Tag Archives: Thomas Wayne

The Flashpoint Paradox

John Mayo, of ComicBookPage, and Kay Kellam, of PopArtsPlace, have a spoiler filled discussion about the Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox animated feature which adapts the Flashpoint comic book miniseries which rebooted the DC Universe into the New 52 universe.

Links:
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox @ IMDB.com:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2820466/
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox @ Amazon.com:http://www.amazon.com/Justice-League-Flashpoint-Paradox-Blu-ray/dp/B00CENWUYK/
Discount Comic Book Service: http://www.DCBService.com
Comics Podcast Network: http://www.comicspodcast.com
League of Comic Book Podcasts:http://www.comicbooknoise.com/league/

Email us at TheGuys@ComicBookPage.com

Join the discussion on our forum at: http://forum.comicbookpage.com

This podcast episode originated on the Comic Book Page website:http://www.ComicBookPage.com

Arrow vs. Gotham

Gotham - Another Great Image (C) CW, this one found on Facebook

Gotham – Another Great Image (C) CW, this one found on Facebook

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say I want to take a moment to talk about the DC Universe currently being brought to life on the small screen.  Taking Starling City as presented in CW’s Arrow and Gotham in Fox’s Gotham as the two shows currently shining brightly and with the most episodes to date to talk about.  Yes, Flash now has two episodes out of the box, and will probably garner a few remarks, but Arrow is entering its third season, and with four very solid episodes already out Gotham has a head start on Flash in the department of world and character building.

Over the course of two seasons the CW has shown on Arrow that they can build a solid world.  Without a doubt that may be one of the show’s greatest accomplishments.  Someone who has never read the comic books (myself for instance) can come to the show, a novice when it comes to all of the characters, jump right in with the first episode, and understand virtually everything they are seeing and being exposed to.  Arrow takes the time to explain the things that need explaining, and speaks with authority about things like ARGUS so even when I am not sure what the abbreviation stands for, I am positive it holds meaning in their universe and if I needed to know, they would, in that moment at least, make sure I knew (whether or not I retain the information for the long haul).

Gotham‘s first four episodes do a wonderful job of bringing to life the complex world in which Bruce Wayne evolved from a confused boy seeing his parents brutally murdered into the man we will all come to know as Batman.  He is, right now, learning, discovering, in so many ways he is witnessing and becoming.  Directly and indirectly Bruce Wayne is being influenced by Gotham, and Gotham is helping the boy (whether it means to or not) form the foundation that will in turn create Batman.  Alfred and Detective James Gordon are solid male role models in his life.  Trying to help to understand what he is seeing, trying to explain the complexities of the world around him, and make sense of the way the adult world operates — recognizing that it is not always right, and sometimes our first instinct of what to do, what feels like an easy way to help is not necessarily the best way in which to offer aid.

Where Arrow is full of action and intensity as Oliver Queen and team Arrow take down those who have failed Starling City, Bruce Wayne feels powerless as he is forced by his age and lack of skills to sit by and watch the goings on of a corrupt Gotham.  Gotham is a show about the underside of a city, about the mob-era the inspired a boy to become so much more than it is likely anyone ever imagined he might be, and the criminals who challenged him, inspired him, and convinced him someone had to stand up for what was right, and give his city hope that Gotham could become a better place to live.

Gotham airs Mondays on FOX at 8 PM / 7 Central
Arrow airs Wednesdays on CW at 8 PM / 7 CentralArrowS03

If you haven’t already — check out our Arrow Podcasts:

 Arrow Season 2 Podcast – a spoiler filled discussion of Season 2 with John Mayo of ComicBookPage and Kay Kellam of PopArtsPlace

Arrow Season 1 Podcast – A spoiler filled discussion of Season 1 of Arrow, with John Mayo of ComicBookPage and Kay Kellam of PopArtsPlace

Gotham Chronicle

Gotham Chronicle Story - Waynes Shot Dead

Gotham Chronicle Story – Waynes Shot Dead

Part of the promotion for the Fox show Gotham, which premiers Sept 22 in the United States, has been the website gothamchronicle.com.  Thus far it has had a smattering of content, with some photos, and just a few stories, like the one that will undoubtedly be a striking moment in the pilot episode — the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne, the parents of Bruce Wayne who will grow up to be Batman.

Detective Gordon

Detective Gordon

Gotham, a series which will serve as the origin story of Batman, takes place during the childhood of Bruce Wayne and will feature a host of familiar characters (Penguin, the future Riddler, and the future Catwoman), and faces (David Mazouz, and Jada Pinkett Smith among others).

Based on the list of characters and cast, it seems that Detective Gordon, and the ever popular butler Alfred will also play key roles in the show, perhaps at long last explaining these key friendships in the life of Batman as so many of us know and love the character in his adult years.

You can follow the show on social media:

Facebook:        GOTHAMonFOX
Twitter:             @Gotham / #gotham
Instagram:        @GOTHAMonFOX