Alex's This and That

Wally West (Kid Flash and the 3rd Flash)

Apparently in the DC comics, Wally West has just been murdered and is possibly back from the dead. My only Wally is the Arrowverse one.

Wally is cute in the CW’s The Flash. The actor is Kelynan Lonsdale.


Wally West is a fictional superhero that appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the third Flash and was the first Kid Flash. His power consists mainly of superhuman speed. He made his first appearance as Kid Flash in Flash 110 in 1959. Barry Allen dies in the crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths 8 (Nov. 1985) and Wally took up the mantle of the Flash in Crisis on Infinite Earths 12 (Mar. 1986), holding that role until 2009 in DC's main lineup. His physical appearance is generally a redhead with green eyes and is generally portrayed with a lighthearted, comic and caring personality. Wally has an important role as the Flash in DC Rebirth (2016).

In his debut as the Flash, Wally wears a distinct red and gold costume, traditionally storing the costume compressed inside a ring and later creating a costume directly out of Speed Force energy. He is the fastest character to take on the mantle of the Flash. In DC Rebirth, the Flash (Wally West) wears a red and silver costume and generates blue or white lightning to show that the Speed Force is inside him more than ever before.

In 2011, IGN ranked Wally West 8 on their list of the "Top 100 Super Heroes of All Time", ahead of any other speedsters, stating that "Wally West is one of the DCU's greatest heroes, even if he does not rank as the original Scarlet Speedster". In 2013, Wally West placed 6th on IGN's Top 25 Heroes of DC Comics.

Wally West has appeared in many forms of media, including the Justice League cartoons, in which he is voiced by Michael Rosenbaum. He also appeared in the 2010 TV show Young Justice as Kid Flash, voiced by Jason Spisak, and as the Flash in Justice League animated features such as Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, voiced by Josh Keaton. Wally made his live-action debut in the second season of The Flash, as portrayed by Keiynan Lonsdale. In this version Wally is the younger brother of Iris West-Allen. He was also part of the main cast of the third season of Legends of Tomorrow.

Read more about Wally at Wikipedia.

Read about Arrowverse Wally at the Arrowverse Wiki.

Bane

I hated Tom Hardy as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises and avoided anything with Tom in it. I do not understand any fascination with him. He is as sexy as a toad to me. I really did like him as Eddie in Venom – he finally hit on a role I liked.



Bane is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Dennis O'Neil, Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, and Graham Nolan, he made his debut in Batman: Vengeance of Bane 1 (January 1993). The character is usually depicted as an adversary of the superhero Batman and belongs to the collective of enemies that make up his central rogues gallery. Possessing a mix of brute strength and exceptional intelligence, Bane is often credited as being the only villain to have "broken the bat" both physically and mentally.

IGN's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time ranked Bane as 34.[1] The character has been substantially adapted from the comics into multiple forms of media; he has been portrayed in live-action by Robert Swenson in Batman & Robin, by Tom Hardy in The Dark Knight Rises, and by Shane West in Gotham.

More about Bane at Wikipedia.

Comic Vine has a long bio of Bane as well.

Jimmy Olsen

I remember Jimmy as a fresh faced boy in the Adventures of Superman on television. He was playd by Jack Larson and I really like Mechad Brooks as James Olsen on Supergirl.

Jack Larsen

Mechad Brooks

James Bartholomew Olsen, better known as Jimmy Olsen, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Olsen is a young photojournalist working for the Daily Planet. He is close friends with Lois Lane and Clark Kent/Superman, and has a good working relationship with his boss Perry White. Olsen looks up to his coworkers as role models and parent figures.

He has appeared in most other media adaptations of Superman. He was portrayed by Tommy Bond in the two Superman film serials, Superman (1948) and Atom Man vs. Superman (1950). Jack Larson played the character on the Adventures of Superman television show. Marc McClure in the Superman films of the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1984 film Supergirl. Michael Landes in the first season of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Justin Whalin in the subsequent three seasons. Sam Huntington in the 2006 film Superman Returns, Aaron Ashmore in The CW's Smallville and Michael Cassidy in the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In the series Supergirl, he is portrayed by Mehcad Brooks.

