Batman: Assault on Arkham Review

Batman: Assault on Arkham is a 2014 direct-to-video animated superhero film that is part of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The hook of Assault on Arkham comes in its presentation. It’s a true heist film, full of schemes and subterfuge, plans within plans that's unlike anything that has come before it. It is not based on any graphic novel or comic series like previous DC animated movies.
The film is set in the universe of the Batman Arkham video game franchise and the story focuses primarily on the Task Force X better known as the Suicide Squad, consisting of villains Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Black Spider, Captain Boomerang, Killer Frost and King Shark while Batman features in a supporting role.

In the film the Suicide Squad is dispatched by a secret government agency to break into Arkham Asylum to complete their mission assigned to them by Amanda Waller. The task force attempt to complete their mission and must contend with breaking into the high security asylum and later Batman in order to recover a data drive stored in the Riddler's cane which is stored in the asylum.

After the hard hitting opening action scene of Batman taking down a group of Waller's black op's squad in order to get the Riddler.The movie shifts up a gear introducing each of Task Force X's members in a stylized intro that signals that this is going to be something very different than were used to from the DC Animated Original Movies, and honestly that's a huge part of the enjoyment of this movie. It's a kick ass great story and something so different from before. The action, the well plotted stories, a great voice cast are always consistent with the quality of the DC animated movies. But on this occasion the tone, the humour and villainous protagonists leading the movie makes this one the best in DC direct to video animated movies.

DC Universe Animated Original Movies are direct-to-video films are aimed at a more adult audience. They feature some mild language, bloody violence and other adult themes, showing the same kind of mature-rated print and viewing from modern-day DC Comics graphic novels and comics. The first of this film series Superman: Doomsday had been released in 2007 and the line up follow with various movies featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern Lantern and the Justice League. DC Universe Original Animated Movies most recent release, Son of Batman, (loosely based on Grant Morrison's story arc) was just okay, and I wasn't overall impressed with it. In my opinion the best film of the series has always been Batman: Under The Red Hood released in 2010 and has yet to be topped let alone matched. This Suicide Squad movie is so much fun and comes extremely close but whilst being a different beast altogether.

Due to its villainous protagonists and dark comedy making Batman: Assault on Arkham a successful experiment making it DC Comic's third small screen iteration of a Suicide Squad led story after both the Arrow TV series Season 2 episode "Suicide Squad" and "Task Force X" episode of Justice League Unlimited. Maybe DC testing the water to someday getting live action movie on the big screen sometime in the future. A great source of laughs is Harley Quinn with a ton of physical humour and a pitch-perfect voice performance from Hynden Walch, which was so important because she unlike her team mates that first appeared in the Batman Animated Series rather than in pages of DC Comics. 

Assault on Arkham is the 21st release in the series and takes place in the universe of the Batman Arkham video game series, a spin off the the franchise. Here Batman's appearance is based on how he appears in the early games of the series. The movie is a kind of spin off the the games but with no real connection to the video game series other that the appearances, which is a real treat along with some neat references, connections, and easter eggs. Plus, it’s just cool to see the video game designs of characters like Bane and Poison Ivy pop up in an animated feature. Another treat is unlike previous animated Batman movies it features references to previous live action versions of the Batman including two scenes reminiscent of Tim Burton's 1992 Batman Returns. There’s quite a bit of mature content in this movie, more so that any of the previous DC Original Animated Movies. Fortunately, none of it comes off as too forced or gratuitous - something to be grateful for after the amount of carnage in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox.

This movie defies expectations by basing the story on the flawed but intriguing members of the Suicide Squad instead of Batman. Their fun interactions and clashing character dynamics keep the energy levels high so you won’t even notice that Batman’s appearances are being saved only for special occasions. The mature content is handled well, infusing the heist elements with real stakes. This is still a refreshingly different kind of DC animated feature worth checking out.

The action, art-style, humor, voices, and characters make it one of the best films of DC's direct-to-video lineup. A heist film, that doesn't have no real plot arc to speak of instead relies on its violent action and clever character dynamics within the Suicide Squad to carry it. Batman: Assault on Arkham is unlike any other film from the animated films of DC movies and that's one of best things about it.

Hopefully you will enjoy Batman: Assault on Arkham as much as I have.
Later

K

My Collection: DC Universe Batman Legacy Edition Batman First Appearance

The one that started it all…it's the first ever Batman appearance when he made his debut in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. 

As of this month, Batman has entertained fans for the past 75 years. He is now the only comic book superhero who has remained continuously in print since the Golden Age of comics, outlasting even his most famous colleague, Superman disappeared in 1992 but was then resurrected.

I purchased this figure from Amazon in October 2013 and with Batman’s 75th anniversary I felt there was no better time to open this great action figure based on his first appearance from 1939.

Today Batman still retains his original origin and motivations for his crusade for justice. Most artist interpretations primarily consist of this colour scheme,the black cape and cowl, gray suit and yellow utility belt. 

Over his 75 years Batman has updated his costume many times, I like how this costume gets a reference in various forms of Batman related media, animated shows, video games etc.

