DC Universe
After the enormous success of Superman's introduction in 1938, DC Comics quickly introduced a plethora of four-coloured costumed adventurers, and a clubhouse for them to play in. The DC universe became a surreal theatre of imagination where superheroes faced cunning conundrums and challenges, testing both wits and fists. A colourful cocktail of pulp elements with characterisation reduced to visual iconography.
The DC stable of characters has had an enduring relationship with the moving image. In animation DC have often taken the high road garnering a number of industry awards. The budgetary restraints of television have led to a number of tongue-in-cheek interpretations which are now fondly remembered by cult afficionadoes. And DC's big two (Superman and Batman) are never far away from cinematic glory, rebooted and reimagined for each generation.
Pictured: Christopher Reeve delivers the quintessential "man of steel" in "Superman - The Movie" (1978).
Batman: Gotham Knight (Blu-ray) (2008)
6.8/10
Presented in a unique anime-inspired style, this cartoon anthology features six all-new short stories, each penned by a different writer, chronicling... Read more
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
7.9/10
Director: Bruce W Timm, Eric Radomski
Starring: Kevin Conway, Dana Delany, Voices Of, Mark Hamill
The caped crusader's slick animated series made an engaging feature length debut with all of its 'film noir' sensibilities intact. Based strongly on F... Read more
Batman: The Animated Series - Volume 1 (1992)
8.9/10
Director: Kent Butterworth, Kevin Altieri
Starring: Kevin Conroy, Loren Lester
The legendary Dark Knight returns in the Emmy Award-winning animated series. With the help of his trusty sidekick Robin, Batman battles to protect the... Read more
Batman: The Animated Series - Volume 3 (1994)
8.9/10
Starring: Voices Of, Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill
Gotham City crime czars Scarface and Rupert Thorne battle evil masterminds like The Joker and The Penguin for money, power and respect, and just when... Read more
Batman: The Brave and the Bold - Volume 1 (2008)
7.6/10
Starring: Diedrich Bader, (Voice of)
Allied with DC Super Heroes Aquaman, Plastic Man, Blue Beetle and Red Tornado, Batman faces villainous masterminds, intergalactic crooks and evil dict... Read more
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)
8/10
Director: Jay Oliva
Starring: David Selby, Peter Weller, Ariel Winter
Frank Miller's seminal comic series comes to life in this gritty animated movie, the first of two parts. A decade after retiring, an aging Bruce Wayne... Read more
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2012)
8.4/10
Director: Jay Oliva
Starring: David Selby, Peter Weller, Michael Emerson, Mark Valley, Ariel Winter
The Dark Knight and the brave, young Carrie Kelly at his side as Robin have finally reclaimed Gotham City and allowed a ray of hope to penetrate the r... Read more
Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
6.5/10
Director: Sam Liu
Starring: Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, (Voices of)
Based on the acclaimed graphic novel of the same name, Batman: The Killing Joke takes a journey into the dark psyche of the Clown Prince of Crime fr... Read more
Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
8.1/10
Director: Brandon Vietti
Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Jason Isaacs, Neil Patrick Harris, Jensen Ackles, Wade Williams...
In this DC Universe Original Animated Movie, Batman faces his ultimate challenge as the mysterious Red Hood takes Gotham City by firestorm. One part v... Read more
Batman: Year One (2011)
7.4/10
Director: Sam Liu, Lauren Montgomery
Starring: Alex Rocco, Jon Polito, Eliza Dushku, Katee Sackhoff, Bryan Cranston, Ben McKenz...
Based on Frank Miller's acclaimed four-part comic book story arc, this feature-length animated tale chronicles the beginning of billionaire playboy Br... Read more