Tag: Penguin

Zero Year E16 – Special Gotham Podcasts Roundtable Discussion

For this very special episode we joined a virtual mob of Gotham podcasters and discussed our hopes for the show. Each team will also fill you in on what each of our podcasts will focus on as we head into Season 1.

Featuring the hosts of:
Gotham TV Podcast (Derek O’Neill and John Harrison)
Legends of Gotham (Bill Meeks and Anne Marie DeSimone)
Before the Bat (Phil Perich and Kelly Dimarzio)

Show Notes

Full Broadcast

Gotham TV Podcast ( Website | Twitter| Facebook )

Legends of Gotham ( Website | Twitter | Facebook )

Before the Bat ( Website | Twitter | Facebook )

Here are the links to the news stories each of us discussed on the show.

Holy Diversity, Batman!

Netflix Nabs Rights To New Drama ‘Gotham’ In Precedent-Setting Deal

Television Critics Association declares Gotham the year’s “most promising” new show

“Gotham Central 5 – The Legend Reborn” – Zero Year E14

Gotham Central Part 5 – The Legend Reborn – Zero Year E14

Show Notes

Zero Year, Episode 14 of Gotham TV Podcast we talk about the 21 minute “The Legend Reborn” preview special from Gotham. The preview was released in conjunction with the Gotham season pass on iTunes and was also released in four parts on You Tube titled “Mythical Beginnings”, “A City on the Edge”, “Behind the Shadows” and “Heroes and Villains”. We also complete our five part review of the comic series Gotham Central by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka and Michael Lark, covering issues #28-40 which encompass the story arcs “Keystone Kops”, “Nature”, “Dead Robin”, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and the bittersweet finale “Corrigan II”.

Gotham News

  • In the build up to the premiere of Gotham a front page feature was published in SciFi Now magazine and Gotham is also featured in the SFX magazine. Both publications provide a lot of information that we have heard over recent months but also include some new bits of information. In particular, we hear from Bruno Heller that with the casting of David Mazouz as the young Bruce Wayne the role became a more central to the story of the TV series. It was also hinted that Gotham will also explore other vigilantes that may have existed before the Batman and which could have served as an inspiration and possible role model for the young Bruce Wayne.
  • Another European broadcaster Canal Plus in Spain have announced that they will broadcast Gotham within one day of the US broadcast on the 23rd of September.While we know the show will air on Channel 5 in the UK we’ve yet to get a release date, but hopefully it won’t be far behind the 22nd September air date in North America on Fox in the USA and CTV in Canada.
  • iTunes now allow you to subscribe to the full season of Gotham on their US and Canadian service. For US €29.99 or CAN €49.99 you get the full season of 16 episodes and a special exclusive behind the scenes video. In addition, iTunes have put up a complete 21 minute preview of the show called “The Legend Reborn”. This preview is split into four parts and has been released on YouTube. Watch all four parts of “The Legend Reborn” here.

As always thanks so much for listening and all your interactions over the last six months. We have just under three weeks left until Gotham launches in the USA and Canada so we’re working on a few surprises for our next podcast and we’ll let you know details as soon as we can.

For details of our competition to win a Penguin poster by Matthew J Fletcher, please check out our website here.

Derek & John
GothamTVPodcast

If you have any questions or comments you can contact us any of the following ways:

You can email us at [email protected]
@gothamtvpodcast on Twitter
Facebook.com/gothamtvpodcast or just search “Gotham TV Podcast” on Facebook.
You can leave us a voicemail on Skype just search for Gotham TV Podcast.
You can also connect with us on Google + at gothamtvpodcast.

Date recorded: 30/08/2014
Date published: 01/09/2014
MP3, 129 mins, 128kbps, 123 MB

Gotham TV Launch – 22 September – “The Legend Reborn” Preview

Gotham launches on American TV network Fox and Canadian TV channel CTV on the 22nd of September 2014. While we know the show will air on Channel 5 in the UK we’ve yet to get a release date. Another European broadcaster Canal Plus in Spain have announced that they will broadcast Gotham within one day of the US broadcast on the 23rd of September so hopefully we won’t be far behind.

To celebrate the launch of Gotham iTunes now allow you to subscribe to the full season of Gotham on their US and Canadian service. For US€29.99 or CAN€49.99 you get the full season of 16 episodes and a special exclusive behind the scenes video. In addition, iTunes have put up a complete 21 minute preview of the show called “The Legend Reborn”. This preview is split into four parts and has been released on YouTube. Watch all four parts of “The Legend Reborn” below:

Part 1 – Mythical Beginnings

In this part we hear of the genesis of the idea of Gotham from Bruno Heller, Danny Cannon, Geoff Johns and members of the cast. We see more of the interplay between young Detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and his Gotham guide, partner Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue). We also get to see more information about the villains of the show such as Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor) and Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett-Smith) and a sneak peak of four new Characters to Gotham.

