BATMAN versus JOKER
Dead Reckoning: Part Five (DC)
Where: Detective Comics #781 When: June 2003
Why: Ed Brubaker How: Tommy Castillo

The Story So Far...
When a mysterious gunman makes an attempt on the life of retired police commissioner, Jim Gordon; it begins a race to unveil the identity of a killer who carries a Two-Face style coin marred on both sides, and a grudge against Gotham's heroes and villains.

When Penguin narrowly avoids a hanging death; Batman becomes involved in uncovering the legacy of a secret plot hatched by those deep within the fraternity of his oldest foes. A plot that inadvertently inducted an innocent citizen, Paul Sloan, into a new generation of criminally insane villains in Gotham City.

With the truth finally revealed, the last piece of Batman's puzzle lies with his greatest opponent! Travelling to Antarctica, Batman attempts to protect the life of the Joker, whilst learning the final chapter in the birth of Charlatan.

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Batman 3 (Athlete)
Intelligence: Batman 5 (Professor)
Speed: Batman 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Draw 5 (Marathon)
Agility: Batman 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting Ability: Batman 5 (Martial Artist)
Energy Power: Batman 4 (Arsenal)


- After witnessing the street murder of his parents, the young Bruce Wayne's destiny was forever shaped to be one dedicated to an ideal. Having spent his formative years studying the various sciences, martial arts, and crime fighting techniques, Bruce is ultimately inspired to become the one-man war on the criminal element in Gotham City: Batman.

Perhaps Batman's greatest power is the millions inherited from his industrialist parents, and the various facilities that came with that. They prove crucial in the design and construction of his many weapons, which are typically non-lethal, and have a variety of uses.

Complimented by his keenly strategic mind is Batman's expertise in the martial arts. He is extensively trained in multiple fighting styles, and commonly regarded to be one of the greatest hand-to-hand fighters in the world. He is also extremely proficient in general urban warfare.

- It has been claimed that he was the victim of one very bad day, which ended with a fall into a vat of chemicals that bleached his skin, dyed his hair, and twisted his face into a permanent grin. The truth of his name and origins remain unknown, but as the Joker, he is one of the most feared killers in Gotham City.

Joker is known to have an aptitude for creating and working with toxins and other chemicals, favouring trademark concoctions that induce uncontrolled laughter, facial distortion, and often, death. Joker is also a proficient strategist, who is said to regularly reinvent his identity as a part of his vendetta against Batman.
The Joker, though not a skilled fighter, is shown to have an inhuman capacity for pain tolerance and recovery.

Additional: While Batman has one of the most impressive lists of nemesis, few characters reach the status of Joker as his arch-villain. Joker's rivalry with Batman has arguably produced the definitive vision of the classic comic book supervillain, defined by; false deaths, personal attacks (deaths), trap and baits, and a continuing relationship unlikely to be resolved.

Their familiarity is built on what must be one of the most visited confrontations in the genre. Despite this, only the atmospheric prose issue of Grant Morrison's Batman has been recorded in the Infinite Wars [Batman #663]. This will be built upon during the month of July, coninciding with the release of The Dark Knight.

History: Batman (1-0-0)
Math: Batman Ranking: Batman (#2)

What Went Down...
In the bilstering cold of the antarctic storm; Batman begins his interrogation of the Joker, lured into a confrontation with the clown prince of crime. He offers Batman the full story behind the mysterious Charlatan, in exchange for a fighting chance freed from his shackles. Batman has complied before Joker even knows it, removing his shackles after tackling him to the ground.

Joker reaches for a dumbell, whilst recounting the circumstances of actor Paul Sloan's recruitment into a plan to deceive Batman with a fake Harvey Dent.
Batman sidesteps Joker's attempt to use the weight as a weapon, using his momentum to vault the clown prince effortlessly through the air.

The villain continues his tale, revealing Sloan's zealous dedication to recreating the Two-Face persona, whilst also perusing larger weights in the frozen gym. He attacks once more, this time with a much larger weight, which Batman uses to pin Joker's throat with, giving him a moment to reflect on the past.

With the identity of a false Two-Face retroactively revealed, Batman is shocked to learn it was Joker who tipped him off to the violent heist! Joker bursts into hysterics over his sabotage of the villain team-up, revealing more of the mystery, while slipping a shiv from his sleeve.

Batman exerts little energy in again proving himself Joker's physical superior. An arm wrench makes disarming the killer easy, and a flag post provides a convenient pacifier for his murderous intent.

Finally the Joker's tale arrives at the fate of Paul Sloan, a man whose indulgance in his criminal persona garnered the attentions of the real Two-Face. Batman learns of the arduous torture Sloan suffered at Harvey Dent's hands, and the grosse mutilation that was dealt.

When Batman chastises his nemesis for involving "civilians," Joker declares the loss of such distinction, bursting into macabre laughter whilst making another lunging attack. His attempts to choke the dark knight are curbed with a characteristic speed, but this time the chalfaced killer lands on his feet!

He springs into an athletic kick, which Batman anticipates, and defends against with a driving elbow into the Joker's swinging knee. The surprisingly durable villain goes down hard, but goes down smiling. Batman takes his arm in a grapevine and asks a final question - a question that reveals Joker's true intentions to distract the dark knight from events unfolding in Gotham!

