Taylor Swift took on the Joker for the October box office record, but the DC villain came in just ahead of the anti-hero. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour debuted in 3,855 theaters over the weekend to $92.8 million in North America and $30.7 million internationally, kicking off Swift's concert film era with $123.5 million at the global box office. The Taylor Swift concert film is now the second-biggest October opening behind only Joker, Warner Bros. and DC's R-rated Batman spin-off that opened to $96 million in 2019.

Swift still topped the box office this weekend, with Swifties powering The Eras Tour to the biggest-ever opening weekend for a concert movie -- more than three times the $31 million of the previous record holder, 2008's Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour -- and has already surpassed the $73 million total of 2011's Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. The "1989" singer scored the seventh-highest opening weekend of the year, and could dethrone the $261 million global haul of 2009's Michael Jackson: This Is It.

Officially described as an immersive, "once-in-a-lifetime concert film experience with a breathtaking, cinematic view of the history-making tour," Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour takes fans on a nearly 3-hour trip through Swift's discography with the exception of some songs cut from the Tour setlist.

Coinciding with the release of her next re-recording album "1989 (Taylor's Version)," out October 27th, all adult tickets are priced at $19.89 (plus tax), while children's and senior tickets cost $13.13 (plus tax) except for branded premium large format screens, which costs nearly $29. The Eras Tour is playing in theaters Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with AMC Theatres securing a 13-week exclusive theatrical run before the concert film eventually lands on streaming.

With Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour boosting moviegoing, the October 12th previews were the start of what Michael O'Leary, CEO of the National Association of Theater Owners, called "another landmark weekend for cinemas."

"This year has been marked by unprecedented experiences for movie lovers in theaters across this nation," O'Leary said in a statement. "The Eras Tour debut proves, yet again, that fans are eager to share other experiences in a communal way, with theater owners working creatively to build memorable moments in their cinemas."

It won't be long now until the Justice League teams up with RWBY once more! Rooster Teeth Animation and Warner Bros. Animation are working with DC on the crossover event's second installment. Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two is on schedule to debut digitally on October 17, and we've got an exclusive new look at the project!

As you can see above, the new clip shows Batman in action as he fights an elephant-like monster in the middle of the city. It doesn't take long before Cyborg shows up with a high-tech strategy to defeat the beast, but it is clear the solution is only temporary.

If you are not familiar with this RWBY x Justice League collab, the whole thing kicked off in a previous film. Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One got everything going as it brought Grimm to Earth with all-new power. The epic crossover forced heroes like Vixen and Cyborg to work alongside RWBY to save the world. And now, there are even more Justice League members joining in on the fun.

Jamie Chung will star in this new film as Black Canary while David Dastmalchian brings the Flash to life. Laura Bailey (Wonder Woman), Troy Baker (Batman), Travis Willingham (Superman), and more will come to life in this new animated feature. Written by Meghan Fitzmartin, Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two is co-directed by Yssa Badiola and Dustin Matthews. So if you want to know more about the upcoming release, you can read the synopsis for Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two below:

"On the heels of successfully escaping a deadly digital trap, the members of the Justice League emerge in their own world to discover that Grimm, ravenous creatures from Remnant, have overtaken Earth! In order to defeat the monsters, they must call on their new friends - Team RWBY - for help!"

Will you be checking out this latest Justice League x RWBY crossover? Let us know what you think in the comments below as well as on Twitter and Instagram. You can also hit me up @MeganPetersCB to share your take!

With only one issue under its belt, Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham is already providing readers with a distinct vision for the DC Universe. The DC Black Label series, which is written and drawn by fan-favorite artist Rafael Gramp?, has already been buzzed-about -- and a new trailer is here to further the hype. The trailer was released during Saturday's "Gotham City Confidential" panel at New York Comic Con, which Gramp? attended to highlight what's next for the book. In particular, the trailer previews what fans can expect from Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #2, which will now be available wherever comics are sold on Tuesday, December 12th.

Gargoyle of Gotham has been teased in DC canon since December of last year, when a new multiverse map for the fictional universe designated the events of the series as happening on "Earth-46." The first issue was released on September 16th's Batman Day in North America, Brazil, Spain, Italy, and Germany.

What Is Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham About?

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham follows a Gotham City where every day feels darker and more irredeemable than the last, Batman makes a definitive choice--to kill off the Bruce Wayne identity for good and embrace the cape and cowl full-time. But though he knows the streets of Gotham, Batman will soon come to find that he hardly knows himself. A serial killer is on the loose, and while the murder victims seem random at first, every clue draws Batman closer to the terrifying truth--that they are all connected, not just to each other, but to him as well. When an all-new rogues gallery of utterly depraved villains begins to emerge from the depths of the city, Batman will have to contend with the very nature of evil--including that which lurks in the darkest corners of his own heart--to face what is coming for the city he has sworn to protect.

"When his origin was introduced in Batman #1 in the 1940s, Bruce Wayne swore revenge by the spirits of his murdered parents and--driven by his belief in an omen--became Batman," said Gramp?. "For me, this subtle aspect of Bruce's belief system has always been the fundamental core of Batman, and through that lens I recognized this untold story. Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham explores 'who he is and why he came to be.' It makes my dream of bringing my own interpretation of Batman to life a reality as I delve into the darkest corners of his essence. I sincerely hope readers enjoy the ride."

What do you think of the new teaser trailer for Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

As mentioned above, Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #2 will be released wherever comics are sold on Tuesday, December 12th.

One of the most famous publishing initiatives that DC Comics ever pulled was when it let readers decide the fate of Batman's sidekick Robin. With 1988's Batman #426 the "A Death in the Family" storyline began, it started the event that allowed readers to make the choice, should Batman's current Robin Jason Todd live or die? Two phone numbers were put together allowing readers the opportunity to call in and make their voices heard. Considering how tight the publishing deadline would be for the series however, two versions of the comic were prepared for publication depending on the votes, and as readers know the version where Jason Todd died was the one that made it to stands. Now, the other is on the way.

Straight from New York Comic Con, DC Comics has confirmed that the alternate version of Batman #428 will be published later this year. DC made the announcement during the Gotham City Confidential, revealing that the version of Batman #428 prepared by writer Jim Starlin, penciler Jim Aparo, inker Mike DeCarlo, colorist Adrienne Roy, and letterer John Costanza, will be released in a "faux-simile" edition of Batman #428. Alongside other publishers, DC has previously released facsimile editions of notable issues from the past, but a faux-simile is a new one. This alternate version of Batman #428 will be published on December 12 of this year, just two months from now.

Considering what a major decision this was by a publisher, which has had ripple effects in DC Comics publishing to this day, fans may be surprised to learn that the voting margins for Jason Todd's fate were very slim. There were only 10,614 votes cast in the poll, with just 72 votes separating the "Robin lives" from "Robin doesn't survive" totals from each other. In the end only 5,271 voted in favor of Jason Todd staying alive while 5,343 voted for him to be killed.

The events of A Death in the Family and Jason Todd's death continue to influence DC Comics to this day in a number of ways. At the top of that list of course is that Jason Todd's death wasn't permanent as he eventually returned in the role of violent vigilante Red Hood, with his death at the hands of The Joker being his main driving force (even now this is critical to what's happening in Batman comics). The actual means of Jason's death, being beaten by a crowbar, is also a key component of DC lore, with Red Hood using it as a weapon and it even making appearances throughout the years in an allusion to the comic storyline.

An interactive movie version titled Batman: Death in the Family was released in 2020, giving viewers even more than just the choice of whether Jason Todd lives or dies. In the film DC fans have the choice about what Jason will do after being saved, including a branching path where Batman dies in his place instead.

David Dastmalchian might be best known for his comic work on Count Crowley, as well as his eclectic filmography in projects like The Suicide Squad, Dune, and The Dark Knight, but it looks like he has found a new spooky occupation. On Friday, it was announced (via The Hollywood Reporter) that Dastmalchian will be the official brand ambassador for Titan Casket, serving as the face of the company and appearing in marketing materials. Titan Casket specializes in the online sale of caskets, and also helps family members with end-of-life planning.

"It's an honor to represent Titan Casket, a brand that's not only making end-of-life planning more accessible and affordable, but also initiating crucial conversations around it," Dastmalchian said in a statement. "If I had known about Titan Casket and the right to buy my own casket, I would have been spared some heartache. The savings, convenience, and education that Titan offers while purchasing a casket is so important, and normalizing end of life planning is an important conversation I look forward to having in the months to come."

Which Superheroes Has David Dastmalchian Played?

Dastmalchian has had a role in a number of superhero projects, including appearing in the DC multiverse as Thomas Schiff in The Dark Knight, Abra Kadabra in The Flash, and Polka Dot Man in The Suicide Squad. He also portrayed Kurt in Marvel's Ant-Man movies, as well as the alien Veb in the recent Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

"Filming The Suicide Squad had a big impact on me as both a human being, but also how I look at storytelling," Dastmalchian revealed to ComicBook.com in an interview earlier this year. "But I would say the biggest influence of that experience was just getting to be in the presence of James Gunn for five months of making a movie and seeing the way a storyteller, at that level, operates and brings both heart, pathos, comedy, and action into this beautiful recipe. There's a lot that James and Peyton have in common. They create a space where you feel safe to creatively take risks. I felt incredibly encouraged. And they're friends! There's so many things about the way they work that is in line with my favorite way of working, which is, there's an incredible story with incredible characters with an incredible script. They've created this incredible playground for me to come in and then just create."

"I was coming off of a very physically and emotionally exhausting, dramatic performance where I felt very tired, and I felt like acting was really hard at that moment," Dastmalchian continued. "I'd forgotten, for a second, about just being present, being on my mark, breathing, looking at the people around me, letting the words come out of me. And Veb just started to bubble to the surface. And everyone who knows me really well has told me, in one way or another, that Veb is me."

Will David Dastmalchian Return to the DCU?

With The Suicide Squad's James Gunn now co-leading DC Studios, fans have naturally wondered if Dastmalchian might end up reprising his role as Polka Dot Man in some capacity. In a separate interview with ComicBook.com, Dastmalchian revealed that he's open to the possibility -- as well as possibly playing a different character entirely.

"Being on set with James Gunn was one of the greatest experiences of my life," Dastmalchian said. "If it's the one chance that I got to do that, then I'll savor and be grateful for that for the rest of my life. But if there is some miraculous way that he, in all of his brilliance and imagination, finds for Abner or any other character that he thinks I might be right to portray, to come into that world, I'm there in a second."

What do you think of David Dastmalchian becoming the face of Titan Casket? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Damian Wayne may be a trained fighter and the son of Batman, but there's one thing he has no prior experience with: high school. Batman and Robin have always had a somewhat tricky relationship, but they have mended fences and are back to being a crimefighting duo once again. So there's no better time than now for DC to launch a new Batman and Robin series than now. However, one of the more surprising developments to take place inside the book's pages is Damian Wayne starting high school for the first time.

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Batman and Robin #2. Continue reading at your own risk!

Batman and Robin #2 comes from the creative team of Joshua Williamson, Simone Di Meo, and Steve Wands. A new villain called Shush is terrorizing Gotham, and the Dark Knight is victim to their latest attack when he is poisoned and bats attack him. While he and Robin lick their wounds back at Bruce Wayne's brownstone, he reminds Damian that there is a new challenge he wants his son to partake in. Of course, this challenge ends up being Damian's first day of school.

Even though Damian didn't grow up in a traditional school, he's very intelligent for his age. It helps to be the son of Batman and the Demon's Daughter, Talia al Ghul. Damian also did a lot of growing up during his short time on Lazarus Island, where he competed and fought against other kids his age. Bruce wants Damian to have the childhood and life he never got to experience, but Damian doesn't agree.

Damian Wayne isn't built to be a high schooler

The minute Damian Wayne steps foot inside the halls of Gotham City High School, all the kids start whispering about him. They gossip about everything from Damian being a rich kid, to wearing shades indoors, to being so "short." One kid takes it upon himself to take a look at Damian's fan fiction, starring a character named "Damian Vane." Damian threatens to break the kid's arm, and then we have a hilarious dream sequence where Damian effortlessly beats up all his bullies.

Once the principal and teacher settle things down, the teacher attempts to introduce Damian to the class. However, Damian sneaks out of the class through a window to investigate a case he's working on with Batman.

This probably isn't the last time we'll see Damian Wayne's adventures in high school. DC wouldn't set up this new status quo without exploring it further down the line. Plus, it gives readers more time with Damian when he's not out saving the world as Robin. Who knows... maybe he'll even get a girlfriend and go to prom, just like other regular high schoolers.

Batman and Robin live-action movie coming from DC Studios

One of the movies James Gunn and Peter Safran announced for the newly-formed DC Studios is The Brave and the Bold. The film will team Batman with his sidekick Robin, who will be the Damian Wayne version of the character, making his live-action debut. Gunn and Safran described the movie as an "unusual father-son story" based on Grant Morrison's comic series.

The Brave and the Bold "is going to feature other members of the extended Bat-Family," said Safran of Batman's partners in crimefighting, which has included such characters as Nightwing, Batgirl, Huntress, Batwoman, and the Red Hood. "Just because we feel like they've been left out of the Batman stories in the theater for far too long."

What do you think about Damian Wayne/Robin attending high school? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

A new Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League rumor has surfaced online, revealing a variety of details on the upcoming DC game, including word that it's way bigger than any of the previous Batman: Arkham games from Rocksteady. That said, the rumor comes from an anonymous source, so everything below should be taken with a grain of salt.

The biggest claim is the one that ropes in the Batman: Arkham games. According to the rumor, Metropolis -- the map of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League -- is "twice the size" of Gotham in the Batman games. Complimenting this, it's claimed the game will have real-time weather and a day-night cycle.

The rumor continues claiming Rocksteady are working on one year of extra content that will include new characters and missions. And all of this content, including the main game, will be playable in co-op online or via solo play, with players able to switch between four different characters. The rumor notes it's unclear if this will be seamless or not. Whatever the case, there is apparently a big emphasis on allowing players to play how they want to, with each character offering distinct traversal and distinct combat. To this end, it's said every character is melee focused, minus Deadshot, who is more focused on gunplay.

