Welcome to MIGHTYVILLE

So, is The Dark Knight Rises worth the years of anticipation? Is it a fitting ending to Christopher Nolan’s trilogy?

YES!

The film is truly outstanding. Excellent direction, amazing action and cinematography, great acting, riveting storyline’s got it all! Who knows? It may even receive Oscar nominations.

But is it my favorite superhero film? No. I prefer my superheroes fun, colorful, and a wee bit more on the family-friendly side. But it’s a brilliant film nonetheless, and for true fans of a darker Dark Knight, it is likely everything they had hoped for.

The Dark Knight Rises begins with some of the most intense and exciting action I have ever seen at the start of a film. Much like the bank robbery scene in The Dark Knight, the opening starts it all off with a bang and gives us a taste of what we can expect from Batman’s foes for the rest of the adventure. When the tale moves next to Gotham City, we get caught up on what has been going on in the eight years that have passed since the previous film’s ending. We are not the only ones who have not seen Batman since then - neither have the citizens of Gotham. Similarly, little trace has been seen of Bruce Wayne, and he has had little involvement in the upkeep of Wayne Manor or running Wayne Enterprises.

Enter Christian Bale, back to reprise his roles as both Bruce Wayne and Batman. If you enjoyed his performance in the first two films, he won’t disappoint you here. Bale does an excellent job of portraying a Wayne who has atrophied and lost confidence during many years away from his role as Batman. This older, less physically adept portrayal carries over into his part as Batman, who, while still an impressive crime-fighter, may not be as great of a match to his enemies as he was in his glory days. Now, Bale is not my favorite actor to play Batman. I find his Bruce Wayne to be on the dull side and his growly delivery of Batman’s lines to be a somewhat silly. But, I must say that he won my sympathy in The Dark Knight Rises as a Bruce Wayne who somewhat reluctantly returns to his role as Batman because Gotham is in desperate need of their hero.

This less than tip-top version of the Wayne/Batman dynamic seems even more challenged when contrasted with the main villain in the film, the mysterious and monstrous Bane. Despite his mask-filtered voice that occasionally bordered on comedic (my husband, MightyVille’s own Joe Kach, compares it to Adam Sandler’s character Opera Man), I found Bane to be a credible and petrifying villain. He is of the most frightening kinds of villains: strong, fearless, confident, HUGE, and with absolutely nothing to lose. Due to his tortured past, he brings depth to his villainy through his personal understanding of how fear, despair and hope can affect people. His expressed intention to bring down the rich and lift up the people of Gotham is also poignant to the current times and makes it believable that some of Gotham’s citizens would follow him rather than be repulsed by him. All in all, Tom Hardy proves himself to be an extremely talented actor, able to express so much despite most of his face being covered by a mask. He’s also quite a terrifyingly large, muscular specimen of a man.

At times in the film, it seems that it will be impossible for Batman to save Gotham from the destruction that Bane and other villains have planned. But in many ways, this is not just a film about Batman, but about the citizens of Gotham, rising up to save their city with the help of a masked hero. Gary Oldman is back as Commissioner James Gordon, and we are also introduced to another devoted Gotham City copper, John Blake, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Gordon-Levitt puts in a solid performance as Blake, your average “good cop” hero who’s faith in Batman never waivers. I wondered at times why so much focus and screen time was being given to this character, but this question was resolved by the end of the film. Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate also jumps into the action at times. She also seemed to receive too much focus at first, but the importance of her role was ultimately made clear.

And then, of course, there’s Ann Hathaway as Catwoman! She is a Selina Kyle like no others seen on screen, and is effective in making the character her own. Hathaway’s Catwoman is a sly, slinky, self-reliant woman who is as jaded and opportunistic as most of Gotham residents. She is neither bad nor good, but instead is doing what it takes to survive in her urban habitat, much like a cat. “I’m adaptable,” she declares. Hathaway is believable as an efficient “cat” burglar that is capable of getting what she wants when she wants, as well as holding her own in a fight. Her “cat” suit is less a costume than an effective tool for pulling off the most challenging of thefts. Hathaway has revealed in interviews that she based her portrayal primarily after the Felonious Female of the comics, rather than mimicking previous onscreen versions, and she succeeds in making this Catwoman more recognizable to lovers of the DC Comic.

