a compelling and complex character that draws the viewer in. The story allows for very human moments as it explores things superhero media often doesn’t address.

The one thing that felt lacking in “Gen V” was that it was too consistent with “The Boys.” At times, the show feels more like a season 3.5 than its own thing. While there is nothing necessarily wrong with this, one would hope that with these amazing characters and opportunities for storytelling, the show would do more to separate itself in tone and plot.

Overall, “Gen V” is an incredible show that is just as good as “The Boys,” if not better in some ways. With the first season being enjoyed and successful enough for a season two renewal, hopefully those behind the series are willing to take more risks and create something distinct to further flesh out this incredibly compelling world. Regardless, it seems that “The Boys” franchise shows no sign of slowing down as quality remains at its usual high level.

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

DC Studios has released its newest superhero movie, bringing a fan-favorite character from their comic book universe to the big screen in “Blue Beetle.”

The film focuses on Jaime Reyes, a recent college graduate who ends up getting bonded with an alien scarab known as Khaji-Da. He gets pulled into a world he wants no part of, as he is forced to shoulder a legacy he didn’t even know existed. As Victoria Kord — sister of the disappeared second Blue Beetle, Ted Kord — attempts to create an armada of her One Man Army Corps (OMAC) from the scarab’s code, Jaime must work with his family, Ted Kord’s daughter, Jenny Kord, and embrace his newfound power from his bond with Khaji-Da to stop her.

With DC Studios head James Gunn stating in a podcast appearance that Blue Beetle is the first character of his new DC Universe, which won’t fully begin until 2025’s “Superman: Legacy,” it is clear that this is a character fans are going to be seeing more of going forward. Is this something moviegoers should be looking forward to, though? If this first outing of the character is any indication, it absolutely should be.

From beginning to end, through heart and humor and action and drama, what “Blue Beetle” can be described as is fun. This fast-paced and character-driven story pulls viewers in and doesn’t let go until the credits roll. The jokes often hit, the sadder moments can cut deep and the action doesn’t fail to excite as fans watch this real and compelling cast of characters get caught up in this familiar world of superheroes. If nothing else, “Blue Beetle” is a good time for fans of comic book movies and people looking for a lighthearted adventure to kill a few hours in a movie theater.

What “Blue Beetle” really centers around, and where the film shines though, are in its characters. Jaime’s journey as a reluctant hero and the family around him is what grounds the story and makes viewers invested in the movie’s plot. Xolo Maridueña jumps off of a comic page as Jaime and acts as a compelling protagonist. Surrounding him, actors such as George Lopez and Damián Alcázar bring so much to their supporting roles. In a film ultimately about family, having so many great performances throughout the film in those roles really makes audiences care and adds realism to the fantastical nature of the film’s plot. Fans won’t just walk out of theaters wanting more Blue Beetle — they’ll be waiting for the next adventure of the Reyes family.

“Blue Beetle” is a movie that is made and executed well on all fronts. There are no major drawbacks of the film, as every aspect builds off of one another and is working as it should. The only issue would be that while the film does so much well, it also repeats what has been seen before in the genre without adding much that is new. As Hollywood is in a superhero zeitgeist, the origin is something that has been seen to no end and has no sign of stopping, many with very similar moments and themes being presented. There are many films that have shaken this up and done new things to various effects, but “Blue Beetle” never seems to.

While the elements specific to Blue Beetle and Jaime as a character are great, the origin plot is something that has become cookie-cutter to audiences. These things aren’t done badly whatsoever, but much of the plot elements and set pieces of the film are identical to what has been done without any real effort to distance itself. This isn’t an issue that a dozen other beloved superhero movies don’t have, though. It is just a reality of the genre that these tropes have been overutilized and new twists need to be added for it to become fresh and interesting rather than repetitive.

Overall, while not doing anything incredibly new, “Blue Beetle” does well what has already been shown before and in a fun and engaging way. Fans of DC and superhero movies are in for more of what they love from these films as DC prepares to enter a new age under James Gunn. Jaime has resonated with fans since his creation, coming from a background that has been underrepresented in the genre. This film not only does the character justice, but shows new fans what makes Jaime and the legacy title of Blue Beetle great.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

When you make and release the highest-grossing film of all time that still remains at number one after all the Marvel movies and other blockbusters that have followed, there are certain expectations for the sequel. Cameron took over a decade to create “Avatar: The Way of Water,” reportedly due to wanting to ensure it was the perfect follow-up with many rewrites and massive planning. This endeavor was a costly one as the film needs to amass at least $2 billion to become profitable, which would automatically make it at least the fourth highest-grossing film of all time. So was this successful? Currently, at $2.02 billion, the sequel reached its goal. So “Avatar: The Way of Water” is clearly going to be profitable, that was all but certain to happen, but does that mean it is a good movie that is worthy of these already-made sequels?

While certainly popular, in my personal opinion, “Avatar: The Way of Water” was the worst cinematic experience of my life. It seems like Cameron took so much time and attention toward the visuals that the story element of filmmaking was largely ignored, creating a meandering and derivative plot that turns the already over three-hour runtime into an eternity. This may not be the worst movie of all time, but being so long makes it the worst theater experience.