Part 2 – A City on the Edge

This second part gives us our first introduction to two members of the Major Crimes Unit of Gotham City Police Department, Renee Montoya (Victoria Cartegena) and Crispus Allen (Andrew Stewart-Jones). It also introduces us to the wider cast of the show such as Jim Gordon’s partner Barbara Kean (Welsh actress Erin Richards) and some of her background and connections in the city.

Part 3 – Behind the Shadows

This part of the documentary gives us some details of how the city of New York plays it’s part in the creation of Gotham. We get our first look at the primary set for the show, the Gotham City Police Department precinct office. This epic set is two stories tall and took over ten weeks to build. We also see some of the visual effects and special effects that will be used in the first few episodes of Gotham

Part 4 – Heroes and Villains

The final part of the documentary includes some of the footage that we have seen in the past providing some more detail on the characters and how the show will see the development of the two sides of the battle for Gotham before the existence of the Dark Knight.

Check the videos out and then come back and listen to episode 14 of our podcast where we discuss some of the information releases in these videos.

Derek & John

New footage in SDCC Gotham TV Trailer

A new Trailer for Gotham was released along with a fan competition on Fox.com. The competition gives the option to create a new poster for the upcoming TV show Gotham or to recreate a scene from the new trailer below to win a trip to New York to watch the official premiere of Gotham.

The new trailer includes footage that looks like it’s taken from later in the season including our first mention of Arkham Asylum, Bruce Wayne’s assertion that he’s just testing himself with a burning candle to his hand and Robin Lord Taylor being picked up by two frat boys who tell him he looks like a certain aquatic flightless bird. Take a look at the trailer below and if you are in the United States enter the contest here or the video contest on the facebook page here

Also at an interview with IGN.com Ben McKenzie confirmed the appearance of the previously unannounced Gotham kingpin Sal Maroni. Previously played by Eric Roberts as the pretender to the throne left behind by Carmine Falconé this time they’ll both exist in Gotham together. We’re excited.

We’ll be talking all about the new trailer, competitions and the panel in our podcast tomorrow.

Gotham TV Podcast Meets Gotham Addicts – Zero Year Episode 11

Gotham TV Podcast Meets Gotham Addicts – Zero Year Episode 11

Show Notes

Derek and John return for Zero Year, Episode 11 of Gotham TV Podcast, we discuss all the Gotham news from the Television Critics association Summer tour 2014. We also invite some very special guests to the show this episode. We’re joined by Candace and Sophia of Gotham Addicts to talk all about how they started out developing their fan community with Sons of Anarchy, also starring Donal Logue (Harvey Bullock on Gotham), some of the fun times they’ve experienced, they’re initial impressions of Gotham and why they started Gotham Addicts.

We hope you enjoy this chat with other fans as much as we did.

News

Gotham News discussed on this episode

⦁ Bruno Heller talked about Ivy Pepper’s character on the show and how she may develop into Poison Ivy over time.
⦁ The introduction of Arkham Asylum and psychiatrist Doctor Hugo Strange.
⦁ Other assorted news from the Television Critics Association (TCA) summer tour 2014.
Shawn Lunn gives a great overview of the Gotham news from the TCA’s in his blog.

As always thanks for listening. Later this week we will be talking about all the news and details of Gotham surrounding San Diego Comic Con.

D&J
GothamTVPodcast

If you have any questions or comments you can contact us any of the following ways:

You can email us at [email protected]
@gothamtvpodcast on Twitter
Facebook.com/gothamtvpodcast or just search “Gotham TV Podcast” on Facebook.
You can leave us a voicemail on Skype just search for Gotham TV Podcast.
You can also connect with us on Google + at gothamtvpodcast.

Date recorded: 22/07/2014
Date published: 23/07/2014
MP3, 61 mins, 128kbps, 56.1 MB

San Diego Comic Con 2014…Six DC (and Gotham) events we can’t wait to catch

In preparation for San Diego Comic Con 2014 (SDCC 2014) Gotham seems to be making a mark in the city as it ramps up to the start next Wednesday (23rd July) when a preview night will kick-off four days (24th – 27th July) of all things comic related. Not only are the San Diego trolleys receiving a Gotham style makeover (Pictured Below), but there is also a Gotham-themed 130-foot zipline between the Convention Center and the Hilton Bayfront Hotel and Gotham City Police cars will cruise around town for Uber users and of course stake-out SDCC for the Penguin and Fish Mooney.

