Batman Gotham Knight

[Volsung]

Yummy!
Inside, the first ever japanese adaptation of a comics super hero?
(As an animation, Otomo did a Batman as a manga)

[BWPS]

Does the guy from Big O not count as Bruce Wayne?
Heh, while this was loading I was thinking "This isn't going to be very good. The picture looks ok but it's still anime and it'll be weird." Then I saw the words Bruce Timm and now I"m really flarging excited! WOOT!

[BentonGrey]

Inside, the first ever japanese adaptation of a comics super hero?
(As an animation, Otomo did a Batman as a manga)

Perhaps as anime, BUT.....there is this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGxde2a2_iQ

[GogglesPizanno]

I remember watching that spider-man show as a kid, but there weren't no robots!!

Its like Bizarro Power Rangers.

[Midnite]

Looks like the anime will be bundled in a Batman Begins gift set. Here's the latest unconfirmed report:

http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/ne...fullnews&id=52

"Batman: Gotham Knight" DVD Release Update

February 07, 2008 by James Harvey

The upcoming direct-to-video animated feature Batman: Gotham Knight may be released alongside the upcoming re-release of Batman Begins on DVD.

Warner Home Video recently announced that a new Batman Begins DVD release, called Batman Begins: Ultimate Collector's Edition, will be released later this year for both standard DVD and Blu-Ray. Rumor has it that the Batman: Gotham Knight DTV DVD release is expected to be released in conjunction with the new Batman Begins: Ultimate Collector's Edition DVD, though it is currently unconfirmed at this time.

Stay tuned for further updates.

[Midnite]

The trailer is online.

Here's some of the artwork:

[spoiler]I don't like this one.




















Bruce Waynes


[/spoiler]

[BentonGrey]

Man, some of those are absolutely hideous....what the heck is Batman wearing in the first and 11th ones?  Deadshot looks okay when he's not wearing that hat and coat he stole from a pimp....ohh, and that Killer Crock looks like a distorted version of one of Mike Mignola's demons.  It's a HORRIBLE design for KC.  Bruce Wayne looks like a girl.....but I suppose that's just anime....the actual batsuit looks pretty good (although in that second series of shots that are really red-tinted, he looks like he's REALLY thin shouldered.  I don't quite know what to make of all this.

[Midnite]

[spoiler]







[/spoiler]

[Kommando]

The trailer is online.

Here's some of the artwork:

I don't like this one.

Zoltar!  ((Or Berg Katse to Gatchaman fans))

[Midnite]

10 min Sneak Peek

[BentonGrey]

Hmm, I really like the look of that one that resembles TAS Batman.

:EDIT:  "We've reinvented him..." that phrase always sends a cold shiver down my spine.  They're only talking about Deadshot, but still, characters exist the way they are for a reason.  Deadshot is actually a fantastic character, with a really compelling story.  It may turn out fine, but then again, it may not.

[Podmark]

That looked really cool, I'll be looking forward to checking this out.
Especially liked the take on Deadshot.

[GogglesPizanno]

"We've reinvented him..." that phrase always sends a cold shiver down my spine.  They're only talking about Deadshot, but still, characters exist the way they are for a reason.

Says the man who is reinventing the DC Universe in his own image  :P

(Sorry couldn't help myself.)  :D

[BentonGrey]

Haha, very true Goggles, but I can trust myself not to reinvent good characters. ^_^  I don't think anyone is going to be upset by me re-vamping the Bug-Eyed Bandit or The Thinker to make them not....you know...suck.

[Volsung]

10 min Sneak Peek

The link is dead. But I guess it was that one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oW71WB254M

[Pyroclasm]

I'm liking the varied styles to be used in this series of stories.  It's like a six-pack of animated Elseworlds.  Hopefully I can get this without having to buy a new unrated special multi-disc director's cut edition Batman Begins gift set.  I'm happy with my current special edition Batman Begins, thank you very much.  Although it says released "in conjunction with", not "bundled with" which is a good sign.

