batman: the dark knight returns

5.2 Reasons We Loved BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 2

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 was unquestionably one of the best installments of the already stellar ongoing line of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. With fantastic pacing, intelligent scripting and bone-crunchingly brilliant fight scenes, it was an extremely faithful animated adaptation that stands alongside the best of the animated and live action Batman films.

That all said, we knew from the start that it was the setup jabs to the knock out punch that would be coming in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2.

This is the second half of the animated adaptation of Frank Miller’s masterpiece chronicling the return of the Dark Knight to active duty after a decade in retirement, and our anticipation was high. We had some pretty elevated hopes, and the soon-to-be-released film met every single one of them.

To help get you guys excited for the upcoming January 29th Blu-ray and DVD release (we know that you’re already excited, but just go with us on this one), we’re breaking down the 5.2 Reasons We Loved Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2!

1. It’s Adapting the Second Half of THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS

If you’ve read the previous edition of 5.2 Reasons that covered Part 1, don’t call shenanigans—we’re not just saying the same thing. (And if you haven’t read our previous entry, what the heck, dude? I thought we were friends.) Anyway, while last time we discussed how great the original graphic novel was (understatement, we know) and how faithful the adaptation is, this time, we’re excited because the film covers the second half of the tale—which includes both the Joker AND the Man of Steel.

2. Michael Emerson as the Joker

Emerson’s one line at the end of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 sent chills down our spines, but we were seriously unprepared for how perfect that casting choice was. Just the idea of Emerson voicing the Joker seemed brilliant, but actually seeing it happen... just, wow. Words cannot describe. His delivery with certain lines is just beyond perfect.

3. You’ll Laugh, You’ll Cry, You’ll Watch in Stunned Terror

Words may not be able to describe the perfection found in the voicework, but words can certainly describe what makes the Joker hands down one of the most effective parts of the film: he’s a murderous lunatic. This Joker kills a lot of people—joyfully, violently and indiscriminately. It’s incredibly terrifying and unsettling, especially coupled with Emerson’s voice. He does a creepily casual delivery while disposing of fairgoers left and right that simply chills. Not only that, the movie doesn’t skip in the violence, which, speaking of...

4. PG-13

This movie is very action packed, with Batman kicking butt left and right against the mutant gangs and the police force hunting him down—but things reach a whole new level when the Joker and Superman come into play. And as fans, we love it. We don’t want to go into too much detail, but if you’ve read the graphic novel, you know what goes down in the Joker fight. All we’ll say in regards to the film is that it stays true to the source material.

5. Batman versus Superman

This marks the first time Superman and Batman have fought onscreen in a DC film and we can’t even tell you how much it made us scream in nerdy delight. We just can’t. It’s perfect. It’s everything we wanted it to be, with Mark Valley perfectly cast as Miller’s unique, government-pawn-style Superman. Action-packed, brutal, jaw-dropping and all around amazing.

5.1 The Joker Goes on Conan O’Brien

Okay, it’s David Endocrine, but Conan voices him. As if we weren’t already on Team Coco, this just cements it.

5.2 A Bald Eagle Lands on Superman’s Arm. A BALD EAGLE. LANDS. ON SUPERMAN’S ARM. It’s Fantastic.

So what are you looking forward to seeing the most in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2? And do you think you'll be rewatching Part 1 first?

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batman: the dark knight returns, frank miller

Voicing THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS: Ariel Winter

Talk about a whirlwind 24 hours.

Sunday night, Ariel Winter was on stage at the Emmy Awards along with the cast of Modern Family to claim the prize for Outstanding Comedy Series, and on Monday she walked the red carpet at the premiere of her new animated film, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1.

Winter gives voice to the first female Robin in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, which represents Winter’s second foray into animated DCU entertainment. Winter also provided the voice of the savvy 10-year-old Princess Perdita of Vlatava, whom Oliver Queen races to protect in the DC Universe Animated Original Short, Green Arrow. She reprised the role for an episode of Young Justice. She has been particularly active in animation, providing voices for films such as ParaNorman, Ice Age: the Meltdown, Over the Hedge and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and TV series like Phineas and Ferb and The Penguins of Madagascar.

In many ways, Winter is a spunky teenager with equal amounts of smarts and sass. She is honest at every turn. So you know her answers were fun when we sat down to discuss Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1…

QUESTION:

Imagining many of your fans are experiencing Batman: The Dark Knight Returns for the first time, describe your character Carrie Kelly’s place in the story.

