The World’s Finest attended the recent New York City Paley Center premiere of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two. A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One animated feature is now available to own on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD, On Demand and for Download. The event, held on January 23rd, 2013, featured media interviews and a screening of the recent DC Universe Animated Original Movie title. The World’s Finest was represented by Daniel Jones. Click on the image below for brief interview snippets with Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One Director Jay Oliva and Voice Director Andrea Romano.
Click on the links below to discuss both the new Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two animated feature and its respective Blu-ray and DVD home video releases.
Click here to read the The World’s Finest reviews of the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two animated feature and Blu-ray release. Stay tuned for additional content and coverage of this title coming soon.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One animated feature is now available to own on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD, On Demand and for Download.
New clips and a selection of images from the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two animated feature have been released by Warner Home Video. The latest film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line, now available to own on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, Download, and onDemand, is the second in a two-part adaptation of the acclaimed 1980s comic series The Dark Knight Returns starring a retired Batman who dons the cape and cowl to deal with a city decaying into crime. Click on the thumbnail below to view the new clips in the High-Definition Quicktime/MP4 format.
The clip features Batman and the Joker finally putting a cap on their violent relationship in the Tunnel of Love. Michael Emerson (Lost, Person of Interest) offers the haunting voice of the Joker; Peter Weller (Robocop) is the commanding voice of Batman.
The additional clip features actor Mark Valley, who provides the voice of Superman in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two, introducing video content.
Warner Home Video has also released a selection of stills from the animated feature along with additional images from the recent Paley Center premieres of the feature. All can be viewed by clicking the thumbnails below.
Click on the links below to discuss both the new Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two animated feature and its respective Blu-ray and DVD home video releases.
Click here to read the The World’s Finest reviews of the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two animated feature and Blu-ray release. Stay tuned for additional content and coverage of this title coming soon.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One animated feature is now available to own on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD, On Demand and for Download.
Debuting three new feature-length titles in 2012, the DC Universe Animated Original Movie direct-to-video line from Warner Home Video moved nearly 1.1 million home video units during the calendar year. The above number comes from the three DC Universe Animated Original Movie titles that debuted this year – Justice League: Doom, Superman Versus The Elite and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two – and those numbers are expected to see some growth, though likely slight, during the 2012 holiday season. Note that all numbers listed in this articles are estimated numbers only, based on research and market analysis.
Among the three new DC Universe Animated Original Movie titles, the February 2012 Justice League: Doom animated feature has moved the most units since its release date, predictably so given it’s early in-the-year release date, moving an estimated 615,000 units combined in the DVD and Blu-ray formats since hitting shelves. The title benefited from strong word-of-mouth throughout the year, along with multiple award nominations and recognition for the work of the late Dwayne McDuffie, who penned the feature. The direct-to-video Justice League: Doom animated feature debuted to 265,000 home video units copies sold in its first week of sales, the week ending March 5th, 2012.
The second feature-length DC Universe Animated Original Movie title of the year, released Summer 2012, the direct-to-video Superman Versus The Elite animated feature has moved 206,000 units in both the DVD and Blu-ray format since its debut. The title was easily the lowest profile release in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line for 2012, barely selling over 130,000 units combined in its first frame, the week ending June 17th, 2012. Criticism of the film’s design work resulted in negative word-of-mouth for the feature, something it was unable to overcome.
Lastly, the final 2012 release under the DC Universe Animated Original Movie banner, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One has proven to be a solid seller on the home video market. The title moved 210,000 total DVD and Blu-ray units in its first week, and over 260,000 to date. The majority of sales, over 70%, came from the Blu-ray format. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One is expected to finish out the year with consistent sales thanks to the home video release of the theatrical feature The Dark Knight Rises, as well as the anticipation for the January 2013 release of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two.
Please note the above sales numbers do not take into account rental numbers, OnDemand numbers or legal download numbers. Sales numbers are estimates gathered through independent research, market analysis and various home media retailing outlets. Additionally, sale numbers from titles released before the 2012 calendar year are not taken into account. Also remember to take into account release date and character marketability when comparing sales numbers for each title.
