Red Death debuts as Flash’s primary villain

Nicholas Alexander on February 27, 2023

Red Death – The CW has created some of the most popular superhero shows over the last two decades.

While Smallville is probably the more prominent creator, Arrow has spawned a slew of programs set in the same universe.

Despite the cancellation of Supergirl and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash is the final Arrowverse show to air.

In contrast, the Grant Gustin-led program is in its last season, and the show has opted to introduce a new nemesis established a few years ago: The Red Death.

Early reference

Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and Iris West (Candice Patton) get access to Grace Gibbons’ consciousness in the 12th episode of Flash season 5, Memorabilia (Islie Hirvonen).

They wind up at the Flash Museum of the Future after going through the memories of a young Nora Allen-West (Avionne Dean).

A museum recording shows that the villain Cicada murdered more people than any of Flash’s opponents, including Zoom and Red Death.

Fans speculated that the Batman-like speedster might be the major nemesis of the season, but nothing came of it.

So far, the final season chose to move his appearance up.

Arrival

The show’s lackluster debut received a spike of excitement at the conclusion, after long being hyped for an appearance as the show’s villain.

The Red Death is the most recent threat to Central City.

The Flash family’s next foe is likely to be their most lethal yet since it is powered by the Negative Speedforce and bears a familiar insignia.

In the second episode, Red Death emerged, threatening to make Central City pay for the Flash’s misdeeds.

Ultimately, in the most recent episode, the identity of the Red Death was revealed, revealing that Barry’s major enemy in the final season will be Ryan Wilder/Batwoman (Javicia Leslie).

Debut

DC Comics created a crossover story focused on the miniseries Dark Nights Metal in 2017 and 2018.

The narrative, written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, and FCO Plascensia, established the notion for The Dark Multiverse.

Dark Nights Metal follows Batman as he finds the Dark Multiverse beneath the standard DC universe.

In an effort to prevent a prophecy that views him as the key to bringing a great evil to Earth, Batman accidentally allows seven distinct versions of himself to enter the Dark Multiverse.

The Red Death, a reborn Bruce Wayne united with Barry and the Speedforce, is one among them.

Origin

After losing Robins in his never-ending struggle against crime, Earth-52’s Batman became insane.

As the negative earth was about to be destroyed, Batman seized weapons from the Rogues and approached his universe’s Flash, who refused to grant him Speedforce abilities.

The Flash is knocked unconscious and strapped to the hood of the Batmobile, which is disguised as the Cosmic Treadmill.

Batman drives them both into the Speedforce, absorbing Flash into his body, shattering his Speedforce connection, and converting Batman into the Red Death.

Dark Knights: Metal

The Red Death is one of the seven evil incarnations of Batman in the core universe.

Once the Red Death seized control of Central City, he unleashed a Speed Force Storm, allowing him to accelerate the aging of others until they perished.

After defeating Red Death, Barry Allen was imprisoned in his Batcave, which was supposed to slow him down.

As a result of their exposure to positive energy, the Red Death later divided Batman and Flash.

Despite the fact that the two Flashes would collaborate, Batman Who Laughs cautioned that Red Death would betray them, meaning that the positive energy would also slay Flash.

CW

Red Death is revealed in the Flash series to be Ryan Wilder’s Batwoman, who took over after Ruby Rose left the show.

She previously appeared in the season eight plot “Armageddon” on The Flash.

After some contact with Gotham and Wayne Industries, the newest episode of The Flash notably referred to Batwoman as Red Death.

Given how vicious Red Death was in the comics, her participation on the show gives some light on the various heroes that will appear in DC’s speedster’s last episodes.

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The Flash trailer reintroduces Michael Keaton as Batman

Claire Peterson on February 13, 2023

The Flash – As Marvel takes a backseat on the big screen, DC decided to step up this year with the release of four projects.

One of the most anticipated films this year is The Flash, directed by Andy Muschietti.

The Scarlet Speedster’s first solo feature, despite various challenges during production, was highly awaited by many once the first official teaser was made public and went viral online.