As previously mentioned, the thing that can be said positively about “Avatar: The Way of Water” is that it is visually impressive. Much like this first film, despite being made almost entirely using CGI, the planet of Pandora and the Na’vi look real and detailed. Underwater scenes that usually are the detriment of CGI-heavy movies are done well and don’t look any worse than scenes shot on land. All the designs are thought out extensively to show new alien species, parts of Pandora and types of Na’vi that have adapted and evolved for life in the sea rather than in the jungle. Unfortunately, a movie being visually stunning doesn’t get someone through an incredibly long runtime. By the time someone is through marveling at the visuals and is in it enough to just see the Na’vi as people and Pandora as a world like any other, there are still around three hours to sit through.

No matter how pretty a movie is, there is nothing that can hide bad storytelling and plot. “Avatar: The Way of Water” tries to distract with long shots of CGI creatures and needless exposition that masquerades as world-building, but when you get down to the plot and characters, the film is severely lacking. The plot of the sequel when broken down is nearly identical to that of the first film, just moved to the islands of the sea Na’vi. What plot of the movie is not taken from the first is taken in part from many other beloved films such as “Dancing With Wolves,” “Jaws” — and even Cameron’s own movies like “Terminator” and “Titanic.” The writing, while simplistic, also still manages to overcomplicate itself with its extensive world-building. Cameron, arguably one of the greatest modern filmmakers, who has written and directed many classics over the decades, clearly has some sort of blind spot in his abilities when it comes to this franchise. To call this his magnum opus as many have done would be almost laughable if it did not mean going through the grueling experience of watching this movie to know that it is far from his greatest work or anything even resembling some masterpiece.

As for the characters of the film, some were just there and some you hoped would be dead by the end. Sam Worthington is fine as Jake Sully, managing to work with the script’s poorly-assembled plot and terrible dialogue. Zoe Saldaña, who has skyrocketed in popularity since the first film in other roles, is given almost nothing to do reprising Neytiri. She spends half of her screen time crying and the other half screaming. She seems to be more of a plot device than the fully fleshed-out character that she should be after the previous film. The children of the film play a large role in the story, yet that is only because every aspect of the plot is driven by them disobeying their parents to a tiring and infuriating degree. Many new characters introduced in this film, such as in antagonistic roles or part of the sea tribe Na’vi, are not worth mentioning as many didn’t even make enough of an impact to critique. In case you actually want to see this affront to modern cinema, I will not spoil who the main antagonist is, but I will say that they are also one-note. These great actors did the best with what they were given, with even the young up-and-coming actors’ characters being annoying and tiresome due to the actions written for their characters.

Overall, “Avatar: The Way of Water” proves that just because you had to wait for something a long time, does not mean that time was spent making it good. Perhaps some earlier script draft was better, but this film takes all the mistakes of its predecessor and magnifies them exponentially while eliminating any likability from the first movie. While this franchise makes it clear it is visual-first and story-second, it could be argued that the story is not being made a priority at all. The entire plot is dictated by getting from one CGI set piece to the next, with Cameron hoping you do not notice the incredible amount of lipstick he’s applying to this pig of a movie. If you’re looking for a better way to spend your three and a half hours, I suggest watching any of the movies previously mentioned as they will offer much of the same plot at a better quality.

Rating: 0.5 out of 5

A few months ago, Warner Brothers hired James Gunn as the chairman and CEO of DC Studios, along with Peter Safran, to create a new direction for the DC Universe (DCU) to showcase these incredible characters in movies, television and animation. Gunn has become known as one of the great superhero movie directors and writers, and fans are sure Gunn will take the DCU in a new and amazing direction, which will be partially announced this month. But which characters would fit into Gunn’s vision for the DCU? His affinity for the lesser-known, obscure and strange characters in comics means nothing can be ruled out. Here are just some properties, both large and small, that come to mind as deserving to be brought into popular culture through Gunn’s DCU.

The Green Lantern Corps

Yes, the Green Lantern Corps are generally well known. And yes, they have been featured in a movie. But also, that movie flopped and is generally panned. The Green Lanterns and the Green Lantern Corps, mighty cosmic warriors wielding power rings fueled by their wills, are an essential and fascinating corner of the DC Universe. One would be hard-pressed to find a Justice League roster without a member of the Green Lantern Corps on it, some with two or three. Nearly every major event, especially of a cosmic nature, features Green Lanterns. Between Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Alan Scott, Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz, there are some incredible human Green Lanterns with different personalities and characteristics for any story that should be included in any version of a DC Universe.