And this is the extent of the rumor. Whether any of this is true, only time will tell. So far, it has not drawn any type of comment from any implicated party. If this changes, we will be sure to update the story accordingly.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is scheduled to release worldwide on February 2, 2024 via PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Below, you can read more about it:

"Discover the origins of Amanda Waller's infamous Task Force X (a.k.a. the Suicide Squad) as Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and King Shark begrudgingly embark on their mission to take down the World's Greatest DC Super Heroes, The Justice League," reads an official blurb about the game. "Featuring an original narrative set within an expansive open-world city of Metropolis, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League puts the four DC Super-Villains on a collision course with an invading alien force and DC Super Heroes who are now laser-focused on destroying the city they once vowed to protect. All the while, the Suicide Squad must be mindful of the lethal explosives implanted in their heads that could go off at the first sign of defiance."

New York Comic Con 2023 takes place from October 12th through the 15th, which puts it right in the middle of spooky season. So it makes sense that Funko would basically combine Funkoween and NYCC together into an event that they're calling "Heavy Metal Halloween". As always, there will be exclusive Funko Pops to collect, and everything you need to know about adding them to your collection if you can't attend the show can be found right here.

You'll be able to pre-order many of the NYCC 2023 shared exclusive Funko Pops online at the Funko Shop and from retail partners starting today, October 13th at 6am PT / 9am ET. The Heavy Metal Halloween Box of Fun is already available here at the Funko Shop . Of course, there are always some stragglers that will release their exclusive Pops at random times, but we will keep you updated. A breakdown of the NYCC 2023 shared retail exclusive Funko Pops can be found below. UPDATE: They're live!

Note that existing early pre-order links might not be active until after the launch, and links will be added and updated as needed. You should also keep in mind that all of the exclusive Pops sold through Funko.com and shared retail partners will feature a 2023 Fall Convention Exclusive sticker. You can check out more new Funko Pop releases / exclusives via our list of weekly Wednesday drops.

Funko NYCC 2023 Exclusive Funko Pops / Buy Funko Shop Exclusives (Copies of retailer shared exclusives will also be available via this link)

• Bleach - Ichigo
• Naruto Shippuden - Might Guy Eight Inner Gates (Diamond Collection) Pop and Bag Bundle
• One Piece - Monkey D. Luffy Wanted Poster
• DC - Harley Quinn with Mallet
• Ghostbusters Afterlife - Spengler's Spirit
• Marvel Classic - Captain America
• Looney Tunes x Harry Potter - Bugs Bunny Gryffindor
• Looney Tunes x Harry Potter - Sylvester Cat Slytherin
• Looney Tunes x Harry Potter - Lola Bunny Ravenclaw
• Looney Tunes x Harry Potter - Porky Pig Hufflepuff
• Care Bears - No Heart with Book
• Ad Icons - McDonald's McNugget with Halloween Pails
• Garfield - Garfield with Cauldron
• Indiana Jones - Indiana Jones with Snakes
• Insidious The Last Key - Key Demon - eBay / Funko
• Blockbuster Rewind Scooby-Doo - Scooby-Doo
• Heavy Metal Halloween - Freddy Bones
• SODA Heavy Metal Halloween - Freddy Funko
• SODA The Lost Boys - Alan Frog
• SODA The Lost Boys - Edgar Frog
• SODA Lilo & Stitch - Halloween Stitch
• 3 Liter SODA Willy Wonka - Willy Wonka

GameStop NYCC 2023 Exclusive Funko Pops / Links below

• X-Men '97 - Goblin Queen - See at GameStop
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 - The High Evolutionary - See at GameStop
• Justice League - Big Barda - See at GameStop
• SODA My Hero Academia - Momo Yaoyorozu - See at GameStop

Hot Topic NYCC 2023 Exclusive Funko Pops / Link below

• InuYasha - Shippo on Horse - See at Hot Topic

Hot Topic Scare Fair 2023 Exclusive Funko Pops / See Scare Fair Funko Pops at Hot Topic (Live Now)

Hot Topic will be dropping their Scare Fair Funko Pop exclusives on top of the NYCC event because...Friday the 13th. The Funko Pops in this lineup will include the following:

• Halloween Michael Myers Behind Hedge Pop! Vinyl Figure, $15.90
• Trick 'r Treat Sam Pop! Vinyl Figure (Blacklight), $15.90
• The Exorcist Regan Puking Pop! Vinyl Figure, $15.90
• Bride Of Chucky Chucky/Tiffany Pop! Vinyl Figure, $15.90
• Killer Klowns From Outer Space Jojo The Klownzilla Pop! Vinyl Figure, $15.90
• Aliens Xenomorph Pop! Vinyl Figure (Blacklight), $15.90
• Trick 'r Treat Sam Soda Vinyl Figure, $17.90
• Trick 'r Treat Sam (Unmasked) Pocket Pop! Vinyl Keychain, $8.90
• You can take a look at the Scare Fair Funko Pop lineup right here.

BoxLunch NYCC 2023 Exclusive Funko Pops / Links below

• Demon Slayer (2-Pack) - Makomo and Sabito - See at BoxLunch
• SODA The Nightmare Before Christmas - Sandy Claws - See at BoxLunch

Barnes & Noble and BAM NYCC 2023 Exclusive Funko Pops / See new Funko Pops at B&N and See new Funko Pops at BAM (live at BAM via link below)

• Dungeons & Dragons Honor Among Thieves - Owlbear - See at BAM

FYE NYCC 2023 Exclusive Funko Pops / Links below

• Star Trek - Geordi La Forge in Chair - See at FYE
• SODA Power Rangers - Lord Zedd - See at FYE

Target NYCC 2023 Exclusive Funko Pops / Links below

• Star Wars - Darth Maul - See at Target
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem - Ray Fillet - See at Target
• The Toxic Avenger - Toxic Avenger (GITD) - See at Target

Reedpop NYCC 2023 Exclusive Funko Pops / See new Reedpop Funko Pops at The Haul

• Pop Icons - Pizza Rat
• Pop Icons - Paulie Pigeon

Toy Tokyo NYCC 2023 Exclusive Funko Pops / See new Toy Tokyo Funko Pops

• InuYasha - InuYasha (Human)
• Yu-Gi-Oh - Dark Magician Girl

Show Only NYCC 2023 Exclusive Funko Pops:

• Bitty Pop Heavy Metal Halloween Freddy Funko
• Pop Heavy Metal Halloween - Freddy Bones (Blacklight)
• Pop Heavy Metal Halloween - Phil D. Graves (GITD)
• Pop Heavy Metal Halloween - Rusty Steel (GITD)
• Pop Heavy Metal Halloween - Sid Fishious (GITD)
• Pop Heavy Metal Halloween - Jack Carver (GITD)

Last weekend, a "Swift" trip to a Kansas City Chiefs football game sent the internet into a frenzy for more Dazzler books! That's not all. The release of Call of Duty's sixth season has also sent another book into our top ten. Rumors of a villain for the 2nd Batman movie have also propelled an old book forward for the Dark Knight. However, Black Canary doesn't need any rumors; she just needs bubble gum to make it into the top ten, unlike Wolverine, who merged with the Spirit of Vengeance to see his book pick up heat. Like Wolverine's Capullo cover, Transformers has also released a beautifully illustrated foil variant. Along with the resurgence of previous books, we see a brand new rumor propel a highly popular sci-fi storyline to our number 3 spot. Finally, after a month-long hiatus, Tynion returned to 'X' (Twitter) this past week to talk about a new variant on a fan-favorite series... causing the original copy to see a spike in interest!

Want to know what comic books are trending each week and why? COVRPRICE.COM uses live sales analytics to identify and compile the most robust market price guide, highlighting the weekly top trending comics. No opinions. Just data. Each week, they present a newly updated list of the TOP 10 COMICS trending in the aftermarket. These trends are due to rumors, fan-favorite covers, story-driven content, and content-related news.

#10: BIRDS OF PREY #2 - OTTO SCHMIDT (1:50) | DC | 2023 | Before release, we saw preorders for this book skyrocket for this bubblegum cover with a high sale of $199. Last week, we saw more of the same but hit as high as $276! Bubble gum covers have become a big collector's item, and this recent cover release proves the value it can pull. Schmidt illustrates a beautiful Black Canary cover that fans are all hunting down! We tracked it at a current raw NM FMV of $154.

#9: WOLVERINE #36 - RYAN STEGMAN - REGULAR | MARVEL | 2023 | Behold, an indestructible rage mutant, meets the spirit of vengeance! A force has never been so terrifying as that of the Hellverine. This book was hyped up before its release and nearly flew off the shelves when it debuted. The second print retailer incentives (1:25) are already reaching $70 for preorders! Most LCS are out of this book already, so your best bet at getting a copy will be in the aftermarket. Good luck finding this character's debut! We tracked it at a high sale of $170 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current NM FMV of $22. Find on eBay | Find on MCS

#8: BATMAN #609 | DC | 2002 | Back in 2022, a promotional website for The Batman had users solve puzzles that the Riddler had posted, with a video of Thomas Wayne's campaign promotions. The solved riddles unlocked this video, quickly flashing HUSH words across the screen. Fast forward to today, a recent interview with The Hot Mic with Jeff Sneider and John Rocha was very cryptic about Hush being the next villain. This was hardly a confirmation but rather more fuel to the already-established rumor. Nevertheless, this was enough fuel for fans to track down the first appearance of Thomas Elliot (who would later become the villain Hush). We tracked it at a high sale of $175 for a CGC 9.8 and a raw NM FMV of $39. Find on eBay | Find on MCS

#7: TRANSFORMERS #1 - IAN BERTRAM - FOIL (1:100) | IMAGE | 2023 | In July, Image released a TRANSFORMERS #1 ashcan edition that took SDCC by storm. The series' first issue was released three months later, and this retailer incentive 1:100 foil cover is just as popular! If you recall, the Transformers are now in a shared universe with G.I. Joe, a huge surprise to most. This also marks the premiere issue of an ongoing Transformers run at Image. If the 1:100 ratio cover is too far out of reach, try going for a 1:50 cover, which is also seeing heat! For the 1:100, we tracked it at a high sale of $180 for a raw copy and a current raw NM FMV of $137.

#6: THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #1 - MARTIN SIMMONDS - COVER A | IMAGE | 2020 | It's old news that THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH was headed to Netflix in 2021. Due to extenuating circumstances, the writer's strike most recently halted production. There has been little news since then. This past week, rumors started floating around that Tynion himself had confirmed that the Netflix series was moving forward and was back in production. This came directly via his 9.26 Newsletter, where he stated, "Martin and I were coming up on what we knew was going to be a brief sabbatical on Department of Truth while I worked on the Television adaptation (which I'm excited to get back into now that it looks like the WGA strike is over." When you read that, there is no confirmation of continued traction on the project. Yet, the internet twisted his words a bit and ran with it. Recently, Tynion did return to 'X' (the site formally known as Twitter) after a one-month hiatus. This return was to promote a new 'bootleg' variant of THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #1, which may have also helped spike a slight interest in this first print. We tracked it at a high sale of $85 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current raw NM FMV of $16.

#5: WOLVERINE #37 - GREG CAPULLO - VIRGIN (1 PER STORE) | MARVEL | 2023 | Legendary modern-day artist Greg Capullo illustrates a Wolverine that leaps off the page. What makes this book so hard to find is that it was a thank you from distributors to retailers, and stores with a Diamond account and a Penguin Randomhouse account likely received copies from both. Nevertheless, this book sped from retailer shelves and vanished into the aftermarket. Tracking one down in the wild might be difficult. However, we still see many selling very well on eBay. We tracked it at a high sale of $858 for a raw copy and a current NM FMV of $64.

#4: X-MEN #130 - NEWSSTAND | MARVEL | 1980 | This book has a lot going for it. It is not only the first appearance of Dazzler but also the first appearance of Sebastian Shaw and the 2nd appearance of Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost. However, this week, we have seen a resurgence of Dazzler books, thanks to footage from a Kansas City Chiefs football game. Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and Shawn Levy (Deadpool 3 director) were in attendance at this game. Joining them, most importantly, was Taylor Swift. While no other new rumors have surfaced, this was enough to spark a renewed interest in the Dazzler rumors! We tracked it at a high sale of $600 for a CGC 9.6 and a current raw FN FMV of $81 as copies flood and stay on the market.

#3: CYBERPUNK 2077: TRAUMA TEAM #1 | DARK HORSE | 2020 | Nothing will send a book into the spotlight like news that a live-action project is in the works. Last week, CD Projekt Red announced that the popular video game would soon be in production. However, whether this was to be a movie or a television series was not clarified. The showrunners are a company named Anonymous Content. They are the creators behind shows like Mr. Robot and True Detective, making it more likely that Cyberpunk 2077 will be a series. This first issue in the series is making waves, likely due to its relevance to the movie and its affordability as a key comic. We tracked it at a high sale of $91 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current raw NM FMV of $16.

#2: SPAWN #1 | IMAGE | 1992 | This book is consistently moving through the top 20 lists every week. There is rarely a week where we aren't writing about Spawn, and for good reason. It is hands down one of the most affordable, most popular, and reasonably found books in the aftermarket. Additionally, Call of Duty released its 6th season this past week, containing 8 Spawn skins, including Al Simmons and the Violator in his true form. This exposure has sent Spawn to the top of the aftermarket list! We tracked it at a high sale of $180 for a CGC 9.8 and a raw NM FMV of $29.

#1: DAZZLER #1 | MARVEL | 1981 | This book continues to dazzle its way up the charts! Last Monday, Taylor Swift attended a Kansas City Chiefs game with her friends. Need more exciting news? Well, what if we said her friends were Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool), Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), and Shawn Levy (Deadpool 3 director)... now it gets interesting! Of course, it is important to remember that Taylor Swift is good friends with Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. Ryan Reynolds is good friends with both Hugh Jackman and Shawn Levy... So, it's likely that this is simply a group of friends all hanging out with each other and having a good time. Or, we can speculate that this must be confirmation that Dazzler will appear in Deadpool 3! Whatever side of the speculation you stand on won't stop the upward trend this book is experiencing once more! We tracked it at a high sale of $258 for a CGC 9.8 and a current raw VF FMV of $15.

