52 Fun Facts About Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be one of the most, if not the most, anticipated films of 2016.  It’s true that the DC Extended Universe started with Man of Steel (2013), but Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is the movie that will open the floodgates to all the craziness and beauty that is DC.  Here at Bam Smack Pow, we are excited beyond words for this event.  It will be the first time in live-action on the silver screen that the Man of Steel, the Dark Knight, and the Goddess of Truth will meet.

As a holiday gift to you from us, we present to you 52 Fun Facts About Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  Why 52?  Well, why not?  Any self-respecting DC fan will know that if you’re going to choose a number, choose one that is deeply rooted in the DC universe.  Sorry, I mean multiverse … sorry again … I forgot that we’re in post-Convergence.  I mean infinite multiverse.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be rich with DC lore, homages, and references.  We’ve taken what we’ve seen from the teasers and trailers and discovered some pretty cool facts.  These tidbits of information range from compelling to downright hilarious and strange.  So let’s begin on this awesome journey!

Next: The greatest partnership ever

World’s Finest

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice marks the live-action debut of the Dark Knight appearing in the same film as the Man of Steel.  Although this is new and revolutionary for the movies, it’s been a standard in the comics and animation realms for decades.

Did You Know?

• In the comics, the first time Superman and Batman appeared in the same image was in World’s Best Comics #1 (Summer 1941).
• World’s Best Comics #1 had an identical format to New York World’s Fair Comics (1940) which featured Superman, Batman, and Robin.  However, Superman and Batman and Robin appeared in separate stories.
• The second issue of World’s Best Comics underwent a name change to the more familiar moniker World’s Finest Comics.  This was due to DC receiving a cease and desist letter from Better Publications, Inc., who had been publishing a similarly titled print called Best Comics.
• Collectively, Superman and Batman are sometimes referred to as World’s Finest.

Next: He needs no introduction

Creating Superman

Superman … the Man of Steel … the Last Son of Krypton … the Man of Tomorrow … the Big Blue Boy Scout.  Call him what you want, but what is undeniable is his heroism and unwavering commitment to truth and justice.  He is the greatest and most famous superhero the world has ever known.

Did You Know?

• Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.  Their initial comic book — The Superman — was created in 1933.  The comic was rejected by multiple publishers due to the creators’ young age.
• Siegel and Shuster finally found a publisher in National Allied Publications — which would later merge with Detective Comics to become National Comics.  For years, National Comics branded itself as Superman-DC.  It wasn’t until 1977 that the company officially changed its name to DC Comics.
• The rights to Superman were sold to National Allied Publications for $130 or $2,200 when adjusted for inflation.  Today, Superman’s “S” is the second most well-known symbol after the Christian cross.
• Superman made his first appearance in Action Comics #1 (June 1938).  The character, in his early days, was a rough-and-tumble brawler and couldn’t fly.  Through the years, Superman evolved into the clean-cut, righteous, stoic, and all-powerful character we know today.
• The greatest and most altruistic hero may have been born out of tragedy.  Author Brad Meltzer proposed a theory after doing his own research into co-creator Jerry Siegel’s life.  Mitchell Siegel, Jerry’s father, was a Jewish immigrant from Lithuania.  Mitchell died during a robbery at his second-hand clothing store.  Though gunshots were heard, the coroner’s report stated that Mitchell died from a heart attack.  This sudden loss, may have prompted a young devastated Jerry to create a powerful being who would avenge evil and fight for good.

Next: He may be dark, but he's as good as they get

Creating Batman

If you’re up to no good and in a dark alley, the last thing you want to hear is “I am vengeance … I am the night … I am Batman!”  On the fateful night that his loving parents were murdered, a fire was ignited in Bruce Wayne which tempered him into one of the greatest heroes in the world.  Though human, his commitment to physical and mental excellence brings his status to superhuman levels.

Did You Know?

• Batman was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane.  Due to Superman’s success, National Comics sought out more superheroes for its publication.
• Bob Kane created “The Bat-Man” and gave the character red tights, no gloves or gauntlets, a small domino mask, and two stiff bat wings.  Bill Finger suggested that the character should have a cowl, cape, and gloves.  The bat-wing cape was suggested by Bob Kane, who was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawings of an ornithopter.
• Bill Finger created Batman’s secret identity — Bruce Wayne.  The name “Bruce Wayne” came from the combination of Robert Bruce — a Scottish patriot and Chief of the Knights Templar — and Mad Anthony Wayne.
• Batman made his first appearance in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939).
• Batman’s overall look was inspired by 1930s pop culture, especially from the sources of pulp fiction, comic strips, newspaper headlines, and details from Bob Kane’s own life.
• During Batman’s initial appearances, the character used a gun and killed criminals with little remorse.  He would later evolve into the Batman fans are now familiar with: someone who would never kill or use a firearm.

Next: The grandmother of all super-heroines

Creating Wonder Woman

Her beauty and grace are only equaled by her strength and wisdom.  Princess Diana of Themyscira — better known as Wonder Woman — was imbued with all the greatest gifts and qualities of the gods and goddesses.  However, what makes her stand out is her unwavering love for humanity and her commitment to truth and goodness.

Did You Know?

• Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston.
• William Moulton Marston was hired as an educational consultant for National Periodicals and All-American Publications (both of which would later merge to form DC Comics), Marston was urged to create his own superhero.  His wife, Elizabeth, suggested that it should be a female.
• Elizabeth Marston, William Moulton Marston’s wife, became the model for Wonder Woman — someone William thought was the epitome of the modern liberated woman.  Inspiration for the character also came from Olive Byrne, a woman who had a polyamorous relationship with the Marstons.
• Wonder Woman made her first appearance in All Star Comics #8 (December 1941).
• Marston also created the systolic-blood-pressure-measuring apparatus which was key to the development of the polygraph, more commonly known as a lie detector.  Marston believed that women were more honest than men and worked more efficiently.  He also believed that women should rule the world.

Next: There's no such thing as three's a crowd in DC

The DC Trinity

When the big three — Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman — come together, you can almost say that this group alone is the very definition of “overpowered.”  But when you’re handling evil on a universal scale, you’ll need that advantage.  With Superman’s strength and powers, Batman’s expertise in tactics and strategy, and Wonder Woman’s unwavering will and wisdom, the DC Trinity are a perfectly formed team of justice and might.

Did You Know?

• The first time Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman appeared together was in All-Star Comics #36 (August 1947).
• Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice marks the first time the Trinity — Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman — will appear together in official live-action media.
• Batman / Superman / Wonder Woman: Trinity was a 2003 three-issue limited series written and drawn by Matt Wagner which establishes the meeting of the three legendary superheroes.
• Trinity was a 52-issue limited series that ran from May 2008 to June 2009 where Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman were the focus of the story.

Next: New and improved

Superman’s Suit Details

From its spandex beginnings in the comics to its more recent extraterrestrial origins, Superman’s suit and symbol are probably among the most recognizable items in the world.  For Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Academy Award-winning costume designer Michael Wilkinson brought the Man of Steel’s regal garb more up-to-date and created a thing of beauty.

Did You Know?

• Superman’s suit has undergone an update from its first appearance in Man of Steel (2013) to better match the overall aesthetics of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
• The Joseph Campbell quote ,”Where we had thought to stand alone, we will be with all the world,” was translated into Kryptonian and placed on the suit’s “S” shield, cuffs, belt, and bicep.
• The Superman “S” shield’s different look in the DC Extended Universe was inspired from the “S” shield that made its first appearance in Superman #9 (March/April 1941) — the same year the “S” shield also became trademarked.
• To make Superman stand out even more, costume designer Michael Wilkinson made the suit a brighter hue of blue.  The yellow background seen on his chest insignia was made into a bright gold.  And the overall chest insignia was given line details to match the prominent “S” logo seen in all the marketing materials.
• The gauntlets and torso ribbing details were separated into individual pieces as opposed to the molded one-piece scheme seen in Man of Steel (2013).
• Superman’s gold integrated belt has been made more prominent and the buckle is now a rectangle as opposed to an oval seen in Man of Steel (2013) and in the comics.

