Stephen Grant is the pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church on eastern Long Island. Grant is one of the more unique second-career clergy around, as he once worked for the CIA. Besides theology, his interests include archery, golf, writing, classic films, the beach, poker, baseball, and history. Grant also knows his wines, champagnes and brews. Oh yes, he generally dislikes politicians, and happens to be an expert marksman with a handgun and a rifle, while being pretty handy with a combat knife as well.
What did the Lutheran Book Review say about Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story?
"Heroes and Villains takes you inside all the drama of a comic convention, including that which only Stephen Grant can help with. It's an enjoyable romp complete with the gritty realism of the Burton Batman films, the camp of the Adam West adventures of the 60's, and the modern humor of LEGO Batman. "If you know the adventures of the Avengers from the movies or the pages, dream of the day of decent DC films, or love the experience of Comic-Con, Heroes and Villains is the read for you! "Gun-toting clergymen aren't only found in Wyoming. Keating's novels and short stories prove it with Pastor Stephen Grant and his adventures. May they continue! DC and Marvel are famous for telling stories of worlds like ours, yet different. This is the 'multiverse.'Somewhere, there is a world like ours where these stories have their own screen adaptations. How I'd love to see Pastor Grant on Netflix!"
Batman: The Animated
Series, which ran from 1992 to 1995, was a marvelous achievement in
animated television. It was a fascinating blend of cutting-edge Batman in a
1940s-style visual setting. For good measure, the creators found the perfect
voice for Batman, provided by Kevin Conroy.
So, when I heard that Warner Brothers would be returning to
this universe in a new animated movie called Batman and Harley Quinn, I was on board. The movie had a one-night
theatrical release, so, along with my two sons, it was off to the movies on
Monday night, August 14, looking forward to a triumphant return of this Batman
on the big screen.
Make no mistake, I wanted Batman and Harley Quinn to be good … very good. Unfortunately, it
turned out to be stunningly bad. And I don’t make such judgments lightly. As a
storyteller myself, even when I dislike a book, television show or movie, I
work to find something that I can point to that I enjoyed or appreciated. Batman and Harley Quinn offers nothing
to appreciate.
The story was weak, uneven, and in the end, full of holes.
Batman and Nightwing were underwhelming, to say the least, as characters and
heroes. The animation during action scenes came up woefully short. And thanks
to Harley Quinn, viewers must suffer through fart jokes, and over-the-line
sexual innuendo. Quite frankly, this entire movie came across as being made by
teenage boys.
And of course, what makes Batman and Harley Quinn so much worse is the fact that Batman: The Animated Series was so darn
good. Alas, even the voice of Kevin Conroy – who many of us consider the “real
Batman” – could not save Batman, Nightwing and assorted villains in this movie.
So, let’s just forget this film. Don't bother with the DVD/Blue Ray. Let’s pretend it never happened. And instead,
grab the DVDs of the 1990’s television series, and enjoy some great Batman
storytelling.
_______________
Ray Keating is the author
of the PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS. The latest in the series is WINE INTO
WATER.
