Princess Obama addresses the galaxy

Hi, everybody. This weekend, our hearts are with the people of the Lars Moisture Farm—another Tatooinian community shattered by unspeakable violence. We salute the first responders—the Jedi, the Medical droids—who responded so quickly, with such courage, and saved lives. May the Force be with the injured as they fight to recover from their wounds.

Most of all, we stand with the Lars and Skywalker families whose hearts are broken. We’re learning more about their loved ones—the men and women, the beautiful lives, that were lost. They were doing what so many of us do this time of year—enjoying Life Day. Celebrating with each other. Rejoicing in the bonds of friendship and community that surround us and bind the galaxy together, as Tatooinians. Their deaths are an absolute tragedy, not just for the Lars Moisture Farm, but for all the outer rim territories.

We’re also learning more about the killers. And we’re working to get a full picture of their motives—why they committed these revolting acts. It’s important to let the Jedi do their job. We need to know all the facts. And at my direction, the Jedi are helping in every way that they can. We’re going to get to the bottom of this.

It is entirely possible that these two attackers were radicalized to commit this act of terror. And if so, it would underscore a threat we’ve been focused on for years—the danger of people succumbing to the Dark Side. We know that the Sith and other Empire groups are actively encouraging people—around the galaxy and in the outer rim territories—to commit terrible acts of violence, often times as lone nerf actors. And even as we work to prevent attacks, all of us—Rebel Alliance, Jedi, communities, faith leaders—need to work together to prevent people from falling victim to the Dark Side.

More broadly, this tragedy reminds us of our obligation to do everything in our power, together, to keep our communities safe. We know that the killers at the Lars Moisture Farm used Empire-style assault weapons—weapons of war—to kill as many people as they could. It’s another tragic reminder that here on Tatooine it’s way too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on a blaster.

For example, right now, people on the No-Fly list can walk into a store and buy a blaster. That is insane. If you’re too dangerous to board a transport, you’re too dangerous, by definition, to buy a blaster. And so I’m calling on the regional governors to close this loophole, now. We may not be able to prevent every tragedy, but—at a bare minimum—we shouldn’t be making it so easy for potential Sith Lords or scoundrels to get their hands on a blaster that they could use against Tatooinians.

Today at the Lars Moisture Farm, Jedi are searching for answers. Across our galaxy, Jedi are tireless. They’re working around the clock—as always—to protect our communities. As Princess, my highest priority is the security and safety of the Tatooinian people. This is work that should unite us all—as Tatooinians—so that we’re doing everything in our power to defend our planet. That’s how we can honor the lives we lost at the Lars Moisture Farm. That’s how we can send a message to all those who would try to hurt us. We are Tatooinians. We will uphold our values—a free and open planet. We are strong. And we are resilient. And we will not be terrorized.

May the force be with us all and live from Coruscant, it’s Saturday Night.

Quarters Glued to My Silver Lining

Originally printed in the Nov ‘14 edition of the Highburn Studios newsletter. 

You ever have one of those days where you think to yourself, “I shoulda stayed in bed.” That’s pretty much been my whole week. I mean…I don’t have a broken foot or anything, but it still sucked. Sorry, Mike.

