Geekshow

Review: DC Universe Original Animated Movies

Captain Wednesday takes on the recent slew of DC Universe Original Animated Movies.

First let me start off by saying that the DC animated features and series over the past several years is head and shoulders above Marvel’s productions. Marvel might be able to get the job done better when it comes to feature films, but the DC pen is by far mightier than the Marvel inkwell.

I am going to break this review up into two parts with today’s focusing on the last three animated feature releases. The next “Catching Up” review will look at the world of the DC animated series.

Animated comic fans have been very fortunate lately as DC Universe has been kicking out the moving pictures like a sweat shop in Guatemala making a 100,000 pairs of Nike sneakers a day (sorry Nike).

My favorite of the last three releases is Justice League: New Frontier. Based on Darwyn Cooke’s 12-issue series, the animated feature translates very well from the page. When watching an animated adaptation the viewer needs to remember that most animated movies only run 70-90 minutes long (which means, there is going to be some stuff left out).

I think genre fans as a whole get caught up with exact interpretations which leave many of them feeling underwhelmed and disappointed with the final product. While I try to temper my own expectations, I will admit it is hard from time to time to remember that piece of sage advice (hey, I was the one giving the advice so it has be awesome). But I digress.

Back to New Frontier. The feature produced by DC animated-God Bruce Timm and Michael Gougen (The Batman) is awesome and stays true to the writing and artistic style Cooke laid out in the comic book. Stan Berkowitz adapted the script very masterfully leaving in what causal fans would be familiar with while respecting the original story.

If anything, New Frontier made me appreciate Cooke’s book even more and is a perfect complement to the written words.

I am fascinated as to why, but happy just the same that when it comes to taking chances and thinking outside the box DC is always willing to risk the status quo and mess with traditional storytelling when it comes to Batman.

Batman: Gotham Knight is told in six vignettes that form a much larger story as we watch Bruce Wayne and the Bat mature from a young superhero into the Dark Knight. Each story has its own writer and animated style which appears perfect for that chapter’s prose.

Some of the writing talent includes DC Comics’ own Greg Rucka (Superman) and Brian Azzarello (The Joker) as well as screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence) and Emmy-winner Alan Burnett. The animated style is pure anime fun with some of Japan’s biggest talent and visionaries illustrating Batman like he has never been seen before.

In addition, hardcore animated Batman fans will be happy as Kevin Conroy is back reprising his role of the Batman he made so famous for all those years on Batman: TAS, Batman Beyond and Justice League.

Last and sadly least is Superman: Doomsday. Here is a case where my expectations may have gotten the better of me but after multiple viewings I stick with my first gut reaction (which was disappointment).

It seems in the end Bruce Timm was trying to tell a story about the loss of Superman (almost exactly the same issue Bryan Singer was tackling in Superman Returns). Superman: Doomsday was not so much about Doomsday’s beat down on the boy scout but how the world responded to that loss.

I don’t understand what it is about the big guy that scares everyone off from a nice rock-em, sock-em story. Instead we get a story about feelings. Its not like an animated feature can’t tell an emotional story very well (just look at this summer’s Wall-E which should be a best picture nominee). Unfortunately there was no emotional investment in this story for the viewer.

Instead, Superman is left on the bench while everyone ponders why. In addition, the animated production one was not very strong. It’s the first time I have found issue with DC’s final animated product. It looks like the animators were trying to add depth to the characters faces with lines but instead made them look awkward and old.

In the end, I highly recommend New Frontier and Gotham Knight. These should be in any self-respecting fan’s collection. And while you are at it, make sure you have a nice copy of New Frontier on your bookshelf as well. As for Superman: Doomsday, I wish I could say at least we have the trade collection of the original story, but honestly that was not much fun either.

That’s it for now. Make sure you tip your bartenders on the way out. Peace.

Captain Wednesday – Your Friendly Neighborhood Comic Dude