Home Theater Forum  ›  Forums  ›  Entertainment and Media  ›  SD DVD - Film and Documentary  ›  New DC Animated Features

New DC Animated Features

#1
Rating: 0
DC Comics has announced a slate of animated features now in progress. The films will be made by writer/artist Darwyn Cooke (THE NEW FRONTIER; CATWOMAN), writer Marv Wolfman (THE NEW TEEN TITANS), Writer/producers Duane Capizzi (THE BATMAN, THE BATMAN VS. DRACULA) and Stan Berkowitz (JUSTICE LEAGUE). This will be under the supervision of supervising producers Bruce Timm (JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED, BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES) and Tom DeSanto (executive producer of the first two X-Men films and producer of the forthcoming Transformers feature).

Here's the story: http://www.dccomics.com/news/?nw=6583

The first three films are to be released in late 2007/early 2008. They will be Justice League: New Frontier (written by Stan Berkowitz, with Darwyn Cooke serving as story and visual consultant),
Superman: Doomsday (produced by Bruce Timm and written by Duane Capizzi, from a story by Timm & Capizzi), and Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (written by Marv Wolfman and Tom DeSanto, produced by DeSanto).

No word on whether this will be canon with Bruce Timm's previous DC animated ventures...

Movies I would purchase instantly if they were available in their correct aspect ratio:
Death Trap, Innocent Blood, The Shadow, and Remo Williams

Export to Wiki
#2
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

this sounds great! "New Frontiers" was a great comic series, if they don't dumb it down it should make for a great movie. I'm guessing "Doomsday" is hte teaser they had at comic com when they displayed the blood red on black Superman to suggest a "Death Of Superman" story line in JLU.

The key word here is Bruce Timm. these should be quality, otherwise I'd be skeptical. Marvels "Ultimate Avengers" were pretty crap compared to the amazing source material they had and could of used.
Who knew a credit card could scream?

What I'm listening to right now!

This post is invisible! It also has the power to kill threads!
Export to Wiki
#3
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

I'm excited for all three. It was interesting to see Doomsday in JLU will be very interesting to see how the animated movie plays it out. Too bad we have over a year to wait.

Listen Up People.., Rack Em and Pack Em.., We're Phantoms in 15.
Export to Wiki
#4
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Floto
No word on whether this will be canon with Bruce Timm's previous DC animated ventures...

Actually, I believe when they announced these at San Diego this year, the word was that these are going to be faithful adaptations of the original comics, and not necessarily based on Timm's work; e.g., the New Teen Titans film will use George Perez's art as the basis for the art direction.
Export to Wiki
#5
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Sheets
Actually, I believe when they announced these at San Diego this year, the word was that these are going to be faithful adaptations of the original comics, and not necessarily based on Timm's work; e.g., the New Teen Titans film will use George Perez's art as the basis for the art direction.

Really? Well, then, I just got a lot more interested. Looking forward to all three of these.

Any word on whether Warner plans to release the DC Filmation cartoons from the 1960s (and the Batman cartoon from the '70s) in 2007? If I recall, they hinted at it in the animation chat.


I don't have time enough to watch all these DVDs!

DVD Comment: Reviews Of DVDs & Digital Formats - 30 Rock Season 2
Export to Wiki
#6
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Everything about this sounds great to me except for the involvment of Duane Capizzi. I hope he proves my apprehension based on his previous work ("The Batman", "Jackie Chan Adventures", "Braniac Attacks") wrong.

Regards,

Ken McAlinden
Livonia, MI USA

Export to Wiki
#7
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken_McAlinden
Everything about this sounds great to me except for the involvment of Duane Capizzi. I hope he proves my apprehension based on his previous work ("The Batman", "Jackie Chan Adventures", "Braniac Attacks") wrong.

Regards,

That was my response to the Superman movie too... especially after the terrible reviews "Brainac Attacks" got. So bad, I thought they even made excuses for it at the San Diego comicon
The Stop Button: An appreciation of amusements
Export to Wiki
#8
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Quote:
I believe when they announced these at San Diego this year, the word was that these are going to be faithful adaptations of the original comics, and not necessarily based on Timm's work; e.g., the New Teen Titans film will use George Perez's art as the basis for the art direction.

See this sounds great, but Marvel's announcment on a direct to DVD release of the Avengers based on Ultimates sounded great too, and ended up very Saturday morning, in a bad way.

As much as these sound good, I can't get too excited for them.
Who knew a credit card could scream?

What I'm listening to right now!

