Cool News
Some Pictures Can Not Be Unseen...Presenting A Glimpse At The New BATMAN LIVE Touring Show!!
Merrick here...
THIS piece in The Hollywood Reporter brings us a look at BATMAN LIVE, which opens in Manchester this July and will ultimately make its way to North America late Summer 2012. BATMAN LIVE is an $20 million "arena spectacular" in the vein of WALKING WITH DINOSAURS - Nick Grace is instrumental in bringing us both.
THR says...
The show is a coming-of-age story telling the origin of Robin.
Here's a look at some characters and costumes from the production...
So...I mean...can it be?...that...just maybe...Joel Schumacher was actually ahead of his time?
I wonder who would win in a smackdown between gaudy stage superheroes - TURN OFF THE DARK's Spider-Man, or this Batman? My money's on The Bat, if for no other reason than we haven't heard of him getting stuck in mid-air for nearly an hour and needing to be pulled in with a giant hook (apparently a true story from a TURN OFF THE DARK performance - I would've given anything to have been there for that one).
You can learn more about the show via its official site, HERE.
— follow Merrick on Twitter ! ---
Readers Talkback
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I liked the new look of Catwoman. New as in over 10 years old, but still pretty cool. Other than that, pish posh.
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I'm so there.
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April 13, 2011, 9:33 a.m. CST
I really hate that silver Batman costume
by CHRISTIAN_BALE_TRASHED_MY_LIGHTS
Sorry, but I do.
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http://tinyurl.com/3tgjqot
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This works great for a live stage show spectacular. It reminds me of toys from my youth.
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for not making your Batman anything like this.
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April 13, 2011, 9:44 a.m. CST
It looks gay, and my gay friends will love.
by Stereotypical Evil Archer
I'll watch a normal Batman, because I'm normal.
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It's got to better then TMNT "Out of Their Shells" Tour.
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Thank Christ.
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I'm actually hoping Hathaway's CATWOMAN costume resembles this.
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From chimpan-A to chimpan-Z
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For the love of fuck AICN, get your shit together. That still says it all though, this production is total and complete garbage. DC, you own these characters. Stop letting them be shit on!
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In Season 3's "Out Of The Past." At least there it was a joke. This is just bad. What's next, Swamp Thing - The Musical? Booster Gold - One Man, Three Acts?
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a girdle.
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April 13, 2011, 9:58 a.m. CST
Smackfu, you can't have your characters say how they feel...
by Billyeveryteen
That makes me angry! This opera is as awful as it's brilliant! I love you Dr. Zaius!
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this is NOT a musical.
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Batman doesn't solely belong in a dark and brooding environment..this is how the mainstream audiences remember Batman
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The give awards for best costumes, not most costumes.
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That is a great Catwoman costume and would fit easily into the Nolan-Dark Knight Universe.
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the live stage show from the early '80's that had the '60's batman and robin costumes and the looney tune characters?
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It burn the eyes
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Interpretations of comic book characters should always be welcomed and allowed. As soon as we stop, or we only allow one interpretation at a time or only one kind of interpretation is accepted, then the material cannot and will not live on and adapt over time. A kid will find this portrayal of the character appealing, then as he gets older move on and get interested in more advanced and darker portrayals of the character. But we must allow this portrayal so that children can too experience The Batman, his rogues gallery of villains, and the stories they tell.
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April 13, 2011, 10:07 a.m. CST
I think this would work for a stage production with musical numbers and so forth
by vorlonkosh
You kind of expect something like this to be over the top. That sort of thing never interested me. I endured Wicked, and actually kind of liked Phantom, but by and large, I prefer cinema. This is probably what Batman and Robin should have been. I bet that movie would have worked better as a stage production. Seeing Arnold sing a musical number would be comedy of the highest degree.
