One of the most sought-after writers in comics today, Brian Azzarello is one of the six acclaimed scribes to pen a segment within “Batman Gotham Knight,” the third in the ongoing series of DC Universe animated original PG-13 movies.
Unlike many of his past works, Azzarello’s segment – entitled “Working Though Pain” – takes a decidedly non-violent direction. The segment, which falls chronologically as the fifth of the six segments, explores an early chapter of Bruce Wayne’s training as a mysterious and exotic Indian woman named Cassandra introduces Batman to techniques that would help him to conquer the physical and spiritual consequences of what he does.
Alan Burnett has spent more consecutive years “in the Batcave” than anyone in animation history.
Not counting his stint on “Super Friends” in 1983, Burnett has constantly helped bring the Batman’s legacy to animation since 1991 – when he began scripting episodes of “Batman: The Animated Series,” the Emmy(R)-winning production widely considered a pivotal moment in American animation.
This summer, the latest animated venture into the Dark Knight’s mythos takes an altogether different approach than anything produced during Burnett’s 17-year association with the character. Burnett served as movie story editor and the writer of the anchoring segment of “Batman Gotham Knight,” the third in the ongoing series of DC Universe animated original PG-13 movies.
Wizard World Chicago will see the debut of Batman: Gotham Knight, the third directed to DVD animated original feature from DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video and Warner Bros. Animation.
Batman Gotham Knight is a fresh and exciting new entry into the Batman mythos, spinning out of a 40-year history in animation including the Emmy(R)-winning Batman: The Animated Series, widely considered a pivotal moment in American animation. A cross section of distinguished creators, award winning producers, and acclaimed writers weave six interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne’s journey to The Dark Knight, each with stylish art from some of the world’s most revered animation visionaries.
If you happen to be in the Windy City on June 28, head over to the event which is scheduled for that evening. Brian Azzarello and Alan Burnett are confirmed to be there, as are other filmmakers and voice talent (Kevin Conroy perhaps?).
For the rest of us poor saps who can’t attend the event, Batman Gotham Knight arrives July 8, 2008 on DVD and Blu-Ray.
I really like the story time narration lead in to the next Marvel Avengers direct to DVD movie, but I’m not sure I can get a firm grasp on the “Avenger Babies” concept and why people would want to rush out and buy it.
Two years ago, Fanboys wrapped production, but has yet to see the light of day. Now, thanks to protesting fanboys the film will get a DVD release.
“Fanboys,” about four diehard “Star Wars” fans who break into George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch in order to see “The Phantom Menace” on the eve of its release, wrapped production two years ago and has been stuck in limbo as a tug-of-war between Harvey Weinstein and the filmmakers waged over competing versions of the movie.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Weinstein’s company will release two versions of the DVD; one that features the “cancer line” story, and one that does not.
How cool is this? Kevin Conroy will be returning to the role he made famous in the WB Batman: Animated Series by voicing the title character in the upcoming Batman: Gotham Knight animated movie from DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video and Warner Bros. Animation.
“Anytime we initiate an animated Batman project, ‘Will Kevin Conroy voice Batman?’ is the first question we hear from fans,” said Bruce Timm, Executive Producer. “To meet Kevin is to know that he’s not anything like Batman, and yet he manages to perfectly nail that indefinable element that is Batman. He’s got the voice, he’s got the acting chops, and he’s absolutely the best man for the job.”
After hearing this news, I’m suddenly more excited about this direct to DVD animated movie than I was when New Frontier arrived at my door.
More on the DVD set and other voice actors after the jump.
Since that YouTube link we posted a while back no longer working, Warner Bros. was kind enough to provide a higher resolution version for us to use, which coincidentally also happens to be a YouTube video.
Friday, February 29th, 2008--by Stephen Schleicher
No, I’m not talking about that shipwreck on the LOST island, but rather the comic book story that unfolded in the pages of Alan Moore’s Watchmen. With the movie adaptation coming to theaters, many have wondered what would happen to the tale of the Black Freighter. While the adventure won’t appear in the theatrical release, rumor has been spreading that the story would appear on the DVD.
Empire Online seems to back up that rumor in an interview with 300 action star Gerard Butler.
“I’m going to do the voice of the captain,” said Butler. “They’re going to do it in the style of a Japanese anime and I’m totally stoked.