Next: Why use any armor when you've got skills?

Batsuit Details

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice marks the first time since Batman (1966) that a movie has had a faithful reproduction of the Batsuit.  With its familiar grey-colored bodysuit made of cloth, and dramatic batwing-shaped cape and cowl, the Dark Knight looks like he jumped straight out of the comic books.  There are no bat-nipples here.  Sorry, had to throw that in there.  True Bat-fans know what I mean.

Did You Know?

• Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be the first time since the 1966 film Batman, starring Adam West, that a live-action film incarnation of the Batsuit will be made of cloth.  All other Batsuits on film — Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Forever (1995), Batman & Robin (1997), Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012) — have been a form of body armor.
• The Batsuit in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was heavily influenced by the design of Frank Miller’s Batman in The Dark Knight Returns.
• The Batsuit was designed purposely to show wear-and-tear — bullet holes, shredding, distressing — from Batman’s many years of fighting crime on the streets of Gotham City.
• Batman’s cowl is the first one-piece cowl that allows the actor to turn his head.  The Burton/Schumacher era of Batsuit cowls had no flexibility and actors had to invent what was known as the Bat-turn — turning one’s whole body in order to look to the side.  Even Batman Begins (2005) required Christian Bale to turn his whole body.  It wasn’t until The Dark Knight (2008) that Bale was able to have neck mobility when wearing the cowl, but the cowl’s head and neck parts were separate pieces.

Next: This princess doesn't wear a gown

Wonder Woman’s Suit Details

In the comics, Wonder Woman earned her armor after winning a contest among her Amazonian sisters.  In Hollywood, actress Gal Gadot won the right to wear the famous uniform with her talent and uncanny resemblance to the Goddess of Truth.  This isn’t your father’s Wonder Woman anymore … or should I say “your mother’s”?  DC’s, and probably the world’s, most famous female superhero gets a wardrobe update in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice that fits her personality and purpose: a wise warrior princess.

Did You Know?

• Other than the 1970s Wonder Woman television series starring Lynda Carter, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be the first time Wonder Woman’s suit has been officially portrayed in live-action.  Director Zack Snyder wanted the suit to represent immortality and being a fierce warrior.
• Wonder Woman’s suit will also have Amazonian writing scripted into the armor.
• Wonder Woman’s suit design was inspired from gladiators in ancient Rome.
• Wonder Woman’s suit in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was revealed for the first time to the public on July 26, 2014 in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con 2014.

Next: He's goin' old-school for this role

Differences in Clark Kent / Superman Portrayals in Film

If you thought Clark Kent was always portrayed as a naive, nerdy, timid character, think again.  In fact, actor Henry Cavill’s interpretation, under the direction of Zack Snyder, is more attune to the original mild-mannered reporter.  Remember, the key word here is “mild-mannered” not “geeky and bumbling.”  This is Mr. Cavill going back to the roots of the character.

Did You Know?

• Henry Cavill’s Superman is the second incarnation of Superman to not have a spit-curl in his hairstyle.  Dean Cain was the previous Superman to not sport a spit-curl when he played the character in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.  Though Christopher Reeve, the best and most famous Superman, didn’t sport a spit-curl in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987), he did sport it prominently in Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), and Superman III (1983).  The reason for Superman’s spit curl was due to the artists wanting to make Superman more distinct from other characters when he initially appeared in the comics.
• Henry Cavill was previously considered for the Donner/Reeve universe Superman Returns (2006).  Instead, Brandon Routh won the part.  However, after a mediocre reception and performance at the box-office, Warner Bros. decided to fully reboot the character and create a shared DC film universe.
• Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Clark Kent is not unlike the character’s original personality in the comics.  The bumbling, clumsy, nerdy Clark Kent was an origination of Christopher Reeve who based the personality on Cary Grant in Bringing Up Baby (1938).  Reeve’s portrayal was so well-received that, for years, his Clark Kent became the gold-standard affecting television shows, animation, and the comics.

Next: There are some big boots to fill

Batman on Film

Batman is probably the one DC property that has had the biggest presence in film.  The history of Batman’s appearance on the silver-screen date back to the 1940s, only a mere few years after his introduction in the comics.  Though each series of Batman films occur in their universe, there are some interesting related qualities.

Did You Know?

• Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be the first film involving Batman not to be released during the summer season.
• This marks the first time that someone currently portraying Batman on film will be older than the actor who portrayed the character before him.  Ben Affleck is 18 months older than Christian Bale.  Bale is 13 years younger than George Clooney.  Clooney is 18 months younger than Val Kilmer.  Kilmer is 8 years younger than Michael Keaton.
• This will be the second time on film that Wayne Manor will not be the primary residence of Bruce Wayne.  The first time was in The Dark Knight (2008), when the explanation was that the mansion was being rebuilt after the events of Batman Begins (2005).
• Batman’s first appearance outside of illustrated media was on the silver screen in 1943 in the 15-chapter serial Batman starring Lewis Wilson as Batman and Douglas Croft as Robin.

Next: This could've happened sooner

The First Batman vs. Superman

Little do most people know, a Batman and Superman face-off movie wasn’t a new concept at Warner Bros. / DC.  The idea had been pitched over a decade ago.  Due to the ever-changing plans of studios, this film got lost in all the shuffling.  However, we were able to dig up some interesting things the studio had planned if the Dark Knight were to ever meet the Man of Steel on the silver screen.

Did You Know?

• In 2002, Andrew Kevin Walker pitched Warner Bros. an idea titled “Batman vs. Superman” with Wolfgang Petersen attached to direct.  Akiva Goldsman — the writer behind Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997) —  was hired to rewrite Walker’s draft.
• The film was set to introduce Bruce Wayne retired from being Batman.  Commissioner Gordon, Dick Grayson, and Alfred Pennyworth would all be dead.  Clark Kent would have been divorced from Lois lane and in a romance with Lana Lang.  Clark would also be Bruce’s best man during his wedding to Elizabeth Miller.  When Elizabeth is killed by the Joker, Bruce becomes Batman again to exact revenge.  Superman then steps in to stop Batman from killing the Joker.
• Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, James Franco, Jude Law, and Paul Walker were all in consideration for either the role of Batman or the role of Superman.
• The project was canceled due to Warner Bros. wanting to focus more on Superman and Batman solo projects.
• In the opening scene of I Am Legend (2007), the famous Batman/Superman combination logo can be spotted in Times Square.  It was meant to be an in-joke because writer Akiva Goldsman, who rewrote Batman vs. Superman, also wrote I Am Legend.

Next: Someone got cold feet

The Unproduced Justice League: Mortal

We just talked about a planned feature film about a Batman/Superman team-up/rivalry.  But did you know that in more recent times, Warner Bros. / DC almost went forward with a Justice League film?  This would’ve been directed by George Miller, who created the Mad Max franchise.  The cast was set and the costumes were fitted.  However, the studio, due to various unplanned mishaps, pulled the plug on the project.

Did You Know?