It is a brief triumph for the Joker, who quickly finds himself shackled once more.

The Hammer...
Despite playing directly into his opponent's plans, it's a fairly comprehensive victory for the Batman!

One would imagine this will be but the first of many, largely due to our focus on the Joker, whose combative relationship is not typically defined by the exchange of fists. I suppose this is somewhat topical for Infinite Wars readers, given the likelihood of an appearance by the clown prince of crime in the upcoming Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe.

The meagre fighting qualities of Batman villains has been something on my mind, as you might have seen in our previous entry, featuring Poison Ivy in battle with the more proficient, Catwoman [Batman #611]. While this certainly leads to aspertions of what is and isn't suitable for a comic book fighting game, that's not what I think this review highlights.

In passing, I've mentioned this period of Detective Comics with great fondness, and I suppose it's nice to finally put some images to the 'name.'
While this particular issue lacks the gritty hyper realism of others reviewed [ie; #796], it does highlight the key components that make Batman the thinking man's hero! Afterall, Batman is the premiere superhero detective, borne of the transition from cops and mysterymen [The Shadow, The Phantom, Dick Tracy...], to the post-Superman boom of American superhero comics!

Though not terribly complex; Dead Reckoning is a fine example of what I desire from a solid Batman story. It possess the necessary tropes of an accessible superhero story, featuring not one, but a small army of Batman's famous rogues, suitably emroiled in the mystery that is the arc of the story.
It's elements like this that appear to finally be infiltrating the mainstream depiction of the hero, as explored in the Nolan/Goyer script, The Dark Knight.

Particularly as chief antagonist in the film; the Joker's maniacal rampages arguably lend themselves to elements of the classic film thriller better than any other. Theories explored in Grant Morrison's various works endeavour to implicitly describe Joker's many different interpretations as part of a larger plot that compliments the fact that Batman is constantly a responsive foil to his crimes. This, in it's very basic structure, makes Joker the perfect cat-and-mouse antagonist of a feature thriller, and is something I think we can expect of their shifting roles in The Dark Knight.

Though probably not designed as such in his inception, Joker has become analagous to the potential madness in everyone, especially Batman.
In many ways he reflects Batman's image in a double-negative, right down to simple motiffs of: a penchant for bright colours, indulgence in more public theatrics, and of course, meticulously calculated chaos.

This is probably where you and I might deviate in our interpretation of the Joker. Like Batman, he is one of the most diversely displayed characters in popular fiction, and as such, many have their own version of an ideal Joker.

I suppose in the most general sense I have a problem with the contemporary use of words like 'random' and phrases like 'doesn't make sense.' These are vague attributes often grafted to the Joker, who, I feel, works best with a very specific core logic to any of his many operations. That's not to say there's a consistent methodology in his execution of crimes, but that the logics behind them are always there to be understood, and that the constant is the Joker himself.

I, personally, believe this to be true of the definitive Joker, and most Joker stories. I suppose it's inherent in writers to, even unwittingly, abide by a logicset that translates the language of idea, to story. Joker's story may be an ever-changing anthology, but it is, on any given day, at it's best when defined by a core set of rules, which is perhaps the irony of Joker's chaos theorum when pitted against the dark knight detective.

It is also, at least in practise, the reason Joker will always lose. If Batman's grand purpose is his dedication to the endless struggle against injustice -- Joker's is simply to be caught, and therefore constantly defined by Batman.
That, however, leads only to further discussion, and examples perhaps best left to later in the month!

The Fight: 4.5 The Issue: 6

Fans of the animated series will appreciate Tommy Castillo's pencils and the cast of villains arranged to include Penguin, Riddler, Scarecrow, and Killer Moth! Unfortunately, it doesn't appear DC have collected the arc, so you'll have to rummage through the back issue bins to find this gem! Or, if you don't fancy the sound of hard work, why not check out one of the other Batman classics on sale in the Infinite Wars Amazonian Gift Shoppe? Stories reviewed in the Secret Archives are arranged in the store, plus many others! Better still, by using purchase links provided, you help fund our grim and gritty war on passive exchanges! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

IN STORES: JULY 10, 2008
You can probably find complete shipping list updates on most major comics sites. Consider this an opportunity to either do all your info-shopping in the one place, or get a speculative perspective on what might be worth checking out. These are untested reads. Secret Wars on Infinite Earths can offer no guarantee or endorsement of quality. These are simply titles that may be of potential interest. Some items may ship late.

The Infinite Wars now has a gift shop!
Now you'll find Amazon purchase links to hardcovers, trade paperbacks, and other collections, not only on regular entries -- but also new releases at the bottom of the Shipping List, and now a whole catalogue of potential purchases via the Infinite Wars: Amazonian Gift Shop. [Men are also welcome!] By shopping with Amazon via our purchase links, you not only find yourself a great deal, but also sponsor future entries on the Infinite Wars.