Stay tuned for updates on current and upcoming DC Universe Animated Original Movie titles here at The Worlds Finest, including exclusive content and more. More details on the entire DC Universe Animated Original Movie line can be found here at The World’s Finest special dedicated subsite. Please click on the links below to discuss the assorted releases covered in this article.
Note: Thanks to everyone for a great year here at The World’s Finest! Thanks to everyone who took the time to visit this site in 2012, and hopefully will continue to do so in 2013. Happy New Year!
Warner Home Video has provided the press release for the upcoming DC Universe Animated Original Movie title Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two, the sequel to the September 2012 animated Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One. The animated feature, the second installment of the two-part adaptation of the acclaimed 1980s comic series The Dark Knight Returns, is the first of three DC Universe Animated Original Universe titles arriving in 2013. Continue below to view the complete press release.
PRIMETIME STARS MICHAEL EMERSON & MARK VALLEY JOIN VOICE CAST AS JOKER & SUPERMAN IN
ALL-NEW DC UNIVERSE ANIMATED ORIGINAL MOVIE BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 2
COMING JANUARY 29, 2013 FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Epic Animated Conclusion to Frank Miller’s Comic Masterpiece
Comes to Blu-rayTM Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand & For Digital Download
Batman must battle old friends and foes on two fronts in the epic animated conclusion to Frank Miller’s masterpiece in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2, the next entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the all-new, PG-13 rated film arrives January 29, 2013 from Warner Home Video as a Blu-ray™ Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) and DVD ($19.98 SRP), On Demand and for Digital Download. The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack will include UltraViolet™*.
With Gotham City back under his watchful eye, and accompanied by able sidekick Robin, Batman continues to battle crime – but his resurgence awakens a far worse evil at Arkham Asylum: The Joker. In the meantime, Superman has been dispatched by the President to halt Batman’s unsanctioned reign by whatever means necessary. Between the Joker’s diabolical scheme to drag Batman to the darkest levels of insanity, and the Man of Steel’s seemingly invincible physical presence, the Dark Knight must confront adversaries and allies simultaneously while maintaining the peace in Gotham City.
Primetime television stars Michael Emerson (Person of Interest, Lost) and Mark Valley (Human Target, Fringe) join the voice cast as The Joker and Superman, respectively; and popular talk show host Conan O’Brien gives voice to animated talk show host Dave Endochrine. Fanboy favorite Peter Weller (RoboCop, Dexter) continues as Bruce Wayne/Batman, and he is once again accompanied by David Selby (The Social Network, Dark Shadows) as Commissioner Gordon, Ariel Winter (Modern Family) as Carrie/Robin, and Michael McKean (This is Spinal Tap) as Dr. Bartholomew Wolper. Also featured in the voice cast is Maria Canals-Barrrera (Wizards of Waverly Place) as new Commissioner Yindel, Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds) as Lana Lang, and Radio Hall of Fame member Michael Jackson as Alfred.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 is directed by Jay Oliva (Man of Steel, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights) from a screenplay by Bob Goodman (Warehouse 13). Sam Register (Young Justice, Teen Titans, Ben 10), Bruce Timm (Justice League: Doom), Michael Uslan (The Dark Knight Rises) and Benjamin Melnicker (The Dark Knight Rises) are executive producers.
“Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 is epic animated filmmaking at its finest Crafted by an impressive team of filmmakers and voice talent alike it’s the perfect complement to the initial installment,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Home Video Vice President, Family & Animation and Partner Brands Marketing. “Just when you thought the story couldn’t become any more intense, the Joker and Superman arrive to up the ante – and Michael Emerson’s approach to the Joker is particularly chilling. This is a film no fan can do without.”