[detourne_me]

Excellent trailer!
  i think in the trailer Timm said that this was definitely going to be the next DC animated movie A la Superman:Doomsday and New Frontier,  so i just can't wait.
I like how they showed clips of the Animatrix in here,  I imagine thats what it will be like,  but all the storylines are connected too.  i can't wait.

the redesigns look really cool, and i'm really interested in the different dynamics they talked about for the villains.  Of course you have the whole fear as a tool/weapon issue with Bats and Scarecrow,  then you have the two urban legends squaring off when you get bats and killer croc (i think this one will be great as its kind of setting up KC in a tragic role - hence the deformed redesign).   
and the final conflict of deadshot and batman,  a villain who lives by guns and a hero who doesn't,  nice.
I think Deadshot was originally a Batman villain, so it's cool seeing him being put back in the rogues gallery.

[UnkoMan]

I actually really like Deadshot and Killer Croc's designs...

Batman with an eight pac, or the weird first head? ...not so much. Still, it'd be cool to see all this.

[Midnite]

Full Batman: Gotham Knight Press Release
Source: Warner Home Video February 25, 2008


Here is the official press release from Warner Home Video about Batman: Gotham Knight:

DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video and Warner Bros. Animation have collaborated to create a unique Batman experience in Batman: Gotham Knight. The all-new, original movie will arrive July 8, 2008 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Order due date is June 3, 2008. The original movie will also be available OnDemand and Pay-per-View as well as available for download on the same day as release date, July 8, 2008.

Batman: Gotham Knight is a fresh and exciting new entry into the Batman mythos, spinning out of a 40-year history in animation including the Emmy®-winning Batman: The Animated Series, widely considered a pivotal moment in American animation. A cross section of distinguished creators, award winning producers, and acclaimed writers weave six interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne's journey to Dark Knight, each with stylish art from some of the world's most revered animation visionaries.

Batman: Gotham Knight was headed by an impressive list of directors who have brought their distinctly different anime styles to the classic Batman character. The production was divided among three renowned studios – Studio 4ºC, Production I.G and Madhouse – and included the truly inimitable visions of directors Shojiro Nishimi, Futoshi Higashide, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki and Toshiyuki Kubooka. With stories written by several of the most talented writers of film, comic books, and animation, including Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence), David S. Goyer (Batman Begins), Emmy®-winner Alan Burnett (Batman: The Animated Series), Jordan Goldberg (Associate Producer, The Dark Knight), and award-winning comics writers Greg Rucka and Brian Azzarello, Batman: Gotham Knight presents thrilling new adventures of Batman that spotlight several of Gotham City's most dangerous villains, including the fearsome Scarecrow, the freakish Killer Croc and the unnerving marksman known as Deadshot. Batman: Gotham Knight is produced by Emma Thomas (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Michael Uslan & Benjamin Melniker (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Toshi Hiruma and Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series).

Batman: Gotham Knight will be available on DVD for $24.98 SRP. There will also be a 2-disc Special Edition DVD available for $29.98 SRP which contains additional bonus features. All the content from the 2-disc Special Edition DVD will be available on Blu-ray Disc for $34.99 SRP.

Batman: Gotham Knight DVD will feature incredible extras including:

"A Mirror for the Bat: The Evil Denizens of Gotham City" - A stimulating documentary covering Gotham City's most nefarious of characters, combined with a look into the symbiotic relationship Batman shares with his enemies.

"Sneak Peek: Wonder Woman" - DC Universe animated original movie
Audio Commentary - Featuring the filmmakers of Gotham Knight.

Widescreen (1.78:1)

5.1 Dolby Digital

The 2-disc Special Edition DVD will feature even more incredible extras including:

"Batman and Me a Devotion of Destiny: The Bob Kane Story" - The comprehensive chronology of the remarkable life of the creator of Batman.

"Batman: The Animated Series" Bonus Episodes - Bruce Timm selects his favorite episodes from Batman: The Animated Series.

"Batman: Gotham Knight explores an exciting moment between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight," said Paul Levitz, DC Comics President and Publisher, "and takes our fans on a very different visual trip through Gotham and Batman's life. We're extremely proud of this project, and look forward to adding to the momentum our DC Universe Animated Original Movie program has been building."

