Batman and Robin Will Never Die!

Is there anyone alive who doesn’t agree that Batman is totally awesome? No? That’s what I thought.

It’s also well documented by anyone who’s ever met me that I have a serious fascination with comic book writer / chaos magician / Scotsman / rockstar / occasional fictional character Grant Morrison, who, by sheer coincidence, has been guiding the adventures of the Dark Knight for the past 7 years or so as the man behind the pen. The good folks at Tor.com were kind of enough to let me indulge my Morrison obsession and love for clever poetic puzzles, and I re-read his entire story (so far) to provide a critical analysis of what appears to be his deconstruction of the identity of Batman — both as a symbol or piece of mythology, and as the man himself behind the mask, Bruce Wayne.

This undertaking proved to be much more epic than I had originally anticipated, but I’m still quite pleased with the end results. So check it out, even if you haven’t read all of Morrison’s Bat-epic (but really, you should probably do that).

“How Grant Morrison’s 7-Year Batman Epic is Becoming the Ultimate Definition of Batman” on Tor Dot Com

“It’s never as bad as it seems. You’re much stronger than you think you are.”

Three years ago, I lost my oldest friend to suicide. It’s something I still live with every day, even if he doesn’t. I just wanted to take a moment In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Week to share an important truth spoken by one of our greatest heroes, to remind us all of the truth in the face of overwhelming emotional adversity:

Never forget that.

True Believers Production Photos

Here’s a little peek at True Believers, for those of still waiting / unable to see it (or for those of you who want to relive the experience). All photos by Paul Cantillon / LIDEC Photo.

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*cough* Superman sucks *cough*

Here’s a new article I wrote for Tor.com about how Superman is either the most boringest superhero ever or the most powerful example of a modern folkhero — or possibly both. Join the debate! Them be fightin’ words, right?

WARREN ELLIS: CAPTURED GHOSTS Screening

CAPTURED GHOSTS is a brand new documentary by filmmaker Patrick Meaney about Warren Ellis, the “Internet Jesus” himself and one of my personal favorite writers of all time. I’m putting together a preview screening of the film in Boston on January 7, featuring a Q+A with the director. Here’s the official blurb:

The film features the most extensive interview Ellis has ever given, and spans his life, from his first memory watching the moon landing as a child, to his recent cross-media success with the film adaptation of Red. Along the way, Ellis’s acerbic wit and core belief in humanity comes across like never before.

Complimenting Ellis’s own words are interviews with his artistic collaborators, friends and admirers from across all media, including actress Helen Mirren, Director Joss Whedon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), comedian Patton Oswalt, Adult Film Star Stoya, Musician Claudio Sanchez (of Coheed and Cambria), comics writers Matt Fraction and Antony Johnston, and futurist Jamais Cascio. Ellis’s comics collaborators like Marvel Comics CCO Joe Quesada, artists Darick Robertson, Ben Templesmith and Phil Jimenez also provide insight into Ellis’s mind and creative workings. The film features numerous ambient interludes that spotlight Ellis’s prose and writing from both his online columns and his comics.

And the trailer:

It’s a pretty impressive list of celebrity interviews, if I do say so myself. I saw Patrick’s last documentary, Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods (which can be streamed in its entirety on Hulu), which was absolutely fantastic. If that’s any indication, then this new Warren Ellis film should be particularly awesome.

If you’re fan of science, comic books, the future, the creative process, or Helen Mirren, I’d encourage you to come check the screening! (and if you’re hesitant and not at all familiar with Warren Ellis’s body of work, here’s a particular powerful scene from a book of his called Doktor Sleepless. That’ll give you a taste of the kind of mind this man has)

Tickets here! Get yer tickets!

Genesis

This week on FiveByFiveHundred.com, I explore and re-interpret the story of creation as told in the Bible, revealing the true roots of human history.

“Creation Myth” on FiveByFiveHundred.com