And that's your TOP 10 COMICS OF THE WEEK for 10/9/23! Want to know what your comic books are worth? COVRPRICE.COM offers the ULTIMATE price guide with LIVE ungraded (raw) and graded sales for today's market trends. Manage your collection and track your portfolio's overall value with our robust tracking systems. With a free 10-day trial and several affordable price tiers, discover the value of your comics and sign up today! CHECK OUT THE TOP 10 ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!

TV's first Lois Lane, Phyllis Coates, has passed away at the age of 96. Coates played the iconic Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane in Adventures of Superman for one season, which totaled 24 episodes in 1952-1953. Coates' daughter, Laura Press, told The Hollywood Reporter that her mother died Wednesday of natural causes at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills. Before playing Lois Lane in Adventures of Superman, Coates portrayed the heroine opposite George Reeves in 1951's Superman and the Mole Men film, which led to the creation of Adventures of Superman.

Superman and the Mole Men was the Man of Steel's first successful, full-length theatrical film. Phyllis Coates documented in Tom Weaver's 2006 book, Science Fiction Stars and Horror Heroes, that she was paid about $350 for each episode of Adventures of Superman, with some episodes being shot four or five at one time. "We were nearly blown up, beaten up, exploded, exploited -- I guess it was because we were young and dumb, but we put up with a lot of stuff," Coates said in the book. "Not too long ago I saw an episode ["Night of Terror"] where I got knocked out!"

Coates was invited back for Adventures of Superman Season 2. However, she passed on the opportunity after she signed on for another series starring Jack Carson and Allen Jenkins. That show never made it to air. "[Producer] Whitney Ellsworth offered me about four or five times what I was getting if I'd come back. But I really wanted to get out of Superman," Coates said in Weaver's book. Noel Neill replaced Coates as Lois Lane and played the role for the remaining five seasons.

Phyllis Coates was born Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell on January 15, 1927 in Wichita Falls, TX. She was discovered in Ken Murray's comedy show. Along with acting, Coates was also a part of USO tours. Her movie credits include Jungle Drums of Africa, Gunfighters of the Northwest, and Panther Girl of the Kongo. As for other TV work, she starred in The Lone Ranger, Perry Mason, Rawhide, Gunsmoke, and more.

Photo credit ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

In this special bonus episode, the ComicBook Nation Crew breaks down the big news that DC will recast all of its heroes for James Gunn's new DC universe, including Gal Gadot and Jason Momoa! We also reveal impressions of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's new Beta, so jump on in and join the discussion!

James Gunn and Peter Safran are Recasting the DCU

A new report revealed that Warner Bros. Discovery is recasting all of its DC heroes from the Zack Snyder era, and while stars like Henry Cavill, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller, and Ben Affleck were already being recast, it was thought that Gal Gadot and Jason Momoa might be retained since they were at the center of the two most popular films from the Snyder DC era. That isn't the case though, and overall it seems the ComicBook Nation crew is on the same page for getting a clean start.

Connor Casey and Cade Onder both feel like this was needed in many ways and would've liked DC to wait for the official announcement of the new slate until after these films were released. Meanwhile, Janell and I would've liked to see Gadot stay in the Wonder Woman role for at least one more film, but are also on board with a reset for the Justice League and the greater DC movie universe.

We even had a few names to throw into the casting hat for Wonder Woman, Batman, and Aquaman, which would join the already announced Superman casting if they happened.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Beta Impressions

Cade Onder also gives us a full breakdown of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Beta, which is a direct sequel and even includes some Titanfall-esque elements. That comes as a result of direct feedback from fans, and Cade describes the game as a big nostalgia play for longtime fans of the franchise. The game is perfect for those who are familiar with Modern Warfare games but is also easy to jump into for new fans as well, and you can check out his full impressions in the video above.

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Each episode has a deep dive into the current biggest discussion topics and debates within geek culture: movies, tv, comics, and video games are regular features, with genres like sci-fi, anime, and wrestling also featured regularly. The ONLY show covering ALL THINGS Geek Culture!

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Have thoughts to share? Want us to cover something on the show? Let us know in the comments!

Keith Giffen, a legendary comic creator known for his work on Justice League International and Legion of Super-Heroes, as well as co-creating characters like Rocket Raccoon, Lobo, and Jaime Reyes / Blue Beetle, has passed away at the age of 70. Giffen reportedly suffered a stroke on Sunday, October 9th, before passing away one day later on Monday, October 10th. In accordance with his family's wishes, Giffen's Facebook page broke the news, with a statement reading:

"I told them I was sick...
Anything not to go to New York Comic Con
Thanx
Keith Giffen 1952-2023
Bwah ha ha ha ha"

Born in Queens, New York on November 30, 1952, Giffen first broke into comics with the text story "The Sword and The Star" in 1976's Marvel Preview #4. That same year, Giffen and Mantlo co-created the now-famous Guardians of the Galaxy member Rocket Raccoon in Marvel Preview #7. Over at DC, Giffen had a lengthy tenure writing and illustrating Legion of Super-Heroes, which included co-creating the "The Great Darkness Saga" storyline with Paul Levitz. Across the early and mid 1980s, Giffen worked on characters like Doctor Fate, Amethyst, Aquaman, Lobo (who he co-created with Roger Slifer), and Ambush Bug (who he solely created).

"Comic books, for such a small, incestuous, inbred, little business--and I mean that in a good way--we take this job so seriously," Giffen explained in a 2000 interview with the Jack Kirby Collector. "All the time I was doing Justice League, even when it was number one and outselling everything DC had, there was not a day that went by that I was not pressured to take the humor out. "It's destroying the book." People would yank their characters out of the book. "I don't want Keith getting them. He'll make fun of them." And the deal I had with people was when they walk in the door of the embassy they're mine, when they walk out I will return them to you in the same shape they were when they came in. But some people couldn't handle the idea that Batman had a wry sense of humor, or that Beetle and Booster could be bumpkins. They totally missed the point of the book. With Ambush Bug it was basically comic book Candide; innocent, but broad. It was deconstruction of comics and inviting people to come look under the rug. Maybe pointing out things the companies didn't want you to know. Like when we did our spoof on Crisis, we told the truth: Crisis on the only Earth we're allowed to use. It didn't go over big. There were a lot of people who got their feathers ruffled. Lobo was originally meant as an indictment of the grim and gritty hero with a gun. To me they were villains who were doing the right thing for the wrong reason. But boy, so many people missed the joke."

In 1987, he, J.M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire began their run on Justice League, which became known as the Justice League International era. The run filled DC's iconic super-team with a string of lesser-known superheroes, spawning beloved elements like Maxwell Lord, as well as the iconic "One Punch" moment. In later years, Giffen's work included being the breakdown artist on DC's 52 and Countdown to Final Crisis, and the writer on Marvel's Annihilation event. He also was involved with the first solo series for Jaime Reyes / Blue Beetle, as well as Green Arrow, Justice League 3000, Infinity Man, and Forever People.

Our thoughts are with Giffen's family, friends, and fans at this time.

Over the years, a number of different animated Mortal Kombat projects have been released, including Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge, Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind, and Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms. These projects have all been written by Jeremy Adams, who has also written animated films like Batman: Soul of the Dragon and Justice League: Warworld. Speaking to ComicBook.com, Adams was asked about the possibility of writing an animated crossover between the DC Universe and Mortal Kombat. Adams revealed that the project was pitched, but Warner Bros. turned down the idea.

The Rejected Pitch

ComicBook: Now I want to say, seeing as how you've written every installment of the Mortal Kombat animated features, and actually quite a few DC ones as well, I have to ask, is this leading to DC Universe versus Mortal Kombat? Or should fans lower their expectations? Because I have been wanting this for years. Ever since Scorpion's Revenge came out I was like, "We need DC versus Mortal Kombat."

Jeremy Adams: I would lower your expectations. I don't know if they have any plans to do more. I do know that we pitched that a while ago, but it was kind of rebuffed.

ComicBook: What? Do they hate money?

Jeremy Adams: Well, I think at the end of the day, I don't know if they're ever going to do any more. I hope they do, and I hope they call me to be involved. That would be great because I really love it. But I don't know. I don't know. I think it would be really cool though. Trust me, I would love to see a DC Mortal Kombat. That would be super, super cool.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

While the idea of an animated movie pitting the characters of Mortal Kombat and DC against one another might sound unusual for those less familiar with video games, there is a history to draw upon. A Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe video game released back in 2008 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was a bit less violent than traditional MK games, so players weren't using the same type of Fatalities that the franchise has long been known for. Despite this, the game did get some praise from players based on its cast of notable characters from both universes, which included Superman, Batman, Joker, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Raiden, and more.

The game never received a direct sequel, but NetherRealm has kept the spirit alive through the Injustice series. The original Injustice featured an appearance by Scorpion as a DLC fighter, while Injustice 2 offered Raiden and Sub-Zero as DLC fighters. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe might never see another game, but clearly the crossover has not been forgotten!

Would you like to see a Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe animated film? Did you ever play the video game? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!

Damian Wayne is in the house this holiday season -- and he's home alone. Amazon Prime Video on Wednesday revealed the release date and first look at DC's Merry Little Batman, a new animated holiday movie putting a superhero twist on seminal Christmas classic Home Alone. After Amazon acquired the rights to the Warner Bros. Animation family action-comedy from Warner Bros. Discovery's Max (formerly HBO Max), Merry Little Batman will be available to stream on Prime Video beginning December 8th in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. See the just-revealed first-look poster below.

"When young Damian Wayne finds himself alone in Wayne Manor on Christmas Eve," reads the official synopsis, "he must transform into 'Little Batman' in order to defend his home and Gotham City from the crooks and supervillains intent on destroying the holidays."

Merry Little Batman stars Yonas Kibreab (Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi) as Damian and features the voices of Luke Wilson (DC's Stargirl), James Cromwell (Big Hero 6: The Series), and David Hornsby (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia). Voice recording and writing concluded prior to the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike and the since-ended writers' strike.

Mike Roth (Regular Show) directs from a screenplay by Morgan Evans (Teen Titans Go!) and Jase Ricci (Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham). Roth also serves as executive producer alongside Sam Register (Looney Tunes Cartoons).

Last summer, after WarnerMedia merged with Discovery to form Warner Bros. Discovery, Merry Little Batman was among six animated projects cancelled at HBO Max. As part of CEO David Zaslav's cost-cutting measures, WBD axed HBO Max and Cartoon Network's Batman: Caped Crusader, Bat-Family, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical, Did I Do That to the Holidays? A Steve Urkel Story, and The Amazing World of Gumball: The Movie.

Amazon acquired the three animated Batman projects in April. Merry Little Batman will be the first to arrive on Prime Video, followed by the spin-off series Bat-Family, which follows Batman, Alfred, and young Damian Wayne -- who has taken on the mantle of Little Batman -- alongside a few newcomers to Wayne Manor, as they navigate the fun and frustrations of life as a super family.

Batman: Caped Crusader, from executive producers Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, and Matt Reeves, is standalone and boasts "sophisticated storytelling, nuanced characters, and intense action sequences, all set in a visually striking world." Prime Video confirmed a two-season order of the hotly-anticipated animated series first announced for HBO Max back in 2021.

"Batman: The Animated Series helped pioneer in the evolution of superhero storytelling and defined the Dark Knight for a generation," said Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon and MGM Studios. "Batman: Caped Crusader will no doubt continue that tradition and, alongside Merry Little Batman and Bat-Family, we're thrilled to collaborate with Warner Bros. Animation to offer a variety of takes of the Batman mythos to our global Prime Video customers."

DC's Merry Little Batman premieres December 8th on Amazon Prime Video.

Batman and Superman Complete Animated Series Blu-ray sets have been hugely successful for Warner Bros., which explains whey they are currently among Amazon's top-selling Blu-rays in the mist of their second Prime Day event of 2023. The fact that they are currently sitting at all-time low prices of $24.99 and $19.99 respectively certainly helps. if they sell out, note that Walmart is price matching the deals.

The Superman: The Complete Animated Series Blu-ray is a 6-disc set that includes all 54 episodes along with new special features and commentary that adds up to nearly 21 hours of entertainment. The Batman: The Complete Animated Series set includes 109 episodes of The Animated Series and The New Batman adventures in a 12-disc, 35-hour set. The collection also includes 25 featurettes and the animated films Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero.

You can order the Superman: The Complete Animated Series Collector's Edition Blu-ray set here on Amazon or here at Walmart for $19.99 (71% off) while it lasts. You can order the Batman: The Complete Animated Series Blu-ray set here on Amazon for here at Walmart or $24.99 (69% off). The Batman Beyond set is also available on Amazon for $33.97 (51% off). A breakdown of the special features on the Superman set can be found below.

NEW: Superman: Timeless Icon - An all-new bonus feature, produced specifically for the remastered Blu-ray release of Superman: The Animated Series, reveals the complicated journey of the show and those who created the new mythology for The Man of Steel, as told by producers Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, director Dan Riba, writer Bob Goodman, casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano, and Tim Daly & Clancy Brown, the heralded voices of Superman and Lex Luthor, respectively.

A Little Piece of Trivia (Featurette) - So you think you know your Superman trivia? Wait until you hear about the series' connection to Telly Savalas! A brain teaser to entertain every Superman: The Animated Series fan!

Superman: Learning to Fly (Featurette) - Get into the minds of the creative team behind Superman: The Animated Series as they detail the birth of this animated version of Superman and his incredible worlds. Featured speakers include producers Paul Dini, Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett, art director/producer Glen Murakami and directors Dan Riba and James Tucker.

Building the Mythology: Superman's Supporting Cast (Featurette) - The characters around Superman get the spotlight in this in-depth look at everyone from Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Perry White to Maggie Sawyer, Lana Lang, and Ma & Pa Kent. Producers Paul Dini, Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett, art director/producer Glen Murakami and directors Dan Riba and James Tucker give viewers the inside scoop.

