Before the DC Extended Universe and DC TV were constructing their separate universes, the DC Animated Universe has long been the best place outside of the comics to see your favorite DC characters. From classic TV series like Batman: The Animated Series and Young Justice, to movie adaptations of pivotal Justice League storylines like Flashpoint Paradox and War, the DCAU has featured some of the best stories and casts in superhero media.

The latest installment in the franchise is the animated Justice League Dark film, set to release later this month. The first trailer for the new movie was released a few months back, and showed Batman joining forces with the like of Constantine, Swamp Thing, and Zatanna, the marketing for the movie has continued along. We've been treated to the cover art for the Blu-ray, which also revealed that the movie will release January 24th. Then there was the first clip, showing John Constantine in the middle of a demonic poker game.

Everything so far has gotten fans very excited for the upcoming release of the film, which will demonstrate the contrast between the kinds of threats that the two different versions of the Justice League face, and further highlighting that divide will be the inclusion of Batman in the film. Ever the detective and scientist, a new clip from the movie demonstrates Batman's feelings about the arrival of a magical threat.

Batman in Justice League Dark

Besides establishing Batman's reluctance to accept magic as the culprit behind the chaos, the clip also provides us with a great line that reveals the difference between Bruce's approach to crime fighting versus how the rest of the League operates. When questioned about the existence of magic, he states: "I recommend spending more time on the streets, instead of just flying over them."

That work will continue on the big screen as well, since the live action adaptation of the Justice League Dark comic is still working its way through development hell. After years in the hands of Guillermo del Toro, the rebranded Dark Universe seems to be moving forward thanks to the involvement of new director Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow). Liman has stated that he was brought in to help establish a more unconventional series of movies for DC and WB, and the Justice League Dark animated film may well be a dry run. The DCAU actually pulled a similar move when they released Assault on Arkham, also starring Batman and setting up the more modern incarnation of Task Force X from Suicide Squad.

Justice League Dark will release on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital on January 24, 2017.

Source: WB Animation