VIDEO: Warner Bros. Releases Deleted Batman/Joker Scene from "THE BATMAN"

Warner Bros. has released a deleted scene from THE BATMAN, in which Batman (Robert Pattinson) meets the Joker (Barry Keoghan) for a menacing conversation in Arkham.  The scene suggests that the two have an establish history.  The video is below:

-------------------

TRAILER: James Tynion IV Talks About His Horror Comic, "The Nice House on the Lake"

Writer James Tynion IV discusses his horror comic book series, THE NICE HOUSE ON THE LAKE, which is drawn by artist Alvaro Martinez Bueno.  In the series, the overriding anxieties of the 21st century get a terrifying new face—and it might just be the face of the person you once trusted most.

The Nice House on the Lake Vol. 1 is now available in comic book shops or at the Amazon Kindle Store.  Learn more about the series here.

-----------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).

------------------

#IReadsYou Movie Review: WONDER WOMAN: Bloodlines

Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019)

Running time:  83 minutes (1 hour, 23 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of fantasy action and violence, and some bloody images
DIRECTORS:  Sam Liu and Justin Copeland
WRITER:  Mairghread Scott (based on characters appearing in DC Comics)
PRODUCERS: Amy McKenna and Sam Liu
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Sam Register and James Tucker
EDITOR:  Frederik Wiedmann
COMPOSERS:  Christopher D. Lozinski
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Digital eMation, Inc.

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices)  Rosario Dawson, Jeffrey Donovan, Marie Avgeropoulos, Kimberly Brooks, Michael Dorn, Mozhan Marnò, Adrienne C. Moore, Cree Summer, Courtenay Taylor, Nia Vardalos, Ray Chase, and Constance Zimmer

Wonder Woman: Bloodlines is a 2019 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and directors Sam Liu and Justin Copeland.  The film features classic DC Comics character, Wonder Woman, and is the 36th film in the “DC Universe Animated Original Movies” line.

Wonder Woman: Bloodlines opens several years in the past before the main story begins.  United States military pilot, Captain Steven “Steve” Trevor (Jeffery Donovan), is engaged in an aerial battle with Parademons.  He crash lands his fighter jet near Themyscira, the island home of the warrior race, the Amazons.  Princess Diana (Rosario Dawson), daughter of the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta (Cree Summer), rescues Trevor.  After he is healed, Trevor is taken prisoner because no men are allowed on Themyscira.  However, Diana sees Trevor's arrival as a sign that she needs to leave the island because it is her duty to protect man's world from a great evil she believes is coming.  This decision causes Hippolyta to disown her daughter.

In Washington D.C., Diana finds a place to stay in the home of geologist Julia Kapatelis (Nia Vardalos) and her daughter Vanessa (Marie Avgeropoulos).  Julia's hobby is the study of Amazons, so she is happy to have Diana live with them.  Vanessa, who already has issues with her mother, however, begins to resent Diana's presence in the home.

Five years later, in the present, Diana is the superhero, Wonder Woman.  Julia asks her help in finding Vanessa, who has stolen an artifact from Julia's employer, Veronica Cale (Constance Zimmer), of Cale Pharmaceuticals.  Vanessa has apparently fallen in with a cabal of villains lead by Dr. Cyber ( Mozhan Marnò) and Doctor Poison (Courtenay Taylor) and become part of their diabolical plot.  Now, Wonder Woman, Steve Trevor, and his friend, intelligence officer Etta Candy (Adrienne C. Moore), race to stop Cyber and Poison, but can Wonder Woman save Vanessa Kapatelis?

Wonder Woman: Bloodlines is standard DC Universe animated fare in terms of fights scenes, action, and animation.  In that, the film is entertaining enough.  Where it stands out is that writer Mairghread Scott offers a story that delves deeply into mother-daughter relationships – from love and war to rebellion and reconciliation.  At the point in which I finally realized that the strife between Julia Kapatelis and her daughter, Vanessa, mirrored the discord between Diana and Hippolyta, I suddenly became interested in a film that was, for the most part, boring me.

I also like the fact that the film is almost entirely driven by female leads and female supporting characters, with Etta Candy being most appealing to me.  Adrienne C. Moore delivers a standout voice performance as Etta, and I hope that Moore gets to reprise her performance if Etta appears in another DC Universe animated film.

Steve Trevor is good not great, which I can also say about Jeffrey Donovan's performance as Trevor.  On the other hand, Michael Dorn, best known as “Worf” on the the former television series, “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” makes the most of his small role as Ferdinand the Minotaur.