Menaces of Metropolis: Behind the Villains of Superman (Featurette) - Your hero is only as good as the villains around him, and Superman: The Animated Series has a rogues' gallery of top-grade baddies, including traditional opponents Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Bizarro, Metallo, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Toyman and Parasite, as well as new villains created for the series - like Live Wire and Luminus. Producers Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett and Paul Dini, directors James Tucker and Dan Riba and casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano give us a tour of the villains.

The Despot Darkseid: A Villain Worthy of Superman (Featurette) - Darkseid takes center stage in this examination of one of The Man of Steel's most vicious adversaries, plus other Fourth World characters that appear in Superman: The Animated Series. The featurette includes producers Paul Dini, Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett, art director/producer Glen Murakami, writers Rich Fogel and Stan Berkowitz, director James Tucker and Charles Hatfield (Department of English, Cal State Northridge).

Audio Commentaries

• Stolen Memories - producers Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and Alan Burnett, director Curt Geda and art director/producer Glen Murakami.
• The Last Son of Krypton - Part 1 - producers Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and Alan Burnett, director Dan Riba and art director/producer Glen Murakami.
• The Main Man - Part 2 - producers Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, director Dan Riba and art director/producer Glen Murakami.

Video Commentary

• Mxyzpixilated - producer Bruce Timm, producer/writer Paul Dini, director Dan Riba and moderator Jason Hillhouse.

The first oversized issue reads remarkably quickly, with Batman and the Court of Owls both learning of a new threat to Gotham through separate means, while a young boy travels to the city for revenge and instead is recruited by a dark eldritch Batman. City of Madness is notably a Black Label book, set apart from DC continuity to allow Ward maximum freedom in picking and choosing which bits of Batman lore he wants to use. The comic is set apart from DC continuity in a few notable ways - Alfred is still alive, Arkham Asylum is still standing, and Batman is still based out of Wayne Manor. This is meant to be a more timeless version of Batman, albeit one that is still dealing with modern threats and challenges. In the first issue alone, Ward tackles climate change, police brutality and corruption, and economic inequities, using them all as signs of a corruption that Batman is poorly equipped to tackle. Keeping that in mind, it makes sense that the secondary villain of the series is the Court of Owls, who have discovered a gate to another dimension's Gotham has been breached by flooding of an underground river.

Ward's artwork and coloring is as vibrant as ever, which is an interesting choice given that eldritch horror tends to use muted colors when depicted in comics. Ward's writing skills and dialogue (especially Batman and Alfred's narrations) remind me heavily of Grant Morrison and Dave McKean's Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on a Serious Earth, which seems to be deliberate as Ward has previously referred to this comic as a pseudo-sequel. The main issue with this comic is that, despite its 48 page count, there's still a feeling that Ward is trying to accomplish too much in this issue, from introducing the cast and enemies to touching on different iconic Batman locations and characters. Because of this, it feels like the comic is only just getting started when it comes to an end with a pretty compelling final spread.

While I enjoyed City of Madness, I feel like the comic doesn't have the compelling hook it did a few years ago. DC has leaned heavily on "alternate universe Dark Batman" as a trope in recent years and the prospect of another story in that vein just doesn't hold much appeal. Likewise, the current Detective Comics has really leaned into eldritch horror aspects and angles and this comic (while definitely pursuing a different corner of that genre) seems like it shares tonal similarities, at the least. Luckily, Ward is a strong artist and this comic book can be enjoyed solely on the merits of his artwork. Hopefully, the next two issues of the series pick up the pace a bit, because Ward has set the tone for an epic story but has relatively few pages remaining to tell it.

Published by DC Comics

On October 10, 2023

Written by Christian Ward

Art by Christian Ward

Colors by Christian Ward

Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Cover by Christian Ward

A new report from Variety details alleged behind-the-scenes drama that occurred during Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's production. Documents from Aquaman star Amber Heard's high-profile court case with ex-husband Johnny Depp have appeared on Reddit. They include notes from Heard's therapist that describe the set of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom as a hostile environment for Heard to work. That is partly, the notes suggest, because Jason Momoa, who stars as DC's aquatic hero Aquaman, would show up intoxicated, late, and dressed as Depp. Further, the notes suggest Momoa sought to have Heard removed from the film as Aquaman's fellow hero and love interest, Mera. "Jason said he wanted me fired. Jason drunk -- late on set. Dressing like Johnny. Has all the rings too," the notes read.

While Momoa's representation declined to speak to Variety for their piece, a DC spokesperson emphasized Momoa's professionalism. "Jason Momoa conducted himself in a professional manner at all times on the set of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," they said.

Another insider rebuffed the idea that Momoa showed up drunk to set and suggested that Momoa did not dress as Depp but simply has a similar sense of style. "Jason works his ass off, likes to have a beer once in a while like everyone, but doesn't show up drunk to set," they said. "And he isn't dressing like Johnny Depp. He has always dressed in that bohemian style."

The report also states that Warner Bros. had wanted to fire Heard from the Aquaman sequel even before Depp filed his lawsuit because of her lack of chemistry with Momoa. Others dispute that narrative, alleging that the studio and, specifically, director James Wan were unsupportive toward Heard because her court case hampered their ability to promote the film.

The report suggests Warner Bros. only kept Heard on because her ex-boyfriend, Elon Musk, sent a "scorched-earth letter to Warner Bros. threatening to burn the house down" if they went ahead with Heard's termination. Musk did not respond to Variety's request for comment on the matter.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the sequel to Momoa's first Aquaman movie, which grossed $1.15 billion worldwide. It's expected to be Momoa's final performance as Arthur Curry since Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the last DC Extended Universe movie greenlit under the pre-James Gunn/Peter Safran DC regime to make it to theaters. However, Variety's report suggests Momoa may join Gunn's DC Universe in a new role, alien mercenary Lobo, either in Superman: Legacy or a standalone movie.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Cast, Plot, and Release Date

In Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which arrives in theaters on December 20th, when an ancient power is unleashed, Aquaman must forge an uneasy alliance with an unlikely ally to protect Atlantis, and the world, from irreversible devastation. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will see the return of Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Patrick Wilson as Orm, Amber Heard as Mera, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, and Randall Park as Stephen Shin. Jani Zhao will play new character Stingray, Indya Moore will play Karshon, and Vincent Regan will play Atlan, who was previously portrayed by Graham McTavish in Aquaman. Pilou Asbaek has also joined the cast in a mystery role.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is directed by James Wan, with a script from David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. Producers include Wan and DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran.

From Stranger Things to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the DC Universe, David Harbour has been tied to a number of major franchises. Going into the holiday season, Harbour will be taking on another role -- the BoxLunch Giving Ambassador. On Tuesday, BoxLunch announced that Harbour will be stepping in the role, partnering with the fan-favorite retailer to help raise awareness for hunger in America. Beginning on November 6th, Harbour will be appearing in a comprehensive marketing campaign dubbed "The Art of Giving", which will run in all 260+ BoxLunch locations nationwide. The campaign will include video pieces, interviews, and web content, with the actor sharing his passion for food accessibility and personal connection to BoxLunch's mission to help end hunger with Feeding America. Harbour will also join BoxLunch in an upcoming volunteer day and celebrate 175 million meals* donated to Feeding America by BoxLunch by appearing as the guest of honor at the second annual BoxLunch Holiday Gala in Los Angeles. Harbour is the latest actor to take on the annual honor of Giving Ambassador, after Shang-Chi and Barbie star Simu Liu held the inaugural title in 2022.

"BoxLunch captured the deep generosity of spirit that beats in the heart of the holiday season with their 'art of giving' campaign," Harbour said in a statement. "I'm proud to be a part of it and support the amazing work done by both BoxLunch and Feeding America."

"We are so thrilled to have David Harbour join us as this year's BoxLunch Giving Ambassador to help us honor our philanthropic partner, Feeding America." Steve Vranes, CEO of Hot Topic Inc., BoxLunch's parent company, echoed. "By coming together and highlighting BoxLunch's ongoing support for the vital work done by Feeding America to make a meaningful impact in the movement to end hunger, we can help ensure that individuals and families in communities across the country have access to the food they need to thrive."

What Are David Harbour's Upcoming Movies and TV Shows?

Harbour is confirmed to reprise his role as Sheriff Hopper in the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, as well as Red Guardian in the MCU installment Thunderbolts. He is also set to play Eric Frankenstein in the DCU, leading the ensemble cast of the Creature Commandos animated series -- and potentially appearing in live-action beyond that.

"It's a very interesting take on Frankenstein, because one of the great things about Frankenstein is he was sort of raised to be this erudite model of a man, and he still has this weird inhuman rage and confusion within him," Harbour teased in an interview with Happy, Sad, Confused earlier this year. "So it was a great character to play. It's very funny. And James is just such an incredible guy. I've always wanted to work for him, and I suppose in terms of building this universe there's a lot of opportunity for these characters to be all sorts of different iterations. There might be a live thing, there might be a cartoon, there might be whatever."

What do you think of David Harbour being named BoxLunch's official Giving Ambassador? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

A number of actors in the world of comic books have pulled double duty throughout their careers, with Variety reporting that, following Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, star Jason Momoa will be leaving Arthur Curry behind to take on the mantle of Lobo in Superman: Legacy, or in a potential standalone film. While it has been more commonplace to see one actor play multiple roles in disconnected franchises, such as Chris Evans playing Johnny Storm in two Fantastic Four movies before becoming Steve Rogers, this would mark a notably quick turnaround from one popular DC role to another, though it would be a shift likely to be welcomed by fans. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is currently set to hit theaters on December 20th.

In addressing the future of the DC Universe under the leadership of Gunn and Peter Safran, the outlet pointed out, "Momoa may return, just not as Aquaman. Sources say the actor has engaged in talks to play Lobo, either in the 2025 reboot Superman: Legacy, written and directed by Gunn, or in a standalone film."

The future of the DC Universe is looking bright and full of potential, but it's also running the risk of causing some complex continuity issues among fans.

Back in 2013, Man of Steel kicked off what was intended to be the DC Extended Universe, a shared continuity of cinematic experiences akin to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Mixed reactions and behind-the-scenes challenges prevented that franchise from fully living up to its potential, with the studio then breaking the concept of that continuity to allow films like Joker and The Batman to not have to connect to the established universe.

Earlier this year, Ezra Miller's The Flash landed in theaters and later this year will see the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, both of which are spinoffs from the DCEU. More recently, Xolo Maridue?a debuted in Blue Beetle as the titular hero, a character who is expected to return in the new DC Universe.

All of these reboots and release date shifts are sure to cause some confusion among fans, as Gunn and Safran will be picking and choosing what does and does not factor into the franchise's future, while also potentially bringing back familiar faces to take on new roles. Despite the current confusion, the official indicator of a new phase for the DC Universe will likely be established when Superman: Legacy lands in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Would you like to see Momoa as Lobo? Let us know in the comments!

First launched in 2021, the LEGO 76240 Batman Batmobile Tumbler from the 2008 Christopher Nolan film The Dark Knight is an Ultimate Collector Series-style build with 2049 pieces. If you don't already own it, there has never been a better time thanks to a massive sale that drops the price by 33%.

At the time of writing, the 76240 Batman Batmobile Tumbler is available to order here at Walmart for $180, which is $90 off the list price. We don't expect the set to last long with the deal, so take advantage while you can. You can also keep tabs on this Amazon link to see if they price match. Note that the LEGO Technic The Batman Batmobile set is also on sale here at Walmart for $55, which is 30% off the list price.

The 76240 Batman Batmobile Tumbler features an opening roof, a control panel, a stand, and Christian Bale Batman and Heath Ledger Joker minifigures. it measures over 6 in. (16 cm) high, 17 in. (45 cm) long and 9 in. (25 cm) wide when complete and combines with other LEGO DC Batman sets. From LEGO:

"The impressive build-and-display Tumbler from the Dark Knight trilogy of Batman movies features an opening roof, which provides access to the driver and passenger seats and control panel. Batman and The Joker minifigures are included with a stand. With a sturdy base to display the finished model at its best, your recreation of the Tumbler will provide pleasure long after the hands-on work has been completed."

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is being released exclusively in theaters later this year, and it will feature the return of Jason Momoa as the titular DC hero. Now that James Gunn and Peter Safran have taken over as co-CEOs of DC Studios, the upcoming sequel is expected to be the final movie of the Snyderverse era. While some actors will continue playing their characters in the DCU, many fans suspect this could be Momoa's last outing as Aquaman. This week, the official Instagram account for DC teased a comic tie-in to the new Aquaman film, and it features a new look at Momoa in the role.

"Get ready for AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM in theaters Dec 20 with the comic book prequel to the upcoming film! Photo cover starring Jason Momoa and variant cover by @belen_ortega and @arifprianto.arf available Oct 31," DC shared. You can check out the post below:

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James Wan Reveals Lessons Applies To Aquaman Sequel:

The first trailer for the sequel was released in September, and director James Wan shared some exciting updates about the film. ComicBook.com learned some details about the film's villain at the trailer event, and Wan spoke about lessons he's learned and the biggest challenge he faced while making the film.

"The technology just in general advances with each passing year," Wan explained. "It was just on the first movie to this one. I see a huge leap even in the effects, which is obviously there in your face, but even just the process of how we shoot the film is a bit different. The actors had such a hard time shooting the first one, all this really complex rigging that we had to put them through, and it's not the best for them when they're trying to act at the same time, meanwhile they're doing a lot of pain in these really difficult."

Wan continued, "So what's great about this one was I could actually free them up from all that. And my special effects and visual effects team did a really great job with hearing what I had to complain about from the first movie and basically helping me build a process on how to get the same thing that I want, but without putting the actors through all of that, and so therefore I can actually get better performances from them."

What Is Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom About?

In Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which arrives in theaters on December 20th, when an ancient power is unleashed, Aquaman must forge an uneasy alliance with an unlikely ally to protect Atlantis, and the world, from irreversible devastation. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will see the return of Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Patrick Wilson as Orm, Amber Heard as Mera, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, and Randall Park as Stephen Shin. Jani Zhao will play new character Stingray, Indya Moore will play Karshon, and Vincent Regan will play Atlan, who was previously portrayed by Graham McTavish in Aquaman. Pilou Asbaek has also joined the cast in a mystery role.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is directed by James Wan, with a script from David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. Producers include Wan and DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran.

