In 1996 through 1997 a 13 issue limited series comic was written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. The series was not only a critical success but sales of the comic series were fantastic. The combination of tight storytelling and stylized dark artwork were a hit. Eventually the series was collected in trade paperback format and that proved successful as well. With the increased interest in the Warner Brothers/DC animated films being released on disc it was only a matter of time before this series was released.
A story this large could not be contained in a single disc release. In fact this may be the longest cartoon ever running at just under 3 hours on two separate releases. It was for that reason that I held off writing about it, wanting to do it justice as the whole story and only then deciding if it was worthwhile watching.
Taking place in the early career of Batman there is trouble on Gotham. A new district attorney named Harvey Dent is trying to bring down the Falcone crime syndicate. Carmine “The Roman” Falcone, head of the family is having other problems at the same time. Someone has killed his nephew Johnny Viti and left a jack-o-lantern behind on Halloween.
If this wasn’t enough Batman and Dent, with the help of Catwoman, have found the stockpile of cash Falcone has been hiding as he launders the money. Rather than take the cash in only to have crooked politicians release it, Batman sets the cash ablaze. Dent returns home to his wife and as they are about to enter their house it explodes, nearly killing him.
With each holiday another victim in the Falcone family is found. When Christmas rolls around The Joker escapes from Arkham Asylum. His ego gets the better of him and he isn’t pleased that someone else is being seen as the most feared criminal in Gotham. He first attacks Dent and then heads off to confront Falcone. His reason is to prove that he is not the Holiday Killer but still to be feared.
As Batman thinks he has found out the identity of the Holiday Killer his number one suspect is killed before his eyes. In addition to that, the Joker has determined that he’s going to unleash his toxic laughing gas on the city of Gotham and of course Batman is the only one who can stop him. All of this and we’re just on disc one!
As the story progresses the rogues gallery of villains that have faced off against Batman are unleashed. Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, Solomon Grundy, The Penguin, Poison Ivy, The Joker and the latest villain to materialize, Two Face, all find themselves in the mix. For those who weren’t aware Two Face is the badly scarred, both mentally and physically, Harvey Dent. Between the rogues, the Falcone family and the Maroni family competing for Gotham, Batman has his hands full. Add to that trying to find out who the Holiday Killer is and you have one major story involving more detective work than fisticuffs.
The DC Animation crew has done as good a job as you can expect in transferring the images created by Tim Sale to the screen. Fans of the original will no doubt find fault but this was no easy task. They have brought to life the images from the flat page to the screen and done so honorably. If nothing else by viewing this perhaps those once enthralled by the colored pages of comic books will seek out the source material to compare. Having read the series back then it is worth the time to do so.
It’s not just the images that give the story life. The story and director involved have done so and used some outstanding voice talents to get there. Jensen Ackles of SUPERNATURAL fame takes on the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne. Josh Duhamel is the voice of Harvey Dent. Billy Burke from the TWILIGHT films is Commissioner Gordon. And Titus Wellever of BOSCH is the voice of Carmine Falcone. This lineup of stars is becoming more common with the DC Animated Universe. With the final product proving to be this good it’s easy to see why.
If you haven’t been exposed to the DC world of animation this is a good jumping on point. You’ll find yourself drawn into the story as well as the animation. Is it worth buying two different volumes to do so? If you love animation and Batman then yes. If not then find someone who does and see if they’ll let you borrow it. Or rent it and discover that you just might have fond memories of reading those old comics under the blankets by flashlight come back to you.
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