The Dark Knight Rises Deacon Joseph Blackfire

[Octoberist]

Well, I'm shocked no one has mentioned Pee-Wee yet. It's his masterpiece.

 

[HighFivingMF]

Besides Ed Wood maybe.

 

[ALP]

I quite agree Octoberist...but guys this thread needs more Blackfire now

 

[Lungrocket]

These are some reviews from The Cult on Amazon

A harrowing 80s tale from the Dark Knight. When the enigmatic Deacon Blackfire moves into Gotham with an eye on the poor and downcast, the Caped Crusader is but one of many to wish the "good" Deacon success. But Blackfire's motives prove far from altruistic, and when he shows his true colors even Batman cannot escape his sadistic grasp. Foreshadows some of the basic story elements from "Knightfall" and "No Man's Land," but Jim Starlin's tight, moving script is a far cry from many of the overblown, maze-like plots of today. The inner conflict Starlin's "broken" Batman must overcome is handled adroitley, and Berni Wrightson's visual depiction of the Dark Night Detective is quite powerful as well. Jason Todd is still Robin in this story, and Batman can't make it without him. The Deacon himself is the kind of wolf-in-the-fold that we see everyday on TV and in the newspaper--and sometimes even in our pulpits--a false prophet whose own Messiah Complex makes him capable of feats even a Bin Laden might applaud. It's going to take everything Batman has to bring him down, and the over-the-top climax does not disappoint. Out of print, but look for it in your comic shop's back-issue section (it was originally published as a 4-issue mini-series) or order it used from Amazon and add it to your own Batcave today.

Deacon Blackfire is a cult leader who has his eyes set on Gotham City. Over the course of several years, Blackfire "recruits" homeless drifters into his organization. After starving them and repeatedly drilling the message that he is their salvation into their heads, Blackfire gains a following that is capable of overthrowing Gotham City.

The interesting side note is that Batman is captured when he tries to save a potential kidnap victim. Deacon Blackfire nearly succeeds in recruiting him to "The Cult." As Batman is struggling to break free from the grip of his captors, the city is struggling with how it should deal with the potential threat of Blackfire.

Some welcome Blackfire, others are weary. However, the Deacon emerges as one of Gotham's greatest threats. Can Batman get it together and save the city?

I think "The Cult" is different from "No Man's Land" even though one probably influenced the other. In "The Cult," there is one large army approaching Gotham. In "No Man's Land," Gotham is divided into feudal territories and the Dark Ages are revisited. "The Cult" offers a unique storyline that is very relevant in the light of recent events, including Jim Jones and Heaven's Gate. I recommend it.

The Cult, a miniseries by writer Jim Starlin and artists Berni Wrightson and Bill Gray came out fast on the heals of Miller's "the Dark Knight Returns"" and "Batman: Year One" and tries to capture the psychological tale of Batman, but this time, the fear is placed in Batman as he is captured by the cult leader, Deacon Blackfire. While dressed as a Christian cleric, Deacon Blackfire is anything but - instead, he is a one eyed king leading the down trodden and drugged ones (under, for lack of a better word - his "charm") to wreak havoc on Gotham. Well, my review is a bit simplistic, but the focus is not so much a statement about cults, even though this is an underlying theme, but about Batman's 1. Ordeal, 2. Capture, 3. Escape, 4. Combat (revenge/justice).

This is a great story, and the faults are minimal. The coloring fits this story and Batman's anguished face is ever present as he fights the mind control that he is under. Robin has a strong and thoughtful role for once. The Dynamic Duo go to war against the cult, and every second is worth it.

 

[Figs]

Yeah, Ed Wood was Shore, not Elfman.

As far as Burton films, Ed Wood is actually my favorite. It's probably in my overall top ten of all time.

The Ghoul...Goes West!

Yeah, I read too quickly and thought you guys were talking about Burton and just realized it was Elfman.

 

[The Guard]

You, while he's definitely weird, I never really found Burton all that unpredictable.

 

[ALP]

You, while he's definitely weird, I never really found Burton all that unpredictable.

A better word would be interesting. Chocolate Factory, Planet of the Apes, Alice in Wonderland...re-telling the same stories we already know is a prime example of uninteresting but also playing it safe as possible(they're guaranteed money-makers). His take on Batman, Ed Wood, and original concepts like Nightmare and Edward Scissorhands were interesting spins that had never been done before. The other films were little more than re-treads.