The movie

Before the trailer aired, the Flash production had a number of problems.

Directors and writers would leave the project as soon as they were associated with it.

Thankfully, the project’s writer and director were decided to be Christina Hodson and Andy Muschietti.

The Argentine horror director proved to be a good choice, as seen by the positive responses for the teaser.

But still, the trailer for the movie coming out in June is obviously influenced by Geoff Johns’ Flashpoint books.

Ezra Miller and Ben Affleck are reunited in the film, which also ushers in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe.

The trailer

The Flash trailer’s opening sequence has Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) in a brand-new outfit standing in front of his childhood home.

In a series of montages, viewers see the young Barry’s mother die while also learning about Barry’s potential for traveling to other worlds and his desire to stay there.

He is then shown talking with Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) about using time travel to change his mother’s course in life.

Bruce cautions Barry that there could be consequences, but Barry goes on with his plans.

The timeline has been altered, with some changes but also without Superman; he discovers when he runs into himself.

While Supergirl (Sasha Calle) makes her live debut in a gloomy jail, Barry struggles with the realization that he created a world without metahumans.

He has also traveled back to the period when General Zod (Michael Shannon) first steps foot on Earth.

Barry uses his other self to help him find Bruce Wayne, but instead he discovers Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne, who says the iconic catchphrase “I’m Batman.”

They cooperate to track out the imprisoned Supergirl.

In a series of montages, the two Barrys and a costumed Supergirl—whose look was inspired by Bruno Redondo’s illustrations from the Injustice comics—set out to face Zod.

Batman returns

Even though Ben Affleck plays Batman in the DC Extended Universe, Michael Keaton reprises his role as the famous actor who is undeniably one of the best to wear the Bat cowl in The Flash.

Bruce Wayne is initially seen in the Batcave when the two Barrys go looking for the first Barry.

Although Keaton is wearing the Batman outfit that made him famous, it’s the Batman theme by Danny Elfman that truly makes people feel nostalgic.

Praise & changes

The Flash is officially ready for its cinematic debut after running into a few challenges.

James Gunn, who had already watched the film, said:

“I will say here that Flash is probably one of the greatest superhero movies ever made.”

Last year, test audiences gave the film reviews that were on par with those of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, earning acclaim from industry insiders.

The Flash’s climax was modified to accommodate Gunn and Safran’s new concepts, and a special DC character was later inserted during a subsequent shoot.

A few of the omitted characters include:

Batman (Michael Keaton)
Supergirl (Sasha Calle)
Superman (Henry Cavill)
Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot)

The Flashpoint parallels

The Flash movie’s plot and Geoff Johns’ 2011 Flashpoint series are remarkably similar.

In the comics, Flash travels back in time to avert his mother’s demise.

The comics and the movie differ mostly in the following ways:

Involvement of Eobard Thawne / Reverse Flash
The Atlantean and Amazonian War was not present
In the prison, Superman is substituted with Supergirl.
Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne, who replaces Thomas Wayne in the comics

Even if Reverse Flash isn’t mentioned, The Black Racer, the corporeal embodiment of death from the Speed Force, is anticipated to appear.

Based on his attire, Barry Allen could be the Reverse Flash in the parallel reality.

Reverse Flash’s participation, if any, has yet to be confirmed.

Cinemas will screen The Flash on June 16, 2023.

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DC Studios finally has plans revealed

Jason Robinson on February 6, 2023

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DC Studios: Ever since James Gunn and Peter Safran became the new senior executives of DC Studios, they have been preparing to push DC in a new direction.

They recently presented a new lineup of movies and TV series, which includes a few projects.

Superman is anticipated to resume flight in 2025, while Themyscira, Wonder Woman’s home island, is projected to have conflict comparable to that of Game of Thrones.

Damian Wayne will also make his long-awaited debut in a Batman film.

Plans

Since taking over DC Studios three months ago, Gunn and Safran have been very active combining the film, television, animation, and gaming sectors of DC IP.