READ THE PREVIEW - VISIT THE SITE - BUY THE COMIC
Thin and Crispy...
MAY080180 ACTION COMICS #867 $2.99
APR082191 AGE OF BRONZE #27 (MR) $3.50
MAY080229 BATMAN STRIKES #47 $2.25
MAY080189 BOOSTER GOLD #1000000 $2.99
MAY080034 BPRD THE WARNING #1 (OF 5) $2.99
MAY082311 CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #3 SI $2.99
MAY080043 GOON #26 TOP SECRET ERIC POWELL VAR CVR $2.99
MAY082171 I KILL GIANTS #1 (OF 7) $2.99
APR080011 INDIANA JONES & TOMB OF THE GODS #1 $2.99
MAY082280 IRON MAN LEGACY OF DOOM #4 (OF 4) $2.99
MAY080166 JOKERS ASYLUM THE PENGUIN #1 $2.99
APR080216 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #17 $2.99
MAY080228 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES IN THE 31ST CENTURY #16 $2.25
MAY082294 NOVA #15 $2.99
MAY082231 PILOT SEASON URBAN MYTHS #1 $3.99
MAY082255 ULTIMATE ORIGINS #2 (OF 5) $2.99

The Deep Dish...
- MAY082259 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #565 $2.99
I suppose it had to happen eventually...
By hitting a lot of familiar beats, Brand New Day has been anything but! The so-called revamp is gradually leaving behind the bitter pill of One More Day, but in doing so, seems to be burrowing into a rut of familiarity, that, until now, has failed to interest! Long time readers will know we're easily bought with a solid guest-star, and here comes Daredevil! Recalling the gang wars of the eighties, Spidey teams up with his hornhead buddy to take down Hammerhead, but will this be the turn around for Spider-Boycott 2008? Not likely, but that's not to say we might not see the web-slinger back on the Infinite Wars in '08...

- MAY080174 BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #19 $2.99
Fans anticipating Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe who might be looking to do a little light reading could look here. The canonically displaced Confidential provides a no-strings attached read that, at the moment, tells the tale of an early confrontation between the game's Catwoman, and the 'original' Batgirl! Granted, the battle fairly gratuitously crosses the threshold of a nudist bar, but somehow, I don't think MK fans are going to mind [Toasty!]... I'm not sure that kind of gratuity is to be admired, but you've got to admit this is a curiosity hard to ignore!

- MAY082268 CAPTAIN AMERICA WHITE #0 $2.99
Cap may be dead, but this one's been a long time coming!
The dynamic creative team behind The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, and Heroes, reunite for the fourth of their Marvel superhero colour series!
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale have touched upon Daredevil's yellow, Spider-man's blue, and Hulk's grey, and now the most iconic of the Marvel heroes will get the oportunity to wave the white of right! As with most of their previous works, Loeb and Sale tackle the early years of Captain America's career, offering readers further insight into the origins of current Captain America; Bucky Barnes!

- MAY080171 DETECTIVE COMICS #846 RIP $2.99
RIP has already gripped the pages of Batman, where Grant Morrison is taking the Dark Knight on a trip through the forgotten and bizarre details of the pre-Crisis fifties, but the story is about to take a brand new twist in the pages of Detective Comics! Paul Dini, superstar writer from the Batman animated series, reintroduces Batman's most recent, and most personal foe - Hush!
One has to be a little suspicious of the RIP tie-branding, but it's hard to imagine any substantial overlapping, as Morrison takes his story on a disturbing headtrip, while Dini continues his street level tour through Gotham! Fans of Catwoman may want to follow the character from the sinking ship of her cancelled solo title, to Detective, where she's said to be a recurring supporting character.

- MAY080146 FINAL CRISIS REQUIEM #1 $3.99
Expected elaboration on the Manhunter's death from Final Crisis finally arrives, as we farewell the character often described as the heart of the Justice League! Fans of the cult hero will want to pick this one-shot up as it delves into the importance of Martian Manhunter in the DC Universe, and pulls all the heart strings in farewelling this much beloved character. In the story; the Justice League have their work cut out for them as they undertake the fullfillment of the Manhunter's final wishes, and come to terms with the loss of this unassuming, but vital player in the superhero community! Will likely be the issue that justifies what could have been misinterpreted as an otherwise frivilous death!

- MAY080192 GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #10 $2.99
The renewed action of Green Arrow/Black Canary continues as the duo track the killers responsible for Ollie Queen's son's death! The trail takes them to Ra's Al Ghul, which, you guess it, means the Dark Knight isn't far behind! Not a bad strategy to lure in the movie-going public, particularly those of you looking for an easy-in to a character that may well be destined to appear in one of the most intriguing concepts to hit film (David S. Goyer's Supermax)!

- MAY082272 LAST DEFENDERS #5 (OF 6) $2.99
Fanboys romantically interested in Joe Casey will be keen to continue the adventures of Nighthawk and his ill-fated spin-off of the Initiative! Even as Defenders membership declines, Kyle Richmond continues to fight the good fight. Lucky for him Dr. Strange, Hulk, and Namor are all on hand to lend the legacy some power just as the Squadron Sinister show-up! At this point, about the worst thing that could happen would be the title living up to it's name!

- MAY082285 MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK #13 $2.99
It's impossible to ignore the success Marvel have claimed with their Marvel Zombies series', and recent issues of Marvel Adventures titles have been quite admirable, but the buck stops here! I got as much of a kick out of an all-MODOK issue of Avengers [MA: Avengers #9], but as delicious as the sixties homage cover might be, this Mummy issue is pushing it!