The only character who let them me down in the film was Alfred. I had heard he had an expanded role in The Dark Knight Rises, but it seems that all he does in this film is cry and pout about his disagreement with the idea of Batman returning. I was really turned off by his consistent blathering about wanting to protect Wayne. He seemed to be taking his role as a father figure too far, and I wondered where he lost his British stiff upper-lip. This is not to fault Michael Caine’s acting, which was good as usual, but more the way the character was written.

That being said, the writing for The Dark Knight Rises overall is spectacular, with a script handled by Johnathon Nolan and David Goyer. The story is very well put together and thought out, with a number of exciting plot twists to thrill us by the end of the film. The action is amazing, from football field explosions to airplane crashes to gargantuan mob fight scenes. Batman shows up at all the right times, and each time the effect is exhilarating, with the music and cinematography working in unison. We’re also finally exposed to Nolan’s version of the Batcave, and Batman’s new “toy”: “The Bat” hovercraft is awe-inspiring. Even the well-timed return of the Batpod cycle and the Bat-Signal were spectacular, providing as much hope to the audience as they did to Gotham’s residents.

Finally, much has been said and speculated about the ending to this film. For me, this was the perfect ending to the film, as well as the trilogy. In fact, it is one of the best endings I have seen to any film. I love that the ending doesn’t try to answer every question and tie up each loose end, but instead sends the trilogy off with a proper goodbye and a glimpse at what the future may hold for some of the characters. I don’t want to give away too much, but I can’t remember the last time I saw so many grown men cry at the end of a movie.

The Dark Knight Rises is not perfect, but it comes near. This is an excellent film that shouldn’t be missed. It has unfortunately received a lot of negative press due to the horrifying shootings that occurred in an Aurora, Colorado midnight opening. As someone who is sensitive to violence in films, I was actually impressed with the way Nolan handled the violence in this movie, with most scenes taking a more classic approach in which the violence is implied rather than shown in every gory detail. I hope that people can disassociate the acts of a mad man from this film that was made for peaceful reasons and actually encourages society to move in a more peaceful and caring direction. The Dark Knight Rises provides a message of hope in dark times, and, in light of recent events, that is something we all need.

The Dark Knight Rises:

We scoured the catalogs of our favorite retailers; we battled amongst each other during the vetting process; we toiled for hours...to comprise this gathering of our favorite members of the miniature Batman army. The only rule was that each item had to be an action figure, meaning moving arms and legs, not just heads (Sorry, Pop Heroes, you're cute, but more on the inaction side).

So, in somewhat of a particular order, here we go...

Mattel's Batman from the Justice League Unlimited line. JLU is one of our favorite cartoons of all time, and this is Batman in a classic, animated Bruce Timm look.

The folks at Hot Toys are, in our opinion, some of the best action figure designers on the planet. Meet Batman (and Bruce Wayne) from the "Cosbaby” Batman Begins line. Don’t you wish you could pinch their cheeks?

If this figure evokes the word "classic" in you, that's because it\'s from Matttel's Batman Legacy line and is called..."Classic Batman"! We dig this one because it combines a Batman of multiple eras: the early silver age, Darwyn Cooke's lovely New Frontier, and has that Adam West guffaw we all know and love.

Are they cute? Are they tough? I don\'t know!! They're Mez-Itz!

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight was a cool "Elseworlds" story before anyone knew what an "Elseworld" was. This Batman figure from that storyline by DC Direct is ready to take down Jack the Ripper (which he did). Also, Mike Mignola (Hellboy) designed it.

Zombies are hotter these days than they were in the 80s. Zombie super heroes? Why not?! This Black Lantern Batman from the epic Blackest Night storyline from DC Direct lives on our office wall right now and has the perfect level of freakin' creepy!

The Dark Knight Returns is one of the greatest Batman sagas of all time. This plastic version of Frank Miller's lunatic Batman looks like he stepped right off the page. Also on display at MightyVille HQ, this Batman is ready to break your arm and call himself a surgeon. 

If you're like us, you read Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne and it confused the Hell out of you. On the plus side, it gave us this awesome, Lone Ranger-esque "Old West" Batman from DC Direct, also a resident of the MightyVille toy shelves. And, no, he does not carry a gun, and still can throw down like Wyatt Earp at the O.K. Corral. That's how boss he is.

The Batman design from the Arkham Asylum and Arkham City video games is one of our favorite Bat-looks. Combining the classic look of the comics with the gritty feel of the Christopher Nolan films, we get a bulky, "tech'd-up" Batman ready to kick some bad-guy ass. This particular figure is from the Play Arts-Kai line by Japanese toymaker Square Enix. The level of detail and pose-ability, along with the stylized look, make this a must for most Batman figure collectors. 