I heartily recommend Wonder Woman: Bloodlines to fans of Wonder Woman.  While it is not a great film, I think fans of animated films based on DC Comics characters will also like this.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Movie Review: BATMAN: Hush

Batman: Hush (2019)

Running time:  82 minutes
MPAA – PG-13 for violence and action, suggestive material, and language
DIRECTOR:  Justin Copeland
WRITER:  Ernie Altbacker (based on characters appearing in DC Comics and on the story arc, “Batman: Hush”, by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee)
PRODUCER: Amy McKenna
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Sam Register and James Tucker and Benjamin Melniker & Michael Uslan
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinski
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann  
ANIMATION STUDIO:  NE4U Inc.

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Jason O'Mara, Jennifer Morrison, Sean Maher, James Garrett, Bruce Thomas, Geoffrey Arend, Stuart Allan, Sachie Alessio, Chris Cox, Adam Gifford, Peyton R. List, Peyton List, Jerry O'Connell, Rebecca Romijn, Jason Spisak, Maury Sterling, Hynden Walch, Tara Strong, Vanessa Williams, and Rainn Wilson

Batman: Hush is a 2019 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and director Justin Copeland.  It is the thirty-fifth film in the “DC Universe Animated Original Movies” series.  It is also a loose adaptation of the Batman story arc, “Batman: Hush” (Batman #608-619; cover dated: October 2002 to September 2003), written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Jim Lee.  Batman: Hush the movie focuses on a mysterious villain intent on sabotaging Batman by using the Dark Knight's worst adversaries and some of his friends against him.

Batman: Hush opens with Batman (Jason O'Mara) rescuing an abducted child that the villain, Bane (Adam Gifford), was holding for ransom.  Shortly afterwards, Catwoman (Jennifer Morrison) steals the ransom.  While Batman is pursuing her, a masked vigilante shoots at him, severing the Bat-rope Batman was using to swing through the city.  Batman falls onto the sidewalk and cracks his skull.

Batgirl (Peyton R. List) takes Batman back to the Batcave where his butler, Alfred Pennyworth (James Garrett), and, his former ward and sidekick, Dick Grayson/Nightwing (Sean Maher), create an alibi that not Batman, but his secret identity, Bruce Wayne, suffered the injury.  Alfred contacts Bruce's childhood friend, Dr. Thomas Elliot (Maury Sterling), a renowned brain surgeon, to provide Bruce's medical care.

Back on his feet, Batman discovers that his conflict with Bane and Catwoman was just part of an elaborate scheme perpetrated against him by a mysterious villain known only as “Hush.”  It seems that Hush is willing to use every major figure in Batman's “rogues gallery” to bring the Bat down.  Hush seemingly even knows the people close to Bruce Wayne and is using them.  Further complicating Batman's investigation of Hush is the growing relationship between Bruce Wayne and Catwoman's alter-ego, Selina Kyle.

I have only read the Batman story line, “Batman: Hush,” once, and that was during its original publication.  I found it to be longer than it needed to be.  I am not really a fan of writer Jeph Loeb, although he has written some comic books that I have thoroughly enjoyed.  As a story, “Hush” felt like something Loeb padded with a bunch of appearances by all-star DC Comics characters.  As beautiful as Jim Lee's art for Hush was and still is, some of it came across as cold, as if it were drawn in a manner to make it attractive to collectors of comic book original art.  But at least I found “Hush” the comic book story to be enjoyable most of the time.

Batman: Hush the film is mostly dull.  The chase between Batman and Catwoman and the subsequent Catwoman-Batgirl fight are exciting.  The big battle at the end of the film is good, except when it seems to run too long – of course.  Catwoman is well-written in this film, and I like the way Alfred Pennyworth and Dick Grayson/Nightwing are presented in Batman: Hush.

The character designs are mostly good, except Batman, who looks awkwardly drawn in this film.  The animation is mediocre, except for a few action scenes when it looks like the people involved in this production suddenly felt energized.  I will only recommend this film to fans of the “DC Universe Animated Original Movies” line.  People who mostly know Batman from the modern Batman live-action films will likely not find much to like in Batman: Hush.

C+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Movie Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. THE FATAL FIVE

Justice League vs. the Fatal Five (2019)

Running time:  77 minutes (1 hour, 17 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence, some bloody images, language and partial nudity
DIRECTOR:  Sam Liu
WRITERS:  Jim Krieg, Eric Carrasco, and Alan Burnett; from a story by Eric Carrasco (based on characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Sam Liu and Amy McKenna
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Sam Register and Bruce Timm
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinski
COMPOSERS:  Kristopher Carter, Michael McCuistion, and Lolita Ritmanis
ANIMATION STUDIO:  DR Movie

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Elyes Gabel, Diane Guerro, Kevin Conroy, Susan Eisenberg, George Newbern, Daniela Bobadilla, Kevin Michael Richardson, Noel Fisher, Peter Jessop, Tom Kenny, Matthew Yang King, Sumalee Montano, Philip Anthony-Rodriguez, Tara Strong, and Bruce Timm

Justice League vs. the Fatal Five is a 2019 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and director Sam Lui.  It is the thirty-fourth film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series.  The film is based on the classic DC Comics superhero team, the Justice League.  The story pits the Justice League and an amnesiac hero against a powerful group of villains from the future.

