NYCC 2019: DCU Press Event

DCU Press Event photo by Sean Tucker

DC Universe continues to deliver new content, robust community engagement, and real-world experiences to its members. During the grand opening reception of a new, pop-up activation titled, DCU HQ, the subscription service highlighted updates to the platform and previewed new content coming in 2020.

The opening night festivities included a presentation featuring a line-up of DC executives, artists, producers and even Krypto was on hand, the fan-favorite super dog who will soon be appearing on the DC Universe original series Titans. The evening got underway with artist Jim Lee, DC’s Chief Creative Officer and Publisher, creating live art on the walls within The Fantabulous Evolution of One Harley Quinn Gallery

DC UNIVERSE: ​The Ultimate DC Membership,​ today announced a new initiative to harness the creativity and talent of DC fans  and unleash a new unscripted concept and video series for the first-of-its-kind digital  subscription service. DC UNIVERSE, in association with Ideas United, kicked off DCYou  Unscripted at its New York Comic-Con pop-up event headquarters, ​DCUHQ​, inviting emerging  creators and dedicated fans alike to submit unscripted series ideas, drawing on all things DC.  

The DCYou Unscripted project will be open for entries beginning the evening of October 3 to  November 18 to any Ideas United network member who is over 18 and a US resident. Any  creator is welcomed to easily and quickly apply to join the iU network. During the submission  process, talent and fan enthusiasts alike will be able to submit their unscripted/reality video  series ideas ranging from game shows to game play to hot food and hot takes. The top 10  entrants chosen will travel to Los Angeles, California to spend a day with industry professionals  to refine their concepts and have the chance to pitch their concepts in-person to a panel of DC  executives and entertainment luminaries. Three finalists will move on to have unscripted pilots  produced by Ideas United, with one final entrant receiving a series order which will launch  exclusively on DC UNIVERSE.

For more info go to: dcuunscripted.com

BizarroTV from Blue Ribbon Content

DC Universe announced a new anthology series, titled BizarroTV, that will feature fan favorite characters from the more obscure corners of the DC universe. This mixed media series is coming to DC Universe in 2020. Produced by Blue Ribbon Content, Warner Bros. Television Group’s digital production unit, this new show demonstrates the Television Group’s commitment to create original and compelling programs for the digital marketplace. Blue Ribbon taps into the Studio’s established creative team, while also identifying new and innovative talent to deliver cutting-edge series in the short form format. A showcase of experimental styles and creative voices and visions that will be a mix of live action and animation; deep cuts from the DC portfolio of characters such as Space Cabbie, Ambush Bug, Slam Bradley and the Creeper!

New Home Entertainment Releases

More WB Home Entertainment releases will be coming to DC Universe in 2020, particularly because the movies have been so popular with members. The most watched movie on the DC Universe to-date is the animated original Reign of the Supermen, which debuted on the service January 29, 2019. Due to its popularity, even more home entertainment movies will be coming in 2020, including Wonder Woman: Bloodlines, Superman: Red Son and Justice League Dark: Apocalypse. These original animated movies will be available on DC Universe just 90 days after their physical release date.

New Community Engagement

Many DC Universe members are familiar with Jackie Cole as the Community and Rewards Manager and oft-moderator in the DC Universe community. She provided an overview of the new features launching on DC Universe this month. New features will be available to members starting on October 23, 2019 as a part of “Community Week”, a special event for members on the service. It will include special guests and top-notch creators from comics, TV, animation, and more, who will join the fun by participating in Q&As, book club discussions, live Watch-Alongs with behind-the-scenes insights and deep dive explorations of the shows and scripts. Community week will kick off with a Q&A with Titans series star, Anna Diop.

And last, but certainly not least…….

photo by Sean Tucker

DC UNIVERSE ORIGINAL SERIES AND EXCLUSIVES

Harley Quinn Debuts on November 29!

Executive Producers Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker were on hand to officially announce the premiere date for the original adult-animated comedy series Harley Quinn. DC artist Amanda Conner was on hand as well to share her inspiration to create some of the art that inspired the animated series. Her art is featured within the immersive pop-up installation at DCU HQ.

Other activities at and before the event. Krypto the dog came through for a photo op and a time lapse of Jim Lee drawing Harley Quinn.

Photo by Sean Tucker

Jim Lee draws Harley Quinn at the DCUHQ at NYCC. Visit the Fabulous Gallery all during NYCC 2019 at 447 W. 36th St to see this painting and so many more original pieces.

by Sean Tucker

Fathom Events Batman And Harley Review

Hey O&G fans, we got a chance to check out fathom eventsscreening Batman and Harley Quinn with a Harley Featurette after the movie. The NYC 14th Street Regal Union Square was packed with both Batman and Harley Quinn fans.

There are legions of DC Animated movie fans and Batman and Harley Quinn did not disappoint! The film features a stellar cast with  The Big Bang Theory star Melissa Rauch voicing Harley Quinn for the first time. THE VOICE of Batman, Kevin Conroy  reprising his role from Batman the animated series and Loren Lester as Nightwing rounding out our cast of heroes. Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds) and Kevin Michael Richardson (The Cleveland Show) provide the voices of the villainous duo of Poison Ivy & Jason Woodrue. Sam Liu (Batman: The Killing Joke) directed the film from an original story by Bruce Timm (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) with a teleplay written by Timm & Jim Krieg (Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox). Co-Producer is Alan Burnett (The Batman). Executive Producers are Sam Register and Bruce Timm. Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan are Executive Producers.

