deerstalker

https://nerdist.com/article/villains-we-want-in-the-batman-arkham-asylum-spinoff-series/

Apart from the upcoming series about Colin Farrell’s Penguin, Matt Reeves is bringing another extension of the Batman world to Max. But as James Gunn recently revealed, this new series won’t take place in the Gotham City of The Batman. It will take place in the new DCU. It will focus on the inmates of Arkham Asylum, Gotham City’s home for the criminally insane. Most notably, the Dark Knight’s very long list of rogues. Naturally, the show’s setting brings to mind one important question. Which Batman villains will we soon see roaming the halls of this Arkham Asylum series? We have some ideas on who should make the cut.

What We Know So Far About the Arkham Asylum Series

In an interview, Reeves had the following to say to Games Radar about the upcoming Arkham series. Note: Reeves said this when the Arkham show was still a spinoff of The Batman, although we feel much still applies.

We’ve actually now [moved] more into the realm of exactly what would happen in the world of Arkham as it relates coming off of our movie and some of the characters and their origins…almost leaning into the idea of, it’s like a horror movie or a haunted house that is Arkham. Again the way that Gotham is a character in the movie, I really want Arkham to exist as a character. You go into this environment and encounter these characters in a way that feels really fresh.

While this is a very early description of the show, we have some ideas on how we think it should play out. An Arkham Asylum series would be perfect as an anthology, with each episode dedicated to a different villain. The episodes would reveal how the villains came to be and how they wound up in Arkham. This idea perfectly sets up the Bat-villains for the DCU’s eventual Batman-centric The Brave and the Bold movie. In a haunted house, there are many rooms to visit. And one by one, you meet new scares along the way.

In this imagining, the new DCU Batman would play a small part in the show, as it would be from the villain’s perspective. You wouldn’t necessarily even need that same actor under the mask as on the big screen. This could work similarly to how Pedro Pascal appears on The Mandalorian. You could get name actors for each Arkham Asylum villain, and then later use the spinoff characters in The Brave and the Bold. Let the series do the heavy lifting for the villain intros.

Use Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on a Serious Earth as Inspiration

As for which Batman villains we think will appear in the Arkham spinoff? Well, we’re going to explain why we didn’t choose some big ones. Harvey Dent/Two-Face as a person is too intimately tied to Bruce Wayne, so DC should reserve his story for a movie. Established and overused villains in live-action like the Joker should act as more peripheral characters. Ra’s al Ghul and Bane are international terrorists and not Arkham material. But so many other classic bad guys are all long overdue for a live-action appearance. We feel a little inspiration from Grant Morrison’s graphic novel Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on a Serious Earth is in order. That darker, psychological take on Arkham influenced all its portrayals going forward. With that in mind, here’s who we think should get the spotlight in a future Arkham Asylum series.

Which Batman Villains Will Appear in the Arkham Series?

Here are the villains we most hope to see in this new DCU series.

Scarecrow (Jonathan Crane)

Professor Jonathan Crane, who first appeared in 1941, is one of the many Batman villains who holds up a twisted mirror to the Dark Knight. Like Batman, he has an obsession with fear. But he uses fear as a weapon of control over the weak, not to scare the wicked, as Batman does. Despite his status as a college professor, one fired for his unethical experiments, the Scarecrow lost his grasp on reality. Mainly because of exposure to his own fear toxin. A whole episode based on his origins, and how Batman locked him up at Arkham, seems like an easy decision to us.

Man-Bat (Kirk Langstrom)

The Man-Bat is far more than just Batman’s name in reverse. First appearing in Detective Comics’ 400th issue, along with Ra’s al Ghul, he ushered in a new age of Batman villains for the Bronze Age of comics. Although, he was more of a tragic figure than a straight-up villain. Kirk Langstrom was a scientist who tried to give humanity the sonar sense of bats. But his experiments on himself led him to become a hybrid human/bat creature. He acts as a combination of Dr. Jekyll and Mister Hyde with a dash of werewolf. He’s not technically insane, but the experiments on his body have left him with no control of his mental faculties, leading him to be locked away in Arkham. Far too sci-fi for the Matt Reeves The Batman universe, Man-Bat is a perfect fit for the DCU.

The Mad Hatter (Jervis Techt)

Since his original appearance in 1948’s Batman #49, Jervis Tetch has been a classic villain who disguises himself in the garb of innocent childhood iconography. He’s a genius scientific inventor who develops mind control tech that’s extremely advanced. Alas, he does not wish to use his genius for good. His obsession with all things Alice in Wonderland and his true belief that he’s the Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s story make him one of Batman’s most unhinged foes—and most dangerous.

Poison Ivy (Pamela Isley)

Pamela Isley has been a legendary Batman villain, ever since 1967. Some perceive her as an antihero, because her targets are anyone who contributes to deforestation and climate change. Having said that, Ivy murders anyone who gets in her way. So, good cause or not, she’s not really a hero. If this were set in The Batman world, Matt Reeves would likely go in a grounded direction for her. But in the DCU, she could absolutely be someone who controls giant Venus flytraps and such. A whole episode focusing on Ivy’s rise and fall, and eventual Arkham lock-up, would be perfect for this series. Not to mention, we could see her meet a certain psychiatrist named Harleen Quinzell. Those two have quite the history all their own.