• Justice League: Mortal was to be the first live-action incarnation of DC’s most famous heroes — Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, The Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman — together.
• Jason Reitman was the original choice as the director, but he bowed out stating that he saw himself as an independent filmmaker and not someone who makes big-budget superhero films.  George Miller of Mad Max franchise fame would sign on to direct in September of 2007.
• The studio settled on D.J. Corona as Superman; Armie Hammer as Batman; Megan Gale as Wonder Woman; Common as the John Stewart version of Green Lantern; Adam Brody as The Flash; Hugh Keays-Byrne as Martian Manhunter; Jay Baruchel as Maxwell Lord; and Teresa Palmer as Talia al Ghul.  Aquaman had yet to be cast.
• Due to a slew of mishaps — the writers’ strike, delays in filming, and the Australian government denying Warner Bros. a forty percent tax rebate — the film became doomed.  The studio would later change its mind and focus more on individual superhero films which also led to the debacle known as Green Lantern (2011).
• After Man of Steel (2013) finished filming, Warner Bros. went back to the drawing board and solidified plans to use the tone of Man of Steel as a launchpad for a shared DC film universe, now known as the DC Extended Universe.
• A recent rumor that later proved to be false stated that George Miller was to be the director of Man of Steel 2.

Next: Green doesn't mean 'go'

Kryptonite

Yes, the Achilles Heel of Superman.  Who knew that a souvenir from his birthplace would be the least homely thing to the Man of Steel.  Throughout the years, kryptonite has been used as a plot device to even the playing ground when pitting Superman against foes who didn’t match his strength or powers.  It’ll be interesting to see how Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will use this famous green rock in a new way.

Did You Know?

• Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel wrote an unpublished 1940 story titled “The K-Metal from Krypton” which featured a mineral that was a prototype for what would later become kryptonite.  This mineral, instead of just draining Superman of his powers, would also give ordinary humans superpowers.
• Kryptonite was first mentioned in The Adventures of Superman radio show in June 1943 in the story arc “The Meteor from Krypton.”
• Over the years, kryptonite has been seen in various forms: green, red, anti-kryptonite, x-kryptonite, blue, white, red-green, gold, red-green-blue-gold, silver, jewel, Bizarro red, red-green, red-gold, magno-kryptonite, red-green-gold, slow, kryptonite-x, pink, black, orange, and periwinkle.
• On January 31, 2003, the University of Leicester commemorated the 70th anniversary of Superman by presenting the Geological Society with mock kryptonite which was actually krypton diflouride.  An actor dressed as Superman presented the kryptonite, housed in a glass dome, to the Geological Society.

Next: His ride never disappoints

The Batmobile

Batman’s most famous mode of transportation is once again reincarnated for the silver screen for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  Sleek, yet purposeful, this new Batmobile is the embodiment of functional beauty.  As with all Batmobiles that came before it, this beefed up super-vehicle is sure to impress fans with some hidden surprises.

Did You Know?

• The Batmobile was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane.
• First appearing in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939) — also the first appearance of Batman — the Batmobile has been with the Dark Knight since day one.  This first iteration of the famous vehicle was just a red convertible with no special functions or modifications.
• The name “Batmobile” wasn’t applied until Detective Comics #48 (February 1941).
• In Detective Comics #30 (August 1939), the vehicle started to evolve into the specialized vehicle fans are now familiar with.
• In the Batman (1943) serial, Batman and Robin were chauffeured by Alfred with a black Cadillac.  The Cadillac was later replaced with a limousine.  In Batman and Robin (1949) — the follow-up to Batman (1943) — Batman and Robin drove a 1949 Mercury.
• The original Batmobile for the 1960s Batman television series was supposed to be a 1959 Cadillac built by Dean Jeffries.  George Barris later replaced Jeffries and opted to use a 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car which he modified.
• The Tim Burton / Michael Keaton Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) Batmobiles were built on a Chevrolet Impala chassis.  They were designed by Anton Furst who won an Academy Award for Batman (1989) for designing the look-and-feel of Gotham City.
• In Joel Schumacher’s campy Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997), the Batmobiles took on a more exotic sleek look with decorative lighting and fins.
• In Christopher Nolan’s critically-acclaimed Dark Knight Trilogy, the Batmobile, which was known as the Tumbler, was inspired by the tank-like vehicle seen in The Dark Knight Returns.  The production designer described the design as a cross between a tank and a Lamborghini.

Next: Some politicians need to be bound by this

The Lasso of Truth

Imagine how brutally honest the world would be if these were mass-produced.  I think our court system would cease to exist.  But alas, the Lasso of Truth only exists in the world of comics and fiction.  Among Wonder Woman’s arsenal, the lasso is probably one of the most used items.  Created by a god, the lasso is imbued with magic and is indestructible.

Did You Know?

• Creator William Moulton Marston worked on the systolic blood-pressure test when he was a psychology graduate student at Harvard University, later earning a Ph.D. in the field in 1921.  Some think that it was because of his work in creating the foundations for the lie detector that influenced the creation of the Lasso of Truth.  However, it was not.  The creation of the lasso was from Marston’s and his wife, Elizabeth’s, research into emotions.  Therefore, Wonder Woman’s lasso was an allegory for feminine charm and its compliant effect on people.
• In Post-Crisis stories, the Lasso of Truth was forged by the god Hephaestus from the Golden Girdle of Gaea which was once worn by Antiope, sister of Hippolyta and aunt of Diana.
• The lasso is so strong that not even Hercules can break it.  However, it can be broken when truth itself is challenged.  And beings who do not abide by reason or logic are also able to break it.
• When Superman and Captain Marvel (Shazam) were bound by the lasso, they were not able to break it.
• The lasso is empowered by the Fires of Hestia, and its magic is so strong that even slight contact would compel someone to admit their true intentions.
• The lasso is infinitely long and can shorten and lengthen depending on the wielder’s needs.
• In the comics, despite the lasso’s mystical origins, Batman was able to reverse-engineer it and create the Blind of Veils by inverting the original weave.

Next: There's more than one

The Various Incarnations of Lex Luthor, Jr.

We already thought one Lex Luthor was enough, and now he has sons (emphasis on the plural).  Well, technically, in the comics, these sons were different people from different universes.  In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Lex Luthor, Sr. is said to be dead and gone.  His legacy has been passed onto Lex Luthor, Jr. who’s currently trying to put his own stamp on the world.  Knowing that the writers might have a few tricks up their sleeves, Lex Luthor, Jr. may not be who we assume.

Did You Know?

• The first appearance of a Lex Luthor, Jr. was in Action Comics #544 (June 1983).  Lex Luthor fathered him with an alien woman named Ardora, who was from the planet Lexor.  Lexor was a planet whose citizens viewed Lex Luthor as a god due to him saving their civilization.  The infant Lex Luthor, Jr. would later die when Lexor is annihilated.  However, all continuity of this history would be wiped away after the Crisis on Infinite Earths.
• Alexander Luthor, Jr. was the son of Earth-Three’s Lex Luthor, a hero, and Lois Lane.  Alexander was sent to Earth-One by his parents.  Arriving at the headquarters of the Justice League, Alexander gained powers that allowed him to control matter and anti-matter.  Alexander would later be a key catalyst who initiates the events seen in Infinite Crisis.
• Lex Luthor II was a clone of Lex Luthor.  The original Luthor had, for years, worn a kryptonite ring to ward off Superman.  Because of this prolonged exposure, Luthor developed terminal cancer.  After faking his own death in a plane crash, Luthor had his brain inserted into a cloned body.  Luthor then reemerged as his own son.  The ruse would be short-lived because his cloned body started to deteriorate.

Next: I just can't picture it

An Alternate Cast

Now that we’ve seen the current cast for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it’s kind of hard picturing different people wear these legendary garbs.  However, like all large-scale movies, the studio had many actors in mind when this film was still a concept.  Some of these suggestions will make people go, “Huh?”, while others will make people go, “Yeah, I can totally see him in this role!”

