Outside the Beltway

Readers may be familiar with the Green Lantern Theory of Geopolitics. Now, there’s a competing theory.

The lead character of the new Marvel movie hasn’t received the pop-culture exposure of Superman, Batman, Spiderman, or the Hulk.

For universal icons, albeit fictional ones, to suddenly become partisan props is a bit sad.

Patrick Leahy has a small part in “The Dark Knight,” the next Batman flick. No word on whether Dick Cheney will take part.

The Silver Surfer will make his live-action debut in the second installment of the Fantastic Four movie franchise.

Martin Nodell, the creator of Golden Age Green Lantern and the Pillsbury Doughboy, has died

Given that the first two Spidey flicks were amongst the best superhero movies of all time, there are high hopes for this one.

I’m not sure if that’s an inspired choice or an insane one. However, given that Batman Begins was by far last year’s best movie, I have confidence that Christopher Nolan knows what he’s doing.

The U.S. Postal Service is set to launch D.C. superhero commemorative stamps tomorrow.

Superman is the biggest franchise in comics and Batman is close behind. Marvel’s stable of characters is more interesting, though.

This isn’t your father’s Batman. (That Boy Scout Adam West would never do such a thing.) He’s not even your brother’s Batman. (Tim Burton’s vision was dark, but whimsical too.) No, this killer is your grandfather’s Batman, the Dark Knight who, in his early 1939 appearances in Detective Comics, didn’t show any qualms about dispatching the bad guys.

Actor Frank Gorshin, the impressionist with 100 faces best known for his Emmy-nominated role as The Riddler on the old “Batman” television series, has died.

DC Comics has unveiled a new logo, replacing one that has graced their books since 1980.

Reuters is abuzz with news that Colombia is publishing a Pope John Paul II comic book. I’d point out that Marvel already did this–in 1983.

Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale in the title role, looks quite interesting. It’s scheduled for release on June 17, 2005.