Photo: Warner Bros.

Chris Luckett

Ever since Marvel Studios gave its serious mission statement for a connected universe with Iron Man eight years ago, DC has been playing catch-up. Admittedly, The Dark Knight remains possibly the greatest superhero movie made and The Dark Knight Rises is impressive in its own right, but garbage like The Spirit, Jonah Hex, and Green Lantern still practically ruined the comic behemoth’s name.

By the time Man of Steel arrived on the scene to launch DC’s own connected universe of characters in 2013, all of Marvel’s heroes had already assembled for the first Avengers movie, making the character who’s faster than a speeding bullet feel very late to the scene indeed.

With plans already laid out for eleven more movies over the next five years, DC is making up for lost time with Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, a sequel to Man of Steel. And a Batman movie in its own right. And an introduction to future Justice Leaguers like Wonder Woman and Aquaman. And a reflective indictment of superheroic violence. As well as a mindless endorsement of superheroic violence. Plus, Kevin Costner. Continue reading →