FINALLY Harley Quinn and her origin have come to the Hardcore Review. The ultimate story about Harley Quinn is such a treat to read and this is actually the second copy I have gotten of it. The first being a second print of the prestige format edition from the mid nineties. I traded a bunch of Lady Death comics to my friend, Dave, who is now my tattoo artist.
The story is drawn in the amazing style of the Batman the Animated Series by Bruce Timm and written by the enigmatic Paul Dini, both producers of the show that raised me on comics. BTAS is probably my favorite all time cartoon of ALL TIME. And to have a hardcover account of Harley's origin is pretty fucking spiffy in my book. I actually got to meet Bruce Timm at my first ever convention, Wizard World LA 2005. He drew me a Batman head and I got to tell him how much the show meant to me. The guy in line before me had the first volume of BTAS and had Timm sign every disc in the set. It was kind of funny, cause even then (my first con) I didn't really linger around the Big 2's booths. And now at SDCC I try to avoid them if I can.
The story goes like this, Harley Quinn wasn't always the Joker's sidekick. At one point she was a standout athlete in gymnastics who got a full ride to Gotham University. She excelled in her courses, but not due to hard work. She romanced her professors into making her a straight A student and a seeming prodigy in Psychology. Wanting to cash in and write tell all books about her case work, after graduation, Quinn, then Harley Quinzel, became a head shrink at Gotham City's most notorious facility, Arkham Asylum. Here she met the prize and prince of crime, Clown Prince that is, in the Joker. Falling victim to the Joker's charm and hard luck story, Doctor Quinzel let her guard down and Joker knew he had her. From that point on, there was nothing Harley wouldn't do for her Mr. J.
Bouncing back to present time, Harley is busy planning for the future, while Joker is determined to put the Batman on ice. After failing at her attempts to seduce the Joker, and being tossed out of a fifth story window, Harley decides enough is enough. But not in the way you might think. Harley has a plan to get rid of the obstacle between her an Mr. J once and for all.
Enter the "Death of a Hundred Smiles." What an awesome possible scenario. And the fact that this story, proved that Quinn wasn't just a cheap female Joker knock off. Harley had a mind and a demeanor that allowed her to be just as psychotic as the Joker, even more so, since her motives were purely based upon her "love" for her Puddin'. Harley wasn't just a flaky female foil for Batman. Sure she still has her moments of ditziness, but she is also in control of her destiny. And being that she was formed in an abusive relationship, and being that I have seen what abuse can do to the victim and their family and friends makes this story that much more important to me. Sure, fists can hurt someone. Usually those bruises and broken bones heal, but the psychological ramifications and scars run deep, and sometimes never allow the victim to heal.
This story, being so important to me and relevant to comic book history I have to give it a grade worthy of an equally important moment in wrestling history. A moment, that I believe was not recorded for posterity. It was the early 1990's and it was in Germany, a country known for tyranny and a butcherous nature. The match was Cactus Jack and Vader. Vader whipped Jack into the ropes, and Mick (Jack) took the move like a pro. He ended up in what was called a "hangman," where the wrestler gets his neck intertwined between the top and middle ropes. The move isn't normally dangerous, but in a match preceding this one, Too Cold Scorpio requested that the ring ropes be tightened. The tighter ropes caused Mick's ear to be torn from the side of his head. Being the ring warrior that his is, Foley kept on wrestling, while the ring announcer picked up the dismembered ear and ran it to the back where it was put on ice for a trip to the nearest hospital to have it reattached. And in a promo a few years later, Mick revealed that because he didn't know the German word for formaldehyde he wasn't able to ask for his ear back, as the nurse dropped it into the trash and said, "It's all a big joke."
Showing posts with label joker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joker. Show all posts
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Batman: Under the Red Hood; A Hardcore Review *Spoilers!*
Friday July 22, 2010 at San Diego Comic Con Ballroom 20 saw the World Premier of the newest DC Comics Animated movie, Batman: Under the Red Hood. To a thunderous applause the room darkened and the film began.
