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Superman/Batman: Public Enemies DVD Review

Kofi Outlaw — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:07:09 +0000

Superman and Batman have long been the top favorites in the DC Universe – and the only things fans love more than seeing them in their respective adventures is seeing them team up to take on evil. In fact, fans love the Superman/Batman pairing so much that in 2003, DC Comics launched an ongoing Superman/Batman comic book series as a reboot of the historic series World’s Finest Comics, which ran from 1941 to 1986.

The first six issues of the new Superman/Batman featured a story called “Public Enemies”, which was written by Batman scribe Jeph Loeb (The Long Halloween, Hush) and illustrated by Superman artist Ed McGuinness. The story centered on Superman and Batman taking on President Lex Luthor (you read that right) and a whole bunch of DC villains and heroes, who all believe that Superman is responsible for a Kryptonite meteor careening towards Earth. Loeb and McGuinness did such a fantastic job with “Public Enemies” that the DC Universe animation team (once again led by DC guru Bruce Timm) decided to adapt the story for their latest direct-to-DVD (and Blu-ray) animated feature film. I’ll be reviewing the DVD version.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies is an almost carbon-copy translation of Loeb and McGuinness’s work on the page. Directed by Sam Liu (Hulk vs. Thor), the animated feature is drawn in the Jack Kirby-meets-anime style that McGuinness is famous for, while the script by Stan Berkowitz smartly preserves a lot of Loeb’s dialogue from the comic. I for one am happy that the filmmakers chose to glue themselves to the source material and not let go.

For those who have read the comic book version of Public Enemies: If you enjoyed what you read then you’ll get the same geektastic thrill I did watching the story come alive, looking oh so gorgeous on the big (TV) screen. For those who didn’t read the comics: You’re in for one of the best Superman/Batman stories ever written, embedded in 67 minutes of non-stop, old-school super hero action and adventure.

This film is literally a start-to-finish series of battles. Superman and Bats take on everyone from Metallo, Gorilla Grodd, Mongul, Major Force and about four different ice-powered villains from around the DCU, to fellow heroes Captain Atom, Hawkman, Captain Marvel, and ultimately, Luthor himself. That’s pretty much the movie. Each battle sequence is a pleasure to watch and highlights the differing styles, tactics, strengths and weaknesses of both Supes and Bat The battles also highlight the bond that makes these two heroes truly equals.

As with any translation, we do lose a few things: Some plot points of the beginning and ending were changed to fit a standalone feature film, and in the middle we lose that great sequence from the comics where the sidekicks and disciples of Supes and Bats (Robin, Supergirl, Nightwing, Superboy, etc…) storm the Oval Office, only to get their butts handed to them by Luthor. The biggest loss, however, is Loeb’s wonderful Supes/Bats dual internal monologue technique, which he employed brilliantly in “Public Enemies” to illustrate the heroes’ comparative/contrasting opinions of one another. It was a highly enjoyable aspect of the comic, but I’m sure we can all understand why it didn’t make it into the movie. Just one more reason to pickup the comic version and read it for yourself.

Speaking of the comic, for fans who might be wondering: Yes, we still get to see the Superman/Batman rocket ship – and yes, Power Girl is still drawn with all her fantastic endowments in place .

Stars of the former Superman and Batman animated TV series – Tim Daly, Kevin Conroy and Clancy Brown – all return in Public Enemies to voice Supes, Bats and Luthor, respectively. CCH Pounder (The Shield) also returns to voice Luthor’s Government Black ops cohort, Amanda Waller. Hearing the iconic voices of animated Superman and Batman is always a welcome treat, and the actors haven’t lost a step with their characters (Brown especially – he has a good ol’ time with Luthor).

(Continue reading for the DVD Special Features)

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Superman/Batman Public Enemies: Superman vs. Metallo Clips

Kofi Outlaw — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:29:26 +0000

Got two new clips for you today from DC Universe’s upcoming animated feature Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, which is based on the truly awesome graphic novel by Jeph Loeb (Batman: The Long Halloween, Heroes) and Ed McGuinness (Superman). The two clips display an early part of the film in which Superman meets with President Lex Luthor(!), only to be ambushed by the Kryptonite-powered cyborg, Metallo.

If you’re as excited about Superman/Batman: Public Enemies as I am, then you definitely need to check these clips. If you’re not, you need to definitely check out these clips; they’ll get you onboard the trolley.

The clips come our way courtesy of MTV -- I snagged a YouTube version of the first clip for our International viewers; the second clip is exclusive to MTV (for now), and may not be viewable outside of the U.S. Check them out:

Man, am I loving how this movie is looking. It’s everything I could want: Batman, Superman (in that order), a bunch of super heroes and villains and a whole lot of brawling. The graphic novel still stands as my current favorite Supes/Bats story and that is REALLY saying something.