FILM REVIEW

This was a more comedic take on DC Animated movies and for me it was done very well. Melissa Raunch was an awesome Harley Quinn! She really bought out the Brooklyn in Harley's voice while keeping true to the character. Batman is always voiced brilliantly by Kevin Conroy, but this film showed more of his comedic side while still trying to be the normal serious brooding Batman.

The story centers on Poison Ivy (Paget Brewster) and the Floronic Man (Kevin Michael Richardson) teaming up to transform all life on Earth into plant hybrids by using the research that Alec Holland created before he became Swamp Thing. This is more of film about Harley trying to change her life and be a bit more heroic. It also reinstates the deep friendship that Harley and PIOSON IVY have. The film if filled with a lot of crude humor and fart jokes (and literal farts). We also get a musical number from Harley in what looks like a Batman 1966 hideout with villain henchman included.

Over all the movie was pretty good with a few bumps in the story, but definitely a film true Batman and Harley fans should go see. I want to again thanks Fathom Events for the Invite and a Chance to see this DC animated movie.

by Sean Tucker

Suicide Squad: Special Ops Review

In this official Suicide Squad film game, you have been selected to lead a special task force comprised of highly dangerous incarcerated Super Villains. It is up to you and your Squad of antiheroes to defeat the horde of enemies that try to stop you. Fight as Harley Quinn with her signature baseball bat, or as Deadshot with his rifle or as Diablo with fire.

5 Actors Who Should Play Harley Quinn

Dr. Harleen Quinzel, better known as Harley Quinn, was an employee at Arkam Asylum until the moment she fell in madly deeply and unwaveringly in love with the Joker. The actors below have been chosen based on three categories that are the most important traits of Harley’s that are imperative to whoever gets the role. The first is the attitude. Harley needs to have the an apparent mental stability issue because to love someone like the Joker you have to be CRAZY! She is extremely playful with a heart of gold. The next is the body. Harley most certainly a lover but that doesn’t rule her out as a fighter. She is always shown flipping through the air with ease and the ability to even go toe to toe in a fight with Batman himself. Last, one of the most recognizable traits of Harley is the voice.

Honorable mention who came so close to this list are Yael Stone from Orange is the New Black, Isla Fisher, and Teresa Palmer but each of them I believe are slightly off the mark. So here we go….

#5 Hayden Panettiere

Best known for the TV series Nashville Hayden maybe be small but she is definitely a fireball! She has had experience in Gymnastics in the past which means she is physically perfect and ready. Her body of work is versatile proving she can take on any role. The reason she barely makes the cut however is due the fact she hasn’t done any extreme accent work. Her beautiful vocals on Nashville proves her voice certainly have the range for Harley so there’s definitely potential there.

#4 Chloë Sevigny

Chloe, best known for American Psycho is no stranger to the criminally insane. She was a series regular on  American Horror Story Asylum playing a nymphomaniac trapped in a corrupt 1960s church run asylum. Her physicality and acting ability would lend itself incredible well to a darker Christopher Nolan-esque Harley. Unfortunately there is no proof she would be able to execute the voice.  

#3 Chloë Grace Moretz

If it weren’t for her age our favorite Hit Girl would have made number one on this list. Chloe’s performance as Hit Girl in Kick Ass and Kick Ass 2 proves she has the body and stunt capability to pull off Harley. In Martin Scorsese’s Hugo she showcased her ability to be playful and in the 2013 Remake of the Carrie she proves that dangerous and mentally unhinged is most definitely in her bag of tricks. She has also done multiple accents and voices for some of her characters therefore she has the vocal capability. The only problem is of course her age. Harleen is a certified therapist working at Arkam.There is no way a 17-year-old has been through enough school.

#2 Jena Malone

Jena had a long track record with both feature films and television that make her an obvious choice for Harley. Her most recent role as Johanna Mason in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire certainly proves she got the physical capabilities. Just remove the axe she’s got in her hand and replace it with a huge mallet and you’ve got Harley. Her other roles include a plethora of accent work. She had an impeccable british accent in Pride and Prejudice along with a playful and youthful personality. So let’s get her in tights and she what can do!  

#1 Kristen Belle

Now best known Disney’s animated feature Frozen, Kristen is the most qualified when it comes to voice work. Not only does she have several voice over credits, her live performance of “Do You Want to Build A Snowman?” in which she sang all three ages of Anna with noticeably different voices proves her vocal capabilities are vast! There is a reason so much fan art of her exists as Harley already. She has tremendous talent and versatility. She commits 100% to every role she tackles, including any stunt work. Kristen herself has a youthful sensibility that will translate into Harley seamlessly.

The five above all are great choice with the foundation to pull Harley out off the comic books and on to the big screen!! It looks like for now however we will all have to wait patiently for the announcement of the return of the Joker followed by the introduction of Harley.