DC's FUTURES END MONTH IN SEPTEMBER A CASE OF DEJA VU?

Perhaps a bit early to be talking too much on the subject, with there being an entire summer to get through first. However, there have been some rumblings about DC Comics plans for their upcoming 3rd Anniversary of The New 52. For the first year mark we were treated to #0 issues giving us a taste of characters new origins. Showing us just how much certain characters have both changed and stayed the same since the relaunch in 2011. Then there was last year, the second anniversary of the New 52. We were given a new style of 3-D covers, with the entire cover being a hologram instead of the traditional card or sticker. The covers were amazing and great additions to the collection. There is where the problem lied, getting your hands on these were quite a hassle for most. With stores and their customers suffering due to limited availability due to the lower number DC Comics had made. Usually only the customers are left with a bad taste in their mouth after failing to grab a certain item that likely fell into the hands of the people who only buy up and resell items at a higher price. This time even the store owners were feeling the heat from this mishap as they can't make money off of an item they ran out of.

This year we will be treated to another round of 3-D covers to celebrate the anniversary. Some may see this as a case of deja vu, and they wouldn't be completely wrong in saying so. However, this year is a chance at redemption. DC Comics will likely be on top of things this year and at the very least supply stores with their usual orders if not the expected excess that should occur. Also, it isn't the same as last year where only certain titles were given 3-D covers and running in a 23.1-4 numbering, while others "took the month off". This year all the titles will be involved. All of which will be taking a look at the future as part of the company wide "Futures End" story arc currently starting up.

If anything, the covers so far look phenomenal. Looks wise it seems to almost be a cross between the old-school card hologram and the new style DC Comics unveiled last year in the background. But of course, it all being one. You can see the first two scheduled weeks of covers at the following links...

FUTURES END-WEEK 1
FUTURES END-WEEK 2

Be interesting to see how these issues will look in person, amongst the natural wonderment of whether or not DC Comics learned their lesson last year. More so, whether the stories behind the great covers are just as good. The "Futures End" storyline does look appealing, and is nice that it may or may not have any effect of the present day amongst the titles. Well, those who's stories take place in the present or the past, and not the future beyond "5 years from now". Guess we'll see, now to get through the summer which includes "Batman Day" as well as more information and pics from the newly named, "Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice".

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WILL BATMAN '89 EVER COME TO BE?

I was playing some DC All Access videos on Youtube for background noise while typing out a comic book review, when I heard someone (possibly Kevin Smith) say something about how almost each generation has their own Batman. For my father it was Adam West's version from the 1960's, being an 80's kid my Batman of course was Michael Keaton from Batman (1989) and Batman Returns, and my oldest daughters first Batman is Christian Bale in the Dark Knight Trilogy, while the youngest daughter will have Ben Affleck. Some of the poor 90's kids may have Val Kilmer or George Clooney as theirs.
Jokes aside, with Batman '66 did well after its first year, even spawning a Batman '66 And The Green Hornet spin-off title. Why not give the next generation their Batman in comic book form? That of course being Batman '89. A lot would of course be reset and done in an original manner, but it would be nice to see Tim Burton's version of the caped crusader come back to life. Something which would happen to a Jack Nicholson inspired Joker. Batman of course would be inspired by Michael Keaton, but to not scare away the Kilmer and Clooney peeps, keep the villains and additional heroes in the style of Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. Mr. Freeze would be Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robin is Chris O'Donnell, you get the idea. A dark, Gothic styled Gotham City similar to what Tim Burton laid out in his initial films, keeping Schumacher's bright lights for when characters like The Riddler are up to no good.
It could make for some moments that we were deprived of as well. Imagine Jim Carrey's version of The Riddler in scenario's with Nicholson's Joker. Of course, there is also the Two-Face we were originally supposed to have. Goodbye to Tommy Lee's rendition, and hello to the original Harvey Dent, Billy Dee Williams. I believe it was a scheduling conflict that stopped this from happening, and a comic book version would be a perfect way to bring it to life. Perhaps even call upon Tim Burton and Billy Dee Williams themselves to help show what they had in mind all those years ago.
For new characters that didn't make it to the big screen during the Batman (1989) franchise, draw inspiration from either stars from that era. Preferably, the ones that were perhaps rumored to be playing someone in these movies. Everyone likely has their own opinion, but there has to be many of you who agree that this could make for a great comic book series. It is the Year Of The Batman, so why not? It is a part of Batman75 history. Maybe one day. Until then....