Fan favorites Tim Daly, Kevin Conroy and Clancy Brown will all reprise their previous roles as the voices of Superman, Batman and
Lex Luthor respectively. DC animation guru Bruce Timm will be involved and helming the film is Sam Liu, who recently directed the Marvel
animated feature Hulk vs. Thor. Public Enemies will boast a PG-13 rating, so older folks, don’t miss out.

You know what, I’m feeling so good about seeing one of my favorite superhero stories getting a feature (animated) film that I’m going to go ahead and post a BONUS CLIP, featuring Supes and Bats taking on Captain Atom and Major Force. Enjoy!

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies hits DVD/Blu-ray on September 29, 2009. For some action-packed “Supes/Bats” pics, go here.

Source: MTV

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SR Pick: Superman/Batman: (Real Life) Public Enemies!

Kofi Outlaw — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:38:21 +0000

EXTRA: “Superman” and “Batman” got into a scuffle with the NYPD last night in Times Square, NYC!

Jeez… we’d recently heard that Superman and Batman are “Public Enemies” – guess some people are taking the news literally. Check out this bizarre (and hilarious!) story:

The New York Post is reporting that two young men, Maksim Katsnelson and Frank Frisoli – dressed as Superman and Batman respectively – caused quite the stir yeterday evening in Times Square when they battled it out with cops.

Apparently the two friends went to Times Square fully costumed (see the pics) and were trying to do a little panhandling when police approached and inquired whether the pair had the necessary licenses for performing in public. When the two “superheroes” replied they didn’t have the required licenses, the cops then asked for ID; when the pair responded that they didn’t have IDs either (geniuses), the police proceeded to cuff Frisoli (a.k.a. “Batman”).

That’s when Katsnelson (”Superman”) reportedly flew ran off, screaming, “I’m not getting arrested!” When a female officer tried to subdue Katsnelson, the faux Man of Steel “…freaked out and punched the girl cop in the face,” Frisoli said later.

After THAT, an epic “battle” ensued. Said witness Ryan McCormick (who also provided the photos):

The Man of Steel didn’t go down with just two officers, it took seven officers!…He was putting up a good fight. Little kids were like, ‘Mommy, it’s Superman!

Sounds brutal! Let’s take a look:

Cops must've had kryptonite cuffs...

Katsnelson/Superman – age 23, a Bronx resident – was cuffed and taken to the Midtown South station house. Frisoli/Batman – who is visiting NYC from Maine - was cuffed to a chair for awhile (see below), but eventually was released, as he did not cause any real trouble, police determined. Said Frisoli: “We were just having a good time…”

Yep, Looks like a good time alright...

Yikes.

In the end, witnesses report that Frisoli/Batman walked off unscathed, in the company of another costumed character: The Statue of Liberty. However, after punching a female officer I doubt Katsnelson/Superman is going to fare as lucky. Guess we’ll know soon enough if Superman can bruise…

Source: The New York Post

Photo Source: Ryan McMormick (witness at the scene)

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First Look: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Kofi Outlaw — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:26:51 +0000

I don’t collect comics all that much anymore but I do still drop into the comic shop from time to time to pickup a graphic novel or four. One of the best graphic novels I’ve picked up in the last few years is easily Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’s Superman/Batman: Public Enemies.

In the story, Superman and Batman are framed by President Lex Luthor and must join forces to defeat a horde of bad guys (and some good guys) who are trying to bring them down. The story is SO good that DC Universe has officially announced that Superman/Batman: Public Enemies will be their next animated feature!

Check out the trailer for Superman/Batman: Public Enemies:

Fan favorites Tim Daly, Kevin Conroy and Clancy Brown will all reprise their previous roles as the voices of Superman, Batman and Lex Luthor respectively. DC animation guru Bruce Timm will be involved with Public Enemies as well – although sadly director Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight) won’t be helming the film, as she is on a well-deserved hiatus. Stepping into her (tiny) shoes is Sam Liu, who recently directed the Marvel animated feature Hulk vs. Thor. And, like Green Lantern: First Flight, Public Enemies will boast a PG-13 rating, so older folks don’t miss out.

The thing that has drawn me back to the Superman/Batman: Public Enemies graphic novel over and over again (must’ve read it a dozen times in the last two years) is the fact that it is a classic and iconic Superman/Batman story. Supes and Bats are such polarizing figures, so much so that the “Who is the best?” debate between the two of them is now a bonafide philosophical quandary. Public Enemies does a fantastic job of placing the two heroes side by side for the reader to the compare, even while they are busy on the page trying to contrast themselves. It’s a fantastic read (go out and buy it!) and I hope they do the graphic novel justice by making a fantastic animated feature out of it. Looks like it’s on the right track so far.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies will be avialable for sale on September 29, 2009. You as psyched about it as I am?

Source: MTV News & Rutube

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