matthewkmanning
Legions Of Gothamite
/\/\ember of the Bat-Comic Book Industry
Posts: 30
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Post by matthewkmanning on Apr 13, 2005 20:15:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome, everyone. And I agree, the cover art looks great. I was really excited to get it from my editor at DC. The composition is very interesting and, no pun intended, striking.
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Post by J-Man on Apr 13, 2005 20:25:31 GMT -5
[shadow=purple,left,300]Welcome, Mr. Manning, and thanks for the cover art!
As always, the cover looks excellent![/shadow]
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Post by /\/\att on Apr 13, 2005 21:51:46 GMT -5
TThe composition is very interesting and, no pun intended, striking. [shadow=green,left,300]Whoa! Hard to pardon that pun! lol. Usually its Bill Matheny throwing those out, lol.[/shadow]
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Dave McCaig
Gotham Tourist
Color Designer: The Batman
Buy Nextwave! It's "The Bomb"
Posts: 7
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Post by Dave McCaig on Apr 19, 2005 4:12:29 GMT -5
Hello all, That image for solicitation was just a rough...Here's how the final cover will look, sans logo.
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Post by /\/\att on Apr 19, 2005 4:19:35 GMT -5
[shadow=green,left,300]Thanks Dave! Its much appreciated.
The cover's looking amazing, as usual. You're a wizard! These covers are easily the most outstanding on a bat-title I've seen in a LONG time.
Its great to have you on the forum again, keep up the great work on the comic and the show![/shadow]
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Christopher Jones
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Member of the Bat-Comic Industry
Batman Strikes Artist Christopher Jones, Causing Minor Injuries.
Posts: 231
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Post by Christopher Jones on Apr 19, 2005 9:24:57 GMT -5
Dave,
I could tell that the first image was just a prelim, and the final version was yet to come, but wow! That's just gorgeous!
Nice work!
Chris
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Post by Disgruntled Gremlin on Apr 19, 2005 15:55:30 GMT -5
Whoah! The image looks fantastic! I'm curious, though- Man-Bat looks a lot more like his BTAS counterpart than the white version from the show. I'm a big fan of both designs, but why is it that two different variants are being used?
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Post by tanbat14 on Apr 19, 2005 21:04:10 GMT -5
Awesome cover I read the first Manbat appearence in Batman strikes and I cant wait for this one. DieLaughing
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Post by Darthm on May 1, 2005 6:53:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the cover art, the issue looks great! I wonder how Langstrom is going to get his hands on his Manbat formula, seeing as how he’s locked in Arkham and all.
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Post by tanbat14 on May 1, 2005 14:41:12 GMT -5
It seems that Dr.Langstrom still has the formula in him because remember in the 2nd issue he is laughing with the joker and he does this bat scream. DieLaughing
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Post by Disgruntled Gremlin on May 21, 2005 22:59:20 GMT -5
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Post by /\/\att on Jun 9, 2005 1:41:10 GMT -5
Discuss the latest issue of Batman Strikes here!
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Post by mikejozic on Jun 9, 2005 4:29:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the intro, Matt. Hey everyone. I just thought I'd drop by and introduce myself. I'm Matthew K. Manning, and I'll be the writer for the fill-in issue of The Batman Strikes, issue # 10. The issue features the return of Man-Bat, a riot in Arkham Asylum, and a college field trip gone horribly wrong. I can't wait to hear any and all feedback for the issue, good and bad. Hey, Matt... I just picked up and read STRIKES! #10 and I have to say it's great stuff. The darker tone and the non-linear MEMENTO-ish structure and pacing really made it stand-out from previous issues. As much as I enjoyed the issue (and at risk of coming off as a continuity geek, or something), I am curious about a couple of things. The aforementioned darker tone and your characterization of Batman seemed a little out of context for this newer, and younger, incarnation of the Dark Knight. I would almost say that it had more in common with the BATMAN ANIMATED or GOTHAM ADVENTURES series than THE BATMAN or earlier issues of THE BATMAN STRIKES!. Just as an example, one of the moments that kind of stood out to me as being 'out-of-place' was when Bruce calls Dr. Langstrom by his first name in the hallway. I may be misremembering my "The Man Who Would Be Bat" but I don't think those characters were that familiar with each other. Again, I'm not criticizing the story but I am curious to know what your take on the whole thing is. With that, I think you, Wes and Dave (on covers) can fill-in on STRIKES! anytime you guys want to, or as often as DC lets you. With you lot pinch-hitting for Matheny and Johnson, I think it's safe to say that this book is in VERY good hands. mike
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Post by Batdan on Jun 9, 2005 23:08:47 GMT -5
-- Yeah, Memento-ish. Chris Nolan homage, maybe. Timing is right on, obviously.