Wikipedia has more about Jimmy.

To read more go to The Superman Wiki.

Alfred Pennyworth (The Butler)

Alfred the Butler has always been a favorite of mine from the 60s TV one to Michael Caine.

Alan Napier

Michael Caine
Alfred, most commonly (but not originally) named in full as Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, most commonly in association with the superhero Batman.

Pennyworth is depicted as Bruce Wayne's loyal and tireless butler, housekeeper, legal guardian, best friend, aide-de-camp, and surrogate father figure following the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne. As a classically trained British actor and an ex-Special Operations Executive operative of honor and ethics with connections within the intelligence community, he has been called "Batman's batman".[1][2][3] He serves as Bruce's moral anchor while providing comic relief with his sarcastic and cynical attitude which often adds humor to dialogue with Batman. A vital part of the Batman mythos, Alfred was nominated for the Wizard Fan Award for Favorite Supporting Male Character in 1994.[4]

In non-comics media, the character has been portrayed by noted actors William Austin, Eric Wilton, Michael Gough, Michael Caine, and Jeremy Irons on film and by Alan Napier, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Ian Abercrombie, David McCallum, and Sean Pertwee on television.

Read more about him at Wikipedia.

Comic Vine also has a good article about Alfred Pennyworth.

Green Lantern/Hal Jordan

Okay… he’s my Deadpool, but here is Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern. Green Lantern is simply not one that I am familiar with at all. I have heard of him. So here he is.


Green Lantern is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. They fight evil with the aid of rings that grant them a variety of extraordinary powers.
The first Green Lantern character, Alan Scott, was created in 1940 by Martin Nodell during the initial popularity of superheroes. Alan Scott usually fought common criminals in New York City with the aid of his magic ring.

The Green Lanterns are among DC Comics' longer lasting sets of characters. They have been adapted to television, video games, and motion pictures.

*

Hal Jordan, also known as Green Lantern, is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created in 1959 by writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane, and first appeared in Showcase #22 (October 1959). Hal Jordan is a reinvention of the previous Green Lantern who appeared in 1940s comic books as the character Alan Scott.

Hal Jordan is a fighter pilot, a member and occasionally leader of an intergalactic police force called the Green Lantern Corps, as well as a founding member of the Justice League, DC's flagship superhero team, alongside well-known heroes such as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. He fights evil across the universe with a ring that grants him a variety of superpowers, but is usually portrayed as one of the protectors of Sector 2814, which is the sector where Earth resides. His powers derive from his power ring and Green Lantern battery, which in the hands of someone capable of overcoming great fear allows the user to channel their will power into creating all manner of fantastic constructs. Jordan uses this power to fly, even through the vacuum of space; to create shields, swords, and lasers; and to construct his Green Lantern costume, which protects his secret identity in his civilian life on Earth. Jordan and all other Green Lanterns are monitored and empowered by the mysterious Guardians of the Universe, who were developed from an idea editor Julius Schwartz and Broome had originally conceived years prior in a story featuring Captain Comet in Strange Adventures 22 (July 1952) entitled "Guardians of the Clockwork Universe".

During the 1990s, Jordan also appeared as a villain. The story line Emerald Twilight saw a Jordan traumatized by the supervillain Mongul's destruction of Jordan's hometown Coast City, adopt the name "Parallax", and threaten to destroy the universe.[2] In subsequent years, DC Comics rehabilitated the character, first by having Jordan seek redemption for his actions as Parallax, and later by revealing that Parallax was in fact an evil cosmic entity that corrupted Jordan and took control of his actions. Between the character's stint as Parallax and his return to DC Comics as a heroic Green Lantern once more, the character also briefly served as the Spectre, a supernatural character in DC Comics stories who acts as God's wrathful agent on Earth.