Justice League vs. the Fatal Five opens in the 31st century.  There, three members of the villainous “Fatal Five”:  Mano (Philip Anthony-Rodriguez), Tharok (Peter Jessop), and The Persuader (Matthew Yang King) attack the Legion of Super-Heroes' headquarters in order to steal the Legion's time sphere.  Legionnaires Star Boy (Elyes Bagel), Saturn Girl (Tara Strong), and Brainiac 5 (Noel Fisher) try to stop them, but fail.  Just as the villains activate the sphere, Star Boy leaps at sphere and is taken back into the 21st century with it.

In the 21st century, the members of the Justice League:  Superman (George Newbern), Wonder Woman (Susan Eisenberg), Batman (Kevin Conroy), and Mr. Terrific (Kevin Michael Richardson) are working on getting new members.  Batman is a mentor of sorts to Miss Martian (Daniela Bobadilla), and Wonder Woman is trying to recruit the new Green Lantern of Sector of 2814, Jessica Cruz (Diane Guerro), who is reluctant as she is still suffering from the trauma of a near-death experience.

Soon, the League finds itself in a battle with the trio of Mano, Tharok, and The Persuader, who turn out to be formidable foes.  They have some kind of connection to Star Boy, who has been suffering from memory loss sense he arrived on Earth and is currently a patient in Arkham Asylum.  Whatever these three members of the Fatal Five want, it involves Jessica Cruz, and if she resists their demands, it could lead to mass casualties across the world.

The “DC Animated Universe” (DCAU) is a shared universe of superhero-based animated television series that were produced by Warner Bros. Animation and was based on characters that appeared in DC Comics publications.  The first DCAU TV series was “Batman: The Animated” series, which debuted in September 1992, and the last was “Justice League Unlimited,” which aired its last new episode in May 2006.  Four animated feature films that fit into the DCAU were produced during that original 14-year time period.  Bruce Timm, a writer, producer, character designer, and director of films and animated television series, can be described as the chief architect of the DCAU.  He considers two other animated feature films to be part of the DCAU.  One is 2017's Batman and Harley Quinn, a continuation of the TV series, “Batman: The Animated Series” and its follow up, "The New Batman Adventures" (1997-99).

The other is Justice League vs. the Fatal Five, which is a continuation of the animated TV series, “Justice League (2001-04), and its follow-up, “Justice League Unlimited” (2004-06).  Like “Justice League Unlimited,” Justice League vs. the Fatal Five features a wide array of characters from the universe of DC Comics.  Also, the membership role of the Justice League features characters that don't usually appear as members of the League alongside stalwarts Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman.

Although I have not seen all of its films and TV series, I am a fan of the DCAU, so I was glad that both in the design of the animation and in the spirit of the narrative, Justice League vs. the Fatal Five seems like an extra-long episode of “Justice League Unlimited.”  Having DCAU voice cast regulars, Kevin Conroy (Batman), Susan Eisenberg (Wonder Woman), and George Newbern (Superman), reprise their roles is simply wonderful.  Having one of my favorite writers of animated films, Jim Krieg, work on this this film is a satisfying bonus.

I think Jessica Cruz's story arc and heroic journey make this film such a strong drama.  However, I think Star Boy's story arc is poorly developed; there are times in this film when the character is quite frankly extraneous, which makes his final sacrifice seem hollow in the narrative.  Strangely enough, I really like Elyes Gabel's voice performance as Star Boy.

I like all the voice performances in Justice League vs. the Fatal Five, and, for the most part, the actors make the characters' personalities, conflicts, and conniving seem genuine.  The action sequences are some of the best I've seen in a DC Universe Animated Original Movie.  I highly recommend Justice League vs. the Fatal Five to fans of these movies and especially to fans of the DCAU.  I could have watched another two hours of it.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

 

#IReadsYou Movie Review: REIGN OF THE SUPERMEN

Reign of the Superman (2019)

Running time:  87 minutes (1 hour, 27 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of action violence
DIRECTORS:  Sam Liu
WRITERS:  Jim Krieg and Tim Sheridan (based on characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Sam Liu and Amy McKenna
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Sam Register and James Tucker
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinski
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann  
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Maven Image Platform

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Jerry O'Connell, Rebecca Romijn, Rainn Wilson, Patrick Fabian, Cress Williams, Cameron Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Nathan Fillion, Christopher Gorham, Matt Lanter, Shemar Moore, Nyambi Nyambi, Jason O'Mara, Jonathan Adams, Rocky Carroll, Trevor Devall, Paul Eiding, Jennifer Hale, Charles Halford, Erica Luttrell, Max Mittelman, Toks Olagundoye, and Tony Todd

Reign of the Supermen is a 2019 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and director Sam Liu.  It is the thirty-third film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series and is a direct sequel to the 2018 film, The Death of Superman.  The movie takes its story from “Reign of the Supermen!” a 1993 story arc that was part of “The Death of Superman” DC Comics story line and publishing event (1992-93).  In Reign of the Supermen, several new people present themselves as possible successors to Superman, in the wake of his death.