Did You Know?

• Actors Bradley Cooper, Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jean Dujardin, Tom Hanks (due to the studio seeing him in Cloud Atlas (2012)), and Joaquin Phoenix were all considered for the role of Lex Luthor, Jr.
• Actors Josh Brolin, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Tyler Hoechlin were all considered for the role of Bruce Wayne / Batman.  Jeffrey Dean Morgan was eventually cast as Thomas Wayne.
• Actor Timothy Dalton was considered for the role of Alfred Pennyworth.
• Actor Michael B. Jordan was considered for the role of Victor Stone / Cyborg.  Jordan was the voice of Victor Stone / Cyborg in the animated film Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013).

Next: We nerds sported this in 1992

Shoulder Patch Worn by Superman’s Soldiers

The nefarious-looking “Superman Soldiers” seen in the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice trailers really act like the Stormtroopers to Superman’s Vader.  But the House of El crest that they wear so prominently on their shoulders may be an homage to something much more noble — the death of Superman in the comics.

Did You Know?

• The collector’s edition of Superman #75 — the issue where Superman was killed by Doomsday — came in a black bag emblazoned with a bleeding “S” symbol.  Inside the bag, there was the comic book itself, Daily Planet obituary, a trading card, stamps, poster, and a black armband with a red “S” on it.  The design of the armband is similar to the “S” symbol worn by the soldiers seen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
• During Superman’s funeral in the comics, all the mourners, including the Justice League and various superheroes, all wore a black armband with Superman’s “S” symbol on it.

Next: Welcome to his humble abode

The Batcave

In every film incarnation, the Batcave just keeps on getting bigger and more impressive.  And Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is no different.  The teasers and trailers have shown the place to look like a personal museum.  However, it was nowhere near this scale when it started out in the comics.  In fact, the Batcave wasn’t even much of a hideout.  What use to be just a modest storage area has now become a space of envy and state-of-the-art marvel.

Did You Know?

• At the beginning, Batman didn’t have an official secret lair.  There was only a secret tunnel that ran underground between Wayne Manor and an old barn.  The old barn was where the Batmobile and Batmicrolite were housed.
• In Batman #12 (August 1942 – September 1942), secret underground hangars were mentioned.
• In 1943, the Batman movie serial’s second chapter, titled “The Bat’s Cave”, showed Batman having a full-fledged underground crime lab.  Here, Batman’s entrance to the cave being a grandfather clock was established.
• In the October 29, 1943 Batman daily, titled “The Bat Cave”, Kane had an illustration of the secret lair containing a study, crime lab, workshop, hangar, and garage.  Kane designed this after seeing a cross section of underground hangars.  The pictures were provided by Bob Finger when he gave his script to Kane.
• The official Batcave made its first appearance in Detective Comics #83 (January 1944).
• The Batcave seen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is very faithful to the Batcave seen in the comics, as the comics version also has various memorabilia and memorials.

Next: Forged from the gods

Wonder Woman’s Sword and Shield

The addition of a sword and shield is relatively new to Wonder Woman’s mystical arsenal.  Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice honors the character’s first live-action feature film incarnation by incorporating various characterizations of the Goddess of Truth throughout her rich history in various media.

Did You Know?

• In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Superman, due to his vulnerability to magic, can be injured by Wonder Woman’s sword.
• In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman’s sword and shield are inscribed with ancient Greek.  The sword is also emblazoned with a symbol that represents the Amazons of Themyscira.
• The first time Wonder Woman carried a sword in the comics was in the miniseries Kingdom Come, where the character was portrayed as older.
• In DC’s The New 52, Wonder Woman was seen regularly carrying a sword.

Next: This sounds like a proto-American Idol

The Death of a Robin

When your readers hate something, they will be very vocal about it.  And DC Comics was definitely listening back in the 1980s.  People who loved Jason Todd shouldn’t blame the writers or the publisher.  The fate of Jason was left to the fans, and the fans eventually spoke … um … or rather telephoned.

Did You Know?

• The second Robin, Jason Todd, died in Batman #428 (December 1988) at the hands of the Joker.  This event changed Batman and made his rivalry with the Joker personal.  It also caused Batman to avoid taking on any more sidekicks, at least for a while.
• The storyline “A Death in the Family” was monumental due to how DC discarded a character readers grew to dislike.  Editor Dennis O’Neill wanted to find a way to remove the character of Jason Todd and interact with fans at the same time.  He decided to set up two 1-900 numbers which gave readers a chance to vote for or against Jason Todd’s death.  When the final tally came in, over 10,000 votes were cast.  The race was a close one: 5,343 votes were for Jason to die, while 5,271 were for him to live.
• In the comics, Bruce set up a memorial for Jason Todd in the Batcave.  The memorial was Jason’s Robin costume housed in a glass case with an epitaph that read, “A Good Soldier.”  This is similar to the Robin costume housed in a glass display case seen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Next: 'Eye' see everything

Lex/OS and Brother Eye Connection

One of the unique marketing strategies employed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has been the use of in-movie promotions and treating the fans like they are part of the DC Extended Universe.  A few months back, we got our first teaser of LexCorp’s newest product — Lex/OS.  Knowing Lex Luthor, or should I say “Lex Luthor, Jr.”, Lex/OS will be more than meets the eye (yes, pun intended).  If they’re going where I think they’re going, then this will be an ingenious move.

Did You Know?

• Brother Eye was originally called Brother MK I which was created by Batman to keep track of metahumans.  Batman became distrustful of metahumans after he had his memories altered by the Justice League in the Identity Crisis storyline.
• Brother Eye is sentient.  Though originally created as an artificial intelligence, the satellite went through a few evolutionary stages.  Maxwell Lord reprogrammed Brother MK I to have a fear and suspicion of all metahumans.  And Alexander Luthor, Jr. of Earth-Three was the one to give it sentience.
• The OMACs — cyborgs created via a virus developed by LexCorp in a joint effort with the U.S. Department of Defense — were centrally controlled by Brother Eye.

Next: At least Bruce Wayne can afford the best

Bruce Wayne’s Hairstyle

It’s a rumor as old as time itself: Ben Affleck is actually bald in real life.  I actually seriously doubt that.  Sometimes the quickest way to adopt a hairstyle is by wearing a hairpiece.  And since Mr. Affleck is an actor who has played various roles, a hair piece was probably required for one of his characters.  In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Affleck had to transform into the Dark Knight, so I guess he did what he had to do.  Didn’t I say at the beginning of this article that some of these “fun facts” fall into the realm of “strange” and “hilarious”?

Did You Know?

• Ben Affleck wears a wig to portray Bruce Wayne in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
• Ben Affleck was allowed to choose Bruce Wayne’s hairstyle.  Producer Deborah Snyder initially hated his choice, but later grew to like it.

Next: Hey, haven't I seen that before somewhere?

Superman Image Homages

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice heavily pays respect to the Man of Steel in past media.  His regal powerful image comes straight out of the comics.  Director Zack Snyder, who has a penchant and knack for very stylish shots, duplicates those comic images by showing Superman at his finest when performing his feats of strength.

Did You Know?

• The scene of Superman landing a section of a Russian rocket in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a direct homage to Superman diverting a Soviet nuclear warhead in The Dark Knight Returns.  Also, the rocket seen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is labeled with the number “300” in reverse.  This is a direct reference to Zack Snyder’s first comic book film, 300 (2006).
• In the flood rescue scene in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Superman’s sillouhette is seen hovering in front of clouds illuminated by the sun.  This is a direct homage to a panel in Grant Morisson’s All-Star Superman (November 2005 – October 2008) series.

