Arte Bettina | Beyond the Event Horizon

The art toy community is a very niche interest in the Philippines, and it is rare to discover a toy designer who has made it to well-known art galleries that can be found in commercial spaces. But it is considered a rare feat to be seen in these locations few would find in a standalone gallery or major art fairs. Dondi Fernandez finally gets his spotlight with his latest solo art exhibition. He has been known internationally through the ever-growing Art Toy industry in Asia having produced his limited edition creations as far back as 2018. Now, he's in the EVent Horizon bring is new creations at Arte Bettina with his latest exhibit.

Arte Bettina | ANTI

For every Hero there’s a Villain that stands it’s way. But an “Anti-Hero” is different and not considered a “hero” though still has qualities the character stood for as a good story to tell when crafting a narrative. The same goes for putting together an art or gallery with elements of your personality and choices that others might not agree about it. “ANTI” is the latest solo exhibit featuring Kobusher. This local artist brings his perspective and narrative through his art style featuring his favorite “Anti-Heroes” in the way people would see them in a different light and also a unique perspective that redefines what makes these hard-edge characters stand out.

HW Batman | Batman Forever Batmobile

“Batman Forever” was a surprise following the exit of Michael Keaton as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Tim Burton vacating the director’s chair to helm the third Batman film. Replacing Batman/Bruce Wayne was Val Kilmer, and around that time his popularity with his previous films made him a suitable replacement. But Joel Schumacher as the director for this one was quite an uncertainty in the 1990s. The same goes for how the fans would take it as something else. With the ‘New’ Batman everything is also different, and the term ‘semi-reboot’ was not yet the catchphrase everyone was used to. Although one thing that has caught everyone’s attention is the ‘New’ Batmobile that Kilmer will be driving in this next Bat-Film.

Batman Begins Tumbler

Presenting Batman's Tumbler from the Batman Begins movie - also known as the Transblast Tumbler. I think it's rather sad that Christopher Nolan's trilogy comes to an end this year though I am interested in seeing whether or not it will tie the Avengers movie in terms of ticket sales.

But I also find it sad that the most of the Tumblers that will be seeing action in the 3rd and last movie will be working for the antagonist, Bane.

Still this would be the last time that we see the Tumbler in action (I'm really not so keen about a "flying" Tumbler), so a full 7 years after Batman Begins, I thought that I would dust off the cobwebs off of mine, take it down from the shelf, and share my thoughts on it.

The Dark Knight Rises: QuickTek Venom Menace Bane

Presenting the QuickTek Venom Menace Bane from the Batman Dark Knight Rises toy series.

I have to admit that I had no intention of buying this particular toy as it's what I consider "cannon fodder" promotional items for the movie that wouldn't reflect the essence of the movie nor provide sufficient "nourishment" for collectors. In fact a part of me kept wondering if this was a re-released toy from the 2nd movie or - worse - from all the way back from the disastrous nipple suit Clooney movie "Batman and Robin".

But I was entertained by the packaging - I'm easily entertained - you could actually move the figure up and down and execute the "QuickTek" transformation. It was cool. You can even make it appear that there's no figure inside by moving the figure into the "QuickTek" chamber - which I have to admit I did to some of the figures on display. It was fun.

But I truly appreciated this packaging because it gives buyers a complete idiot's guide explanation as to what "QuickTek" is without buyers having to resort to reading the back - else it just looks like a toy with a Batman prison poised above his head. Simply grasp the "Try Me" buttons and move the figure up to his holding cell. Pull him down, and the "Venom Menace" cannons are gone. Repeat the process and the cannons reappear on Bane's shoulders.

DC Infinite Crisis Wonder Woman

Presenting Wonder Woman from DC Infinite Crisis Toy Series 2. We originally mentioned this particular Wonder Woman when we featured Wonder Woman from the DC Direct Wonder Woman Toy Series 1 where I took a swipe at how bad this particular figure is.

Rather than just leave it at that, I thought I'd take the time to actually show the figure so that it could never be said that I wasn't fair.