Outside of comics, Hal Jordan has appeared in various animated projects, video games and live-action. Jordan's original design in the comics was based on actor Paul Newman, and the character is ranked 7th on IGN's in the Top 100 Comic Book Heroes in 2011. In 2013, Hal Jordan placed 4th on IGN's Top 25 Heroes of DC Comics.

Wikipedia Articles for Green Lantern and Hal Jordan.

Green Lantern on Comic Vine.

Billy Batson (also Shazam AND Captain Marvel)

I remember the 1970s tv show and this photo is from that one. There was a companion show called Isis as well. The new movie looks silly.



Captain Marvel, also known as Shazam (/ʃəˈzæm/), is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by the American publisher DC Comics. Artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker created the character in 1939. Captain Marvel first appeared in Whiz Comics 2 (cover-dated Feb. 1940), published by Fawcett Comics. He is the alter ego of Billy Batson, a boy who, by speaking the magic word "SHAZAM" (acronym of six "immortal elders": Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury), can transform himself into a costumed adult with the powers of superhuman strength, speed, flight and other abilities.

Based on book sales, the character was the most popular superhero of the 1940s, outselling even Superman. Fawcett expanded the franchise to include other "Marvels", primarily Marvel Family associates Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr., who can harness Billy's powers as well. Captain Marvel was also the first comic book superhero to be adapted into film, in a 1941 Republic Pictures serial titled Adventures of Captain Marvel, with Tom Tyler as Captain Marvel and Frank Coghlan, Jr. as Billy Batson.

Fawcett ceased publishing Captain Marvel-related comics in 1953, partly because of a copyright infringement suit from DC Comics, alleging that Captain Marvel was a copy of Superman. In 1972, DC licensed the Marvel Family characters from Fawcett, and returned them to publication. By 1991, DC had acquired all rights to the characters. DC has since integrated Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family into their DC Universe and has attempted to revive the property several times, with mixed success. Due to trademark conflicts over another character named "Captain Marvel" owned by Marvel Comics, DC has branded and marketed the character using the trademark Shazam! since his 1972 reintroduction. This, in turn, led many to assume that "Shazam" was the character's name. DC later officially renamed the character "Shazam" when relaunching its comic book properties in 2011, and his associates became known as the "Shazam Family" the following year. Captain Marvel/Shazam and his family battle an extensive rogues' gallery, primarily archenemies Dr. Sivana and Black Adam.

The character has been featured in two television series adaptations by Filmation: one live action 1970s series with actors Jackson Bostwick and Michael Gray portraying the character, and one animated 1980s series. An upcoming New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Shazam! feature film is scheduled for release in April 2019 as part of the DC Extended Universe, with Zachary Levi and Asher Angel portraying the title role.

Captain Marvel was ranked as the 55th greatest comic book character of all time by Wizard magazine. IGN also ranked Captain Marvel as the 50th greatest comic book hero of all time, stating that the character will always be an enduring reminder of a simpler time. UGO Networks ranked him as one of the top heroes of entertainment, saying, "At his best, Shazam has always been compared to Superman with a sense of crazy, goofy fun."

Read more Here.

Comic Vine’s Article is quite extensive.

Batgirl

My only knowledge of batgirl was Barbara Gordon on the 60s Batman. She was the Commissioner’s daughter and saved Batman and Robin more than once!

Yvonne Craig as Batgirl


Batgirl is the name of several fictional superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts to the superhero Batman. Although the character Betty Kane was introduced into publication in 1961 by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff as Bat-Girl, she was replaced by Barbara Gordon in 1967, who later came to be identified as the iconic Batgirl. The character debuted in Detective Comics 359, titled "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl!" (January 1967) by writer Gardner Fox and artist Carmine Infantino, introduced as the daughter of police commissioner James Gordon.