"Batman: Gotham Knight is a perfect example of the type of release that Warner Premiere is becoming known for and that audiences are hungry for," said Matt Bierman, Vice President, Production, Warner Premiere. "With incredible production values, a top-notch creative team and compelling, iconic characters from the DC Universe, Batman: Gotham Knight really raises the bar in the Direct-to-DVD arena and we're proud to be a part of this production."

"To date, over 13.5 million units of Batman animated titles have been sold and we are thrilled to release Batman: Gotham Knight, the next installment of the DC Universe animated original movies, which will be a hit with Super Hero and comic book fans alike," said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President, Kids and Sports Marketing.

Batman: Gotham Knight Marketing Support

Batman: Gotham Knight will be supported by a massive media campaign including primetime TV spots, national print and online coverage. Marketing support will also include strong promotional support as well as a grassroots viral campaign.

DC UNIVERSE ORIGINAL MOVIES

DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video (WHV) and Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) began the production and distribution of "DC Universe," a series of original, animated PG-13 movies in July 2006. This original made for DVD movie is part of the DC Universe series of animated PG-13 films written and directed by acclaimed comic book creators and animators and featuring recognizable talent. WHV will be the exclusive worldwide home entertainment distributor for all DC Universe movies, which will include a slate of 2-3 action-packed films per year. Superman Doomsday and Justice League: The New Frontier were the first DC Universe original animated movies. Other DC properties with films in development include Justice League, Green Lantern, Flash and Wonder Woman.

BASICS

Street Date: July 8, 2008
Order Due Date: June 3, 2008
Languages: English, Spanish
Subtitles: Spanish

Run Time: 75 minutes

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio: 5.1 Dolby Surround Stereo
Color / Closed Captioned
Rating: PG-13

Batman: Gotham Knight (DVD)

Price: $24.98 SRP / No MAP
UPC: 085391123323

Batman: Gotham Knight (2 Disc Special Edition DVD)

Price: $29.98 SRP / No MAP
UPC: 0883929011155

Batman: Gotham Knight (Blu-ray Disc)

Price: $34.99 SRP / No MAP
UPC: 085391179511

About Warner Premiere:

Warner Premiere is Warner Bros. Entertainment's new direct-to-consumer production company focused on the development, production and marketing of feature-length content, as well as short form digital content for the growing home entertainment market. Warner Premiere is committed to being at the creative forefront in the evolution of quality product in the direct-to-DVD business and the digital space, creating material that exemplifies the commitment to story, production and brand equity for which Warner Bros. is known.

About Warner Home Video:

With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.

About DC Comics:

DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics' Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.

BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. (s08)

About Warner Bros. Animation:

Warner Bros. Animation has been producing award-winning original animation since 1930, when it released its first cartoon, "Sinkin' in the Bathtub." Since then, Warner Bros. Animation's characters have set the standard for innovative, quality animation. Producing for network and cable television, online, home entertainment and feature films both domestically and internationally, Warner Bros. Animation is highly respected for its creative and technical excellence, as well as maintaining the studio's rich cartoon heritage. Warner Bros. Animation also oversees the creative use of, and production of animated programming based on classic animated characters from the Hanna-Barbera and DC Comics libraries. Warner Bros. Animation is one of the most honored animation studios in history, garnering a grand total of six Academy Awards®, 35 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents' Choice Award, a Humanitas Award, two Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).

[Jakew]

The Killer Croc design looks a bit Ryan Sook / Mike Mignola-ey.

[bat1987]

The video is about New frontier but at 9:41 Gregory Noveck reveals who`s doing the voice of Batman in Gotham Knight
http://media.dvd.ign.com/media/142/14221172/vid_2304133.html

  [spoiler]Kevin Conroy!!!!!!!![/spoiler]

[BentonGrey]

Well, THAT is good news at least.  That even makes up for the pimp-suit Deadshot.