 

[Keyser Soze]

A better word would be interesting. Chocolate Factory, Planet of the Apes, Alice in Wonderland...re-telling the same stories we already know is a prime example of uninteresting. His take on Batman, Ed Wood, and original concepts like Nightmare and Edward Scissorhands were interesting spins that had never been done before. The other films were little more than re-treads.

I LOVE Tim Burton's earlier films, but his recent output just seems totally hackneyed. In a way it reminds me of Marilyn Manson's shift to doing lots of covers. You hear Marilyn Manson's covering THAT song, you know exactly what to expect before you hear it. Similarly, when you hear Tim Burton will be remaking THAT movie, you know going in to expect the pale faces, the black eyeshadow, and likely Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in starring roles.

 

[Bat-Mite]

I haven't seen Big Fish yet, so maybe it's an exception, but I've seen all of the other movies he's done this decade, and the only one that comes close to the quality of his earlier work is Sweeney Todd. I could barely even finish watching the Alice one. I was expecting for it to be like a more kid friendly version of American McGee's Alice, but I obviously overestimated it. The only thing I even remember about it is the Mad Hatter doing a horrible dance at the end.

 

[ALP]

I loved the Mad Hatter design and Chesire Cat. Unfortunately thats the only two good things I could say about the film. This is coming from a very big Burton fan.

 

[Gianakin_]

Big Fish was great.

 

[The Guard]

A better word would be interesting. Chocolate Factory, Planet of the Apes, Alice in Wonderland...re-telling the same stories we already know is a prime example of uninteresting but also playing it safe as possible(they're guaranteed money-makers). His take on Batman, Ed Wood, and original concepts like Nightmare and Edward Scissorhands were interesting spins that had never been done before. The other films were little more than re-treads.

Definitely. ALICE's issues were down to the script. Burton's never been much of a writer on feature length movies. For the most part, the direction of it, though, was fantastic. But Burton's stories tend to be straightforward. Probably because he's so enamored with the idea of fairytales.

I'm not sure what people expect from Burton sometimes as we look forward. I think a lot of people have romanticized his work, and believe his early films to be better all around than they actually are. Edward Scissorhands is an interesting concept, and a beautiful movie in places, but it's hardly perfectly executed. Same goes for BEETLEJUICE, which is basically just a morbid horror comedy. BATMAN and BATMAN RETURNS, to me, are his masterpieces, blending drama, action and fantasy wonderfully. ED WOOD is a good movie as well. I like SLEEPY HOLLOW, and think overall its a solid film.

MARS ATTACKS is fun, but in no way a wonderfully executed concept.

SLEEPY HOLLOW is a pretty good movie, but in many ways, nothing special.

PLANET OF THE APES seemed to be just a guilty pleasure for Burton, or a paycheck.

CORPSE BRIDE has its moments.

BIG FISH was fantastic.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY had some interesting elements, and was really
overall a very good adaption of the story, despite the additional father/son elements.

SWEENEY TODD was very, very well done.

ALICE was a clear disappointment, but as I said, that's more down to the script and the beginning concept of the story.

Burton hasn't really had four consistently good movies since the late eighties and early nineties, and I don't think that's an accident. He almost seems to make a good film or two, then experiment and stumble, then he'll make a good film or two, then experiment and stumble.

 

[hatebox]

Big Fish is an odd one - I enjoyed the first time, but on second viewing I realized there was really very little to it and it left me cold.

I have generally disliked Burton's post 90s output. His style has worn very, very thin.

 

[TheFuture]

Picked up The Cult today, hope it's a good read. I'll read it on Friday night I think.

 

[The Guard]

I read it again last week. The writing is fantastic. The themes are fantastic. But I thought the story itself left something to be desired. I just didn't buy half of it, and some of it just wasn't executed particularly well.

 

[The Joker]

Someone bought me The Cult for Christmas. Looking forward to reading it. See what all the fuss over this Deacon Blackfire is about.

 

[ModestMr.Green]

Don't mock the penguins. They were the greatest movie penguins ever. Yes, even better than the ones in the Madagascar films.

Those Madagascar penguins are a scar on penguin history.

 

[The Guard]

Ben Stiller's MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS will wipe the floor with them.

 

[Boom]

Ben Affleck's MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS will wipe the floor with them.

My mom is an elementary school teacher, and has been hoping for this book to be adapted to film for years. I may actually have to call her right now and let her know.

 

[The Guard]

Yeah, my mom's an elementary school librarian. She loves this book too, and so do I. She's so tired of Hollywood making bad adaptions that when I told her, she just rolled her eyes.

I just realized I wrote Ben Affleck. I think it's Ben Stiller's project.