Batgirl operates in Gotham City, allying herself with Batman and the original Robin, Dick Grayson, along with other masked vigilantes. The character appeared regularly in Detective Comics, Batman Family, and several other books produced by DC until 1988. That year, Barbara Gordon appeared in Barbara Kesel's Batgirl Special 1, in which she retires from crime-fighting. She subsequently appeared in Alan Moore's graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke where, in her civilian identity, she is shot by the Joker and left paraplegic. Although she is reimagined as the computer expert and information broker Oracle by editor Kim Yale and writer John Ostrander the following year, her paralysis sparked debate about the portrayal of women in comics, particularly violence depicted toward female characters.

In the 1999 storyline "No Man's Land", the character Helena Bertinelli, known as Huntress, briefly assumes the role of Batgirl until she is stripped of the identity by Batman for violating his stringent codes. Within the same storyline, the character Cassandra Cain is introduced. Cain is written as the daughter of assassins David Cain and Lady Shiva and takes the mantle of Batgirl under the guidance of Batman and Oracle. In 2000, she became the first Batgirl to star in an eponymous monthly comic book series, in addition to becoming one of the most prominent characters of Asian descent to appear in American comics. The series was canceled in 2006, at which point during the company-wide storyline "One Year Later", she is established as a villain and head of the League of Assassins. After receiving harsh feedback from readership, she is later restored to her original conception. However, the character Stephanie Brown, originally known as Spoiler and later Robin, succeeds her as Batgirl after Cassandra Cain abandons the role.


Stephanie Brown became the featured character of the Batgirl series from 2009 to 2011. DC subsequently relaunched all their monthly publications during The New 52 relaunch. In the revised continuity, Barbara Gordon recovers from her paralysis following a surgical procedure and stars in the relaunched Batgirl series as the titular character. These changes were retained as part of the 2016 DC Rebirth event. As Batgirl, Barbara Gordon has been adapted into various media relating to the Batman franchise, including television, film, animation, video games, and other merchandise. The character's popularity from adaptations factored into the decision to have her return to the comics, and Dan DiDio, co-publisher of DC Comics, expressed that she is the best-known version of the character.

The rest of the Wikipedia article and more about her at the Batman Wiki.

Lois Lane

I remember Lois first from 1950s tv show – played by Noel Neill. The only other one I actually remember is Margot Kidder in the 80s movies. The Lois in the tv show was a tough cookie reporter and I loved her the most, I think.

Joanne Carter – the original model for Lois Lane

Noel Neill – from the tv show. MY Lois Lane.

Margot Kidder


Lois Lane is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics (June 1938). Lois is an award-winning journalist for the Metropolis newspaper, the Daily Planet, and the love interest of the superhero Superman. In DC continuity, she is also his wife and the mother of their son, Jonathan Samuel Kent, the current Superboy in the DC Universe.

Lois' physical appearance was originally based on Joanne Carter, a model hired by Joe Shuster. For her character, Jerry Siegel was inspired by actress Glenda Farrell's portrayal of the fictional reporter Torchy Blane in a series of films. Siegel took her name from actress Lola Lane. She was also influenced by the real-life journalist Nellie Bly.

Depictions of the character have varied spanning the comics and other media adaptations. The original Golden Age version of Lois Lane, as well as versions of her from the 1970s onwards, portrays Lois as a tough-as-nails journalist and intellectually equal to Superman. During the Silver Age of Comics, she was the star of Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane, a comic book series that had a light and humorous tone. Beginning in 2015, she is the protagonist in the young adult novel series, Lois Lane, by writer Gwenda Bond.

Lois is among the best-known female comic book characters. She has appeared in various media adaptations. Actress Noel Neill first portrayed Lois Lane in the 1940s Superman film series and later reprised her role in the 1950s television series Adventures of Superman, replacing Phyllis Coates from season two. Margot Kidder played the character in four Superman films in the 1970s and 1980s. Teri Hatcher portrayed her in the 1990s television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Erica Durance in the 2000s series, Smallville. In the 2006 film, she was played by Kate Bosworth in Superman Returns. Amy Adams in the DC Extended Universe. The character was most recently portrayed in The CW Arrowverse by Elizabeth Tulloch. Actresses who have voiced Lois Lane in animated adaptations include Joan Alexander in the Fleischer Superman cartoons and Dana Delany in Superman: The Animated Series, among others.