ARIEL WINTER:

Carrie is sort of a street kind of gangster girl who lives in this shady part of Gotham City. She’s always dreamed of meeting her hero, Batman. One day she’s walking with her friend Michelle, and they get mugged by the Mutants – but Batman saves her. So she then sets out to be Batman’s partner in crime, err, crime-fighting. And eventually, she succeeds and becomes Robin.

QUESTION:

How do you see Carrie’s sense of Batman?

ARIEL WINTER:

I think Carrie feels super ecstatic when Batman includes her in his little facade of Batman and Robin. She feels so honored – it’s a really big deal for her. I think she’s not really just a crime fighter, though – she’s kind of like his daughter. She really cares for him, and he really cares for her. They’re like family.

QUESTION:

Are there similarities between Ariel Winter and Carrie Kelly, and how did that help/hinder getting into character?

ARIEL WINTER:

Carrie and I share a lot of characteristics. We both like crime fighting. We both like Batman. We would both blow off school for crime fighting. (giggles) Actually, no, I would do my school during the day and then crime fight at night.

It wasn’t really hard getting into Carrie’s mindset because I’ve always wanted to play the sort of Tomb Raider, Kick-Ass role where the girl is really the brains behind the power. So I was excited when I got to do it. I just devoured the script. I was surprised. It was pretty violent. I read it and I saw some of the things and I was like, “Woah! That is so cool.” I’m a big fan of that action, thriller sort of thing, so it was exciting for me to read.

QUESTION:

How important to you is being the first female Robin?

ARIEL WINTER:

It’s really cool to be the first female animated Robin. There’s been so many amazing boys, but I think I can just bring something new that the fans have never experienced. So I’m really honored to be part of such a fantastic project.

Female empowerment really is important to me. I’m a big nerd of the books from the 15^th Century and 16^th Century, when the men had all the power and the women had none of it. So to have Robin be a girl is cool because it gives girls a chance to know that they can do everything boys can do, and even better. No offense (laughs), but it’s true.

QUESTION:

Are you into comic books?

ARIEL WINTER:

I’m an avid reader, so anything I can read is awesome. I go into comics stores and I can be in there for hours. It’s truly amazing when you open a comic book, because you’re immediately sucked in from the first line. The writing, the graphics, the artwork – it makes you feel like you’re inside the story.

QUESTION:

You’re 14 and acting all the time. How do you balance acting with education?

ARIEL WINTER:

You have to be really smart to be an actor. It’s not just saying lines. You have to know the thoughts behind each line, to know what you’re saying. So I think it’s very important to get an education. And I won’t be going to college for acting or film school – I will probably go to college for medical research because it’s something that really interests me. I always tell kids that you’ve got to have something else to fall back on. Acting is my first love – I hope I can do it for the rest of my life. But I’m going to go to college and get a degree in something else. I really feel school is important.

Click here to watch a clip of Ariel Winter's Robin in action in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1.

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batman: the dark knight returns, Batman, Robin, ariel winter

The BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS Sale

Tomorrow marks the DVD release of the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 animated feature film, which adapts the first half of the critically acclaimed graphic novel by Frank Miller that envisions a retired Bruce Wayne returning to duty as the Dark Knight after a decade out of the cape and cowl.

We already gave readers 5.2 Reasons to watch the upcoming film, but now we're giving you all one more big reason to get especially excited: DC Digital Comics is holding a special sale putting up not only all four issues of the original BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS limited series, but also Miller's other fan-favorite, Bat-centric stories, including BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN, BATMAN: YEAR ONE (Batman #404-407), and ALL-STAR BATMAN & ROBIN—all for only 99 cents each!

The sale lasts for a limited time, so get the comics while you can and give them a read before or after checking out the film—or even while checking it out for side-by-side comparisons of awesomeness.

The 3-Day sale begins today in the DC Digital Comics Store!

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batman: the dark knight returns, Sale, DC Digital Comics, frank miller

5.2 Reasons to Watch BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 1

When Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight first came out in theaters, naturally we went to a midnight showing. Afterward, we all thought basically the same thing, "Wow. We need to see that again." We went again the next day.

A similar thing happened after watching Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, the animated adaptation of Frank Miller's seminal best-selling graphic novel. In fact, it was so enjoyable that part of our brain isn't even here right now. It's still thinking about the film and fighting with the other half to just stop writing and go home and watch it again.

Since, you know, job and responsibilities (dolla dolla bill, y'all), we can't really do that, we're instead going to give you 5.2 Reasons to Watch Batman: The Dark Knight Return, Part 1!