The premise of the film is from the "Death in the Family" storyline where Joker kills Robin. And then picks up when a brand new Red Hood shows up in Gotham and starts killing of criminals. The ante is upped when Batman figures out the Red Hood is Jason Todd. I have to say, when I found out Mark Hamil wasn't the voice of the Joker, I was skeptical, as the Joker is a huge part of this movie. When I found out Kevin Conroy wasn't voicing the Dark Knight, I was downright crushed. BUT, to my surprise and delight John DiMaggio and Bruce Greenwood's voices were goddamned perfect for the roles. Joker was more sadistic than he's ever been, and Batman was top notch. The addition of Neil Patrick Harris as Nightwing was nothing short of phenomenal.
The animation was stellar. Some of the best integration of traditional 2D style mixed with a dash of CGI here and there. It flowed as seemless as I have ever seen. And the score was first rate.
Playing into the storyline involving Arkham Asylum and the flashback sequences was a nice touch and much appreciated.
Look past the potential sin of not casting two of the all time best voice actors in super hero history, and sit back. Cause you are going to have your socks knocked off. A lot of time and effort went into this production, as well as a lot of love. You could feel the energy in the ballroom as the action unfolded. When Batman leaped through one door of a car being heaved at him and through the opposite passenger window to escape, the crowd erupted. As Nightwing quipped and attempted to banter with his larger, angrier mentor, the entire room of well over five hundred roared with laughter. And as the end credits began to roll, the whole audience gave the film a standing ovation, in spirit at least, as most of us had been on our feet for two days already and were fucking exhausted. There wasn't a thing I would have improved upon with this flick. And I honestly mean that. I am an enormous Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil fan. I would cut my own mother to have them do another movie together. But this film was as perfect as you can get. And the fact that I was there to witness the emergence of Amazo from a metal container, only to heave boxcar shipping containers at Bats and Nightwing for the WORLD FUCKING PREMIER was a really special thing.
As you know, if you've been reading my Hardcore Reviews for the two years I have been writing them, you know I base my feelings or grade for the project I am reviewing upon hardcore moments in professional wrestling history. And Batman: Under the Red Hood rates pretty fucking high on the scale. TO couple with this grade, I met Christopher Daniels today as well as saw Paul Heyman walking right down Fifth Avenue not two blocks from the convention center.... In my mind some of the most famous words ever spoken in a wrestling ring were said inside an ECW ring. And as Sandman lay broken and damn near destroyed after a three way dance ladder match in the main event of ECW's last pay per view, 2001's Guilty as Charged, out came the reining Television Champ Rhino who gored Sandman damn near in half. Rhino grabs the mic and proclaims, "If that's the belt everyone's willing to die for. That's the belt I'm willing to kill for!" He then challenges the newly anointed four time World Heavyweight Champion, Sandman to an impromptu championship match. In addition, Rhino threatens to kill Fullington's wife and kids if he doesn't accept. To which Sandman simply replies, "Ring the fucking bell...." Rhino picks up Sandman, gores him through a table propped up in the corner and pins the champ. Sandman kicks out at two. Frustrated, Rhino sitout pile drivers Sandman from the apron through a table at ringside. Drags the all but dead Hardcore Icon back into the ring and pins him.... Rhino then gets back on the house mic and challenges anyone in the back to come out and take his belt. Suddenly, Pantera's "WALK" screams through the P.A.......
The premise of the film is from the "Death in the Family" storyline where Joker kills Robin. And then picks up when a brand new Red Hood shows up in Gotham and starts killing of criminals. The ante is upped when Batman figures out the Red Hood is Jason Todd. I have to say, when I found out Mark Hamil wasn't the voice of the Joker, I was skeptical, as the Joker is a huge part of this movie. When I found out Kevin Conroy wasn't voicing the Dark Knight, I was downright crushed. BUT, to my surprise and delight John DiMaggio and Bruce Greenwood's voices were goddamned perfect for the roles. Joker was more sadistic than he's ever been, and Batman was top notch. The addition of Neil Patrick Harris as Nightwing was nothing short of phenomenal.
The animation was stellar. Some of the best integration of traditional 2D style mixed with a dash of CGI here and there. It flowed as seemless as I have ever seen. And the score was first rate.
Playing into the storyline involving Arkham Asylum and the flashback sequences was a nice touch and much appreciated.
