Bloody Pit of Rod: Batman

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

The Untold Legend of Batman Motion Comic!

If I had ever been aware of the fact that this existed I somehow forgot it until today. In 1980 DC issued an audio version of this excellent Batman three issue mini-series as it was published and a fine YouTuber has used the audio to create a 'motion comic' version. If you've never read the comics then you are in for a treat. The series was written by the great Len Wein with art by John Byrne and Jim Aparo. These three issues were my childhood introduction to the detailed origin of Batman and I still picture many of the individual panels when I think of the character.

Sunday, April 17, 2022

What I Watched in March 2022

I will always be interested in new screen versions of the Batman and THE BATMAN (2022) is an excellent example of doing something different with the classic ingredients. In this case we have a brooding, thoughtful look at the early period of the costumed vigilante. Detective Gordon thinks he could be an asset as the stymied investigation into The Riddler’s murders starts touching political figures. Gordon is able to convince some of his fellow cops because the criminal is addressing riddle clues directly to The Batman meaning that he might have some unique insight. The Gotham of this film is a vital, dark and alive place weighed down by historic crimes at every level. It reeks of bad people doing good things to hide their real intentions and good people doing bad things to try to stop them. It's as impressive a film Batman tale as I have ever seen and it creates a world I’d love to revisit for future stories. Let’s hope we get the chance.

The List

THE MAN FROM SONORA (1951) – 6 (solid B-western with Johnny Mack Brown)

BURN (2019) – 7 (interesting character study/crime film)

SPACEWAYS (1953) – 5 (early Hammer SF about rocket research)

LITTLE GIANT (1946) – 6 (interesting new direction for Abbot & Costello)

HERE COMES CARTER (1936) - 6 (Glenda Farrell in a supporting role)

TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID (2017) – 7 (children face cartel violence and supernatural horror)

CALIGULA: THE UNTOLD STORY (1982) – 6 (the two-hour version is too long)

CREATURE (1985) – 6 (rewatch on Blu)

CAMP COLD BROOK (2018) – 6 (ghost hunter horror film)

MASTER OF THE WORLD (1983) – 4 (cavemen vs bear for far too long)

CAPTIVE WILD WOMAN (1943) – 6 (rewatch)