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Except for Joker and Batman, the rest of the costumes really don't look all that awful. Nolan's Bat-Universe is great and all, but honestly, I still prefer the Burton-esqe style. It's still sort of rooted in reality but also garish and colorful enough to be fun. I'm kind of getting burnt out on these hyper realistic "re-imaginings" of superheroes. A little color and very slight dash of camp in superhero movies is not necessarily a bad thing, they don't all have to be brooding and wear black leather all the time. I am jonesing so hard for Captian America and Thor because they really feel like proper COMIC BOOK movies, not some alternate reality world where psychologically damaged people wear costumes.
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April 13, 2011, 10:14 a.m. CST
Suddenly Adam West doesn't seem so far from the mark!
by Bob Cryptonight
This thing is for little kids, obviously.
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faaaaaabulous !!!!! I love me some cod pieces!!
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fuck my life, I will pbly go see it anyway.
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...with Batman/Robin and the core of the rogues gallery of villains. As far as the costuming goes,...the villains are pretty much spot-on (the actor playing Joker is excellent, see the video of his introducing the villains). However, somehow they managed to screw up Batman and Robin's costumes. Especially Batman's. Reminds me of the awful "freeze" suit he wore at the end of B&R. And what's with the stupid Bat-Belt? Funny how the Bat-signal, the chest emblem and the belt-bat are all different designs! Bruce just COULDN'T decide, apparently. I agree with others here that the best Bat-suit to date is probably Burton's original ('89). A close runner-up would be Kilmer's first suit in Forever. All said though, I would enjoy seeing this.
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Kids like flashy and gaudy...that is the audience they designed this for...not middle aged geeks who think the world revolves around them.
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"And now, I need the assistance of a member of the audience, How about you, Timmy?"
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April 13, 2011, 10:27 a.m. CST
"The show is a coming-of-age story telling the origin of Robin."
by jim
From that picture I'm guessing this "telling" of Robin's origin doesn't include Two-Face.
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You know, folks, there still has never been a film adaptation (sans West!) where we get Batman in his actual costume from the comics (Gray and Blue or Gray and Black), wherein the costume isn't armor. BATMAN: DEAD END (youtube it) has the most true-to-form version of Bats. It looks good, feels gritty, feels comic-booky, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE THIS LOOK IN A FILM. Maybe in the Justice League we'll get it.
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I'm sorry I missed that when it came to town.
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Wow, that is the worst. Almost unrecognizable. Penguin is the best, a shout out to the Adam West show as is the Joker. The rest get the job done well enough.
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...would be the maximum age a straight male could love this. 13 would be the maximum age a gay male could love this.
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Joblo.com covered this yesterday. AICN is shit with news. Time to shut it down.
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This looks a million times better than anything Joel Schumacher did. The only thing I would change is Batman's buckle. Having it be a gold bad is cheesey. Don't forget... this is a stage show. Some people don't like the silverish grey batsuit but Batman needs to be seen by the audience at a stage show. this costume actually rocks. the Penguin looks better than the movies, and Catwoman looks sexy. All of them look great. There is nothing the team putting this show together have to be embarrassed about in terms of costume and set design. This sure looks a hell of a lot better than Spiderman!
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I cringe
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoG6WU9sbHw&feature=related
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Agreed - for far too long, Batman has been dressed like a Transformer with a cape. You can thank Tim Burton's poor casting choice for that one - Micheal Keaton didn't have the muscular build of a Batman, so they had to give him rubber muscles. Hollywood, being the brain trust that they are, took this as a cue that ALL super heroes going forward had to be bogged down in some kind of rubber gear.
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The villains in that look like they're from HR Pufnstuf or something.
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... so it's a Broadway show, based upon the movie, "Batman and Robin." WUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!! gimme a ticket GIMME A TICKET !! and a box of stuff to throw at the stage LOL
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Materials used to make these outfits make a big difference between looking good or not. They also need to be colorful so even those seated in the final row can tell the characters apart. Besides, it's for kids.
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They plan and plot, but they always get caught! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebI8H5nq5L4
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Glad it's NOT a musical...but wonder what music they are using for suspense/set changes? Burton's, Schumacher's, Nolan's, Animated Series, original or Adam West's music? <p> There is apparently a lot of trapeze work in the show...so, it may have it's own Spidey problems in its future. <p> Cue Catwoman's entrance! <p> THUD! <p> We'll be back after a short intermission.