Next: I guess even Bruce wasn't safe from the housing crisis

Wayne Manor

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice shows Wayne Manor in a major state of disrepair.  In fact, it looks quite frightening, and it seems that the mansion is now the mirror of Bruce Wayne — broken and without hope.  In various media, Wayne Manor has always been the primary residence of Bruce Wayne.  However, this newest film will prove otherwise.

• In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wayne Manor is said to be dilapidated, with Bruce Wayne residing in a lakeside house situated right above the Batcave.  Zack Snyder and crew have come to call this new home “Glasshouse.”
• In the Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne (May 2010 – November 2006) six-issue limited series, Wayne Manor was revealed to be designed by Nathan Van Derm for Darius Wayne.  From an aerial view, the home forms a “W.”  After Bruce had additional gardens added to it, an aerial view now reveals the image of a bat.
• In the comics, access to the Batcave via Wayne Manor involves opening a secret entrance way behind a fake grandfather clock in the mansion’s study.

Next: Those aren't the braided friendship kind

The Bracelets of Submission

In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman sports one of her signature items — the Bracelets of Submission.  Throughout the years, in various media, the bracelets have been given a legend all their own.  A symbol of strength and control, these items are powerfully wielded by the Goddess of Truth … or should it be the God of War due to her more recent title change in the comics.

Did You Know?

• Creator William Moulton Marston used the bracelets as an allegory for loving submission paired with emotional control which balances out a human ego’s strength.
• In Pre-Crisis stories, the bracelets were a symbol of submission to the Amazons’ submission to Aphrodite.  They were magical and unbreakable and could deflect any weapon from Man’s World.  In later stories, if the bracelets were ever removed, an Amazon would go into a “berzerker” mode.
• In Post-Crisis stories, the bracelets were given to Diana after she won the contest to become Wonder Woman.  The bracelets were said to be from the Aegis — an indestructible shield made from the hide of a female goat who suckled Zeus when he was an infant — and when crossed, would form a radius of protection from attacks.
• Later, writer Gail Simone wrote that Zeus endowed the bracelets to channel lightning when struck together.  The lightning had such great concussive force that it could make even Superman’s ears bleed.

Next: You'll have to get through her first

Mercy Graves

In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Tao Okamoto plays Lex Luthor, Jr.’s ever loyal Mercy Graves.  Though not dressed like a chauffeur or a bodyguard, this version of the character probably still has some tricks up her sleeve to pay homage to the character that made her debut in animation.

Did You Know?

• Created by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, Mercy Graves first appeared in the episode “A Little Piece of Home” in Superman: The Animated Series — an animated television show that was set in the initial DC Animated Universe.
• Her first comic book appearance was in Superman Adventures #1 (November 1996), a comic book based on the animated series.
• The character proved to be popular and went on to make appearances in the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series.
• Mercy Graves was to appear in the unfinished Superman Lives film.
• The character of Tess Mercer — played by Cassidy Freeman — in the television series Smallville was a conglomeration of Mercy Graves and Eve Teschmacher, Lex Luthor’s live-in girlfriend from Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), who was played by Valerie Perrine.
• This will be the second time Mercy Graves will appear as Asian.  The first time was in the 2004 – 2008 animated series The Batman.

Next: He can be bad to the bone

Superman Going Rogue

Batman’s nightmare scene in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice shows Superman to have gone rogue, or, at least, militarized with his own minions.  Though the Man of Steel most people know stands for all that is good, there are cases and stories where Superman, or a version of him, has gone to the dark side.

Did You Know?

• Superboy-Prime is a supervillain from a parallel Earth called Earth-Prime.  Created by writer Elliot S. Maggin and artist Curt Swan, the character made his first appearance in DC Comics Presents #87 (November 1985).
• Ultraman is a supervillain from a parallel Earth called Earth-Three.  Created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky, the character made his first appearance in Justice League of America #29 (August 1964).  This Superman also becomes stronger every time he’s exposed to kryptonite.  In most incarnations, this character is also part of evil versions of the Justice League.
• In Superman III (1983), Superman was exposed to a corrupted impure form of kryptonite which turned him evil.  The altruistic good Superman soon split from him and the evil Superman was killed by his predecessor in the famous junkyard fight scene.
• Red kryptonite, introduced in Adventure Comics #252 (September 1958), originally weakened Superman, but later caused him exhibit strange behaviors.
• Black kryptonite, introduced in Supergirl #2 (October 2005), causes Superman to split into two separate people: one good and one evil.
• In the 1980s – 1990s television series The Adventures of Superboy, Superboy traveled to a parallel dimension where he met a tyrant version of himself known as The Sovereign.
• In Grant Morrison’s The Multiversity: The Mastermen #1 (2014), Earth-10 sees the landing of baby Kal-L in the Nazi-occupied Sudetenland in 1930.  Raised by Adolf Hitler, the baby grows up to be The Overman who helps the Nazi Party conquer the world.

Next: It's that 'wonderful toy' again

Batman’s Grappling Gun

Batman travels Gotham’s skyscraper jungle as naturally as a person walks on a sidewalk.  He does this with the aid of his trusty (and I’m not even sure if we can even say “rusty”) grappling gun.  In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, we see him use it to make a quick escape from a powerful blast.  What most people don’t know is that the grappling gun is a relatively recent addition to the Dark Knight’s array of gadgets.

Did You Know?

• The grappling gun was the invention of the Tim Burton / Michael Keaton Batman films.  Before the films, Batman manually tossed the grappling hook to his intended target.
• The grappling gun was first introduced in Batman (1989) during the scene when Jack Napier’s — the Joker’s identity before his transformation — gang shoots at Batman and Batman uses the grappling gun to pull one of the assailants over a railing.
• Batman also had a variation on the grappling gun: a gun which creates a makeshift zipline between two objects.  This was seen during the rescue of Vicki Vale from the art museum in Batman (1989), and in a scene in Batman Returns (1992).
• Batman: The Animated Series had Batman use his grappling gun on a regular basis.  It was probably the most used device on his utility belt.
• In Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, which was grounded in reality, Batman’s grappling gun was gas-powered with a magnetic “hook” that was rated for 350 pounds.

Next: Trust them, they know where they're going

The DC Extended Universe Roadmap

Like I said before, Man of Steel (2013) is the start of it all, but Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be the booster to the overall franchise.  Warner Bros. / DC will finally bring their legendary characters to life in a massive shared universe called the DC Extended Universe.

Did You Know?

• The DC Extended Universe has been mapped through 2020 with a plan to release two DC Extended Universe films per year.
• The future films on the current slate for the DC Extended Universe are Suicide Squad (2016), Wonder Woman (2017), Justice League Part One (2017), The Flash (2018), Aquaman (2018), Shazam (2019), Justice League Part Two (2019), Cyborg (2020), Green Lantern Corps (2020), and an unscheduled and untitled Batman film that could turn into a solo trilogy.
• The brain trust for the DC Extended Universe is composed of producer Charles Roven, producer/director/writer Zack Snyder, producer Deborah Snyder, DC Comics Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, and Warner Bros. Executive Vice President John Berg.

Next: We only care that he's the same hard-hitting editor

Perry White’s Race Change Was Suggested Years Ago

He’s tough on his reporters because he wants the best out of them.  Laurence Fishburne reprises his role as the editor whose known for his blunt honesty and integrity: Perry White.  In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, we see him berate Clark Kent for not keeping his reporting objective.  Though the character has traditionally been portrayed as a Caucasian male, Man of Steel (2013) introduced the character as an African-American.  It’s certainly not a revolutionary idea now because we just care that his character traits are intact.  However, even as recent as twenty years ago, it was considered almost controversial by the studio.

Did You Know?