Reign of the Supermen opens six months following the death of Superman at the hands of Doomsday (as seen in The Death of Superman), and the rising crime rate in Metropolis has spread beyond the city.  Meanwhile, four new super-powered beings have emerged to take Superman's place.  Still grieving the loss of Superman and, by extension, his alter-ego, Clark Kent (Jerry O'Connell), reporter Lois Lane (Rebecca Romijn) of The Daily Planet has been investigating the new Supermen by gathering whatever information she can from different sources.

One Superman is a gold-visor wearing, energy blast-shooting vigilante called “The Eradicator.”  Another is “Steel,” the armored hero who is the identity of a young scientist, John Henry Irons (Cress Williams).  The third is a teen clone of Superman created by a scientist working for Lex Luthor (Rainn Wilson), and the public starts calling him “Superboy” (Cameron Monaghan).  The fourth, who seems the most like Superman, is part-man and part machine and is called “Cyborg Superman.”

The four “Supermen” are controversial and mysterious, and one of them is conspiring with Darkseid (Tony Todd) in the lord of Apokolips' plan to invade Earth.  Meanwhile, the Justice League:  Wonder Woman (Rosario Dawson), Batman (Jason O'Mara), Aquaman (Matt Lanter), Cyborg (Shemar Moore), Flash (Christopher Gorham), Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkman, and Martian Manhunter (Nyambi Nyambi) have been sidelined.  Now, Lois and the three truly heroic Supermen must uncover the mystery of what actually happened to the real Superman if they are going to stop a plot to take over the world.

Some of the central conceits of superhero comic books and their media adaptations are that the superheroes will almost always win; the bad guys will lose; a superhero's death will ultimately not benefit the super-villain; and the villains will plot even in defeat, while the superheroes remain vigilante.  If you are never bored by this, you will generally always like or love superhero fiction.

In the case of Reign of the Supermen, the conceits are alive and well.  While the idea of Superman dying always causes the fanboy in me some internal discomfort, I found myself mostly bored by Reign of the Supermen.  I couldn't wait for this movie to end, but I wanted to finish it in order to write this review.  I did like the four “Supermen” and the drama in the film built around them.  Everything else only mildly interested me.

I found that the battle between Superman and Doomsday that made up the second half of The Death of Superman saved that movie.  The battle that dominates the last act of Reign of the Supermen only made me care about the movie a little more.  I really liked the Supermen of Reign of the Supermen, but not much else about this movie.

B-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Movie Review: "THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN" is a Battle Royale

The Death of Superman (2018)

Running time:  81 minutes (1 hour, 21 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of violence and action including some bloody images.
DIRECTORS:  Sam Liu and Jake Castorena
WRITER:  Peter Tomasi (based on characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Sam Liu and Amy McKenna
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Sam Register and James Tucker
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinski
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann  
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Studio MIR

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Jerry O'Connell, Rebecca Romijn, Rainn Wilson, Rosario Dawson, Nathan Fillion, Christopher Gorham, Matt Lanter, Shemar Moore, Nyambi Nyambi, Jason O'Mara, Jonathan Adams, Rocky Carroll, Trevor Devall, Paul Eiding, Jennifer Hale, Charles Halford, Erica, Luttrell, Max Mittelman, and Toks Olagundoye

The Death of Superman is a 2018 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and directors Sam Lui and Jake Castorena.  It is the thirty-second film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series.  The movie takes its story from “Doomsday!” (also known as “The Death of Superman”), a story arc that ran in various DC Comics titles in late 1992.  In The Death of Superman movie, Superman battling a seemingly insurmountable foe.

The Death of Superman finds Superman (Jerry O'Connell) at the height of his popularity as a superhero in Metropolis and around the world.  However, Superman has some brewing domestic issues in his civilian life as Clark Kent (Jerry O'Connell).  Clark is dating Lois Lane (Rebecca Romijn), a fellow reporter at The Daily Planet.  Clark's parents, Ma and Pa Kent (Jennifer Hale and Paul Eiding), are visiting, and they will finally meet Lois, but that only forces Clark to face the fact that he has not told Lois that he is Superman.