      First, our downstairs neighbor decided to AGAIN play his stereo so loud that it shook the floor of our shitty, tiny apartment. Since I had already asked him in person about keeping the noise down a bit, I felt I shouldn’t have to do it again. However, my taxes pay the salaries of a few city officials who have no problem doing that sort of thing. After Smokey tells him to knock it off however, he comes to our door to tell us what he had just done, letting everyone know who the crotchety old man who called the cops and busted up the party was. 10 min after the police leave not only is the stereo louder than before, but Junior (I’m gonna refer to him as “Junior” because he acts like a child, he is in fact OLDER THAN ME!) downstairs decides to start slamming his door and talk nonsense to our other neighbors about me and my wife. This is when I start to get upset because his actions have now made my wife feel unsafe in her own home. Pappa no likey.       Then, after informing our apartment leasing office about the incident, we are told that because they screwed up the accounts, we actually owe them more money than they’ve already been paid from our auto drafted account. Well, at least we weren’t saving up for an important vacation or anything…OH WAIT…WE WERE! Turns out that we either have to pay $XXXX dollars to get out of our lease, or move into another unit starting a BRAND NEW LEASE (we really don’t wanna live here anymore) all in the same 30 day span that my wife and I were gonna try to spend our 6th wedding anniversary by driving from FL to Washington DC. Thank God my wife has an amazing financial mind so I didn’t have to worry about that too much. I got to worry about the next thing…       Next, we needed to make sure that my very sound and sturdy 1998 Ford Explorer was as sound and sturdy as I believe it to be, so I took it in for an earlier-than-scheduled oil change and general once over at my local Firestone (they’re great BTW). I brought a book (Tina Fey’s Bossypants, a GREAT read, definitely the Firestone of books) ‘cause I thought it might take a minute because I almost never make an appointment to my wife’s dismay. So I get called to the counter and the guy asks, “You been hearin’ some clickin’ when you drive ‘er?” I stumbled over my confirmation because at that moment the thought of my wife making a clicking noise like thePredator while I would “drive ‘er” could not be shaken from the forefront of my consciousness. Turns out that my car’s boot (cars don’t wear Uggs), that’s attached to the arm (cars don’t have arms…unless they’re from Pixar) was completely torn off (wait, the boot was torn or the arms was tor…wait a sec, that’s a stupid question…never mind). Long story short, my $30 dollar oil change required an extra zero when it was all said and done.       But then, when I got home and checked my Facebook account, I saw that the problems of this week had been made into a warm mug of cocoa and the darkness and creepy organ music had turned to blinding light and a chorus of the heavenly host singing their most powerful vibrato. For I…had received…my first piece of hate mail.        Some of you may know (fewer of you may care) that, in addition to working with the Highburn gang on the occasional funny book, I have been working on a very small comic strip titled…(ahem ahem) THE FIRST ADVENTURES ON EARTH WITH ADAM & STEVE! (cue rim shot) While this may sound like a gay romp both literally and figuratively, I can assure you that it’s only figuratively. It’s about a skeleton and his dinosaur pal having fun, playing jokes, and learning small truths in this new place called Earth. Think if Calvin was dead and Hobbs was the size of a house. My good friend, Caitlyn Guettler (the ‘u’ is silent), has poured her heart and soul into illustrating my insane ramblings and has made it something we are both very proud of.   *If you have not read the first 2 strips of Adam & Steve or at least seen the movieEmpire Records, stop reading this and go read/watch them/it right now or the rest of this won’t be as funny.        So as not to give this troll any more attention that he so clearly desired he will from here on out be referred to as “Warren”. Warren also happens to be an author/illustrator (probably because he couldn’t convince an artist to work with his crazy ass) of his own heavily religious-themed single-panel strip. It’s drawn well enough, but because of his chosen content it lacks in chuckles…but that’s just this hell-bound heathen’s opinion. Although our correspondence was brief, I believe it was very revealing about…well…a lot of things. I’ve transcribed it verbatim below so that you can come to your own conclusions, I’ve also added some colorful commentary so that you can come to your own giggles.   Tuesday 3:13pm HIM: (The very first thing he sent me was one of his own strips. At the bottom was a portion of the New Testament Bible verse Revelation 22:19 which basically says, if any man changes the words of the book, his name will be stricken from the book. Not sure if this strip was specifically chosen or if these were even his thoughts on the matter.)   HIM: www.(the guy’s website).(whateves)   (Because I have a life, a wife, and no strife I check messages when it suits me and my schedule.)   Wednesday 6:50am ME: Sooo...I take it you DON'T like our strip?   (He wrote, hoping for some clarification on the vague message.)   Wednesday 11:44am (Must be nice to get the workday started just as Price is Right is almost over…jerk.) HIM: Mornin'. I wanted to give you an example of how you could have fun with Biblical subject matter.   (If I can quote Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, AND I CAN, “You forget yourself [Warren]. I ask for neither your company or council.” Which is to say, “BITCH, I DON’T REMEMER ASKIN’ FOR YO HEP WIT MY ART!” But I decide to take the high road instead.)   