Most people think that cartoons and animated films are for kids but that simply isn’t true. There are a lot of animated movies that more adults enjoy other than kids. Another thing that I am constantly told is that the “old school” superheroes are on their way out. Once again that isn’t true and people still talk like they are for kids. Anyone that saw the Dark Knight will tell you that they aren’t just for kids. As for the animated movies that is another thing.
Recently Bruce Timm the producer and creator of the (now) old DC Animated Universe have created a series of animated movies based on the stories found almost exclusively in the comic world. Now let’s talk about the history of the DCAU. In 1992 Warner Brothers wanted to create a kids cartoon show to help promote Batman Returns. That show was called Batman: The Animated Series. The interesting thing about this show is that it was a huge hit. How huge do you ask? The series was created as a promotional tie-in to Batman Returns and was highly influenced by said movie. The show became so big that it influenced the later Batman movies in the Schumacher era and even kept carrying the torch for the Batman franchise after the 1997 disaster that is known as Batman and Robin.
The Animated series also spawned many films including Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, which I regard as one of the greatest Batman films ever made. I also recommend Mystery of the Batwoman, not to mention Batman Beyond and its movie Return of the Joker. You will hear some fans when asked who their favorite Batman’s will say Kevin Conroy and their favorite Joker (other than Heath Ledger) is none other than Luke Skywalker himself Mark Hamill.
Other than Batman Animated movies the series also opened the door for Superman: The Animated Series that treated us fans to the inevitable team ups of the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight and then Justice League.
The Continuation series Justice League Unlimited marked the end of this decade and a half long era of Superheroes that introduced these legendary characters to a new generation of fans and highly entertained an old group of them. The DCAU stepped aside Clearing the way for The Batman, Teen Titans, Smallville, and the Brave and the Bold.
Starting in 2007 DCAU fans were treated to this new era of Comic Movies that are finally put on film if only in an animated format. With such titles as Superman: Doomsday, Batman: Gotham Knights, Under the Red Hood, and even Green Lantern and Wonder Woman feature films.
Last year another came out which was based on the Superman/Batman title was another movie. The story was called Public Enemies and it featured Batman and Superman doing battle with Lex Luthor and preventing a giant kryptonite meteor from destroying the earth.
Now we have the sequel to that story called Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
Coming to earth alongside the mammoth Meteor is none other than Kara Zor-El better known to DC fans as Superman’s cousin Supergirl. Clark is happy to welcome her with open arms but Bruce is skeptical of her arrival on earth. Mentoring her to adapt to the earth with her new superpowers she eventually goes to Paradise Island with Wonder Woman to be trained to be a hero. That is until Darkseid arrives with his own intentions for the young Kryptonian.
The story plays like a feature film I honestly felt it was a superior Supergirl Origin story other than the 1984 Helen Slater movie. The most entertaining part of the flick is the relationship between the characters Batman and Superman interactions are entertaining as well as the relation ship with both characters and Kara. Wonder Woman being added to the mix adds icing to the cake.
Honestly with the inclusion of Wonder Woman I feel the title should be called Trinity as Diana Prince has a big role in the film but that would not have the selling power that the name of Superman and Batman have.
The inclusion of Darkseid as the Villain is a pretty nice touch. Fans of the Comics, Video Games, and Justice League Series will already be familiar with this villain and Smallville fans will get to know him in this current season of the show. For those of you that aren’t familiar with the character there is a really good Documentary on the BluRay and Double Disk DVDs that cover Darkseid and the New Gods.
Other Special Features include four episodes of Superman The Animated series that feature Supergirl and Darkseid.
There is also a documentary on Supergirl but that is not that original. Owners of Smallville Season 8 box set will notice that it is the same documentary and that it isn’t even updated as it is only 2 years old but it is still a good in-depth documentary that covers the like of Kara in history of comics and entertainment.
Last bu not least is an animates short film featuring Green Arrow while he is protecting visiting royalty from an assignation attempt with the help of the Black Canary. With the voice talent of Malcolm McDowell in the role of one of the villains.
All in all I say check out the movie Comic fans won’t be disappointed.
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