[Midnite]

Source for the Kevin Conroy tidbit:

Kevin Conroy has been cast as Batman/Bruce Wayne in the Batman: Gotham Knight  animated movie. Executive producer Gregory Noveck of DC Comics confirms the news in the last minute of a 10 min. 20 sec. interview with the producers of Justice League: The New Frontier,  taped at WonderCon 2008. Personally, I think that this is a great time to have Kevin Conroy reprise Batman; it's a nice present for the fans who have missed him since JLU was canceled. Also, in that last minute, Bruce Timm briefly mentions the troubles on the Teen Titans: Judas Contract  movie.

Source: http://media.dvd.ign.com/media/142/14221172/vid_2304133.html


[spoiler]Meanwhile, story details seem to have leaked out for the individiual segments of Batman: Gotham Knights. I haven't tracked down the source yet.

BEWARE: THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD!

"Have I Got a Story For You"

Producers: Eiko Tanaka, Bruce Timm
Director: Shojiro Nishimi
Writer: Josh Olson

A History of Violence screenwriter Josh Olson tells the story of how chance encounters with Batman by a group of youngsters leave each kid with a very different impression of the Dark Knight.

"The Dark Knight"

Producers: Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Bruce Timm
Director: Futoshi Higashide; Writer
Greg Rucka, story by Jonah Nolan

Acclaimed novelist/comics writer Greg Rucka tells the story of Gotham City police having to get over their distrust of Batman -- while under fire from the mob.

"Field Test"

Producers: Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Bruce Timm
Director: Hiroshi Morioka
Writer: Jordan Goldberg

Writer Jordan Goldberg showcases the incredible high-tech arsenal Batman commands and reveals that there are some things even Batman won't do in his pursuit of justice.

"In Darkness Dwells"

Producers: Masao Maruyama, Bruce Timm
Director: Yasuhiro Aoki
Writer: David S. Goyer

Batman ventures into the Gotham sewers to face Killer Croc, a deformed thug who seems even more monstrous after the Scarecrow returns with his fear toxin in this story by David S. Goyer, co-screenwriter of Batman Begins .

"Working Through Pain"

Producers: Eiko Tanaka, Bruce Timm
Director: Toshiyuki Kubooka
Writer: Brian Azzarello

Award-winning comics writer Brian Azzarello explores an early chapter of Bruce Wayne's training, showing how a mysterious and exotic Indian woman named Cassandra introduced Batman to techniques that would help him to conquer the physical and spiritual consequences of his actions.

"Deadshot"

Producers: Masao Maruyama, Bruce Timm
Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Writer: Alan Burnett

Alan Burnett -- one of the most-acclaimed writers on Batman: The Animated Series -- ties together threads, as Batman must thwart an unerring assassin whose love of guns and disregard for human life lets him cross lines that even a Dark Knight will not traverse.[/spoiler]

[Gremlin]

"Have I Got a Story For You" sounds tremendously interesting.  They all do, in fact.  Can't wait for this!

[BentonGrey]

"Have I Got a Story For You" sounds tremendously interesting.  They all do, in fact.  Can't wait for this!

That's verbatim the plot of a great episode of TAS, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but they should acknowledge the fact that they are retelling an old idea.

[Gremlin]

Yeah, that was my first thought as well.  Where those kids were sitting around talking about Batman, and each one told a different story; one was a classic '60's style animation (complete with Batman calling Robin "chum"), the other was like Miller's Dark Knight, and I forgot what the third was.

[BentonGrey]

The third was an actual bat-man.

[Gremlin]

Well, that was just a cheap shot, wasn't it?

[Midnite]

Official website

Some new footage there.

[Midnite]

Batman Gotham Knight Voice Cast Announced
Source: Warner Premiere, DC Comics March 19, 2008


Warner Premiere and DC Comics have officially announced the voice cast for Batman Gotham Knight:

Kevin Conroy, the bench mark by which fans compare all Batman voices, returns to the title role in Batman Gotham Knight, the third release in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie series from DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video and Warner Bros. Animation, it was announced today. The all-new, original movie will street July 8, 2008 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, as well as OnDemand and Pay-per-View. The film will be available for download on the same date.