Ominous. Driven. Relentless.

Unleashed in Detective Comics #27, and inspired by the graphic stories of the pulp fiction era. The Batman arrived nearly fully formed. From the start, the Caped Crusader was a master detective and a man of science, driven to avenge the murder of his parents. This first iteration of the batman wore gloves to conceal his fingers prints and his signature dark ominous cape and cowl to strike fear into the hearts of criminals everywhere. A super hero without super powers, Batman is the ultimate expression of a man pushed to his physical and mental limits in the pursuit of justice!

This is an outstanding action figure being influenced from Batman’s first appearance in Detective Comics #27 - An Exclusive mini poster is included depicting that iconic cover. All figures in the Batman Legacy line include a poster representative of the character from their era that they are inspired from.It's hard to believe Batman is 75 years old, but something about him is compelling- his mysterious, dark nature is identifiable to us all somehow. Many great artists have rendered him over the years, likely none of which haven't looked to his roots as inspiration. Most people have never known a world without Batman, it's hard to imagine how bizarre he appeared to people back in 1939.

This is very likely to be the last Batman figure I will purchase for my collection. I started with New 52 Batman then inadvertently worked my way back to the Golden Age First Appearance figure. I have a Batman from each period that meant the most to me and I end with how it began with this Batman collectors figure. The figure is part of Mattel's Batman Legacy series, a line of adult collector action figures that celebrates the legacy of one the greatest superheroes of all time, paying homage to the caped crusader! The Batman Legacy series contains a wide array of looks and characters from the Batman universe from comics, video games and the modern live action movies. The figure comes in a really nice box containing some original artwork specific to the figure, I really like the Batman logo too. All figures in this series included a personalized display stand and an Exclusive mini poster of the character. The poster depicts the cover of Detective Comics #27 and is about the same size as a comic book. Other figures in this wave contained Nightwing and Harley Quinn figures form the Batman Arkham City video game.

Batman Legacy Wave 3 was released in 2012 after DC Universe Classics Wave 20 but before the All Stars line that featured the New 52 Batman. Previous Batman Legacy figures featured Batman figures of the Modern and Golden Age. In my opinion, this one defiantly the best. Even though this is my fourth Batman figure from Mattel, it is not a repaint of of another previous Batman sculpt. This figure’s torso is slimmer than the first DC Universe Classics Batman.

Batman Legacy action figures include a nice Batman figure display stand in either gold, silver or black representing the era the figure's appearance is influenced from. This figure stand is gold and has the a bat symbol on it. Some lines of the DC Universe Classics figures came with a figure display stands, but now with Batman having his own line of action figures it means that fans also get a great display stand. For me, this benefits the significance of this figure from his first appearance in 1939 in the period know as the Golden Age of comic books.

It is such a cool figure, I liked having my other three Batman comic book figures of my favorite looks, the classic 70’s, New 52 and the movie version. I did want to add the first look figure to my collection as it just looks great. It's made by Mattel and similar to other DC Universe Classics figures I own. I love the overall look of the figure and the basic and stripped down aspect of the figure. It would have been really cool if the this Batman included a gun accessory. We all know Batman is against guns but back in his early days he did use a gun for a short time and it would have been a little tribute to his before it was later refined. First appearance figures are awesome and and have a real throw back vibe to the first version of the much loved comic book characters. This look pays tribute to Bob Kane’s initial conception for the character that first appeared on Detective Comics #27 in May 1939 without it there would be no Batman that we all love and adore today.

Classic 70's, Golden Age & New 52 figures

The First Appearance Batman action figure acts as a center-piece of my Mattel DC Universe Collector figures. I have it displayed in the middle of my two comic book Batman figures paired with their figure of that era. 70's Classic style Batman and The Joker New 52 Batman and Superman.

I'm really happy and couldn't pass up such a great offer of a great action figure. I'm a big fan of all things Batman. It is extremely likely that this could be my last Batman figure for my collection, so it's extremely fitting it this is that last one where it began for the Caped Crusader during the celebration of Batman's 75th anniversary. This Batman has a unique feel to it, Batman has inspired most of the characters around him. Without the creation of Batman, there would have been no other Batman action figures, no Joker and DC Comics wouldn't be the powerhouse it is today without the arrival of it's best known and most popular character. 

This Batman collectors figure has a real novelty and uniqueness to it. Innovation and originality makes this figure so remarkable, resembling the early creation of the character. 75 years ago the creation of The Batman was momentous, it has inspired most of the figures around him. Without the creation of Batman there would have been no other Batman figures,no Joker and DC Comics would not be the powerhouse it is today without the arrival of it's best known and most popular creation. The Batman. I feel this a very significant collectors figure in a fan's Batman figure collection. I got them all in reverse order of staring with my 2011 New 52 look Batman working back to 2008, 1970's then the 1939 First Appearance of the Batman.

Hope you enjoyed this Batman figure story / mini history lesson. Batman like so many people is a big thing to me, my favorite comic book super-hero/crime fighter.

Bye for now Bat-fans


Chat soon

Bye
K