1. It's an Adaptation of THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS

Let's get this one out there early. Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns ranks as one of the most influential and character-defining comics in modern history. His grim and gritty take on the Caped Crusader set the tone for the character for almost every interpretation that followed. Even after 25 years, it still remains a perennial best-seller month after month. All that and it's quite simply a fantastically well-told story.

2. It's a GREAT Adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns

While watching the film, we popped open a copy of the graphic novel to compare. We suggest doing the same. Seeing certain iconic images come to life brought out a childlike giddiness. It's an extremely accurate adaptation. There are some slight deviations—tweaked dialogue and extended scenes—but it all enhances the story for film and allows both comic book and film to stand on equal footing of greatness in their respective mediums.

3. Peter Weller as Batman

When they announced Peter Weller as the voice of the aged and grizzled Bruce Wayne, it just seemed like a perfect fit. It also sent our nerd-fueled brains into a conniption. (Robocop as Batman?!) Weller's take on the character plays out brilliantly. It takes a little bit to see exactly what he's doing as it's subtle, but once you get it, it's like Joker gas to the face: you can't help but grin.

4. The Score

A good or bad musical score can make or break a movie. Christopher Drake—who composed the music for a number of DC animated films including Wonder Woman and Justice League: Doom—really struck the perfect chord (ha!) for the mood and tone of the film—and most importantly, the setting. Something about the music fit perfectly with the world itself and enhanced all the dialogue and action on the screen. You might even find yourself humming it while doing everyday stuff afterward. It'll make pouring cereal super epic.

5. It Gets You Excited for Part 2

As the title may suggest, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 covers the first half of the graphic novel—basically the initial, uh, return of the Dark Knight. Because of the split, the pacing excels tremendously and the end leaves you very, very excited for the next installment.

5.1 Awesome Easter Eggs

5.2 We Could Watch This Iconic Moment Over and Over Again

Now, if you'll excuse us, we need to go watch that movie again. Let us know in the comments below (hey, that rhymed!) what you're excited to see in the upcoming film and what other adaptations you think would be awesome to see!

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5.2 Reasons, Batman, the dark knight returns, frank miller, joker, batman: the dark knight returns, Part 1

Voicing THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS: David Selby

Having made his mark as a villain for many of his 45 years in the entertainment industry, David Selby is only too happy to provide the heroic voice of Commissioner James Gordon for Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1.

Selby is best known for his long-running roles as Quentin Collins, the werewolf brother to vampire Barnabus Collins on the original series Dark Shadows, and as the ruthless, vengeful Richard Channing on the 1980s primetime soap opera Falcon Crest. Between those two series alone, Selby logged more than 500 episodes as an antagonist.

Finally, Selby gets a beloved protagonist turn as the everyman hero James Gordon, a straight-shooting, intelligent lawman bent on doing what’s right…with the help of his old pal, Bruce Wayne (and his alter ego, Batman).

Selby will be in attendance on both coasts for the World and West Coast Premieres of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1. Selby will be flying solo on the September 20 post-screening panel at the Paley Center in New York, and he’ll be joined by co-stars Peter Weller and Ariel Winter for the panel discussion on Monday, September 24, at the Paley Center in Los Angeles.

The affable Selby was happy to discuss his role as James Gordon following his initial recording session for the two halves of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Here’s what he had to say …

QUESTION:

Having spent several hours in his mind, how do you see Police Commissioner James Gordon in this film?

DAVID SELBY:

Because Bruce Wayne is Batman, and even though we all want to be heroes, Gordon is willing to take a quieter, more backseat role. I think he’s persistent, he’s calm. He’s a very practical man, like certain presidents. Lincoln was a very pragmatic guy, and I think Gordon is a very pragmatic commissioner.

Gordon is the type of guy that would think, “If I’ve gotta do it, and it’s going to make it right, and I look out and I know that my wife is going to be fine, and the children are going to be fine, then if a certain kind of justice is required to do this, I can live with it.” That’s my kind of Gordon. A very strong, practical guy.

QUESTION:

In this film, James Gordon is 70 years old and about to retire. David Selby is now 70 years old. Usually it doesn’t matter in voice acting, but does that age similarity help increase the bond between actor and character?

