Batman: The Killing Joke, the latest DC Universe Original animated film adapted from a comic book storyline, was released on DVD and Blu-Ray this week. However, the movie may not be met with the same kind of enthusiasm it received when its development was originally announced. Debuting at San Diego Comic-Con, The Killing Joke was met with controversy by critics, particularly for its portrayal of Batgirl.
Warner Brothers and DC Entertainment have now made 26 of these animated films. Despite the mixed reception for The Killing Joke from critics, the past success of these films and the amount of comic book storylines available to be adapted, more are sure to be on the way. DC’s animated movies are often held to high standards, praised for their ability to adapt content from their source material and its more mature appeal towards older viewers.
So to commemorate the official release of The Killing Joke, here is a list of the 10 DC Universe Original Animated films to date that have successfuly adapted famous comic book stories to the television screen.
10. Green Lantern: First Flight (2009)
A staple member of the Justice League, Green Lantern’s duties go beyond any city, and often beyond planet Earth for that matter. Green Lantern: First Flight acts as more of an abbreviated origin story, focusing on Hal Jordan, a test pilot who, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, is suddenly chosen to become member of the Green Lantern Corps, an organization of intergalactic peace-keeping officers who serve to maintain balance and order in the universe.
The film, which mostly takes place away from Earth, details Jordan’s rookie days as a Green Lantern, where he is quickly thrust into the middle of a diabolical plot that threatens the existence of the Corps and even the universe itself. Being the first human to be selected, Jordan is doubted to have the ability to serve, and must prove himself worthy of holding the title as the iconic Green Lantern.
While the plot might seem generic to some and overall character development was a little bland, the film is great for touching on the Green Lantern mythology, which, in retrospect, is perhaps the biggest when it comes to overall scope. With many of Green Lantern’s adversaries often coming from outer space or their respective “sectors,” it allows for a more open world to be explored, and the film is a good starting point for viewers to delve deeper into the world of the Green Lantern Corps.
9. Son of Batman (2014)
Based on the “Batman and Son” storyline by Grant Morrison, the plot focuses on Batman, who is quickly is met with an unexpected challenge: a son he was never aware of named Damian Wayne. A rebellious pre-teen, Damian is raised and subsequently trained by Talia al Ghul and the League of Assassins with the purpose of succeeding Ra’s al Ghul as its leader. But after coming under attack from Slade “Deathstroke” Wilson, Damian is placed under Batman’s care in Gotham, forcing the Dark Knight to simultaneously deal with a rebellious pre-teen assassin and the looming threat of Deathstroke looking to take the League of Assassins for his own.
As far as origin stories go, the film gives a solid introduction of Damian Wayne, who, because of his age, is still relatively new as far as his introduction into the Batman mythos. The film focuses more on Damian’s relationship with Bruce and how the League has influenced his perception and means of fighting. Getting past Damian’s personality and the fact that Batman isn’t really the centerpiece in the film could be hard for some, but it is a good film for exposing viewers into the mythos of the Bat Family, which in itself is a very intricate, yet fun aspect of Batman’s crime-fighting story to delve into.
8. Justice League: War
Before they gathered to form DC’s strongest fighting force, they were just seven separate people either calling themselves heroes, vigilantes or football superstars, each fighting or living on their own terms. That all changes when a massive alien invasion spearheaded by the ultimate evil of the DC universe threatens Earth, and this unlikely group of allies come together to combat an enemy that is too powerful for them to face alone. Though, with heroes often used to fighting for the sake of their respective cities or personal gain, teaming up could be easier said than done. But in the face of this invasion, only one option is available to them: teaming up for all-out war.
Following the comics’ Justice League: Origin story from DC’s 2011 New 52 reboot by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, the film simultaneously acts as an introduction to both Cyborg and Shazam, who had not been properly introduced or had their respective stories told. While not the most original in terms of plot, the film has plenty of action to offer, some of the best art and animation out of the movies on this list, and the characters aren’t without personality. The film does a good job of mixing in some good humor and giving normally serious and humble heroes like Superman a bit more of an arrogant personality, which adds well to the personality dynamic between the seven heroes.
7. Wonder Woman (2009)
This film acts as an origin story for Princess Diana of Themyscira. The movie details the circumstances surrounding her birth and the history of her Amazon birthplace. It also gives viewers an insight into the culture of the Amazons who reside there, cut off from the outside world and influence of men. Only when a great evil rises is a representative selected to enter the world of men and stop the threat before it tears apart the world and plunges it into chaos. That representative happens to be Princess Diana.
With Greek influences and the familiar Wonder Woman mythos, the film does a solid job of introducing us to the woman who becomes one of DC’s biggest icons alongside Superman and Batman. For those unfamiliar with the origins and mythology of Wonder Woman, this is a great starting point for better knowing the character, and could certainly be useful in understanding some potential angles that could be used in the Wonder Woman solo film, set to debut next year in 2017.
6. Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010)
The mythology of DC Comics is full of parallel timelines, universes, and paradoxes. This film utilizes that concept and has plenty of twists, as a heroic Lex Luthor travels to seek aid from the Justice League against a group known as the Crime Syndicate, which is basically the evil equivalent of the superhero group in this alternate Lex’s universe. Accepting Lex’s plea for help, the Justice League travels to his parallel universe to take on their superpowered counterparts, who find dealing with this group of superheroes more difficult than they anticipated.
DC does a good job of crafting interesting alternative universes that play off of the current timeline. Roughly based on the 2000 comic JLA: Earth 2 comic by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, Crisis on Two Earths provides not only action, but a compelling group of villains in the Crime Syndicate, who are on the verge of virtually dominating the entire Earth, and only the timely arrival of the Justice League stands between them. The film also has its emotional moments with several key characters, which provides much needed depth to characters viewers may not be familiar with. Justice League fans should very much enjoy DC’s take on this alternate Earth.