- MAY082300 SECRET INVASION #4 SI $3.99
Well, that settles it. Half way through Brian Bendis' latest attempt to write a multi-character, multi-layered company crossover, and I'm snoozing. I was probably warmer to the idea of trying to do a Skrull invasion 'the right way' than other online commentators, but ultimately, Bendis has failed to sustain my interests. It's too soon to condemn the series to House of M levels of chagrin, but right now the biggest benefit coming out of this might be the viability of that much fabled Alex Maleev colab on Spider-Woman. Anything to get chrome-dome back to his DD roots!

- MAY080141 TRINITY #6 $2.99
At this point, promise of a back-up with Hawkman and John Stewart is ten times more interesting than the central solicit. If the failing of Countdown was it's awkward irrelevance to a linear story it only half-told, one wonders if DC focused too hard on cohesion at the expense of intrigue. Sadly, Trinity certainly feels much less remarkable than 52, and much less artful or complete than Busiek's work on Astro City.


Know Your Trade...
MAY082353 ANNIHILATION CONQUEST HC BOOK 02 $39.99
MAY082382 ESSENTIAL DOCTOR STRANGE TP VOL 01 NEW ED $16.99
MAR080065 HELLBOY ODDEST JOBS TP $14.95
DEC073815 PHANTOM JUNGLE ACTION TP (O/A) $19.99

POISON IVY versus CATWOMAN
Hush Chapter Four: The City (DC)
Where: Batman #611 When: March 2003
Why: Jeph Loeb How: Jim Lee

The Story So Far...
When a child heir is kidnapped by Killer Croc; the seeds of a plot to undo Gotham City's dark knight protector become evident. Batman's greatest villains are manipulated by an unknown assailant, whose war of strategy against the hero begins with a break in modus for a Killer Croc mutated beyond his usual condition.

When Catwoman attempts to steal the ransom from Croc's kidnapping; the plot thickens as Batman takes pursuit across the city skyline, only to be cut down by one of his own weapons!
The resulting injuries from his fall bring Bruce Wayne's past into the present, but even as he becomes reacquainted with old friends; the Batman is thrust into a mystery that takes him to Metropolis and into the path of contemporary allies.

Beneath the lights of the city of the future; Batman and Catwoman begin a search for the puppeteer pulling their strings - Poison Ivy - but even as they do, they play into the hands of the true manipulator, and enter into an arena they could not possibly anticipate...

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Catwoman 2 (Average)
Intelligence: Poison Ivy 5 (Professor)
Speed: Catwoman 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Catwoman 4 (Athlete)
Agility: Catwoman 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting Ability: Catwoman 4 (Trained)
Energy Power: Poison Ivy 2 (Projectile)


- In her formative years, Pamela Isley was a budding student of botannical biochemstry at a Seattle university. Her introversion made manipulation easy for Dr. Jason Woodrue, a teacher who convinced the shrinking violet to partake in potentially lethal experiments involving botanic toxins.

The betrayal shakes the fragile woman into action, who narrowly escapes death, only to experience a series of personal tragedies. She invests her emotions in environmental issues, discovering an inate ability to converse with, and control, all forms of vegetation.
Using her intimate knowledge of botanic toxins and an unwitting connection with a mystic elemental force known as the Green; Isley settles in Gotham where she becomes the eco-terrorist, Poison Ivy.

To compensate for her limitated combative vocabulary, Ivy relies on the manipulations of more powerful adversaries, and the animation of complex and rare vegetation, to do her battles for her.

- Selina Kyle lives a life on the streets, coming to be known as a notorious thief. Her escapades garner much attention, and eventually force the burglar to lay low, where she continues her career in crime as a dominatrix extracting information from potential victims.

Kyle gains extensive training in the martial arts, and inspired by the mysterious vigilante called Batman, adopts her own leather mask and catsuit ensemble to become Catwoman. As Catwoman, she embarks on a career as an ambiguous entity in the Gotham City landscape. Though regularly acting as a professional burglar and occasional mercenary, Catwoman also comes to be known as a protector of Gotham's East End.

Catwoman is a highly skilled fighter at peak physical condition, with impressive physical strength, agility, and speed. Catwoman also utilizes weapons including a whip, cat o' nine tails variation, and claws contained within her gloves.

Though well known as antagonist of the Batman; Catwoman's moral ambiguities err on the side of good, often resulting in brief alliances (or romance) between the sometimes-enemies.

Math: Catwoman Ranking: Catwoman (#17)

What Went Down...
Having been freed of Poison Ivy's influence; Catwoman plans to track the villain to a safehouse in Metropolis. Batman and she form an alliance amidst romantic tensions, but the fiercely independent Catwoman proves difficult to tame. Only on her terms to the pair later reconvene to devise a plan.

Catwoman descends on the hideout alone, faking the lingering influence of Ivy's poisons. The villainness is not so easily deceived.

Poison Ivy swats the ill-prepared Catwoman with a backhand slap, but the surprise attack garners little advantage. With her ruse uncovered, Catwoman is given license to offer a little payback for manipulations suffered.

Payback takes the form of an unrelenting combination of punches and kicks from the well trained burglar! Ivy quickly finds herself on the ropes, and with a claw to her throat, attempts to bargain with her former-puppet, offering up a share of the ransom she had used Catwoman to steal. The thief remains uncompelled, but the tables are quickly turned...