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Were we playing the same game? That looks nothing like Arkham Asylum.
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That looks gayer than a bruised butthole and I mean that in a derogatory negative way against gay people and this horrific piece of shit. Does he fight an all new villain: The Breeder!? Whoever cleared this SHOULD LOSE THEIR JOB.
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...whatever. The chicks look hot, so put a plus on that.
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So Id say this is at least worth a look. Though the stage version if Lion King is amazing but Taymor apparently couldn't bring that sane magic to Spidey, so who knows. I'm still curious as to what kind of spectacle they're bringing to this.
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Hey, sometimes insane magic is just as effective, if not more so.
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Of all the villains to get wrong, why did it have to be Joker and Harley Quinn? They look horrible! What a stupid-looking vest Joker is wearing.
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April 13, 2011, 11:45 a.m. CST
The show is a coming-of-age story telling the origin of Robin...
by JudgeDredd
Robin looks like he's in his mid-20's. Does a guy in his mid-20's really need a coming-of-age story, and wouldn't any reply involve an allusion to pornography?
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This is the only setting where gay people in tights truely shine
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After he licks your asshole and tells you it tastes like a shiny penny
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Looks hot as hell.
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April 13, 2011, 12:14 p.m. CST
The problem with Schumacher Bats wasn't the costumes
by Inexplicable_Nuclear_Balls
Well, maybe a little. But they would have been a lot more palatable with a GOOD FUCKING SCRIPT. Almost every line of Batman & Robin is a cringe-inducing shitball of one-liner cliches.
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April 13, 2011, 12:20 p.m. CST
Well if it's a theatre show for kids with hisses for the baddies i'm okay with that.
by Arkhaminmate001
But if these people expect adults to take it seriously all i can say is there are some fucked up theatre people getting paid to be just plain WRONG! lol
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I thought it looked a lot better in the earlier stages of production. Looks like they decided to go the way of the Schumacher. Too bad.
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April 13, 2011, 12:31 p.m. CST
Well, so much for my hopes of a holding-cell musical number between Bats and the Joker
by Kamaji
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April 13, 2011, 12:35 p.m. CST
OMG! You'd Almost Think They Are Silly Characters To Begin With!
by Acquanetta
How dare they not lend a "realistic" look to the umbrella-toting bird man, the poison plant lady, or the "clown prince of crime"? How dare they?!
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April 13, 2011, 12:56 p.m. CST
Heard they're making a Batman musical, lemme check out these costume picFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
by DickBallsworth
And... scene.
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time to I guess just end it here eh? *BLAM*
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...even the Justice League porno has better outfits: <p> www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgX6JJUjljE&feature=related
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The strung-out Nancy Spungen-type I did a long time ago looks way better... http://tinyurl.com/3hum2kk Though my Nolanverse Poison Ivy isn't as sexy as that one... http://tinyurl.com/3lk9tp7
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SO loving Poison Ivy now
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But that is NOT the GODDAMN BATMAN.
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Here comes the 50% Grey Knight!
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April 13, 2011, 2:09 p.m. CST
anna valerious, WHY?! That makes two for two things I can't unsee!
by THAT_SAID_THE_CHOPPAH
Please, do yourself a favor and DO NOT check out anna valerious' links! You have been warned!
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The style of Jim Lee is the inspiration for the overall look and style of the show. <p> An all-new Batmobile has been specially designed for the live show. <p> The first ever recording of the music took place at Abbey Road Studios on 23rd September 2010 with 85 musicians. <p> Jim Lee? They could do worse, obviously (Schumacher). <p> A Batmobile on stage? That's cool. <p> There's a video on the site that shows the recording of the music (so, no traveling orchestra)...Definitelt NOT Elfman...or Nolan...just kinda...generic. But not bad. Looking at the vid, doesn't seem to be more than six minutes of music in the entire show. A main theme and some action filler beds. <p> Overall...it's billed as a family friendly show...so...no "pencil tricks"...prolly only one villain death (Most likely Two Face falling from a high tower, out of sight behind scenary, to spare the kids in the audience any grief)...All the other villains prolly get thrown into Arkham in the end...or get away (Catwoman). <p> Website's not too shabby: <p> http://www.batmanlive.com/
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Schumacher's Batman & Robin really was a sign of the apocalypse.
