Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Joseph Aberl

  • ‘Batwoman’ Set Photos Reveal Batmobile and New Wig

    ‘Batwoman’ Set Photos Reveal Batmobile and New Wig

    Batwoman‘s second season will introduce fans to a brand new heroine. Javicia Leslie has taken over the mantle from Ruby Rose to protect Gotham. The rest of the series’ cast is set to return with a lot of the story still a secret. We got some pictures from the set that teased Leslie in the iconic costume from the first season. It seemed she was carrying over the red wig and costume from her predecessor. A new image from the set may have revealed that we will see some new changes over the course of the show. Twitter user @Pagmyst shared an image where we can see that Batwoman has ditched the red wig.

    https://twitter.com/Pagmyst/status/1317354669304283136

    The image is from far away so we don’t get a good look if the costume has changed as well. Her new wig seems to be brown, which is a great way to highlight Leslie making the character her own. There is also the reveal of the show’s brand new Batmobile. @Pagmyst also shared a much better image of her new vehicle.

    https://twitter.com/Pagmyst/status/1317353770171260928

    CW won’t have the same budget as the movies. We originally thought we saw what would become the Batmobile in the last video, as it seemed to be updated with CGI. Yet, we are getting an actual Batmobile that even has her symbol on the front. Perhaps she uses an older model owned by the original Batman before switching to a car of her own choice. It looks a bit strange with the orange decals. Our only giveaway that this is the Batmobile would be the orange symbol on the front. This also could highlight that Batwoman‘s second season will switch from its red to an orange visual to highlight the new direction.

    Source: Twitter (costume), Twitter (Batmobile)

  • Superman and Wonder Woman Seemingly Exist in ‘The Batman’ Universe

    Superman and Wonder Woman Seemingly Exist in ‘The Batman’ Universe

    So far, The Batman seems to be set within its own universe. It will not be directly connected to the DC Extended Universe to explore Bruce’s second year as the titular vigilante. It seemed like the story would mainly focus on Batman and his rogue’s gallery. Even the first trailer revealed a much more grounded story. As such, we didn’t really think there would be any connection to the wider DC Universe, as it could collide with Matt Reeve’s vision. Interestingly enough, recent set photos may have changed that perception. Twitter user @DCEUMX shared an image from the film’s set that features people in costumes for a Halloween set. Among them, there are two very distinctive and recognizable designs.

    It seems that Superman and Wonder Woman might exist in this universe. Of course, these are just costumes and not the real deal. ScreenRant shared the first image teasing Superman, so this is our best look at the character. However, we did not see Wonder Woman until now. This reveal would imply that these characters have existed to some degree in this universe. Perhaps, Reeves is trying to distinguish this version of Batman from the rest by having them be characters from comic books that are the base for these designs. The costumes in question are closer to that of the original comic runs than any modern designs we’ve seen. So, that could be the reason for their appearance. Still, there is one more picture from the set that may confirm Superman’s existence. @Bat_Source shared an article of the Gotham Times mentions the line: “faces looking up to the skies, fingers pointed, everywhere looking for you know who”.

    There is one more aspect that sticks out. This is definitely showing the inspiration from The Long Halloween. The comic also included a Halloween costume party. So, this might be shortly before another murder happens in the story. We got our glimpse at the Riddler, who is quite a unique take on the character. He might be hiding among the crowd in a comic-accurate costume. The concept of this Halloween party could also be a way to sneak in a lot of references if characters like the Penguin are also included in the scene. Sadly, the wait will be a bit longer until the film releases but these set photos are already very promising.

    Source: Twitter, ScreenRant, Twitter (Article)

  • ‘The Falcon And the Winter Soldier’ Adds ‘On My Block’ Danny Ramirez

    ‘The Falcon And the Winter Soldier’ Adds ‘On My Block’ Danny Ramirez

    Looks like there were still some new actors that haven’t been revealed for Marvel Studios’ upcoming Falcon and the Winter Soldier series. The Hollywood Reporter revealed that up-and-comer Danny Ramirez will be joining Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie‘s Disney+ series. They do highlight that his role has not been revealed as of now but that it will be an important one. Production is still underway, as some videos from the set revealed the new Captain America taking someone out in brutal fashion. It is uncertain when we will see the series released next year, as production continues but hopefully we could see it early 2021.

    Ramirez has been slowly garnering attention. he appeared in Netflix’s On My Block and the Fox show The Gifted. His credits also include Assassination Nation and Valley Girl, as well as the highly anticipated Top Gun: Maverick. He will be joining an extensive cast that will see the return of Daniel Bruhl, and Emily VanCamp. The cast is truly shaping up to be one of Marvel’s best. This year’s WandaVision will offer us some crazy antics in multiple dimensions while Falcon and the Winter Soldier will stick to the more grounded realism that Captain America introduced us to.