Nightwing

Getting the other one that people are likely to know out early, but also one of the most obvious choices to lead a movie or series — Dick Grayson, the first Robin and later Nightwing. Dick is a fan-favorite character who has stepped out of Batman’s shadow to become a hero in his own right. Nightwing is a member of the bat family, has led teams such as the Teen Titans and is the protector of a city often described as more crime-ridden than even Gotham. Also, establishing Nightwing will introduce a more established Batman, one who isn’t starting out but rather has his own family and has been through a lot — the Batman we know as the one in the comics. Nightwing has been called Batman’s better by many both in-universe and in-fandom and seeing a version of Dick Grayson that is sure of who he is and is established cleaning up his city rather than just as a kid. The film could be new and interesting and lead to great things in the bat mythos of the DCU.

Booster Gold

Gunn asked on social media what lesser-known characters fans wanted to see in the new DCU and said there was an overwhelming majority answer he wasn’t expecting — Booster Gold. This fan-favorite is a time traveler from the 25th century who stole a time machine and suit that granted him super abilities to go back in time and become a superhero. What sets Booster apart is his motivation, in which he came back in search of fame and fortune as a 21st-century superhero — and he’d be the only one to say he’s succeeding. Booster is overly sure of himself, egotistical and delusional in his view of his own abilities. He’s hilarious but can have a heartfelt moment when it is warranted. If anyone is perfect for bringing Booster to life, it’s Gunn.

Lobo

Gunn has teased this character appearing in his DCU through a photo of him with no caption or explanation on social media. Lobo, which translates into English as “He Who Devours Your Entrails and Thoroughly Enjoys It,” is the definition of a badass. He’s the Main Man, the Scourge of the Cosmos, the Last Czarnian — the biggest and baddest bastich on this side of the Source Wall. Lobo is an alien bounty hunter who rides around on a space motorcycle fighting and exploding anything in his path. He’s got the strength of Superman, unparalleled regenerative powers and is banned from both Heaven and Hell so he is unable to die. It doesn’t get much cooler than Lobo, and hopefully, he’ll grace us with his massive presence soon enough.

Zatanna

Zatanna Zatara is the Mistress of Magic. An unparalleled magical hero who casts spells by speaking words backward. Zatanna has led the Justice League Dark — the magical division of the Justice League — defeating foes from realities humans can’t even comprehend and even obtaining god-like power at points, all while she performs magic in front of sold-out crowds around the world. Zatanna represents the best of what you can do with magic and superheroes coming together. She is a fan favorite who is sure to blow audiences away if she gets to the big screen, maybe even with her Justice League Dark teammates to showcase the incredible magical corner of the DC Universe.

The New Gods

The New Gods of the Fourth World is the magnum opus of comic creator Jack Kirby, creator of many characters fans know like Captain America, Thor, the X-Men and so many more. The New Gods inhabit the twin worlds of New Genesis and Apokolips, caught in an endless war as the mad god, Darkseid, seeks the Anti-Life Equation to wipe out all free will in the universe. Zack Snyder barely scratched the surface of Darkseid, the New Gods and the Fourth World in his films. Characters like Mister Miracle, Big Barda, Orion and the Forever People could carry movies on their own. Mister Miracle and Big Barda are two fan favorites who starred in a recent award-winning series by comic writer Tom King. King penned a New Gods movie script with director Ava DuVernay before it was canceled two years ago. The script is written, but Gunn just needs to greenlight it and get the New Gods out there.

Mister Terrific

Finally, the most underrated character in the entire DC Universe. Michael Holt is the third-smartest person on the planet — arguably the first by some versions — an Olympic athlete, a polymath and a billionaire. Mister Terrific is Batman but arguably smarter, cooler and definitely more sociable. Mister Terrific has been on the Justice League and led the Justice Society of America, led his own team the Terrifics and has saved the day countless times throughout world-ending crises using his intellect. There are numerous ways Mister Terrific can be used, but Gunn has posted on social media several things that hint that his appearance is possible, including a picture of Mister Terrific with no caption or explanation and a post saying how much he liked the recent “Strange Adventures” comic, which Mister Terrific is a main character of. Mister Terrific is the coolest character you don’t know is your favorite yet — just wait until Gunn gets him on the big screen.

As the first of hopefully many M3GANs become ingratiated with her creator Gemma, played by Allison Williams, and her grief-stricken niece Cady, played by Violet McGraw, it seems like M3GAN is as extraordinary as people hoped. But as the movie continues and the situations escalate, M3GAN begins to go beyond her intended functions in what she believes to be the logical extension of her programming. While this synopsis may not seem entirely original, “M3GAN’’ manages to set itself apart with its character-driven story and heart.

The idea of an artificially intelligent robot or a child’s toy turning into a horrific monster is something that audiences have seen before. The most straightforward way to describe the movie would be if David from Steven Spielberg’s “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” became akin to Chucky from the “Child’s Play” slasher franchise, with some influences from classic stories such as “Frankenstein” mixed in as well. But while this is the plot, it isn’t what people should see “M3GAN” for. The film doesn’t center around the titular robot as much as it does on themes of loss and parenthood. Cady has recently lost both of her parents in a car crash and Gemma, her work-obsessed aunt, has to find a way to take care of her, thinking completing her pet project M3GAN is the best way to connect with her niece. The moments dealing with these emotions and the relationship between these two characters are perhaps the best in the film, even if M3GAN doesn’t appear in many of them.