To create a story that would unite the DC Universe, they started from zero, broke ties with subsequent projects and creators, and set up a writers’ room.

One of the supposed plans is marketed as the beginning of their ultimate objective.

The outcome was Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, which gave rise to other projects.

What the DC executives really revealed on February 1 was a combination of staple heroes and lesser-known characters.

“One of our strategies is to take our diamond characters – which is Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman – and we use them to prop up other characters that people don’t know,” said Gunn.

“To build those lesser-known properties into the diamond properties of tomorrow,” added Safran.

They did, nonetheless, also publish a warning that the proposed Chapter 1 plan may be revised.

Development

The most recent proposal for the new DC universe, which was developed by the group of writers that included James Gunn’s friends and other writers he admired, includes:

Drew Goddard (The Martian)
Christina Hodson (The Flash)
Jeremy Slater (Moon Knight)
Christal Henry (Watchmen)
Tom King (Batman)

Before the group’s efforts can be realized, four DC movies are also slated to be released this year, including:

Shazam! Fury of the Gods (March 17)
The Flash (June 16)
Blue Beetle (August 18)
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (December 25)

The four films received the former leader Walter Hamada’s endorsement.

According to James Gunn, the four leading actors could eventually return to their roles in subsequent DCU projects.

“There is nothing that prohibits that from happening,” he said.

Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters

The following is a list of the first wave of movies DC will make.

Creature Commandos

James Gunn wrote the script for the seven-episode animated series Creature Commandos, which is now in production.

Although the voice actors have not yet been selected, they will most likely portray the live-action equivalents in later films and television programs.

Waller

Viola Davis will return to the screen in the acclaimed Peacemaker spinoff series as the ruthless titular character.

Christal Henry and Jeremy Carver, the creator of Doom Patrol, will pen the show’s screenplays.

Superman: Legacy

Another James Gunn-written picture, The Superman movie, will introduce the brand-new DC Universe.

“It’s not an origin story,” Safran assured. “It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with hsi human upbringing.”

“He is the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks that kindness is old-fashioned.

Superman: Legacy will be made available to the general public on July 11, 2025.

Lanterns

Greg Berlanti’s creation of the Green Lanterns TV series will be replaced with Lanterns, a fresh vision of the interplanetary organization.

“Our vision for this is very much in the vein of True Detective,” described Safran. “It’s terrestrial-based.”

Lanterns, one of the most prominent television programs currently in development, will feature a number of notable characters, including Hal Jordan and John Stewart.

“This plays a really big role in leading into the main story we are telling across film and TV.”

The Authority

A band of superheroes who take extreme measures to protect the planet will be the focus of the movie’s narrative, which will be similar to that of Guardians of the Galaxy.

“One of the few things of the DCU is that it’s not just a story of heroes and villains,” said Gunn.

“Not every film and TV show is going to be about good guy versus bad guy, giant things from the sky come, and good guy wins.”

“There are white hats, black hats, and gray hats.”

“They are kinda like Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men,” said Safran. “They know that you want them on the wall. Or at least, they believe that.”

Paradise Lost

The Wonder Woman movies are set several years before the Themyscira-based television series.

According to Gunn and Safran, Paradise Lost is a Game of Thrones-style political intrigue drama.

The Brave and the Bold

The Grant Morrison Batman series, which made Damian Wayne famous, was used as a template for the movie.

“This is the introduction of the DCU Batman, of Bruce Wayne,” said Gunn.

“[It] also introduces our favorite Robin, Damian Wayne, who is a little son of a bitch.”

“It’s a very strange father-and-son story.”

The Batman Part II

On October 3, 2025, the Matt Reeves film, which is based on the Elseworld storylines, will be released.

Robert Pattinson will embody the Dark Knight of Gotham City in the sequel.

Booster Gold

The HBO Max series will center on the lesser-known hero from the future.

“It’s about a loser from the future who uses basic future technology to come back to today and pretend to be a superhero,” they described.