Wednesday 6:40pm ME: Oh, ok. Thanx man!   (Just like RDJ’s Tony Stark wants it done. “Absorb and deflect.”)   HIM: Is your title "Adam & Steve" connected to the Gay slogan?   (You mean the gay bashing slogan? Boy the view from this high road is really nice.)   ME: Our title is more about taking the sting out of that phrase.   (Now I’m considering the fact that “If you have to explain the joke, it isn’t funny.” However given that my joke of a title is pretty clear and his work couldn’t make Jimmy Fallon break, my confidence in my writing ability is NOT wavering.)   HIM: Why would you want to do that? "Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created." ~ Gen. 5:2   (You know I never realized this before but, according to that verse, God made The Adam’s Family. I gotta talk to a realtor and see if anything is available to rent on High Rd.)   ME: Well, thank you for taking an interest in our strip. I hope you keep checking in on us.   (Emperor Palpatine voice to myself in the mirror: “I can feel your sarcasm. It makes you strong.”)   HIM: I'm interested in anyone who has something fresh to say with their work. But I was hoping you would explain why you would go out of your way to promote something so wicked and un-natural.   (ALL RIGHT! THAT’S IT! STRIKE 3, PAL! I GOT MUD TIRES ON THIS BITCH SO I’M TAKING “THE FUN WAY” FROM HIGH RD. DOWN TO SARCASM STREET!)   Thursday 7:48am ME: Upon further review of my work thus far (all 2 strips); I would just like to thank you for bringing me to the realization that I had indeed been promoting something that is truly “something so wicked and unnatural.” How could I have not seen this? It was right in front of my face the entire time! IT IS HORIBLY UNATUAL for a dinosaur to put his face into a pile of candy and wear it as a Halloween costume. WHAT’S WORSE IS THE WICKEDNESS that someone mixed in Candy Canes with the other Halloween candy! I cannot let this stand! I hope you will spread the word about preserving the purity of our holiday treats! THE REVOLUTION BEGINS NOW! Go forth in peace my brother. And let us never speak of these unholy acts EVER AGAIN!   (You have failed your highness. I am a smartass. Like my father before me.)   Thursday 11:27am (ARE YOU SERIOUS? Why would you not wanna at least see the Showcase Showdown before you sit to spew hate?) HIM: Morning, I was referring to your admitted strategy of using your dinosaurs and candy toons to make the gay phrasing more sweet. It is actually the same MO that pedophiles use when offering candy to kids on the street. Well done!   Aaand then the chicken shit blocked me. This made me laugh so hard I nearly fell out of my chair. Only a complete moron would look at a cute strip about a skeleton and a dinosaur and, just because of the title, immediately jump to the conclusion that I’m on the same level as a pedophile. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to read it.   So since he didn’t bother to ask I’m gonna lay out 2 lists that might have made this whole interaction a lot smoother…less funny…but smoother.   TODD FACTS 1. My father was a Baptist minister. Got saved when I was 4. I went to a very well-known private religious school (where my father had graduated from with a Masters of Divinity) from K5 – 8th grade, where we had chapel EVERY DAY. Was at church Sunday morning, Sunday evening, AND Wednesday night LIKE CLOCKWORK. Got baptized in high school. Bible summer camp more times than I can recall. I was voted onto the leadership council of my youth group, TWICE. Mission trip to a foreign country before I could drive. Dad also held a Bible study group in our home Tuesday nights for MANY years. I studied Old Testament in college, loved it, and got an A. 2. My oldest brother is gay, and I love him. 3. I’ve written comic books, comic strips, reviews, essays, speeches, lectures, stand-up comedy, poems, lesson plans, recipes, short stories, screenplays, and TV pilot/series proposals…some of which were based on Biblical teachings. I DO NOT need to be shown anything. 4. If you can’t take (or understand) my jokes…maybe I’M not the one with a problem. 5. Jesus preached love above all else...to everyone…no matter what…just as he loved us. We were not called to be Judge Judy and The Undertaker. Hate comes from knowing no other way. It’s hard to love when you’re sad. I’ve spent my entire life trying to make people laugh. When you laugh, you’re not sad…which makes it a hellava lot easier to love. If this strip helps one person to chuckle, even just a little bit, than I’ve helped create love in the world. Life is too short to spend it pointing out people’s flaws. I’d rather tell a joke…that makes someone laugh.   Just a few things to keep in mind about me so you don’t make me have to embarrass you while you stand in front of my table trying to compare brainpans or moral compasses while wearing a costume that’s too tight. Now, for some general knowledge…   HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS IN THE COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY 1. State that you know how to do someone’s art better than they do. 2. Force your own religious text down their throat. Nothing like adding insult to injury. 3. Insinuate that they are a pedophile. Always a good idea to do this to someone who’s spent 20 years in martial artist and 10 years in law enforcement.   Hope this has made you chuckle, even just a little bit. Now go make some love in the world!*   * - Highburn Studios does not condone the making of love with anyone who is not a completely willing participant.   Until next time, HighburNATION! Sing it if you know it!   This little light of miiine, I’m gonna let it… Burn Bright! Todd A. Davis Head Writer Highburn Studios