While it would be easy to turn this concept into a simple slasher horror movie, “M3GAN” manages to blend genres to not fall into the cliches of simple horror while also adding to the horrific elements at the same time. The comedic aspects of the film hit well and often amplify the feelings of dread that build up throughout the plot. Things that M3GAN does at the beginning of the film that plays for laughs get twisted into something disturbing and horrific at the climax. Incredibly gruesome moments can lead to a laugh as the audience is shown a reaction or a comedic element that further layers the scenes. Many horror comedies try so hard to do both that they fail to accomplish either as fully as they could have, but “M3GAN” maintains a balance that feels right and gets the right reactions from the audience. This could be due to the fact that James Wan and Jason Blum — prominent modern horror filmmakers — had a large part in the film’s production and were able to add their expertise in this area. The comedic elements make it more than a simple jumpscare slasher film, making “M3GAN” a great option for those who may want to get into horror and start with something more fun and grounded at first.

Where “M3GAN” really shines though are the performances. M3GAN seems either incredibly real or artificial whenever each is needed throughout the movie. Williams and McGraw really ground and sell the film and concept as Gemma and Cady, both portraying the complex relationship and feelings between the two characters incredibly well. Supporting cast members such as Ronny Chieng as David add a lot of humor to their scenes and help flesh out the world of “M3GAN.” There isn’t a performance that takes the audience out of the plot or falls flat.

Overall, “M3GAN” takes a plot that any horror or science fiction viewer has seen dozens of times to various degrees of success and blends genres to turn it into a fun and entertaining experience. The movie’s relatively short runtime is used well and allows you to get sucked into the story while also not dragging and showing unnecessary moments. While “M3GAN” isn’t likely to win any awards or become a classic in the horror genre, it is worth watching while it’s out for some escapism and enjoyment mixed with complexity and heart throughout. It seems like if you look at past media, every generation has its take on the horrific killer doll — Annabelle, Chucky, even as far back as Talky Tina from “The Twilight Zone.” M3GAN is the newest incarnation of that trope and in many ways modernizes it in a way that a 2020s audience could enjoy it, as its a fun story with horrific elements grounding and layering the plot.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

First thing you need to know about this movie — forget about the reviews. If you look them up and see a 39 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, despite the 90 percent audience score, you could get turned away from it and not go to the theaters. But while this movie is a lot of things, it is absolutely not mediocre. Watching this movie is an incredible experience that is full of endless fun and action. The fight scenes in this movie are unlike anything in other superhero movies, ranging from exciting to brutal in tone. The CGI and effects are without fault and the wall-to-wall action will have you on the edge of your seat. Everything in this movie is clear and purposeful, which unfortunately is not a given in superhero movies nowadays. This movie knows what it is and what it wants to do, and achieves it pretty much throughout the runtime. The pacing of the film is also perfect — at just a little over two hours, it doesn’t draw anything out too much while also not running on much longer than it needs to.

Where “Black Adam” really shines though is in its characters. Going into this film, some could worry it is just a dime a dozen Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson action movie, but the movie avoids that well. While it is impossible to look at Black Adam and not on some level see “The Rock” in a costume, he plays the character with depth and weight like the walking powerhouse he is. Thankfully, the JSA also balances out “The Rock” by playing a major role in the film — to the point where one could see this as a JSA movie starring Black Adam rather than just a Black Adam movie with the JSA in it. Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate especially is a revelation, and Brosnan portrays his character perfectly. Doctor Fate owns every scene he is, in and every scene after his introduction that does not have him will make you want more. The same goes for Hawkman, Cyclone and Atom Smasher — all different types and personalities of superheroes that balance each other well, especially when a morally gray character such as Black Adam is thrown into the mix. This movie will make you want a JSA spin-off so you can see more of these characters. And the credit scene of the film features an appearance of a character who appears for maybe 10 seconds, but, in those few seconds, he is perhaps portrayed more perfectly than anything else in the hours of screen time he has had in this universe.

As for the drawbacks of the film, the worst that can be said is it falls into many of the same tropes and clichés most other comic book movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe do. The beginning part of the film sets up many of the characters — and the plot points get a bit expository — but that is to be expected when presenting a new mythos. The plot twists and arcs are not going to surprise or shock anyone who is familiar with these genres, although there are a few moments toward the end of the film that twist these expectations to do the unexpected. Overall, there are no damning faults of the movie that make it worse than many other enjoyable comic book movies. While it doesn’t do anything major that is new and groundbreaking, it does not need to. There isn’t anything wrong with just having a movie that gives you two hours of fun and excitement. One could argue more of these movies should be made.

Overall, “Black Adam” is more than worth a watch in theaters. It is one of the most fun superhero movies in years and in two hours those unfamiliar with many of these lesser-known characters will become endeared and want more. Between this and films like “The Suicide Squad” and “The Batman,” DC films seem to be turning a corner and expanding their universe with largely stand-alone projects that, at their cores, get at what these characters and stories should be.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Things you should know about the Sandman:

Who is the Sandman?

