Beware
The Batman: Season One, Part 2: Dark Justice
(2014/DC Comics/Warner Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B Extras: D Episodes: B-
Beware
the Batman was
an oddball CGI animated series premiering on Cartoon Network in the
summer of 2013, but was pulled after only 10 episodes. There was
never much explanation as to why it was pulled, but seemingly due to
make room for other superhero series.
The
series follows Batman in his early years as he is developing his
skills, fighting organized crime, and continuing to battle demons of
his past. His butler and trusted friend Alfred Pennyworth (JB Blanc)
is by his side; training him to become a proficient fighter and
better man. Alfred's goddaughter Tatsu Yamashiro (Sumalee Montano)
joins Alfred as Batman's bodyguard; bringing with her, her skills at
a martial artist and master swordsman.
This
Blu-ray set entitled Dark
Justice contains
the last 13 episodes of the 26 episode series run; the first set
entitled Shadows
of Gotham.
As previously mentioned the series is presented in a CGI 3D
animation style. Whereas Batman, Alfred, and other peripheral
characters are very sleek and streamline in style, the villains are
purposefully over the top.
Batman
(voiced by Anthony Ruivivar) is not quite a novice crime fighter, nor
a seasoned veteran; but rather a well-trained, masked vigilante
trying to get a grip on his persona and crime ridden Gotham. Though
Tatsu is Bruce Wayne's 'bodyguard,' she concurrently is the stand-in
'Robin' character, acting as Batman's more than effective sidekick.
The villains are not your familiars like Two Face, the Joker, or
Catwoman; but rather oddball characters like Magpie and Lady Shiva.
I'm
not sure as to why the series was canceled so abruptly as the series
is similar to that of Batman:
The Animated Series
(reviewed elsewhere on this site) without being a direct carbon copy.
Takes risk with the CGI animation that whereas not perfect, is
admirable. The same goes for the choice of using more oddball
characters and not following the exact established mythos.
We
may never have the answer but the series is worth a look.
The
technical features of Beware
the Batman: Dark Justice: Season One, Part Two are
similar to those of the previous
Blu-ray set. The picture again is presented in a 1080p 1.78 X 1
digital high definition image that boasts a bold color palette and
clean, crisp 3D CGI animation. Overall, the picture quality is very
good with only slight issues. The sound does not quite live up to the
picture in its DTS-HD Master Audio (MA) lossless 2.0 Stereo track,
but gets the job done. The track remains nicely prioritized, without
distortion. Dialogue comes through nicely, but surrounding action to
give the series better atmosphere could still use some work.
There are no extras to
comment on.
- Michael P.
Dougherty II
