The first TV spot for The Dark Knight Rises has popped up online and it is combining the NBA playoffs with clips we have seen in the past. ESPN has aired a promo for the NBA playoffs that intertwines with clips from the film. Take a look at the video below.

Posted by Dustin Fritschel

Over the past couple of days, Monolith has announced a couple of new DLC packs for Gotham City Impostors. While you may have to wait for one of them, the other is available on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 now. Below are the video announcements and descriptions.

FREE Arkham Asylum Map

Tighten up that straitjacket, because you're about to have some INSANELY good times in Arkham Asylum, the new FREE map for Gotham City Impostors! It's already arrived on the PlayStation 3, is coming soon for the PC, and will arrive on Wednesday, May 16 for the Xbox 360. So, are you CRAZY enough? Because it's MENTAL how DERANGED we are for giving out another DEMENTED map for free! Bada-bing-booya!

The Steamy Punk Pack

Tired of being terrorized by gangs, seemingly strapped to Healing Stations? Well, prepare for a future where campers get a SHOCKING surprise. Introducing, the Steamy Punk Pack for Gotham City Impostors! This hot fresh DLC will include the Steampunk costume, Steampunk voice, Dino Paint Job, the Witch Doctor weapon, the Jetpack Gadget, Well Grounded Fun Fact, and Stitches the Mascot! Excited? You should be! Because it'll be arriving soon on all platforms.

Posted by Dustin Fritschel

Posted by Dustin Fritschel

Salvage

Synopsis: While Superboy and Blue Beetle battle Intergang, Nightwing and company try to salvage the soul of a former comrade fallen from grace.

Be sure to check out our YouTube page for videos relating to the shorts on this week's DC Nation.

Posted by Dustin Fritschel

CBR: In the book, you've wrapped up Choke, and going out of "Night Of The Owls" we have Poison Ivy heading to the Amazon, as well as the agency from issue #8 trying to literally burn Black Canary. While these current issues have been Black Canary-heavy, it seems the next arc is Poison Ivy-heavy. Will you be delving more into Ivy's back story, wrapping up the Kurt and Dinah threads?

Duane Swierczynski: Well, there is a major Poison Ivy story coming right after the Night of the Owls-based issue #9. The Kurt and Dinah stuff, there will be more track laid for that train, but that won't really reach its peak until a few issues down the road. This is a Poison Ivy-centric storyline, as you'll see.

CBR: One of the biggest themes in the book is trust, and with the Choke storyline, we've seen the team's trust erode as Katana and Ivy are becoming murdering loose cannons and Black Canary and Starling's relationship is more and more strained. At this point, what keeps the Birds running?

Duane Swierczynski: I'd say it's Black Canary's moral center. I think she's had things she's sorry about, things she wishes had gone differently, but at her core she wants to help. She wants to do good in the world; that's always guided her. She's had this setback, which we'll learn more about, and she's had this big tragedy in her life, but she is still determined to do good. And when someone's determined to be a force of good in the world, even when they have every temptation to turn to the other side, to be tempted by other forces, it's a fun character to follow. I think she is the guiding force for the Birds. I guess the big question is, who can she trust in the coming months to support her or go along with that mission of doing good? Everyone has dirty laundry; it isn't the "Saints Of Prey" for a good reason!

CBR: Then let's talk about the actual story in the next arc. What can you tell us about the plot and the team moving forward?

Duane Swierczynski: At the end of their encounter with the Talons from the 1840s, Poison Ivy saves the day; she's the only one strong enough to pull this Talon into a meat locker in a train car and really neutralize him. We learn early on that Black Canary promised Poison Ivy, if anything went wrong, she would take her back to the Amazon, the heart of the Green, and help her rejuvenate. That's a pivotal thing, that promise. That's Black Canary's MO. She'll honor her promises. She wants to do good. But that may not be the best thing for the team coming into next issue. The trust thing is big; that's a big thing, for me at least, of who can you trust, how far can you trust them. It's not as easy as Poison Ivy is a mustache-twirling bad guy — that's not the case at all. I think she has good reasons for what she does. She's not being deceitful, necessarily, but I think she's sort of casting the team in her own image and it's at odds with how Black Canary sees the team — as we'll see playing out.