DAVID SELBY:

What are you saying? (laughs) That I’ve been playing this game for 50 years? (laughs harder) Well, I guess that’s true. You know the frustrations, the thinking of “Okay, I’ve got a few years to go, and there’s still one thing I want to do.” Maybe I want to play Macbeth. I don’t know. There’s definitely some parallels. Really, though, it’s the whole life experience – that’s the thing that ties me to Gordon. Having been around and seen what we’ve seen. I understand his frustrations. My God, all you have to do is pick up a bloody newspaper. It’s hard to not get frustrated. Sometimes the best thing to do is to avoid the paper in the morning.

QUESTION:

Was there a centering emotion you used in James Gordon to help you focus on his motivations?

DAVID SELBY:

For Gordon, what he wants to do more than anything in the world is that he wants to leave the world a little better place than when he came into it. And he thinks of how awful it would be to live your life and not be able to do that.

I like Gordon. Sometimes you have to draw the line in the sand, the morality line, and each of us has to decide how far you’re willing to go for success. Now if you’re battling the Mutants, you can go a long way. You can step over that line, as long as you know why you’re doing it. That’s my little take on that.

QUESTION:

You had more than 300 episodes to get to know Quentin Collins for Dark Shadows. You spent 209 episodes creating Richard Channing for Falcon Crest. Today you had about four hours to become James Gordon. How do you develop a character that quickly?

DAVID SELBY:

You don’t. You just sort of depend upon Andrea [Romano] and Bruce [Timm], because they know this territory far better than you. I did do a little research, though. I asked my son, who is a great aficionado of Frank Miller and all of these things. That was my first call. He gave me a great rundown, so there was a little preparation. So mostly you put yourself in the hands of those that know the character, and learn from their experience.

QUESTION:

So your son is a Frank Miller fan. Do you have newfound street cred in the family?

DAVID SELBY:

You can’t imagine. My son-in-law is a big fan, too. I’m in like flint now. I couldn’t have done better than to be able to make that call. “Do you know Dark Knight?” “What do you mean, do I know Dark Knight? Who do you think you’re talking to?” “Well, I’m playing the Commissioner.” “You’re playing James Gordon? You’re playing Gordon?!? Commissioner Gordon?!?!?” I never mentioned the Gordon’s name. (laughs) I just said the Commissioner. Oh my God. How special is that? I like that.

QUESTION:

Did you read comics when you were a kid?

DAVID SELBY:

We lived in a little community called Woodburn, where I grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia. There was a store down the street from where I grew up – a confectionary, you know, “beer on tap” – and they had a comic rack. Tom and Ann Torch owned the place – Tom would sit in the corner by the Coke machine and play checkers. And then guys would come in and order… Dewey would order egg in his beer, and all the regulars who lived in the neighborhood would be around. We could look in the comics, and they never once said “Put the comics down.” Now, once we graduated from comic books and went on to Sexology Magazine and Golden Nugget Girls, then Ann and her sister Hortense got concerned. But as long as we stuck to the comics, it was okay, so I read all the comics. I’d also go two houses down to my friend Wally’s house – he had a lot of comics. But at the Richwood Confectionary, that was terrific place to grow up. Sit in there, drink a Nehi Orange for a nickel, and read your comics.

QUESTION:

What was going on in 1966 that made it right for both Dark Shadows and Batman to premiere and explode in popularity?

DAVID SELBY:

That was a special time in the 60s, and for whatever reasons these shows captivated the public’s imagination. Maybe we just needed it in the 60s. They were shows that allowed you to escape … shows that made life a little easier to cope. I think about New York City at that time and all the things that were going on. The corruption, the racial conflicts, the unrest at Columbia University. There were protests everywhere. Then there was Chicago, and the election in 1968. The assassination of Martin Luther King, the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. Vietnam was raging. And then you had these shows. I’m sure some sociologist is examining all of this and working it out. But I think those two shows, Batman and Dark Shadows, they fit that expression, “Whatever gets you through the night.” It is interesting that they both came out of that period. But maybe not. Maybe the times were right.

QUESTION:

You’ve obviously had the experience. But do you like playing the villain?

DAVID SELBY:

I’m not complaining – a lot of times the villain is the most interesting character. But

I’ve played some awful people. I played a character who got rid of his own sister. In doing these characters, I like them, and you have to get your audience on your side somehow. They have to understand where you’ve come from. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll hang in there with you.

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batman: the dark knight returns, Batman, david selby

Win Tickets to the Premiere of BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 1

It’s one of the most widely read, popular and acclaimed graphic novels in the history of the medium. It influenced a generation of writers and artists, reinvented a classic character for a smart and savvy new audience and helped shepherd in a new era of bold, mature storytelling in the comic book medium. And on Tuesday, September 25^th, it will be brought to animated life in a two-part adaptation care of Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video.