Superman is the most popular superhero ever created, so it only makes sense the character's next feature film will have a global stage. Answering questions from fan's on Saturday, Superman: Legacy helmer James Gunn confirmed the picture will film all around the world. In response to one fan suggesting the film could be filmed in New York City, Gunn mentioned it would be film on some soundstages in the Peach State while other filming will happen "all around the world."

"No no shooting on soundstages in Atlanta," Gunn said to one fan. "Rest of film in places all over the world."

Post by @jamesgunn

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Little has been unveiled about the exact plot of Superman: Legacy, other than its inspiration from a series of classic Man of Steel comics.

"We're honored to be the stewards of these DC characters we've loved since we were children," Gunn and and DC Studios co-head Peter Safran said in a statement when their roles were first announced. "We look forward to collaborating with the most talented writers, directors, and actors in the world to create an integrated, multilayered universe that still allows for the individual expression of the artists involved. Our commitment to Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Harley Quinn, and the rest of the DC stable of characters is only equaled by our commitment to the wonder of human possibility these characters represent. We're excited to invigorate the theatrical experience around the world as we tell some of the biggest, most beautiful, and grandest stories ever told."

What is Superman: Legacy going to be about?

Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned." Along with David Corenswet's Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane, the cast includes Nathan Fillion as the Guy Gardner Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as the mass-shifting Metamorpho.

The DC Universe officially kicks off with Creature Commandos, which has yet to set a release date, and Superman: Legacy, which enters theaters July 11, 2025.

What part of Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters excites you most? Let us know your thoughts either in the comments section or by hitting our writer @AdamBarnhardt up on Twitter!

Back in 2020, Joaquin Phoenix won an Academy Award for playing Arthur Fleck/Joker in Todd Phillips' Joker, which is getting a sequel next year. But first, fans of Phoenix can see him playing the titular character in Ridley Scott's Napoleon, which is heading to theaters next month. Recently, the Oscar-nominated director was interviewed at Deadline's Contenders London event and revealed it was Phoenix's performance in Joker that inspired him to cast the actor as the French military commander and political leader.

"I was blown away by his outrageous film Joker," Scott shared. "I didn't like the way it celebrated violence but Joaquin was remarkable. I thought he'd be an amazing asset to Napoleon, [not only creatively] also in a commercial sense. There were only two actors I had in mind for the role. I won't mention the other one."

Of course, this isn't the first time Scott has worked with Phoenix. The actor also played Emperor Commodus in Scott's Gladiator back in 2000.

What is Ridley Scott's Napoleon About?

Sony Pictures describes the Joaquin Phoenix-led Napoleon as follows, "Napoleon is a spectacle-filled action epic that details the checkered rise and fall of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix. Against a stunning backdrop of large-scale filmmaking orchestrated by legendary director Ridley Scott, the film captures Bonaparte's relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, showcasing his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed."

In Napoleon, Phoenix plays Napoleon Bonaparte with Vanessa Kirby starring as Napoleon's love and future empress, Jos?phine. The film also includes Tahar Rahim as French revolutionary leader Paul Barras. Napoleon's cast also includes Ben Miles as Napoleon's advisor Caulaincourt, Ludivine Sagnier as socialite Theresa Cabarrus, Madame Tallien, Matthew Needham as Napoleon's brother Lucien, Youssef Kerkour as Marshal Davout, one of Napoleon's commanders, Phil Cornwell as Sanson 'The Bourreau', king of France, Edouard Philipponnat as Tsar Alexander, Ian McNeice, Paul Rhys as the diplomat Talleyrand, John Hollingworth as celebrated soldier Marshal Ney, Gavin Spokes as Moulins, and Mark Bonnar as Jean-Andoche Junot. Scott helms the film from a script that was penned by David Scarpa.

Who Is Starring in Gladiator 2?

A Gladiator sequel is currently in the works with Ridley Scott returning to direct, and the cast has many movie fans excited for the follow-up. While the sequel will feature the return of Connie Nielsen as Lucilla and Djimon Hounsou as Juba, the original movie's stars Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix will not be appearing in the film.

The follow-up is set to star Paul Mescal, who will be taking over the role of Lucius, the part played by Spencer Treat Clark in the first film. The movie is also set to feature Oscar-winner Denzel Washington, The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal, and Stranger Things' favorite Joseph Quinn. The line-up originally included Eternals and The Banshees of Inisherin star, Barry Keoghan, but it was reported by Deadline that the actor had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. The role has since gone to Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus). Other additions to the cast include Lior Raz (6 Underground), Peter Mensah (Avatar), and Matt Lucas (Bridesmaids). Derek Jacobi was also included on the cast list and will be reprising his role as Gracchus from the first film.

Napoleon hits theaters on Thanksgiving.

In this episode, the ComicBook Nation Crew reviews new horror films The Exorcist: Believer and Pet Sematary: Bloodlines as well as the much-anticipated premiere of Marvel's Loki Season 2. PLUS: Reactions to Gen V Episode 4, a full preview of WWE's Fastlane event, and the newest comics!

The Exorcist: Believer Review

In his 2-star review of Exorcist: Believer, ComicBook Nation host Kofi Outlaw said the following:

Exorcist: Believer captures the "legacy" of the original in name only - even after dragging the original film star Ellen Burstyn back into the franchise... an unbalanced mess of a story, that doesn't ever seem to know where to put its focus... The Exorcist: Believer feels like it will go down as an odd and misguided attempt at a direct sequel - one that fails to provide any new soul to the franchise...

Loki Season 2 Review

In her Loki Season 2 review, ComicBook.com's Nicole Drum said the following:

Loki may be one of the MCU's most innovative and significant offerings, and Season 2 of the series certainly maintains the spirit of the first season and pushes not only Loki's story but the future of the MCU forward. But like the Sacred Timeline itself, Loki Season 2 shows signs of coming apart in places with little bits that could stand refinement, reconsideration, or even just a strong bit of editing. Season 2 definitely doesn't suffer from some of the pitfalls that would make people continue to question if superhero fatigue is real or not, but through characterizations, pacing, and too much self-awareness, it definitely feels like a very different show. It's by no means bad, but it certainly feels like most of the fun will be in digesting each episode after the fact, rather than taking it in for what it is just while watching.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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Todd McFarlane revealed some new additions to his hit DC Multiverse line of action figures at Toy Fair, including the entire line of figures from the infamous 1997 film Batman & Robin. McFarlane took a minute at Toy Fair to show off the new line, which includes Batman (George Clooney), Robin (Chris O'Donnell), Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone), and Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman). There is one more character in the set, and that would be Mr. Freeze himself Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is the set's Build-A-Figure. Freeze's legs are with Batman, while the arms and some feeze effects are with Robin. The chest and torso come with Ivy, and the head, shoulders, and blaster are included with Batgirl.

The likenesses overall are solid, with Batman and Freeze at the top overall. While the others don't look quite as close in likeness, they all boast great overall face sculpts. Each figure also comes with the usual trading card and figure base, but they don't seem to come with any individual accessories due to their inclusion of the Mr. Freeze figure.

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McFarlane doesn't reveal a release date for the figures, but odds are we will see them hitting stores relatively soon, as McFarlane shows them all in packaging already and even says these are production figures. It also remains to be seen if McFarlane will also create a Batman Forever series down the line, though that probably depends on if these sell well.

At this point, you can almost get any major movie Batman in the Multiverse line, with Robert Pattinson, Ben Affleck, Christian Bale, and Michael Keaton all represented in some way or another. Val Kilmer is the only movie Batman who doesn't have a figure yet, and with the changed-up suit for Robin, Jim Carrey's Riddler, and Tommy Lee Jones's Two-Face, you could see getting a whole series based on that film. As for the Build-A-Figure, perhaps a Batman Forever-styled Batmobile would work.

This is actually the perfect time for a new action figure line from the film, as it became a popular topic once more after Clooney made a surprise cameo as Bruce Wayne in this year's The Flash. The film has become infamous for its shift from the films that preceded it, but in a previous interview with Empire, Schwarzenegger said he doesn't regret making the film in the least.

"In most cases I don't regret the movies that failed or were not as good," Schwarzenegger said. "It's always easy to be smug in hindsight, right?" Schwarzenegger continued, saying, "I don't regret it at all. I felt that the character was interesting and two movies before that one Joel Schumacher was at his height. So the decision-making process was not off. At the same time I was doing Eraser over there and Warner Bros. begged me to do the movie."

In a previous interview with Entertainment Tonight, Thurman also had great things to say about the experience. "That was a fantastic experience. I had to wear lots of rubber suits," Thurman said. "I did not have a rubber mask. I had my own face. But I had some rubber appliances on my face sometimes. That was about as much rubber as I've ever worked with, personally."

Are you excited for the new figures? Let us know in the comments, and as always you can talk all things DC and action figures with me on Threads @mattaguilarcb!

Peacemaker has remained a standout part of the DC TV landscape, continuing the journey of James Gunn's The Suicide Squad in an epic fashion. With Gunn and Peter Safran now leading the entire DC Universe as co-CEOs of DC Studios, there has been the question of how Peacemaker's already-renewed second season will fold into the franchise's "reset" canon. One prominent fan theory has been that the multiverse-hopping Bat-Mite, who was name-dropped in Peacemaker's first season, will appear -- but according to Gunn, that's not the case.

In multiple replies on Threads, Gunn made it clear that Bat-Mite will not appear in Peacemaker Season 2. When asked for the reason why, Gunn said that it's "simply because the story for Season 2 has nothing to do with Bat-Mite!"

Who Is DC's Bat-Mite?

Created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff in 1959's Detective Comics #267, Bat-Mite is a bizarre inter-dimensional imp who frequented the Batman comics of the early 1960s. Presented as a small man in an ill-fitting Batman costume, Bat-Mite uses an ever-growing array of magical powers to create scenarios to draw out his idol, Batman. In the post-Crisis world of DC, Bat-Mite has only sporadically appeared in comics, and has often partnered up with Superman's own imp antagonist, Mr. Mxyzptlk. Bat-Mite even got a monthly comic series in 2015. While Bat-Mite has only appeared in a handful of animated properties, his name-drop in Peacemaker was the first acknowledgment of him in live-action.

"It's almost like playing a massive prank on the DCU making Bat-Mite canon," Gunn told ComicBook.com before Season 1's debut. "I think I can't say there was some big thought process to it. I'm writing, and these things come up, and then I just sort of go with them. I do think that Peacemaker's relationship to other superheroes is very specific. He is envious. He wants to be in that holy trinity of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. He is not. He wants to be a member of the Justice League, and they would never let him into the Justice League. He wishes that people loved him as much as they love Aquaman, but they don't. So he believes anything and kind of picks out what he wants to believe on the Internet, which any random Joe has tweeted or put on. He also doesn't quite understand the Internet. He's not very well versed in the Internet, so he sees something on Facebook, and somehow he thinks that's fact. But I think that it also serves his envy to be these things about people."

Will There Be a Peacemaker Spinoff?

While we wait for Peacemaker Season 2, Gunn and Peter Safran's new DC Universe will have Waller, a new spinoff bridging the gap of the narrative between both seasons, and focusing on Viola Davis' Amanda Waller and the fallout from the end of the Season 1 finale of Peacemaker. Watchmen's Christal Henry and Doom Patrol's Jeremy Carver are attached as writers.

"This is also going to have some of Team Peacemaker in it, as the regulars on the show," Gunn told reporters when announcing the DCU slate. "This basically follows up to Peacemaker and is going to be done. We have two great creatives working on it. Christal Henry, who is a writer on Watchmen and Jeremy Carver, who created Doom Patrol, have this incredibly marvelous story worked out that I think is really fantastic and HBO loves. So they're putting this all together."

What do you think of the latest update surrounding Peacemaker Season 2? Are you sad that Bat-Mite won't appear? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

There's already a lot of hype around Superman: Legacy, the film that is going to kick off a new era of storytelling for James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe. Legacy is currently expected to debut in theaters in 2025, and a few members of the film's ensemble cast were confirmed just prior to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike in July. According to Gunn, who is also writing and directing the film, those updates are far from over. In a recent post on Threads, Gunn confirmed that more casting announcements for Superman: Legacy are on the way, and will be announced once the actors' strike is over.

Who Is in the Cast of Superman: Legacy?

Superman: Legacy will star David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman, alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt / Mister Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason / Metamorpho.

"I'm gobsmacked," Carrigan revealed in a recent interview with Deadline. "I think it's just such an exciting new chapter, and such an exciting new chapter for DC. I think this movie has the potential to just really knock everyone's socks off, and with James Gun at the helm, I think it's just going to be so much fun."

"I'm thrilled to be a part of it. I'm honored to be playing this part, and I'm playing a hero," Carrigan continued. "So, on top of everything, that's pretty rad."

What Is Superman: Legacy About?

Per DC Studios, Superman: Legacy tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.

"We got James Gunn and Peter (Safran) working very hard on DC, which is going to be a very big growth driver for this company," Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav explained earlier this year. "We are very bullish on DC. The Superman script first draft is done. Gunn is on a mission from god. It is a really good moment to prove out on DC what we got and how strong it is globally for long-term sustainable growth."

When Will Superman: Legacy Be Released?

Superman: Legacy is currently scheduled to be released on July 11, 2025 -- a date that has a special emotional significance for Gunn.

"My brother Matt told me when he saw the release date he started to cry," Gunn wrote when announcing that he was directing the film. "I asked him why. He said, "Dude, it's Dad's birthday." I hadn't realized. I lost my Dad almost three years ago. He was my best friend. He didn't understand me as a kid, but he supported my love of comics and my love of film and I wouldn't be making this movie now without him. It has been a long road to this point. I was offered Superman years ago - I initially said no because I didn't have a way in that felt unique and fun and emotional that gave Superman the dignity he deserved. Then a bit less than a year ago I saw a way in, in many ways centering around Superman's heritage - how both his aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is and the choices he makes. So I chose to finally take on writing the script. But I was hesitant to direct, despite the constant pestering by Peter Safran and others to commit (sorry, Peter). Just because I write something doesn't mean I feel it in my bones, visually and emotionally, enough to spend over two years directing it, especially not something of this magnitude. But, the long and the short of it is, I love this script, and I'm incredibly excited as we begin this journey. #UpUpandAway"

What do you think of the latest update around Superman: Legacy? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

The latest 2-pack in McFarlane Toys' DC Multiverse lineup pits Batman Beyond vs. Justice Lord Superman. It's inspired by the Batman Beyond comics, and features 7-inch scale figures of Batman Beyond and Justice Lord Superman along with batarangs and interchangeable hands. The set also includes an environmental base, art backdrop, standard display bases, and art cards.

