DC Animated Originals Reviews Archive

By Jonathon Wilson
Published: May 4, 2018 (Last updated: last month)
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In the manner of some lunatic deity, perhaps one driven mad by its own immortality, DC’s so-called Cinematic Universe continues to fling itself upon the jagged rocks of public opinion. To put it another way, it continues to be rubbish. But not to worry. DC has an animated universe, too – kind of. That’s where they keep all of their good stuff, and also some not-so-good stuff, and, I suppose, some really strange curiosities that would never work in live-action. Although DC’s sure-things never seem to work in live-action, either, so it might be a lost cause.

In all seriousness, it’s worth remembering that there’s a lot more to DC, their characters and their output than dreary Zack Snyder movies. Which is why I, as the only member of the team with the inclination to do such a thing, endeavored to watch all of DC’s animated original movies and chronicle the endeavor on this humble page.

So, let’s get on with it, shall we?


Superman: Doomsday

Superman fights Doomsday in a battle to the death. Adapted (loosely) from “The Death of Superman” arc.

Here’s my review.


Justice League: The New Frontier

Based on Darwyn Cooke’s limited series of the same name, Earth’s heroes unite to take on an evil entity called The Centre.

Here’s my review.


Batman: Gotham Knight

An anthology series telling Batman stories that fit (unofficially) into Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, one of which was the first version of Batman in anime form.

Here’s my review.


Wonder Woman

A retelling of Wonder Woman’s origin story, mostly take from George Perez’s “Gods and Mortals” arc.

Here’s my review.


Green Lantern: First Flight

Focuses on Hal Jordan in the early days of his role as a Green Lantern, particularly his relationship with Sinestro.


Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

The Man of Steel teams up with The World’s Greatest Detective in a story adapted from the “The World’s Finest” story arc.


Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

A heroic Lex Luthor from a parallel universe recruits the Justice League to battle the Crime Syndicate. Adapted (loosely) from Grant Morrison’s JLA: Earth 2.

Here’s my review.


Batman: Under the Red Hood

An adaptation of Judd Winick’s story “Under The Hood”, given the screen treatment by Winick himself.

Here’s my review.


Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Based on “The Supergirl From Krypton” arc, the heroes take on Darkseid.

Here’s my review.


All-Star Superman

An adaptation of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s book of the same name.

Here’s my review.


Green Lantern: Emerald Knights

An anthology of original stories starring the Green Lantern Corps., in the same visual style as First Flight.


Batman: Year One

An adaptation of Frank Miller’s definitive Batman origin story.

Here’s my review.


Justice League: Doom

A sequel to Crisis on Two Earths, and loosely adapted from “JLA: Tower of Babel” by Mark Waid.

Here’s my review.


Superman vs. The Elite

Superman takes on The Elite, adapted from “What’s So Wrong With Truth, Justice and the American Way?”

Here’s my review.


Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

A two-part adaptation of Frank Miller’s definite book of the same name.

Here’s my review of Part 1.

And here’s my review of Part 2.


Superman: Unbound

Superman battles Brainiac in this adaptation of Superman: Brainiac by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.


Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

An adaptation of the Flash-focused and continuity-redefining “Flashpoint” event.


Justice League: War

Based on Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s “Origin” storyline, and the first animated original to take place in the New 52 continuity.


Son of Batman

Based on Grant Morrison’s “Batman and Son” storyline, here Batman builds a relationship with Damian Wayne.

Here’s my review.


Batman: Assault on Arkham

A Suicide Squad story set in the Batman: Arkham video game universe.


Justice League: Throne of Atlantis

A sequel to Justice League: War, based on the story of the same name by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis.


Batman vs. Robin

A sequel to Son of Batman, based partially on the Batman: The Court of Owls story arc by Scott Snyder.


Justice League: Gods and Monsters

An original story featuring an alternate universe version of the Justice League.


Batman: Bad Blood

Another original story, this one featuring Batwoman and Batwing.


Justice League vs. Teen Titans

Two of DC’s best-known teams feature in another original story.


Batman: The Killing Joke

An adaptation of one of the most iconic Batan stories of all time, featuring Mark Hamill’s return to his role as the Joker.


Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders

A throwback to the 1960s Batman TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward.


Justice League Dark

A Justice League story that has the titular team pick up new members and deal with a heavenly force.


Teen Titans: The Judas Contract

An adaptation of the story of the same name, which finally got made in 2017 after being repeatedly postponed.


Batman and Harley Quinn

An original story by Bruce Timm, starring Kevin Conroy and Melissa Raunch as the title characters.


Batman vs Two-Face

A sequel to Return of the Caped Crusader, which includes a tribute to the late Adam West, who reprised his role as Batman here for the final time before his death.


Batman: Gotham by Gaslight

An adaptation of the Elseworlds steampunk murder mystery by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola.


Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay

A Suicide Squad story, and essentially the first after Assault on Arkham was based in a separate continuity.

Here’s my review.


Batman Ninja

1

An insane (and very good) anime-inspired reimagining of Batman — not technically part of this line, but I’m including it anyway. Sue me.


The Death of Superman

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A retelling of Superman’s iconic death and resurrection arc, and the first of two parts.


Reign of the Supermen

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The climax of the arc set up in the previous film, bringing the adaptation to a solid close.

Here’s my review.


Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

4

A collaboration between DC, Warner Bros. and Nickelodeon based on the crossover comic. Another one not technically part of the series but included here for completeness.


Batman: Hush

2

Another adaptation based on an iconic Batman story about the mysterious criminal known as Hush.


Wonder Woman: Bloodlines

3

The latest Wonder Woman solo film that also serves as a prequel to Justice League: War.

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