Pop Culture Safari!

New and upcoming action figures July 12, 2007

Today's video: The Kinks play "Wonder Boy"

This is Pop Culture! celebrates Batgirl

Today, DC Comics releases Showcase Presents Batgirl--a 500-page collection of vintage Batgirl backup stories from Detective Comics and elsewhere.

So, what better time to highlight that character and celebrate her exploits in popular culture? I know I'm not the only comics fan excited to see these adventures back in print.

The Batgirl featured in the Showcase volume--and highlighted here--is the Barbara Gordon incarnation that debuted in 1967, not the earlier Betty Kane Bat-Girl of the early 1960s. And also not Cassandra Cain, the hideously costumed current Batgirl.

To me, Barbara Gordon is the only Batgirl that matters. So, it's a pity she's essentially been written out being.

Comics writer Alan Moore, in the one-shot (in more ways than one) Batman story "Killing Joke" put an end to Barbara's costumed exploits by having the Joker shoot her in the spine, paralyzing her. Regrettably, DC elected to keep Barbara disabled, reinventing her as the character Oracle in the Birds of Prey series.

While it's refreshing to see a disabled heroine in comics, I'm sorry that it meant phasing out a character many fans loved and enjoyed. Plus, Barbara's fate was too dark, too grim, considering the spirit of the character and the original age of her fanbase. It's another case of comics scripters and editors messing with existing characters when they ought to just create new ones.*

Barbara Gordon as Oracle just ain't the same as Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. And neither is Cassandra Cain as Batgirl.

The real Batgirl had so much going for her: She was Commissioner Gordon's daughter--a great setup for all sorts plots. She was a librarian. She had red hair. She had a motorcycle. She was fun. She was tough and independent (for her day). And she looked great in that costume.

Sigh...like I said, it's a pity she's gone. But at the same time, it'll be wonderful having a big batch of her adventures available in one big book with scripts by the great John Broome and fantastic art by the likes of Gil Kane and Carmine Infantino.

But before you head out to the comics shop, or click that Amazon link up above, take a moment to enjoy some of the other Batgirl-related posts here today.

* Word is there will be an All-Star Batgirl coming out from DC at some point, featuring Barbara behind the mask. However, fans of the original version will need to wait and see if it's an agreeable approach. Also, the Barbara Batgirl has been featured in DC's various "animated"-style comics spun off of the recent Batman cartoon series. So maybe she's not as gone as she seems.

Best Batgirl sites on the Web

1966 Batman
A celebration of the 1960s Batman TV series, featuring Batgirl info and pics.

Batgirl at Wikipedia
The entry charts the history of all the Batgirls.

Yvonne Craig
Official site for the actress who played Batgirl on TV back in the 1960s.

The Batgirl Archives
A fan site dedicated to the various incarnations of Batgirl.

Batgirl/Yvonne Craig TV show gallery

Yvonne Craig debuted as the TV Batgirl in 1967, the same year the Barbara Gordon Batgirl first appeared in Detective comics.

Batgirl Artifacts!

Batgirl cover gallery

Here are some of Barbara Gordon's most notable cover appearances:

Today's Batgirl videos

Batgirl TV series pilot!

Batgirl Theme!

Batgirl ad!

Pop Culture Roundup July 11, 2007

Heads up G.I. Joe collectors: Word has it Wal-Mart (ick, Wal-Mart) is releasing a batch of reproduction Kung-Fu Grip Joes soon. The series includes:

* Man of Action
* Air Adventurer
* Land Adventurer
* Sea Adventurer
* African American Adventurer.

Best G.I. Joe Sites

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Author Sebastian Faulks has been licensed to write new James Bond novels.

By his own admission, the 54-year-old's writing routine stands in stark contrast to the glamorous lifestyle of Bond's creator - who lived life very much in the fashion of his iconic creation.

"In his house in Jamaica, Fleming used to write a thousand words in the morning, then go snorkelling, have a cocktail, lunch on the terrace, more diving, another thousand words in late afternoon, then more Martinis and glamorous women," said Faulks.

"In my house in London I followed this routine exactly, apart from the cocktails, the lunch and the snorkelling."

