Batman: Under the Red Hood

I am a avid reader of DC Comics and I love the DC Animated DVDs that have been released recently. What I really like about them is the fact that they are told directly from the comic stories that are on the newsstands.

I am particularly excited about the recent Batman: Under the Red Hood. I remember reading that story while sitting under a tree at a rock festival and being more interested in the comic than the show. That says something about a story.

Now for those of us that don’t read comics let me give you the back story. In 1980s DC Comics has the character of Dick Grayson grow up and assume a new super hero identity of Nightwing leaving Batman without a Robin. Batman found a new Robin by the name of Jason Todd. Well needless to say fans didn’t like Todd and then in 1988 they did a poll of weather or not to kill him off and the fans gave the thumbs down and Robin was sadistically slain by The Joker thus giving what is in my opinion the best character development for the Dark Knight other than the death of his parents. Now lets fast forward to 2005 and the story of Under the red Hood where Batman encounters a resurrected Jason Todd who has taken the guise of the Red Hood (a role used by the Joker before his accident that made him the Clown Prince of Crime) and Batman has to face an opponent that not only knows him better than any other opponent he was also trained by him, which makes him more deadly than any other foe that he has faced before leading to a final confrontation between himself, Jason and the Joker.

The film plays out almost exactly like the comic. There are some variations from the story such as the resurrection of Jason is different than in the comic. One thing I am saddened by is the absence of Tim Drake as the 3rd Robin. Granted he wasn’t in the original storyline but in the flick he is not even acknowledged making you wonder if he even existed in this continuity. There is a brief mention of Batgirl without even having her name said. I also felt that Nightwing is nothing more than a supporting character and his relationship with any of the characters is not explored. Not to mention that Nightwing is barely in the comic.

The Animation is awesome and is drawn like the comic which I can tell you right now that is not an easy chore.

Let’s talk about Special Features.

I recommend the Bluray or the 2 Disc Edition because the Features alone are worth the purchase. There are 2 documentaries that cover the origins of both Dick Grayson and Jason todd with great detail, There is also a really good sneak preview of Superman/Batman Aplocypse that I will be covering soon and some episodes of Batman the Animated Series and a short animated film Jonas Hex.
I definitely recommend this flick for any and all Batman fans