“I actually read the script before reading the comic book and I thought it was awesome,” continued the 38 year-old. “Then I read the comic book and it’s great. The little bits that have been added define it so much more. It’s very dark and there’s just something so descriptive and scary. It’s this descent into madness but explained in such a sane way that you totally feel it yourself. By the end, my heart was pumping!”
Well, well…an anime version of the tale, eh? Seems a lot of animated features, shorts, shows are getting the anime treatment these days. Can’t say I’m not surprised, but I can say I can’t for the special edition Blu-ray disc to arrive at my door.
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008--by Stephen Schleicher
As previously reported, Warner Bros. plans on releasing a direct to DVD animated anthology of shorts that cover the time period between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Each of the six shorts will be done in an anime style with stories provided by six well known writers (Josh Olson, David Goyer, Alan Burnett, Greg Rucka, Jordan Goldberg and Brian Azzarello).
Warner Bros. has now announced that the DVD will hit store shelves July 8, just ten days before the July 18, 2008 release of The Dark Knight in theaters.
The single-disc version of Batman: GothamKnight will have an MSRP of $24.98, while the two-disc Special Edition will go for $29.98 and will include lots of extra features that will also be included in the Blu-ray hi-def edition (MSRP $34.99).The single disc edition will include a documentary on Batman villains as well as commentaries from the filmmakers and a preview of the Wonder Woman direct-to-DVD animated feature.The two-disc edition also includes a documentary on the life and works of Batman creator Bob Kane and a selection of director Bruce Timm’s favorite episodes from Batman: The Animated Series.
Yes, I will be purchasing the Blu-ray edition with all those extra features.
Friday, February 15th, 2008--by Stephen Schleicher
Before the Dark Knight movie hits theaters this summer, Warner Bros. will release a direct to DVD anthology of animated stories that bridge gap between the two live action Batman movies.
Wednesday, January 9th, 2008--by Stephen Schleicher
My good friend Bryan is probably jumping up and down over the announcement that the 90’s television series Duckman is heading to DVD. I remember Bryan staying up late night to catch the show on his antiquated VHS machine, instead of going out and getting drunk with his fellow men.
No definitive release date has been announced (sometime in 2008), but it has been suggested the first collection will include the first two seasons of the show (22 episodes in total).
The series consists of 70 episodes that aired right before USA’s Up All Night on Saturday nights from 1994 to 1997 on the USA Network. The initial showrunners were Reno and Osborn, and the show was produced by Paramount Television. The animation was produced by Klasky Csupo. In later years, the show running duties went to David Misch and Michael Markowitz. Producer Gene Laufenberg was with the show for most of its run. The music for first season episodes was composed and performed by Frank Zappa; however, because the show premiered after Zappa died, all the music was spliced and rearranged by his son Dweezil Zappa. The original timeslot for Duckman episodes while still being produced was changed to later at night due to complaints from parents about children seeing the adult humor-oriented show.
Gotta love the early Klasky Csupo work that launched Chuckie and the rest of The Rugrats on the world. It’s a shame there series is only getting a DVD treatment instead of being released on HD or Blu-ray. In either case, Bryan is still out of luck as I believe he is still nursing that VHS machine.
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007--by Stephen Schleicher
FUNimation has announced Witchblade Anime Volume 1 DVD debuted at the number one position as the best-selling anime to date in 2007. This is according to Nielsen VideoScan following the September 25 release.
From the renowned anime studio GONZO, Witchblade is the saga of a woman who must bear the burden of a terrible force of destruction known as the Witchblade. Based on the comic book series from Top Cow Productions, the anime series goes into the future to tell the tale of a new bearer of the Witchblade and the conspiracy that surrounds her burden. Witchblade is the first U.S. comic book property to be made into an anime.
Witchblade Volume 2 is set to arrive November 6 with exclusive covers from Top Cow Productions artists.
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007--by Stephen Schleicher
To help kick off the DVD release of the Transformers, Paramount is rolling out the life sized model of Bumblebee and erecting him in the courtyard of the West Hollywood Gateway shopping center at the corner of La Brea and Santa Monica Blvd. Stop by and get your picture taken, or just marvel at what someone can do with a bunch of car parts, a forklift, a 10-ton crane and lots of money.
Bumblebee will be on location from today (October 16) until Sunday October 21st.
My good friend Bryan is probably jumping up and down over the announcement that the 90’s television series Duckman is heading to DVD. I remember Bryan staying up late night to catch the show on his antiquated VHS machine, instead of going out and getting drunk with his fellow men.
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