This is not a sequel to the Mystery of the Phantasm or Subzero. This is not a follow up to Batman: the Animated Series or the Justice League. This is not the same Batman that we saw in Subzero or the Mystery of the Batwoman.
This is a different Batman.
This is the Batman from the re-launched movies. The one played by Christian Bale.
For the most part, this film (or films depending on how you look at it) fills in the gaps between Batman Begins and the Dark Knight… although it also revisits some of Bruce Wayne’s pre-Batman training.
It’s a marketing movie not unlike the Animatrix and the Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury.
And like the Animatrix, Gotham Knight is a collection of animated stories that blend original tales with a stunning visual style. The style in particular is an anime-inspired Batman. Personally I thought that had already been done through Batman Beyond, but… you know… this one’s even anime-er.
The stories are great, the action is intense and the villains are incredible (in particular the Scarecrow and Deadshot), but the true highlight of this film is Kevin Conroy’s return as the voice of Batman.
After a few years absence, the Batman from the Justice League, the Animated Series, Subzero, Mysteries of Phantasm and Batwoman, etc. has returned.
It’s this fanboy’s dream come true I tell you.
And one that’s not a moment too soon either… after the Justice League’s George Newbern and Clancy Brown showed up on the (new) Batman I had worried that Kevin Conroy might have finished his run as the protector of Gotham City.
Conroy’s return alone makes this a DVD worth owning… add to that great stories, stunning visuals and the excitement of the upcoming Dark Knight and Gotham Knight becomes a must for even the most casual Batfan out there.