IMG_0851-Large 2

SDCC 2014 is the “big-one” of the comic conventions and it puts on a show (both inside and outside the convention center) for all those who are interested in comics from the big headline film and TV events through to guest appearances, comic artists and writers and there is of course the amazing cosplay and fun fringe events and socialising. We of course will bring you as much of the Gotham, Batman and DC news and stories as we can from SDCC 2014 next week, so for all the latest from SDCC 2014 watch this space and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. We will also be helping out our friends over at TheEffect.Net with all the other SDCC 2014 news and stories.

The schedule for SDCC 2014 has already been released and is packed with panels, talks, competitions, appearances, events and screenings. Amongst these are the TV, film and comic panels taking place over the four days that will include celebrating 25 years of the Simpson with co-creator Matt Groening, an exploration of Hannibal (the Menu will include David Slade – Executive Producer), the new Star Wars animation, Rebels, and a look at Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season two and the new mid-season series Marvel’s Agent Carter. With this in mind we thought we would share our six big TV, film and comic events related to Gotham Batman and other DC properties scheduled for SDCC 2014.

1. Warner Bros Television and DC Entertainment event (8pm) and Warner Bros. Pictures Panel (10 am) – Saturday 26th July (8pm)

From 8pm on Saturday 26 July Warner Bros. TV with DC Entertainment will host a three hour extravaganza in Hall H to be hosted by Stephen Amell of the hit TV show Arrow. This is the big TV event of SDCC 2014, one that has never been tried before, and is exclusively a superhero themed event for fans of DC and will include loads of exclusives for the upcoming TV shows from Warner Bros and DC. Not only will the event feature appearances from cast and crew from Arrow, it will also showcase footage of the new upcoming TV series’ Gotham, The Flash and Constantine. The world premiere screening of the Gotham TV series pilot, starring Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, Jada Pinkett Smith and Robin Lord Taylor will be shown at the event. To ramp up the excitement for the event a new teaser trailer has been released focusing on the relationship between Jim Gordon (Ben Mckenzie) and Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) you can watch it here: “One Crime Will Unite Two Partners”.

To wrap things off at the Warner Bros. DC Entertainment event the complete screening of The Flash pilot will be shown along with exclusive footage of episode one of the new Constantine TV series, starring Matt Ryan, and exclusive footage of Arrow season three. We think this is going to be a very special event and panel indeed for Gotham and is certainly set to raise the roof on all the small screen heroes from DC that will be on offer this Autumn.

Gotham-Comic-Con-Banner

If you have any questions for the Arrow and The Flash panels you can use #AskArrow and #AskTheFlash for a chance to have them answered at SDCC 2014. Simply tweet the Arrow and The Flash CW Twitter accounts with your questions for Stephen Amell and Grant Gustin.

If you’re looking forward to Constantine, then earlier in the day at 5.15pm there will be the full pilot screening and Q&A session that will include stars from the show Matt Ryan and Harold Perrineau as well as executive producers and creators of the show Daniel Cerone (Dexter) and David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight trilogy). For all you fans of Constantine then at 4pm on 26th July head over to the Constantine Dome in Gaslamp Square, come in your finest cosplay for a “Constantine Meet Up” and commemorate the day with a group photo with the man himself, Constantine (Matt Ryan). This sounds a sweet little event just before the screening and Q&A session.

The Warner Bros. Pictures panel is also scheduled for Saturday 26th July at 10am in Hall H and they are bringing three upcoming films to SDCC 2014, including Mad Max: Fury Road and Jupiter Ascending, and Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies. Whilst there is no indication of any sneak peaks of footage from the 2016 Batman v Superman film or that the cast will attend, it is likely that the Batmobile will make an appearance.  DC is also planning to announce their future DC movie road map, with the tease that the Justice League cast will make an appearance.

dc_063014_1280-2-720x405

2.Spotlight on Bill Finger, the Co-Creator of Batman – Thursday 24th July

The issue of who, when and why in the creation process of comics that meshes both writing, artwork as well as colouring and stenciling has provided some of the more controversial discussion topics around comics and graphic novels. None more so than the Batman’s uncredited co-creator – Bill Finger. Not only did Bill Finger breathe life into Batman, Robin, Gotham City, and one fantastic villain after another, he co-created bat-free icons such as Green Lantern. With 2014 being the 75th Anniversary of the Batman and the 100th anniversary since the birth of Bill Finger it is fitting that such a distinguished and high-level panel comes together at SDCC 2014 to discuss his huge influence and contribution to the DC universe. On the panel, moderated by Dr. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight), will be amongst others Bill Finger’s only living descendants Athena Finger (The Cape Creator: A Tribute to Bill Finger) and her son Benjamin, plus Bob Kane’s biographer Tom Andrae (Batman and Me), writer Mark Evanier (Bill Finger Awards) and Michael Uslan (Batman, The Dark Knight film trilogy). What is great to see is that the very special reprinting of Detective Comics #27 by DC also includes new material and the first-ever cover credit to the co-creator Bill Finger.

