It's becoming quite obvious that DC is going for the slow burn when it comes to unraveling the bigger mysteries surrounding the Rebirth era. Actually, it's kind of funny the double standard upheld by us as comic book readers because we'll wait years to see the showdown between the Avengers and Thanos in the movies, but will become impatient waiting to learn the true identity of Mr. Oz. But, in our defense, comparing a storytelling format that offers you two or three installments per year as opposed to several each month is akin to apples and oranges.
So, despite last week's episode of iZombie having left us on a cliffhanger with Ravi at gunpoint and the network holding its cards close to its vest by leaving him out of the trailer for "Conspiracy Weary," his survival is seemingly DC TV's currently worst kept secret when you consider that not only was he mentioned in the official synopsis, but is also front and center in a new promo clip.
Although he's yet to receive top billing in a movie distributed by Marvel Studios, Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes has undoubtedly been one of the characters to watch as the onscreen saga unfolds. Having been thought dead after World War II, Captain America Steve Rogers' oldest and dearest friend was, as it turned out, brainwashed and used to do the bidding of Hydra for decades as the Winter Soldier. Since resurfacing in the present, he's been a vital cog in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with many fans expecting him to take on a greater role in the not too distant future - but more on that later.
So far, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey has been one of the series that has most defined Rebirth's mission statement by reestablishing a beloved team of superheroes, effectively placing the focus on the characters many devoted fans think of when this title is mentioned. Now, admittedly, Batgirl occupies a fair amount of the spotlight (notice that her name precedes the team, similar to that of Batman and the Outsiders or Red Hood and the Outlaws), but knowing that Black Canary and Huntress are back in the fold undoubtedly provides longtime readers with a measure of comfort.
Despite having three episodes yet to air at the time of this writing, I will still say with unwavering confidence that the third season of iZombie may very well be its strongest offering to date. Featuring an intricately plotted overarching narrative and compelling murder mysteries each week, this particular series has set itself apart from other DC TV shows insofar that it's not about superheroes, but rather, seamlessly blends the horror, comedy and drama genres. In other words, it's clever, it's funny and may be one of the best shows on TV.
It's not often that a line of collectibles becomes so popular that they spawn a comic book series and take the cosplay community by storm in one fell swoop, but that's just what DC Comics Bombshells did (truth be told, I was expecting the Gotham City Garage line of statues to follow suit, but it looks like they didn't catch on as much). Reinterpreting many of the publisher's most iconic female superheroes in both look and background, Bombshells set them against a World War II backdrop in an alternate telling of history. In the process, Wonder Woman, Batwoman and Harley Quinn were but a few to be granted wildly popular re-imaginings.
Be it onscreen or on the printed page, superhero team-ups are arguably a bigger deal now than ever before. Since Rebirth kicked off a year ago, DC has done a fair job of producing addictive ensemble titles - for the most part. Truth be told, I've found the current run of Justice League to be unsatisfactory more often than not, so, thankfully, Trinity has been just what the doctor ordered.
While everyone seems to be preoccupied with wondering if Armie Hammer will end up starring in either Green Lantern Corps or Shazam - it certainly didn't help when Dwayne Johnson, Black Adam himself, fanned the flames when he told us exclusively that he’d like to see Hammer play opposite as him in the role of Shazam - it's important that we not forget he remains an important part of DC on film trivia.
It's hard to believe that a decade has already flown by since Armie Hammer was cast as Batman in George Miller's ill-fated Justice League Mortal. It's also quite surprising that in the time since Warner Bros. made their first major attempt at bringing DC's premier superhero team to the silver screen (it was ultimately killed by the writers' strike, among other factors), Hammer hasn't inhabited the role of any other costumed icons.
Although Gotham concluded its third season only one week ago, the creative minds behind the Batman prequel series aren't wasting time getting back to work. As you may be aware of, principal photography for the fourth season will soon commence as not only do they have to be ready to rock come this fall, but it's very possible that a teaser trailer must be made ready in time for San Diego Comic-Con in July.