Professor Hugo Strange

This is another must-have Batman villain if you’re doing a show based on Arkham Asylum. Because as a psychiatrist, Professor Hugo Strange was actually on staff at Arkham for years. Before being committed to being a patient there, that is. It probably had something to do with his penchant for making “monster men” out of corpses. An action like that will result in the label “criminally insane.” He is one of only a handful of villains to have deduced Batman’s secret identity as Bruce Wayne. Because of this, and the fact that Strange once treated the other Arkham inmates as his own patients, it makes him an ideal candidate for any Arkham Asylum series.

Mr. Freeze (Victor Fries)

As Matt Reeves has indicated in recent interviews, there is probably a good way to tell the story of Victor Fries in a more compelling way in live-action. The tale of a scientist who loses all emotion except rage when he loses his wife Nora in a terrible accident. He’s one of the great tragic villains in Batman history, and an entire episode from his point of view would be incredible. In fact, we’d root for Paul Dini, father of the modern version of Freeze in Batman: The Animated Series, to write the episode. No one understands Victor better than he does. Just please, skip any ice-related puns.

Professor Pyg (Lazlo Valentin)

Here’s a villain that is a somewhat recent creation. Lazlo Valentin is as dark as Bat villains get. Wearing a creepy pig mask straight out of a horror movie, he has a criminal fixation with the myth of Pygmalion—especially its twisted ideas about physical perfection. His obsession leads him to kidnap people and perform surgery on them, transforming them into living drones. It’s really twisted stuff, but perfect for the “haunted house” vibes of an Arkham Asylum series. Professor Pyg appeared in live-action before, butwe think this is the chance to do Pyg right and not pull any punches.

Clayface (Matt Hagen)

Many Batman villains have been named Clayface, going back to the 1940s. But for an Arkham Asylum series, we think we’d go with the most popular version of the character, Matt Hagen. His popularity is a result of his longevity in the role of Clayface, but also the fact that he was the version introduced in Batman: The Animated Series. In animation, he was an actor disfigured in an accident, who uses an experimental drug to make his appearance look normal, but also to shapeshift into looking like anyone. But the side effects of the drug turn him into a creature of literal sentient mud, raging against the world. Hagen winds up in Arkham, although others use his name while incarcerated. Too sci-fi for The Batman world, he’s perfect for a DCU that has metahumans in it.

Together, these Batman villains could work perfectly for the anthology characters for this Arkham Asylum series. Once fully introduced, we could see them meld into the world of James Gunn’s new DCU, perhaps led by Joker and Riddler. It sounds like an exciting journey and potentially chilling journey to us.

Originally published on March 11, 2022.

The post Batman Villains We Want in the DCU Arkham Asylum Series appeared first on Nerdist.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/thats-my-dog-holiday-gifts-people-pups-2/

Originally Published Dec. 10, 2021

Holidays are about family and friends. This year, don’t forget to include your furry ones! Yes, our pets, particularly dogs, protect and serve us every day as service dogs and neighborhood watch leaders , so they should be gifted. Show your pup a little appreciation with these doggone awesome items from Amazon!

Lick You Silly All-Natural Peanut Butter Dog Treats 

Yummy soft treats with natural peanut butter and honey-best for sensitive stomachs are a must for your four-legged friend. Rich in nutrients, with no artificial flavors or preservatives, these snacks are great for all dogs at any stage – puppies, adults, large and small! 

Ciconira Pet Feeder & Water Dispenser 

This auto dispenser combo comes in a variety of colors and uses the power of gravity to automatically refill your pet’s food and water bowl when it gets low. It’s a stress-free way to makes sure your pal always has food when he’s hungry — especially if you a dog mom or daddy who’s always traveling on a whim.  

Furesh Elevated Folding Dog Bath Tub and Wash Station 

Bath time doesn’t have to be a hassle anymore, thanks to this cute set up! No more back aches from bending over and struggling to get your pup to cooperate. This portable bathing and grooming tub fits inside your bathtub or shower and helps you keep your pet clean while conserving water.

GapZer Dog & Cat Carrier Bag

This product is the perfect bag to place your small or medium kitten. Soft yet durable, this bag is stylish and can be folded when not in use. And speaking of durability, it can withstand rain and even your dog’s claws!

Rayco Pet First Aid Kit with LED Safety Collar 

Your dog will thank you for this life saver! This product comes with everything you’ll need to take care of your furry friend. The Rayco Pet First Aid Disaster Kit is an essential item for the responsible pet owner. It can be used for everyday tick removals, insect bites, stopping small cuts from bleeding, and/or emergency care until you are able to see your pet’s veterinarian. It is also super handy to grab and go in case a natural disaster occurs.

https://blackgirlnerds.com/ncuti-gatwa-leaning-into-the-role-of-the-fifteenth-doctor/

Black Girl Nerds had the esteemed privilege of speaking with Ncuti Gatwa via Zoom. Gatwa is well known for Sex Education, Barbie, and now playing the Fifteenth Doctor in the long-running BBC science fiction series, Doctor Who. 