batman-timeline24-Final-1-1e136

3. Batman ’66 Panel – Thursday 24th July

Biff! Bam! Pow! …This panel should be a great trip down memory lane for a good number of people, bask in its sense of kitsch and let in your excitable inner child. With moderator Ralph Garman in Hall H Warner Bros. reunites pop icons Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar for a Bat-tastic look at Batman: The Complete TV Series. The actors behind Batman, Robin and Catwoman talk about their roles in the landmark series and provide an insight in to all the exclusive content within the forthcoming blockbuster home entertainment release of the much-loved TV series. The panel will also exhibit some of the holy dazzling HD remastered Batman footage of the series prior to its release in November 2014. Remember fans to bring your shades it’s gonna be bright and colourful.

batman66

4. iZombie Pilot Screening – Friday 25th July

From 11.30am on Friday we will get a glimpse of CW’s mid-season series iZombie as it debuts at SDCC 2014 (unfortunately iZombie will not be included in the Saturday WB/DC TV event). We can’t wait to get some more details of this show and hear the reaction to the pilot screening of iZombie. Olivia “Liv” Moore is a 25-year-old medical resident with high hopes of a long and successful life…until she’s turned into a zombie. Now not only is she stuck between half-alive and undead, but she is stuck in the morgue as the only way to satisfy her lust for brains. Liv’s new diet allows her to experience “visions”-flashes of the corpse’s memories-including, in some cases, clues as to how they were killed. The special video presentation will be followed by a Q&A with series stars Rose McIver (Once Upon a Time) and Malcolm Goodwin (Breakout Kings), as well as executive producers Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright (both of Veronica Mars).

IZO_Upfront_ShowPage_SIM_5376a268815460.85005117

5. DC Comics Batman- Friday 25th July

The DC comic Batman panel brings together some of the most creative writers, artists of the medium. With storylines that are deep, complex, sometime vicious and brutal but always compelling and with artwork that lifts from the page to feed your imagination the Bat-family of comics couldn’t be in better hands during Batman’s 75th anniversary. This panel will provide an exclusive look and insight at what is to come for the Batman and his allies from the amazing talent behind those comic pages that we’re enjoying so much. The panel includes Marc Andreyko (Batwoman), Brian Buccellato (Detective Comics), Greg Capullo (Batman), Pat Gleason (Batman and Robin), Greg Pak (Batman/Superman, Doctor Strange:Season One), Scott Snyder (Batman, Batman Eternal), Peter Tomasi (Batman and Robin) and others. Enjoy this panel it should be epic!

batman6_snydercapullo

 6. DC Collectibles – Thursday 24th July

For all those kleptomaniacs out there (such as ourselves) rejoice as DC Collectibles showcase the action figures, busts, statues and much more for all the fans of DC. The panel, which includes amongst others Kevin Kiniry (DVP for Creative Services), artist Greg Capullo (Batman) and sculptor Jon Matthews, will let you in to the creative process of making these figures and statues and they will give some insight about what is coming up from the DC Collectibles range. Get your wallets ready and prepare to spend as DC Collectibles offer loads of Comic-Con Exclusives to be sold at Diamond retailer booths during the convention.

sdcc-2014-dc-debuts-new-arrow-and-arkham-knight-co_9hb5

We are looking forward to all the events next week at SDCC 2014 from the big to the small and whilst Warner Bros. Pictures DC cinematic events are limited this year at SDCC 2014, DC will be more than catered for by the Warner Bros TV event with a look at the exciting new Autumn DC releases on the small screen. But, in the best tradition of SDCC, we hope there will also be plenty of big surprises and unexpected guests to come at San Diego Comic Con 2014 next week. We hope you’ll join us.