Pre-orders for McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Batman Beyond vs Justice Lord Superman 2-pack are available here at Entertainment Earth and here on Amazon for $39.99. Details on some additional, recently released DC Multiverse figures can be found below.

McFarlane Toys recently added another Gold Label exclusive to their DC Multiverse lineup in the form of The Joker Titan Glow in The Dark Edition in Megafig 7-inch scale. It's an Amazon exclusive that you can pre-order right here for $49.99. Note that the figure is a glow version of the standard edition that launched last year.

In addition to the glow-in-the-dark paint, the Joker Titan figure includes an art card, DC logo card stand, and a base. You can check out more of McFarlane Toys recently announced Gold Label retailer exclusives below.

Back in September, McFarlane Toys teamed up with Entertainment Earth on a DC Multiverse exclusive, and this time around it's a Batman by Todd McFarlane Sketch Edition Gold Label 7-inch scale action figure that's limited to 6,800 pieces. A variant of a figure that launched in 2021, the Sketch Edition comes equipped with 2 swords, 2 daggers, removable goggles, a batarang, a grapnel launcher, and an exclusive art card featuring a sketch of Batman designed by Todd McFarlane on one side and a numbered certificate of authenticity on the other. Pre-orders are available here at Entertainment Earth for $29.99 while they last.

They also launched a DC Multiverse The Joker Comedian Sketch Edition Gold Label action figure as an Entertainment Earth exclusive last week. Only 7400 figures will be sold, and it was still in stock here at EE at the time of writing.

McFarlane Toys also recently launched a Gold Label black light variant of a previously released Batman of Zur-En-Arrh 7-inch scale figure that's limited to only 3,010 units. It's based on Grant Morrison's Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, which was an alternate, and more deadly personality that Bruce Wayne could utilize in the event that his mind was compromised. In keeping with this more extreme version of himself, Bruce also wears an intense purple, red and yellow Batsuit when this personality is triggered.

While the original Batman of Zur-En-Arrh figure was a Target exclusive, the black light variant can only be found here at Entertainment Earth for $29.99 (UPDATE: Sold out). It comes with a baseball bat, knife, and an art card with card stand. It even includes a base twith two battery-powered black lights, so you can enjoy the effect on display right out of the box. With such a small run, expect a fairly quick sellout on this figure, so grab one while you can.

"Some time ago, Bruce Wayne took part in an isolation experiment overseen by Dr. Simon Hurt in which the psychiatrist gave Bruce the post-hypnotic phrase "Zur-En-Arrh." When heard by Bruce years later, this trigger phrase shatters his mind and leaves him wandering Gotham City in a daze. Always ready with a back-up plan, Batman had previously developed a persona within himself - a Batman without Bruce Wayne. He stitches together a new Batsuit, calling himself the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh!"

Getting back to 2-packs, McFarlane Toys partnered with Amazon on two DC Multiverse Gold Label 7-inch scale action figure multipack exclusives - Atomic Skull vs. Superman 2-pack and the Clayface, Batman, and Batwoman 3-pack. Both are available to pre-order now via the links below,

DC Multiverse Clayface Batman and Batwoman 3-Pack ($69.99) - See on Amazon: The figures are based on their DC Rebirth appearances. Set includes two grapnel launchers and two batarang accessories.

"CLAYFACE: Real Name: BASIL KARLO BASIL KARLO was a famous actor, known primarily for his roles in horror films. However, when replaced as the lead in a movie, he went mad with rage. After injecting himself with an experimental anti-aging formula, he became a dangerous shape-shifter made entirely of clay. With the ability to adopt the appearance of anyone or anything, CLAYFACE(TM) has become one of BATMAN'S most powerful enemies. BATWOMAN: Real Name: KATE KANE Trained by the military, KATE was an heiress inspired to fight crime by the DARK KNIGHT'S example after he rescued her from a mugger. But KATE'S story is unique. One of the few openly gay superheroes, she struggles for respect in her personal life as she protects all of GOTHAM CITY'S citizens, whether they respect her or not. BATMAN Real Name: BRUCE WAYNE(TM) As a child, BRUCE WAYNE watched as his parents were brutally killed in GOTHAM CITY'S CRIME ALLEY. Traumatized by their deaths, he devoted his life to becoming the worlds greatest weapon against crime - the BATMAN(TM)! To become the ultimate vigilante, the DARK KNIGHT(TM) disciplined his mind and body to reach the pinnacle of mental and physical superiority in his relentless pursuit of Justice!"

DC Multiverse Atomic Skull vs. Superman 2-Pack ($39.99) - See on Amazon: Action Comics set includes atomic energy effects and an environmental display base with Atomic Skull. Superman includes two sets of interchangeable hands.

"Sent to EARTH from the dying planet of KRYPTON(TM) as a baby, KAL-EL was found by farmers MARTHA and JONATHAN KENT and raised as their son, CLARK. As CLARK grew up, the radiation from EARTH'S yellow sun gave him extraordinary powers, which he kept hidden. Now fully grown, he uses his powers to protect his adopted world as SUPERMAN(TM). ATOMIC SKULL Real Name: JOSEPH MARTIN While on an experimental S.T.A.R. LABS submarine, scientist JOSEPH MARTIN was exposed to nuclear energy. Shipwrecked on a desert island, he survived by releasing deadly nuclear blasts from his mouth. His skin and muscles literally peeled off his face, inspiring him to create Super-Villain-for-hire persona ATOMIC SKULL. He regularly clashed with SUPERMAN(TM), both alone and with criminals such as MAJOR DISASTER and the ROYAL FLUSH GANG. In recent times MARTIN reformed, fighting criminals with the METROPOLIS SPECIAL CRIMES UNIT, SUPERWOMAN, and the TEEN TITANS(TM)."

Finally, McFarlane Toys recently opened up pre-orders for the DC Multiverse Batman of Earth-22 Infected Glow-in-the Dark Edition action figure, which is based on the character's appearance in Dark Nights: Metal. It's a Gold Label figure that includes a batarang, base, and art card in addition to the GITD paint. It is available here on Amazon (exclusive) for only $19.99 (33% off) at the time of writing. You can also get the standard edition that launched last year here on Amazon for $13.57 (32% off).

"Born from the nightmares of the Dark Multiverse, the Batman of Earth -22 started out much like the Batman we know. However, on Earth -22, he becomes infected when nanotoxins from The Joker's heart are released into Batman's bloodstream, causing the Dark Knight's perfect mind to merge with the warped psyche of the Clown Prince of Crime. He soon transforms into his final form, The Batman Who Laughs, and becomes part of an attempt to plunge the entire Multiverse into ultra-violence, chaos, and utter darkness."

Some new and old books grace the list this week! We have several familiar Wolverine-related titles, with some newcomers. We cover an inspirational Superman gem and a trending new multimedia comic, Night of the Cadillacs. Dazzler receives yet another rumor boost. Heart Attack falls from the top spot but remains on the list, while some perennial all-stars like Spider-Man 2099 and Spawn hog more of the limelight. All will be covered in this week's Top Ten!

Want to know what comic books are trending each week and why? COVRPRICE.COM uses live sales analytics to identify and compile the most robust market price guide, highlighting the weekly top trending comics. No opinions. Just data. Each week, they present a newly updated list of the TOP 10 COMICS trending in the aftermarket. These trends are due to rumors, fan-favorite covers, story-driven content, and content-related news.

#10: HEART ATTACK #1 | IMAGE | 2019 | As quickly as this book rose with confirmation that it would receive the live-action treatment, it fell off even quicker. Yet, it has made another appearance on this list. Fans can get swept up in the flurry of news that often batters the community, but projects with momentum behind them typically rise again. This book is no different, promising to bring an interesting premise from the comic page to a TV near you. The subject matter hits a little close to home, making some fans nervous. Despite that, aftermarket sales have continued to rise, along with the FMV of this book! It's still a cheap book and out there for those on the hunt! We tracked it at a high sale of $18 for a raw copy and a current NM FMV of $13.

#9: DAZZLER #1 | MARVEL | 1981 | Maybe those T-Swift rumors were close to the mark? Just when this book looked finished riding the high of speculation, it received a shot in the arm. This past weekend, Taylor Swift was seen at the Jets vs. Chiefs game. You may think, "Yeah, she's dating Travis Kelce". You'd be correct, but other members of her posse included Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and Director of Deadpool 3, Shawn Levy. While this is nowhere near confirmation, it will significantly fuel the fire. It will likely be a while before we get confirmation. So, buckle in, as it appears to be on an upward trajectory again! We tracked it at a high sale of $180 for a CGC 9.8 and a current raw VF FMV of $11.

#8: SUPERMAN FOR ALL SEASONS #1 | DC | 1998 | James Gunn strikes again! This book was relegated to the $5 and under bin for years, but no longer. Recently, James Gunn cited this book as one of his favorite Superman stories and an inspiration for the upcoming Superman: Legacy. It's a classic Superman story, following him through different points in life, narrated by those who affected him. Crafty creator extraordinaire James Gunn can do a lot with a story so full of heart. We tracked it at a high sale of $14 for a raw copy and a current raw VF FMV of $5. This book is all over, so keep your eyes peeled!

#7: SPIDER-MAN 2099 #1 | MARVEL | 1992 | It's astounding to see Spider-Man 2099 still hitting this list so far removed from his major movie debut. There are numerous reasons behind that sustained success, like collectibility, being in a movie, being awesome, etc. Those factors have culminated in the momentum behind this book, with one of the most recent reasons, the "true" first appearance debate! We tracked it at a high sale of $175 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a raw NM FMV of $14.

#6: NIGHT OF THE CADILLACS #1 - CVR A PRIOR | SCOUT COMICS | 2021 | Per the Hollywood Reporter, yet another deep-cut comic is receiving an adaptation. Ex Posse Studios and Scout Comics have teamed up with Sony to produce an adaptation featuring a member of a vampire gang running off with a human woman. That's the bare minimum you need to know, and we encourage you to dive down the rabbit hole-it's worth it. Along with the digital adaptation, we're receiving a comic adaptation called Lip Stick Cliqa from Scout Comics later this year. Both books are available as of this writing over at https://www.scoutcomics.com/! We tracked it at a high sale of $35 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current raw NM FMV of $6.

#5: SPAWN #1 | IMAGE | 1992 | Well, we have eyes on those Spawn skins set to appear in the upcoming Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 battle pass, and they're sweet! Not just one skin, however, but 8, 2 of which were Al Simmons himself. That had fans returning to the original in this book. It's the arguable King of the Aftermarket, routinely selling well every year. It remains a cheap, plentiful, timeless key book that fans love to revisit. We tracked it at a high sale of $193 for a CGC 9.8 and a raw NM FMV of $31.

#4: WOLVERINE #36 - RYAN STEGMAN - REGULAR | MARVEL | 2023 | This book marked the first appearance of Hellverine. You read that right: Wolverine is imbued with the Spirit of Vengeance! It was an aftermarket darling immediately, rocketing Wolverine to S-Tier in the Marvel Universe. It already had hype before it dropped, which only increased as those who missed it at the LCS scoured the aftermarket. But fret not. A 2nd print is soon to hit shelves! We tracked it at a high sale of $29 for a raw copy and a current NM FMV of $23.

#3: ALL-NEW WOLVERINE #1 | MARVEL | 2015 | We saw issue #2 spiking a few weeks ago, and now it's this book's turn! It's the debut of X-23 as Wolverine in the classic costume, and it's seeing a spike after another Deadpool 3 rumor hit the internet. It was reported that Marvel was working to bring Daphne Keen, X-23 from LOGAN, onto the project before the strike derailed talks. The strike is over, and fans eagerly await to know if that rumor is true. While they wait, they opted to hit the aftermarket in search of this book, as it's already been rumored there would be multiple cameos featuring Wolverine's from the Multiverse. We tracked it at a high sale of $120 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current raw NM FMV of $28.

#2: VOID RIVALS #4 - KAREN S. DARBOE - SPOILER (1:25) | IMAGE | 2023 | Void Rivals has been a smash hit, and that's just leading up to the release and crossover partner Transformers #1. Fans of the series got a treat with this book, featuring Shockwave front and center. He's got a new design, but those who know the original series know this is one bad bot! Robert Kirkman is delivering, and fans are showing their continued support on the aftermarket! We tracked it at a high sale of $130 for a CGC 9.8 pre-sale copy and a current raw NM FMV of $65.

#1: WOLVERINE #37 - GREG CAPULLO - VIRGIN (1 PER STORE) | MARVEL | 2023 | Greg Capullo is a legend in the community. He's delivered countless timeless covers, but few and far between for Marvel. He's back with a vengeance for this one per-store variant, and with the success issue #36 has been, this book looks to topple it. It's cooled slightly, as copies were snapped up from the aftermarket, but some are still willing to pay the price. If you're a fan of Wolverine or Capullo, this book has both in spades! We tracked it at a high sale of $100 for a raw copy and an NM FMV of $59.

And that's your TOP 10 COMICS OF THE WEEK for 10/1/23! Want to know what your comic books are worth? COVRPRICE.COM offers the ULTIMATE price guide with LIVE ungraded (raw) and graded sales for today's market trends. Manage your collection and track your portfolio's overall value with our robust tracking systems. With a free 10-day trial and several affordable price tiers, discover the value of your comics and sign up today! CHECK OUT THE TOP 10 ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!

Even though Barry Keoghan has found himself cast as the most popular villain Batman has ever crossed paths with, the Eternals star initially auditioned for another character in the Caped Crusader's rogues gallery. According to Keoghan, he sent in a tape to play The Riddler, a role that ultimately went to Paul Dano.