Booster Gold was referred to by James Gunn as “imposter syndrome as a superhero.”

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

Supergirl makes her first appearance since Helen Slater in 1984 movie.

“We will see the difference between Superman, who was sent to earth and raised by loving parents from the time he was an infant, versus Supergirl, raised on a rock, a chip off of Krypton, and who watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life and then come to earth,” the DC Studios heads said.

“She is much more hardcore, and not the Supergirl we’re used to.”

Swamp Thing

The horror film that ends DC Studios’ debut—not to be confused with the television series—will be Swamp Thing.

Kevin Conroy: The most iconic Batman projects he worked on

Claire Peterson on November 21, 2022

Kevin Conroy is Batman to many who have seen his voice work over the years, especially millennials and Gen Zs.

His untimely death last week left a hole in the hearts of many who have closely identified him with DC’s Dark Knight.

While Christian Bale and Ben Affleck have portrayed the iconic superhero on the big screen, Kevin Conroy is still Batman.

Here, we pay tribute to the legendary actor by listing his best Batman performances over the decades.

Crisis on Infinite Earths (2019)

Kevin Conroy typically played Batman from within a recording studio.

He had his first and only live-action appearance as an older Bruce Wayne at The CW’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event.

In the Batwoman episode, Conroy played the Earth-99 version of Bruce Wayne, inspired by the iconic graphic novel Kingdom Come.

Despite his brief appearance, it was a performance fans applauded.

Conroy’s Bruce Wayne was an older version, similar to Ben Affleck in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

However, in this version, he was able to kill Superman.

Kevin Conroy performed well despite being a dark and evil Batman.

Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)

The Killing Joke is one of the best Batman stories in comics, but the adaptation paled in comparison.

However, Kevin Conroy did what he does best: deliver.

His performance hit the right note and reflected the chemistry he and Mark Hamill (The Joker) have shared over the years.

However, the first half of the movie was underwhelming.

The dialogue is straight out of the graphic novel, and Kevin Conroy once again showed why he is Batman with his performance.

The Killing Joke would easily be one of the best Batman movies if there’s a version that removes the first half that focuses on Batgirl.

Injustice: Gods Among Us/Injustice 2 (2013/2017)

Kevin Conroy’s Batman CV includes video games, and the Injustice series is one of his best-known.

The games revolve around a vengeful Superman who puts on a diet to make sure no one ever suffers the same loss he suffered in any way.

Conroy’s Batman defied the Regime and did whatever it took to bring down his once close friend.

Although there is an animated Injustice movie, Kevin Conroy did not return as Batman.

Regardless, Conroy’s performance is one of the foundations that made the Injustice games iconic.

Batman Beyond (1999 – 2001)

The late 1990s and early 2000s animated series arrived after Batman: The Animated Series.

Batman Beyond was one of the seminal stories featuring a Batman that wasn’t Bruce Wayne.

Instead, the series focuses on a new character Terry McGinnis who takes Bruce Wayne to mentor him.

While he usually plays second fiddle, Kevin Conroy remains prominent in Batman Beyond.

The series produced a feature film, Return of the Joker, featuring the young Batman we’ve all come to expect.

“Batman Beyond” and “Return of the Joker” showcase Conroy’s overall vocal flexibility as a caped crusader.

The Arkham Trilogy (2009 – 2015)

While not the first Batman game starring Kevin Conroy, the Arkham Trilogy is easily one of the most memorable.

Throughout the video game series, Conroy plays a completely different Batman.

Reunited again with Mark Hamill, the games show a darker, grittier side to the characters they’ve portrayed so well for years.

Kevin Conroy has done a fantastic job of adapting to the age of his fans and moving beyond Batman, who held himself back in the cartoons, to a more brutal and iconic 3D version.

Justice League/Justice League Unlimited (2001 – 2006)

The animated series surpassed the Super Friends cartoon and brought iconic stories, characters and moments to the small screen.