A branch twists out from the millieu of plantlife adorning the hideout, wrapping itself around Catwoman's neck! Like an anaconda it yanks Ivy's attacker from her body, wrenching it's grip as it lifts Catwoman's flailing body upward.

A batarang flings from the gloom, slicing effortlessly through the animated vine!

Just as the Dark Knight makes his presence known, another hero stirs nearby.
It begins with a thoom and then a krrrkk as the foundations of Ivy's dockside building begin to crumble under the might of Kryptonian strength.
Superman tosses the building aside, wounding Catwoman in the process. With that, he takes Poison Ivy's side, while Batman surveys the carnage.

The Hammer...
I hate to say it, but the double victory goes to surprise entrant Superman, and the lady pulling the strings, Poison Ivy!

This isn't one of the promised July Dark Knight entries, but if we're going to be nearly two weeks behind schedule, I figure it's going to be more worthwhile if we cram in plenty of meat in the sandwich. Indeed, cram we have, as we make a belated acknowledgment of Catwoman's inclusion in Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe.

I have to admit to a bit of a double motive, because, one of these things [pictured right] is not like the other...

We've touched upon it briefly in other entries, but we might as well just take the gloves off and get down to business: Poison Ivy has no business appearing in a beat 'em up video game!

It might surprise the initiated to learn that there's been a surprisingly vocal response to the idea of Poison Ivy appearing in the game. One assumes the shouting minority probably doesn't include many of our regular readers from the DC Nation, because, as we'd all know, Poison Ivy isn't really a fist-fighter.

That's not to say Poison Ivy doesn't have a place in video games, which are, for the most part, centred around the mechanics of a combative exchange. There's a lot of validity to the concept of a plant-manipulating Ivy in a video game, but as we saw in this particular entry, Ivy's MO is to surround herself with quantities of vegetation, or minions bewitched by her toxins. Gamers might instinctively equate these qualities to an adventure/platformer, which seems fair.

I have to admit; I'm the first person to acknowledge a disappointing history in the gameplay of previous Mortal Kombats. 2002's Deadly Alliance led with Tekken-inspired fighting styles applied liberally, but with a fluidity that made it everything it's predecessors (and successors) failed to be.

The jury remains out on whether or not MKvsDC, and it's many incrementalized mini-modes, will be able to salvage the brief reputation garnered by MK:DA. I do, however, feel that recent history of slapping the names of fight styles on-screen emphasises the lingering connection between Mortal Kombat and the martial arts. Early games might have suffered from a serious disconnect due to the homogenous palette of kicks and punches shared across the roster, but the implication was there to be fulfilled.

Poison Ivy not only lacks the requisite fighting abilities that even unrefined brawlers, like Flash and Captain Marvel, bring to the table, but is more specifically characterized by her removal from physical altercation. Few examples come to mind where Ivy has physically opposed her arch-rival, Batman, beyond the delay of a vine-tangled struggle -- which, as we saw in this entry, is usually remedied quite quickly.

I don't expect the descent of reason to interrupt the claims of uninitiated fans clamoring for Poison Ivy in a fighter - but hopefully we can at least contribute context to those interested in researching the names being bandied about.
Suffice to say, I do not expect Poison Ivy to beat out the many characters sure to be cut from the list. If you'd like to know more of those, you should track through our long series of related entries, which can currently be found starting here!

The Fight: 4 The Issue: 5.5

Fresh off The Dark Knight and keen to do some reading? Want to know everything that happens in the big battle of Batman #612? The good news for you is that 2003's Hush is collected in two convenient, affordably priced paperbacks. Better yet, if you use purchase links provided on the Inifinite Wars, you help sponsor future Bat-entries! And hey, looking for more classic Batman stories? Why not browse through the Secret Archives to see what takes your fancy, or scroll over to the Amazonian Gift Shoppe where there are many recommended and reviewed reads on offer! It's all part of the plan!

MORTAL KOMBAT/DC UNIVERSE: SECRET LEVEL!
A final crisis may be brewing in the DC multiverse, but after last week, fans of the company learnt a new threat will attack in the unlikely medium of video games! Worlds collide as Midway and DC confirmed what the gamers were waiting for; their joint venture: Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe!

Over the past few months the Infinite Wars have served up a fantasy fight armada of characters who could potentially match-up in the collision of worlds, but we can't help but think there are still plenty of DC names unmentioned! To find out who made the previous cut, you might like to track back through our previous rounds: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, bonus one!

As we're running quite late on this entry, I can defy time to tell you Liu Kang and Captain Marvel joined the confirmed list courtesy of a [July 12] Gamespot update! They join: Sub-Zero, Batman, Scorpion, Superman, Sonya, the Flash, Shang Tsung, and Catwoman!

In the interest of disrupting the timelines even further, let us flash back to June 24! It was then that popular gaming site, Kotaku.com, dropped a series of clues said to suggest the identities of the remaining DC characters. Like the clues themselves, there's a degree of ambiguity as to whether or not they include characters already announced, leaving quite a bit of margin for guessing.

Early-on MK series co-creator and overseer of all things MK, Ed Boon, confirmed eleven characters aside. As there are eleven clues, one might be inclined to assume they do indeed include Superman and Batman, but in the interest of exploring more options, we're going to forego that logic. We hope you enjoy our decyphering of these clues! The bonus round will continue next week!