TODD DAVIS JOINS HIGHBURN STUDIOS

TODD DAVIS JOINS HIGHBURN STUDIOS  *and is immediately promoted to head writer..being he is the only writer

Originally printed in the Oct '14 edition of the Highburn Studios newsletter. 

Hey HighburNATION! It’s your favorite simple silly scribe again…no…no, not him either…TODD A. DAVIS!!! Come on you guys! I’m the only writer here! (whispering affirmation) Give them time. They’ll love your rhyme. Give them time. They’ll love your rhyme. Give them time. They’ll love your rhyme. Deep breath…aaand-OK…this past week was a busy one.   Wednesday, I participated in my first ever stand-up comedy showcase. I didn't have to travel very far because it was hosted by and at my day job, Eastern Florida State College. The event was a first in attempt to build creative activities that teach, inspire, and help our students grow into bright, productive, and sometimes funny adults. Our MC was the side-splittingly funny Duncan Jay along with his sidekick, Logan Wells! In the end my set won out over the students in what I consider to be the most nerve rackingly fun event I've ever tried. The prize? A gift bag of assorted EFSC goodies from the bookstore, the title of “Jester of the Semester”, and a guaranteed spot at a local club managed by Duncan Jay! SO WATCH OUT COMEDY WORLD! HERE I COME…to…stand in the back and pretend to be a cool kid.   Thursday night…ok, Friday morning (those candies AREN’T gonna crush themselves) I put the finishing touches on Issue 1 of the new project Michael Watkins and I mentioned on the Name Redacted Podcast. I’m so glad to be working with Mike on this! We really think you’ll get plenty of laughs and…um… “other enjoyment” out of it as well. Some folks even think it might make a good (ahem) animated series.   Saturday morning, I took part in my first ever 24 Hour Comic Book Day at my local comic book shop. But I should start by saying, my wife and I don’t get much time together. She has a regular 9 to 5, and I work 2nd shift hours as security at EFSC. This means that our weekends are sacrosanct! I am, however, the luckiest man on Earth because I have a loving and supportive wife who says, “Sure honey, you go to the comic book shop and work on a story. I’ll just sit here in my nighty and watch cartoons.” Did I mention that I’m also the dumbest man on Earth? I made it just in time to find out I was the only one to bother showing up ON TIME! “This isn’t a good sign,” I thought. But I don’t give up that easy. I sat down with my blank legal pad and began to scribble my little heart out. Soon, an artist came and plopped his bag of artist do-hickys (That’s what they’re called right Mike?) at the other end of the table. “Hi! I’m Todd!” “Hey. I’m Clearly Not Interested In Anything You Have To Say Or Contribute Because I've Been Doing This For Years And Even Though I've Never Met You And Can’t Be Bothered To Even Consider Working With You Or Even Hearing Your Idea Because I Know That I’m Better Than You.” “Oh…OK.” “Most people know me as CNIIAYHTSOCBIBDTFYAETINMYACBBTECWWYOEHYIBIKTIBTY, but you can call me Asshole for short.” “So, Asshole, what are you gonna be working on?” “Well, I already have a shelf full of my works from previous years. Last Year I wrote 24 pages about me trying to come up with 24 pages, so…we’ll see.”   A few more minutes went by, then another artist crash landed…   (cautiously) “Hi. I’m Todd. Are you an artist?” “I SURE AM MY NAME IS IDIOT!!!” “Whoa, ok…Would you like to work together on my script?” “OH MAN I TOTALLY WOULD BUT I’M ALREADY WORKING ON A BOOK OF MY OWN WANNA SEE?!?!?!” “Sure.” (Idiot fumbles for his doodles in his fanny pack) “Wow…it’s a fat guy with horns?” (vigorously nodding) “YEP AND THIS IS A DOG MADE OUTTA CRYSTALS WITH A HUMAN HEAD THAT’S WAAAY TOO BIG FOR IT’S BODY!!!” “Um… “It’s”? You don’t know…” “WHAT?” “Never mind. And what’s this one?” “THAT’S A PERSON WITH A MENTAL HANDICAP AND THEIR RIGHT ARM IS MADE OUTTA SPAGHETTI!!!” “Oh. I thought it was an octopus tentacle.” “YES IT IS!!!”   After I check the police blotter on my phone for escaped mental patients, another one…just…well, here’s how it went…   (plops down a bag of artist do-hickys so big it would rival any elementary school art teacher) (despondently) “Are you an artist?” (still looking at iPhone) “mmhmm.” “Do you have a story?” “nooope.” “Oh! Well, my name is Todd! Would you like to work together?” “my name is flakey…i’m just here to doooooodle, but thanx anywaz.” (begins digging in bag for snacks while still glued to iPhone) [at that moment, another girl walks up…] (desperately) “My name is Todd. I’m a writer. Do You Have SOMEONE To Work With?” (motions to flakey) “Oh, I’m just here to support my friend.” [flakey is now Instagraming her snack size Duritos bag]   So I sat down and finished pouring my ideas onto the page. And it went very smoothly. I established a time frame, characters, story structure AND even began to jot down notes for the characters costumes. I filled two pages (hand written) and when I was done I can honestly say I had a story I was really jazzed about, but as I looked around the room I finally realized why nobody wanted to work with me…24 hours, is all the time these people could dedicate to a project.   We at Highburn Studios strive to give you the best in storytelling and graphic art. That means…it’s gonna take a while. Rome was not built in a day, but in the next few months (and hopefully years) we have got some really great projects that YOU will be able to get your hands on and enjoy. In the meantime, sit back, relax, and enjoy our musings. Friend us, follow us, poke us (but not too rough) on social media and come by our table at the next show and say hello! 'Till next time… Burn bright! Todd A. Davis Head Writer Highburn Studios

