The End is Nine, er, Nigh for 09 #6-1

Man, I've been shirking this countdown. You figure that would have time for a measly thing like a simple things of what I thought highlighted my 2009 in the world of pop culture, but nope. So, to make up for that since we're already in Day 2 of 2010, I'm doing a quick rundown of my 6 spots.

#6: Watchmen the movie You know, this movie was deemed unfilmable for decades, but finally came into reality this past year. Not with an all-star cast, but with a GREAT cast and superb special effects and great direction, even though Snyder is a bit niche and can't seem to make a movie without "visionary film maker" attached to his name, but oh well. Yes, they changed the ending a tad, but it still had the same results. You have to give WB props for making this movie with no big name stars, a source material that is mainly known to comic fans, and having an R-rating so you can't really market it to kids. It's a shame though that this movies doesn't get the respect it deserves at times.

#5: Smallville Seasons 8 and 9 Now this is the show I've been waiting for it to become. Yes, it's almost constant fan service, but still. With Clark and Lois working at the Planet, it's almost a tease now when he'll wear the suit. Also, with guest appearances by Zatanna, Doomsday, and the death of Jimmy, who wasn't really Jimmy Olsen after all, but the REAL Jimmy Olsen's older brother. Just little things like that keep me wanting more and with the 2 hour JSA/JLA movie airing in a few weeks, I cannot be more stoked about this.

#4: The multi-tasker, Geoff Johns So, we have here, Mr. Johns, who has written about 6 projects this year (big ones, too) and doesn't seem to show any sign of slowing down. 'nuff said.

#3: Arkham Asylum There has never been an experience like this one where you become Batman. Sure, Bats has had a slew of games, but nothing gave you the feeling like you were the one behind the cape and cowl, solving mysteries, getting clues and beating the crap out of inmates of the Gotham's most notorious crazyhouse. Of course, bring along Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill for the voice-acting and you've got a dynamite game.

#2: the Pushing Daisies finale This show will be missed. When Chuck finally reveals herself to her aunts after all that time and the ending with Jim Dale's narration...trust me, I had a few tears. Something so beautiful will hopefully continue in comic form, as DC has promised, but we'll see how that turns out.

#1: The trailers for movies of 2010 Where to even start -- Clash of the Titans, Inception, Hot Tub Time Machine, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Iron Man 2...just so much good stuff is on the horizon, it's hard to ignore.


Here's to a new year and a new decade!

The End is Nine, er, Nigh for 09 #7

How freaking awesome Detective Comics has been.

I mean SERIOUSLY. I know that I really loved Detective Comics last year, but Greg Rucka and J. H. Williams III have just been great here. Taking out Batman in place of Batwoman as the lead character, with a Question b-story by Rucka and Cully Hamner, is just a one-two punch. It's engaging, interesting, beautiful and easily one of my favorite runs of comics ever.

The End is Nine, er, Nigh for 09 #8

Heath Ledger wins Best Supporting Actor Oscar for "The Dark Knight

Talk about heart-wrenching. Now it would seem as much of a fan of this movie I am, this would be placed higher on this list. The truth of the matter, is that we all saw it coming. I mean, from the his introductory scene, we knew Ledger would make this movie, and his role is now legendary. In addition to being the second person to win an acting Oscar posthumously, it is also the first acting Oscar for a "genre" movie.

And the fact of the matter is, it was his award to lose. I felt almost bad for the rest of the nominees, they knew they weren't walking away with their gold naked man that night. I remember where I was that night and will never forget his father's speech.

RIP Heath. You were a man of your word.

The End is Nine, er, Nigh for 09 #9

Number 9 for 2009: Batman The Brave and the Bold.

Holy crap this show is good. Now, I know the series actually debuted late last year, but this year it has had some amazing episodes and a slew of DC's greatest to the most obscure (Bronze Tiger, anyone?), but has held it's own as what could be THE Batman show for this generation. I have reviewed it for Newsarama and have a regular weekly Post Game, so I might come off as a bit biased, but this educates new, and younger audiences about the huge roster of characters DC has besides the one that have been showcased over and over again, and even some new ones along the way.

I hope this show has time to grow and become the new standard on what DC animation could be. Yes, it is aimed at children, but if you lighten up a bit, you might have some fun along the way. I know I have.