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EXPANDING COMIC BOOK VARIANT COVERS

A lot of you may think that there are already too many variant covers in the world of comic books. They are going to happen regardless so these will be what should happen, at least an opinion of what should. Although the money value of these comic books may have dropped due to the over usage of the variant cover gimmick, the personal value is a matter of opinion. The variants can make for unique covers as well as a collision of worlds that may or may not happen in other mediums. There is the Black & White covers, or simply an alternate artists take, and even a blank variant cover. Which most take to comic book conventions as to get a choice artist to render them a truly unique cover. Themed variants with an example being the recent Steampunk style making its way onto the covers. Cross-Promotions have also made their way into the variant cover scene with the likes of Lego and Scribblenauts. Celebrations usually join in on the fun too, recently Superman having variants that included a different era and the style of that time to celebrate the original superheroes 75th Anniversary. Will be interesting to see what happens this year with Batman75 celebrations.

Now some of these may or may not have already happened in the past, or perhaps are likely to never happen due to different publishers owning the rights to certain characters or what not. If they have happened then perhaps they could be done again, but with fresh talent or a different crop of characters appearing on the covers. A few ideas that are obvious, while others are perhaps truly just the opinion of one. Here is a list of comic book variant covers that should happen...

LEGO DC UNIVERSE

This may have happened, but have come up short in a search for actual variant covers that weren't fan-made. If it hasn't, then it should. DC Comics did beat Marvel to the Lego mash-up with the video games and movie. Marvel had a run of Lego variant covers, DC Comics should join the club.

LIVE ACTION SHOTS

Of course these have been done on even standard covers, but these could be done in other ways that make them more intriguing or unique from what has been done before. Perhaps actors and actresses who have portrayed the comic characters in movies and television reliving their past roles on the variant covers. Even use them as part of the promotion of an upcoming movie. Example would be having the stars of the Man Of Steel follow-up appear full costume on the covers. Batfleck in all his glory gracing the variant covers of the Bat-titles, Henry Cavill reprising Superman on the Kryptonian's  titles, Gal Gadot on the Wonder Woman cover, and of course a group shot for Justice League.

ANIMATED PARODIES

MAD Magazine may have the lead in the parody department, at DC Comics mostly but they do cross-over for the films and shows. Skottie Young's Baby Marvel covers are amazing as well. This however is referring to the animated television shows that poked fun or have paid homage to the comic book world. Shows like The Simpson's, South Park, Family Guy and American Dad. Some are owned by other publishers, but if they worked out a deal, why not? The target audience is generally the same, and they could make for some humorous covers. Even Robot Chicken's DC Comics Special would make for some interesting variant covers for fans of the show and the special.

INTRODUCING...

It could make for a way to test the market with new talent making it to the big leagues to see how the larger customer base gauges them. Instead of finding out during a multiple issue run or as a co-artist where the work is either lost within the main artists work, or forced to be side by side with that art which could be more accepted by the general fan. This is even a way to test the fans with possible changes to a characters appearance. Variant Covers can be viewed as simply an alternate interpretation as opposed to a leaked image which can come across as something concrete and harder for fans to initially accept.

Another idea for the live action shot would be to use cosplay winners from various comic cons, or THE comic con in San Diego. Even use the more known cosplayers out there. Some of them are top notch and movie quality in appearance. Likely more affordable than actors, even though it could be somehow worked out for a reasonable if not free price. May be able to act on screen, but if you appear on the cover of that characters comic book, then they truly can say things like..."I'm Batman!!" And there are also plenty of other ways they could do Variant Covers. Feel free to chime in below in the comments section, or where ever you found this post (StumbleUpon, Facebook, etc). Until next time...

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