![]() ![]() Neither Batman nor Superman are the nigh-omnipotent, omniscient demi-gods that other media so often portrays them. ![]() The choice to set both Man of Tomorrow and The Long Halloween, Parts 1 and 2 early in each respective hero’s career allows audiences to enjoy Superman and Batman in ways they aren’t commonly presented. The charm and style is in more than just the art direction, however. While the new art direction premiered in Man of Tomorrow, it especially shines in the two-part Long Halloween. This “comic book kind of feel” found in the most recent DCAMU fare contributes to a level of self-aware, self-referential joy that didn’t exist in the previous films. They lean into a more confident form of animated storytelling.īatman, Jim Gordon, and Harvey Dent, stand in a rainy, foggy Gotham City alleyway in Batman: The Long Halloween. The shift, characterized by a new, more stylized art direction and stories set early on in each hero’s career, unmoors DC animation from the “edgy,” “grounded” adaptations that characterize the pre- Apokolips War films. Man of Tomorrow, which you can also stream on HBO Max, marks a large tonal shift in DC’s animated superhero fare. The films’ vibes and art style updated to coincide with the new continuity, beginning with 2020’s Superman: Man of Tomorrow. Following the events of Apokolips War, however, the DCAMU continuity reset. Heroes often look angry and serious regardless of the situation- even during moments of levity -which causes a lack of tonal diversity that feels inconsistent with the spirit of the source material. After more than 15 movies, the style begins to feel generic and samey. They aren’t overwhelming or underwhelming… just kind of whelming. This isn’t to say they lack in quality, just that they’re reluctant to make any kind of bold artistic choice. The art and character designs feel fairly basic. Two-Face leads Batman's Rogues in The Long Halloween, Part Two.īeginning with 2013’s Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, the James Tucker-led “New 52” adaptations are famous for their inoffensive, anime-esque art style. #BATMAN LONG HALLOWEEN MOVIE#King Shark is a shark, and Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020) is a monumental timeline-resetting animated feat that set the stage for a new, improved version of the DC Animated Movie Universe. These films took inspiration from the the comics’ “New 52” continuity ( all of which are currently streaming on HBO Max), which has culminated in a splashy, epic team-up unique to the DCAMU. DC animation has quietly built a massive, compelling narrative arc across more than 15 films. live-action DC films being a mixed bag thus far ( though not if The Suicide Squad has anything to say about it ), DC’s iconic roster of heroes and villains have long thrived in the realm of animation. That shift in power is also allegorical of the DCAMU’s shift in storytelling from grounded and gritty to a stylized and vibrant, almost whimsical celebration of their heroes. In the two-part Long Halloween story arc, the text reflects the subtext. Buttoned-up mobsters like the Falcone and Maroni crime families give way to the colorful, costumed baddies that make up the Bat’s peerless rogues’ gallery. ![]() Thematically, however, The Long Halloween represents a power shift within Gotham’s underworld. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |