DVD review: Superman/Batman Public Enemies

October 1, 12:14 PMMemphis Comic Books ExaminerMatthew Putnam

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Memphis Comic Books Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

This week sees the release of the latest of the Warner Premier animated DVD movies, Superman/Batman Public Enemies. It is available in single and two-disc special edition formats, as well as Blu Ray. (This review focuses on the two-disc special edition DVD).

The Feature: Adapted from the graphic novel of the same name, the movie sees the DC Universe’s biggest heroes become the most wanted men on the planet. President of the United States Lex Luthor sets a $1 billion bounty on their heads, and what follows is a free-for-all between the two main characters and various heroes and villains of the DCU.

Returning to the roles that made them legends I the comic book community, Kevin Conroy and Tim Daily once again lend their voices to Batman and Superman, respectively. Clancy Brown also returns as the cold and calculating Lex Luthor. Joining them are a few characers who make their DC Animation debut, including Power Girl (Smallville’s Allison Mack) and Black Lightning (Star Trek: TNG’s LeVar Burton). While most of the voice acting is brilliant, a couple of the supporting characters, namely Captain Atom (Xander Berkeley) and Major Force (Ricardo Chavira), fall flat.

Aside from one or two minor changes, the story offers few surprises to fans who have already read the comic book. There are a few plot holes from the original material that are not filled here, but the adaptation is solid. The film offers a fast-paced action story that will have comic fans screaming at their television sets as only the best fantasy slugfests can.   

The Extras: Like the other special edition DVD’s in the series, this 2-disc set offers plenty of special features. They include: Two episodes of the Superman series that feature team-ups with Batman, a Psychology of Batman and Superman featurette, and previews of the Blackest Night comic book event  and the upcoming Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths animated movie.

A first for these DVD sets is a dinner discussion between Kevin Conroy, voice director Andrea Romano, executive producer Bruce Timm, and producer Gregory Novek. The conversation is intimate and friendly, and at times feels like they forget the camera is present as they share anecdotes about their years of experience working with the animated versions of DC’s heroes.

One glaring omission is the fact that there is no commentary track for the feature. Bruce Timm’s commentaries are always insightful and entertaining, and not having one for this movie is disappointing. Also, the Superman episodes presented here are labeled as favorites of Timm’s, but there are no commentaries on them either. At least, they could have included some kind of brief video introduction for the fans.

As always, there is a ten minute preview of the next Warner Premier DC movie. The footage and behind the scenes material for the upcoming Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths movie are riveting. It makes the six month wait (at least) for its release almost unbearable, but from the looks of what is presented here, it will be worth it.