- The Prototypical Superhero (Captain Marvel)
Clearly this is the domain of the character who defined the mould: Superman! Of course, if the list only includes characters not yet revealed [as of June 24], then we know that isn't Superman.
Captain Marvel [R9] couldn't fit the bill any better! Through the 1950's the Marvel name and comics were actually more popular than his Man of Steel predecessor! Originally published Fawcett Comics; the big red cheese now finds a home in the DCU, where he is considered by many to be the embodiment of the Golden Age.

Martian Manhunter would be a dark horse suggestion, noteworthy for his representative qualities as a 'swiss army' hero. He possesses all of the abilities of the prototypical Superman, whilst also adding alternate powers; shape-shifting, invisibility, and telepathy. Sadly, his chances appear to have dwindled.

Also: Martian Manhunter [R1], Powergirl, Supergirl, Superman [R10]

- The Speedster (Flash)
Technically Flash [B1] had been revealed at the time of the clues list, but as he had only just emerged in a UK publication, I'm inclined to think he slipped out sooner than anticipated. Let's be honest, who embodies the speedster archetype better than THE Flash? I mean, this isn't phrasing that alludes to all characters with super speed, ruling out the likes of Superman! This is about guys who run fast, and that's Flash, plain and simple!

Also: Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Bart Allen

- The Mystical Superhero (Zatanna)
Here's where the list starts to get a bit tricky.
If we were to say the clues did include Superman, then this is where you'd find Captain Marvel on the list. While not traditionally regarded as a mystic, phrasing to include "superhero" might anticipate the classic square jawed hero as enfused by magic. Of course, as we're foregoing logic, we look to more specific avenues!

If we're talking magical superheroes then it has to come down to either Zatanna [R8] or Dr. Fate. There's a whole range of characters to be plucked from the mystic corner of the DCU, but when it comes down to it, those are the two most recognised. On the back of Zatanna's post-Identity Crisis importance, popularity in the cartoons, and contribution to sexual diversity, I lean toward her.
Also: Dr. Fate [R8], Kent Nelson, Etrigan [R2], Spectre [B1]

- The Amazon Queen (Wonder Woman)
Let's face it: everyone is expecting Wonder Woman in to accompany her Trinity fellows (Superman and Batman). Though not traditionally a queen, Wonder Woman [R10] seems like a shoe-in based on the clue, but this is where the wild theories start to rear their head!

Since developing a hardset rule of fifty-one alternate Earths in their DC Multiverse; DC have confirmed the existence of several versions of Wonder Woman including some worlds where WW's mother, Hippolyta, is the Wonder Woman! It's been confirmed that the MK universe will not join the fifty-two worlds of the DC Multiverse, but to the best of my knowledge, we've had no comment on whether one single DCU will pit their champions against Earthrealm and Outworld.

Also: Queen Hippolyta, Queen Bee

- The Sexy Villainess (Catwoman)
Revealed a substantial amount of time after the clues (and the Flash), Catwoman [R8] can safely be assumed as belonging somewhere on this list. Contemporary depiction could easily slide into the masked vigilante category, but for the preservation of quality, we're going to give the MK team the benefit of the doubt, and assume they simply referred to her as a villain for the classics.

For a very specific group of fans (of dubious logic) this clue has been a point of hope for the inclusion of Poison Ivy. It hardly seems necessary to elaborate on the nature of Ivy's character as an absent manipulator of men (and plantlife), but to certain perspective, this is appealing. I can not explain to you, the informed, why, but apparently there's a vibrant fan-fic community. *shudder*

Also: Poison Ivy, Circe, White Rabbit

- The Arch-Villain (Lex Luthor)
Most successful comic book heroes, and some not so, have an arch-nemesis, so this is one of the vaguest of the clues. Conventional logic brings Lex Luthor [R9] to mind in an instant, arguably rivalled only by the Joker as the best known arch-villain in the DCU!

Despite not being a conventional combatant; Lex Luthor regularly arms himself with a suit, not dissimilar to Iron Man's, that grants him an arsenal of attacks, and strength enhancements suitable for regular clashes with Metropolis' resident Man of Steel!

A quick scan across the confirmed heroes turns up a small army of potential arch-villains to counteract their powers! Doomsday [R9], Bane [R7], Gorilla Grodd [B1], Black Mask, and Captain Nazi are just some of the names bouncing off the heroes confirmed, to say nothing of characters pending!

Also: Sinestro [B1], Black Adam [R7], Zoom [B1], Brainiac [R5], Zod [R10]

- Epic Villain (Darkseid)
It stands to reason that an epic event - such as the meeting of two universes - calls for an epic villain! Comics are preordained with a wide variety of cosmic menaces suited to the instigation of just such an event, but few are as iconic, and relevant, as Darkseid [R10]!

The only villain capable of overshadowing the evil New God is perhaps the Anti-Monitor, whose sheer scope makes him one of the most epic villains ever seen in comics. So awesome was Anti-Monitor's influence was that, despite being defeated, he was still responsible for the redefinition of the DC Universe [in 1985's; Crisis on Infinite Earths].

Even before the clues many were ready to consign Darkseid into an unholy alliance with one of Mortal Kombat's sinister powers -- and it's a compelling argument. Perhaps the only cause for doubt is the promise of surprise announcements to come at this month's San Diego Comic-Con!

