| X | BatGuy versus The Franchise Killer (A Parody) WARNING! This project is not a parody of Batman's character, rather the interaction of the movie and comic book industries. Since the 1997 release of 'Batman & Robin,' directed by Joel Schumacher, no further live-action 'Batman' movies have been produced. This, in part, is due to a bad public reaction to Schumacher's over-the-top style. In the years to come, Schumacher was thence labeled in some fandom circles as 'The Franchise Killer;' he having killed the Warner Brother's franchise of a Detective Comics property. Thus in a very real way, Schumacher became a Bat-villain. The following sample pages fondly remembers the Batman movies of the past and looked forward to the release of 2005's 'Batman Begins.' CREDITS: Original concept and story by: David (vader, dark lord of The) Smith Pencils, Inks and Letters by: J. Mark Boyd/DTS Digital Engancements and Editing by: JMB/DTS Script by: DTS/JMB Character Design by: DTS/JMB Panelling by: DTS/JMB Vehicle Design by: DTS/JMB Logo Design by: DTS/JMB SPECIAL THANKS: The author wishes to personally thank the following for their help on this project, in no particular order: Kris Kidd,Chris Lynch, Brandon J. Bruce, Preston & Abbey McKinney, Keith Colvin, Richard Neal, L. M. Garrett, Linda & Chris Donahue, Julia Mandala, Kathy Turski, Eric Bakutis, Jonathan E. Smith, Darek Bridges, W. Darby Eckles, Teresa Patterson, Patricia N. Elrod, Roxanne Longstreet Conrad, Cat Conrad and Tomas Orendain. The artist wishes to thank the following: My wife for her patience, Brandon Bruce for the project itself, my mentors over the years, notably Jim Steranko, Gil Kane and Harvey Kurtzman and especially my friend Burne Hogarth ( a legend in his own time.) To those of you who wanted to see it, here it is, come and get it! Thanks and apologies to those of fame who were with us during the creative process, at least in spirit: Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, Tim Burton, Sam Hamm, Michael Keaton, Frank Miller, Alfred E. Newman, Joel Schumacher, Akiva Goldman, The LEGO Group, Rene Auberjenois, Jim Carrey, The Residents, Bob Larson, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Chris O'Donnell, Bette Midler and Clive Barker. DISCLAIMER: The events and characters herein are fictitious. Any similarity between actual persons, living or dead, intellectual properties or actual events, past, present or future is entirely coincidental except where parody is intended. Copyright 2009, Dave T. Smith |