The new book, entitled Devil May Care and to be published next May, is set in the Cold War. Bond is widowed and vulnerable but remains heroically gallant and libidinous.

Some more info:

To mark the centenary of Ian Fleming's birth, Penguin will be creating a special James Bond imprint, "Penguin 007" - under which Devil May Care will be published in hardback in May 2008.

What is important to fans about this news, which has been missed by almost all reports, is that under the new 007 imprint, Penguin will publish all their Bond titles.

The company will also be launching a new website - www.penguin007.com (not online at the time of writing).

Best James Bond Sites.

----------------------

Warner Brothers is set to release another batch of classic 'toons on DVD with The Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 5 on Oct. 30.

More Looney Tunes...your wish is our command. In this 4-disc set are 60 of the most hysterical Looney Tunes ever created and over 5 hours of extra special features. Indeed, some have never before been on home video!

Disc 1 celebrates a duo every bit as famous as thunder and lightning or beans and weenies: Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. Termite Terrace provides peerless takes on Fairy Tales in Disc 2. Not to be outdone, Disc 3 showcases the hilarious talent of the great animator Robert Clampett. And the fowl deeds and rabbit-fire jokes wrap with Disc 4's hamboree jamboree of Porky Pig and more classics.

* 4-Disc Collector Set with 60 classic shorts.
* Remastered and restored to their original glory and chock full of special features!
* Over 5 hours of incredible Special Features which include "Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens, A Life in Animation" the 2000 PBS documentary.

Best Cartoons Sites

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Two more Doctor Who adventures are due out on DVD Nov. 6, both featuring the Peter Davison Doctor.

ARC OF INFINITY: Traveling with Nyssa in the TARDIS, the Doctor is attacked by a malign entity - a being of pure anti-matter seeking to cross the dimensions. Although the invader is successfully repelled, the TARDIS is immediately recalled to Gallifrey, where the High Council of Time Lords sentence the Doctor to be executed to prevent any further attempts at bonding. It seems there is a traitor on Gallifrey. And what links the Renegade and the disappearance of Tegan's cousin in Amsterdam? Two fates intertwined must battle for the future of the entire universe. Look for sixth Doctor-to-be Colin Baker playing a guard on Gallifrey.

TIME-FLIGHT: The TARDIS arrives by accident in the middle of Terminal One at Heathrow Airport. One of the supersonic Concordes has disappeared mid-air and the Doctor, Tegan and Nyssa soon become involved in a hunt for the missing airplane. But what connects its disappearance to prehistoric Earth, and why is a mysterious sorcerer so interested in the Doctor's TARDIS? A flight through time will reveal all.

Best Doctor Who sites

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Speaking of Doctor Who, here's a pic from this year's upcoming Christmas special, co-starring Kylie Minogue.

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Filmation's 1960s Aquaman 'toon will be out on DVD Oct. 23.

When fiendish foes and marine menaces threaten the peaceful undersea world of the lost city of Atlantis, Aquaman, King of the Seven Seas, dives to the rescue! Aided by teen hero Aqualad and their aquatic friends Tusky the walrus and sea horses Storm and Imp, these brave water warriors battle astonishing creatures like Volcanic Monster, Ice Dragon and Devil Fish. Using his superior strength, cunning wit and telepathic communication abilities, Aquaman faces evil villains like Black Manta and Vassa, Queen of the Mermen to fight for justice on the ocean floor. Plunge into this two-disc collector's edition featuring all 36 action-packed cartoons from the fantastic TV series.

New comics July 11, 2007

Click links to order discounted graphic novels from Amazon.

See complete lists:
DC Archives
DC Showcase
DC Trade Paperbacks
Marvel Masterworks
Marvel Essentials
Marvel Trade Paperbacks
Upcoming Trade Paperbacks - Graphic Novels

Comics shipping July 11, 2007

DARK HORSE COMICS

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DC COMICS

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IMAGE COMICS

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WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT

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COMICS

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RELATED MERCHANDISE

JUL073432 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA PHOTO CVR HC (RES) $24.99
JUL073431 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA PX CVR HC (RES) $24.99