The protagonist of the Sandman is Lord Morpheus, Dream of the Endless. Morpheus has gone by many names and appearances attributed to him by many different periods, cultures, species and worlds — but in all of them, he is known as the Lord of Dreams. Morpheus rules over the Dreaming, the world where all living creatures drift off to when they close their eyes and fall asleep — and then forgetting when they wake up in the morning. Morpheus is the creator and ruler of all dreams and nightmares as well as being a keeper of stories — as the library of the Dreaming in Morpheus’ castle contains every story there ever was, was not and will be. Morpheus focuses his nearly limitless power through his pouch of sand, his ruby — a powerful dreamstone capable of making dreams reality — and his helm crafted from the skull of an unnamed god. Morpheus is the third oldest of the seven Endless — more on them later — and thus has incredible power. Morpheus was created when the first living being in the universe slept and journeyed to his realm, and he will remain until the last wake-up — and in this endless life, he will do whatever it takes to maintain his power and protect his realm.

What is “The Sandman” about?

In the first issue of “The Sandman,” a human occultist attempts to use an ancient book of spells to summon and imprison Death. After completing the spell and summoning a being of incredible power, he realizes that he has mistakenly imprisoned Death’s younger brother, Dream. Morpheus is stuck in the occultist’s basement for 70 years — over a century in the Netflix series — before he is finally able to free himself. But in his absence, things had changed. Dream is without his items of power, nightmares have been let loose upon humanity, and the Dreaming is in ruins. Morpheus must restore his home to its former glory and get back those who had escaped. “The Sandman” uses dreams to tell a wide array of stories in many different genres, ranging from horror to romance and drama, and expands with the many characters and worlds Gaiman creates. Each storyline is different, many even featuring Morpheus very little, but it all is linked by the powers that dreams hold.

Dream of the what?

As previously mentioned, Morpheus is only one name attributed to Dream of the Endless, one of the seven Endless. The Endless are anthropomorphic personifications of various forces and aspects of the universe. In order of age, they are Death, Destiny, Dream, Destruction, Desire, Despair and Delirium. The endless are not gods. They are more than that. Gods need mortals to believe in them to exist. The Endless exist regardless of whether anyone believes. Of the seven Endless, the three that play the biggest roles in the first season of the Netflix series are Dream, Desire and Death — with Despair making a brief appearance as well.

Doctor Destiny

The first five episodes of the Netflix series adapt the “Preludes and Nocturnes” storyline of the comics. The main villain of this story is John Dee, otherwise known as the supervillain Doctor Destiny. This character first appeared as a Justice League of America villain in the 1960s, before Gaiman adapted him and worked him into the story of “The Sandman.” John Dee in the comics wielded a powerful ruby that allowed him to manipulate the dreams of others. Gaiman retconned that this ruby was Morpheus’ dreamstone, which came into Dee’s possession after being separated from Dream during his capture. The dreamstone twists John’s mind, turning him insane and power-hungry. In the comics, John Dee was imprisoned in Arkham Asylum and separated from his ruby. When he breaks out, he journeys to his precious dreamstone and leaves death and havoc in his wake. Speaking of which…

The 24 Hour Diner

Episode five of the Netflix series adapts issue six of the comic, “24 Hours,” which takes place entirely in one setting — a friendly diner in the small and sleepy town of Mayhew. In this diner, the regulars all have their seats and their usual orders as the smiling waitress Bette Munroe — who dreams of being a writer and works her interactions with her customers into her stories — goes around to top off their cups of coffee. Then, Dee walks in with the dreamstone and the clock begins. 24 hours later, Dream of the Endless walks through the door. Between those two points exists one of the darkest and most horrific comic book issues ever published, especially by a company like DC. This small-scale horror story serves as a microcosm of humanity and human nature and, although it may be shocking and graphic, Gaiman writes it beautifully. The Netflix series’ adaptation is every bit as brilliant and terrifying.

The Corinthian

While John Dee serves as the antagonist of the first half of the season, the character that will truly make your skin crawl is one of the villains of the second half, the Corinthian. As explained in Distractify, The Corinthian is a nightmare that Morpheus describes as, “Created to be the darkness, and the fear of darkness in every human heart. A black mirror, made to reflect everything about itself that humanity will not confront.” In the comic series, if nothing else, Gaiman explores human nature in many aspects — whether through Dream or Death or instances like the diner. But then there’s the Corinthian, who fled to the waking world, our world, when his creator was captured and slaughtered humans for generations. He inspired followers — collectors who also appreciated the “art” of murder and death. The Corinthian will stop at nothing to stay in the waking world and continue to prey upon humanity, working to keep Morpheus weak and unable to stop him.