Elsewhere, without warning, a meteor has crashed on Earth causing trouble above in Earth orbit and below in the ocean depths.  Emerging from the meteor is a gray-skinned, white-haired monster with incredible strength, stamina, and invulnerability.  Also, its skeleton protrudes through its skin in the form of multiple razor-sharp spurs.

The creature, whom Lois dubs “Doomsday,” quickly dispatches the Justice League.  Doomsday beats Wonder Woman (Rosario Dawson), Batman (Jason O'Mara), Aquaman (Matt Lanter), Cyborg (Shemar Moore), Flash (Christopher Gorham), Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkman, and Martian Manhunter (Nyambi Nyambi) nearly to death.  Now, only Superman stands before the creature, but to defeat him, Superman may lose his own life.

The Death of Superman is not the first time that the “Doomsday”/“The Death of Superman” story line has been adapted into a direct-to-DVD animated film.  The first was 2007's Superman: Doomsday, which I did not care for all that much.  Concerning this newer film, I don't like the graphic design of the characters, who all appear to have anemic faces.  In fact, their heads are all face – odd, angular faces.  I find them a little jarring to look at, but the animation moves smoothly.

I thought the first half of 2018's The Death of Superman was dull, but the second half is a blast to watch.  Doomsday's fights with the other members of the Justice League are filled with bone-crushing blows and near-death intensity.  The Superman vs. Doomsday battle is so powerful that calling it “epic” does not completely describe the insane violence displayed in this literally to-the-death fight.

The character drama between Clark and Lois is also well-developed, and the depiction of the edginess in their relationship keeps the first half of the movie from being a total loss.  This film also includes a strong version of Lex Luthor (Rainn Wilson), one that could have taken over this film.  Ultimately, I am giving The Death of Superman a high recommendation because of the Superman-Doomsday battle.  This fight is like an animated equivalent of a battle one might find in a Disney/Marvel Studios' Avengers films.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Movie Review: SUPERMAN: Doomsday

Superman: Doomsday (2007)

Running time:  74 minutes (1 hour, 14 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13
DIRECTOR:  Bruce Timm, Lauren Montgomery, and Brandon Vietti
WRITERS:  Duane Capizzi; from a story by Bruce Timm and Duane Capizzi
PRODUCER:  Bruce Timm
EDITOR:  Joe Gall
COMPOSER: Robert Kral

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/DRAMA

Starring:  (voices) Adam Baldwin, Anne Heche, James Marsters, John Di Maggio, Tom Kenny, Swoosie Kurtz, Cree Summer, Ray Wise, and Adam Wylie

Superman: Doomsday is a 2007 direct-to-video animated superhero film.  It is based on “The Death of Superman,” a 1992 story line that ran through DC Comics’ various Superman comic books and that culminated in the death of Superman in Superman #75 (1987 series; cover dated: January 1993).  Superman: Doomsday was the first release in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies from Warner Premiere (a now closed label of Warner Home Video) and Warner Bros. Animation.

In Superman: Doomsday, Lex Luthor (James Marsters), through his company, LexCorp, unleashes a powerful alien monster known as “Doomsday,” from his burial place deep in the Earth.  Doomsday then goes on a murderous and destructive rampage.  It’s up to Superman (Adam Baldwin) to defend the Earth, but at the apparent cost of his life.

Later, after his burial, Superman appears to have risen from the dead.  Lois Lane (Anne Heche), his secret lover, is suspicious.  With the reluctant assistance of fellow Daily Planet reporter, Jimmy Olsen (Adam Wylie), Lois seeks the truth and discovers that Lex Luthor is behind this risen Superman, who certainly doesn’t seem like his old self.

Bruce Timm was known as one of the minds behind the popular animated TV program, “Batman: The Animated Series” (1992-95).  He wears many hats in the production of this straight to video film, Superman: Doomsday, although the look of the animation in this film is different from Timm’s earlier work.  In fact, the character design is streamlined with crisp line work, and the art direction emphasizes rich, dark colors.  Technically, the animation is quite good (although the movement of the characters is often a bit awkward and stiff), which is essential in a film with so many extended, elaborate fight sequences and scenes of destruction and explosions that rival big-budget Hollywood sci-fi and action movies.

The problem is the story and voice acting.  Not only is the narrative’s mood very dark, but the film is often violent, shockingly so, as Doomsday often kills humans – sometimes ever so slightly off screen.  That’s not really a problem, except for very young viewers.  The problem is the leaden pacing and flat mood in what should otherwise be an exciting and riveting movie.  Superman’s death and resurrection just doesn’t have the emotional impact they should have.

Superman: Doomsday is a picture show of pretty and quality animation.  It just doesn’t live up to its potential as an epic story.