Infinite Crisis Wonder Woman was sculpted by veteran toy-sculptor Sam Greenwell - known for his work in DC Direct, Marvel Select, Blizzard, and Diamond Select - and is based upon the artwork of Comic-book artist Phil Jimenez - who's best known for his portrayal of muscular yet feminine superheroines - think Xena, but taller versus Xena's stocky appearance - including Power Girl, Marvel Girl and of course, Wonder Woman as you can see in the image on the right.

Free Comic Book Day 2012 is this Saturday!

Here's a gentle reminder for comic fans... Don't forget to visit your local comic book shop and take part of FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2012!

Green Lantern Sinestro

Presenting Green Lantern Sinestro from Series 5 of DC Direct's Green Lantern toy series. If you've been following the cartoon, then you know that following the results of the War of the Green Lanterns, Thaal Sinestro was chosen by a Green Power Ring - that has since resisted all efforts to be removed (Even by the Guardians) - and has been reinstated as the Green Lantern of Sector 2814 (Earth) replacing Hal Jordan whom the Guardians had perceived as the greatest threat in the Universe (Despite having saved their asses again) despite massive protests from the rest of the Green Lantern Corp.

Since then he's been bothering Hal Jordan and doing things that Hal Jordan never even thought possible - like creating what appears to be a semi-permanent construct Power Ring for Hal Jordan; creating temporary power-rings for at least fifty trapped Korugarians; Using his Lantern as a flying battering ram to kill a member of the Sinestro Corp and to free him from prison, and; Stating that he has not once, but twice destroyed a power-ring through sheer will - a fact that Hal Jordan did not think possible, failing to remember that Ganthet - the Guardian of the Universe who had stepped down to become a Green Lantern - had done just such a feat recently (Though it cost him a hand).

Marvel and DC Team Up for a new 2012 Spider-Man/ Batman crossover miniseries!

UPDATE: The story is a big rasberry PWNAGE attack (aka HOAX). Bleeding Cool confirms such too. Two of the best heroes in the comic book world are going to meet each other face-to-face once more!

R.I.P Joe Simon. A Legend and Star Spangled Avenger of comics.

Another legendary icon in the comic book industry passes away, and now that's two stars who have gone to a better place.

By way of Comic Book Movie, famed comic book writer, artist, editor and publisher Joe Simon, best known as the co-creator of the iconic Marvel Comics' character Captain America, passed away this December 14 at the age of 98. This is sad news to bear, especially after last week's news on the passing of Jerry Robinson, creator of The Joker and another legend in the comic industry.

As a legend in the industry, Simon is well known for his time in Timely Comics (which would become the future Marvel Comics), where he became the company's first editor. He teamed up with the late great Jack Kirby, and went on to create some of the best stories and characters known in comics, among them being the patriotic hero and star-spangled avenger himself, Captain America. Joe also teamed up with Kirby during their tenure on DC Comics, where they would go on to do work on Sandman and co-create the Newsboy Legion. They were pioneers in the field of romance and horror comics, and Joe would also found the satirical magazine series "Sick", which began in the 1960's and last until the 1980's, which was well after his departure from the magazine in the 1970's. His death comes a week after Robinson's, and this is really sad news for fans of his works. However, it's fortunate he was able to see the character he helped co-create get the newest big screen live action film treatment, with this past July's release of Captain America: The First Avenger.






Joe Simon Co-Creator of Captain America Interview: Captain America Poster

Here is one of the last interviews done with the legendary comic guru himself, where he talks about a Captain America poster, as uploaded by joesimonstudios in You Tube. For more on the story, visit the source post at CBM.

And here's a quote straight from the man himself about Cap:

"Back then we had the Nazis coming after us for what we did to their Fuhrer, but the world is an even more dangerous place today, with the weapons out there and the threat of terrorism. So Cap is more important than ever, and the readers need him more than ever. They need a hero they can count on to do the right thing." -Joe Simon (1913 - 2011)

R.I.P Joe Simon, and know that you have blessed uswith some of the most inspiring creations the world and comics has ever known.

*Originally posted by Timzster in The Crusader's Realm

The DC Relaunch has begun!

The countdown is about to end, and the new age of DC Universe will be born! To commemorate this milestone event, User patrickhwilliams of YouTube has uploaded this fine video where star and comic geek Mike Curran pretty much sums up to Ariana Vacs Renwick what the changes are going to be in the reboot... And hilarity ensues as a result. Go and take a look!




