NGN FAVORITES: BATSUITS

It all really falls on my opinion of how the artists draw the iconic cape and cowl. In the live action side of things, the Batsuit has evolved and improves both in look and in function. In my opinion of course.

Comic Book:

1. 1980's and 1990's Blue & Grey
-It is what Bats was wearing when I first started reading comic books, so it sticks in my head the most. Well, until the memory goes I guess haha It is blue cape and cowl, grey suit, ad the traditional bat-logo. Although the newer blue and grey look works with a more updated symbol too.

2. The Original
-Bob Kane's initial costume is a favorite for being simply that, the original.

3.New 52
-Again, it is mainly in the artists presentation. And the peeps who've drawn Batman in the New 52 era (short as it was), did a great job of making the suit updated and appealing. With Capullo leading the way.

Live Action:

1. Batman (1989)
-It was my first, and as a kid I had no concept of function. I just thought that rubber suit looked amazing. I liked the slight upgrade for Batman Returns, but love the first. "Errant" logo and all (it wasn't, they changed things later).

2. The Dark Knight (2008)
-With a better idea of function, and of course reference within the film, the Batsuit was pretty amazing in my opinion. The neck was a bit skinny compared to the mask/head in regards to scaling. But, it didn't make for any slightly cheesy silhouettes with the ears bouncing to and throw.

3. Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)
-I've yet to go see it (don't ask haha), but just based on the trailers and photos, it is possibly the best one. It looks pretty darn close to the suit in The Dark Knight Returns. Initially it doesn't look like it would have good mobility, but the trailers show otherwise. I'm talking the basic suit, not the armor he dawns as well. Which is also amazing.


There are others, like a Yellow Lantern/Sinestro Corps Batman that I liked the look of, but opted to focus on the ones we see/seen more regularly. Perhaps I will list those as a "Fav Arkham Games Suits" with all the DLC's bringing a lot to life like Knightfall and Batman Beyond, which aren't on this list 'cause they aren't technically Batsuits without Bruce Wayne in 'em. Yes, I am one of THOSE people haha

NGN FAVORITES: COMIC BOOKS III-CHARACTER COSTUMES

Batman and his Batsuit is my favorite. The reason being that there are too many variations that I really like that they need their own list. Plus, Batman is my top hero so I am being majorly bias here of course haha Keep an eye out for that in the future though. Although I have my favorites, I do like characters who have evolved their looks and costumes over time. Even the best can get stale.

Spider-Man

-A lot of variations nowadays, but it wasn't always like that. There was a time when it was the traditional, a cosmic one which was the same as the regular, but had webbing in the armpits haha And of course the black. Black is my all-time favorite Spider-Man costume, even as a non-symbiote the basic black and white work well in comic books. Followed by the Spider-Man 2099 get-up, and of the newer styles I really like the looks of the Spider-Man Noir and Future Foundation versions.

Cyclops

-Another Marvel character that has had many styles and looks over the years. Only the visor has generally remained the same, with the exception of that "X". My favorite is from the early 90's, with the blue and yellow sans hood. It just looked like what a leader and soldier would wear when I was a kid, and seemed to almost perfectly complement both Jean Grey's and some other X-Men's general uniform pallet at that time as well. Not a fan of them with Cyclops, but if I had to pick from the "hooded" looks, I'd go with the original. His powers were all that separated him from the flock and that "X" visor looks pretty cool to I must admit.

Spawn

-Fellow Canadian Todd McFarlane struck gold when he created Spawn. The mask and eyes, the chains, the cape. Head to toe I like the look of this one. Even when the mask is removed, we get a gross, but great look of Al Simmons after his death. A look that hasn't needed to change really, plus I am not an avid reader so I haven't grown bored with it haha

Catwoman

-It is one of the hardest looks to pull off in the real world. Sorry ladies, but most of the time the ears just don't look right. I can't explain it. Halle Berry's mask doesn't count, as it doesn't look right period. Back to the print, where my favorite Catwoman costume in comic books is in the New 52 era. It just looks like it would actually work, it fits the base of the character (a cat burglar/thief), and isn't too revealing when not drawn that way haha A close second is the purple suit with long black hair hanging out the back of the mask, and black thigh high boots. Just looks great to me. If there is a comic book version of Michelle Pfeiffer's costume, then that would be a definite second but maybe the tops haha

The Joker

-The costume has generally stayed the same, purple suit, but there have been slight variations and other outfits. And his general appearance has evolved over time (face, hair, grin, etc). I can't really pick a top favorite, but the clowns fighting for top spot are...from the 1980's and 90's being when I got into comic books so it holds down in my memory and Joker obsession haha, "Joker" graphic novel, which is a comic version of Ledger. From the New 52 era with the mechanic outfit and "face strapped and stapled back on" look and the "new" look. One was sick in both meanings of the word, the other similar to what we'll see in the upcoming Suicide Squad movie (sans ink....which I like to be honest).