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ State of the Game Confirms Slight Kate Bishop Delay

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ State of the Game Confirms Slight Kate Bishop Delay

    Marvel’s Avengers has been a crazy but enjoyable journey. I went into this game knowing full well what it means to start a Games-as-a-Service at launch. They get plagued with bugs at launch due to its online nature. The game is structurally sound, but it has some issues it needs to fight through. Sadly, it lost players fast in the beginning and became an easy target for repeating talking points online.

    Still, Crystal Dynamics has been hard at work trying to fix the bugs and show the players that they care. They initially patched as much as possible early on. We just recently got our first content patch, which was slightly underwhelming but still offered something new to do. This week, we finally got a blog discussing the journey to this point. In it, they did what many avoid, they confessed that the bugs deterred players. It is a big move to confess to something like this. Yet, they aren’t stopping there but are also giving away free resources to thank players for their patience.

    • Credits: 1500
    • Units: 7000
    • Upgrade Modules: 250
    • DNA Keys: 20
    • A Sarah Garza-Inspired Nameplate (Because seriously, you’re the best.)

    Those credits can get anyone a Legendary Skin and a nameplate. They are giving away $15 in value for the credits alone. Plus, the in-joke of the game of Garza repeating her line is just a nice touch. It will be available as of October 22nd. The blog entry also includes some details about new community-driven features that are coming our way, such as a campaign replay option of the game’s story, a unique ping system for multiplayer and more clarity about mission rewards. We have seen a lot of Quality-of-Life improvements in their last update, so these will add a whole new level to the game.

    They also dedicated an entire section to the issues that have been plaguing the game since launch. They also discuss the performance and stability issues, and their dependency on NVIDIA for the PC port. Crystal Dynamics is also looking into ways to optimize matchmaking by rethinking its structure and updating the rewards system. They also highlighted that work is underway to offer a multiplayer alternative to the Mega Hive. This game made was a big discussion point among players, as it is a single-player only mission.

    It would be one thing to just focus on the fixes, but they also teased some new content coming soon. They will be introducing a new mission type called Omega-Level Threats. These are multiplayer-focused challenges for high-level players with unique rewards. In the blog, they also tease an Avengers-worthy fight at the end, which could hopefully include new villains. They also point out this is just the first step. Crystal Dynamics also finally confirmed that the first Omega threat is going to be the A.I.M. Cloning Lab, which will be a weekend-only event. Sadly, they do not include an exact release date but could be in the coming weeks.

    They also confirmed that Kate Bishop is not going to release in October. They state it is a slight delay, so that means it could be at the beginning of the month. I am okay with a later release, as it is for free, and that could mean they are adding more content to it. Their recent patch had many underwhelmed, so they might want to focus on making it deliver on what everyone is expecting. We will know more in November, as they have also confirmed we will finally get a tour next War Table video by then, which most likely will include the long-promised road map. They confirmed Clint will be included and what we can expect from 2021. I do fear that this means Black Panther won’t release this year, as originally predicted.

    I believe this was a necessary and important move by the developer. It is very detailed and honest about the faulty launch. I did not expect a free bundle for early players, but it is a nice gesture. Hopefully, this is the beginning of continuous content drops for the game. I am having a blast with the game and I want to see where they are heading. Kate Bishop’s addition will be our first indicator of what we can expect from the game moving forward, so I am looking forward to that. Yes, the delay isn’t great but it means they are focusing on getting the game where it needs to be. Let’s see where this journey brings us in the near future.

    Source: Play Avengers

  • How the Spider-Slayers Could Play Into ‘Spider-Man 3’s Story

    How the Spider-Slayers Could Play Into ‘Spider-Man 3’s Story

    In Charles’ latest ‘What I Heard This Week‘ he stumbled upon something rather interesting. There is a chance that Spider-Man 3 might add the character, Dr. Spencer Smythe. He is one of Spidey’s oldest villains, who made his first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man back in 1965. He is the man that created the iconic Spider-Slayers that were designed to hunt and kill Spider-Man. It seems like the perfect addition as the next film will feature Spidey on the run. He was branded as a murderer, and with the Sakovian Accords still in place, he will be a prime target for many. So, let us try to find out how exactly Smythe might fit into the story that might still feature some multidimensional shenanigans.

    Originally, Smythe was financially backed by J. Jonah Jameson. We were introduced to the iconic character at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home. It would make sense to follow the comics but it doesn’t seem fitting for him to do such a thing. Yes, he is the one to call Spider-Man a menace but there is no reason for him to hire anyone to take him down. He probably makes more money as long as Spidey is on the run. My best guess is that Jameson will create a bounty on Spidey’s head that could play on their original connection. It also would give an initiative for other enemies that have been teased to make an appearance.