We’re talking of course about THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, and for the next two days, we’re giving you a chance to win a pair of tickets to either the Los Angeles or New York premiere of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, the first half of the stunning new animated adaptation. However, there are a few stipulations.

First, you have to live in or around LA or NYC. The prize does not include travel expenses. Second, you have to be free on Thursday, Sept. 20 if you’d like to go to the NY premiere or Monday, Sept. 24 if you’re hoping for LA. And finally, you have to follow us on Twitter. Here’s how to win:

1) If you're not already doing so, be sure to follow @DCComics on Twitter.

2) Before 5 p.m. PST on Tuesday, Sept. 18, tweet out your favorite DC animated movie, making sure to tag @DCComics and use either the hashtag #BatmanNYCPremiere or #BatmanLAPremiere. You must pick one or the other, not both.

At 6 pm PST on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, three winners will be chosen at random for both the LA and NY premieres and direct messaged for his/her info.

Good luck, and be sure to pick up Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 when it arrives in stores on Tuesday, Sept. 25^th!

Giveaway Details

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A purchase of any kind will not increase your chances of winning.

This Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years old as of the date of their entry. Employees of DC Entertainment and any of DC Entertainment’s affiliates, parents, subsidiary companies, or advertising and promotion agencies and members of their immediate families are not eligible to enter or win the Sweepstakes. Void where prohibited. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants agree to these Official Rules and DC Entertainment’s Privacy Policy. The decisions of Sponsor are final and binding on all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received.

One entry per person. All entries must comply with these Official Rules and meet the submission guidelines detailed herein. Each entrant is solely responsible for any and all uses of his/her registered Twitter account.

By submitting a tweet, entrant warrants, represents and agrees that: (i) entrant is the person responsible for the tweet; (ii) the reproduction, distribution and display of the tweet does not violate the rights of any persons or entities; (iii) the entrant has the right to submit the tweet to Sponsor; and (iv) Sponsor may reproduce and display the tweet on DCComics.com and all DC Comics-operated Twitter and Facebook pages. Sponsor reserves the right to condition the award of prizes upon the execution by the winner(s) of a publicity release. Notwithstanding this reserved right, entry is conclusively deemed to be permission by the entrant for Sponsor to use the entrant's name and picture (without compensation to the entrant) if the entrant is a winner to publicize the Contest and otherwise, as determined by Sponsor, unless prohibited by law. Sponsor reserves the right to require the winner to execute an affidavit of eligibility as a sworn document and provide other proof of eligibility as a condition of receipt of the prize or award.

The random selection will be held on 6 p.m. PST on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 from all eligible entries received. We will then Direct Message the winners on Twitter to get necessary information. If a selected winner does not comply with these rules or respond to the request to claim their prize, an alternative winner will be selected from the remaining eligible entries. Prize does not include transportation costs and all entrants are responsible for securing transportation to the event. Total value of prize is $50.00.

Sponsor not responsible for late, lost, stolen, incomplete, misdirected, garbled, damaged, delayed or undelivered entries.

Winners’ List: For the name of the winner, available after Tuesday, September 18, 2012, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope, to be received by DC Entertainment to: Gerard Maté 4000 Warner Blvd. Burbank, CA 91522.

The Sponsor of the Sweepstakes is DC Entertainment, 1700 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

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Voicing THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS: Michael McKean

Michael McKean just can’t stay away from the fanboy realm.

The versatile star of film, television and stage continues to deviate from his mainstream roles to appear in all forms of super hero entertainment, this time lending his voice to the egomaniacal Dr. Bartholomew Wolper in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

Based on Frank Miller’s landmark graphic novel, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, is the next entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The film arrives September 25, 2012 from Warner Home Video as a Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD, On Demand and for Download.

McKean (This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show) is a key member of a voice cast that features Peter Weller (RoboCop) as Bruce Wayne/Batman, David Selby (The Social Network, Dark Shadows) as Commissioner Gordon, Ariel Winter (Modern Family) as Carrie/Robin, and Wade Williams (Prison Break) as Harvey Dent/Two-Face.

His first brush with the comic book world was when McKean played Perry White during a 1995 SNL skit. He would revisit the role six years later on Smallville. In fact, McKean is one of only seven actors to appear in both Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Smallville – and the only one to also give voice to a character in a DC Universe Animated Original Movie.