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 Blu-ray™ Combo Pack has more than 2 hours of exciting content, including:
• Standard and high definition versions of the feature film
• UltraViolet™*
• Sneak Peek at Superman: Unbound, the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie
• Featurette – “The Joker: Laughing in the Face of Death” – An all-new featurette. A fitting tribute to the Joker, giving perspective as to why this engrossing character is the true arch nemesis of Batman.
• Documentary – “Superman vs. Batman: When Heroes Collide” – An all-new documentary. Batman and Superman have a long history of friendship and conflict. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns brought an end to that conflict. This is the story behind that battle.
• Featurette – “From Sketch to Screen” – An all-new featurette. Director Jay Oliva gives a fascinating animatic breakdown of five of his favorite moments from Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.
• Look Back – Sneak Peek at Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1
• Two bonus episodes from Batman: The Animated Series (“The Last Laugh” and “The Man Who Killed Batman”) and an episode from The New Batman Adventures (“Legends of the Dark Knight”), all handpicked by producer Alan Burnett.
• Digital Comic – Excerpt from the graphic novel The Dark Knight Falls by Frank Miller. * Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 UltraViolet offer is a limited time offer. Restrictions and limitations apply. Go to ultraviolet.flixster .com/info for details.
About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment/videogames, direct-to-DVD production, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of content through DVD, electronic sell-through and VOD, and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels, and is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame titles.
About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.
About Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) is one of the leading producers of animation in the entertainment industry, with an innovative and talent-rich roster boasting some of the most accomplished writers, producers and artists working today. The studio is on the cutting edge of animation technology and has both CG and traditionally animated projects in current production and development. For TV, WBA produces series such as Green Lantern: The Animated Series, The Looney Tunes Show, MAD, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and Young Justice: Invasion, as well as the forthcoming Beware The Batman and Teen Titans Go!, for Cartoon Network. WBA also produces series and additional original content — including animated shorts — for Cartoon Network’s multiplatform branded DC Nation programming block. In addition to TV programming, WBA produces theatrically released CG cartoon shorts featuring iconic Looney Tunes characters, rendered in stereoscopic 3D. WBA also creates the highly successful series of DC Universe Original Animated Movies for DVD. Producing for multiple platforms including TV, digital and home entertainment both domestically and internationally, WBA is highly respected for its creative and technical excellence, as well as for maintaining the Studio’s rich cartoon heritage. It is also the home of the iconic animated characters from the DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries. One of the most-honored animation studios in history, WBA has been honored with six Academy Awards®, 35 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, the HUMANITAS Prize, two Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).
Click here to view the trailer for Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two.
A co-production of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two animated feature – the first DC Universe Animated Original Movie for 2013 – arrives January 29th, 2013 on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD, On Demand and for Download.
Stay tuned for further updates and more here soon at The World’s Finest.
Warner Home Video has released trailers for the upcoming DC Universe Animated Original Movie title Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two, set to hit shelves come Early 2013, and the upcoming direct-to-video feature Lego Batman: The Movie – DC SuperHeroes Unite. Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Superheroes Unite, not part of the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line but still set for release from Warner Home Video, will also hit shelves come Early 2013. Additional press details have also been provided below. Click on the images below to view trailers for both features in standard definition. Links to high-definition alternatives are also available.
BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 2 is the first of three films to
be released as part of the DCU series in 2013. As announced at New
York Comic Con, the 2013 DCU Animated Original Movies slate features:
BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 2, the epic animated conclusion
to Frank Miller’s masterpiece. Arrives in early 2013.
Early 2013 … January/February
SUPERMAN: UNBOUND, based on Geoff Johns’ “Superman/Brainiac”
storyline, and streeting in mid-2013.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: FLASHPOINT, based on the 2011 Geoff Johns miniseries
“Flashpoint.” Expected release in the second half of 2013.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two animated feature – the first DC Universe Animated Original Movie for 2013 – arrives Winter/Early 2013 on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD, On Demand and for Download.
Stay tuned for updates on all these projects and more in the coming weeks here soon at The World’s Finest.