Also: Imperiex, Anti-Monitor, Alexander Luthor Jr, Parallax, Libra

- The Crazy Villain (Joker)
When it comes to villains, there's a whole lot of crazy to go around!
Mental illness seems to be par for the course when you're compelled to commit great evil, but there's one nutjob that eclipses them all. Even if he wasn't the subject of a critically acclaimed feature film hitting cinemas this month, Joker [R5] would have to rate the number one card carrier for the criminally insane!

Bringing up the rear is Harvey Dent; whose devolution into madness will presumably be an integral piece of plot in The Dark Knight. Even so, you've got to think the lure of the Joker as one of the world's most popular cultural figures is going to be too great to resist. It's that factor that grants the MK team grace for even considering a villain so disassociated with physical combat.

For a more overtly suited challenger one might expect the likes of Cheetah or Bizarro to fullfil the crazy of the clue. Both represent very different swirls of madness, but are also prominent opposition for two of DC's leading heroes.

Also: Scarecrow, Two-Face, Bizarro, Cheetah, Murmur [B1]

- The Masked Vigilante (Green Arrow)
A masked vigilante? In comics? Are you sure?
The safe money is a reference to Batman, but if we're going to take the opportunity, I tend to think Green Arrow poses not only a plausible recommendation, but also a bit of diversity in the field.

When you really get down to it the majority of heroes in the DCU are technically vigilantes. Narrowing that field down's a pretty big ask, but you've got to reason that, as iconic representations, GA is rivalled only by the pulp-inspired likes of the Question, and the Sandman.
Catwoman also deserves mention as a potential candidate for this clue, especially on the basis of her more recent years as protector of Gotham's East.

Also: Batman [R10], The Question, Red Hood [R8], Sandman [R7], Huntress

- The Military Superhero (Green Lantern)
The literal specifics of these clues definitely beg question.
Coming into the business end of Kotaku's list, things get a bit harder to narrow down. When it comes to military superheroes there are a lot of degrees of seperation between the pseudo-WWII veterans of the Justice Society; the intergalactic force of the GL Corps; and the weapon's designing history of a guy like Steel.

The Green Lantern John Stewart is a former US Marine who's better characterised as an architect, whose engineering expertise factors importantly into the use of his powerring. Even so, he remains a compelling argument as a character garnering mainstream attention as part of the cartoon series.

While other characters have had brushes with the military; Captain Atom is one of the few DC characters to quite literally be a ranking Captain, as a former US Air Force pilot! If the weight is on the military aspects of the unnamed character, then I'm much more comfortable associating that with Atom, but for the sake of a Justice League spread, you've got to think the real money is with a GL.
Hal Jordan poses another potential Lantern who served as a test pilot and was quite recently depicted as an unlikely war-time pacifist, in DC: The New Frontier.

Also: Captain Atom, Hal Jordan [B1], Hawkman [R2], Steel [R9]

- The Ninja Villain (Ra's Al Ghul)
Finally, perhaps the most puzzling clue of them all.
It's not until you try to list them that you really appreciate how few DC characters are steeped in ninja subculture. Marvel, as a company, has been far more inclined to throw the buzzword around, perhaps to the detriment of the mythology.

Mortal Kombat technically only boasts one ninja - Scorpion - but has equally dishonored the branding with a multitude of characters erroneously dubbed "ninja" by way of their shared atttire, but I digress.

Perpetual theory has seen many in the fanbase label Deathstroke [R6] the unnamed ninja villain, but to the best of my knowledge, there's actually nothing in the character's history to associate him with the ninja fraternity. In fact, Deathstroke's origins lie in military experimentation, making him an unlikely candidate for the previous subject!

Lady Shiva [R1] and Batgirl [R5] are probably the two characters who come to mind, but it's their master, Ra's Al Ghul [R6], who appeared in 2005's Batman Begins as something of a ninja master. Of all the available options, this seems the most sound on the basis of the clues, even if Ra's seems a less likely character.

Also: Lady Shiva [R1], Deathstroke [R6]

Food for thought, folks!
Got some ideas? Drop them in the comments! And remember: next week we resume bonus round activities, running through the names and faces of DC!

C2C DARK KNIGHT: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS!
The eagerly anticipated sequel to 2005's Batman Begins arrives in cinemas July 18! Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight promises to follow-up on the critically acclaimed grounding that made Begins and international success, and one of the most revered comic book adaptations of the past decade!

Key to the success of the new franchise was a process of design that took inspiration from some of Batman's greatest tales, and reconsituted them into a modern, streamlined retelling.
The Killing Joke, Dark Knight Returns, The Man Who Falls, and the original works of Bill Finger [and Bob Kane] have been some of the much appreciated namedrops, but more crucially evident on the screen are cues taken from Batman: Year One, The Long Halloween, and Dark Victory, all highly revered tales detailing the early parts of Batman's career.

The presence of David Goyer as script writer ensured many of these cues, but full kudos goes to Christopher Nolan for his deliberate approach and reverence for the material, and recognition of the need to recruit someone familiar with the source. In anticipation of this latest instalment, featuring the much publicized debut of the new Joker (Heath Ledger), we're running down some of the materials you might like to familiarize yourself before seeing The Dark Knight!

