Simon Bisley and Glenn Fabry signing Batman Judge Dredd Collection

To celebrate the release of THE BATMAN JUDGE DREDD COLLECTION on 27^th November, 2000 AD is delighted to announce an exclusive signing by two of the biggest names in British comics.

Simon Bisley and Glenn Fabry will be signing and sketching at Gosh! Comics on 1 Berwick Street, London, UK, this Saturday (24^th November) from 2pm to 4pm. The work of both for the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover stories was critically-lauded and praised by fans.

The Batman Judge Dredd Collection is a brand new hard-back collection that brings together all of the characters’ crossovers stories from the 1990s for the first time, and also includes the hard-to-find Lobo/Dredd crossover story. It is being co-published by 2000 AD and DC Comics.

The Dark Knight Rises review

So, here we have it, the finale of Christopher Nolan’s epic trilogy.

After the astounding The Dark Knight, with its show stopping performance from the late Heath Ledger, could this film in any way live up to the hype?

The answer is yes. Yes it could. In fact, in places it even surpasses what Nolan et al achieved in the previous two movies.

I’m sure you all know the basic premise by now. This is set eight years after the events in The Dark Knight. Gotham is at peace, thanks to the sacrifice of Harvey Dent... but that is all about to change. A storm is approaching Gotham. A storm shaped like an unfeasibly pumped Tom Hardy as Bane.

We first meet him in the jaw dropping aerial opening scene, which was filmed here in the Highlands. But it is when he gets to Gotham that things really heat up, as he sets about his plan to dismantle the city.

While this is happening, Bruce Wayne, who has been moping about feeling sorry for himself, encounters a young lady called Selina Kyle and the shenanigans start there...

There has been a lot of talk about the running time of this movie, and it is a long one, make no mistake. However, Nolan manages to cram in a hell of a lot of plot into it. An awful lot happens. I would desperately love to tell you some of the things that take place, but I will not. I will not even hint obliquely about any of them, because there are some great surprises in here. Some I saw coming, some I did not.

I mentioned Bane and Tom Hardy earlier, and really should give him another nod here. Hardy has a hell of a task here, acting in a mask throughout the entire movie, and talking with an heavily distorted voice (which is actually not difficult to understand), but he manages to do all his acting with his eyes – projecting all his emotion through them. It is a show stopping performance.

Show stopping, but not the best in the movie. For my money, that honour goes to Michael Caine. Caine, as Alfred the butler, gets a couple of scenes early on in the movie that are very powerful. In the hands of a lesser actor they could easily have slipped from pathos into cliché and ham, but Caine is masterful in this.

In fact, every performance is brilliant. Bale, Oldman, Freeman and the rest all bring their best to the screen.

But, is this the last in the series..? Nolan and Bale both say yes, and if they are telling the truth, it is a fitting place to end things. But there are plenty of threads left hanging if they ever want to pick them up again. And I for one really hope that they do.

I went to see the movie at Eden Court, which as you know is the venue for Hi-Ex! each year.

Rather brilliantly, after the movie, the charity The Bat Protection League had a table set up. Now, from what I had just seen, I would suggest that bats are not in need of that much protection...

You can read a bit more about them here.

And go see the movie!

Batman Live!

You know, there have been some pretty hideous and horrible and unjust things happen. But one of the very worst was when we at Hi-Ex! were offered tickets to the Batman Live show and were not able to go!
I know, I know- it is an utter disgrace!
Don't worry though, we will somehow manage to get through it and get on with our lives while at the same time despising each and every one of you who get to see it, because it looks awesome (in fact, if anyone wants to write a review for the blog, please drop us a line!)
In the meantime, here's some info on it and the tour dates for anyone wanting to go see...

BATMAN LIVE was unveiled by Warner Bros. Consumer Products, DC Entertainment and Nick Grace of Water Lane
Productions Ltd last month at The Manchester Evening News Arena to a full house, and is currently performing in arenas
around the UK as part of the World Tour. To date BATMAN LIVE has received a large number of positive reviews from
critics and the UK public cannot get enough of the ground-breaking spectacular.