John and Derek

Gotham TV Podcast

“Gotham Central – Unresolved” – Zero Year Episode 10

“Gotham Central – Unresolved” – Zero Year E10

Show Notes

Derek and John return for Zero Year, Episode 10 of Gotham TV Podcast, with a review of the “Unresolved” story arc in the comic series “Gotham Central” by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka and Michael Lark and covers issues #19-22. Unresolved sees a divisive former member of the M.C.U. with a large reputation assist colleagues with an old cold case, “the locker room bombing”. This draws out a dangerous and persuasive trickster from down the rabbit hole of Arkham Asylum and his unknown and unexpected accomplice.

The review is full of spoilers so if you haven’t read the comics, grab a copy from your local comic book shop or you can read it digitally at Comixology and join us. Let us know your opinion on the story and we’ll discuss any feedback on the next episode.

News

We begin by discussing some of the news that has come out since the last episode.

Gotham News

⦁    BREAKING NEWS Gotham’s premiere and launch date this Fall was announced. Gotham episode one will air in the USA on 22nd September 2014. We are beyond excited by this news and can’t wait until the broadcasters and other premiere dates will be announced for other regions…fingers crossed this will be very soon!

⦁    In Gotham casting news, Carol Kane was cast as Gertrud Kapelput, the mother of Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor), in a recurring role for Gotham. Kyle Massey has also been hired in a recurring role. Massey will play a neglected kid called Macky who lives on the streets of Gotham.

⦁    The World Premiere screening of the Gotham pilot will take place at San Diego Comic Con on Saturday 26th of July from 8 to 11pm. As part of the gigantic international event, it will include loads of exclusives for the upcoming slate of the a Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment shows and will be hosted by Stephen Amell who stars as Oliver Queen on Arrow. Along with the full premiere of Gotham, the complete screening of The Flash pilot, exclusive footage from Episode 1 of Constantine and Season 3 of Arrow,  it will also feature appearances from various cast and producers from the TV shows.

⦁    Alan Brennert, the creator of the character Barbara Kean, has said he will boycott the TV show Gotham over a despute over equity for the use of the character on the TV Show. We hope all involved are able to resolve the situation soon.

DC Connected Universe News

⦁    Writer, director and podcaster Kevin Smith took to twitter to take the opportunity to deny the rumours which stated that he was the writer of a leaked draft ghost script for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, supposedly written at the request of Warner Bros. Pictures to put fake spoilers online. Understandably, Kevin Smith also took the opportunity to promote his actual work with the 5 completed scripts he has produced in the last 12 months and his upcoming movie TUSK out in October.

⦁    Brandon Routh will return to the DC universe as The Atom in season 3 of Arrow it was announced. After his stint as Superman/Clark Kent in Brian Singer’s Superman Returns, Brandon Routh now has the opportunity to play Ray/The Atom who can alter the size of his body as well as other objects.

As always thanks for listening. Next time we will be talking about the big one – San Diego Comic Con 2014 – with some special guests.

D&J
GothamTVPodcast

If you have any questions or comments you can get us any of the following ways:

You can email us at [email protected]
@gothamtvpodcast on Twitter
Facebook.com/gothamtvpodcast or just search “Gotham TV Podcast” on Facebook.
You can leave us a voicemail on Skype just search for Gotham TV Podcast.
You can also connect with us on Google + at gothamtvpodcast.

Date recorded: 10 & 11/07/2014
Date published: 13/07/2014
MP3, 88 mins, 128kbps, 80.9 MB

Gotham Premiere Date Announced for the USA

Gotham will premiere this Fall on Monday 22nd September in the USA and we are understandably excited. Episode one of Gotham will air at 8pm on the Fox Network just before the return of Sleepy Hollow. We have nothing more to add other than, in the tradition of Dr Strangelove, we can’t wait for the countdown to zero.

Derek and John

Gotham TV Podcast

Gotham Trailers, Clips and Videos

Since the start of May fans of the upcoming TV series Gotham have, in addition to interviews with the cast and characters, been treated to a host of video releases, including trailers and clips that are beginning to tease out the tone, direction and characters of the show scheduled for this Autumn.

The release of the official extended trailer for Gotham started it all off in early May and started a buzz about the show with fans enjoying and scrutinising the trailers, including ourselves with our “Gotham First Full Trailer Breakdown” episode of Gotham TV Podcast. This was soon followed by a “First Look” from the official Gotham website and trailers from other TV networks as screenings of the pilot episode of Gotham began to gather more excitement and generate momentum around the show. We then got to see a short but tantalising villains snap-shot from Fox Networks which was awesome and got ourselves even more excited about the show and now we’ve seen the companion video to Villains entitled Heroes, there’s no new footage present but seeing Jim and the young Bruce Wayne together as the city closes around them is worth watching.