I dawned on me after I was finished that there are two Batman characters in the mix, but that's ok haha I said a separate posting would be for just Batman, and really the people within Gotham have the better looks in DC Comics. But, again I am pretty bias in this case haha

NGN FAVORITES: COMIC BOOKS II-ARTISTS & WRITERS

If we took the greatest artist and the greatest writer. We put them in a room together and asked them to create a masterpiece together. Want to know what they would make? A comic book. Neal Adams had a quote (that I can't remember exactly or find of course) that said the same thing. And it is true. With equal showing of each persons ability, a comic book would be exactly that. In the comic book world, generally speaking, the artist gets the credit for great comic books. It is the art that draws (no intended pun, but meh) people in, and the stories are what keeps them coming back. Although I must admit, artwork that isn't of my own preference can severely take away from a story. I've seen perfect "wordless" comic books, that told the story without them, but even then somebody had to write a story for the artist to follow. The true under valued are the inkers, colorists, and letterers haha

Writers

• Scott Snyder
• Todd McFarlane
• Fabian Nicieza
• Geoff Johns
• Alan Moore
• Frank Miller

Loved Snyder's run on Batman in the New 52 era, on all levels really. Character portrayals, revamped origins, all of the story arcs from Court Of Owls to Zero Year, and all in between and beyond. Only got a taste of Spawn, but I liked it and of course credit goes to fellow Canadian (just found that out haha), Todd McFarlane. Fabian was part of my my childhood with his work on X-Men. Although he overdoes them, Geoff Johns has created a Green Lantern, and now Justice League world that was...is?....New 52 Green Lantern and Justice League was good reads haha Moore and Miller are almost mandatory in some circles haha Watchmen, Swamp Thing, The Dark Knight Rises, Sin City, 300, the list goes on.

Artists

• Adam Kubert
• Andy Kubert
• Alex Ross
• Greg Capullo
• Todd McFarlane
• Jim Lee

I've mentioned in previous postings about having no Batman, then finding Marvel Comics and loving their universe, most notably the X-Men. That is how the Kubert brothers make their way in, and stay even today. Ironically there is some Kubert material in what I returned to, Batman. Alex Ross' work is flawless, I just wished his style would include all the looks and not just the classics. Capullo on Spawn and of course Batman during the New 52. Jim Lee and fellow Canuck, Todd McFarlane have actually gotten even better than when I was a young kid reading Marvel and the seeing the launching of Image and WildStorm.

No shocker that this is another ever evolving list. But, these will always remain in at least a Top 50 or 100 situation. Sometimes the era and the technology impacted and hindered some peoples art abilities. And of course censorship may have held both writers and artists back from unleashing their true talents.

APP OBSESSION OF THE MOMENT

Not usually an "app person", I barely even want a cell at times haha But, I do have moments where I join the herd and play around with one. MSQRD is the app that has my attention at the moment, and drew me in with the Batman V Superman filters. Like I was going to pass up being Batman haha I have enjoyed it thus far, and am thinking perhaps I will replace text messages with videos of myself as Batfleck's Batman. Seriously, I am haha

There is also the Superman filter, which for any X-Men fans could also be used to replicate yourself as Cyclops sans visor or shades. There are others, but nothing comic book related from what I can tell. Which is what my brain is craving now, and can envision filters where we are transformed into comic book characters like Deadpool, The Joker (any, and all live action versions), Robin, Nightwing, Red Hood, you can see where I am going with this I am sure. Well, if you are a comic book fan
that is.

