DARK KNIGHT RISES with Bane and Batman

For many comic book movie fans, the Christopher Nolan directed picture Batman Begins was a game changer for the genre. There is a level of commitment and sincerity there that can make other comic book movies look laughable. When the visionary director of Inception followed up Batman Begins with The Dark Knight, he topped himself in a way few could anticipate. Heath Ledger as the Joker was finally scary. A new icon emerged. Can Nolan do it again? Will the Dark Knight Rises be as dynamic as its predecessor films?

Perhaps Empire magazine can shed some light on what fans can expect when Christian Bale’s Batman returns, joined by Bane and Catwoman. Two of the film’s DC comics characters, the heroic Dark Knight and the villainous Bane, are on alternate, twin covers of the magazine. The issue hits news stands Thursday, but we bring you the cover art today.

In the Bane cover, the baddie looks less like a costumed wrestler and more like a militant serial killer wearing a Hannibal Lecter mask. I suppose you could also describe the mask as one befitting a rabid dog. Do you think the chemical, sometimes referred to in the comics as venom, which makes Bane even more scary-buff is delivered in this incarnation via the lungs, hence the mask? In past incarnations of the villain the fluid was pumped directly into his veins with the press of a button. And say, what’s wrong with actor Tom Hardy’s skin? Notice his shoulder? Could that be a side effect of the chemical?

In the Batman cover, we spy Christian Bale’s handsome lips as his character takes aim, wielding some sort of fancy ray gun. Hey, it is nice to be CEO of Wyane Tech. You can’t beat it with a stick, in fact. When we get more Bat-news, you’ll find it on Boomtron.