Batman: The Complete Animated Series (Deluxe Limited Edition) Blu-Ray Review: HD collection of groundbreaking 90’s show gets the presentation it, and its fans, deserve.
★★★★★
Next to iconic classic Batman comic storylines like The Dark Knight Returns, The Long Halloween, The Joker’s 5 Way Revenge, and early tales by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, the Bruce Timm/Eric Radomsky produced Batman The Animated Series is the ultimate interpretation of the Caped Crusader (admit it, when you read a Batman comic now, you hear Kevin Conroy’s voice in your head).
And after years of being relegated to blurry DVD box sets, the series (which aired from 1992-1995) has come to Blu-ray at long last with Batman: The Complete Animated Series (Deluxe Limited Edition).
The set isn’t cheap, so many fans who own the DVD’s may wonder if its worth the double-dip, but Warner Bros’ embarrassment of riches has basically ensured the box set will be under many a comic fans Christmas tree this year.
For those wondering how much a HD transfer of BTAS differs from the original, just take a look at the YouTube clip comparing the two below. It’s readily apparent that it’s a notable upgrade: the colors pop like never before, which is important given the series is perhaps the darkest (in tone and color scheme) cartoons ever aired on network TV. It cuts through the murk, resulting in an even more immersive experience.
The whole series has been cleaned-up, with less noticeable grain and scratches, making the leap from 480 to 1080 with superhero aplomb.
It’s important to note that the box set doesn’t merely contain the two seasons of BTAS–it also includes the follow-up series The New Batman Adventures, which while not as revered as BTAS, still holds considerable appeal. Also included is the theatrical release Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, which for many Bat-fans (including myself) is the finest Bat-film to ever grace the silver screen. The home video release Batman & Mr. Freeze is the ice-ing (sorry) on the cake.
BTAS only contains one new extra feature, although earlier creator commentaries and featurettes from past DVD sets (Shades of the Bat: Batman’s Animated Evolution being the sole exception) have all been ported over, giving plenty of bang for your buck. But what it lacks in quality, it more than makes up for in quality with Alexander Gray’s documentary The Heart of Batman.
The doc is an hour and a half plunge into the creation and production of the show, full of interesting anecdotes, including how the production crew got away with airing such a dark and violent series on Saturday mornings, what inspired the unique artistic and aesthetic approach that has made the series so iconic, and many other trivia facts (including the fact that Tim Curry was replaced by Mark Hamill as The Joker).
But wait, there’s more! In addition to the whopping 35 hours of viewing pleasure the BTAS box set provides, there’s some tactile goodies as well. The deluxe set also includes seven lenticular art cards, a deluxe art book, and Funko figures of Batman, the Joker and Harley Quinn (for those on a budget, WB has just released a disc-only collection as well).
You can check out the full list of special features below, as well as an Amazon link for ordering.
Special Features:
- The Heart of Batman-feature length documentary on creation and legacy of the beloved series.
- The Dark Knight’s First Night Pilot Promo: Hosted by Bruce Timm (Featurette) – Witness the 1991 Batman promo reel as producers Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski discuss the origins of Batman: The Animated Series.
- Batman: The Legacy Continues Retrospective (Featurette)
- The Dark Knight’s First Night Pilot Promo: Hosted by Bruce Timm (Featurette) – Witness the 1991 Batman promo reel as producers Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski discuss the origins of Batman: The Animated Series.
- Batman: The Legacy Continues Retrospective (Featurette) – DC luminaries join BTAS creators as they explore the combination of exquisite design and in-depth storytelling that helped create a once in a generation show.
- Robin Rising: How the Boy Wonder’s Character Evolved (Featurette) – The evolution of Dick Grayson from young ward to crime fighter.
- Gotham’s Guardians: The Stalwart Supporting Characters (Featurette) – Batman is not the only hero safeguarding Gotham City. This documentary focuses on the importance of the Dark Knight’s allies in the Batman mythology.
- Voices of the Knight (Featurette) – Actors Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy, Adriene Barbeau, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., and Andrea Romano discuss the process of bringing their iconic characters to life.
- Gotham’s New Knight (Featurette) – Barbara Gordon swings into focus in this exciting look at Batman’s trusted ally and equal, Batgirl.
- Video Commentary: “House and Garden” – Watch along as Producer Bruce Timm, Director Boyd Kirkland and writer Paul Dini take viewers behind the scenes of an exciting episode of Batman: The Animated Series.
- In-Movie Experience – Watch along as Producer Bruce Timm, Director Boyd Kirkland and writer Paul Dini take viewers behind the scenes of an exciting episode of Batman: The Animated Series.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: Introduction (Featurette) – Bruce Timm, Dan Riba, James Tucker, Paul Dini, Alan Burnett and Andrea Romano discuss Gotham’s most popular rogues.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: Clayface (Featurette) – Clayface personnel file revealed by Bruce Timm, Dan Riba and James Tucker.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: Harley Quinn (Featurette) – Alan Burnett, Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski, Paul Dini and James Tucker discuss bringing Harley Quinn to life.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: The Joker (Featurette) – Alan Burnett, Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski, Paul Dini, Andrea Romano and Dan Riba discuss Mark Hamill’s inimitable Joker.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: Mr. Freeze (Featurette) – Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Andrea Romano and Dan Riba discuss MR. Freeze and the Heart and Ice Origin story.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: The Penquin (Featurette) – Bruce Timm, Andrea Romano, Alan Burnett, James Tucker, Dan Riba and Eric Radomski discuss The Penguin.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: Poison Ivy (Featurette) – Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Andrea Romano, Alan Burnett, Dan Riba and Eric Radomski discuss designing Poison Ivy.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: Ra’s Al Ghul (Featurette) – Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, and Dan Riba discuss why Ra’s Al Ghul is such an exciting villain.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: The Riddler (Featurette) – This file discusses The Riddler and how creators differentiated him from the Batman ’66 Riddler with: Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Andrea Romano, Eric Radomski and Dan Riba.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: Scarecrow (Featurette) – Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Andrea Romano and Dan Riba discuss the various iterations of the Scarecrow.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: Two Face (Featurette) – Discussing Batman’s key nemesis are Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, James Tucker, and Dan Riba.
- Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes: Ventriloquist & Scarface (Featurette) – Lively discussion about one of Batman’s most unique villains with creators Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Eric Radomski, Andrea Romano, and Dan Riba.
- ”Concepting Harley Quinn” (Featurette) – Producer Paul Dini discusses how Harley Quinn was incorporated into the series
- Tour of the Batcave (Featurettes)
Commentaries:
- “On Leather Wings” – Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski
- ”On Leather Wings” – Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski
- ”Heart of Ice” – Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, and Eric Radomski
- ”Robin’s Reckoning, Part One” – Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski
- ”Heart of Steel, Part Two” – Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski and Kevin Altieri
- ”Almost Got ‘Im” – Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski and Paul Dini
- ”Harley and Ivy” – Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski and Boyd Kirkland
- ”Read My Lips” – Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Michael Reaves, Boyd Kirkland and Shirley Walker
- ”Harlequinade” – Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Shirley Walker and Eric Radomski
- ”Over The Edge” – Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Glen Murakami, and James Tucker
- ”Critters” – Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Dan Riba, Glen Murakami, and James Tucker
- ”Legends of the Dark Knight” – Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Dan Riba, Glen Murakami, and James Tucker