"I just made it up," the actor recently said in a chat with Esquire magazine. "I wanted to make it Kubrick-y: symmetrical, the X on the back, the square doorframe, everything square. I just wanted swag to come across. Swag and endearing. It was just me giving my idea. And then I's like, 'I'ma send this in!'"

Keoghan ended up appearing as the Clown Prince of Crime in the closing moments of The Batman and a lengthier delayed scene released online shortly thereafter. Like Robert Pattinson's Batman, Matt Reeves says Keoghan's take on the iconic villain is a version of the baddie before he actually becomes The Joker.

"He can never stop smiling. And it made Mike [Marino] and I think about -- I was talking about The Elephant Man because I love David Lynch. And I was like, 'Well, maybe there's something here where it's not something where he fell in a vat of chemicals or it's not the [Christopher] Nolan thing where he has these scars and we don't know where they came from," Reeves said in a chat with IGN last year. "What if this is something that he's been touched by from birth and that he has a congenital disease that refuses to let him stop smiling? And he's had this very dark reaction to it, and he's had to spend a life of people looking at him in a certain way and he knows how to get into your head.'"

"Life has been a cruel joke on him," the director added. "And this is his response, and he's eventually going to declare himself as a clown, declare himself as the Joker. That was the idea."

It has yet to be seen if Keoghan will return as the villain, though the actor has said he's ready to play Joker once again.

The Batman: Part II will be released on October 3, 2025. The first film in the franchise is now streaming on Max.

It appears James Gunn and DC Studios have found a permanent home in London. The newly created studio recently got a pretty big vote of confidence from its parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, when it decided to expand its Leavesden studio in London, England. While other WBD powerhouse franchises will use the studio's resources, the early assumption was DC Studios under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran would as well. Luckily, there now appears to be confirmation of DC Studios' home from Gunn himself, letting DC fans know that London is where the majority of future DC projects will be shot.

"Most future DC projects will be shot largely in London. Legacy is being shot in many places across the world, but our home base is in Atlanta," Gunn said in a post to his Threads account. This was in response to an earlier post revealing Man of Steel wall art in the Superman: Legacy offices. A user pondered if a similar collage of art would also be set up when DC moves to London, but the filmmaker cleared up any confusion about where DC Studios will set up camp.

What does DC Studios' upcoming film slate look like?

The first feature film to launch officially under the DC Studios banner is Superman: Legacy, which has a home in Atlanta, GA with pre-production already started. Playing the Man of Steel and Clark Kent is David Corenswet of The Politician and Pearl fame. He'll be joined by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.

There are some other surprising additions to the Superman: Legacy cast, including Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho. Of course, there are other key DC characters likely to appear in Superman: Legacy. The roles of Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, and Superman's nemesis Lex Luthor are still up for grabs.

Down the road, fans have other DC projects to look forward to. Along with Gunn confirming Blue Beetle is a part of the new DC Universe, there are a number of DC TV shows and movies in the pipeline. On the TV side there's the animated Creature Commandos, Waller, Booster Gold, Lanterns, and Paradise Lost. As for movies, the roster is made up of the aforementioned Superman: Legacy, The Brave and the Bold, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Swamp Thing, and The Authority.

My Adventures With Superman will return with a second season, though DC Comics' fans might have noticed some big players were missing from season one. The likes of Lex Luthor, Braniac, and General Zodd might have made appearances in some sneaky ways in the opening salvo of the animated series, but it turns out Warner Bros had encouraged the creators of the show to go a different route. In a recent interview, a producer on the series discussed the decision to see "smaller" villains in the Superman-mythos get the spotlight.

Producer Josie Campbell revealed that in notes from Warner Bros, the creators behind My Adventures With Superman were told not to use some of the more iconic villains that had been seen "a million times before", "Some of it was... Warner Bros.... and I think it was it was a good note. Like our big execs on Warner Brothers were like, 'Well, these are the big hitters that everybody's seen and everybody's expecting. And we've seen this a million times, so we want your twists on things.' And I think it was Sam Register... and Audrey Diehl, who were doing notes with us, were like, 'These characters take up the whole screen. They kind of suck the air out because they're so famous, and there's so many expectations, so hold off on them. Hold off on these characters, and build the story how you see fit."

Will We See Bigger Villains in Season 2?

Campbell then expanded on the decision and how that helped form this iteration of Clark Kent, who was still learning about himself and his powers, "And so that's sort of what we did, was... we were like, 'Okay, we're not gonna have Lex Luthor. We are not going to have the Brainiac stuff coming in. We're going to start small, we're going to start with... Clark is still learning his powers and figuring out who he is. So, we're going to start small and start with some of these lesser-known villains. We're going to start with some of these weirder villains. We're gonna build up.'"

While not mentioned by name, viewers were able to see a character named "Alex" who had a hatred of Superman who might just turn out to be Lex Luthor. In the post-credit scene of season one, we also witness two mysterious characters, one of which sports Braniac's symbol and the other teasing that Earth will "kneel" before them, hinting that the pair might be Braniac and Zod. While a second season has been confirmed, a release date has yet to be confirmed for Superman and his Metropolis colleagues.

Via The Direct

Superman: Legacy director James Gunn revealed a Man of Steel makeover of DC's offices. On social media, the filmmaker posted images of their new wall art in the offices. Gunn showcased some art of Action Comics #1 and a host of others. There are some other favorites like Superman #233 (Kryptonite chains!) and All-Star Superman #1 (A major influence for Superman: Legacy.) For fans who really love the Man of Tomorrow, there's a veritable treasure trove of references that you can pull from these iconic titles. Take a look for yourself here down below.

With this movie, All-Star Superman is one of the titles that has people most excited about the movie. While Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's work has already been adapted into an excellent animated feature by DC, this live-action movie would represent an entirely different step. When audiences think of Clark Kent and Superman, they honestly reflect on the goodness at the heart of the character. It feels like All-Star Superman is one of the great modern stories that drills to the heart of who the hero is and why the icon has endured over all these years.

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James Gunn Tackling Superman: Legacy

Superman: Legacy will have James Gunn's personal stamp on the character. It's become clear that he had something to say with the Man of Steel ever since he announced the title of this one. On Instagram, Gunn explained why he was the man for the job with Superman: Legacy. Just like you would expect, the reasoning is pretty emotional, read it down below.

"Yes, I'm directing Superman: Legacy to be released on July 11, 2025. My brother Matt said, when he saw the release date, he started to cry. I asked him why. He said, "Dude, it's Dad's birthday." I hadn't realized," Gunn told his followers. "It has been a long road to this point. I was offered Superman years ago - I initially said no because I didn't have a way in that felt unique and fun and emotional that gave Superman the dignity he deserved."

"Then a bit less than a year ago I saw a way in, in many ways centering around Superman's heritage - how both his aristocratic Kryptonian parents and his Kansas farmer parents inform who he is and the choices he makes," the director continued. "So I chose to finally take on writing the script. But I was hesitant to direct, despite the constant pestering by Peter Safran and others to commit (sorry, Peter). Just because I write something doesn't mean I feel it in my bones, visually and emotionally, enough to spend over two years directing it, especially not something of this magnitude. But, the long and the short of it is, I love this script, and I'm incredibly excited as we begin this journey."

DC's New Headquarters In Leavesden

Recently, the company decided to move things over to a new official studio space in Leavesden. During the rollout, James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC movie output was mentioned specifically as a big reason for the swap.

"Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden is globally-recognized for its exceptional sound stages and facilities, and with this planned expansion adding significant capacity and capabilities, it will be home to even more incredible storytelling for both film and television projects," Simon Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery Studios, wrote in a statement. "We are proud to not only be growing our productions in Leavesden and making it the main hub for DC Studios, but also to be growing our economic and community contributions to the UK's creative sector."

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, would also add: "The enormous strength of our creative industries sees films and television shows made in the UK reaching cinemas and front rooms across the world, including Barbie and the House of the Dragon series. Warner Bros. Discovery's ambitious plan to grow its Leavesden studio is a huge vote of confidence in the UK - creating thousands of jobs and growing our economy - and means that British-made entertainment will continue to delight and entertain global audiences."

How excited are you for Superman: Legacy? Let us know down in the comments!

After years of being in the works, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is finally on the way. The DC sequel debuted its first trailer last month, showcasing what fans can expect from the latest (and possibly final) adventure for Jason Momoa's Arthur Curry / Aquaman. As Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's December release date looms closer, details regarding the film are continuing to come to light -- including its official rating.

According to the MPA's Film Ratings website, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is "rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and some language." That is relatively par for the course with theatrical cuts of DCEU movies thus far, outside of Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) and The Suicide Squad.

Will There Be an Aquaman 3?

At the moment, a third Aquaman film has yet to be greenlit by DC, especially amid the DC Studios changes led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Still, Wan has indicated that The Lost Kingdom functions as a standalone story, regardless of whatever canon it falls into at the end of the day.

"Well, Aquaman - even the first film - has always been a very standalone film," Wan told ComicBook.com earlier this year. "That was always our approach: that it kind of lives in its own world, and that's kind of how we've approached The Lost Kingdom as well. You know, people love Jason Momoa; people love him playing this role; and people love the action visuals of this space and this world. And that's what we're doing: we're taking it to the next level and we are still expanding - and just any fans of Aquaman the character, that love Black Manta, this is the next level and I'm very excited to finally put out there to show them what we've been working on all these years."

What Is Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom About?

In Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which arrives in theaters on December 20th, when an ancient power is unleashed, Aquaman must forge an uneasy alliance with an unlikely ally to protect Atlantis, and the world, from irreversible devastation. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will see the return of Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Patrick Wilson as Orm, Amber Heard as Mera, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, and Randall Park as Stephen Shin. Jani Zhao will play new character Stingray, Indya Moore will play Karshon, and Vincent Regan will play Atlan, who was previously portrayed by Graham McTavish in Aquaman. Pilou Asbaek has also joined the cast in a mystery role.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is directed by James Wan, with a script from David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. Producers include Wan and DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran.

What do you think of the official rating for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be released exclusively in theaters on December 25th.

2022's Batman video game Gotham Knights has today become "free" to play for some users on Xbox. Roughly one year ago, Gotham Knights first released and was met with a pretty mixed response from both fans and critics alike. Fortunately, for those that have held off and have been waiting for the game to get discounted before playing, Gotham Knights is now completely free to download thanks to Xbox's most noteworthy service.

As of today, Gotham Knights has finally joined the extensive library of Xbox Game Pass, which means that those subscribed to the platform can access it for themselves. Obviously, this doesn't make Gotham Knights free in the conventional sense given that a subscription service has to be paid for, but if you were already a member of Xbox Game Pass, you've now gained access to the title with no additional cost. Best of all, Gotham Knights is playable via Game Pass through the platform's console, PC, and cloud tiers. For those on Xbox One, though, Gotham Knights isn't accessible as the game is only on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles.

"Batman is dead. A new expansive, criminal underworld has swept the streets of Gotham City," says the official description of Gotham Knights. "It is now up to the Batman Family - Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin - to protect Gotham, bring hope to its citizens, discipline to its cops, and fear to its criminals. From solving mysteries that connect the darkest chapters in the city's history to defeating notorious villains in epic confrontations. Gotham Knights is an open-world, action RPG set in the most dynamic and interactive Gotham City yet. Patrol Gotham's five distinct boroughs in solo or in co-op and drop in on criminal activity wherever you find it. Your legacy begins now. Step into the Knight."

Is Gotham Knights Heading to New Platforms?

Outside of being available on Xbox Series X/S and PC, Gotham Knights also happens to be playable on PlayStation 5. Originally, developer WB Games Montreal planned to bring the game to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as well, but these versions were eventually canceled in the lead-up to its launch. In hindsight, this move is perhaps a bit strange as other titles from WB Games such as Hogwarts Legacy have also since landed on last-gen hardware.

Despite being roughly a year old, though, it looks like WB Games might still have big plans for Gotham Knights. Notably, within the past month, a handful of different leaks have indicated that the latest Batman game will soon be coming to Nintendo Switch. This release hasn't been confirmed in an official capacity just yet, but these aforementioned leaks are quite credible, which indicates that such a version of the game is in the works. Even if Gotham Knights does come to Switch, there's a chance that the game might only release as a "Cloud Version" given that it likely cannot run natively on Nintendo's hardware. Either way, we might learn more on this front in the coming days or weeks.

Smallville remains something special in the TV space, both as a superhero adaptation and as a teen drama hit. The long-running series reinvented the DC mythos for a whole new generation -- and it looks like two unexpected elements of that have made their way into the pages of DC's comics. Spoilers for Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #2, from Joanne Starer, Natacha Bustos, Tamra Bonvillain, and Ariana Maher below! Only look if you want to know! Early on in the zany story of Welcome to Smallville #2, Beatriz da Costa / Fire is shown trying to get her superhero fight club off of the ground, fighting Ambush Bug in hopes of turning it into a viral video. The fight is taking place in the Kawatche Caves, which Tam, a hairdresser working at Bea and Tora Olafdotter / Ice's hair salon, acknowledges are sacred ground. The Kawatche Caves, which have not been canonized in DC's mainline comics prior to this storyline, were introduced in Smallville's early seasons as a key part of the origin story of Clark Kent / Superman (Tom Welling). Throughout the caves, paintings could be seen telling the myth of Naman and Sageeth, which proved to predict the rivalry between Clark and his greatest foe -- which, depending on who you ask, could either be Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) or Davis Bloome / Doomsday (Sam Witwer).

Later on in the issue, Tora and her new friend Rocky are bringing a stack of books to the local hospital, in order to read to the sick children. The hospital bares an uncanny resemblance to the exterior shot of the hospital frequently shown on Smallville.

What Is Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville About?

In Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville, Superman sent the former Justice Leaguers packing for Smallville to lie low following their extremely public and utterly disastrous mission in Baltimore, and in doing so doomed them to a fate worse than death: irrelevance. Ice finds herself drawn to the quiet life and dreams of planting roots. But Fire...well, Fire will do just about anything to get the hell outta dodge and back on the Super Hero circuit--including challenging the DC Universe's biggest villains to a knock-down, drag-out, live-streamed brawl in the streets of Smallville!