“MESMERISING – Entertainment doesn’t come any better than this. Spectacular ACTION”
Manchester Evening News
“A mind blowing SPECTACLE. THRILL ride”
The Sun

“Kerr-pow! Batman’s a dazzling, high-tech hit”
The Daily Telegraph
“EXTRAVAGANZA”
The Guardian
Audiences entering the arena are greeted by a 3D Gotham City landscape, complete with buildings, soundscape and
video animation, setting the scene for the story to come. The sheer magnitude of the production becomes apparent from
the first moment the full symphonic score is heard, and the 100-foot bat-shaped LED video wall comes to life to enhance
the action on the impressive custom-built stage.
The 43-strong cast of actors and circus-trained acrobats have been rehearsing to perfect the state-of-the-art production –
and as the lights dim and Gotham City’s afternoon turns into night – you can almost feel the anticipation in the air.
Faithfully adapted from the DC Comics characters and stories, BATMAN LIVE focuses on Robin’s quest for justice, which
leads him to follow in the footsteps of his hero – the mysterious vigilante known as Batman, much to the dismay of his
protective guardian, billionaire Bruce Wayne, whom the audience knows is secretly Batman.
This dynamic triangle resolves itself in a non-stop thrill-ride across Gotham City that transforms Bruce Wayne and Dick
Grayson into the legendary crime-fighters, Batman and Robin. The adventure transports the audience from the Big Top of
Haly's Circus to the lower depths of Arkham Asylum, and from the glittering peaks of the Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge to the subterranean wonders that await inside the Batcave.

A dazzling celebration of storytelling and stagecraft, BATMAN LIVE is, at its heart, a poignant coming-of-age story. Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, both orphaned at an early age, must first learn to overcome their own fears and forge their own family – with the help of Police Commissioner James Gordon and Bruce’s trusted butler, Alfred Pennyworth – if they’re going to survive the combined forces of Batman’s larger-than-life rogues’ gallery: The Joker, The Penguin, Catwoman, The Riddler, Two-Face, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
“Batman will be brought to life through this incredible stage show that will tour the world,” said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “As one of the most iconic characters in all of popular culture, Batman enjoys universal appeal and we think that fans of all ages will be amazed by this action-packed, live experience.”
Acrobats suspended in the air, The Joker’s henchmen in choreographed fight sequences and stunning scenic elements are all part of the BATMAN LIVE experience. One of the exciting elements is the eye-catching all-new Batmobile, designed especially for the show by legendary racing car designer Professor Gordon Murray, known for designing race cars for some of the most successful teams in the world for Formula One racing, as well as the famous McLaren F1 road car.
Creative Director Anthony Van Laast said, “It has been a thrilling journey for myself, the creative team and the company to develop the production from the early creative seeds, to the first day of rehearsals and now an amazing show. It is everything I hoped the show would be – exhilarating, impressive, exciting, dynamic and yet accessible – and I truly hope that the arena-going public have as much fun watching it as we have had making it.”