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Seriously. This is just poor poor judgement from WB and DC Comics. Why something like this gets the green light whist Wonder Woman is getting ass raped by Kelley and NBC, is just bonkers. And if its a origin story of Robin then where is Two Face? why is Two Face not there? Also Harlequinn needs to fucking die!! Has a hardcore fan i have despised the character of Harlequinn for so long. Why is she even getting prominence in this event? The Joker needs to make her drink some "smiley face" and just be fucking done with it. Warner Bros needs an enema to get rid of all the excremental executives that is stinking out its decision process and destroying the value of its crown jewels in its I P.
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April 13, 2011, 2:39 p.m. CST
Not that I usually notice these things but, Mrs. Joker is one lucky woman if ya know what I mean.
by AzulTool
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I might actually watch a swamp thing musical.
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Nice receding hairline, Master Dick.
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Except no nipples on the bat suit. )-:
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And not that bad (I don't see nipples). Everyone else looks pretty cool. And no one looks as bad as Swiss Miss from the Spiderman Musical. Given their success with Dinosaurs, I still feel this could be pretty cool.
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Between that and the look on his face it does seem like the Joker is really really impressed with Catwoman's ass.
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Not everything Bats has to be from the Nolan-verse. Yeah, I know many like their Batman all gritty and shit, but there's plenty of room for other interpretations of the mythos. I can't wait to catch this if the tour comes my way.
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but the rest can fuck off.
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I've heard the songs and they are good. I'm surprised that got canned.
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April 13, 2011, 3:58 p.m. CST
After the Spider-Man musical turned out so well why not???????????????????????????
by crackerfarmboy
Oh wait...
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Hotness
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I don't get why anyone would give something this tacky (and just flat out homosexual) looking a pass. Maybe i'm just not cut out for seeing comic characters I appreciate in theatrical shows...I dunno. The clips on youtube make me think Batman & Robin won't be the worst debacle associated with the property. Batman is supposed to be dark and brooding and intelligent. At least Spidey is tongue in cheek enough to possibly work as a stage show
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And... even then I was like "WTF?" But I still liked it.
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It's a show for families in huge arenas so of course the costumes are going to be bright and gaudy so the characters can be picked out in cavernous spaces (and doubtless on big video walls). I don't think Nolan's version of the dark knight would work in this sort of context. Anyway, this could be fun.
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<P>Back in the late 70s, my parents took me to a stage show called The Bugs Bunny Follies. All the expected Warner Brothers characters ran around and did silly things, and a god time was had by all. As an added bonus, however, we were also treated to appearances by Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman and a goodly assortment of Battie's villains, too.</P> <P>Yeah. It makes no sense, but as a kid OH MY GOD WAS IT AWESOME!!! Batman AND Bugs Bunny on the SAME STAGE!!?? I still wet myself a little at the thought.</P> <P>Point being... this is intended for the younger set. So quit being internet nerds about it.</P>
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Dammit, DC, don't you realize that comic book heroes are the exclusive province of adults? What do hope to do with this? Encourage some kid to pick up a comic book and actually READ?
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LOL! "OMG! You'd Almost Think They Are Silly Characters To Begin With!" Good one!
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Batman has always been a homosexual pedophile with a young boy in tight little shorts sidekick. Time to stop the lies. Time to wake up and realize that if you like batman.. well.. You might just want to lick George Takei's asshole and tell him it tastes like a penny. Ya know? For kicks. Because that might be something you would enjoy with your batman comic and a jar of mayonnaise
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That's what I remember that old live show being called, though I could be totally wrong. My Dad took me to see it at Wembley Conference Centre when I was about seven (I think), and I loved it. I always find it a bit depressing how people get steamed up about Batman not always being done in the Nolan/Miller vein. I still enjoy the Adam West show, but I also love the Burton and Nolan interpretations. Batman seems, of all the major superheroes, to be uniquely adaptable, and seems to do well in pretty much any format he appears in. I have no problem with this new show at all - i'll probably go and see it, because i'm a Batman fan. Instead of moaning about it, why not just have a bit of fun for a change - go and stick an Adam West episode on and enjoy it for what it is. FUN. Remember that concept?