Batman Gotham Knight is a fresh and exciting new entry into the Batman mythos, spinning out of a 40-year history in animation including the Emmy®-winning Batman: The Animated Series, widely considered a pivotal moment in American animation. A cross section of distinguished creators, award-winning producers, and acclaimed writers weave six interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne's journey to The Dark Knight, each with stylish art from some of the world's most revered animation visionaries.

Conroy set the standard for modern day Batman voices with his performance in Batman: The Animated Series, The New Adventures of Batman and Robin and The New Batman Superman Adventures. He reprised the role as an aging Bruce Wayne playing mentor to a new Caped Crusader in Batman Beyond. Animation legend and Batman Gotham Knight producer Bruce Timm said Conroy was the obvious choice for both widespread fan approval and to provide an overriding sense of continuity within a film in which Batman appears in so many new, visual variations.

"Anytime we initiate an animated Batman project, 'Will Kevin Conroy voice Batman?' is the first question we hear from fans," said Bruce Timm , Executive Producer. "To meet Kevin is to know that he's not anything like Batman, and yet he manages to perfectly nail that indefinable element that is Batman. He's got the voice, he's got the acting chops, and he's absolutely the best man for the job."

Conroy provided a central, rallying point for a cast that perfectly meshes stars of some of today's highest rated primetime television series with many of the most popular voiceover actors in the business. Gary Dourdan (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) and Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty) are heard in multiple segments of the six-story film as police detectives Crispus Allen and Anna Ramirez, key members of a special unit who learn to trust the Dark Knight's motives. Parminder Nagra (ER, Bend It Like Beckham) supplies the voice of Cassandra, a mystical Indian woman who teaches Bruce Wayne to endure and manage his pain. David McCallum (Navy NCIS, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Great Escape) takes on the role of loyal servant Alfred. George Newbern (Father of the Bride) and Alanna Ubach (Legally Blonde) also join the cast.

The cast also features popular voice over artists Corey Burton, Rob Paulsen, Kevin Michael Richardson, Will Friedle, Jason Marsden, Jim Meskimen, Pat Musick, Scott Menville, Hynden Walch, Corey Padnos and Crystal Scales.

Batman Gotham Knight will be available on DVD for $19.98 SRP. There will also be a 2-disc Special Edition DVD available for $29.98 SRP which contains over 100 minutes of bonus features plus 4 bonus episodes. All the content fr m the 2-disc Special Edition DVD will be available on Blu-ray Disc for $34.99 SRP.

Batman Gotham Knight 2-disc Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray Disc will feature incredible extras including:

"Batman and Me a Devotion of Destiny: The Bob Kane Story" - The comprehensive chronology of the remarkable life of the creator of Batman.

"A Mirror for the Bat: The Evil Denizens of Gotham City" - A stimulating documentary covering Gotham City's most nefarious of characters, combined with a look into the symbiotic relationship Batman shares with his enemies.

"Batman: The Animated Series" Bonus Episodes - Bruce Timm selects his favorite episodes from Batman: The Animated Series.

"Sneak Peek: Wonder Woman" - DC Universe animated original movie

Audio Commentary - Featuring the filmmakers of Gotham Knight.

Widescreen (1.78:1)

5.1 Dolby Digital

Batman Gotham Knight was headed by an impressive list of directors who have brought their distinctly different anime styles to the classic Batman character. The production was divided among three renowned studios – Studio 4ºC, Production I.G and Madhouse – and included the truly inimitable visions of directors Shojiro Nishimi, Futoshi Higashide, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki and Toshiyuki Kubooka. With stories written by several of the most talented writers of film , comic books, and animation, including Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence), David S. Goyer (Batman Begins), Emmy®-winner Alan Burnett (Batman: The Animated Series), Jordan Goldberg (Associate Producer, The Dark Knight), and award-winning comics writers Greg Rucka and Brian Azzarello, Batman Gotham Knight presents thrilling new adventures of Batman that spotlight several of Gotham City's most dangerous villains, including the fearsome Scarecrow, the freakish Killer Croc and the unnerving marksman known as Deadshot. Batman Gotham Knight is produced by Emma Thomas (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Michael Uslan & Benja m in Melniker (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series) and Toshi Hiruma.