BATMAN LIVE is currently touring arenas for the first time ever across the UK, Dublin, then Europe, arriving in North America in August 2012.
BATMAN LIVE is a live-action, super-heroic spectacle of unprecedented scale that is every bit as human, touching, and inspiring as it is spectacular.
BATMAN LIVE – Future UK Tour Dates 2011
Wednesday 3rd August SECC, Glasgow 7pm 0844 395 4000
Thursday 4th August SECC, Glasgow 7pm 0844 395 4000
Friday 5th August SECC, Glasgow 7pm 0844 395 4000
Saturday 6th August SECC, Glasgow 11am, 3pm & 7pm 0844 395 4000
Sunday 7th August SECC, Glasgow 3pm 0844 395 4000
Wednesday 10th August Sheffield Motor Point Arena 7pm 0114 256 5656
Thursday 11th August Sheffield Motor Point Arena 7pm 0114 256 5656
Friday 12th August Sheffield Motor Point Arena 7pm 0114 256 5656
Saturday 13th August Sheffield Motor Point Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm 0114 256 5656
Sunday 14th August Sheffield Motor Point Arena 3pm 0114 256 5656
Wednesday 17th August NIA Birmingham 7pm 0844 338 8000
Thursday 18th August NIA, Birmingham 7pm 0844 338 8000
Friday 19th August NIA, Birmingham 7pm 0844 338 8000
Saturday 20th August NIA, Birmingham 11am, 3pm & 7pm 0844 338 8000
Sunday 21st August NIA, Birmingham 3pm 0844 338 8000
Wednesday 24th August London O2 Arena 7pm 0844 856 0202
Thursday 25th August London O2 Arena 7pm 0844 856 0202
Friday 26th August London O2 Arena 7pm 0844 856 0202
Saturday 27th August London O2 Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm 0844 856 0202
Sunday 28th August London O2 Arena 11am & 3pm 0844 856 0202
Monday 29th August London O2 Arena 3pm 0844 856 0202
Wednesday 31st August London O2 Arena 7pm 0844 856 0202
Thursday 1st September London O2 Arena 7pm 0844 856 0202
Friday 2nd September London O2 Arena 7pm 0844 856 0202
Saturday 3rd September London O2 Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm 0844 856 0202
Sunday 4th September London O2 Arena 11am & 3pm 0844 856 0202
Wednesday 7th September Liverpool Echo Arena 7pm 0844 8000 400
Thursday 8th September Liverpool Echo Arena 7pm 0844 8000 400
Friday 9th September Liverpool Echo Arena 7pm 0844 8000 400
Saturday 10th September Liverpool Echo Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm 0844 8000 400
Sunday 11th September Liverpool Echo Arena 3pm 0844 8000 400
Wednesday 14th September Nottingham Capital FM Arena 7pm 0844 412 4624
Thursday 15th September Nottingham Capital FM Arena 7pm 0844 412 4624
Friday 16th September Nottingham Capital FM Arena 7pm 0844 412 4624
Saturday 17th September Nottingham Capital FM Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm 0844 412 4624
Sunday 18th September Nottingham Capital FM Arena 3pm 0844 412 4624
Wednesday 28th September Dublin O2 Arena 8pm 0818 719 300
Thursday 29th September Dublin O2 Arena 8pm 0818 719 300
Friday 30th September Dublin O2 Arena 8pm 0818 719 300
Saturday 1st October Dublin O2 Arena 12am, 4pm & 8pm 0818 719 300
Wednesday 5th October Belfast Odyssey Arena 8pm 028 9073 9074
Thursday 6th October Belfast Odyssey Arena 8pm 028 9073 9074
Friday 7th October Belfast Odyssey Arena 8pm 028 9073 9074
Saturday 8th October Belfast Odyssey Arena 12am, 4pm & 8pm 028 9073 9074
Tickets for UK and The Republic of Ireland are on sale now.
For more information go to www.batmanlive.com
UK Ticket Prices: £20.00 / £30.00 / £35.00 (excluding booking fee) Limited Availability of Premium “Gotham City” seats
To book tickets for the UK (excluding Belfast), please contact the OFFICIAL NATIONAL TICKET SALES HOTLINE
– 0844 875 9000 or the relevant venue or for online bookings please visit www.ticketzone.co.uk
Republic of Ireland Ticket Prices: Wednesday 28th September– All tickets €30 Thursday 29th September – Saturday 1st October – €44.20, €33.60, €23 Limited Availability of Premium “Gotham City” seats
To book tickets for Dublin, call the venue on 0818 719 300 or for online bookings please visit http://www.ticketmaster.ie
Northern Ireland Ticket Prices: Wednesday 5th October – All tickets £25 Thursday 6th October – Saturday 8th October - £38, £33, £22.50 Limited Availability of Premium “Gotham City” seats
To book tickets for Belfast, call the venue on 028 9073 9074 or for online bookings please visit http://www.ticketmaster.ie

The Dark Knight Rises teaser trailer

It's here at last!
Not a lot to go on though- plenty of clips of the previous movies and a few seconds of the new one. Nice voiceover from Liam Neeson's Ra's Al Ghul, fueling rumours that he's making a return in this movie and adding to the whole Star Wars episode one feel, along with the "Every journey has a beginning" vibe...
What do you think?