C+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Movie Review: BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT Powered by Strong Characters

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – video (2018)

Running time:  78 minutes (1 hour, 18 minutes)
MPAA – R for some violence
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR:  Sam Liu
WRITERS:  Jim Krieg (based on characters from the graphic novel, Gotham by Gaslight, by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Sam Register and Bruce Timm and Benjamin Melniker & Michael Uslan
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinski
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann  
ANIMATION STUDIO:  The AnswerStudio

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Bruce Greenwood, Jennifer Carpenter, Scott Patterson, John DiMaggio, Grey Griffin, Anthony Head, Bob Joles, Yuri Lowenthal, William Salyers, and Tara Strong

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight is a 2018 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and director Sam Lui.  It is the thirtieth film in the “DC Universe Animated Original Movies” series.  It is also a loose adaptation of the 1989 Batman graphic novel, Gotham by Gaslight, written by Brian Augustyn and drawn by Mike Mignola and P. Craig Russell.  Batman: Gotham by Gaslight is set in an alternate world in which Batman begins his war on crime in Victorian Age Gotham City just as Jack the Ripper begins killing women in the city.

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight opens in Victorian-era Gotham City.  A serial killer called “Jack the Ripper” is killing Gotham's poor and destitute women, especially in the area of the city known as “Skinner's End.”  Bruce Wayne (Bruce Greenwood) is also operating in the city as the bat-garbed vigilante, “the Batman.”  One night, Batman saves an unwary couple from being robbed by a trio of orphans who are in service of an abusive criminal handler.  At the same time, Pamela Isley, a prostitute and exotic dancer who performs under the name “Ivy the Plant Lady,” encounters Jack the Ripper, who savagely kills her.

Many citizens of Gotham believe that the Batman and Jack are the same man.  Stage actress, Selina Kyle (Jennifer Carpenter), is a protector of the women of “Skinner's End.”  She berates Gotham Police Commissioner James Gordon (Scott Patterson) and Chief of Police Harvey “Bulldog” Bullock (John DiMaggio) for their failure to stop the Ripper murders.  Later, when the Ripper targets Selina, Batman rescues her, but Batman discovers that Jack the Ripper is a formidable opponent who possesses the fighting skill to defeat him.  Initially, Selina rebukes Batman, but soon the two begin working together, even as the city prepares to blame Bruce Wayne for all the Ripper murders.

Writer Jim Krieg, probably one of Warner Bros. Animation's best writers (if not the best, as far as I'm concerned), has fashioned, in Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, a Batman “cinematic universe” that could be as interesting as any other world of Batman films.  Taking the source material (the Gotham by Gaslight comic), Krieg has created a world that has possibilities rather than just being a one-off, alternate-universe spin on Batman.  Batman: Gotham by Gaslight feels like it has a tangible back story behind it and an unknown, but full future ahead of it.

Krieg fills Batman: Gotham by Gaslight with highly-developed versions of familiar Batman characters.  Here, Bruce Wayne and Batman are one and the same; there is no light and dark, separate personalities so much as there is a man who understands the right time and right place to put on the correct public face – or mask, as it may be.

All the supporting characters are strong.  In fact, Batman: Gotham by Gaslight's Selina Kyle could carry her own film.  She is fierce and independent; she is beautiful and personable, even when she is being forceful in her mission to protect poor women.  Hugo Strange (William Salyers) is what some critics might call “deliciously devious,” while Alfred Pennyworth is devious in a benevolent and sly way.  And I can't help but love the “cock robins,” Dickie, Jason, and Timmy.

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight is pretty in its graphic design and art direction, and the animation moves smoothly.  Director Sam Liu oversees a film that not only plays a mystery, but offers an actually mystery that requires Batman and Selina Kyle to do some investigating.  The film's last act – a rousing section of prison escapes, brutal fights, and a burning park – is perfect escapism and also entertainment with a touch of art.  I thought that I might like Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, and I did.  I simply got far more joy out of it than I imagined I would.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

--------------------

I Reads You Juniors May 2019 - Update #82

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Newsarama:  Two of IDW's founder, Ted Adams and Robbie Robbins, have founded a new publishing venture, Clover Press.  The new company will publish graphic novels, art books, prose books, "and other works."

From Newsarama:  An estimated 1.35 million people attended Free Comic Book Day 2019, which was held on Saturday, May 4th.

From ScreenRant:  Director James Gunn says that Disney/Marvel and Warner Bros./DC Comics are not built to make a movie that is as (relatively) small as "Brightburn," which Gunn produced.

From Variety:  Keya Morgan, the former business manager of the late Stan Lee, was arrested in Arizona on an outstanding warrant from the Los Angeles Police Department.  Morgan is facing several "elder abuse" charges related to Lee.

