Batman: The Animated Series, Volume Two (DC Comics Classic Collection) (1992) Review

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(More customer reviews)Get ready for more dark justice as the Dark Knight prowls the streets and skies of Gotham City for the criminal element which infests it in Batman, the Animated Series: Volume Two. This 4-disc set features 28 episodes of animated bliss, which includes the first appearances of Ra's Al Ghul ("Tron's" David Warner), and his beautiful daughter Talia ("Supergirl's" Helen Slater) in "Off Balance"; and The Riddler ("Smallville's" John Glover) in "If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?" The set also includes the Emmy-winning "Robin's Reckoning" with corresponding commentary by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski. As always, the voice talents never ceases to amaze. The brilliant thought and care put into the series' voice casting is a tradition that continued with the later DC Comics superhero shows, Teen Titans and Justice League Unlimited. Here are the contents of this set:
Disc 1:
Eternal Youth
Perchance To Dream
The Cape And Cowl Conspiracy
Robin's Reckoning Part One
Robin's Reckoning Part Two
The Laughing Fish
Night Of The Ninja

Disc 2:
Cat Scratch Fever
The Strange Secret Of Bruce Wayne
Heart Of Steel Part One
Heart Of Steel Part Two
If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?
Joker's Wild
Tyger, Tyger

Disc 3:
Moon Of The Wolf
Day Of The Samurai
Terror In The Sky
Almost Got 'im
Birds Of A Feather
What Is Reality?
I Am The Night

Disc 4:
Off Balance
The Man Who Killed Batman
Mudslide
Paging The Crime Doctor
Zatanna
The Mechanic
Harley & Ivy

Special Features:
Commentary: "Robin's Reckoning" by Bruce Timm (Producer) and Eric Radomski (Producer)
Commentary: "Heart of Steel" by Bruce Timm (Producer), Eric Radomski (Producer), Kevin Altieri (Director)

Commentary: "Almost Got 'im" by Bruce Timm (Producer), Eric Radomski (Producer), and Paul Dini (Producer)

Commentary: "Harley and Ivy" by Bruce Timm (Producer), Eric Radomski (Producer), and Boyd Kirkland (Producer)

Featurette: "Robin Rising": Detailing the evolution of Robin's character in the series (10:00)

Featurette: "Gotham's Guardians": About the supporting cast of The Batman Animated Series - Includes Commissioner Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth, Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman), Harvey Bullock, Rene Montoya. (10:00)
Featurette: "Voices of the Knight": About the voices behind the characters (10:00)
Well worth the wait, and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

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Fight crime day and night alongside the Dark Knight with this deluxe 4-disc set packed with 28 heroic adventures from the acclaimed series! Filled with gripping plots, multidimensional characters and superb voice talent, this Emmy-winning series has defined Batman for legions of fans. Enjoy amazing encounters with Catwoman, duels with the Penguin, contests with the Riddler and of course, battles of wit with the Joker - plus Exclusive Extras from the minds that conceived this cutting-edge version of the classic hero! Grab your cape and swing into action with this quintessential Batman compilation!

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The Batman - The Complete Third Season (DC Comics Kids Collection) (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)I know the rules state that as a male in my mid 30's I'm required to dislike any animated Batman outside the Timm/Dini universe. I held up my part of the agreement at first. I gladly purchased every DVD from the first episode featuring Manbat all the way to the Batman Beyond S2 and Justice League "S2" sets that came out recently. I'm already planning on getting the fantastic last season of JLU as well. I am as absolute a fan of the Timm/Dini universe as any other fan I've met. But, I broke the rules and began to like The Batman series. It isn't only fantastic, it sets a new kind of standard in animation quality for a serialized show. The Batman's animation is consistently and reliably stunning. The style of the animation helps create a DVD picture quality that is so good, it is what I often use to demonstrate my home system to friends. But, there is more than just great production values to the show. They have clearly been very thoughtful in coming up with fresh designs for many characters, while remaining faithful to the critical elements. Batman's cape and cowl, along with the rest of his costume looks fantastic. Rino Romano does a great job as the voice (and I'm a diehard Kevin Conroy fan). Commissioner Gordon is also perfect both in form and voice. The new Joker is refreshingly different while keeping the same level of insanity that makes him The Batman's ultimate foe. Above all this, there are the stories themselves. For cryin' out loud, they got Paul Dini to write the show's introduction to Harley Quinn. Their episode with a new villain, Ragdoll was clever and ended with one of the best comedic-timed three-way fight I've seen. What I also like about the show is how they took some of the newer concepts introduced in the last show and made them their own. I don't know how many people liked the Gotham Knights use of Batman and Batgirl working together more, but I loved it. They did the same here and with nice original elements, even introducing her well before Robin (and they could have kept it that way as long as they wanted as far as I'm concerned). Their version of Clayface has a fantastic overall story. The relationships between Batman and Alfred, Batgirl, and Gordon all hit the right tone. The third season showed a continued increase in story quality, which was already good in season 2. If they keep this up, I'll be watching to the end. Obviously, I highly recommend the show.

