Batman Year One DVD/Blu-Ray

[madmarva]

The movie's really good and truly follows the 4-issue story from way back when. Made me want a Jim Gordon TV series or even animated series with this tone. The further adventures of Gordon trying to clean up Gotham's police department.

There's also a sequel to Year One that's been waiting to be written since 1987. On a rooftop, Gordon alludes to the Joker's first crime spree. While I pretty much would like to keep Miller away from Batman after his last go with the character, I'd love to see some writer pick up this thread and do a follow-up arc with Mazzuccheli or maybe Darwyn Cooke.

Anyway the Blu-Ray has several nice extra features including a 4-way conversation between Michael Uslan, producer of the Batman films, Dan Didio, Denny O'Neil and Scott Snyder, the new Bat scribe. His book is worth buying.

have yet to watch the Catwoman short, but the action sequence featuring here in the movie made me want more and I'm not really a fan of this interpretation of the character.

[thunderbolt]

Just assume that the Dark Knight movie is the sequel, Nolan used that scene at the end of the first movie.

[madmarva]

Nothing against Nolan's films, but I'd rather see it as a comic.

[samurainoir]

Amazing how close to the graphic novel they stayed. It's practically a storyboard for the film (which created some odd pacing issues for the animated adaptation). Bryan Cranston was great. I would love to see him star in some kind of TV version of Gotham Ceontral.

[madmarva]

I would love to see him star in some kind of TV version of Gotham Ceontral.

That'd work for me. Batman could be the proverbial urban legend. Only talked about but never shown while focusing on Gordon being one of the few honest cops in corrupt force. Could intro Harvey Dent as a DA, Montoya, Crispus Allen and of course Harvey Bullock. The Falcone Family would be a must. Could even have Lucius Fox, Leslie Thompkins, Alfred, Tommy Elliot, Selena Kyle among others as guest stars.

[aquatroy]

Amazing how close to the graphic novel they stayed. It's practically a storyboard for the film (which created some odd pacing issues for the animated adaptation). Bryan Cranston was great. I would love to see him star in some kind of TV version of Gotham Ceontral.

I had the same issues with pacing. The same pacing that made the comic so enjoyable kind of slows the movie down.
I agree with the Gotham Central idea. That would make a great show.

[samurainoir]

There's also a sequel to Year One that's been waiting to be written since 1987. On a rooftop, Gordon alludes to the Joker's first crime spree. While I pretty much would like to keep Miller away from Batman after his last go with the character, I'd love to see some writer pick up this thread and do a follow-up arc with Mazzuccheli or maybe Darwyn Cooke.
.

Have you read Batman Man Who Laughs? The prestige version is hard to find, but after Brubaker's popularity on Captain America, they rereleased it as a hardback.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Watched it this morning, and I can't believe how literal a translation it was! This is the best DCU movie since New Frontier, and it may actually be better, as far as adaptations go. I can't think of a major scene that was left out. Just about perfect.

The Catwoman short was a bit over-the-top, I thought. I mean, did they have to go that far in the strip club? Once they established the characters were in a strip club, I didn't see the point in showing what they did. I guess this is another example of DC catering to horny teenage/20-something men. Other than that, it was okay.

Chris

[madmarva]

Have you read Batman Man Who Laughs? The prestige version is hard to find, but after Brubaker's popularity on Captain America, they rereleased it as a hardback.

I read it when it came out several years ago, but the story didn't really stick out to me. I'd like a direct continuation of the story set in a similar-styled, gritty, Toth-esque Gotham as Miller/Mazzuccheli created. But, until I can order comics like a burger at Burger King, I guess I'll just have to wait.

Brubaker's a good writer. I enjoyed his Batman work, but Mahnke's style — which I do like — doesn't really fit Batman for me. But, the next time I go out to my storage building, I'll pull that book for a re-read.

In the animated adaption of Year One, I didn't mind the slow pace, but some of the transitions were a bit quick or hard for me.

I loved Gordon's wife's reaction to Bruce crossing his legs. I didn't get that intention from the comic when I read it, but it was a nice touch of humor.

I agree it's the best DC animated flick since New Frontier. I've enjoyed all of them, but Year One and NF stand out to me. I also liked the Wonder Woman one that tanked quite a bit.

It's going to be interesting to see what they do the the two-part Dark Knight Returns adaption. Do they change the art style like they did with Year One? The Animated series did a great job of aping Miller's style in a short segment of one episode, but would/could they do that for two movies?

Now, I'd like to see them take a crack at Superman for All Seasons.

My dream animated film would be an adaption of Levitz/Staton's Justice Society origin from around 77/78. Love that Neal Adams cover.

[Bizarro Amy]

Watched it this morning, and I can't believe how literal a translation it was! This is the best DCU movie since New Frontier, and it may actually be better, as far as adaptations go. I can't think of a major scene that was left out. Just about perfect.

The Catwoman short was a bit over-the-top, I thought. I mean, did they have to go that far in the strip club? Once they established the characters were in a strip club, I didn't see the point in showing what they did. I guess this is another example of DC catering to horny teenage/20-something men. Other than that, it was okay.

Chris

You summed my opinion up pretty well. The Catwoman short was just ok. So far, the Spectre one was my favorite, and none of the other shorts have come close.

[samurainoir]

My dream animated film would be an adaption of Levitz/Staton's Justice Society origin from around 77/78. Love that Neal Adams cover.

[madmarva]

So far, the Spectre one was my favorite, and none of the other shorts have come close.

Del, glad you mentioned the Spectre short. It's perfect for Halloween. Warner's did an excellent job with it. It has a great late 60s early 70s cinema feel to it. Kind of a cross between Dirty Harry and Night Gallery. I know it's only a short, but it's one the most effective of the projects DC Animated has done.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Loved the Spectre short. The 70s vibe you describe also works well in that it's in the vein of the Fleisher/Aparo Spectre who violently disposed of his enemies. I agree that was the best short yet. I did like the Jonah Hex one too though.

Chris

[boynightwing]

So far my favorite has been the Green Arrow short. I like how he proposed to Black Canary.

[aquatroy]

So far my favorite has been the Green Arrow short. I like how he proposed to Black Canary.

Awwwwww