McKean’s been to the Batcave before, too. The New York native voiced the 1950s Joker and a Mutant in the “Legends of the Dark Knight” episode of The New Batman Adventures, as well as voicing Sneak Peek for Batman Beyond. For Justice League, he voiced The Sportsman.

The DC Lineage dips into his personal life, as well. McKean is married to actress Annette O’Toole, who has the distinction of playing Lana Lang opposite Christopher Reeve in Superman III, and as Martha Kent for 10 years of Smallville.

McKean obliged us with a few minutes to chat about his latest animated role, and a few other subjects near and dear to our hearts. Take a read …

QUESTION:

How did you come to think of Arkham Asylum psychiatrist Dr. Bartholomew Wolper?

MICHAEL MCKEAN:

Dr. Wolper is a very, very good shrink … if you ask him. He’s a guy who likes the sound of his own voice; he finds his ego very soothing, even though it seems a little ponderous from the outside. But he is convinced of his own genius, and definitely convinced that these poor, twisted souls who have been entrusted to his care are redeemable because he knows who the real bad guy is.

QUESTION:

And that “bad guy” is?

MICHAEL MCKEAN:

Wolper thinks that Batman is a social disease. He thinks that it is, in fact, Batman’s ego that is driving the crime wave in Gotham City. And he sets out to prove it. I don’t think he actually makes the case, but you can’t tell him that (laughs) … or anything else, for that matter.

QUESTION:

How did you approach playing this character?

MICHAEL MCKEAN:

My first impulse was Dr. Phil, but it didn’t work – it was too folksy. I think that a man whose ego is such a construct that it supersedes everything else around him, that’s kind of an interesting character to portray. There are some great examples in history. And I think a man who plays God – especially when it concerns human intelligence, human psyche, human emotions – he’s kind of like a prestidigitator. He’s the expert in the room, and when he tells you something is so, he expects you to believe it. And it’s only when he comes right up against the real world that it all falls apart.

QUESTION:

In addition to acting, you also direct. And you’ve worked with Andrea Romano on a number of projects. What makes Andrea so good at what she does?

MICHAEL MCKEAN:

Andrea Romano has a kind of a soothing, friendly personality, which of course masks a tyrant (laughs). Kidding, kidding. I think she’s an amazing talent and I trust her implicitly. Often if I’m directing, I’ll say, “Look, I won’t give you a line reading, but” and then I’ll try to make my case and get you to say what you’re supposed to say. As an actor, I actually ask Andrea for a line reading, because she knows exactly what she’s doing. She’s been doing it a long time, and she’s the best in the business. So I utterly respect her taste and opinion. And she’s also a great cheerleader – there’s never a time when I think “Geez, I don’t know what I’m doing here.” Even if I don’t know what I’m doing, she always convinces me that I do … and then she sets me straight (laughs). It’s kind of brilliant.

QUESTION:

Does being part of a Batman film have any personal significance for you?

MICHAEL MCKEAN:

When I was a kid, I adored the Bob Kane’s 1950s Batman. I liked the Superman comics and Justice League and Flash and the Atom – nobody does the Atom anymore, and that was a cool super hero – but I did love Batman. I loved the fact that they always found a way to stage the climactic scenes in a warehouse of gigantic toys, or huge oversized stuffed animals. And even as a kid, I sort of knew, “Well, (Kane) is sort of bored. He wants to draw something new other than just a street corner and a couple of guys fisting it out.” So I was a big comic book fan, and I loved the DC stuff.

When I went to college, the ABC series began airing. I was at Carnegie Mellon and I’ll never forget that everyone was looking forward to Batman and it was going to be the best thing ever. In those days, there was only one or two TV sets in the entire dorm. So we went down to the common room at McGill Hall and the show came on – and the minute the “pows” and “bams” and sound effects came on screen, the whole place went insane. Now these were all young men of ages 17 to 23, but suddenly we were all kids again. It was phenomenal. So it is kind of nice to revisit that (memory) by being in this film.

I also had the honor of playing the Joker in one of Mr. Timm’s episodes. Mark Hamill was doing the voice at the time, but they had a flashback to the 1950s, so I got to play the Joker in one episode. That was pretty exciting, too. And now it’s nice to be in a full-scale, class production like this.

QUESTION:

With all your years of comic book reading, and your interest in the super hero realm, do you have a character you’d most like to play or voice?