Look past the potential sin of not casting two of the all time best voice actors in super hero history, and sit back. Cause you are going to have your socks knocked off. A lot of time and effort went into this production, as well as a lot of love. You could feel the energy in the ballroom as the action unfolded. When Batman leaped through one door of a car being heaved at him and through the opposite passenger window to escape, the crowd erupted. As Nightwing quipped and attempted to banter with his larger, angrier mentor, the entire room of well over five hundred roared with laughter. And as the end credits began to roll, the whole audience gave the film a standing ovation, in spirit at least, as most of us had been on our feet for two days already and were fucking exhausted. There wasn't a thing I would have improved upon with this flick. And I honestly mean that. I am an enormous Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil fan. I would cut my own mother to have them do another movie together. But this film was as perfect as you can get. And the fact that I was there to witness the emergence of Amazo from a metal container, only to heave boxcar shipping containers at Bats and Nightwing for the WORLD FUCKING PREMIER was a really special thing.
As you know, if you've been reading my Hardcore Reviews for the two years I have been writing them, you know I base my feelings or grade for the project I am reviewing upon hardcore moments in professional wrestling history. And Batman: Under the Red Hood rates pretty fucking high on the scale. TO couple with this grade, I met Christopher Daniels today as well as saw Paul Heyman walking right down Fifth Avenue not two blocks from the convention center.... In my mind some of the most famous words ever spoken in a wrestling ring were said inside an ECW ring. And as Sandman lay broken and damn near destroyed after a three way dance ladder match in the main event of ECW's last pay per view, 2001's Guilty as Charged, out came the reining Television Champ Rhino who gored Sandman damn near in half. Rhino grabs the mic and proclaims, "If that's the belt everyone's willing to die for. That's the belt I'm willing to kill for!" He then challenges the newly anointed four time World Heavyweight Champion, Sandman to an impromptu championship match. In addition, Rhino threatens to kill Fullington's wife and kids if he doesn't accept. To which Sandman simply replies, "Ring the fucking bell...." Rhino picks up Sandman, gores him through a table propped up in the corner and pins the champ. Sandman kicks out at two. Frustrated, Rhino sitout pile drivers Sandman from the apron through a table at ringside. Drags the all but dead Hardcore Icon back into the ring and pins him.... Rhino then gets back on the house mic and challenges anyone in the back to come out and take his belt. Suddenly, Pantera's "WALK" screams through the P.A.......
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Casting myself in a comic book flick....
Of course there is the super obvious choice of Nash from my own book, Youth in Asia. But that's not really fair, since he's based on me anyway. Although, I would have to be more athletic, and there's always the super fun stunt work and wrestling school, I'd have to attend.
But in all seriousness, I would have to go with one of four choices...
Omega Red.... as the seldom used X-Men villain I could go places, Brian Singer would never dare to go. Plus having to work with the cgi Carbonadium Tendrils would be a gas too. I just always liked Omega Red since I red how he made it through the Russian Super Soldier Program, "he toughed it out on pure mean." I honestly think, even though I'm not massive like Arkady Rosavich, I could bring a super dark and tortured presence to the character. He's mean, he's nasty and he's perfectly capable of killing Wolverine. Think about it. He secretes Death Pheromones. Just like Rogue, he would be a really isolated and tortured kind of person. Combine that with the possibility of him not being a willing participant in the Super Soldier program, and I'd give Hugh Jackman a run for his fuckin' money.
Nightwing/Batman... Since I picked up the Wizard 1/2 story, and then went back and bought over a year's worth of back issues by creative team, Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel I fell in love with the grown up Dick Grayson. Gone were the days of being Batman's sidekick and protege. Grayson filled the shoes of a much needed hero in the only city that made Gotham look like a great place to live, Bludhaven. From the acrobatics to the sharp wit and biting sarcasm that Bruce would never allow for himself, coupled with the idea that he honestly wants to hang up the tights one day and just be a normal guy. To his troubled, father/son relationship with Bruce. Dick Grayson as either Nightwing or Batman would be a serious ride and sort of cathartic to play. Plus all the stunt work and wire work would be first rate, since I would demand Woo Ping choreograph the fight scenes.
Moon Knight.... Marvel's much darker and more twisted answer to Batman comes in the form of everyman mercenary Marc Spector, who when left for dead in the Egyptian desert finds Kon Shu who grants him power and rebirth. It left Spector a little dazed in the cranium, but playing character with an imbalance would push my acting and probably make me the next Heath Ledger. What? Too soon?.... Seriously, to play a third string character recently given new light by Marvel would allow for a much darker transition and the ability to go places with the character much like they did with Blade. Shrouded in cloak and cape, Moon Knight would be tougher to pull off than Batman, as you wouldn't be able to rely on facial gesticulations or expression. You would have to go where Hugo Weaving went with V. Physical actions and a killer voice would be the only things depicting Spector's further descent into madness. And I think I like that just fine.