The Nature of Dreams

“The Sandman” is a vast story spanning many different worlds, mythologies and genres that uses dreams at the core to ground it all. Dreams are changing and chaotic. They are where your traumas, fears and regrets can grab hold of you. Dreams aren’t any one thing, just like how Morpheus isn’t any one being. But the important thing about Dreams, even if they are at times more terrifying and darker than even Death, is they balance out the desires and the despair and the delirium. The Dreaming can bring fantasies or nightmares, darkness or light — all fueled by the mind of the dreamer. That is what makes Morpheus such a unique character. He taps into all of that and has all of that power under his control. And that changing and emotional nature of dreams will show as Morpheus’ story is told in this new series.

REVIEW:

“The Sandman” on Netflix is almost a perfect comic adaptation, in a way that even in a time that is full of comic book movies and shows, we have not gotten yet. It is incredibly faithful to the source material and even when it changes elements of the story, it is done well and in a way that makes sense for the switch in the medium. The acting is incredible with not one actor in the cast giving a less-than-incredible performance, and the writing is brilliant, blending modern television writing with Gaiman’s original lines from the comic. This series will make you want to keep going from episode to episode until suddenly you have finished, and you realize you are going to be waiting at least a year for the next season. The only issue that the show has is the portrayal of Dream of the Endless. Although Tom Sturridge plays the Lord of Dreams brilliantly, he does seem a little too human at times, and you miss the ethereal element you should be feeling when looking at a scene with Morpheus. But to go full Morpheus and black out the eyes and make the skin paper white would have looked off and been too unbelievable, so it’s understandable why they made the change.

Rating: 4.7 out of 5

The thing that definitely can be said about this movie is that it starts and keeps going, even if this isn’t necessarily for the best. From the first scene, you are dropped right into the action and it never stops. There are a few moments where it slows down and it just keeps going until the end. This is almost a double-edged sword, both pulling the viewers in and keeping them engaged but also feeling exhausting at points as you are thrown from major plot point to major plot point. The film clearly had a lot it needed to do and establish and not enough time to do it, feeling like a three-hour movie they were forced to drastically shorten, jerking the viewer from scene to scene rather than flowing as smoothly as some may like.

The performances by the actors were by far the best parts of the film. Benedict Cumberbatch proves once again that he is perfect for the role of Doctor Strange and Elizabeth Olsen plays Scarlet Witch with incredible nuance and emotion as the character is explored and reestablished in the MCU after the events of “WandaVision.” Xochitl Gomez, although a newcomer to the MCU, holds her own and makes America Chavez one of the best characters of the film. Fan-favorite character Wong, played by Benedict Wong, also gets to shine in his supporting role. These actors all gave great performances that help ground and focus this, at times, crazy story.

While fans are likely going into this movie expecting countless cameos and appearances that will set up certain groups or characters within the MCU, that might not be the case. While there are several appearances that fans will definitely enjoy as they make their MCU movie introduction, they don’t necessarily set up future appearances — no, there was no teaser for an “X-Men” movie, going in expecting that will only disappoint you. These are cameos and not much more, something to be surprised by but not likely leading to anything major on their own as they all take place in a different universe. They are fun though and as long as people understand not to expect too much, they’ll be pleasantly surprised and excited about what they get.

Overall, the movie feels like a filler episode in the decadeslong television series that is the MCU. It’s fun, but it was clearly intended to set up future projects and establish the multiverse that television shows and movies over the last year have introduced. It is definitely worth watching and you’ll likely enjoy it, but it might be best to have seen “WandaVision” and the first “Doctor Strange” film at the very least or you could possibly get lost at points, especially with how quickly everything happens and keeps happening.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Despite being centered around a Marvel character, this movie might have flown under a lot of radars. The film was originally set to release in 2020 and was subsequently delayed six times. But it is finally here, and although a lot of people might not realize it is out or have heard nothing but bad things, there are good elements that might make it worth a watch.

The first thing that needs to be pointed out about the film is that, despite what trailers would have you believe, there is little to no connection to Spider-Man or other Marvel characters in the vast majority of the film. In fact, the biggest connection that is there — Michael Keaton’s character, Vulture, from the film “Spider-Man: Homecoming” that was teased in the film’s trailers — is barely in the movie, and his appearance is perhaps one of the worst parts of the story. Vulture’s appearance takes away from the ending and Michael Morbius’ arc in addition to creating a convoluted and confusing ending to the film. This film would have been much better off being left alone, not forced to connect with any larger universe or tease any future crossovers or franchises, much like “Venom,” another Sony Pictures Releasing/Marvel movie series.

The best part of the film is definitely the performances by the main actors. Leto and Smith play their roles as the movie’s protagonist and villain, respectively, incredibly well and the chemistry between those two characters makes for some great scenes. Every moment that Smith’s character is on screen is great and the actor has clearly made the role his own. Leto played Morbius as a tormented genius in a way that made him fade into the character instead of feeling like it was Leto playing a role, which a lot of well-known actors can’t always do. Adria Arjona also does a great job playing Morbius’ colleague and love interest Martine Bancroft and was able to give a solid performance without being overshadowed by these powerful vampiric beings that the film focuses on.

