So in the last week I saw both the 6min. prologue and the new theatrical trailer for Batman The Dark Knight Rises, and to say I’m excited for this movie would be an understatement.

The Prologue:
     I saw the 6min. prologue with the Demise Of Hollywood gang when we went up to Phoenix for a show they were playing. It only played in 100 theatres worldwide so I’m glad we got to catch it. (It’s on the internet now, but quality will obviously not be the same) I won’t go into too much detail, but the prologue is all Bane. Much like Inception, once Tom Hardy is on the screen you can’t take your eyes off him. Now whether this is due to the creepy as hell mask he is wearing, or his awesome acting is debatable but I’m sure both aspects contribute. The scene is approximately 5min. long but has a bigger action sequence than the climax of most action movies. After the Bane intro scene you get some snippets of other characters: Batman, Catwoman, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Commissioner Gordon, and the Arkham escapees. I almost wish I hadn’t seen it because now I just want the movie to come out even more.

The Trailer:
     I saw the new theatrical trailer last night before the new Sherlock Holmes (which was good). And as if the prologue didn’t have me stoked enough, the trailer was the icing on the cake of excitement. More Bane, more fighting, more action, flying vehicles, and an imploding football field (and a cameo from Hines Ward). Yeah. Imploding. Football field. Afterwards Selina Kyle (Catwoman) warns Bruce Wayne about an ensuing battle that Gotham won’t be able to handle. It was a more traditional trailer but just as grand as the prologue. Seeing Sherlock Holmes was cool, but the trailer made it better.

I. Can’t. Wait.

Zach

     I finished the storyline for Batman Arkham City and I must say although it was shorter than most information provided, it is an astounding game! From the ground up this game is excellent. It’s bigger and better than it’s predecessor Arkham Asylum in every way. The visuals are great, the storyline and characters develop well - it also has some surprising twists, the fighting is better, the gadgets are techier and the gliding system (once you get the hang of it) is impeccable. I’m almost finished with all the side quests and working my way gradually through the 400 Riddler challenges. I love this game and can’t wait for more DLC.

     I also finished Kerouac’s On The Road, and I really dig it. I’m actually thinking of rereading it, or finding the original published version to see the differences (editing, name changes, etc.). The book is based on a pretty simple idea, travel across the U.S. numerous times and write about the experiences, but the execution is beyond simple due to Kerouac’s talent as a writer. He doesn’t just tell you about his travels, he takes you along with him. He doesn’t simply tell you about San Francisco, Denver, or Mexico, he shows you. You become his companion on various journeys and learn from them and enjoy them just as much as he does. And the writing style of the scroll isn’t bogged down with punctuation, and editing. You absorb every emotion because you’re reading them the way he (originally) typed them. It’s an awesome book and I can’t wait to read more of his work. *Note: I read On The Road: The Original Scroll, which is the first version of Kerouac’s novel as he originally typed it. This version was not initially released however due to language, grammar, and the use of people’s real names. There is a version of the first published novel out there which is an edited, changed, and corrected version but I haven’t read that one.

     I’ve been listening to a bit of Joy Division again. I really need to get their albums. I’m back to reading the book I started a while back, Joy Division: Piece By Piece, by Paul Morley. I’m going to try and finish that before I pick up anything else but I can’t guarantee anything.

     Other than that ladies and gents I want to read the Vengeance of Bane comic series, and the Knightfall series where Bane defeats Batman. And soon there’s going to be a big collection of TMNT comics released, I’ll have to find that as well. I have Poe’s complete poetry I want to get into and I still have two books by Frost, and Plath I’ve been picking up every now and again.

Now stop reading this, get off Tumblr, and go read. Enjoy yourselves.

ZN

Batman Arkham City comes out tonight at midnight. Until then:

- MW2 with RD
- Kerouac, On The Road
- AWC to workout while the lady is at dance
- Back home to shower, etc.
- Gamestop for the midnight release of Batman AC

I’ll see you guys in a couple days. I may look like a zombie and probably will not have showered in 3 days, but what’s new?

Yours,
Zach

I had a really good day yesterday.

I went to Hastings and picked up Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. Miller is one of my favorite comic writers. His style is very dark, very gritty, and sometimes over the top but it retains realism. He did the Sin City series, 300, Ronin, Batman Year One, and more. I’m three parts into The Dark Knight Returns and loving it. From the writing to the art and coloring it’s all high quality stuff.

I also visited Barnes & Nobles and bought some poetry books. I’ve never read books dedicated strictly to poetry (except for Dessa’s Spiral Bound, which also contains short stories). I bought Sylvia Plath’s The Colossus, and a Robert Frost collection. I figure if I’m going to write better poetry then I need to brush up on my knowledge of good poetry and good poets.

I’m going to write, and draw more I promise. I may even have to jump onto Stephen’s Pokemon A Day to see how I can hang with my talented friends.

Have a good day everyone. Take care and God bless.

Zach