MICHAEL MCKEAN:

Comics actually taught me how to read. From the age of 3 or 4, my older sister would help me along with my reading lessons, telling me how to sound out words. Then I’d sit with my comics and really develop my reading. I remember that as I was reading comics, I had voices in my head for the characters. But I honestly don’t think I have one that I’d really want to take on. Maybe Bizarro Superman. That’d be fun to do.

QUESTION:

You’ve carved quite the resume of film, TV and stage performances, and yet you find time for a lot of animation voiceovers. For you, is that additional work … or working fun?

MICHAEL MCKEAN:

It is an awful lot of fun. The only time I don’t like voiceover stuff is if I have a ton of ADR work to do. I did a film called Short Circuit II, where I had a lot of scenes with a robot. And it was a real robot – it was operated off screen, but it really was a mechanical man. And, of course, they had the motors going at all times. Every move the robot made, there would be a noise with that movement. So every scene I had with this damn robot, which was about half the film, I had to loop everything. And that drives me crazy. But when you’re working with people like Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche – I did a bunch of Animaniacs and a couple of Pinky & the Brain episodes – those guys make it such a great party atmosphere. They’re so funny and so smart – just amazing people to work with. That’s the best part of the job.

QUESTION:

With so many memorable roles in your lengthy list of credits, what do people stop and ask you about the most?

MICHAEL MCKEAN:

I guess Spinal Tap, just because we keep coming back. We made the movie 25 years ago and occasionally we “tour” and make TV appearances and put out product. So people know me from that. Occasionally somebody will come up and say “You’re Gibby from Dream On,” not very often, but sometimes. Laverne and Shirley – not so much. That’s a long time ago, and we’ve all changed (laughs). And, of course, the last few pictures I made with Chris Guest. People love Best in Show. People always say the same thing to me about that film – they say, “You know, you and your boyfriend had the best relationship of all the couples in the film.” And they’re so totally right (laughs). We were made for each other. So that’s a lot of fun, too.

QUESTION:

Dr. Wolper is actually featured in both Part 1 and Part 2 of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Can you give us a little teaser of what to expect in the second half of the story?

MICHAEL MCKEAN:

The Joker is kind of Dr. Wolper’s pet patient. He is the most irredeemable, as far as society is concerned, which Dr. Wolper takes as a challenge. He’s thrilled and delighted when he sees the Joker making such progress, and he thinks that he’s done so well that the next step is to bring him out into the public to kind of show off his own work. It doesn’t go well.

Tags:

batman: the dark knight returns, Part 1, Batman, Michael McKean

Close out the week with another open thread: Favorite DC storyline?

Did you think we’d stop at just one?

We liked the idea of polling creators on their favorite covers so much – and based on their response, they liked it, too – we decided to expand the question a bit: What’s your favorite DC Comics storyline of all time?

So, Source readers, let your wheels start turning. What’s that one issue, storyline, etc. that stands above and beyond the others as your favorite DC Comics storyline? I know what mine is. Share yours in the comments below.

And click below to see what Co-Publisher Dan DiDio and some of the biggest names in the comic book industry. have to say. And if that’s not enough, swing by GRAPHIC CONTENT and THE BLEED for another round.

Have a great weekend.

DAN DIDIO, DC Comics Co-Publisher

My favorite storyline -- from my time here -- has to be INFINITE CRISIS. Knowing the effort the team here put into the series and how tightly executed the story was from beginning to end, its everything I hoped it would be and just great comic book story telling.

DAVID FINCH, BRIGHTEST DAY cover artist

My favorite DC comics storyline is LOBO: THE LAST CZARNIAN, by Kieth Giffen, Alan Grant and Simon Bisley. I think I've read this book aout 500 million times now, and it always has something new that cracks me up. It's ideal reading for teenagers and misfits with deep set anger management issues.

STERLING GATES, SUPERGIRL writer, SUPERMAN: WAR OF THE SUPERMEN co-writer

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #’s 171 and 172

“The Murderer Among Us: Crisis Above Earth-One” and “I Accuse…”

I fell in love with “The World’s Greatest Superheroes” as a result of this classic 1970’s Gerry Conway/Dick Dillin JLofA two-parter.

“Mr. Terrific was strangled,” Superman says. “And since the Flashes proved that no one else is onboard but the JLA and the JSA, that leaves us with only one conclusion…one of US is a murderer.”

And that’s just the end to part one! What a great cliffhanger!

My father gave me #171 as we were getting in the car to leave for a family vacation one summer, and for the rest of the trip I was dying to know what happened in issue #172. I sat in the back of my dad’s car, pouring sweat in the Texas heat, trying to figure out whom amongst the heroes could possibly be the killer. It had to be one of the Justice Society, right? I mean, they wouldn’t make any of the Justice Leaguers killers, would they? Would they?!