30 days of the Knight - Part 5

30 days of the Knight

My month-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Batman

By Todd Davis

Part 5 – The Legend

The new Batman saga was a massive achievement. Nobody thought the franchise could be brought back after (slight wretch) bat-nipples. But let’s be honest, they made some great movies.

Great writer + great director + great cast + great score + great cinematography = great movies…most of the time anyways.

Everyone loves those movies. Studio, Critics, Fans…everyone. Begins answers the question posed in ’89, “What do you think something like this does to a kid?”

Gotham Knights brings back Kevin Conroy filling gaps in the saga in with even more nerdy goodness. Think The Animatrix…with Batman!

Dark Knight is Heath Ledger’s movie.

Rises?...(sigh) Rises had the deck stacked in its favor as much as possible. But with the death of Ledger and the shooting in Aurora, Colorado…Rises is not the worst 3rd installment in a comic book movie franchise.

The Nolaniverse is not perfect, it’s is the culmination of the best parts of the mythology presented in the best possible way…just like us.

  I went back home this week to South Carolina, and while I was there I saw the 3 men most responsible for who I am today.

My Master, who taught me how to do, what some consider to be, the impossible.

My Partner, who taught me when I should AND SHOULDN’T attempt the impossible.

and on the 75th Anniversary of the creation of the greatest figure in modern American literature, I went to breakfast with my Father on his 70th birthday.

Dad is not a perfect man. But he said he’s “glad to make it to 70…’s a long time.” I can see him thinking about it all. His childhood, his military service, Mom, his boys, their kids. He takes a drag of his cigarette. “So, ready for breakfast?” That’s my Dad. He experiences the moment in the moment and when the moment is gone it’s on to the next moment.

My master: “Don’t wait! Just kick him in the head!”

My partner: “Stroke ‘em a ticket, or berate ‘em verbally…NEVER both.”

I went to breakfast some years ago. I told him that Kat was the woman I wanted to make my wife. He said, “So, go get her.”

From these men I did not learn how to become a world renowned martial arts star, an ace crime fighter, or even a good husband. I but I learned enough things to do (some not to do) to make me the man I am today.