In preparation for the Doctor Who Holiday Special: The Church on Ruby Road finally being released on Disney+ on Christmas Day 2023 (Monday, December 25), here is our conversation below. 

What excited you about this Christmas Special? Especially because it’s a more official reveal for you, which is huge!

Yes it is! It’s my first full episode. Full reins on the TARDIS. “Exciting” is a word I’d use. “Daunting” is a word that would be higher up on my list of adjectives to describe my time. However, I think I was just excited to get going, if I’m honest with you. It had been so long from getting cast, to then getting announced. There was a lot of stuff I had to finish first before getting into the TARDIS. 

The production of Doctor Who started before I even joined. When I joined, they told me, “We were calling it Doctor Where [laughs] for a while, because where is Ncuti?” So I was just raring to go, I was raring to get started. There’s a combination of my excitement to get started and [showrunner and head writer Russell T. Davies’] writing as to why the episode just hits the ground running. 

I guess I was mostly excited about pointing my sonic screwdriver at something. I’m like, “Get me to the job where I can do that!” 

Like, “Let me do the things you said I could do!”

Yes! That! I’m ready to do them now! Really excited for [the Christmas special].

Can you share, as much as you’re able to, about the foundling narrative, the adoption narrative that you as the Doctor and Ruby Sunday [the Doctor’s Companion, played by Millie Gibson] share? 

Yes. So, the Doctor was adopted, as we know already. [The Fifteenth Doctor] has just arrived onto the scene, throwing some shakes in a club. But also, the Doctor’s senses are kind of spiked up at the moment, and he knows there’s something special about this girl. 

Bad luck follows her. The universe has clocked her for a reason, so he already knows there’s something special. He discovers her history and finds out she was adopted, she was a foundling as well, and that is so intriguing to the Doctor. It becomes a driving point for the rest of the series. There’s a mystery behind Ruby Sunday. There’s a mystery behind her that involves her birth that the Doctor really wants to figure out. 

I really appreciate you really thinking through how much you can share.

[Laughs.] You can see the turmoil in my head! [Laughs.] But yeah, they connect over that, they connect over their shared history. And there’s something about Ruby’s that intrigues the Doctor exponentially.

What was it like working on stunts for the Christmas Special?

Oh so cool! I love the stunt work. I fight ‘til my dying breath. I was able to do most of my own stunts. There was only one that I’ve not been allowed to do. And, in my opinion, it was the least dangerous. But, oh gosh! Running on rooftops, attached to wires…

The least dangerous is most liable for some reason?

It was a logistical reason that just went way over my head. I couldn’t figure out what the issue was, but there we are. Probably needed to keep me in one piece. But, yes, quite a stunt heavy episode, actually. All the roof work, flying down from the goblins with Ruby and [a baby named] Lulu Bell, and just all the stuff involving the goblin ship and the ropes. 

I love it. I love that stuff. I love being as physical as possible. I love bringing a bit of athleticism in everything that I do. And any time I can just show off my body, or what my body can do, I’m ready to do it!

What other prep work led you into becoming the Doctor?

Just watching the show as much as possible. I started with Christopher Eccleston [the Ninth Doctor] when I got the audition. I started with Christopher Eccleston’s era just before [Peter Capaldi’s, the Twelfth Doctor] era, and would just watch them all. I selected a couple of DVDs from each of the classic Doctor Who eras, and watched some of those. 

I would just try to get a sense of what each actor brought individually. They’re all so identifiable as the Doctor, but they’re all so unique. What is it that they’ve all done that’s different and the same? I realized that it’s all in the writing, and they’re just bringing themselves. You don’t have to try and be quirky when you’re playing an alien with two hearts and can time travel on their own. It’s there in the text for you.

So just trying to do as much script work as possible and watching the show as much as possible. 

How do you bring yourself into the Doctor? You mentioned everyone else; how about you?

Sometimes I feel like, my typical work, my drama school stuff, all my tech analysis stuff, all its beats and intentions and units, breaking them down, fine. But to bring myself in, sometimes I feel like the role has been written specifically for me.

For me, I can’t finish one train of thought before another one jumps into my head. I can’t finish a sentence before I start another one. That was how the Doctor was written. And I was like, “This is the first time where I’ve had a character [with] words just flowing out of my mouth.” I’m able to make sense of this script really well. Because his thoughts are just everywhere. And, I guess, so are mine. 

I don’t know, I just try to embrace the air sign in me. I try to embrace the Libra Sun, Gemini Moon. Just [physically leans in with eyes closed, head tilted up] leaning into the air sign. All over the place and just embrace that. So that’s how I brought myself into the role. [Laughs.]

Thank you for taking that big leap into that. 

**This interview has been edited for time and clarity. 

https://www.blackenterprise.com/5-last-minute-healthy-holiday-gift-ideas-2/