Batman

Batman fans are getting a good hard look at Bruce Wayne like never before -- 'cause the Dark Knight's manhood is on display in a new comic that's definitely not for kids.

DC just added a new installment to their Black Label series with "Batman: Damned" -- which is pretty much graphic novels for adults ... only, in this case, it's REALLY graphic. In the new Batsy publication that just recently dropped, you see a full-on naked Bruce Wayne ... but you'll only be able to see his penis on certain platforms. Allow us to explain.

The uncensored version of the member only shows up in print editions of 'Batman: Damned,' which are out in comic book stores now. It depicts a slightly obscured shot of Bruce's penis -- but you can definitely still see it in the shadow... head, shaft and all. In the online version, however, DC has darkened the image ... and you can only make out vague traces of his penis.

If you wanna see the real McCoy, you can check it out here.

Sources close to Batman tell us that Black Label stories are not intended for children -- while also pointing out that Batman's penis shows up a total of 4 times in this particular comic.

Joaquin Phoenix is taking a stab at playing the Clown Prince of Gotham -- and he seems to be doing a damn good job at it so far ... even without any makeup on.

The actor was on set Sunday filming a scene from the forthcoming Joker origin movie in NYC, and it appears he's in pre-clown mode for now. Still, Joaquin looks great as Batman's archnemesis -- creepy, menacing, disturbed ... everything you'd want in a Joker.

He even has a face-to-face interaction with a dolled-up clown ... and it's certainly nerve-racking to watch, especially as hands start to fly between these two.

Joaquin's turn as the Joker is the second film of its kind in the works right now. Warner Bros. is also reportedly developing a standalone Joker movie for Jared Leto's character, who debuted in "Suicide Squad." No official word on who might play Batman for either flick.

Whatever the case ... both Joaquin and Jared have big shoes to fill. As you might remember, the late Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his portrayal as the Joker in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight." He died in 2008 before the Academy Awards that year.

Considering Joaquin and Jared are Oscar-caliber actors -- Jared's already got one under his belt -- they could easily turn in award-worthy performances. Fingers crossed.

1:50 PM PT -- Todd Phillips -- the director of new Joker movie -- just posted a close-up shot of Joaquin in character as 'Arthur' ... presumably the real name of the Joker in his film.

Chadwick Boseman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt crossed comic book lines for a little POW wow while chowing down ... superhero costumes, sadly, not included.

The Black Panther and Robin grabbed a bite to eat Monday afternoon in L.A. and, judging by the huge grins on their mugs ... it hit the spot. We're guessing they didn't compare Marvel and DC box office numbers. Let's be honest, Joseph wouldn't be smiling if that was the case.

Pamela Anderson channeled her inner Bruce Wayne to slam rideshare companies ... no joke, or Joker for that matter.

Pamela stars in the new PSA -- obtained in advance by TMZ -- dubbed "The Closer" ... which calls into question the hiring practices and alleged misleading hiring tactics deployed by ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft to lure drivers.

The ad -- produced by Ride Responsibly -- starts with a potential ride-hail driver walking into a futuristic underground garage ... the same one used in "The Dark Knight Rises." Pamela later appears and makes her "questionable" pitch.

Anderson tells us, "Ride-hail app services not only endanger passengers, they continue to violate their drivers as well, failing to provide a living wage and offering no benefits that are standard for most employees in any other industry."

She continues, "I’ve spoken to transportation and employment experts in the course of my research, and these companies are very clearly (and knowingly) in the wrong. The control that ride-hailing services exercise over their drivers defines them as employees; these drivers deserve to be treated fairly."

Chrissy Metz says she'd love to throw on a cape and save the day on camera -- now the harder question ... DC or Marvel?

We got the 'This Is Us' star Saturday at LAX, where we asked about a revelation she made in her novel 'This Is Me' regarding abuse she suffered as a child. She offers some heartfelt advice to girls going through similar situations ... and then pivoted to spandex tights.

James Gunn just kinda (maybe) gave away a major spoiler about future 'Avengers' and 'Guardians of the Galaxy' movies and the fate of his presumably dead characters ... we think.

We got the 'Guardians' director Tuesday leaving LAX and asked if it's gonna be difficult to make the third installment to his own franchise now that Marvel may have killed off a majority of his cast in 'Infinity War.' BTW, this is a spoiler alert. If you haven't seen it yet ... oh well.

Lucky for you, though, James pretty much spills the beans here without so many words -- sequels are a-comin', and there's a lot more story left to tell. Translation for movie nerds ... Star-Lord and co. aren't REALLY dead, ya dope. They'll probably reintegrate in a year or so.

Adam West was honored in L.A. Thursday night with the iconic symbol he helped popularize on TV ... the bat signal.

The gigantic 70 ft by 20 ft emblem was projected on the side of city hall for several hours. "Batman" fans flocked to the area to watch Mayor Eric Garcetti send up the signal. Burt Ward, who played Robin in the TV series, was there to share a few words about his partner in crime.

West passed away Friday after battling leukemia.