This post is invisible! It also has the power to kill threads!
Export to Wiki
#9
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Sheets
Actually, I believe when they announced these at San Diego this year, the word was that these are going to be faithful adaptations of the original comics, and not necessarily based on Timm's work; e.g., the New Teen Titans film will use George Perez's art as the basis for the art direction.

In the Bruce Timm Retrospective when asked about the show he told the crowd they were working on "The New Fondue", a cooking show. Then the next day at the DC panel they announced New Frontier. Based on Timm's previous work I'm not worried about quality issues ala Avengers. These should be pretty top notch films.

DVD & Blu-ray - It's all about the movies!
Export to Wiki
#10
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell G
See this sounds great, but Marvel's announcment on a direct to DVD release of the Avengers based on Ultimates sounded great too, and ended up very Saturday morning, in a bad way.

As much as these sound good, I can't get too excited for them.

True, but DC actually has contacts with real animation talent (like Mr. Timm). Marvel has never had that, and based on their Ultimates films they're still trying to figure it out.
Export to Wiki
#11
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

It's really heartening to see that Timm is involved. The New Frontiers should be great. I hope they emulate the look of the comics for this one.

Quote:
Marvel has never had that, and based on their Ultimates films they're still trying to figure it out.

Marvel should give up. Avengers 2 was god awful. 20 year old saturday morning animation had more depth of character and better quality animation. It was just shameful for a direct to DVD release. Having read the comic series it was supposed to of been based on didn't help either.
Who knew a credit card could scream?

What I'm listening to right now!

This post is invisible! It also has the power to kill threads!
Export to Wiki
#12
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Yeah, I'm a little wary of this one. Brainiac Attacks wary. Dumb it down as much as possible for the kids.
Export to Wiki
#13
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Quote:
Yeah, I'm a little wary of this one. Brainiac Attacks wary. Dumb it down as much as possible for the kids.
If I'm not mistaken, I believe the article states that these will be rated PG-13.

Movies I would purchase instantly if they were available in their correct aspect ratio:
Death Trap, Innocent Blood, The Shadow, and Remo Williams

Export to Wiki
#14
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

PG-13 would at least allow for the portrayal of the risque-at-the-time Terra/Deathstroke relationship in The Judas Contract, something I presume was left out of the Cartoon Network version.
Export to Wiki
#15
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

PG-13 doesn't mean much. Marvel's terrible Avengers 1/2 are PG-13 and suck hard.
Export to Wiki
#16
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Given Timm and companies track record, I have little doubt that these are going to be pretty darn great. I hope though that the animation is different from the typical Timm designs and animation.

The fact that Duane Capizzi is writing these...well, it's not a good thing. But I think that Timm can keep him in check and hopefully get some good material out of him. At least I hope.

Also, I think they're working on a Dark Knight Returns animated film as well. Anyone who's seen the episode of B:TAS called "Legends of the Dark Knight" knows that if they do make a DKR animated film, it will be awesome.
Export to Wiki
#17
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

You can say that again. Oh, wait...

Movies I would purchase instantly if they were available in their correct aspect ratio:
Death Trap, Innocent Blood, The Shadow, and Remo Williams

Export to Wiki
#18
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Floto
You can say that again. Oh, wait...

DOH!
Export to Wiki
#19
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Did anyone see The New Frontier movie yet? I hope to see it in the next few days.

In some other DC Direct movie news, it seems the Judas Contract movie may not happen, according to a report at The World's Finest

Hope that's not true, but it doesn't sound good.


I don't have time enough to watch all these DVDs!

DVD Comment: Reviews Of DVDs & Digital Formats - 30 Rock Season 2
Export to Wiki
#20
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

I picked up the New Frontier Blu-Ray. It is pretty entertaining, although the pacing is a bit start and stop. The protracted final battle has a lot of action, but the villain is so vaguely defined that it is less interesting than the character arcs that are almost all tied up by the time it commences. It is a fun take on the JL concept with a very specific mid-late 50s setting.

Regards,

Ken McAlinden
Livonia, MI USA

Export to Wiki
#21
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

I definetly agree with Ken, I guess you can't build a villian in 75 minutes. Defintely a different take on the Justice League, some blood and images of death. Unfortunately I'll have to break my 7 year old sons heart and not have him watch this. It does say PG 13. The whole 50s thing puts an interesting spin on it out side of what you are used too. The new Batman Gotham Knight inside look is pretty interesting and looks to be for teens and adults only. Worth a purchase I think.

Listen Up People.., Rack Em and Pack Em.., We're Phantoms in 15.
Export to Wiki
#22
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

I'm looking forward to watching it this weekend.