From BleedingCool:  Veteran comics scribe Howard Mackie says that his pay-per-hour rate is better at Zenescope Entertainment than it was at DC Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller and John Romita, Jr.'s "Superman: Year One" is apparently in continuity with Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns."

From Newsarama:  Writer Tom King is leaving "Batman" for a new title, "Batman/Catwoman" title in 2020... And people wonder why the Direct Market is going to shit.

From THR:  Taika Waititi is directing a live-action version of the classic manga, Akira, which will open in theaters May 21, 2012.  The manga's creator, Katsuhiro Otoma, directed an anime version of his manga that was released in 1988.

From Nippon:  The British Museum in London will hold the world's largest exhibition of manga outside Japan, beginning Thursday, May 23rd through Aug. 26, 2019.

From Marketplace:  Did you know that the Federal Reserve produces comic books?

From CBR:  Marvel Entertainment is partnering with the United States Golf Association (USGA) to produce exclusive gold education products aimed at junior golfers.  The partnership begins with a printed and digital comic book that features numerous Marvel superheroes teaching readers the basics of playing golf, as well as the etiquette of the game.

From Newsarama:  Writer Tom King is apparently leaving his gig writing "Batman" by the end of the year, which will be short of his planned 100-issue run.

From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment contests the use of the trademark "Atlas Comics" related to the recent Paramount film deal.

MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  Colorist Justin Ponsor died at the age of 42, Saturday, May 18, 2019.  Much of his outpus has been for Marvel Comics, and this week's "Avengers #19" will be his final credit.

From Newsarama:  Spawn creator Todd McFarlane and longtime Spawn artist, Greg Capullo, will produce interior art for the landmark Spawn #300.  Capullo last drew interior art for Spawn #100.  McFarlane has not drawn interior art for Spawn since 1995.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Entertainment signs a deal with the Chinese company "NetEase" to develop Marvel characters into games, comics, and TV series for the Chinese market.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics August 2019 comics solicitations - cover gallery.

From Deadline:  Paramount Pictures makes a movie into superhero films with a deal that involves the old Atlas/Seaboard line of superhero characters.  [I am not clear on what characters are owned by the current iteration of Atlas, which is called SP Media Group.]

From Variety:  Lindsey Beer and James Wan have signed on as executive producers for the upcoming Mark Millar Netflix series “The Magic Order,” which is based on his 2018-19 comic book miniseries.

From HollywoodLife:  Actress Raven-Symone ("Raven's Home") will provide the voice of Valkyrie in the Disney XD animated series, "Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout."

From YahooEntertainment:  Robert Pattison, best known for playing the brooding vampire, Edward Cullen in the "Twilight" film series, is the new Batman/Bruce Wayne, according to an exclusive story by "Variety."  Nicholas Hoult, who has been played "The Beast/Hank McCoy" in the "X-Men" film series since 2011, was apparently a finalist.

From Newsarama:  "Fantastic Four: Yancy Street #1" is apparently the first in a series of "Fantastic Four" one-shots.

From Newsarama:  Writer Warren Ellis and artist Ramon Villalobos will revive Wildstorm's "WildCATS," beginning in August with a new #1 issue.

From BleedingCool:  Here are seven preview pages of Frank Miller and John Romita, Jr.'s "Superman: Year One."

From BleedingCool:  Neal Adams will write and draw a new six-issue mini-series, "Batman Vs. Ra’s Al Ghul," as part of DC Comics' "Year of the Villain" initiative.  Adams co-created Ra’s al Ghul, a classic Batman villain.

From Newsarama:  Koyama Press announces its Fall 2019/Winter 2020 line-up of trade paperbacks.

From Newsarama:  Writer Louise Simonson and artist June Brigman will return to the comic book they created in the 1980s, "Power Pack."  They will produce a new Power Pack one-shot comic book set in the original series' continuity, "Power Pack: Grow Up #1."

--------------------------------------
X-MEN:
From ComicBook:  Jonathan Hickman talks about "House of X" and "Powers of X" (pronounced "Powers of Ten") and the restart of the X-Men line.

From Newsarama:  Marvel to cancel and then, relaunch entire X-Men line... agin.

--------------------------------------
From Newsarama:   Stan Lee's former manager, Keya Morgan, has been charged with five counts of elder abuse in Los Angeles Superior Court.  Lee, who died in November 2018, is known for his time as a writer and editor at Marvel Comics when he co-created some of the most popular comic book characters ever created.

From Newsarama:  The designs that renowned fantasy and concept artist, William Stout, produced for the 1987 "Masters of the Universe" film, will now become a line of action figures.

From ComicBook:  NBA star Donovan Mitchell, nicknamed "Spida," has a new Spider-Man themed sneaker set to come out with "Spider-Man: Far From Home."  He gave a pair to Spide-Man star, Tom Holland.

