Paula Hammond - Features EditorRating: 5/5.
Bottom line: You’re going to love this.
Format: DVD, blu-ray & digital download.
Languages: English, Spanish, French.
Blu-ray Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
Run Time: 90 minutes.
Rated: TBC.
Take a healthy dose of Noir, add some well-seasoned Gothic horror, sprinkle liberally with a classic superhero storyline and what you get is the superlative Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham.
Inspired by the comic book series by Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Richard Pace and Troy Nixey, Doom is an Elseworlds story, which sees classic characters reimagined in different times and different places.
For those who’ve been waiting for the animated universe team to finally tackle this hugely-popular tale, the good news is that the wait has been worth it. Doom is the 52nd release in DC’s critically-acclaimed series of shorts and film-length animations—and by far the best.
The tale sees a 1920s Bruce Wayne accidentally unleash an ancient, Lovecraftian evil. Along the way, he’s aided and confronted by reimagined versions of his well-known allies and enemies, including the Robins, Green Arrow, Ra’s al Ghul, Etrigan Two-Face, James Gordon, Penguin, and Barbara Gordon. The result is a mystical and unnerving Batman adventure unlike any other.
Elevating the action and drama are DC animation veterans Christopher Gorham (The Lincoln Lawyer) as Oliver Queen, Patrick Fabian (Better Call Saul) as Harvey Dent, and cult cinema favourite Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator) as Kirk Langstrom.
In terms of visuals, no—the art isn’t especially Mignola-esque, but the storyline is all here. Mignola isn’t one to hold back when it comes to ideas, and Doom gives the viewer plenty to digest, while offering up some interesting takes on much-loved characters. That won’t be to everyone’s liking. But if you loved the comics, you’re going to love this.
Special Features include:
Batman: Shadows of Gotham (New Featurette) – An examination of themes of existential dread in a world drenched in gothic overtones that combine to create one of Batman’s most unique adventures.
Audio Commentary – Filmmakers and storytellers, including producer/co-director Sam Liu and screenwriter Jase Ricci, take in all the gothic horror and intrigue of Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham.