The DC Relaunch

Love or hate it, history will be made in comics this day! The New 52 ushers in the DCnU! Go to your local comic book shop and start things off by picking up a copy of Justice League #1 (shown above) to commemorate the occasion!

*Originally posted by Timzster in The Crusader's Realm

USA Today talks with Jim Lee about the new DC Universe!

Within the week and whether people like or not, DC Comics will make history by bringing an end to their old continuity of comics and ushering in a new one that they have affectionately called "the new 52", which is comprised of 52 new #1 books that will release throughout the month of September and bring forth the new DC Universe. It begins this Wednesday actually with the release of Flashpoint #5 and the all-new Justice League #1, so to promote this milestone event even further, USA Today has gone ahead and conducted an interview with the artist of the latter issue and co-publisher of DC Comics, Jim Lee! Check out the embedded player to see the interview!

For more on the story, visit the source post on Comic Book Movie and USA Today!

*Originally posted by Timzster in The Crusader's Realm

Man of Steel Official Synopsis released!

Warner Bros. has released the official synopsis for Zack Snyder's upcoming Superman reboot, which is entitled "Man of Steel". The film is currently underway and casting calls have been given out in locations in Vancouver Island. Here's the official synopsis below:

“In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time. Clark Kent/Kal-El (Cavill) is a young twentysomething journalist who feels alienated by powers beyond anyone’s imagination. Transported to Earth years ago from Krypton, an advanced alien planet, Clark struggles with the ultimate question – Why am I here? Shaped by the values of his adoptive parents Martha (Lane) and Jonathan Kent (Costner), Clark soon discovers that having super abilities means making very difficult decisions. But when the world needs stability the most, it comes under attack. Will his abilities be used to maintain peace or ultimately used to divide and conquer? Clark must become the hero known as “Superman,” not only to shine as the world’s last beacon of hope but to protect the ones he loves.”


From the way it reads out and as noticed by many who share like minded views, the plot sounds awfully like the recently concluded Smallville TV series, which explored Clark Kent's early beginnings and eventual transformation into the heroic icon known as Superman (though that 10 long seasons to fill out, and much of the things depicted there looked more alternate universe-like than actual canon). It'll still be almost a good two years before we see this film in theaters, but it will be interesting nonetheless to see what Zack Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan do with this iteration of the Man of Steel, especially with the notable casting decisions made (particularly Perry White being played by Laurence Fishburne). For more on the story, visit the source posts at Slash Film and Screen Rant.

Man of Steel will soar into theaters come June 14, 2013.

*Originally posted by Timzster in The Crusader's Realm

DC promotes The New 52 with a relaunch commercial!

With literally just 2 weeks to go until the inevitable relaunch of their universe under the "New 52" banner, DC Comics has taken the initiative to promote their upcoming reboot in all forms of media, including this new commercial that originally appeared as a 30 second TV Spot in Hero Complex. Now, the extended 2 minute version has appeared and hit itself up on YouTube. Check it out below and see what will become of legendary heroes like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the JLA in the new reimagined universe.


DC The New 52 Extended Commericial Like what you see or are you among those still skeptical about the reboot? For more on this story, visit the source post at Hero Complex.

DC The New 52 launches with the all-new Justice League #1 on August 31, with the other books following afterwards starting September!

*Originally posted by Timzster in The Crusader's Realm

The Dark Knight Rises Update: A new "Batwing" video appears... with Batman in it!

The folks over at Batman-News have posted up a new video via subaruwrxfan showcasing a better look at the new bat-vehicle set to debut in Christopher Nolan's final bat flick, The Dark Knight Rises. Whether or not it's going to be called the "Batwing" or "Batplane", the fact is that it's a new ride that looks like a cross between a hovercraft and the Tumbler, and the video below even gives a clear view of Batman in the cockpit! SPOILERS again be around, so look at your own risk!





Here's another video by subaruwrxfan that shows more of how the new ride looks up close.





Utterly stunned or surprised? I'm very much looking forward to seeing this on official footage all the more! For more info and videos related to the story, visit the source post at Batman-News!