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Season 3 introduces a young Barbara Gordon, who becomes Batgirl and plays a major role along with her father, James Gordon. In these 13 action-packed episodes from the hit TV series more villains are added to the series, such as Poison Ivy - who is originally Barbara's best friend, Gearhead, and a more threatening version of Maxie Zeus. Several brand new villains for the series are introduced this season: Cosmo Krank/Toymaker, Prank Joker's response to Batgirl's addition to Batman's family, Temblor and D.A.V.E., a H.A.R.D.A.C.-like super computer created by Hugo Strange to emulate the worst villain minds in Gotham. Swoop onto this Deluxe 2-Disc Edition with All Season 3 Adventures plus Exciting Extras. See justice done as no other hero can deliver!

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Batman: The Animated Series, Vol. 4 (From the New Batman Adventures) (1992) Review

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(More customer reviews)These episodes were produced two years after the original Batman: Animated series ended, and were made for the KidsWB Saturday morning block, which was still relatively new at that time. What's notable about these episodes is that the character designs have been totally revamped, and this was when the "DC animated universe" really began, as Batman stories would often cross-over with the Superman series and vice-versa.
The real shame about The New Batman Adventures is that KidsWB basically stopped production after 24 episodes, so we don't get to see the new revamps as much as we'd like (ex. Riddler, unfortunately, only shows up in minor cameos). A host of new villains and femme fatales appear, including Calendar Girl, Roxy Rocket, and the (dreaded) Farmer Brown and his mutant farm animals. Etrigan and The Creeper make their first animated appearances, but only get an episode each (Etrigan was later fleshed out in Justice League). Most telling is that certain plot threads feel rushed, including the introduction of Tim Drake as the new Robin, the departure and return of Dick Grayson as Nightwing, and even a new twist involving Two-Face. There just weren't enough episode to tell everything the staff wanted to tell (and maybe they told one Joker story too many).
Are these episodes as good as the original B:TAS? Overall, no. It's more about comic book fights and action now. Bruce Wayne's a little stiffer and darker, and the stories have lost that humanizing touch the best B:TAS episodes had (with exceptions of course). Is the quality still there? Yes. This is still excellent entertainment for kids and adults alike, and new viewers may be surprised at how mature these episodes feel compared to the stuff on KidsWB these days.
Definitely pick up vol. 4. It's a nice supplement to the initial 3 volumes, and continues the animated legacy of Batman nicely. Here's hoping Batman Beyond gets the box set treatment next.

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In the hit show that continues the Batman storyline from the EmmyO-winning Batman: The Animated Series, two years have passed and Batman still protects the streets of Gotham City from the demented criminals that inhabit its dark alleys. But irreconcilable differences with Dick Grayson lead to the collapse of the Batman/Robin crimefighting duo and to the birth of Gotham's new hero Nightwing. Batgirl fights at Batman's side, and a new Robin takes flight after Batman's chance encounter with young Tim Drake. In these 24 thrilling episodes, the Gotham Knights face their worst enemies - Joker, Penguin, Mr. Freeze and many more - in a comprehensive 4-disc set that completes the Batman animated saga!DVD Features:Audio Commentary:Commentary on "Over the Edge", "Critters" and "Legends of the Dark Knight" by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Glen Murakami, James Tucker, Dan Riba and Moderator Jason HillhouseFeaturette:Arkham's Finest: Inside Batman's Rogue Gallery

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Batman Beyond: Season One (DC Comics Classic Collection) (1999) Review