    Still, it is also possible Smythe works for the government. As far as we know, the Sokovia Accords could still be active. They might have a vested interest in capturing Spidey. He was involved with the big airplane fight alongside Iron Man, so who knows if he technically signed them. Plus, Thunderbolt Ross will be featured in Black Widow, so they might have some bigger plans for him in Phase 4. So, the government is funding Smythe’s Spider-Slayer program but in reality, he is using this opportunity to get his hands on the bounty. Perhaps they will introduce his son Alistair, who was played by BJ Novak in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, as his main motivation. This could potentially also set-up for future appearances.

    Smythe’s inclusion would definitely lead to the slayers being the ones chasing down Spidey. It would be a fun idea of seeing him constantly having to upgrade them as Spidey takes them down. Now that the bounty is up, a group of bad guys is hunting him through New York City. Add to his frustration, the multiverse starts playing tricks and Spidey is barely able to keep up. Somehow, he manages to stay afloat throughout the journey. He has to handle a multitude

    Smythe doesn’t defeat the web-head, he does manage to get some DNA off of him. His lab assistant Miles Warren offers to take care of it. Little does Smythe know, his assisstant has other plans. Spidey uses the chance to take down the Spider-Slayers, but finds a dead Smythe. His son, Alistair, finds the scene of the crime and blames the web-head for it starting his own path. Peter can only watch from the distance not realizing what he may have unleashed. He also is unaware that someone else was cooking up something that will come back to haunt him in the future.

  • RUMOR: ‘The Mandalorian’ Spin-Off Focusing on Cara Dune and Bo-Katan In Development

    RUMOR: ‘The Mandalorian’ Spin-Off Focusing on Cara Dune and Bo-Katan In Development

    So, this is an interesting surprise ahead of The Mandalorian‘s second season. The YouTube site Kessel Run Transmissions shared the info on an upcoming show that will expand Disney+’s ventures into the galaxy far, far away. KRT claims that a show is being developed that will focus on Gina Carano‘s Cara Dune and Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ Bo-Katan. There were hints that the character will have their live-action premiere in Mandalorian‘s second season. Bo-Katan will be played by Katee Sackhoff, who also voiced the character in The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. There is no exact info provided, as they theorize if it even takes place before or after Mandalorian.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QEuBKHfra4&feature=youtu.be

    Of course, some might be questioning if this show will still be released. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Carano‘s public opinion. KTR does highlight that they’ve first heard of this about four months ago. As such, anything can have changed with public outcry still around as we build-up to the next season’s release. They also make a good point that it might depend on how Mandalorian‘s second season is received. There have been rumors of a spin-off focused on Cara Dune but the recent drama may have derailed those original plans to some degree. There is still a chance that plans have changed, so they could also just focus on Bo-Katan, or add a new character. It is still exciting to see that Disney+ will be adding more Star Wars series in the near future.

    Source: Kessel Run Transmissions

  • ‘Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ Introduces New Spider-Cat Companion

    ‘Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ Introduces New Spider-Cat Companion

    Some might not know this, but I am a proud owner of a rather energetic cat. As such, I tend to have a soft spot for anything cat-related, especially in Marvel media. Goose was a personal highlight in Captain Marvel, especially with how realistic it depitced owning a cat can be. Looks like one more hero is getting a feline addition. Game Informer offered an exclusive video for Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which seems to include a litlte side mission where you save a cat named, what else, Spider-Man. He was briefly teased in a tweet a whilie back, but looks like there is more to this little feline. It is an adorable little video that also showcases how far the game has come with the upcoming next-gen upgrade in Mile’s own unique story.

    That ending is rather suprising isn’t it? Not only did someone give the adorable cat a Spider-Man mask but it also looks like he will offer some unique takedown animations. This reveal opens up a lot of questions, as this could mean that every unique suit may include its own takedown animation. Spider-Cat is a great addition to the game, as this could also give you an incentive to try out different costumes besides their unique abilities. Gameplay-wise, the game looks fantastic as always with many unique flairs to the familiar UI designs. It also seems to be running extremely smoothly as Miles webs his way threw the city or takes out badguys. I am a big fan of his toxic punch ability, which adds an amazing visual flair to the game’s combat. As I said, I have a soft spot for this kind of stuff so I cannot wait to try it out when the game launches next week.

    Source: Game Informer

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ First Content Update is Here

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ First Content Update is Here

    The biggest issue, besides the bugs, was the lack of content. There were doubts if we would see any additional content in the future, as updates constantly got delayed. Well, looks like the wait is finally over. Crystal Dynamics just released their first content patch. The patch V1.3.3 not only fixes a lot of major issues but also will include two brand new additions for the game’s overarching story that will be active as of 15th October, so keep that in mind with the current update.