No Batman action figure list would be complete without an entry based on master penciller Jim Lee's designs. This DC Direct offering from the New 52 Justice League line is the newest Batman addition to the MightyVille collection and features Batman in his most current comic book look.

Starting our top three is Batman from Kenner's Super Powers line in the mid-1980s. This classic line started the trend of the current line-wide diversity we see at Mattel. The fact that all you had to do was squeeze his legs and he could go around punching things blew my 7-year old mind and remains forever tied to my childhood memories. Hmm, I feel an eBay visit coming...

Remember that thing about Hot Toys up there? Here's another stellar example. This Batman from The Dark Knight Rises line is beyond museum quality. You can see the mole on Christian Bale's face! The level of detail, pose-ability, and a ridiculous amount of accessories put this squarely on the "wish I could afford this" list.

Did I mention Hot Toys yet? They bring us our favorite Batman from this list. This thing looks more like Michael Keaton than Michael Keaton does. I adore the 1989 Tim Burton classic Batman film, and you could probably recreate the whole film with the level of accessories this comes with. Everything that applied to the above The Dark Knight Rises Batman applies here, especially the "things I wish I could afford" list entry. Nostalgia overload!

We hope you enjoyed this trip through Batman collector history. We'll be bringing you similar features down the road. Have any ideas what characters to feature? Want to share your own collection? Let us know!

Best Short Story The Seventh by Darwyn Cooke, in Richard Stark\'s Parker: The Martini Edition (IDW)

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot) Daredevil #7 by Mark Waid, Paolo Rivera, and Joe Rivera (Marvel) Best Continuing Series Daredevil by Mark Waid, Marcos Martin, Paolo Rivera, and Joe Rivera (Marvel) Best Limited Series Criminal: The Last of the Innocent by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Marvel Icon) Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7) Dragon Puncher Island by James Kochalka (Top Shelf) Best Publication for Kids (ages 8 - 12) Snarked by Roger Langridge (kaboom!) Best Publication for Young Adults (Ages 12 - 17) Anya\'s Ghost by Vera Brosgol (First Second) Best Anthology Dark Horse Presents edited by Mike Richardson (Dark Horse) Best Humor Publication Milk & Cheese: Dairy Products Gone Bad by Evan Dorkin (Dark Horse Books) Best Digital Comic Battlepug by Mike Norton, www.battlepug.com Best Reality-Based Work Green River Killer: A True Detective Story by Jeff Jensen and Jonathan Case (Dark Horse Books) Best Graphic Album - New Jim Henson\'s Tale of Sand adapted by Ramon K. Perez (Archaia) Best Graphic Album - Reprint Richard Stark\'s Parker: The Martini Edition by Darwyn Cooke (IDW) Best Archival Collection/Project - Comic Strips Walt Disney\'s Mickey Mouse Volumes 1-2 by Floyd Gottfredson, edited by David Gerstein and Gary Groth (Fantagraphics) Best Archival Collection/Project - Comic Books Walt Simonson\'s The Mighty Thor Artist\'s Edition (IDW) Best U.S. Edition of International Material The Manara Library, vol. 1: Indian Summer and Other Stories by Milo Manara with Hugo Pratt (Dark Horse Books) Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly) Best Writer Mark Waid, Irredeemable, Incorruptible (BOOM!); Daredevil (Marvel) Best Writer/Artist Craig Thompson, Habibi (Pantheon) Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team Ramón K. Pérez, Jim Henson\'s Tale of Sand (Archaia) Best Cover Artist Francesco Francavilla, Black Panther (Marvel); Lone Ranger, Lone Ranger/Zorro, Dark Shadows, Warlord of Mars (Dynamite); Archie Meets Kiss (Archie) Best Coloring Laura Allred, iZombie (Vertigo/DC); Madman All-New Giant-Size Super-Ginchy Special (Image) Best Lettering Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse) Best Comics-Related Journalism The Comics Reporter, produced by Tom Spurgeon, www.comicsreporter.com Best Educational/Academic Work (tie) Cartooning: Philosophy & Practice by Ivan Brunetti (Yale University Press) Hand of Fire: The Comics Art of Jack Kirby by Charles Hatfield (University Press of Mississippi) Best Comics-Related Book MetaMaus by Art Spiegelman (Pantheon) Best Publication Design Jim Henson\'s Tale of Sand designed by Eric Skillman (Archaia) Hall of Fame Judges\' Choices: Rudolf Dirks, Harry Lucey Bill Blackbeard, Richard Corben, Katsuhiro Otomo, Gilbert Shelton Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award Tyler Crook, artist of Petrograd (Oni Press) and B.P.R.D. (Dark Horse) Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award Morrie Turner, creator of the comic strip Wee Pals Bill Finger Excellence in Comic Book Writing Award Frank Doyle, writer, Archie, Betty and Veronica, Jughead Steve Skeates, writer, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, Sarge Steel, Aquaman, Supergirl