Unfortunately, back issues weren’t easy to come by at that point (pre-eBay, mind you), so it was a couple years before I found out just who murdered poor Terry Sloane.

When I did find out?

Did not see it coming. At all.

(And no, I’m not gonna spoil it for you here.)

JUDD WINICK, JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST co-writer

My favorite story line is not a story line, it's 2 issues. DC COMICS PRESENT: SUPERMAN #13 and 14. It's INSANE in it's concept, BUT incredibly emotional. An adult Pete Ross' son is kidnapped by aliens. Pete FINALLY tells Clark that he KNOWS he's Superman ( Clark NEVER knew!), and Pete begs Supes to save his son. BUT Superman "fails" to save Pete's boy. Pete, distraught, takes revenge by--dig this--pulling Superboy out the past, swamping minds with Superboy, and then goes off AS Superboy and puts a beating on Superman. Who saves the day? Krypto.

It was wonderfully insane, BUT hits so many emotional beats that even as a 9 year old, I was deeply moved. I haven't read it 30 years, but it has always stayed with me.

BRIAN AZZARELLO, FIRST WAVE writer

SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #21- "The Anatomy Lesson". Alan Moore's second Swamp Thing issue literally blew up- or should I say "grew up" comics. Reading it is one of the "I remember where I was when I" moments in my life.

JIMMY PALMIOTTI, JONAH HEX co-writer

My favorite batman storyline ever is BATMAN : YEAR ONE. it features both frank miller and dave mazzucchelli at their peak. this is the book i have read and re-read so many times i have two copies and both are worn out. its the best batman story ever told and as far as art goes, its the textbook in teaching new artists how to tell a story.

DUSTIN NGUYEN, BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM artist

Besides the classic BATMAN: YEAR ONE and such, i did like the NO MAN'S LAND crossover event a lot. Gotham was always a bit more on the realistic side of cities within comics, and a natural disaster like an earthquake was just a fitting way to shake up events for the Batman Universe. Honestly though, i'd have blown out both of Joker's knee caps."

FRANCO, TINY TITANS writer/artist

The storyline that sticks out in my head? So many that I love!!!!! As I'm thinking, the first one that pops into my head is the new JUSTICE LEAGUE series by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis! It didn't have any of the big guns in it except for Batman but it was soooo good! It was funny too ( I'm a humor guy as if you couldn't tell) but the best part and why it sticks out in my mind? Batman takes down Green Lantern with just one punch!

JT KRUL, GREEN ARROW writer

Probably going to be on many people's list, but I have to go with THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Just an incredible game-changing story. It redefined not only Batman but essentially comics in general in terms of what they could be - and it's impact is still apparent to this day. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

Tags:

batman: no man's land, batman: the dark knight returns, batman: year one, brian azzarello, Dan DiDio, dc comics presents, dustin nguyen, infinite crisis, j.t. krul, jimmy palmiotti, judd winick, justice league international, justice league of america, sterling gates, the saga of the swamp thing

A few links of note for Monday

Here's hoping everyone had a relaxing weekend. In case you weren't chained in front of your computer, here are a few of the things you may have missed while enjoying two days or rest.

• AIN'T IT COOL NEWS unveiled an exclusive first look at BATMAN AND ROBIN #1, by Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely. Keep your eyes peeled for a few more sneak peeks at the first issue in the coming days.

• Pete Tomasi talks to NEWSARAMA about the road to BLACKEST NIGHT. The site also talks to writer Keith Giffen about the newly-announced MAGOG series, and to the supremely talented J.H. Williams about Batwoman's upcoming stint in DETECTIVE COMICS.

• COMIC BOOK RESOURCES' Jeff Renaud chats up artist Mark Bagley to discuss the conclusion of TRINITY, while the folks io9 explain why TRINITY is a 'metaphysical epic done right.

• Remember that time back in March, where BATMAN Group Editor Michael Marts talked to IGN about his very neat photo board, featuring key characters heading into BATTLE FOR THE COWL? Well, now that the major event is over, the board has changed, which means Marts once again drops hints as to where your favorite characters are going, in a chat with IGN's Dan Phillips.

• And last, but certainly not least, THE NEW YORK TIMES unveiled their Graphic Novel Bestseller list for the week of May 23. Of note: SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON, BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, BATMAN R.I.P., JOKER and BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS all made the list.

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