This month has been great revisiting all of my favorite Batmoments! But, I think that if there was anything to learn here it’s that, Batman is the panicle of human achievement, both mentally and physically. He’s everything we’re not, but everything we could be…and we are given that opportunity every day. The things I’ve learned from my Jim Gordon, my Robin, and my Alfred have helped make me into the best version of myself that I can be. Not perfect…the best.

Tell your allies thank you. Tell them you love them. Tell them you appreciate what they’ve done for you and what they mean to you. Hold them close.

Ok, enough of this…time for me and Katwoman to go hang up side down…AND SLEEP…you pervert.

  Walton Snyder Davis Jr.

Happy Birthday Dad!

30 days of the Knight - Part 4

30 days of the Knight

My month-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Batman

By Todd Davis

Part 4 – My Crime Alley

This week I focused on the animated Bat and, to be honest, I’m in a bit of a pickle. Should I dole out all of my affinity for the Bruniniverse (Bruce Timm + Paul Dini x TAS) and all things Kevin Conroy? Or should I complain about all the things that the ‘based on’, straight to Blu-ray flicks got wrong?

It’s hard to see anything animated and not hear Kevin Conroy’s voice. Even Kevin Smith has stated that whenever he reads a Batman comic…he hears Mr. Conroy. So say we all!

And while Year One and Under The Red Hood are great watches, Dark Knight Returns seems…dated? I know that’s weird cause the movie just came out last year, but (sigh) there’s more than a few things wrong with DKR…the movie. While we’re at it, anybody else NOT a big fan of DK Strikes Again? Strikes Again will always in my mind be everything that cut out of DKR.

Bruce Greenwood > Ben McKenzie = Capt. Pike > uh…wait a sec… who is this McKenzie guy again? (looking up on IMDb) oh yeah…that guy…but isn’t he playing (scrolls down) weird. In that case…

Conroy’s Batman > Weller’s Batman < Greenwood’s Batman > Bader’s Batman > Ben McKenzie < Cranston’s Gordon < Hastings’ Gordon

I remember seeing Mask of The Phantasm in theatres! Holy crap, Batman! It was IS amazing…of course that’s assuming you actually finish watching the movie (ahem!). Coulda done without the tune from Tia Carrere though. NOT Excellent.

“My Crime Alley?” yeah, I’ve been putting it off.

While doing some chores around the apartment I like to put on episodes of a TV show to drown out the noise of the ever barking dog across the alley, the always screaming kids above AND below us, and the drunken ramblings of our neighbors on either side of us…if only the parents would…wait a sec…drunken neighbors…screaming kids, AH! It all makes sense now.

I put on an episode of Scrubs the other day, “My Screwup”. It got to the part (SPOILyou know what…FUCK you if you haven’t seen it by now!) where Dr. Cox finally accepts that his best friend (brother-in-law) has died. I thought about my mom…then I thought about Batman.

I’ve been a Batman fan for a very long time now and I always put aside the notion that a man dressed up as a bat fighting crime is stupid. It IS stupid. And to be honest I never really understood what can make an adult man want to put on a costume and fight crime…and then my mom died.

Mom wasn’t shot during a mugging in a dark alley. She wasn’t the victim of any crime at all. She got sick, she died, then my world fell apart. Mom was the glue for our family. The rock. Our family without mom was like an ice cube on a hot day, it melted down and drained away till there was nothing left. I remember seeing her in the coffin. I was so angry that all I could do was cry. Not a sad cry, an ANGRY cry. “Why did this happen?” “It’s not fair.” I even blamed God. Stopped going to church. “This time, you’re wrong.” Then I wrote my first book. Poured out all of my negative energy onto the paper. Then I typed the words, “The End.” I never felt such a relief. Like I Literally took a heavy backpack off and threw it on the ground. Bruce Wayne never wrote his book. Although he’s had opportunities to get over it and move on, he is still in Crime Alley, crying over the bodies of his parents.

I’ll never forget my mom. And I’ll always remember the instant I saw her body in the coffin. But, instead of looking back…I look forward. I look forward to when I’ll see my friends again. I look forward to my wife coming home and eating dinner. And I look forward to a special birthday this month.

Tune in next week!

Oh yeah…I also look forward to Batman Day!

  Patricia Jane Davis

March 17, 1944 – June 18, 2003

This was how she looked the last time I “saw” her.