THE WALKING DEAD, created and written by Kirkman with art by Charlie Adlard, featuring 13 variant covers for the 100th issue all sold out has been the talk of San Diego Comic-Con with a series of events celebrating its release. Kirkman is a partner in Image Comics, the first person invited to join the comic book industry’s premier publisher of creator-owned comics since its inception twenty years ago. “This is a remarkable achievement,” said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "It’s extremely uncommon, if not flat-out rare, for a comic book to see a sustained increase in sales following its first issue, but The Walking Dead steadily climbed up and up since its launch in 2003, and we couldn’t be more proud of Robert, Charlie and the whole Walking Dead team.” 

“The Walking Dead continues to greatly exceed all my expectations in all forms,” said Robert Kirkman. “I am especially excited for what this means for comics as an industry, that this is an independent comic hitting that number.” Kirkman continued, “The future of comics couldn’t be brighter as more and more readers are embracing new ideas in a big way.”

On Wednesday night, Hyundai, Future US, and Kirkman’s Skybound imprint at Image Comics unveiled the Kirkman-designed Zombie Survival Machine from a transformed Hyundai Elantra Coupe. On Thursday, Skybound and Ruckus Sports unveiled The Walking Dead Escape: San Diego, an obstacle course where anyone could live the experience of being a zombie apocalypse survivor and effects whiz Greg Nicotero and team transformed participants into one of the undead.

Kirkman will give away a Hyundai Elantra GT wrapped in Charlie Adlard’s iconic cover of THE WALKING DEAD’s 100th issue, which was on display Friday night at Petco Park during the private The Walking Dead 100th Issue VIP Black Carpet Event. The exclusive party featured a fully immersive recreation of a post-apocalyptic world infested with zombies.

The Skybound booth at Comic-Con, #2729, featured a slew of exclusive merchandise, including THE WALKING DEAD #100 Vannen Watch, THE WALKING DEAD Bloody Michonne Variant action figure and The Walking Dead Hardcover Compendium, which collects issues #1-48 of the iconic comic series.

DC Comics Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio

SDCC 2012: DC Comics - Young Justice Panel Highlights:

Teen Titans #0: The Tim Drake Story

Kid Flash: Undercover!

Who shot Zor-El?

SDCC 2012: Marvel Amazing Spider-Man Panel Highlights:

Humberto Ramos on how Andrew Garfield influenced Alpha.

Venom and Scarlet Spider; Minimum Carnage!

Kelly Sue DeConnick talks Captain Marvel's exercise routine.

Greg Rucka and Marco Checchetto finish off The Punisher in a War Zone!

SDCC 2012: DC Entertainment - Meet The Publishers Panel Highlights:

Jim Lee and Dan DiDio stress the importance of Justice League #12.

Green Lantern: Third Army - Intentional Lantern Omissions.

Jim Lee’s digital revolution reasoning

Jim Lee and Dan DiDio ready to celebrate Sandman’s 25th birthday!

Warner Brothers Unveils Superman: Man of Steel Teaser Trailer!

SDCC 2012: DC Comics - Before Watchmen Panel Highlights:

Len Wein on Ozymandius’ lies.

Quentin Tarantino announces the Django Unchained comic! [Editor's Note: Yes, this was announced during the Before Watchmen panel.]

Brian Azzarello on psychological benefits of writing Before Watchmen: Rorschach.

SDCC 2012: Marvel Comics - Marvel Television Presents Panel Highlights:

Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. to star Hulk, Red Hulk, She-Hulk, Skaar, and A-Bomb, and the pilot's written by Paul Dini!

The Earth's Mightiest Heroes Assemble into new Avengers cartoon!

Go "hog wild" with Peter Porker, Spider-Ham in Ultimate Spider-Man!

SDCC 2012: DC Entertainment - All Access: OGNs Panel Highlights:

Get the scoop on Get Jiro.

It’s Detective Batman vs The Riddler in Batman: Earth One Volume 2!

JMS on Superman’s power and responsibility on Earth One.

