Juicy Pic of the Joker...

I have always liked comic books. There I said it. In the year of the geek, an announcement like this is nothing to be ashamed of. Before I continue, I would like to be clear that I love books. I love reading. I enjoy good literature.

However, I always thought comics were unjustifiably put down by the general public. I only really got into comics in grade seven. That was the year when Batman The Movie came out. The one directed by Tim Burton. The one with the comical Joker played by Jack Nicholson. The one that I thought miscast Michael Keaton, but after viewing the movie, thought that he did a good job. I remember going to see that movie with my dad and afterwards he bought me a graphic novel called "The Dark Knight Returns".

This story written by Frank Miller (of "300" and "Sin City" fame) was about Batman returning back as a old man set in an apocalyptic future set in Gotham City. I never knew comics could be so dark and create such a complex story full of character development. Miller's Batman was an enigma, wracked with psychological despair from witnessing his parent's murder. Through the rejuvenation of his crime fighting career, we witness Batman's unwavering vision of his truth ultimately juxtaposed against the American virtues embodied by Superman. Plus Batman and Superman's fight kicks some massive butt.

There are so many complex issues tackled in this seminal work in terms of graphic novels. The grim tone and story structure has been mimicked and aped by so many other comic writers since.

I know comics are purely fantasy, but the best comics tackle the same sort of themes that, dare I say, Shakespeare does. Doing the right thing? Spiderman. Prejudice? X-Men. Tragic love? Daredevil and Elektra. It is no mistake that some of today's most popular shows are simply stealing ideas from comics. And the popularity of shows like Lost and Heroes, simply proves that the themes from comics speak to people. And the improvement of special effects has allowed the visions of Stan Lee (this guy is THE MAN when it comes to comics... can you believe he created The Fantastic Four, Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, X-Men AND Spiderman... what a resume!) to flourish on the screen. Spiderman and X-men proved to be a box office hit.

Which brings me to "Batman Begins". The Batman franchise was ruined by Joel Schumacher and no one remembers the ugly mess that involved George Clooney as Batman. I mean, that Batman suit had nipples! When I learned that Christopher Nolan was restarting the franchise I was excited. When Christian Bale was cast as Bruce Wayne, I became very eager to see this movie. It did not disappoint. "Batman Begins" took a nod from the dark tones of "The Dark Knight Returns" and presented a troubled character who would become a hero. An obsessed person who wanted to make sure his brand of vigilante justice was applied to the criminals of Gotham City. It was the type of Batman movie I had always wanted to see. I liked how Batman wasn't a Boy Scout like Superman. I liked how Christopher Nolan clearly knew he was making a comic book movie, but rooted it an environment that seemed perfectly plausible that a guy with a cape could exist.

"Batman Begins" is my favourite superhero movie. I could go on and on about all the nuances that I love about this movie. I am highly excited for next summer's "Dark Knight" the sequel to "Batman Begins". I love that Christopher Nolan and the rest of the cast are back. I find the title perfect. And I highly anticipate that Joker will be the evil, psychotic villain that I read about, not the campy version portrayed by Jack Nicholson.

This entire blog is a roundabout way to say that you have to check out this picture that shows the promise that "Dark Knight" will not disappoint. Heath Ledger as Joker looks simply too cool.

I will now unplug my geekiness and return to my normal life.