• In the 1990s television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, writer/producer/creator Deborah Joy LeVine pushed for the casting of James Earl Jones — veteran thespian and legendary voice of Darth Vader — as the iconic Daily Planet editor Perry White.
• If Jones was cast in this role, he would’ve been the first African-American to play the role of Perry White.
• However, Warner Bros. didn’t like the idea of an African-American being cast in the role.
• Although Jones wasn’t selected, he was cast in another role in Season 1 of the series as Franklin Stern, a publisher for the Daily Planet after Lex Luthor purchases the newspaper and shuts it down.

Next: Where have you seen this older gruffer Batman?

Inspiration from The Dark Knight Returns

When The Dark Knight Returns was introduced to readers worldwide, it made people see Batman in a new light.  In a way, it wasn’t completely revolutionary because it moreso brought the character back to his roots.  The Dark Knight was never camp, but the 1960s television series Batman became ingrained in the public consciousness.  Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne / Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is based on the version seen in The Dark Knight Returns, so it’s only fitting that the film contains various homages to the comic book.

Did You Know?

• The Dark Knight Returns was a four-issue miniseries that was released from February 1986 to June 1986.  It was written by Frank Miller with pencils by Miller, inks by Klaus Janson, letters by John Costanza, and colors by Lynn Varley.
• In the story, Bruce Wayne is 55 years old and has retired from being Batman.  When he returns to fight crime, he is confronted by both Gotham City and the US Government.  Superman, in the story, is a government lackey who is given a mission to stop Batman.
• In the final showdown between Batman and Superman, Batman is seen wearing an exoframe suit that gives him enhanced strength and abilities.
• The Dark Knight Returns occurs in what is known as The Dark Knight Universe with a former designation of Earth-31.  After the New 52 relaunch by DC Comics, it was unknown if The Dark Knight Universe still exists.  With the advent of Convergence, there is a large possibility that The Dark Knight Universe has come back into existence.  Writer Jeff King confirmed that the new DC Multiverse is now infinite.

Next: Wait, you were in that with him!?

Casting Coincidences

Everyone knows that Hollywood can be a small place, so coincidences are bound to happen.  But that doesn’t mean their still not fascinating.  Some of the cast of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice have some interesting connections and past work that almost foreshadowed their current roles.

Did You Know?

• Actor Michael Cassidy will be playing a character called Sam in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  Cassidy appeared in seven episodes of the television series Smallville — a prequel show based on Clark Kent in his adolescent years.
• Jason Mamoa, who will have a cameo as Aquaman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, originally starred in the television series Stargate: Atlantis.  Aquaman is the King of Atlantis.
• Every actor who has ever played Alfred Pennyworth, including the current Jeremy Irons, has been connected to a Sherlock Holmes production: William Austin was in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes; Eric Wilton was in The Scarlet Claw, The Pearl of Death, and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes; Alan Napier was in The Adventure of the Speckled Band; Michael Gough was in The Case of the Perfect Husband; Michael Caine was in Without A Clue; and Jeremy Irons played Sherlock Holmes in a skit on Saturday Night Live.
• Ben Affleck previously played Matt Murdock / Daredevil opposite Jon Favreau as Foggy Nelson in Daredevil (2003).  Jon Favreau would go on to direct Iron Man (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010).  Iron Man kickstarted the Marvel Cinematic Universe which is a rival franchise to the newly christened DC Extended Universe.

Next: Technically, he really didn't kill him

Creating Doomsday

Call me stubborn, but I’m still not convinced that what we saw in the second trailer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is actually Doomsday.  However, the internet, fans, and various media outlets seem to believe so.  I think it’s a red herring.  If you knew the full history of the character, then this would seem much too soon for him to be introduced.  And having him as a side character in this film would not do him justice (pun intended).

Did You Know?

• Doomsday was created by Dan Jurgens, Brett Greeding, Jerry Ordway, Louise Simonson, and Roger Stern.
• Writer/artist Dan Jurgens created Doomsday because he wanted an antagonist who could pose as a real challenge to Superman in a straight out brawl.  This contrasted with Superman’s usual foes at that time who had a reliance on technology or intellect, or had some advantageous ability over the Man of Steel.
• Doomsday’s first appearance was a cameo in Superman: Man of Steel #17 (November 1992).
• In many rankings, Doomsday is among the top 100 greatest comic book villains.
• Doomsday’s original name was “The Ultimate.”  The name “Doomsday” was given due to Booster Gold describing his encounter with the creature as “the arrival of Doomsday.”

Next: Do you still get free peanuts?

The Batwing

The Batwing is probably the second most used vehicle in the Dark Knight’s arsenal.  Hey, I’ve been stuck in San Francisco / Bay Area traffic, so I can imagine how bad Gotham City traffic can be.  When you’re saving the world, you don’t have time for red lights and waiting.  You need to rise above that — literally.  In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Batman once again deploys this flying spectacle of state-of-the-art technology.

Did You Know?

• The Batwing is also known as the Batplane, Batjet, or Batgyro.
• Batman’s aerial vehicle first appeared in Detective Comics #31 (September 1939) and it was known as the Batgyro.  The Batgyro was later replaced by the Batplane, which made its debut in Batman #1 (Spring 1940).
• The original Batplane had a machine gun, which the Burton/Keaton Batman (1989) pays homage to in the film’s version of the Batwing.
• In live-action, the only times the Batwing has ever appeared was in Batman (1989), Batman Forever (1995), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), where it was simply referred to as The Bat.

Next: He should've gotten this way sooner

Crediting Bill Finger

Justice and righteousness are definitely the name of the game in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  Hell, it’s in the title itself!  But sadly, sometimes justice is awarded to those who deserve it the most after they’re long gone.  Bill Finger is one of those people.  Without him, we’d be seeing a very different Batman.

Did You Know?

• Writer Bill Finger co-created Batman with Bob Kane.
• Finger, along with Bob Kane, created Batman’s famous arch-nemesis: The Joker.
• Finger was was the one who suggested Batman to have a cowl, cape, gloves, and the removal of red in the suit (the original suit Bob Kane drew for Batman was a red suit).
• Finger created Dick Grayson’s / Robin’s backstory to mirror that of Batman’s — parents who were murdered in front of their child, with the difference being that Dick’s parents were circus performers killed during their trapeze act.
• Finger collaborated with artist Martino Nodell to create the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott who made his first appearance in All-American Comics #16 (July 1940).
• Finger, though due for credit for creating Batman from the start, received his first formal credit as the creator of Batman in Batman and Robin Eternal #3 (October 15) and Batman: Arkham Knight Genesis #3 (October 2015).

Next: And the family grows

Aquaman, The Flash, and Cyborg

Aquaman, The Flash, and Cyborg — senior founding members of the Justice League — are all heavily rumored (and most likely predicted) to appear in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  If this does happen, fans can also put a tick next the checkbox that reads “Film that has the most appearance of Justice League members.”

Did You Know?

• This will be the second live-incarnation of Victor Stone / Cyborg.  Cyborg was previously portrayed in the television series Smallville by Lee Thompson Young.
• This will be the third live-incarnation of Arthur Curry / Aquaman.  Aquaman was previously portrayed in the television series Smallville by Alan Ritchson and the planned television series Aquaman by Justin Hartley, who also played Oliver Queen / Green Arrow on Smallville.
• This will be the third live-incarnation of Barry Allen / The Flash.  The Flash was previously portrayed in the television series The Flash by John Wesley Shipp, who now plays Henry Allen, Barry Allen’s father in the new The CW Arrow-verse television series The Flash. The Flash is currently being portrayed in The CW Arrow-verse television series The Flash by Grant Gustin.  Though a Flash-type speedster was portrayed in Smallville, he was technically not the Flash and was not Barry Allen.  The character’s hero name was known as Impulse, and his real name was Bart Allen, who in the comics was the grandson of Barry Allen and his wife Iris West.