From BBC:  A look at John Brunner's Hugo Award-winning science fiction novel, "Stand on Zanzibar" (1968).

From Newsarama:  Lerner's Fall 2019 comic book solicitations

From BleedingCool:  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Neil Gaiman are among the contributors to "Marvel Comics #1000."

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics announces "Marvel Comics #1000," a comic book with 80 one-page stories to celebrate its 80th anniversary.

-------------------------------------
From THR:  Oni Press, the small press comic book and graphic novel publishers, is merging with Lion Forge Comics.

From Forbes:  What the Oni Press-Lion Forge Comics merger means for the comic book industry.

From ComicsBeat:  More on the aftermath of the Oni Press/Lion Forge Comics merger.

--------------------------------------

From Newsarama:  Marvel plans some kind of "exclusive announcement" on Friday, April 10th.

From Newsarama:  Dark Horse signs a "first look" deal with Netflix

From GoodEReader:  This article says that webtoons are starting to overshadow digital manga.

From BookRiot:  In cast you need it: a reader's guide to the manga, "Naruto."

From Newsarama:  Writer Joe Hill and artist Mike Allred are working on a secret project for Marvel Comics.

From Newsarama:  Two comic book characters will get TV series on TheCW during the 2019-20 television season.  They are "Batwoman" (starring actress Ruby Rose) and "Katy Keene" (a "Riverdale" spinoff).

From Newsarama:  Disney has officially moved the 20th Century Fox-produced "New Mutants" from August 7 2019 to April 3, 2020.

From BleedingCool:  Jamie Delano ("Hellblazer") is looking for a publisher for his "2020 Visions" book collection.  The book is based on Delano's comic book series of the same name that was originally published in 1997 and 1998 by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint.

From BleedingCool:  Steve Englehart is determined to bring you "Batman: Dark Detective III" one way or another.

From BleedingCool:  Roy Thomas, perhaps the most famous writer of "Conan" comic books, will join British comic book legend, Alan Davis, to produce a prequel comic book to the classic Conan tale, "People of the Black Circle."

From Newsarama:  Patrick Gleason, known for his work for DC Comics for the last several years, is moving to Marvel Comics.

From Newsarama:  May 25th, 2019 will be "Denny O'Neil Day" in Phoenix, Arizona.

From ANN:  Yōichi Takahashi, creator of the "Captain Tsubasa" manga, will appear in conversation at the British Museum on Friday May 24.

From Kotaku:  The "Game of Thrones" television series has the same problem the "Fullmetal Alchemist" anime had.

From ANN:  Yen Press licenses four new manga titles and two new light novels.  They are scheduled for publication between November 2019 and April 2020.

From Previews:  Marvel provided a launch trailer for its new series, "Savage Avengers."

From Newsarama:  Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski teases the next million-selling comic books.

From Newsarama:  Baker & Taylor, a distributor of graphic novels to comic book shops and bookstores, is closing its retail business.

From ComicBook:  Writer-director James Gunn, the man behind Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" films, is directing "The Suicide Squad," based on the DC Comics series.  He says his favorite Suicide Squad stories are the one written by John Ostrander in 1987.

From PostandCourier:  The University of South Carolina recently received a comic collection worth about $2.5 million.  It is 180,000 copies including the first appearance of key Silver Age heroes.

From Previews:  DC Comics updates the contents of "Crisis On Infinite Earths HC Box Set" (November 6, 2019).  This box will include 14 hardcover books and retail at $500.

From Variety:  Actor Gabriel Luna who played the "Ghost Rider" in the ABC series, "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," will play the character in the just announced Hulu series, but this will be a different version of the character.

From BleedingCool:  IDW Media Holdings has raised $13.8 million of its $22.5 million goal in the first round of funding.

From Newsarama:  Hulu will have TV series based on Marvel characters, "Ghost Rider" and Helstrom."

From EyeonDesign:  Julian Glander talks about his new book, "3D Sweeties."

From YorkDailyRecord:  "The Avengers" effect: Have local comic book shops benefited from decade of Marvel films?

From Vimeo:  "A Warren Ellis Production" production card / bumper.

From RogerStrunk:  Strunk talks about his process creating a production card for Warren Ellis.

----------------

MAY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:   All publishers' solicitations link in one place.
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Kevin Eastman Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion/2000 AD for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Zenescope Entertainment for May 2019

JUNE 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  June 2019 comic book publisher solicitations for June 2019
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  American Mythology for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for June 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZMedia for June 2019

JULY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  July 2019 comics solicitations for all publishers on one page.
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  American Mythology for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for July 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Nobrow Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Papercutz for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZMedia for July 2019

AUGUST 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for August 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for August 2019


----------------------