If I were more Geek than Nerd, I would try and make my own app that is the same, but I would also add voice changing features. I think that would be pretty cool. For those who aren't able to imitate. Batman, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), even other genres with legendary voices like from Star Wars with Darth Vader, Darth Sidious, Yoda,......Jar Jar hahaha

It will be interesting to see where else they go with this, if anywhere. Would seem possibly a good idea to try and base more things on movies and shows as they are released. Deadpool, Batman V Superman, Captain America: Civil War, Suicide Squad, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows, etc this year alone. Nerd culture is booming right now, and with even just the movies it makes sense. The Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice filters have been enjoyable as I have said. If they charge us for them, hopefully not too much haha

PLANS FOR MY VILLAIN SLEEVE

I have at least decided that my left arm will be my "villain" arm. Will mostly be my number one villain, The Joker. But, a villain sleeve regardless. If I am to go beyond getting a variety of Batman logos on my right shoulder (wrapping around the back becoming Batman, and the "HA"s on my left becoming The Joker) at some point, then obviously it will become my hero arm haha But, let us focus on the villain side of things. I already have a bunch of "HA"s on my left shoulder. Similar to the ones Jared Leto's Joker has coming down his shoulder/chest area. That was a simply "see if I can do this" as well as a "while I have the money" situation. And after comparing my experience with my significant others, I am going to get more. Different areas are different levels of pain, I know. She got hers done within 30 minutes, really well done, simple yet beautiful piece on her back shoulder. She also had it done by who I was recommended to go see. Me? For the tattoo that you see in the picture? That was a total of 7-8 hours haha New artist (found out after he started), and apparently my skin doesn't absorb the ink. Regardless, that time was a lot more for a far more basic tattoo, as well as the major scabbing. Again, just in comparison. Next time however, I will be going to the same place she went of course.

So, where to go from here.I am thinking about getting my daughters names on my forearms whether have sleeve(s) or not. Even if my lady and I break-up, any other woman who has a problem with those tatts (other than the quality of them haha) isn't needed or welcome in my life. Simple. Thanks to "Suicide Squad" (coming out this August), I have at least been able to find a few to be a part of the sleeve. The only down side to them, is that a lot, and I mean a lot of people have gotten them. The only saving grace for me is that mine will be a part of a sleeve with a theme. Those tatts will be The Joker tatts (pictured), the blacked Harley Quinn skull (pictured) for my youngest daughter, Harleigh Quinn, and then I am going to design myself or have an artist design a similar style skull but with Poison Ivy as my oldest daughter has picked her as her favorite female Bat-villain (other than Harley Quinn, but given the situation). Those are the easy choices really, other than possibly wanting the one Joker skull tatty on my neck. I am hoping to go full sleeve so there is a ways to go despite how skinny my arms are. Ya, that's the other fun part of this. I am skinny as 4uck right now. At some point I became an ectomorph, and not sure if muscle would really make enough room or canvas haha

Moving on, I am still unsure of what else to get. I am a "DC Guy", but spent half of childhood reading and loving Marvel. Meaning that there are some villains/anti-heroes from the Marvel Universe that I will always love. Sabretooth, Venom (although not sure if they still classify him as a baddie), Carnage, Thanos, Deadpool, etc. Venom's logo would look sick I think, either on a forearm or as a back piece.
I'm more DC than Marvel, they are who "brought me to the dance" so I will be going with a DC Comics Villain Sleeve. Along with the "skulls" mentioned, I was also thinking about adding some "???"s to represent The Riddler. If I had the space, I would have them surround a short riddle, but again I am too skinny at this point in time haha Another idea I am thinking about is Harley Quinn's trademark diamond (pictured), as well as regular diamonds and hearts around my daughter Harleigh Quinn's name. Which I think would tie them in together nicely, rest of the sleeve? Not too sure haha The other problem would be explaining to people that I didn't spell it wrong, we simply went with the femme version of the name Harley. She is blonde haired, blue eyed, smart as hell (like it is weird haha), and a combination of sweet, moody, bossy, & crazy. Oh, and freakishly strong. She is Harley Quinn no matter how her name is spelled haha

Now, this is just one route, or parts of a route I may or may not take. Just trying to get the though process rolling by typing it out. Dis sh!t is 4 Life so I like to think on it for a bit. Ya, money is key but what to spend it on when I do have it is what is really important. Like I said, the one Joker skull tatts I am thinking about getting on my neck, just not sure, and if not it would be a part of the sleeve. I have only gotten one tattoo, on one of if not the least painful areas, so the neck is only a thought really. Just think it would look good. If were to take a more "picture" than "logo" route, I would consider having "HA"s like my shoulder but smaller, as the "filler" between the main pieces of the sleeve.
I'll do another entry at some point about my possible hero sleeve. Right from the get go, a "logo" based sleeve is a hell of a lot more easier to plan out even just inside the Batcave with Nightwing, Robin, Red Robin, Red Hood haha Till then...Stay Nerdy!