Whilst most of the footage is from the pilot episode, there are some great shots of the City of Gotham and some iconic glimpses laid bare in the current releases for the Gotham TV show. We are certainly expecting new footage from the series soon, as the big comic cons are on the horizon and filming for the show is continuing apace in New York (aka Gotham). So, Gothamites, we have pulled together the current trailers, clips, snap-shots and other videos below and on our new YouTube Channel for you all to enjoy. We will of course add to this as more trailers and clips are released.

Gotham | Exclusive Preview (Warner Bros. UK, Channel 5 UK)

Official Extended Trailer | Gotham | Fox Broadcasting

First Look | Gotham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REoELMS5tXc

Villains | Gotham

Heroes | Gotham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlsuG1paO04

Bruno Heller introduces the Worlds of Gotham

https://youtu.be/6chG-0bIxe8

One Crime Will Unite Two Partners | Gotham

https://youtu.be/9iy6dQ769oI

Ben McKenzie and the Cast Talk Gotham | DC Entertainment | DC All Access

Gotham Trailer Pilot | CTV Broadcasting

 

Derek and John

Gotham TV Podcast

Game Review – Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate Deluxe Edition PS3

Overview

Set three months after the events of the Batman: Arkham Origins game by WB Montreal, Batman Origins Blackgate sees Batman get drawn to Blackgate prison while chasing Catwoman. Commisioner Gordan tells him that three of Gotham’s biggest criminals, Joker, The Penguin and Black Mask have taken over three seperate areas of the prison and need to be taken down. With the help of Catwoman, Batman enters the prison to stop the criminals one by one.

Batman and Gordon

Graphics

I’ve played all three Batman: Arkham games to date and enjoyed each one. The graphics have been amazing and the feeling of “Being Batman” is like no other I’d experienced before. I must admit I was hesitant to play the game as almost everything I’d seen showed a more cartoony style for this. The developers Armature Studios describe it as being a 2.5HD reboot of the PlayStation Vita and Nitendo DS game of the same name. I was pleasantly surprised with the implementation of this transfer. There are some sections of the game that are totally on rails. You can’t explore the corners of every room and the camera moves around with you as you move through various areas but this really is a great looking downloadable game. Scenes like the fight with Killer Croc really stand out as beautiful. The majority of the cut scenes look like motion comics with voice over from the actors but it’s a nice style and doesn’t take away from the game once you get used to them.

Gameplay

batman-blackgate-ps3-Fight

Once you are in the main game you can choose to go after the three protaganists in any order you wish. Penguin has taken up quarters in the Cell Blocks, Joker has taken the Administration wing and Black Mask has taken the Industrial section of Blackgate prison. While I don’t really understand why Blackgate has an Industrial section I love that you get to choose in which order you play the game. With the added bonus of collectables for each of the bad guys (Penguin – 20 Bird cages, Joker – 20 sets of chattering teeth, Black Mask – 20 porcelin masks) it keeps you coming back for more and more.

Batman himself has an array of gadgets available to aid him in his mission. He starts out with the Batarang, Bat-Scanner, (Bat?)Grappel Gun and Cryptographic Sequencer (a decoder for the electronic key pads of locked doors). Each of these items is hugely useful but I found myself relying on the Scanner most often. You can scan every corner of every room. When I got lost or couldn’t find where to go on the less than helpful map, all that was required was a scan of a dead end to find a breakable wall or a vent that I could break open. More gadgets are unlocked and upgraded throughout the games running time but are generally provided in the area where you’ll use them most. These include a Line-Launcher for crossing areas you couldn’t cross before, a Bat Claw for grabbing on to objects or people and pulling them down or towards you and a Gel Launcher for sending explosive charges at breakable areas and setting them off at will.

Also present if you’ve played the previous Batman: Arkham games is the free flow fighting system. This is a system built on pressing one or two buttons in a timed order to pull off moves that only batman can achieve. You chain your combat in order to knockout your enemies as quickly and efficiently as possible. Batman doesn’t kill. While I was never great at this process in the Batman: Arkham games I’m terrible at it in these games but luckily the difficulty is not that hard so while I can’t pull off a 30 times combo I can dispatch enemies with some Batman style.

Watch the Official Trailer for Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Three Prisoners Image

Value

With three full campaigns and loads of collectables, trophies and secrets to be found this game is well worth the price tag. I paid €19.00 for this on the Playstation and spent more time playing this than the majority of games I’ve paid full price for.