Where the movie falls short, though, is its writing and plot. It’s not great or terrible — it mostly just is. It’s nothing that hasn’t been seen in some form multiple times in the dozens of superhero and comic book films of the last decades. The film tries to tell a horror story and a superhero story at the same time and ends up not quite hitting either. The film could have benefited greatly by leaning a lot more into the horror and the psychological elements of a man fighting back against the monster he is becoming, and possibly even an R rating to amp up these elements to tell a story that actually is new to the genre of comic book films.

If you liked “Venom” and generally like superhero and comic book movies, this could be worth a watch. However, one can definitely wait until it goes to streaming or digital in a few months. There is definitely something there in this movie and there is potential in watching it, but it feels both too rushed at less than two hours and also drawn out at the same time. Overall though, it’s not as bad as people seem to be letting on. It’s definitely not something everyone would like, but it’s worth a shot and is at times fun.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

The movie centers around the character of Adam, played as a 12-year-old by Walker Scobell and as an adult by Ryan Reynolds. Without spoiling too much, the story is about a man who time travels back to his own childhood to right a wrong and along the way face and cope with childhood pain. While the movie is a time-travel story and the plot is guilty of many of the cliches that come with it, the characters and smaller moments more than make up for it. In this story of action and science fiction, the best moments are the intimate scenes between two characters just talking. At the core of the story are very poignant ideas about loss, grief and the past, that are all dealt with very well. The movie’s runtime of less than two hours also serves it well, as it doesn’t feel too long or drawn out as Netflix original movies sometimes do.

The movie manages to be heartwarming and bittersweet while also hilarious at moments. The humor doesn’t feel too forced and there are a lot of really funny exchanges between characters in the film. In this incredibly talented and beloved cast, Scobell manages to play the best character in the story. He is able to keep up with Reynolds and Ruffalo in his scenes with them and really feels like a younger version of Reynolds’ character in the best possible way.

While the character-driven elements of the story and individual scenes are fantastic, the actual plot is where the movie falls short at some moments. It is a time travel story and with that comes a lot that has already been done to death. There are also the third-act issues that plague most Hollywood films these days that unfortunately made the film’s climax seem like something seen before in a multitude of other films. This is slightly rectified, however, with the much smaller and intimate end scene after the big action set pieces.

Ultimately, the film is able to ground science fiction in something that feels very real and deliver something fun to watch, even if it was unable to escape many of the issues that faced it with the subject matter and genre. It is a funny and heartwarming movie that you wouldn’t rewatch while scrolling through Netflix in a year or two, but you will have a good time on the first watch. If you are a fan of Reynolds and his style of comedy or time travel stories and science fiction, it’s worth checking out.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

While there have been many great portrayals of the character in movies, television, video games and more, the true origins and influences of Batman lie in comic books. So whether you want to binge-read a few books before you watch the movie or want more of these amazing characters after the film, here are 10 comic book recommendations to go along with “The Batman” that can be enjoyed by die-hard comic fans and newcomers alike.

“Batman: Year One”

Written by Frank Miller with art by David Mazzucchelli, “Batman: Year One” is one of the most iconic and beloved stories in the character’s history. Miller, who helped revolutionize the character of Batman for the modern age, tells the story of Bruce Wayne first becoming Batman and recounts his first year fighting crime in Gotham City. This story is incredibly well written and beautifully drawn by two of the greatest talents in the history of comics. This story has served as inspiration for multiple Batman adaptations, most notably the film “Batman Begins,” and has been cited by the director and actors of “The Batman” as inspiration for aspects of performances and stories in the film as well.

“Batman: The Long Halloween”

Another quintessential Batman story that has been cited as an inspiration for the film, “Batman: The Long Halloween” by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale brings out the detective elements of the Caped Crusader and features many Batman villains as supporting characters. A mysterious criminal known as Holiday is killing prominent Gotham citizens on holidays over the course of a calendar year and only Batman can solve the case. This story showcases many Batman characters, from well-known adversaries like the Joker and Riddler to more obscure rogues like Calendar Man and Solomon Grundy. This story will have you guessing and questioning as you journey with Batman through Gotham City to uncover the killer’s true identity and will introduce you to elements of the Batman mythos that may have been previously unknown to you.

“Batman: Dark Victory”

The sequel to “Batman: The Long Halloween” from the same creative team of Loeb and Sale, “Batman: Dark Victory” presents another mystery for the Dark Knight to solve as well as telling a modern origin story for Dick Grayson, the first Robin. While Robin did not to appear in the movie, Reeves has stated that this story served as inspiration throughout the writing and directing process of “The Batman.” Whether this story is better or worse than its predecessor is a contested topic in the comic book community, but regardless of which of these seminal works is superior, both are incredibly layered tales displaying the detective prowess and skill set of Bruce Wayne.

“Batman: Ego”

“Batman: Ego” was written and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke and has been name-dropped by multiple people behind “The Batman” since the announcement of the film several years ago. Perhaps one of the most psychologically rich Batman tales, “Batman: Ego” has Bruce Wayne confronting his own subconscious fears and insecurities as he questions who Batman is and where exactly the line is between Bruce Wayne and Batman. No Batman story has been able to capture the psychology and duality of Batman quite like this one and the incredible writing is only matched by the stunning art. This story is absolutely worth checking out for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Batman as a character.

