DC Animated Movies

*Originally published on 3/25/09




While DC has been lagging on theatrical releases for heroes who aren't Superman and Batman, they have been releasing direct to video animated movies. One could argue that this was just to cash in on Marvel's similar strategy. Either way, I think DC's done a better job as far as releases go. I'm a DC guy, but I'm not so devoted that I can't acknowledge quality work from Marvel when I see it. Marvel's stuff was good, but DC's was better. Here's a look at what we've seen so far as well as what's to come.
DC's direct to video debut was Superman: Doomsday. It was a loose adaptation of the famous story released in the 90's where the Man of Steel meets his maker against a rampaging monster dubbed "Doomsday".

If you're looking for a faithful adaptation, this won't be for you. It's not bad; actually I think it's better than the comic story. It cuts out the fat and delivers a solid Superman story that has the same elements, only refined. There's been an odd backlash against this movie for some reason. I thought it was well done. The fight scenes were intense and it was a good example of how to do a proper modern Superman movie.

The next feature was Justice League: The New Frontier. I didn't read the original comic so I can't say how it compares; apparently they cut some stuff out here too. The 70 minute run time tends to result in that. Reception on this was quite positive. They got Keith David to voice the villain, you can't go wrong with that. The focus is largely on Hal Jordan's origin. Martian Manhunter and Barry Allen get arcs too so the big three are more supporting characters.

Batman: Gotham Knight is the only sub-par release to date. Batman has changed and gone through many incarnations over the years and this was an interesting idea in theory, it just didn't work when put into practice. The ten minute vignettes weren't enough to really tell a good story. The one with Scarecrow and Killer Croc was pretty good and the Deadshot short should've been stretched out and made into the whole feature. Kevin Conroy returned to voice the Dark Knight and hasn't missed his stride since the DCAU came to an end. Hearing his voice work was the major highlight of the release.

Wonder Woman finally got her own solo film this month. It was spectacular. They covered her origin in depth within the time constraints. Nothing felt glossed over or rushed. In my opinion, this is the best of the four. It proves everyone who said that Wonder Woman can't hold a solo movie wrong. In fact, the positive reception of this is speeding up process on the live action Wonder Woman movie DC's been talking about for years but never got around to doing.

Now we come to the upcoming animated movies.

Green Lantern: First Flight will be coming out this summer. It will feature Hal Jordan and show him being mentored by Sinestro. Hal's origin was covered pretty well in NF, but I'm still excited for this. I'm sure that it will differ enough that it won't feel like a rehash, not to mention the fact that Hal will be voiced by Elliot Stabler himself, Christopher Meloni.

While it isn't related to this release, Dan Didio has said that he would like to see the recent Sinestro Corps War get an animated adaptation.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies has been announced as the next DC Animated Original movie. Lex Luthor will frame Batman and Superman for a crime and turn them into outcasts. It is based on the opening arc from the Batman/Superman comic written by Jeph Loeb

Batman DTV's are also in talks. Due to the massive success of The Dark Knight, DC has been talking about making an animated franchise out of Batman like Marvel did with Ultimate Avengers.

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract was a story that they were talking about adapting back when Superman: Doomsday came out. It has been put on the backburner for one reason or another. I do hope that they get around to adapting this though.

A bunch of other titles have been tossed around. The Flash is one hero that has been mentioned for a solo flick following Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. Bruce Timm has said that he would like to do an Aquaman movie as well as a Catwoman movie to make up for the Halle Berry disaster.

Timm has also said that he would like to return to his DC Animated Universe, established by Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, and Justice League. With the success of the previous films, there is a chance that the cancelled Justice League: When Worlds Collide movie may get made after all. I, for one, hope it does as it seemed like an interesting premise.

If they are going to go back to the DCAU, another film that should be made should be one that chronicles the near apocalypse of '09. It was mentioned twice and something that major deserves a movie. Ra's didn't get a whole lot of screen time in the DCAU. Seeing as he's a major Batman villain, and one capable of challenging the Justice League, it would be good to see him return to form and try to wipe out humanity.

DC's releases have been quite good and from the looks of it, the quality won't be decreasing anytime soon.