Book Review for Tackle Your TBR Read-a-Thon book #6: Batman Returns

Book: Batman Returns by Craig Shaw Gardner

Edition: Paperback

Description:

Batman versus the criminal element. In Gotham City, evil never sleep not even for Christmas.

Today, a new danger is born—in the guise of a villainous figure with an umbrella full of savage tricks. He's the Penguin and he's out to take over the city. And he has an ally, she's sinuous and mysterious. And she's got nine ways of evading death. She's Catwoman. This time, Batman faces the showdown of his life.

Currently Reading for Tackle Your TBR Read-a-Thon book #6: Batman Returns

I know it's been a while but yes, I'm finally back to reading. I'm going to put Star Wars: Fatal Alliance by Sean Williams to the side. Because despite how good it is, for some reason I have yet to finish it. What I'm going to do is read it from the beginning again since it's been quite some time since I've read it. Anyway, until then I'm going to start reading the novelization of one of my favorite Christmas movies Batman Returns by Craig Shaw Gardner.

I love reading novelizations because the story usually gets a chance to be expanded on and you get a little more insight into the characters. I bought the Batman Returns novelization several years ago after I read the novelization for the Batman movie which was also written by Craig Shaw Gardner. Anyway, I can't wait to get started reading this.

Book: Batman Returns by Craig Shaw Gardner

Description:

Batman versus the criminal element. In Gotham City, evil never sleep not even for Christmas.

Today, a new danger is born—in the guise of a villainous figure with an umbrella full of savage tricks. He's the Penguin and he's out to take over the city. And he has an ally, she's sinuous and mysterious. And she's got nine ways of evading death. She's Catwoman. This time, Batman faces the showdown of his life.

Most Memorable Scene: Selina Kyle Transforms into Catwoman

Good Morning (or whatever time you're reading this) and Happy Holiday!

I thought I'd post a clip from one of my favorite Christmas movies, Batman Returns. The only thing I can think of when I see this scene is poor Selina Kyle. This mousy woman made the classic mistake of telling Maximillian "Max" Shreck, who was doing something deceitful and unscrupulous that she unintentionally uncovered his secret. Selina just stumbled upon his crooked business while doing her job, she wasn't planning on telling anyone (even though he should have been turned in) but he couldn't take that chance, so he tried to kill her.

In a way, he did. She may have survived falling out of a high-rise building but not without sustaining a head injury that altered her personality. She was no longer a scared mousy little woman but a more confident (if not slightly deranged) woman. A Catwoman so to speak, inside and out. Oh don't worry about Selina, she got her revenge on Max Shreck in the end.

I'm not sure what the moral of the story is, maybe don't wait until you nearly die falling out of a high-rise building to be the person you really want to be. I don't know, Happy Holidays!

Art of the Day: Catwoman

Artwork: Catwomen by kinjamin-art

Batman Returns' 29th Anniversary

Batman Returns was released 29 years ago in theaters on June 19, 1992. The movie was directed by Tim Burton and it's one of my favorite superhero and Christmas movies. As much as I like the first Batman movie, I love Batman Returns so much more. This dark, gothic, sexy yet fun holiday movie follows Batman as he tries to stop Catwoman and the Penguin. I thought Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle/Catwoman and Danny DeVito as Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin were equally fantastic in their roles.

Each interpretation of the characters were perfect for this movie because the Penguin is usually shown in other media as a sophisticated high society criminal but for this movie he was transformed into a sewer dweller who was once born into wealth. He was sort of disgusting and was at times more animal than man but this take on the character really worked for the movie. As for Selina Kyle, in this movie she went from being a shy mousey woman who after nearly being killed, transformed into someone who is confident and fearless. I do wish there was a third Michael Keaton Batman movie that centered the return of Catwoman, I really wanted to see them reunite. But I guess that's what comic books are for.

On a side note, I always found it interesting that both Batman and Batman Returns movies directly led to the creation of one of my favorite shows, Batman: The animated series which premiered on September 5, 1992.