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not gay at all
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..because time is a cruel and fickle bitch who shits upon us all...
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Lose the goddamn armor on Batman already. I'm down for splashy and flashy Batman. I'm down with any Batman. But that pig in the Poison Ivy gear needs to go. Find a vicodin-head chick with a tiny waist and bigass titties and thighs and do the Tim Sale version of Ivy. It's the only way. She has to have that "I don't care who fucks me cuz I have my sweet synthetic opiates" glazed look in her eye. I'm sorry. I'm a bitter man.
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...are fucking faggots.
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So much hatred for gays and musicals. And here I am making adult comments about women. Wrong crowd.
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April 13, 2011, 10:39 p.m. CST
Re: Not that I usually notice these things but, Mrs. Joker is one lucky woman if ya know what I mean.
by Tigger Tales
I wanna grab that SO BADLY.
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April 13, 2011, 10:40 p.m. CST
Re: Not that I usually notice these things but, Mrs. Joker is one lucky woman if ya know what I mean.
by Tigger Tales
I wanna grab that SO BADLY.
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It's a fucking Batman musical. What are you expecting that to be like? Of course it's playing big and goofy and campy. There's actually a guy above who criticized the Joker's vest.
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April 14, 2011, 12:20 a.m. CST
if at least three of these characters don't grind-core dry-hump lemme in several-beats-per-second-succession to rudeboy mashup music, it will all be for nothing
by Smack_Teddy
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April 14, 2011, 12:22 a.m. CST
if at least three of these characters don't grind-core dry-hump one another dangerously-close in several-beats-per-second-succession to rudeboy mashup music, it will all be for nothing
by Smack_Teddy
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April 14, 2011, 12:23 a.m. CST
oh who am i kidding, i'm just bitter because they wouldn't make my Bat-ham musical
by Smack_Teddy
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April 14, 2011, 2:32 a.m. CST
you don't go giving away all the money shots cageaholic
by Smack_Teddy
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is how fucking stupid costumed villains are. So you're a super criminal. You plot elaborate crimes in your secret hideout. Then go out in public in the most conspicuous fucking outfit imaginable. Even the dumbest mall cop would see you coming from a mile away. The only day you could go unnoticed would be Halloween.
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All Apps become self-aware and..... well you know the rest....
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FOR KIDS. You know, those little beings that aren't yet adults? It's a Sunday afternoon for dad and the boys... like a baseball game, only the youngest will enjoy it more. Holy shit, I can't believe people would bitch that this wasn't made for them. I think the last ten years of genre films aimed at adult geeks has seriously fucking warped your minds. Oh, and all the homophobic nonsense... GET A FUCKING GRIP, MAN.
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Where they dress up as characters. Cee-Lo is Penguin, and Danger Mouse is the Joker?
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this looks like one of the touring stage shows that they used to have for kids in the late 70's early 80's. Lot's of crowd participation and surprises...makes me feel like a kid again.
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April 14, 2011, 4:58 p.m. CST
I heard Joel Schumacher wants to do the movie version of this musical...
by MrMysteryGuest
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April 14, 2011, 5 p.m. CST
5 bucks says there's a song called "Robin, Swing On My Rope" in this...
by MrMysteryGuest
Insert joke here!
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April 14, 2011, 5:38 p.m. CST
ultratron if that makes you feel better about all the kiddies you like to man-handle, ass fuck and douche for
by Smack_Teddy
you roll with that line
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I only see it in the backgrounds, from this shot alone
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April 14, 2011, 6:05 p.m. CST
tigger_tales - he's just wearing a cup incase that hammer goes awry
by Smack_Teddy
learn't much from The Crow - though he won't admit it
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