Overall impression

I was taken aback by how much I enjoyed this game. When I originally heard that it was a transfer of a game from the PlayStation Vita to the PS3 I was expecting a two to three hour sub-par experience that I’d give an afternoon to and then not come back to again. The fact that the voice actors from Batman: Arkham Origins are involved and that the story takes place over three sizable playgrounds means it doesn’t get tiresome. It’s definitely different from the fuller console versions but it really is an enjoyable diversion while we’re waiting for the next generation PlayStation 4, PC and XBox One exclusive Batman: Arkham Knight, recently delayed to 2015. I’m going back to solve more cases.

Derek

New Cast of Gotham Photo – Secrets Revealed

Earlier today a brand new Gotham cast photo was released by Ben McKenzie via Twitter showing all the main characters of the upcoming TV series scheduled for Autumn this year.

What a great photo it is with the G.C.P.D. partnership of Jim Gordon and Harvey Bullock front and centre of the shot. Either side are the two other main partnerships of the series to the right the young Bruce Wayne and his loyal and trusted butler Alfred Pennyworth and to the left the more dubious and villainous pairing of Fish Mooney and Oswald Cobblepot. Peering from above the alleyway is the agile Selina Kyle looking ready to pounce. Whilst towards the back of the picture are an awkward looking Edward Nygma and a young Ivy with what appears to be a rose in hand. All-in-all a great set of characters and cast in this photo and we can’t wait to see them come to life in the TV show.

We also took a deeper look at the image and found a few hidden elements in the picture that we’ve highlighted in the annotated version of the picture below. These little extras in the picture sign-post what some of these characters will obviously become and maybe (just maybe) gives a whisper of another character for the show. Check out our thoughts below.

Gotham Cast Photo annotated 2

1. The Penguin – The poster fixed to the wall above Oswald Cobblepot contains a rotund penguin. Is the Penguin in the poster eating a Fish?

2. The Cat –  The nimble and agile alley cat slinking in the background always lands on all four paws…a sign of the future Catwoman.

3. The Riddler ? –  Graffiti, graffiti everywhere down this seedy alley way but one piece of graffiti poses a question…is the Riddler alive and well and operating in Gotham?

4. The Poison Ivy –  Directly above Ivy Pepper the tendrils of ivy creep up the buildings, beginning to spread, and taking the first footholds ready to consume Gotham…in this kid there is the warning of Poison Ivy.

5. Calling Cards – @SuperheroReport on Twitter pointed out these playing cards and the connection to a certain Batman character. Now maybe they are or maybe they aren’t, but does this sign show the calling card of a familiar character or is it just a joke?

Finally, the arrow which points at the cheeky spotlight in the background of the photo and which could just be the Bat Signal, hinting at what the young Bruce Wayne is destined to become.

Gotham Cast Photo penguin zoom Gotham Cast Photo Joker cards zoom Gotham Cast Photo Ivy zoom

Gotham Cast Photo riddler zoom Gotham Cast Photo Alley Cat zoom Gotham Cast Photo spotlight zoom

“Gotham Central Review Part 2 Issues 11-18 – Zero Year E05

“Gotham Central Review Part 2 Issues 11-18” – Zero Year E05

If you have any questions or comments you can get us any of the following ways:

You can email us at [email protected]
@gothamtvpodcast on Twitter
Facebook.com/gothamtvpodcast or just search “Gotham TV Podcast” on Facebook.
You can leave us a voicemail on Skype just search for Gotham TV Podcast.
You can also connect with us on Google+ at gothamtvpodcast.

Show Notes

Following on from the review of issues 1-10 of Gotham Central in our last podcast (episode 4), Derek and John return for Zero Year, Episode 5 of Gotham TV Podcast, with a review of issues 11-18 of the comic series “Gotham Central” by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka and Michael Lark.

News Links

We begin by discussing by giving a whole-hearted thank you to Ben and Daniel of Welcometolevelseven.com for spreading the word about our podcast to their Agents. If you haven’t checked it out we highly recommend you can listen to their excellent unofficial Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Marvel Universe podcast here

Here’s the news we talked about on this episode:

  • Fox US are expected to announce a launch date for Gotham between the 12th and 14th of May.
  • John Stephens, former writer on the O.C., will get to work with Ben McKenzie again as he’s been given a 2 year contract with Warner Brothers which includes a role as executive producer for Gotham.
  • We discuss the casting of Ray Fisher as Cyborg in Batman/Superman and discuss the official announcement of a Justice League film to start filming directly after Batman/Superman.

Competition

⦁ Check out details of our competition for a signed print of the Penguin by Matthew J. Fletcher on our website here.

This Week’s Feedback

We discuss an iTunes review from Ailby and some feedback from Ben Avery and Daniel Butcher on our previous episodes.