Thanks for listening, Mom.

30 days of the Knight - Part 3

30 days of the Knight

My month-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Batman

By Todd Davis

Part 3 – More Batman than Batman

Sorry folks! I thought it was Tuesday instead of…Nevermind.

Before there is a single Burton inspired frame of film, ’89 BELONGS to Danny Elfman. The sweeping score was the first signal (see what I did there?) that this Batman…OUR Batman, would now be taken seriously. They were still able to work in some silly things from the 60’s though; Vicky’s camera acting as the “POW”, a car that made us all drool, and Prince (ok he was born in ’58…very silly though).

’89 saw the first of many now staples of the Bat; Elfman’s score (we’ll get to that more next week), the threatening of having someone’s lungs ripped out, and the backfist…OH THE BACKFIST. Martial artists work, sweat, break, and bleed for the chance to have the perfect backfist.

We'll just ignore the fact that Batman murdered this guy.

Burton’s film was also the first time that the comics were heavily relied upon for story direction. Jack falling into the chemicals that turn him into the Joker is a centerpiece in Alan Moore’s The Killing Joke.

Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns also lent inspiration to the cast and crew, not some much for material but tone. DKR was one of the earlier comics to be advertised in mainstream media and thus garner mainstream attention.

The last 3 films in what my box set jokingly describes as an “Anthology” are just that…jokes. 1 Christmas movie and 2 attempts to recapture ’66. “Why do we fall?”

They did show us a really cool way to do the laundry...and get yelled at by Mom for trying it.

As we draw closer and closer to Batman Day on July 23rd (Batman first appeared in the series “Detective Comics” in issue #27, on March 30, 1939), I wonder where the character would be now if it hadn’t been for the creators (PLURAL), writers, and artists who pulled something dark from within themselves and gave it to this character that brings the light to so many people all over the world…as well as the people who made me the man I am and just what it is that I bring to this recklessly spinning ball.

Tune in next week!

Bob Hastings

April 18, 1925 – June 30, 2014

Voice of Commissioner Gordon (TAS)

“One of these days, I’m gonna nail his feet to the ground.”

30 days of the Knight - Part 2

30 days of the Knight

My month-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Batman

By Todd Davis

Part 2 – Batfan-tastic…and tragic.

This week I got a little behind with my celebration of all things Batman. Wrapping up my pitch for the NBC Playground contest filled most of my weekend. But I was able to catch up on a few missed issues, watch the serials from the 40’s, the ’66 movie on BluRay (which looks amazing BTW), and even the Scooby Doo crossover episode (yes…I own that).

I think we really need shows like Family Guy to take at the crack at making it easier to laugh at the racism of yesteryear, like the first chapter of the ’43 serial. “…a wise government rounded up the shifty eyed Japs…” What the WHAT!?!?!?

Seeing the 1st serial, with its stiltedness, very cue-card-read dialogue, and choppy editing against its’ successor is like seeing a young Rocky Balboa pre-then-post montage.

You can see that if the 1st serial was the Burton movies (minus the racism) then the 2nd is definitely more akin to the Nolanverse. Bats even used radiated money to find bad guys!

Not much changed from the ’49 serial to the ‘66 TV show…except color…and tone…and writing, production value, guest appearances, cultural reaction, international success, longevity. Nevermind.

However, NOTHING captures the true vintage Batman like the first issue of the DC/Dynamite crossover event Batman ’66 meets The Green Hornet.

Ralph Garman’s story thus far has been a breath of fresh air for those who have a fondness for the Batman gone by. Throw in the absolutely stunning covers by Alex Ross…I can’t love this mini-series more!

For a good companion piece to this and the ’66 movie, I suggest the Scooby Doo Team-Up that came out back in November of last year. I feel slighted because this should’ve been a 3rd episode to what came out in the 70’s.