Next: It is au naturale

Lois Lane’s Hair Color

Lois Lane a redhead?  The only redhead in Superman’s life should be Lana Lang!  Not so.  Though our favorite investigative reporter is usually associated with dark hair, her hair color has changed throughout the years.  In fact, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice pays homage to the character’s appearances in past comics and media, added to the fact that Amy Adams was told to keep her hair color for a very specific reason.

Did You Know?

• From the 1980s to the 1990s, Lois Lane, in the comics, was depicted with reddish brown hair.
• Noel Neill, the actress who played Lois Lane opposite George Reeves’s Clark Kent / Superman in seasons two to six of the television series Adventures of Superman, had dark red hair.  Due to the limitations of black-and-white television at the time, Neill’s hair had the illusion of being dark brown.
• Though Amy Adams wanted to dye her hair to match the more traditional Lois Lane look, director Zack Snyder insisted that she leave her hair in its natural state.  Snyder believed that Lois Lane would never color her hair.

Next: He really likes his comics

The Actor Who Portrays Thomas Wayne

Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays Thomas Wayne, in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is no novice to comics.  This thespian has not only been in multiple comics-based films, but has had a past relationship with a person who has been in a Batman-based television series.

Did You Know?

• Aside from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Jeffrey Dean Morgan has been cast in three other films based on DC properties: Edward Blake / The Comedian in Watchmen (2009); Clay in The Losers (2010); Jeb Turnbull in Jonah Hex (2010).
• Jeffrey Dean Morgan has a son with actress Hilarie Burton.  Burton’s second appearance on television was in the short-lived series Birds of Prey, a DC series about Helena Kyle / Huntress (daughter of Bruce Wayne / Batman and Selina Kyle / Catwoman), Barbara Gordon / Oracle, and Dinah Redmond (the daughter of Dina Lance / The Black Canary).
• Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s newest comic book role will be the character of Negan in AMC’s The Walking Dead.

Next: The rules were made to be broken

Batman Holding a Sniper Rifle

Batman holding a gun seems as out of place as Superman holding a cigarette.  But there are exceptions to the rule.  You know, when the universe is in danger and you really have no other options.  Though it’s rare, the Dark Knight has used firearms from time to time.  And it’s definitely never a decision taken lightly.  In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, we do see Batman holding a sniper rifle, which certainly intrigues a lot of fans as to why he has it.

Did You Know?

• Batman, in mainstream DC publications, has a strong aversion to guns and firearms.  This may be due to pure principle or the fact that his parents were murdered with a handgun.
• In the early days of Batman’s creation, Batman used a handgun and also killed criminals without second thought.
• In The Dark Knight Returns, Batman uses a sniper rifle to bring down a helicopter.
• In The Dark Knight Returns, Batman uses a handgun to set off explosives.
• In Batman (1989), Batman’s Batwing and Batmobile were equipped with machine guns.
• In The Dark Knight (2008), Batman’s Batpod was equipped with guns.
• In The Dark Knight Returns (2012), Batman’s Bat aerial vehicle had machine guns.
• In Batman: Year Two (1987), Batman retrieves the very gun that was used to kill his parents so that he can level the playing field with The Reaper.  Batman also teams up with the man who murdered his parents, Joe Chill.  At the end of the arc, Batman seals the gun into the cornerstone of the Wayne Foundation.
• In the Batman: Brave and the Bold meta-episode “Mightfall!”, Bat-Mite tries to get the show canceled by giving Batman guns.
• In the Final Crisis event, Batman uses a gun loaded with a Radion bullet as a last resort to stop Darkseid.

Next: He's forever loyal and a hero in his own right

Creating Alfred Pennyworth

Many will say that before Batman had Robin, his primary crime-fighting partner was Alfred.  However, “partner” may not be enough to describe the loyal butler.  Alfred has acted as mentor, parent, caretaker, and confidant to one of the greatest heroes in the world.  In the comics, his name is held in such high esteem that even the Justice League sees him as an equal.  In the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice trailers, Alfred can be seen sternly advising Bruce to not act brashly.

Did You Know?

• Alfred Pennyworth was created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson.
• Alfred Pennyworth made his first appearance in Batman #16 (April/May 1943).  In this introduction, the character was portly and clean-shaven.
• Alfred was originally intended as a comedic foil, but after Batman #36, the character’s silliness was drastically toned down.
• During the Pre-Crisis Era (1938 – 1986), Alfred’s background was that of a retired actor and former intelligence agent.
• The Post-Crisis version of Alfred is the one most commonly seen in modern media.  Alfred is established as having been employed by Thomas and Martha Wayne, and being part of Bruce’s life since his birth.
• Past live-action film incarnations of Alfred were portrayed by William Austin, Eric Wilton, Michael Gough, and Michael Cane.
• Past live-action television incarnations of Alfred were portrayed by Alan Napier, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Ian Abercrombie, and Sean Pertwee.

Next: Bruce and Diana sittin' in a tree ...

Batman and Wonder Woman In Love

When the official PG-13 rating was revealed for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, one of the stand-out descriptions for the film was that it was that there was “sensuality.”  Could a scene between Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince contributed to the rating?  If so, it’s rather ridiculous because the relationship between these two has been explored in the comics and animation.

Did You Know?

• In the comics — JLA #80 (June 2003) and JLA #90 (January 2004) — Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince briefly dated, but nothing else was further explored in the relationship.
• Batman and Wonder Woman had a flirtatious relationship in the DC Animated Universe shows Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.  The characters’ attraction to each other was due to the shows’ creators not liking the pairing of Wonder Woman with Superman.

Next: This film's so big we need two of them

The Score and the Composers

Sometimes the curse of being a genius is trying to top yourself.  That’s the exact dilemma master composer Hans Zimmer is experiencing right now for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  He was so adamant in making a unique sound for the film that he partnered himself up with another musical genius — Junkie XL.

Did You Know?

• Music composers Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL — whose real name is Tom Holkenborg — watched Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice for the first time on April 7, 2015 in order to write the music for the film.
• Hans Zimmer personally recruited Junkie XL to compose Batman’s theme and score due to Zimmer having already composed a Batman theme for director Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy.  Zimmer wanted a new sound and new perspective to differentiate Batman in the new DC Extended Universe.
• The first collaboration between Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is prominently featured and heard in the film’s first teaser.

Next: It was pre-destined

Henry Cavill’s Rivalry With The “Batmen”

We’ve probably broken through a barrier that separates our world from the comics because it seems that the rivalry between our fictional heroes has spilled over into reality.  Henry Cavill appears to be the conduit of this strange phenomenon.  Maybe he’s destined to fight Batman in one form or another?

Did You Know?

• The unproduced George Miller Justice League: Mortal had cast Armie Hammer as Bruce Wayne / Batman.
• In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Superman, played by Henry Cavill, is involved in a rivalry with Batman, played by Ben Affleck.
• In The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Napoleon Solo, played by Henry Cavill, is involved in an initial rivalry with Illya Kuryakin, played by Armie Hammer.

Next: The Dark Knight's gonna go Victorian on your a**

Gotham by Gaslight

At one point in the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice trailers, we see Batman in a trench coat, goggles, and military fatigues.  An unseen sight in film until now, Batman’s functional addition to his cape and cowl seem much more logical and serious than a coordinated desert Batsuit.  It’s details like that that make me excited for this film.  But this ensemble may have been inspired by the comics in the Elseworlds story Gotham by Gaslight (February 1989).

Did You Know?