The Dark Knight Rises is set to debut on July 20, 2012!

*Originally posted by Timzster in The Crusader's Realm

Is this the first look at the Batwing in The Dark Knight Rises?

With all of the set photos and videos leaking over the net for The Dark Knight Rises, there was bound to be something neat to look at sooner or later, and now we may be having our first look at Batman's newest vehicle for the movie! Again, SPOILER here, so look at your own risk!

Rumor: Is this the "Man of Steel" Teaser Poster?

Like Comic Book Movie, I'm adding this to the rumor mill.

What you see here is what's being claimed to be THE "teaser poster" for Warner Bros. next Superman reboot flick, tentatively titled "Man of Steel". After weeks of big news highlights from the Zack Snyder directed film that includes Laurence Fishburne being cast as Perry White and the first official photo of Henry Cavill as Superman, this "teaser" shows up and is making the rounds in the interwebz. Despite the somewhat convincing layout and Batman Begins inspired set up, I'm not 100% about this at all. Judge for yourselves whether the "Grounded" inspired shot works as an official tease. For more, visit the source post at Comic Book Movie!

"Man of Steel" won't fly into theaters worldwide until June 14, 2013!

*Originally posted by Timzster in The Crusader's Realm

Tom Hardy as Bane voices out to Gotham in The Dark Knight Rises!

Comic Book Movie featured this VERY INTERESTING post of a sound bit straight from the mouth of Tom Hardy, aka Bane in The Dark Knight Rises! In this clip posted in YouTube, we hear Hardy's very first lines as Bane, who addresses Gotham with a proclamation! Of course, you can consider this an actual SPOILER, so take heed with the warning! You can hear it below via this audio clip video uploaded in You Tube.






The Dark Knight Rises: Bane's first lines in the movie

And if you want to know where that line came from and more, it's set during a scene being filmed in Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, where a mock football game being filmed for the movie is taking place, between the "Gotham Rogues" are taking on the "Rapid City Monuments". As you can guess, Bane invades the joint, and proclaims to Gothamites to "Take Control" of their city! Check out the clip below from a person who was in the scene and uploaded it to YouTube.





The Dark Knight Rises: Bane addresses the Gotham crowd in a football game

Pretty interesting updates here. Finally, we hear how Tom Hardy will sound as Bane, but there might be a possibility that it will go through  some changes in post-production. We'll just have to wait and see how it pans out soon enough. For more info on the story, visit the source post at Comic Book Movie!

The Dark Knight Rises opens in theaters on July 20, 2012!

*Originally posted by Timzster in The Crusader's Realm

The Dark Knight Rises Update: More photos of Selina Kyle!

The Daily Mail has posted up some photos of Anne Hathaway in a really great and stunning white dress, portraying her role of Selina Kyle in Christopher Nolan's next epic Batman flick, The Dark Knight Rises! While the official photo released by Warner Bros. yesterday of her dressed as Catwoman and riding the Batpod is already in wide circulation around the web (prompting some more shooting and fake pics to appear as well), we shouldn't forget about her gorgeous civilian alter ego, and new pics of Hathaway in that part like the one above have surfaced courtesy of Splash Page and The Daily Mail while filming is currently going on in Pittsburgh. For more info, visit the source posts in The Daily Mail and Superherohype!

The Dark Knight Rises will soar into theaters on July 20, 2012!

*Originally posted by Timzster in The Crusader's Realm

First Official Photo of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman in "The Dark Knight Rises"!

I'm posting this news bit on the fly, and the news comes so fast! Literally, it's just been a few hours since Warner Bros. released the first look at Henry Cavill as Superman in Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel", and now we have this!

That's right, Warner Bros. has released the first official photo of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, in costume and riding the Batpod in Christopher Nolan's next Bat-Flick, The Dark Knight Rises! As expected, this'll hype up talks and discussions by fans on the new sequel next year, and so far she's looking really HOT and great in this shot. This is our first look at Hathaway in action and in her role as Catwoman, since nothing was shown in the teaser trailer for TDKR attached to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 last month. Look for more info via the source post at Slash Film.

The Dark Knight Rises is slated for release on July 20, 2012!

*Originally posted by Timzster in The Crusader's Realm