The Joker.... With my final choice, I intend to take things way further than even Heath Ledger could have if he returned for the next face off with Batman. I would dig into my playbook of psychotic with a hint of legitimate humor and rapier wit to be a darker, edgier and bigger, badder Joker than anyone has ever known. People think of the Joker as "just" a psychological villain. When in reality, he's just the chaos that mirrors Batman's so called "sanity and logic." People forget that Bats is just as crazy as the Joker, and I know I could drag that out of that pointy eared freak show. You see, Batman wears a mask. I don't. I'm not hiding who I am. Am I Brucie? So his parents were killed. So were the Menendez Brothers and they turned out alright. Where Ledger conjured up visions of a more sinister Joker, he forgot about the suave style and sophistication that must come with being the number one rogue in the world of four color funny books. I know I could draw on the only two other men who came close to capturing the scintillating style and the mad a macabre that I have festering deep within me. Because as every little boy once wanted to be..... send in the clown!
But in all seriousness, I would have to go with one of four choices...
Omega Red.... as the seldom used X-Men villain I could go places, Brian Singer would never dare to go. Plus having to work with the cgi Carbonadium Tendrils would be a gas too. I just always liked Omega Red since I red how he made it through the Russian Super Soldier Program, "he toughed it out on pure mean." I honestly think, even though I'm not massive like Arkady Rosavich, I could bring a super dark and tortured presence to the character. He's mean, he's nasty and he's perfectly capable of killing Wolverine. Think about it. He secretes Death Pheromones. Just like Rogue, he would be a really isolated and tortured kind of person. Combine that with the possibility of him not being a willing participant in the Super Soldier program, and I'd give Hugh Jackman a run for his fuckin' money.
Nightwing/Batman... Since I picked up the Wizard 1/2 story, and then went back and bought over a year's worth of back issues by creative team, Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel I fell in love with the grown up Dick Grayson. Gone were the days of being Batman's sidekick and protege. Grayson filled the shoes of a much needed hero in the only city that made Gotham look like a great place to live, Bludhaven. From the acrobatics to the sharp wit and biting sarcasm that Bruce would never allow for himself, coupled with the idea that he honestly wants to hang up the tights one day and just be a normal guy. To his troubled, father/son relationship with Bruce. Dick Grayson as either Nightwing or Batman would be a serious ride and sort of cathartic to play. Plus all the stunt work and wire work would be first rate, since I would demand Woo Ping choreograph the fight scenes.
Moon Knight.... Marvel's much darker and more twisted answer to Batman comes in the form of everyman mercenary Marc Spector, who when left for dead in the Egyptian desert finds Kon Shu who grants him power and rebirth. It left Spector a little dazed in the cranium, but playing character with an imbalance would push my acting and probably make me the next Heath Ledger. What? Too soon?.... Seriously, to play a third string character recently given new light by Marvel would allow for a much darker transition and the ability to go places with the character much like they did with Blade. Shrouded in cloak and cape, Moon Knight would be tougher to pull off than Batman, as you wouldn't be able to rely on facial gesticulations or expression. You would have to go where Hugo Weaving went with V. Physical actions and a killer voice would be the only things depicting Spector's further descent into madness. And I think I like that just fine.
The Joker.... With my final choice, I intend to take things way further than even Heath Ledger could have if he returned for the next face off with Batman. I would dig into my playbook of psychotic with a hint of legitimate humor and rapier wit to be a darker, edgier and bigger, badder Joker than anyone has ever known. People think of the Joker as "just" a psychological villain. When in reality, he's just the chaos that mirrors Batman's so called "sanity and logic." People forget that Bats is just as crazy as the Joker, and I know I could drag that out of that pointy eared freak show. You see, Batman wears a mask. I don't. I'm not hiding who I am. Am I Brucie? So his parents were killed. So were the Menendez Brothers and they turned out alright. Where Ledger conjured up visions of a more sinister Joker, he forgot about the suave style and sophistication that must come with being the number one rogue in the world of four color funny books. I know I could draw on the only two other men who came close to capturing the scintillating style and the mad a macabre that I have festering deep within me. Because as every little boy once wanted to be..... send in the clown!
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