-- Did it hit anybody else that this was a Scooby Doo send-up? Seemed like they had a Freddy, Daphne and Shaggy. Kept waiting for Thelma to show.
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Ender
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Posts: 143
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Post by Ender on Jun 9, 2005 23:18:11 GMT -5
very cool issue. i loved the ending with batman's spread out cape, then the blackout. that's great stuff. but you wouldn't catch me dead going into arkham asylum for a field trip! actually... yeah, i would, curiousity gets the best of me, but i would have to wear a diaper because i'd be so scared. anyway, i'd love to see manning do another issue. nothing against bill, i like his stories (i just read #9 tonight as well and loved it) but manning brought some new, even creepy vibes to the book. can't wait until #11!
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matthewkmanning
Legions Of Gothamite
/\/\ember of the Bat-Comic Book Industry
Posts: 30
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Post by matthewkmanning on Jun 10, 2005 2:17:53 GMT -5
Thanks Mike, Batdan and Ender for the kind words. Couple replies:
Mike: Since Langstrom was a Wayne employee and I thought he and Batman interacted enough in the episode, I had Batman call him by his real name. Seemed to be the thing to do when you're trying to talk a little sense in a giant flying moster.
Batdan: No Scooby Doo reference was intentional. The characters were actually based off old high school friends, but maybe the artist decided to go for that Mystery Machine vibe.
Ender: I was happy with that ending, too. The original script had it even a bit more creepy, but we decided to tone it down since the book is an all ages comic.
All: Thanks for the Memento comparison. That's pretty high praise indeed. In fact, I just went to a screening this morning of Batman Begins and met Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale for the first time. And don't worry about the movie, either. It's in really good hands.
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Post by /\/\att on Jun 10, 2005 3:36:29 GMT -5
matthew - thanks for posting, man! Its great to hear from ya.
....so, you went to that WB screening of Begins they had yesterday? You lucky dog! Good to hear you approve of the film!
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Post by mikejozic on Jun 10, 2005 12:40:57 GMT -5
Thanks Mike, Batdan and Ender for the kind words. Couple replies: Mike: Since Langstrom was a Wayne employee and I thought he and Batman interacted enough in the episode, I had Batman call him by his real name. Seemed to be the thing to do when you're trying to talk a little sense in a giant flying moster. See, I don't remember my "The Man Who Would Be Bat" too well. I forgot that Langstrom was a Wayne employee. Good enough explanation for me, anyway. I also ran across this interview with you over at Toon Zone where you explain that you were doing a lot of guesswork with the character relationships and what-not so I understand a little better where you were coing from when writing this one. Can you describe how it originally played out? Now you've left us hanging. Well, it was high praise deserved. And you know, it was only after I wrote the Memento comment that the Bat-connection with Christopher Nolan sort of sunk in. Unintentional but fitting, I think. mike
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Post by mikejozic on Jun 10, 2005 12:49:57 GMT -5
very cool issue. i loved the ending with batman's spread out cape, then the blackout. that's great stuff. I completely forgot about that ending. What a great finale to the book! I remember that now as being the other big moment where I was reminded of the older Batman. The vibe I got off of that cape move was a little out of character for the younger Bruce/Batman since he seems less inclined to scare folks and be all mysterious, unlike the Batman Animated version. If it was on the new show, he'd probably stand in front of her, say something that wraps up the story and you'd hear that 4 note guitar reverb thingy they use to change scenes. Man, I've given this too much thought. Anyway, like you said, Ender, love the ending. mike
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matthewkmanning
Legions Of Gothamite
/\/\ember of the Bat-Comic Book Industry
Posts: 30
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Post by matthewkmanning on Jun 14, 2005 22:18:19 GMT -5
Mike,
The original ending actually was a bit more intense, and I played up the whole visual Batman-as-a-devil-figure a bit more with the red light from the exit sign and what not. But we decided to tone it down just a bit.