This leads me to Kevin Smith’s turn on the Dark Knight with stories like Cacophony and Widening Gyre. I didn’t mention Smith when I talked about ‘66/GH crossover because it is glaringly obvious that He had little to do with it. Kevin Smith’s work in the world of the caped crusader feels like deleted scenes from Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. By Smith’s own admission he let Flanagan determine what should be in the book. Excuse me Mr. Smith…isn’t that what the writer does? And speaking of writing, as a Batfan, I would think one would relish the chance to write for the voice of Bruce Wayne to be heard in our heads in the voice of Kevin Conroy. But instead it seems like transcripts between you and your friends. When I read Bruce’s words I don’t hear Kevin Conroy…I hear Kevin Smith. Onomatopoeia is a wonderful character and thank you for adding him to the Rogues Gallery…just leave the cape and the cowl to someone else…please. (dismounting the soapbox)

Casey Kasem

April 27, 1932 – June 15, 2014

Voice of Robin and Shaggy

Holy Zoinks, Batman!

30 Days of the Knight - Part 1

30 days of the Knight

My month-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Batman

By Todd Davis

  Part 1 - Holy G[CENSORED]M Batman!

This past weekend The wife and I went to HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC. I’ve been attending the show since 1996 and, just a side note here, having since moved to FL, it was kinda weird being in a town that wasn’t home yet felt very familiar.

I had some time to kill between flights while Kitty played games on her iPhone. I had brought along the current Batman series #29 – 31 which I’d been saving while Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was in its 1st season run. If you’re not reading Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo’s Batman, do yourself a favor and go get Vol 4: Secret City and start there, because after the current story (Zero Year) wraps up you’re definitely gonna wanna read volumes 1-3.

As a fan of the bat, or Batfan, I’ve loved the darker versions of the caped crusader since I can remember having to cover my eyes at the reveal of Nicholson’s Joker in Tim Burton’s 1989 film.

Snyder’s haunting words (Joker’s “what have I been up to lately” speech to Gordon will keep you up at night) combined with Capullo’s “slightly cartoony” style honed from his Spawn days (his Commisioner Gordon makes me think of Santa Claus after a solid year of WeightWatchers, my dad before my mom passed away) make for the best Batman stories ever told.

And I’m not the only one who thinks so either, a quick scroll down of Vol 1: Court of Owls’ Amazon.com page will reveal that everyone from USA Today, NY Times, and EW feel the same way

In addition to the comics I brought along, I also had a few podcasts specifically chosen to kick off this month long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Batman loaded onto my iPod.

The first was a panel from WonderCon earlier this year broadcast on the SMOD Co Podcast Network (available on iTunes) as Fatman on Batman Episode #68. A question was asked by moderator John Cunningham of DC Comics at 8:23, “Who is your favorite Batman villain? and Why?” After a few of the more “duh” answers were thrown out, Kevin Smith gave the best answer at 10:25, “…his humanity.” This is the first of many truths about the character that is also one of the reasons we as a culture have clung to this story about a guy in a silly costume…he is his own worst enemy. How many times could he’ve lived a normal life if he’d just get over his parents death? How many lives could he’ve saved if he’d just kill Joker? How many times would I’ve come out on top if I’d just raise my hand? How many times could I’ve made a change if I had just…if I had gone…if I had said…

At the Paley Center’s “Batman at 75” discussion, where Fatman on Batman gained their Episode #69, the host of the evening, Whitney Matheson of USA Today asked, Where do we go from here? In terms of ‘so much has been done with the character, what’s left?’ This was brought on by the rant from Kevin Smith about the validity of each incarnation of Batman; ’66, ’89, the “Nolanverse”, and the video games. Smith brings up a very valid idea, “There should be a division at Warner Bros. that just makes Batman movies.” Imagine a Batman movie by Paul Verhoeven, David Fincher, or Clint Eastwood.

Allow me to toss my ideas for my Batman movie in the ring. Period piece. Shot in black and white. Starring Jon Hamm in the title role.

The Biltmore Estate for Wayne Manor.

The Batmobile is a custom 1939 Lincoln Zephyr.

After Bruce returns from abroad and ventures out as The Batman, he encounters a gang 27 members whose figure head is The Red Hood. Need I say more?

As I closed the cover to Snyder and Capullo’s Batman #31,

I thought two things; When is that next issue gonna be available at Famous Faces and Funnies (my local comic retailer)?, and why didn’t Batman play Riddler’s game? He knows the riddle he has to give to set the city free. The question we all spend most of our lives trying to answer. “Who am I?”

Kevin Conroy says it best, (come on kids, you know the words) “I AM…”

Eli Wallach

Dec 7, 1915 – June 24, 2014

1966 Batman’s Mr Freeze

Sleep soundly ‘neath the solemn snow.