Kevin Conroy continued his work as the Dark Knight with the Bruce Timm design, this time alongside the god-like roster of the Justice League.

While there are many memorable episodes, one of the most underrated moments came in the Justice League Unlimited episode “This Little Piggy.”

The episode features a brief introduction to Kevin Conroy’s vocal range.

The Justice League Unlimited episode “Epilogue” also features one of Batman’s best moments.

No one else could have played that scene better than Conroy.

Batman: The Animated Series (1992 – 1995, 1997 – 1999)

Kevin Conroy’s most iconic work and medium, Batman: The Animated Series, is the show that made him a staple in the Batman lore.

His delivery of the line “I am vengeance, I am the night. I am Batman!” cemented his connection with the Dark Knight.

Batman: The Animated Series is the most famous Batman work outside of comics.

The series is known for its stories and aesthetics that go beyond Batman and explore the personal life of Bruce Wayne and his rogue gallery.

Batman: The Animated Series perfectly shows that the characters of Gotham City are more than heroes and villains.

Reference:

The 9 best Kevin Conroy Batman performances

Henry Cavill is still Superman, confirms return on Instagram

Edward Anderson on October 31, 2022

Henry Cavill’s Superman has been gone for a few years, but the actor revealed he will remain as Superman for the DCEU.

Warning: the following contains spoilers

Henry Cavill’s announcement

Henry Cavill took to social media to talk to fans about his appearance in the Black Adam mid-credits scene.

He also assured them that this was not the end.

Cavill also confirmed that he is returning as Superman for more DC films.

“I wanted to wait until the weekend was over before posting this because I wanted to give you all the chance to watch Black Adam,” said Cavill.

Henry Cavill is known for making sure fans don’t get spoilers about the projects he’s involved in.

“Now that plenty of you have, I wanted to make it official: I am back as Superman.”

“What you see in this image and in Black Adam is just a very small taste of things to come.”

“There’s a lot to be thankful for, and I’ll get to that in time, but I wanted to thank you most of all,” said Cavill, referring to his supporters.

“Thank you for your support and for your patience. I promise it will be rewarded.”

Warner Bros.

Since his debut in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, Henry Cavill’s Superman has been the subject of debate.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was unfairly bombarded by critics, paving the way for Cavill and the Justice League movie to get backlash.

After Snyder’s departure, Joss Whedon’s directorial takeover only put the DCEU in an even more challenging position.

Warner Bros. moved between companies like AT&T and Discovery, but Snyder’s impact can still be felt on DC projects following his release.

Wonder Woman and Aquaman won over fans and received sequels.

The Flash movie will be released next year.

Ben Affleck’s Batman, first criticized and then deservedly praised, will also return.

Meanwhile, the highly anticipated Snyder Cut later dubbed Zack Snyder’s Justice League, found success in HBO Max.

A Man of Steel sequel had been put on hold and was rumored never to appear.

Instead, there were rumors of a new Superman movie.

The rumors felt solidified until Dwayne Johnson stepped in.

Black Adam gives Superman a boost

Dwayne Johnson revealed that the Black Adam team was frustrated that Walter Hamada turned down a Superman cameo in the film.

Johnson, however, is full of praise for Henry Cavill, describing him as a “great” and “beloved” Superman.

The Black Adam actor also highlights how Cavill loves the Superman mythology and knows the character from the heart.

“And then on top of that, the most important thing is, fans love him as Superman,” said Johnson.

“He’s been on the sideline for five years, and no one’s talking about it!”

The Man of Steel’s return

His cameo in Black Adam inspired the executives of Warner Bros. to bring Henry Cavill back to DC projects.

A sequel to Man of Steel is reportedly in the works, and producer Charles Roven is also said to be back.

In the Black Adam mid-credit scene, Superman steps out of the shadows in Black Adam to confront the champion of Khandaq.

The scene also used John Williams’ original theme from the 1978 film Superman.

The decision to pick Williams’ theme gave fans renewed hopes for Henry Cavill’s return as the Man of Steel.