The major change from my first draft of the script was that there were four kids instead of three, and a bit less Batman vs. Man-bat action. But again, since this is an all ages book, we opted for a little more action and a little less suspense.
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Post by azrael24 on Jun 17, 2005 22:03:30 GMT -5
just read it, and i have to say its pretty good!! great animation (or drawing)! and great story/plot!!
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matthewkmanning
Legions Of Gothamite
/\/\ember of the Bat-Comic Book Industry
Posts: 30
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Post by matthewkmanning on Jun 21, 2005 3:13:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind words, Az, and I'm sure Wes thanks you as well.
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Post by /\/\att on Jun 24, 2005 2:14:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the extra info about the alternate ideas you guys were throwing around matthew.
I just picked up the book this week..you guys did a great job!
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matthewkmanning
Legions Of Gothamite
/\/\ember of the Bat-Comic Book Industry
Posts: 30
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Post by matthewkmanning on Jun 25, 2005 14:44:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind words, Matt. I'm working on something new that should be of interest to you and your fellow bat-fans. I'll spill the beans as soon as I'm able.
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Post by azrael24 on Jun 30, 2005 13:53:00 GMT -5
that sounds good...
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Post by Disgruntled Gremlin on Jul 4, 2005 0:09:26 GMT -5
I think this is the first issue of the Batman Strikes that I've put down that I've actually thought was worth reading. I buy the comics for my 8-year old nephew, who loves 'em, but for the last couple of months, I've been positively cringing- aside from a decent Catwoman story and the (EXTREMELY loosely defined) "hi-jinks" of #9 (ugh), every issue has been a 22 page fight scene with minimal set-up- a showcase for good artwork, but no plot to speak of. This was especially evident in the Firefly, Bane and Mr. Freeze showcases- can anyone actually remember WHY anyone was doing what they were doing? Not exactly up to par with the consistantly fun Batman Adventures series. It was a nice surprise to find a different creative team try something well, different. Okay, the plot wasn't exactly intricate, but it was slightly unexpected, with a nice dark touch in the Batman- something desperately needed in the increasingly whitened Dark Knight. It was pretty enjoyable, and nice to see Batman have complete control over the situation. Get this team writing more issues, and to the regulars- let's see some more variety! By far, the best issue so far, and the only one to take advantage of the potential the premise has provided.
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matthewkmanning
Legions Of Gothamite
/\/\ember of the Bat-Comic Book Industry
Posts: 30
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Post by matthewkmanning on Jul 4, 2005 2:39:55 GMT -5
Thanks for review, Gremlin. Good to hear you're doing your part to enlighten the next generation of batfans. And hey, if your nephew likes Spider-Man as well, check out my Spider-Man Unlimited issue (#7) for another dose of that variety you're looking for.
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Post by Disgruntled Gremlin on Jul 9, 2005 0:47:25 GMT -5
Miss out on Spider-Man Unlimited? That's madness, I say : ) He adores them- and I keep a copy for myself handy as well : )
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matthewkmanning
Legions Of Gothamite
/\/\ember of the Bat-Comic Book Industry
Posts: 30
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Post by matthewkmanning on Jul 13, 2005 0:03:28 GMT -5
Glad to hear it, Gremlin. I just finished up the first draft of my new animated project that I'm hoping you both will like.
I'll fill you all in when I can.
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