For the entire interview, including talk about elements crossing into Teen Titans and other DC titles, head over to Comic Book Resources. Birds of Prey #9 is in stores today.

Posted by Dustin Fritschel

Comic: Birds of Prey #9
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Pencils: Travel Foreman
Preview Location: The Source (5-page preview)

Comic: Nightwing #9
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Pencils: Eddy Barrows
Preview Location: Ain't It Cool News (5-page preview)

Comic: Batwoman #9
Writer: J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman
Pencils: Trevor McCarthy
Preview Location: Maxim (5-page preview)

Comic: Catwoman #9
Writer: Judd Winick
Pencils: Guillem March
Preview Location: IGN (5-page preview)

Comic: Red Hood and the Outlaws #9
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Pencils: Kenneth Rocafort
Preview Location: io9 (5-page preview)

Comic: Justice League #9
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Jim Lee
Preview Location: LA Times (4-page preview)

Posted by Dustin Fritschel

Rocksteady has posted up a video showing off how the sounds in the games were created. The Game of the Year edition of Batman: Arkham City will be available on May 29.

Posted by Dustin Fritschel

Posted by Dustin Fritschel

It was announced earlier today that Mountain Dew will be teaming up with Warner Bros. for the release of The Dark Knight Rises. Custom cans and a new coat of paint for a Nascar team is in store. Below is the official press release along with images.

PURCHASE, N.Y., May 14, 2012 — Today, Mountain Dew® (DEW) confirmed its partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ highly anticipated summer blockbuster “The Dark Knight Rises” with activations that will quench the thirst of both DEW and Dark Knight fans. Luring fans deep into Gotham City through an exclusive digital experience, DEW will unveil exclusive content and storylines from “The Dark Knight Rises” to eager fans before the film’s opening day, July 20. AndDEW itself will take a dark spin – with a Dark Knight graphic takeover of base packaging and temperature-sensitive cans that change when chilled, to Mtn Dew Dark Berry, a new limited-edition mixed berry flavor inspired by the Caped Crusader.

“Mountain Dew is all about fueling passion and that is what this partnership is based on,” said Brett O’Brien, Vice President of Marketing for Mountain Dew. “You’d be hard-pressed to find more passionate fans than those of DEW and The Dark Knight franchise. Our goal is to offer those fans unique experiences — from package and product innovation to exclusive content and access that only DEW and Batman together could provide.”
Mountain Dew’s “The Dark Knight Rises” 360-degree campaign will include:

-A new limited-time-only flavor, Mtn Dew Dark Berry, inspired by “The Dark Knight Rises,” available nationwide for 8 weeks beginning in mid June.

-Select 16-oz cans of DEW will receive a face-lift of the thermochromic variety. The special cans will use thermochromic ink to feature a bat symbol that transforms to the distinctive green color of DEW when chilled. The limited-time 16 oz. cans will hit shelves in mid June.

-The unveil of DEWGothamCity.com, an online destination designed to give fans unprecedented access into the world of “The Dark Knight Rises,” including exclusive sneak peeks of movie content and storylines. The experience will launch June 18.
     -Fans that participate in the DEW Gotham City experience and enter product codes from 20 oz., and 2-liter bottles, 12-pack and 24-pack and Fountain Cups will earn points to redeem for DEW or “The Dark Knight Rises” gear or for sweepstakes entries for a chance to win exclusive prizes.

-Diet Mountain Dew driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., will give (and get) a first taste of the Dark Knight. Members of the DEW Crew, an extension of the #88 team fueled by Diet Mountain Dew, will be asked to vote to select which of four Dark Knight paint schemes will appear on Dale’s #88 Chevrolet this season. Voting begins at www.dewcrew.com on May 12.

-In-store point-of-purchase displays in retailers nationwide.

-Robust cable, primetime TV, radio and digital advertising, launching June 18, will drive mass campaign awareness.

More information regarding the brand’s partnership with “The Dark Knight Rises” will roll out in the coming weeks. In the meantime visit facebook.com/mountaindew or follow @mtn_dew on Twitter.

Posted by Dustin Fritschel

Posted by Dustin Fritschel