Batman: The Long Halloween #3 (February 1997)
"Christmas" Loeb/Sale
Previews suggest the Joker will be out to unify the criminal element in Gotham City, defiant in the face of changing winds brought about by Batman's stand against the city's corruption.

Looking back on Long Halloween, one can't help but wonder if that alliance between clown prince and mobster might not be destined for breakdown, as was the thematic throughline of the Jeph Loeb/Tim Sale maxi-series. Here, Gotham is divided by the defining rise of the "freaks" who eventually came to far outnumber the conventional gangsters that once made up Batman's villain base.

This particular feature highlights the tensions between Joker and one Harvey Dent - the man destined to become Joker's counterpart as Two-Face! Expect the rivalry to be retained as this dastardly duo comes to occupy split screentime in The Dark Knight!

Batman: Dark Victory #3 (February 2000)
"Toys" Loeb/Sale
With a throughline of fear giving Batman Begins a solid arc; Scarecrow debuted against all odds as perhaps Batman's greatest onscreen villain! Not bad for a character never before realised in live-action!

Nolan and Goyer borrow occasional visual cues from Tim Sale, ie; Scarecrow going horseback; but otherwise there's not a lot shared between the film and Dark Victory versions of the character.
Not that that's really a criticism given the very specific curiosities of Loeb's rhyming villain, and the tactile version seen in Begins.

Before you witness the fate of Cillian Murphy's character in The Dark Knight, check out how Scarecrow handles the chase when Batman comes looking for him one fateful Christmas!

Batman #619 (November 2003)
"Hush: The End" Loeb/Lee
Few could have anticipated the sheer accuracy with which actor Gary Oldman would portray his befuddled detective, James Gordon. The man destined to become Comissioner is given all the life necessary as the emergence of the Batman gives him hope in a city of corruption.

The relationship developed between Bale's Batman and Gordon becomes increasingly important as a triad of justice is formed between the Bat, Gordon, and newly appointed District Attorney, Harvey Dent [played through to it's logical conclusion by Aaron Eckhart].

While the details of Hush might not reflect the Long Halloween inspired relationship between Gotham's law enforcers, this Jeph Loeb story does bring home the intertwined relationship between three different men, all trying to make their world a better place in different ways, using different facades.

Batman: Gotham Knights #49 (March 2004)
"Fear is the Key" Johns/Castillo
Christopher Nolan's Begins universe has distilled the qualities, factors, and characters of the Batman franchise to some of their most admirable qualities, but that's not to say there aren't advantages to be found in the comic book medium!

It's my hope the mass acclaimed of The Dark Knight will attract would-be readers to seek out some of these more positive stories, although, one might argue the legwork will whittle their numbers!
Writer extraordinaire, (and Loeb studio-mate), Geoff Johns, explores another side of the Scarecrow character that's emerged through various modern incarnations. Here; Jonathan Crane is a man whose fascination with fear has stripped the emotion of it's mystique and visceral effect. A creature without purpose, the Scarecrow pursues the attentions of the Batman like an adrenaline junky!

Batman Begins (June 2005)
Nolan/Goyer
Finally, before you see The Dark Knight there's every chance you'll want to go back to where it Begins.

With the number of superhero adaptations still relatively few compared to their monthly sources, it's popular practise to rank them. For my money, Batman Begins has to just about be one of the best, even with it's arguable room for improvement. Other movies have captured the aura of their characters, or adapted story and visuals with faithful vigilance, but few have covered every base so well!

Among the film's many charms, the use of two previously unrealised villains; Scarecrow and Ra's Al Ghul. It's the latter that's featured in our previous review, which highlights the benefit of strategic adaptation. One wonders if Nolan will ever dare venture into the mythology of the Lazarus Pit; or if he'll simply leave the ambiguity of the death as license for those who would ask more.

SMASH HITS: SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES


Siouxsie and the Banshees - Face to Face (1992)
Christopher Nolan's eagerly anticipated follow-up to Batman Begins hits cinemas in just a couple of weeks, and in celebration, the Infinite Wars are indulging in all things Bat - soundtracks included!

After the success of 1989's Batman, it came as no shock that Tim Burton would head-up the eagerly anticipated sequel three years later.
What was a shock was the heavy shift in artistic direction, which was taken closer to Burton's trademark swirls of black and white, described by some as looking fresh from an ink blot.

References to The Killing Joke and Dark Knight Returns has earnt Burton much praise for his work on the original film, but if the distillation of Batman's retro-inspired origins were a requisite of securing Burton's stock, all of that went out the window for the sequel!

The director fairly openly describes Batman Returns as his vision, a requirement to maintain his interests in the franchise. That truth seems to carry through to the soundtrack, where Burton was able to replace the studio-demanded Prince pop with something closer to home. It's not hard to imagine a teen Burton wiling the day away to the tunes of Siouxsie and the Banshees, nestled into a dark bedroom in inner suburbia.

Purists might have a hard time locking in to the uncharacteristically deranged interpretations of Catwoman and the Penguin, but it's undeniable that Burton's bold, gothic designs made a positive impression on the Bat-universe! Not to mention the millions of dollars generated through merchandise still sought today!
Ponder these historical facts as you wile the afternoon away, listening to Face to Face, an enjoyable track to be sure, if no more suited to the Dark Knight Detective than the guttural writhings of Prince.