But for such a highly advertised BD version, why was it so hard to find?

Not at Target (maybe not major enough for them), Circuit City (dopey store), FYE (who can't seem to get 1/2 the new releases stocked until a week later) or Borders (why did I even bother checking there).

Circuit City had a flyer for it, but no employee had any clue where to find the BD version, nor much interest in helping me. To their credit, I tried calling CC 3 times to see if they had it in stock before driving over there. No one bothered to pick up on 3 phone calls. Way to go CC.

Finally found it at Best Buy, who had plenty of copies & prominently displayed the BD version alongside all this weeks new releases.
Export to Wiki
#23
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

I thought Superman Doomsday was going to be released on BD on Tuesday, too, but found no listing for it. I couldn't even find a cancellation notice anywhere. (Granted, it's not the greatest movie...but still...)
Export to Wiki
#24
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Deeb
I'm looking forward to watching it this weekend.

But for such a highly advertised BD version, why was it so hard to find?

Not at Target (maybe not major enough for them), Circuit City (dopey store), FYE (who can't seem to get 1/2 the new releases stocked until a week later) or Borders (why did I even bother checking there).

Circuit City had a flyer for it, but no employee had any clue where to find the BD version, nor much interest in helping me. To their credit, I tried calling CC 3 times to see if they had it in stock before driving over there. No one bothered to pick up on 3 phone calls. Way to go CC.

Finally found it at Best Buy, who had plenty of copies & prominently displayed the BD version alongside all this weeks new releases.
I was at my local Target today and noticed that they were carrying it. As a matter of fact, they appeared to have sold out of the SD DVD (for some reason they only seemed to have a spot on the shelf for the single disc version), so the BRD was all they had. It was even listed in their weekly ad underneath the image of the SD DVD version with a "Blu Ray 29.99" note.

Regards,

Ken McAlinden
Livonia, MI USA

Export to Wiki
#25
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

I enjoyed New Frontier quite a lot. In fact, I think it’s the most stylized and realized of any of the previous Timm-produced films (including IMHO Phantasm). Sure I missed the Wonder Woman-Superman-political machinations, Phantom Stranger’s dinner on the moon, and the Suicide Squad, but hey, it was only seventy-five minutes. It definitely should’ve been thirty minutes longer to flesh some of these things out, but boy, that final fight with the Centre was a pure DC-gasm for any old-school comic fan. (Although I did like how the director addressed the hints to the Centre’s origin on the Batcomputer during Batman and J’onn J’onzz’s Batcave meeting.)

Maybe newbies to the film will be inspired to pick up the trade or the Absolute edition to fill in these details. Which leads to my major complaint. One Disc 2 of the special edition, there’s a featurette where Darwyn Cooke explains what was modified and cut from the mini-series in this adaptation. This should’ve been included on the main disc. I’d assume the casual viewer (not familiar with the original work) picking this up would only choose the cheaper single-disc edition and miss a chance to be directed to the source material.
Export to Wiki
#26
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Shame about the "Judas Contract." If Warner Bros. is scared that nobody knows who the Teen Titans are (preposterous given that the anime-influenced series has appeared on the Cartoon Network), then I guess I’ll never see a Starman or "Golden Age" direct-to-dvd release.
Export to Wiki
#27
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Is "Judas Contract" definitely cancelled? I assumed it was pushed back for Gotham Knights but Wonder Woman is after that.
www.notinmybook.comWhere I can complain and complain and complain.
Export to Wiki
#28
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Who do they think is going to buy a Teen Titans DTV, anyway - casual Target shoppers?!? I thought the whole point of these things was to sell to comics fans, who would surely know what/who the Titans were. Not that I'm complaining about the Wonder Woman movie, y'understand (especially as it's looking less and less likely that the live-action W movie will ever happen) - I just hope it's not at the expense of the Titans storyline.

"Half of the time we're gone and we don't know where."

Export to Wiki
#29
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

Finally watched New Frontier yesterday, and I liked it. Thought the animation was great, loved the space age style of the 1950s. Would have liked to see it be longer and involve more characters, but overall, I was satisfied.


I don't have time enough to watch all these DVDs!

DVD Comment: Reviews Of DVDs & Digital Formats - 30 Rock Season 2
Export to Wiki
#30
Rating: 0

Re: New DC Animated Features

I have New Frontier, but haven't watched it yet. Everything I've seen or heard about it, though, makes me think I'm in for a fun ride when I do get to sit down and watch it.

"Half of the time we're gone and we don't know where."

Export to Wiki