Fashion Meets Comics and Fandom: Five Favorite Coats

I'm all about the warm summer weather and clothes but once it starts to cool down and become chilly, I'm totally focused on fall and winter clothes especially coats. I love looking at all the different styles and colors. I'm always getting inspired by looks and I also can't help noticing when a character is wearing a really nice coat as well. So, I decided to focus on some of my favorites. Since there are so many characters with great coats I narrowed this post down to five, however, I will create a few more Favorite Coats post for all the other characters. But for now here are some of my favorite coats.


Double Breasted Trench Coat

Billy Johnson (Run)

I haven't finished watching Run yet so I'm not quite sure what the real reason is for Billy Johnson running away from his life and withdrawing all of his money from the bank. However, in the few episodes I've watched he does have this really nice trench coat. Usually this coat style can be rather structured, but I like that he kept it more casual and that he paired it with a striped hoodie.

Happy Batman Day!

It's Batman Day!

How are my fellow Batman fans planning on celebrating the day? Are you going to read some of your favorite comic book stories? Watch any of the numerous Batman movies and TV series? Or play some of the video games? However you enjoy the day, just have fun celebrating The Dark Knight.

Since, I don't know if I have enough time to watch more than one movie. I'll just watch my favorite one, Batman Returns. There are so many things I absolutely love about this movie, it's dark, gothic, fun and not to mention it's a Christmas movie. No matter how many times I've watched this movie, I never get bored.

Artwork: Batman by Leonardo Romero

Art of the Day: Catwoman (Batman Returns)

Artwork: Catwoman by Tula Lotay

Art of the Day: Catwoman (Batman Returns)

Artwork: Catwoman by Arkenstellar

Art of the Day: Catwoman (Batman Returns)

Artwork: Catwoman by Jen Bartel

Nesting: 2 Catwoman Mugs: Batman Returns and The Dark Knight Rises

Batman Returns Theatrical Poster Black Mug  $14.95  WBshop  (wbshop.com)


Two things I'm a huge fan of: Coffee Mugs and Catwoman. However, I find it really hard to find Catwoman mugs. Isn't she popular too? Anyway, as soon as I spotted these two I immediately added them to my wishlist.

I'm a huge fan of Batman Returns and I love this creepy cool mug. And although I'm not a fan of The Dark Knight Rises I do really like this mug, it's really cool and creative.

The Dark Knight Rises Catwoman Graphic Mug   $14.95   WBshop  (wbshop.com)

Illustration of the Day: Catwoman and Batman (Batman Returns)

Illustration: Batman Returns comic book

Art of the Day: Catwoman (Batman Returns)

Artwork: Catwoman by hotcake

I've said it before and I will say it again, Batman Returns is still one of my favorite movies.

Throwback Thursday: Catwoman

Selina Kyle/Catwoman played by actress Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns (1992)

This Catwoman is still one of my favorite versions. You could see she enjoyed all the things she was doing in that movie. And without that spark of life you get that bland boring version that was in The Dark Knight Rises and Catwoman is anything but boring.

Art of the Day: Catwoman

Artwork: Catwoman by Alex Ross

What I like about Selina Kyle a.k.a. Catwoman is she loves what she does. And in this picture by Alex Ross, it's clearly shown on her face.

I think that's one of the problems I had with the Selina Kyle in The Dark Knight Rises movie, she didn't seem to be enjoying any of the things she was doing. She seemed as bored as I was watching the movie. There was no life in that character at least as far as I could see.

Now the Catwoman in the Batman Returns movie truly enjoyed what she was doing. Although she was a little crazy (I guess that can happen when you fall out a high rise building) she seemed to be alive and enjoyed everything she did. Even the character Patience Philips/Catwoman from the Catwoman movie also seemed to really enjoy prowling the night so to speak.

Too bad The Dark Knight Rises left out what makes Selina so much fun as a character, because that Catwoman would have been great.