He was 88.

The Joker has been arrested ... again ... this time well outside the Gotham City limits.

29-year-old Lawrence Patrick Sullivan -- whose face is tatted up like Batman's archenemy -- was busted in Miami Tuesday after allegedly pointing a loaded gun at drivers passing an apartment complex.

Responding officers say they found Sullivan with a loaded Smith & Wesson handgun in his pocket. Cops were responding to multiple calls earlier in the day about an armed man who resembled the Joker.

He was booked for carrying a concealed firearm, and bail was set for $5,000.

It's time for fans to decide once and for all who tops in the DC superhero world ... by bidding on vintage Batman and Superman movie costumes.

Michael Keaton's Batsuit from the 1992 sequel "Batman Returns" and Christopher Reeve's iconic Superman costume from the eponymous 1978 film are both on the auction block. Check out the pics ... there's even an up-close shot of the original tag still intact and labeled for Reeve.

The Man of Steel "muscle tunic" has a slight edge with bidding starting at $40k ... bidding starts at $35k for the Batsuit. Fanboys and girls can bid online at Nate D. Sanders Auctions 'till January 26.

Fun fact -- Reeve refused to wear an extra muscle suit under his costume, and instead trained with famed bodybuilder and Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse to bulk up.

Turns out ex-Batman Adam West has very abstract interpretations of his old archenemies ... and he could bring in more than $70k for 'em.

88-year-old Adam's taken up painting and his "Criminals on Canvas" exhibit is opening at the Gilman Contemporary studio this week in Ketchum, Idaho.

It includes 11 canvases, some depicting classic Batman characters -- Alfred, the Penguin and Riddler -- and not so classic ... Batdog. The standout piece has gotta be the "Joker Evening Makeup," which will set someone back $7,000. Total cost for all the pieces would top 70 grand.

Kevin Smith and Ben Affleck used to be tight -- ya might even say like Batman and Robin -- but something's changed.

We got Kevin out in NYC and, naturally, we hopped on 2 of his fave topics -- Batman and Ben. Then came the shocker about how long it's been since they bro'd down.

Check out the vid ... Kevin also dropped a few suggestions for who could be the NEXT Batman. He wasn't taking a shot at the current one.

The guy responsible for creating dozens of Batman comics with elaborate illustrations is blind as a Batman.

Tommy Castillo is big in the comic world, known for penciling a bunch of Batman spinoffs. Tommy's especially impressive because he's totally blind in one eye and has 15% vision in the other.

Check out the "100 Days of Death" illustration below ... the fine pencil detailing is all the more amazing given his disability. It took a year to complete. And Batman isn't Tommy's only fete. He also illustrates for "Tales from the Crypt."

Tommy lost his vision after blood vessels in his eyes were destroyed because of his diabetes. He was blind in one eye for years, and the other eye lost vision over the last few years.

Tommy used a magnifying glass to assist in his latest zombie-themed work, "100 Days of Death."

Batman's packin'.

This pic was snapped during the final scenes for the "Suicide Squad" which is being shot in Toronto. The scene ... Batman breaks through the roof of the Joker's car.

It's not Ben Affleck and Jared Leto ... both are stunt doubles.

51-year-old Lenny B. Robinson, better known as The Route 29 Batman, was fatally struck by a car Sunday night around 10:30 pm.

Robinson was on his way home from a car show in West Virginia after his 'Batmobile' -- a black Lamborghini -- broke down on the I-70 near Hagerstown, MD.

Robinson became the President for “Superheroes for Kids, Inc.” after he sold his commercial cleaning business ... he would regularly visit sick children in hospitals. His site says his mission was to "entertain ill and terminally ill children by appearing to them as Batman."

He gained fame when video of a 2012 traffic stop went viral after he was pulled over in his Batmobile.

#RIP

---------------------------------------------------- 2012 Traffic Stop ----------------------------------------------------

Just ask Han Solo -- or any other intergalactic smuggler you know -- "hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side" ... and now you can own the one Harrison Ford used a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

Profiles in History, the auction company from the SyFy show "Hollywood Treasure" ... is putting Han's piece on the auction block -- it's the one he used in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."

And it's not just "Star Wars" stuff collectors will be able to bid on, come Dec. 21. Other highlights include:

- a Hoverboard from "Back to the Future II"
- Michael Keaton's batsuit from "Batman"
- used Wilson from "Castaway"
- a Golden ticket from "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory"
- LeVar Burton's cool visor glasses from the "Star Trek" flicks.

Brad Pitt would be the perfect man-servant for Ben Affleck in the new Batman vs. Superman movie ... so says Sir Michael Caine, who played Alfred in the last movie.

TMZ spoke with Sir Michael outside Craig’s in Weho last night … and he suggested that a younger man fill his shoes in the upcoming movie … and officially nominated BP for the role of Alfred J. Pennyworth.

Not sure how Brad would feel about dry-cleaning the Bat-suit and scrubbing down the Bat-cave while Ben’s out saving the day … but it would definitely add some sex appeal to the role.