• Gotham by Gaslight was a DC Comics one-shot which was released in February 1989.  It was written by Brian Augustyn with pencils by Mike Mignola and inks by P. Craig Russell.
• Gotham by Gaslight was released by Elseworlds — a DC Comics imprint that published alternate timeline and alternate reality stories about DC’s heroes.
• Batman’s Gotham by Gaslight suit would later make an appearance in Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
• In various rankings, Gotham by Gaslight is considered to be one of the greatest Batman graphic novels.
• Artist Mike Mignola would later be hired by Bruce Timm to design characters for Batman: The Animated Series.  He was responsible for the final redesign of Mr. Freeze.

Next: It's a big world out there

More DC Characters Are Acknowledged

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is filled to the brim with characters and objects from DC lore.  And just when you think the film can’t contain anymore characters, an in-movie Wired Magazine article about Lex Luthor, Jr. shows an infographic that instantly expands the DC Extended Universe even more.

Did You Know?

• The founder of Kord Industries is Ted Kord — the superhero Blue Beetle.
• The CEO of Stagg is billionaire and entrepreneur Simon Stagg, who’s the father of Sapphire Stagg, who, in turn, is the love interest of the superhero Metamorpho.
• Queen Industries, of course, is operated by owner and CEO Oliver Queen — the Green Arrow.

Next: Making it is half the fun

Production Tidbits

Behind-the-scenes facts are always fun.  With a behemoth production like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, we can expect the Blu-ray extras to take up more space than the film itself.  Until then, we have some small tidbits of information that may pique your interest.

Did You Know?

• Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as of this writing, has had a budget of $410 million.  This would rank it as the most expensive film ever made.
• During production, the code name for the film was “Sage & Milo.”
• There were plans to shoot in Morocco, but due to the 2014 Ebola outbreak, the shoot was moved to New Mexico.

Next: No, not our favorite one!

Dick Grayson

Early in the production of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, an image of Dick Grayson’s tombstone was released online, but quickly taken down.  There was some fan uproar about Dick Grayson being dead because … well … it’s the wrong Robin to be dead.  However, I have my own suspicions as to why Dick has a tombstone.  Could the film be drawing inspiration from modern DC storylines?

Did You Know?

• Dick Grayson, the first and most famous Robin, was created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson.  He made his first appearance in Detective Comics #38 (April 1940).
• Dick Grayson make his first appearance as Nightwing in Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (July 1984).
• Dick Grayson briefly took on the mantle of Batman and made his first appearance as the Dark Knight in Robin #0 (October 1994).
• In current stories, Dick Grayson has faked his death.  The only other person who originally knew about this was Bruce Wayne / Batman, who helped Dick form a plan to become a mole in a spy organization known as Spyral.  In Spyral, Dick is known as Agent 37.  His first appearance as Agent 37 was in Grayson #1 (September 2014).

Next: I guess to be it, you gotta live it

A Super-Workout

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice probably has one of the most fit cast and crew.  They have to be because they have on-board famed trainer Mark Twight.  Yep, the guy who gave the Spartan soldiers of 300 (2006) their abs and muscular physiques.  He’s also the inventor of the “300” workout.  It’s really not a workout because the “300” workout is a rite of passage, a test if you may, that proves you can do it.  You have to earn that “300.”

Did You Know?

• Because Henry Cavill had previously built up his frame for Man of Steel (2013) and kept up with the regimen, he was able to gain even more muscle mass for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  During Cavill’s peak, he was at 100 kilgrams (220 pounds), but he opted not to keep the size for the duration of production.
• The day after Ben Affleck was cast as Bruce Wayne / Batman, he started an intense 2-hour a day workout regimen to get ready for the role.  The result was a gain of 30 pounds of muscle and cutting down to 8% body fat.
• Gal Gadot’s previous experience in the Israeli Defense Forces gave her an edge when preparing for Wonder Woman.  Her training regimen for the role included months of Kung Fu, kickboxing, sword fighting, Jujitsu, and an intense bulking diet.
• Mark Twight is the official trainer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  Director Zack Snyder originally used the famous trainer to prepare actors for 300 (2006).
• Director Zack Snyder is also a weightlifting enthusiast himself.  In an image posted online, he was seen deadlifting almost 500 pounds.
• Zack Snyder’s go-to director of photography Clay Enos not only photographs at Mark Twight’s gym Gym Jones, but also works out there too.  During the production of 300 (2006), Enos, at 170 pounds, deadlifted 435 pounds.  The only other person to outlift him in the gym during that time was a trained stuntman who weighed 225 pounds.

Next: She doesn't look trustworthy

Senator Finch

In the trailers for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, we see Senator Finch, played by Holly Hunter, demanding answers from Superman about the Black Zero Event — the invasion of Zod and his army.  Though we think that she’s on humanity’s side, her association with Lex Luthor, Jr. makes us think that she has other ulterior motives.

Did You Know?

• Senator Finch was first introduced in Batman: The Animated Series in the episode “Be A Clown.”
• Senator Finch was a middle-aged Caucasian male with graying hair.  He was a senator for the State of New York and attended the birthday party of Jordan Hill, the son of Gotham City Mayor Hamilton Hill.

Next: Is this is a hint of his arrival?

Parademons

In the second official trailer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it seemed that those flying humanoid objects were helping Batman during his nightmare.  However, upon closer inspection and a freeze-frame, we see that they are pretty much attacking anything and everything.  Batman’s just lucky that he’s not the focus of their attention at the moment.  These creatures also look like giant insects.  Could these be the live-incarnation of the Parademons?  If they are, then it can mean only one thing: Darkseid’s presence.

Did You Know?

• The Parademons were created by Jack Kirby, Gail Simone, and Dale Eaglesham.  They made their first appearance in The New Gods #1 (February/March 1971).
• Parademons are the shock troops used by Darkseid to quell any disorder on Apokolips.
• Parademons have enhanced strength and a high tolerance to pain.  Their Apokoliptian armor also give them the ability to fly.
• If these are indeed Parademons in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, then it means Darkseid will be the reason why the Justice League is formed.
• Outside of comics, Parademons have only appeared in animated media.

Next: Beats any cell reception out there

The Bat-Signal

A beacon of hope, the Bat-signal give the citizens of Gotham City reassurance that Batman, urban legend or real, is patrolling the streets and protecting them.  In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the signal seems to be used as a way to get Superman’s attention, and also as a way to mark the dreary night skies of Gotham as Batman’s territory.  Whatever the purpose, when that signal shines, you can be sure that justice is not far behind.

Did You Know?

• The Bat-signal made its first appearance in Detective Comics #60 (February 1942).
• The first on-screen appearance of the Bat-signal was in the 1949 Batman and Robin serial.
• In the 1960s Batman television series, the Bat-signal was rarely used.  Commissioner Gordon got the attention of Batman by use of a dedicated phone.  The telephone was known as the Batphone and it was a red phone housed in a glass display case.
• In the Tim Burton / Michael Keaton / Joel Schumacher Batman series of films, the Bat-Signal was given to Gotham police by Batman himself.
• In the Dark Knight trilogy, the Bat-signal was installed by Commissioner Gordon and used during the denouement of the film.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Official Synopsis: Fearing the actions of a god-like super hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has a United States release date of March 25, 2016.  It will be directed by Zack Snyder, written by Chris Terrio from a story by David Goyer and Zack Snyder, and will star Henry Cavill as Clark Kent / Superman, Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne / Batman, Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Tao Okamoto as Mercy Graves, Holly Hunter as Senator Finch, Ray Fisher as Victor Stone / Cyborg, and Callan Mulvey, Scoot McNairy, and Jena Malone in unspecified roles.