“Batman: Hush”

This is the third story on this list written by Jeph Loeb with art by one of the most beloved artists in modern comics, Jim Lee. “Batman: Hush” tells an intricate tale of a new villain known as Hush trying to take down Batman, and he seems to have a connection to Bruce Wayne. The story heavily features the character of Riddler, who is the antagonist of “The Batman,” as well as other villains of Batman’s rogues gallery. What grounds this story though is the blossoming relationship between Bruce and Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman, which seems to also be a major part of “The Batman.” Jim Lee’s art is reason enough to read this story, but it is also so much fun and full of mystique, action and romance. Jeph Loeb’s work being such a huge influence on “The Batman” is no coincidence either, seeing as Loeb was a professor of the film’s director, Matt Reeves, as he studied screenwriting at the University of Southern California. While Loeb’s work is worth reading besides this fact, it does show how integral his stories were to the film.

“Batman: Zero Year”

Written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV with art by Greg Capullo and Rafael Albuquerque as part of their seminal run on the main “Batman” title for DC Comics, “Batman: Zero Year” retells a version of Batman’s origins and features the Riddler as an antagonist. This story is huge, bombastic and fun while also being grounded by real characters and themes. The story has also been mentioned as an inspiration for the upcoming film and similarities can be seen between the story and the movie’s characters, tone and plot. One of the greatest stories told by one of the most prominent creative teams in modern comics, “Batman: Zero Year” is an amazing read and would serve as a great entry or supporting story to “The Batman.”

“Batman: Rooftops”

Written by the award-winning creative team of writer Tom King and artist Mitch Gerads, “Batman: Rooftops” serves as an interlude story taking place in issues 14 and 15 of King’s run on the character. Batman got Selina Kyle a temporary release from prison to assist him on a dangerous mission. Now that the task has been accomplished, Bruce needs to return Selina to her cell and her life sentence for murders both of them know she didn’t commit — but not before spending one last night together. It’s the Bat and the Cat sharing the night and the rooftops in this story of love, passion and heartbreak. With Batman and Catwoman’s relationship playing a role in “The Batman,” this storyline offers the best introduction to the couple’s dynamic and complex relationship. King’s incredible writing is almost poetic as he tells the beautiful love story of this seemingly doomed relationship, and Gerads proves why he is a once-in-a-generation artistic genius in the comic medium. This touching and beautiful story is definitely worth the read and is easily accessible as it is only two issues.

“Batman: The War of Jokes and Riddles”

“Batman: The War of Jokes and Riddles” is another story from Tom King’s run on “Batman” with art by Mikel Janín and two interlude issues drawn by Clay Mann. Batman has proposed to Catwoman, but before she can accept, there is something he needs to tell her — something he hasn’t told anyone and can fundamentally change how she sees him forever. He needs to tell her about what he did during the War of Jokes and Riddles. Taking place during the second year of Bruce Wayne being Batman, the Riddler and the Joker declare war on one another and all of Gotham is caught in the middle. Villains choose sides as this conflict takes innocent lives and challenges Batman as he never has been before. It all boils down to the riddle, or joke depending on how you look at it: what is a joker that cannot laugh? Much like “The Batman,” this story features a year-two Batman and the Riddler plays a primary role in the plot. It also features pretty much every single “Batman” villain in Gotham, from Two-Face to Poison Ivy to Kite-Man. If you want more of the Batman mythos and its characters after seeing “The Batman,” “Batman: The War of Jokes and Riddles” is an amazing option.

“Penguin: Pain and Prejudice”

This limited series by writer Gregg Hurwitz and artist Szymon Kudranski serves as a modern origin story of Oswald Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin. The character plays a supporting role in “The Batman” and a spin-off HBO Max series has been confirmed starring the character, so it is safe to say that he will play a big role in this “Batman” franchise going forward. Hurwitz tells the story of how young Oswald grew up to run a criminal empire in Gotham City. It provides a real tale of a ridiculed and tormented young boy who was pushed over the edge and driven to murder and madness. If you want an introduction to the character of Penguin before the film or more information on him after, this is a great and easily accessible read.

“Batman: Earth One”

Writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank completely rebooted and remade the “Batman” mythos from the ground up in “Batman: Earth One.” In this alternate reality “Batman” universe like no other, Johns and Frank tell the story of a more realistic and modern interpretation of the character that is in many ways more human and flawed. Many fans have pointed out several similarities between depictions of characters in “The Batman” and in this story, such as the design for the Penguin and elements of Bruce’s butler Alfred’s character. This story also features a younger and much more grounded take on Batman that seems similar to Pattinson’s portrayal. This book reinvents the character and its world in a way that is great for new and old fans alike and in many ways is similar to the upcoming film if you want more like it.

All of these comics can be found digitally on sites like ComiXology, dcuniverseinfinite.com and Amazon, or physically through comic book stores.