"Ultimately this is a book about Fire and Ice's friendship," Starer told ComicBook.com in a recent exclusive interview. "There's action, and comedy, and romance, but any story about Fire and Ice is going to be about their ride-or-die relationship. Working with an all-female team, I know we've all experienced that, that very special and unique bond. Your romantic partner fulfills a need in your life, but your best girlfriend, that's a different--and sometimes an even more important--relationship. It can outlast any other relationship in your life and be the repository for all your deepest feelings and insecurities. So having a team that understands that and will treat it with care is so important."

What do you think of these Smallville Easter eggs in Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #2? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

To an extent, every comic reader has a hyperfixation - the character or team that they're thinking about a little too often, or the ongoing title that they know they're buying based on principle alone. Birds of Prey fits both criteria for me, as the ongoing adventures of Black Canary and the DC universe's other heroines have remained particularly important to me for years. Going into DC's newest Birds of Prey ongoing series, I was happy to have any new addition to the team's canon, but I was unprepared for just how stunning those additions would be. Birds of Prey #2 continues the comic's momentum at an exhilarating pace, delivering a character-driven, butt-kicking story that is nothing short of a revelation.

Birds of Prey #2 continues right where the series' debut issue left off, as Black Canary has introduced her new ragtag team--Zealot, Big Barda, Cassandra Cain, and Harley Quinn--to Meridian, an older version of Maps Mizoguchi who has a dire warning about the DCU's future. With the team's mission of rescuing Sin Lance from Themyscira to prevent the end of the world on the horizon, they navigate different points of view, and some unconventional threats, to put their plan into action.

While much of DC's line-wide "Dawn of DC" relaunch has been a success, it cannot be overstated how snugly Birds of Prey fits within that status quo. In a way, issue #2 proves to be a celebration of the larger DCU (or at least, a few pockets of it), allowing for character cameos and location changes that are incredibly effective and fun. This ethos feels very similar to Birds of Prey's earliest days, with the 1990s and 2000s eras of the book becoming a globe-trotting affair. Sure, we already know that this arc is headed to Themyscira, but the way this issue approaches its new set pieces gives me tons of confidence for that element and for whatever other locales await in storylines to come.

But at the same time, this lively and wide-ranging sequence of events does not distract from the Birds themselves. Kelly Thompson's script makes moves--some larger than others--in the arcs of all five of its protagonists, to great success. Dinah's arc is particularly effective, with the issue allowing her to balance her emotional pull towards Sin with her dynamic with the allies surrounding her. (When one of the most prevailing gripes about this run is that Sin is offhandedly referred to as Dinah's "sister" instead of her pre-New 52 status quo of surrogate daughter, you know the comic is doing something right.) Again, the issue's approach to the endearing soap opera of the Birds' lives is not only entertaining in the moment, but provokes excitement for when team mainstays Batgirl and Huntress eventually rejoin the fray.

Entire odes could be written just about Leonardo Romero's art, which settles into a perfect groove when drawing Birds of Prey's ensemble. From the fluidity of a fight scene to the volume of a character's hair to a well-timed sight gag from Harley, Romero approaches each panel with a brilliant perspective. The influence of Alex Toth and Jack Kirby can be seen throughout Romero's visuals, while still unequivocally feeling like something new. Jordie Bellaire does some of the best color work of her career, which is saying something, because her timeless-but-timely approach has been stunning for years. In Birds of Prey #2, Bellaire's approach to yellows, blues, and purples creates a dazzling effect, working perfectly in concert with Romero's art. Clayton Cowles' lettering is a consistent balance to that visual symphony, while still creating pockets for each character's distinct voice to be conveyed.

Birds of Prey #2 is not only a stunning and lively showcase of the titular group's endless potential - it's a breathtaking example of what sequential superhero comics are still capable of achieving. With art that is simultaneously reverential and revolutionary, and a script filled with genuine surprises and a gleeful sense of stakes, this issue is a knockout in every way possible. When the dust settles on the "Dawn of DC" initiative, Birds of Prey will be one of the best--if not the best--comic book to emerge from the experiment.

Published by DC Comics

On October 3, 2023

Written by Kelly Thompson

Art by Leonardo Romero

Colors by Jordie Bellaire

Letters by Clayton Cowles

Cover by Leonardo Romero and Jordie Bellaire

Joker became one of the most unexpected surprises of the comic book movie world, with its gritty reinvention of the DC villain grossing over $1 billion at the global box office. The film's sequel, Joker: Folie a Deux, wrapped production earlier this year, and is set to dive into the dynamic between Arthur Fleck / The Joker (Joaquin Phoenix) and Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga). At the time of this writing, Joker: Folie a Deux is set to begin screening in theaters in exactly one year, with a wide release date currently scheduled for October 4, 2024. Todd Phillips, who directed and co-wrote the film, celebrated the occasion -- as well as the four-year anniversary of the first Joker's debut -- with a new behind-the-scenes photo.

The photo, which shows Phoenix standing in the rain, is captioned "Oct. 4. Thanks for all the messages. Four years ago we had quite a ride. Lots of great memories. More to come."

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What Is Joker 2 about?

Joker: Folie a Deux will be a musical that follows the twisted romance between Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck / Joker and Gaga's Harley Quinn, with a lot of the film reportedly taking place within Arkham Asylum. The film will also feature appearances from Zazie Beetz, Brendon Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Jacob Lofland.

"I actually think it makes wonderful sense," Beetz said of the film being a musical in an interview last year. "I wasn't really surprised by that Todd has always had a creative approach to the character. I love musicals, and I think of them as the characters are feeling and experiencing so much that they can only sing and dance about it, whether in sorrow or in joy. And I can actually see that within myself as well, because singing and dancing is quite a cathartic experience for me. I was going through a really, really difficult time at one point in my life, and I just started dancing and crying by myself. And that was an expression that matched where I was at that moment. And so, I can see Arthur, who is feeling and experiencing so much, dancing and singing about it. He's the Joker, so I think it makes sense to me."

Is Joker 2 Recasting Harley Quinn?

With Joker: Folie a Deux set in DC's "Elseworlds" banner -- existing outside of the continuity of James Gunn and Peter Safran's main DC Universe -- it has been safe to assume that Gaga will not be reprising her role in the larger canon. Still, current Harley actress Margot Robbie has expressed excitement at Gaga carrying the torch of the character.

"It makes me so happy, because I said from the very beginning that all I want is for Harley Quinn to be one of those characters, the way Macbeth or Batman, always gets passed from great actor to great actor," Robbie previously said of Lady Gaga taking on the role. "It's kind of like someone gets to do their Batman, or someone gets to do their Macbeth. I feel like, in not so many cases, are they female characters - Queen Elizabeth I, but beyond that, which I got to have a crack out as well, which I was honored to do. I was like, 'Wow! Cate Blanchett did Queen Elizabeth I. Now I get to.' It's such an honor to have built a foundation strong enough that Harley can now be one of those characters that other actors get to have a go at playing. And I think she'll do something incredible with it."

Are you excited for Joker: Folie a Deux? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

As mentioned above, Joker: Folie a Deux will be released exclusively in theaters on October 4, 2024.

McFarlane Toys opened up pre-orders for two Gold Label releases in their DC Multiverse lineup back in July - an awesome-looking, super-sized Swamp Thing Megafig and a Batman and Batmobile 2-pack inspired by Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film starring Michael Keaton. Both of the releases are Amazon exclusives that sold out quickly. However, the Batmobile was back in stock as of today October 3rd. Details are available below, and don't be surprised if there's another quick sellout.

McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Batman & Batmobile Gold Label 2pk ($74.99) - Order on Amazon: Set includes 7-inch Michael Keaton Batman figure and a Batmobile with a canopy that slides open for cockpit access (the vehicle can accommodate the Batman figure). An art card is also included. As noted, this set sold out almost instantly on Amazon, which is disappointing. It's unfortunate that it was released as an exclusive but, again, we're hoping for a restock in the near future.

McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Swamp Thing Glow in The Dark Edition Gold Label Mega Figure ($49.99) - See on Amazon: Swamp Thing is based on the character's look in DC Rebirth, and features glow-in-the-dark paint. It also includes an alternate head, hand, base, and card stand.

In other McFarlane Toys news, they recently opened up pre-orders for a 7-inch scale DC Multiverse Superman from the DC Comics Hush arc and a Tim Drake Robin from the Robin: Reborn storyline. Details about those releases can be found below.

• DC Multiverse Superman Hush 7-Inch Scale Action Figure ($19.99) - Pre-order at Entertainment Earth / Amazon: Superman is featured in his classic costume and comes with a pair of alternate hands and an art card.
• DC Multiverse Robin Tim Drake Robin: Reborn 7-Inch Scale Action Figure ($19.99) - Pre-order at Entertainment Earth / Amazon: Robin is featured in his classic green and red suit and comes with a bo staff, batarang, and art card.

Scott Derrickson's departure from the Marvel Cinematic Universe was more abrupt and unexpected than, say, Edgar Wright's, but it hasn't put him completely off the idea of doing another superhero project down the line. In an interview in support of V/H/S/85, Derrickson told ComicBook.com that he originally took on Doctor Strange because he thought he could do something interesting with it, and that would still be his bar for any potential return to the superhero space.

In the interview, Derrickson points out that not only is it what would draw him back to superheroes, but it's probably what would also drive audiences back. After all, following a fairly disastrous box office summer, we can look back and see that the IP-driven movies that did best -- Super Mario Bros., Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3, and Barbie -- all came from a very distinctive place and took big swings.

"I didn't make Doctor Strange because it was a Marvel movie or because it was a comic book movie. I made it because it was specifically the Doctor Strange comics, which I loved, and had really strong, powerful feelings about, and felt like I was the right filmmaker to adapt that," Derrickson told ComicBook.com's Chris Killian. "So I would for sure go back to comic book cinema if I was working with something that I felt was a good evolution of the genre. I do think that we're at a point in time where audiences, and myself included, don't want to see anything that's too close to what's been done. I'm much more interested in the daring spinoffs than the daring genre experimentation with comic book cinema. I think that's the way you get audiences to reengage with it is by evolving it significantly. That would be my big requirement to go back into that kind of IP-driven comic book world."

He said he's confident audiences are ready for that next evolution, but that in order to make a big leap, you have to pick the right character and the right story. Regardless, it's probably something that needs to happen, given recent trends in the superhero and broader blockbuster movie space.

"you can make something that's original and people haven't seen before from IP, but it has to be the right IP, and you have to be willing to treat it with originality," Derrickson said. "But I do think that audiences want original programming in their event movies now. That is a major shift that has happened, and it's significant, and I just hope that studios don't continue to flog the sequel franchise filmmaking in a way that costs us more time before they realize, hey, the audiences are really ready for new material."

The V/H/S movies are a kind of microcosm of big, IP-driven moviemaking, in the sense that they're a franchise and driven by multiple filmmakers. Still, not only are they creatively pretty freeing, but Derrickson is one of the biggest names attached to them, allowing him a chance to really dig in.

V/H/S/85, hits Shudder on October 6th

This new sequel is described, "An ominous mixtape blends never before seen snuff footage with nightmarish newscasts and disturbing home video to create a surreal, analog mashup of the forgotten '80s."

Filmmakers who have contributed to this latest installment include Scott Derrickson (Sinister, Doctor Strange, The Black Phone), David Bruckner (The Ritual, Hellraiser - 2022), Gigi Saul Guerrero (Bingo Hell, The Purge TV series), Natasha Kermani (Lucky), and Mike P. Nelson (Wrong Turn - 2021).

Peacemaker might've been one of the biggest DC surprises in recent years, taking the lesser-known titular character and turning him into a household name. The show was renewed for a sophomore season in the spring of 2022, with series creator James Gunn stepping into the role of DC Studios co-CEO later that year. Questions surrounding when and how Peacemaker will fit into the new DC Universe have not slowed down -- but apparently, we're one step closer to it becoming a reality.

In a recent Instagram comment, Gunn confirmed to a fan that he is currently writing Peacemaker Season 2, now that the months-long writers' strike is over. As Gunn put it, he is "writing [Season 2] now."

What Will Peacemaker Season 2 Be About?

Details are currently under wraps about Peacemaker's second season. As series star Jennifer Holland told ComicBook.com shortly after the Season 1 finale, there's a lot of potential for where the ensemble's character dynamic goes next.

"I love her character arc through the whole season," Holland said of her character, Emilia Harcourt. "I think it's really, really nuanced and it doesn't rush itself. I really love the way that it was written into the whole series. I think, for me, I didn't want to hold back. I wanted Harcourt to be as cold and closed off as she could be in the earlier episodes, because I wanted her to really have that full character arc throughout the season."

"I think the interesting thing is that we don't know where she goes from here. She's not exactly an open book now. She still has a lot of demons and a lot of stuff to deal with. Emotionally, she's still very closed off. But she -- at this point, I think -- has finally accepted that it's okay to have a team, and it's okay to have a family. Whereas when we saw her at the beginning of the series, she was such a lone wolf. She felt like she was just carrying everyone else, and everyone else was just a liability to her. She thought she would be better off alone. I think she has accepted that there is value in having a team and having a family."

Will There Be a Peacemaker Spinoff?

While we wait for Peacemaker Season 2, Gunn and Peter Safran's new DC Universe will have Waller, a new spinoff bridging the gap of the narrative between both seasons, and focusing on Viola Davis' Amanda Waller and the fallout from the end of the Season 1 finale of Peacemaker. Watchmen's Christal Henry and Doom Patrol's Jeremy Carver are attached as writers.

"This is also going to have some of Team Peacemaker in it, as the regulars on the show," Gunn told reporters when announcing the DCU slate. "This basically follows up to Peacemaker and is going to be done. We have two great creatives working on it. Christal Henry, who is a writer on Watchmen and Jeremy Carver, who created Doom Patrol, have this incredibly marvelous story worked out that I think is really fantastic and HBO loves. So they're putting this all together."

What do you think of the latest update surrounding Peacemaker Season 2? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!