    That is not all, as it also finally gives us some much needed Quality-of-Life improvements, such as Mega Hives rewarding two guaranteed Exotic gear items when completed. They even added ways to access Faction rewards through terminals, so you don’t have to switch between Outposts constantly. Still, you aren’t here for that, you want to know what new content was added.

    • SHIELD Substation Zero Outpost will give you access to a brand new location that will include some new NPCs, story content and potentially some new missions. It will be located in the Pacific Northwest when accessing it through the War Table.
    • Temporal anomalies have been popping up in the world which will give oyu access to new Tachyon Rift missions. Over time, your team will get damaged but you get access to your Heroic abilities much faster. These missions rotate daily and first-place players get a Cosmic gear as a reward. As the name implies, time will be an important factor.

    It is interesting to note that the Substation article only mentions “content” in addition to a narrative and characters. We don’t know what that could mean exactly, as the story will tie into the new mission type. Hopefully, this means we will also get some additional missions. In the last War Table, they revealed that the Ouptost will act as its own operation. Also, some eagle-eyed players have noticed that the marketplace also has an open slot ready for a young archer that was going to be released later this month.

    https://twitter.com/PlayAvenger/status/1316423100003758080

    It has been a long wait for this and these are some fantastic additions. Hopefully, this is a sign of what we can expect from Crystal Dynamics in the near future. Keep in mind, we will still get a State of the Game this week, so this is just the beginning. It still was a great move by the developer to showcase how much they listened to feedback. They not only fixed bugs, added content but also provided QOL improvements everyone has been asking for. So, let us see if they can keep this momentum going but I am very happy to finally get my hands on the new content update.

    Source: Play Avengers, Twitter

  • ‘Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ Gameplay Reveals Miles First Boss Fight

    ‘Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ Gameplay Reveals Miles First Boss Fight

    We are only a month away from the next generation of consoles releasing. It is crazy to think that 2020 is already nearing its end. Still, we have a lot to look forward to as Spider-Man: Miles Morales will finally release in November. The game takes place one year after the events of 2018’s Spider-Man and focuses on our young protagonist growing into his role as the iconic character. We’ve already gotten our first full look at the gameplay a month ago. We’ve got a lot of teases on what we can expect from a big next-generation console. Miles Morales already looks promising with recent images showcasing the potential of where the gaming industry is heading. Now, Game Informer has given us some more exclusive gameplay to showcase what awaits us next month.

    Looks like Miles Morales is going to face a familiar foe, as Rhino is confirmed as the first boss encounter for the game. It is great to see that they are also bringing back some familiar foes. The gameplay also highlights Miles’ unique venom attacks that will give him an advantage over stronger enemies. This short sequence sitll includes Peter, so it is uncertain how long he will be in the game. Hopefully, this means we will see some of the other villains from 2018’s game make an appearance as well once the game releases next month.

    Source: Game Informer

  • New ‘Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ Stills Showcase Next-Gen Graphics & New Costumes

    New ‘Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ Stills Showcase Next-Gen Graphics & New Costumes

    We are only a few weeks away before Spider-Man: Miles Morales releases for the next-generation of consoles. I am still on the fence if I should jump on early in the new console’s life cycle but the visuals promised are quite promising. We got our first real look at the game’s gameplay just over a month ago. It showed us what unique abilities that Miles brings as the titular character with some staple classics from the 2018 game still remaining. At one point, the Remaster of the original Spider-Man game stole the spotlight, as they revealed a new design for Peter. Finally, we are getting a closer look at what the game has to offer in Game Informer’s exclusive coverage of the game. They kickstarted the coverage with a beautiful new cover for the magazine showing Miles patrolling during the game’s winter setting.

    That is not all, the digital edition has also found its way online with many sharing the beautiful in-game visuals featuring our titular hero in all his glory. These images are from Game Informer but provided by YouTuber @GameRiotArmy on Twitter.

    The next-generation of consoles is certainly promising. These are some amazing visuals from the game. This game will also give us a very unique version of the Tinkerer, who you can see in her purple high-tech outfit in the second tweet. It is a new take on the character, as she will also be more hands-on rather than just tinkering away at new technology. Also, this image confirms that Peter Parker will make an appearance at one point in the game’s story. Of course, it is to be expected but so far Insomniac has been very good at letting Miles shine with his own game. There is one more image that gives us a really interesting new costume design in the game.

    This might be the most unique Spider-Man costume we’ve seen so far. I am a huge Daft Punk fan so the helmet is a great touch. I cannot wait to see this costume design in action once the game releases next month. Game Informer is also teasing new gameplay, which hopefully we will get our hands on soon.

    Source: Game Informer (Cover), Twitter, Twitter (suit)