Can't seem to embed it at the moment, but when we can we will- meantime, have a look at it HERE or on the facebook page HERE.

Anne Hathaway is... Catwoman?

Yes, you have read that right.
Warner Brothers have announced that Anne Hathaway is to play Catwoman in Christopher Nolan's third and (he says) final Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises.
She does seem like am unusual choice for the role- but then so was Heath Ledger and he turned out pretty well as The Joker!

But stranger again is the news that Tom Hardy is playing none other than the villain Bane!
Bane is an odd choice, having been doing appalling damage in the Batman and Robin movie, but we trust that Nolan's movie will bring a more cerebral version of the character in keeping with the Bane who took down Batman in the comics.

Read more about it on the Empire site.

Batman: Arkham City trailer

This looks rather awesome! The full trailer for the sequel to the astounding Arkham Asylum.

It's going to be a long wait until the Spring...

THE INAUGURAL CBA CHARITY AUCTION

The Comic Book Alliance are offering comic fans some very special Christmas treats— including the chance to star alongside Batman in his new comic, Batman Inc; along with other experiences that money can’t buy!

Grant Morrison will write the winning bidder into an issue of Batman Inc. featuring their name and likeness, courtesy of DC Comics.

Not only that, but Frank Quitely will draw a personalised portrait of a winning bidder! Quitely said "This is ideal. Some lucky bidder gets to enjoy a cutting caricature of themselves, I get to exercise my cruel sense of humour, and the CBA gets the money it needs to help it carry on its vital work — everyone's a winner!"

Plus, there are dozens of signed books, comics and graphic novels from high profile creators like Alan Moore (Watchmen), Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys), Charles Vess (Stardust), and John Wagner (Judge Dredd).

And there’s original comic art and signed limited prints by the cream of British artists including zombie art work by Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Bryan Talbot (Grandville), Sean Phillips (Criminal), John McCrea (Hitman), David Lloyd (V for Vendetta), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Rufus Dayglo (Tank Girl) and Garen Ewing (Rainbow Orchid).

Details of the auction and how to bid can be found HERE.

Eagle Awards

This years Eagle Awards ceremony took place last night at the MCM in London.

Here is a full list of the winners (Thanks to Down the Tubes):

Roll of Honour – Brian Bolland

Favourite Newcomer Writer – Jonathan Hickman

Favourite Newcomer Artist – Jamie McKelvie

Favourite Writer – Warren Ellis

Favourite Writer/Artist – Darwyn Cooke

Favourite Artist: Pencils – Frank Quitely

Favourite Artist: Inks – Kevin O’Neill

Favourite Artist: Fully-Painted Artwork – J.H. Williams III

Favourite Colourist – Ben Templesmith

Favourite Letterer – Todd Klein

Favourite Editor – Axel Alonso

Favourite Publisher – DC/Vertigo

Favourite American Comicbook: Colour – Batman & Robin

Favourite British Comicbook: Colour – 2000AD

Best British Black & White Comic Book: Whatever Happened To The World's Fastest Man?

Favourite American Comicbook: Black and White – Walking Dead

Favourite New Comicbook – Batman & Robin

Favourite Manga – Fullmetal Alchemist

Favourite European Comicbook – Requiem Chevalier Vampire

Favourite 2009 Single Story –Phonogram – The Singles Club 4: Konichiwa Bitches

Favourite 2009 Continued Story – Walking Dead#61-65: Fear The Hunters

Favourite 2009 Cover – Batman & Robin #4

Favourite 2009 Original Graphic Novel – The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century

Favourite 2009 Reprint Compilation – Captain Britain Omnibus by Alan Moore & Alan Davis

Favourite Magazine about Comics – Wizard

Favourite Comics-Related Book – The Insider's Guide to Creating Comics and Graphic Novels (Andy Schmidt)

Favourite Comics-Related Movie or TV Show – Watchmen

Favourite Comics-Related Website – comicbookresources.com

Favourite Web-Based Comic – Freak Angels by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield

Congratulations to all!