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(More customer reviews)Gotham, the future. Dark Knight Terry McGinnis and his mentor Bruce Wayne fight to rid the city of the criminal element which infests it. Armed with a high-tech Batsuit, a hover-converted Batmobile and the vast training and guidance of the original Batman, McGinnis transcends the Batman legacy as a new hero for a new era.
It may have been created [by the producers of "Batman: The Animated Series" at the request of Warner Bros.] to attract a new generation of viewers by injecting the dark detective with new, younger blood, but the futuristic "Batman Beyond" (like Batman: TAS) was a show for Batfans of all ages. Ironically, much of Batman Beyond's charm can be attributed to the generation gap between Terry and Bruce as displayed in "Dead Man's Hand" where they clash over their pursuit of the Royal Flush Gang. One of whom (Melanie/Ten) Terry has romantic feelings for and later reluctantly places into police custody. "This sort of thing ever happen to you?," Terry asks. Bruce warmly smiles with "Let me tell you about a woman named Selina Kyle." Great stuff. Batman Beyond was a cool series that featured the phenomenal voice talents of Will Friedle (Boy Meets World), Kevin Conroy (Batman: TAS), Lauren Tom (Superman: TAS), Teri Garr (Mr. Mom), and Sherman Howard (Superboy); first-rate scripts; frenetic action; and one of TV's coolest opening main titles; Not to mention sensational main title and score music by Kristopher Carter.
Previously released as single disc individual episode releases, Warner Home Video finally delivers Batman Beyond - The Complete First Season DVD on March 21st! The 2-disc set features all 13 episodes from the first season; Full Frame (1.33:1) video; English Dolby Digital Stereo audio; Spanish, French subtitles; (Note: If you own all of the original BB single disc releases, then you already have Batman Beyond - Season One minus the previously unreleased episode "Ascension", and should consider it plus the exclusive EXTRAS on this set before deciding.) Here are the contents of this schway set:Disc 1:
Rebirth Part 1
Rebirth Part 2
Black Out
Golem
Meltdown
Heroes
Shriek
Dead Man's HandDisc 2:
The Winning Edge
Spellbound
Disappearing Inque
A Touch of Curare
AscensionSpecial Features:
Commentary: "Rebirth Part 1" by Bruce Timm (Producer), Alan Burnett (Producer), Paul Dini (Producer), Glen Murakami (Producer), and Curt Geda (Director)
Commentary: "Shriek" by Bruce Timm (Producer), Alan Burnett (Producer), Glen Murakami (Producer), Stan Berkowitz (Writer), and Curt Geda (Director)
Featurette: "Inside Batman Beyond": Roundtable discussion with the creators of the series plus a few surprises
Bonus: "Music of The Knight": Viewer-selectable dramatic music from five key scenes of Batman Beyond introduced by Bruce Timm Highly Recommended!

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Terry McGinnis was just an ordinary teenager...until his father was mysteriously murdered. Suspecting foul play at his father's company Wayne/Powers Corporation, Terry meets Bruce Wayne and learns a secret identity hidden for decades. Now too old to battle injustice, Wayne refuses to help. So Terry does what any brash young kid would do: steal the Batsuit and take matters into his own hands! Vowing to avenge his father's death, Terry dons the high-tech suit ? tricked out with jetpacks, a supersensitive microphone and even camouflage capabilities ? in search of his father's assassin. Get in on the action from the beginning of a new partnership between an ex-crimefighter and his apprentice. DVD Features:Audio Commentary:Rebirth, Pt.1 Audio Commentary: Audio Commentary with Bruce Timm- Producer, Alan Burnett- Producer, Paul Dini- Producer, Glenn Murakami- Producer, and Curt Geda- Director Shriek Audio Commentary: Audio Commentary with Bruce Timm- Producer, Alan Burnett- Producer, Glenn Murakami- Producer, Curt Geda- Director, and Stan Berkowitz- Writer Interviews:Inside Batman Beyond: Every Batman fan wishes they could sit at a table with it?s creators of the series. Well, now here?s a chance for that to take place with a few surprisesMusic Only Track:Music of The Knight: Bruce Timm intro?s the music from five key scenes of Batman Beyond as you choose which one you would like to hear with dramatic music only

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