Gotham Central Review

The full comic series “Gotham Central” looks at the Gotham City Police Department and the difficulties and challenges faced by its detectives at work and on the streets fighting crime in Gotham City. The shadow of the Batman and his foes hang heavy over the officers of the Major Crimes Unit.

In this fifth podcast we review issues 11-18 of the Gotham Central series that include the story arcs “Daydreams and Believers” (issue #11), “Soft Targets” (issues #12-15) and “Life is Full of Disappointments” (issues #16-18). From the hiring of a temp in the Major Crimes Unit to the beginnings of a new case the series charts the relationships of the detectives in the G.C.P.D. and the events that impact on them. With a well-known villain on the loose in Gotham the detectives are truly on the front line of the war on crime. The review is full of spoilers so if you haven’t read the comics, grab a copy from your local comic book shop or you can read it digitally at Comixology and join us. Let us know your opinion on the stories of these arcs or your thoughts of the 40 issue comic series so far. We’ll discuss any feedback on the next episode.

As always thanks for listening. Next time we will be taking a brief break from the review of Gotham Central comic series and will be talking about the first of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy “Batman Begins”. Get watching and we’ll talk to you in two weeks.

Intro music for the show is Crime Scene Part 1 by The Afghan Whigs

D&J
Gotham TV Podcast
Genres: TV, Comics, Fantasy, Crime, Batman, Drama, Operatic Soap, DC

Date recorded: 28/04/2014
Date published: 01/05/2014
MP3, 125 mins, 128kbps, 78 MB

“Gotham Central Review Issues 1 – 10” – Zero Year E04

“Gotham Central Review Issues 1 – 10” – Zero Year E04

Riddle us this, “I am a pagan symbol of this time of year, I can be eaten but I can’t be laid. What am I? Can I be found?”

If you have any questions or comments you can get us any of the following ways:

You can email us at [email protected]
@gothamtvpodcast on Twitter
Facebook.com/gothamtvpodcast or just search “Gotham TV Podcast” on Facebook.
You can leave us a voicemail on Skype just search for Gotham TV Podcast.
You can also connect with us on Google + at gothamtvpodcast.

Show Notes

Derek and John return for Zero Year, Episode 4 of Gotham TV Podcast, with a review of the first 10 issues of the 40 issue comic series “Gotham Central” by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka and Michael Lark.

News Links

We begin by discussing some of the news that has come out since the last episode.

⦁ DC have begun their celebrations of Batman’s 75th Year in comics. We discuss what this means to us and the sad news of the death of Lorenzo Semple Junior, one of the creators of the 60s Batman series. You can check out DC’s official #Batman75 website here.

⦁ The creator of the Batman Animated Series, Bruce Timms, has released his animated short tribute to Batman at 75 “Strange Days”. Check out his two minute celebration here.

⦁ Warner Brothers Games Montreal will be releasing the first and only one player Downloadable content for Batman Arkham Origins on the PC, Playstation 3 and XBox 360. The Mr. Freeze centric add on “Cold, Cold Heart” will be released in the US on the 22nd of April and the UK on the 23rd of April. Check out the trailer here.

⦁ In other gaming news the Playstation Vita game Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate has been remastered and re-released for download on the Playstation 3 and XBox 360.

⦁ We discuss how our predictions of the release of the official cast photos by Gotham turned out. *spoilers* not great.

⦁ We discuss the casting of Edward Nigma and two big characters from the Gotham Central comics series, Renee Montoya and Crispus Allen. It’s like we planned it.

Gotham Central Review

The full comic series “Gotham Central” looks at the Gotham City Police Department and the difficulties and challenges faced by its detectives at work and on the streets fighting crime in Gotham City. The shadow of the Batman and his foes hang heavy over the officers of the Major Crimes Unit.

In this fourth podcast we review the first three story arcs of the Gotham Central series that include “In the Line of Duty” (issues #1-2), “Motive” (issues #3-5) and “Half a Life” (issues #6-10). The review is full of spoilers so if you haven’t read the comics, grab a copy from your local comic book shop or you can read it digitally at Comixology and join us. Let us know your opinion on the story and we’ll discuss any feedback on the next episode.

As always thanks for listening. Next time we will be talking about the next three arcs of the “Gotham Central” series (issues #11-18). Get reading and we’ll talk to you in two weeks.

Intro music for the show is Crime Scene Part 1 by The Afghan Whigs

D&J
GothamTVPodcast
Genres: TV, Comics, Fantasy, Crime, Batman, Drama, Operatic Soap, DC

Date recorded: 11/04/2014
Date published: 16/04/2014
MP3, 121 mins, 128kbps, 74 MB