SDCC 2012: Marvel Comics - Avengers Vs. X-Men Panel Highlights:

Marvel Editors talk Marvel NOW!

AvX: Consequences details with Kieron Gillen.

Nobody likes Cyclops?

SDCC 2012: DC Comics - The New Wave Panel Highlights:

Scott Snyder and James Tynion are very excited for new adventures of Talon.

Dan DiDio on the Phantom Stranger’s behind-the-scenes-moves with Brent Anderson.

Explore the history of the New 52 Universe with Team 7!

Rachel Gluckstern on the fantasy action of Amethyst!

Why exactly is Justice League #12 so important..?

SDCC 2012: Marvel Entertainment - Marvel Video Games Panel Highlights:

Deadpool busts loose in his own shoot-’em-up!

New characters added to Avengers Alliance.

Avengers: Battle for Earth fighting game: who will you be??

SDCC 2012: Image Comics Experience Panel Highlights:

Announced: Satellite Sam by Matt Fraction and Howard Chaykin!

Announced: Saviors by James Robinson and  J. Bone!

Announced: Pretty Deadly by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Rios!

Announced: Oliver by Gary Whitta and Darrick Robertson!

Announced: Rain by Chris Roberson and Paul Mayberry!

Announced: Lazarus by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark!

Announced: Sex by Joe Casey and Piotr Kowalski!

Announced: Bounce by Casey and David Messina!

Announced: Non-Humans from Whilce Portacio!

Announced: Nowhere Men from Eric Stephenson!

Announced: Multiple Warheads from Brandon Graham!

Announced: Point of Impact from Jay Faerber!

Announced: Great Pacific from Joe Harris!

SDCC 2012: Marvel Entertainment - Hasbro Panel Highlights:

Ultimate Spider-Man action figure sneak-peak!

What is a "Bonka Zonk"? Find out!

Get the low down on all of the Marvel Universe figures for 2012 & 2013!

SDCC 2012: Marvel Entertainment - Iron Man 3 Panel Highlights:

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase 2!

Alan Taylor is directing THOR 2: The DARK WORLD!

The Russo Brothers directing Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier, coming April 4, 2014!

Drax, Groot, Starlord, Gamora, and Rocket Raccoon to be featured in Guardians of the Galaxy movie!

Edgar Wright confirms Ant-Man movie with test footage!

Robert Downey Jr. introduces Iron Man 3 footage with Ben Kingsley’s Mandarin! 

SDCC 2012: DC University with Dustin Nguyen Panel

SDCC 2012: Silvestri Reboots CYBER FORCE, Offers It for Free!

Geoff Johns on the Justice League's split!

The world premiere of The Walking Dead's Season Three trailer!

SDCC 2012: DC Comics - Superman Panel Highlights:

Shane Davis explains Parasite: Earth One.

Scott Lobdell warns us about the dangers of Superclones.

Supergirl's very own Fortress of Solitude.

SDCC 2012: Marvel - Ultimate Comics Panel Highlights:

Nathan Edmondson armors up with Ultimate Iron Man!

Steve Rogers for President?

David Marquez goes Marvel-exclusive artist with Ultimate Spider-Man!

SDCC 2012: DC Comics - Justice League and Green Lantern Panel Highlights:

Geoff Johns on the creation of "The Third Army"!

Peter Tomasi unveils Guy Gardner\'s new origin!

Jeff Lemire clues us in on John Constantine’s "Moriarty".

SDCC 2012: Marvel - Cup O' Joe Panel Highlights:

Axel Alonso assembles the Uncanny Avengers' new mission!

From AvX to A+X with Jeph Loeb, Dan Slott, Dale Keown, & Ron Garney!

Kieron Gillen on the Consequences of Avengers vs. X-Men!

SDCC 2012: DC Comics - The New 52 Panel Highlights:

Gail Simone on the Barbara Gordon and Batgirl dynamic!

Scott Snyder tells the tale of Alec Holland!

Rob Liefeld’s outlaw Hawkman!

Dan Jurgens teaches fusion with new Firestorm direction!

Geoff Johns reveals a broken Justice League!

SDCC 2012: The IDW Show Highlights:

Duane Swierczynski on Judge Dredd’s new law!

Kevin Eastman drawn in to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual #1 artist!

The Foot Clan Rises in a new mini-series!

SDCC 2012: DC Comics - From Concept to Page Panel

SDCC 2012: Star Wars Publishing Panel

SDCC 2012: MONKEYBRAIN Comics - New Creator-Owned Publisher