More about Lois at Wikipedia.

Comib Vine also has a lengthy article about Lois.

Harley Quinn

Another one I never heard of until seeing her on ads for Suicide Squad. I think she’s cute. She is a newcomer to DC, compared to most of the ones I’ve written about so far.

Margo Robbie as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad.

Harley Quinn (Harleen Frances Quinzel) is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, and first appeared in Batman: The Animated Series in September 1992. She later appeared in DC Comics's Batman comic books, with the character's first comic book appearance in The Batman Adventures 12 (September 1993). In her depictions she has been portrayed as a physician psychiatrist and as a psychologist.

Harley Quinn is a frequent accomplice and lover of the Joker, whom she met while working as an intern Psychiatrist at Gotham City's Arkham Asylum, where the Joker was a patient. Her name is a play on the name "Harlequin", a character which originated in commedia dell'arte. The character has teamed up with fellow villains the Catwoman and Poison Ivy several times, the trio being known as the Gotham City Sirens. Poison Ivy is known to be a close friend and recurring ally of Harley, even being depicted as her girlfriend in recent comics.Since The New 52, she is now depicted as an antihero and has left her past as a supervillain behind. However, she is still depicted as a supervillain at times. Harley Quinn has also been depicted as a member of the Suicide Squad.

Read more at Wkikpedia.

There is a long article about her at the Batman Wiki.

Lex Luthor

I never cared for Lex Luthor at all and still don’t. The only reason he gets a page is he is one DC’s most iconic villains. He did not appear at all that I can find in the 1952-58 Adventures of Superman. Perhaps that’s why he’s doesn’t count for me. I guess Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor is the first time I ever heard of him.



Alexander Joseph "Lex" Luthor (/ˈluːθər/) is a fictional supervillain appearing in publications by the publisher DC Comics. The character was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Lex Luthor first appeared in Action Comics 23 (April 1940) and has since endured as the archenemy of Superman.

Originally introduced as a mad scientist whose schemes Superman would routinely foil, Lex's portrayal has evolved over the years and his characterization has deepened. In contemporary stories, Lex is portrayed as a wealthy, power-mad American business magnate, ingenious engineer, philanthropist to the city of Metropolis, and one of the most intelligent people in the world. A well-known public figure, he is the owner of a conglomerate called LexCorp. He is intent on ridding the world of the alien Superman, whom Lex Luthor views as an obstacle to his plans and as a threat to the very existence of humanity. Given his high status as a supervillain, he has often come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe.

The character has traditionally lacked superpowers or a dual identity and typically appears with a bald head. He periodically wears his Warsuit, a high-tech battle suit giving him enhanced strength, flight, advanced weaponry, and other capabilities. The character was originally introduced as a diabolical recluse, but during the Modern Age, he was reimagined by writers as a devious, high-profile industrialist, who has crafted his public persona in order to avoid suspicion and arrest. He is well known for his philanthropy, donating vast sums of money to Metropolis over the years, funding parks, foundations, and charities.

The character was ranked 4th on IGN's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time and as the 8th Greatest Villain by Wizard on its 100 Greatest Villains of All Time list. Luthor is one of a few genre-crossing villains whose adventures take place "in a world in which the ordinary laws of nature are slightly suspended". Scott James Wells, Sherman Howard, John Shea, Michael Rosenbaum, and Jon Cryer have portrayed the character in Superman-themed television series, while Lyle Talbot, Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, and Jesse Eisenberg have portrayed the character in major motion pictures. Clancy Brown, Powers Boothe, James Marsters, Chris Noth, Anthony LaPaglia, Steven Blum, Fred Tatasciore, Jason Isaacs, Kevin Michael Richardson, Mark Rolston, John DiMaggio, James Woods and Rainn Wilson, and others have provided the character's voice in animation adaptations.

Read more at Wikipedia.

Read more at ComicVine.