Batman Gotham Knight Discussion

[Jack Napier]

Here we can discuss the DVD release of Batman: Gotham Knight.

Honestly? I was disappointed.

"Have I Got a Story For You" was a re-do of the "Legends of the Dark Knight" episode from BTAS, but this time less cool, without the different comic book versions of Batman, and now told through the perspective of ghetto kids. No thanks.

"Crossfire" was okay, but frankly I expected more from Greg Rucka.

"Field Test" had a fresh premise behind it, but the designs for Bruce and Batman didn't work for me, nor did the characterization and the role that Lucius Fox played into the story.

"In Darkness Dwells" is one of the better ones, with the best music.

"Working Through Pain" has flashbacks to an interesting story about how Bruce learned to, as the title says, work through the pain. It doesn't really fit in with the Batman Begins version of his years abroad, but rather seems more appropriate for the comic book version, which I find preferable anyways.

"Deadshot" is the best one that ties all the others together. It has the best animation and it makes the most use out of it, in my opinion. It keeps the comic book magic, which I appreciated. No surprise here that Alan Burnett from BTAS was behind this one.

Overall, Gotham Knight is not awful. But I think it's rather mediocre. At least it was good hearing Kevin Conroy back.

[Timothy]

Jul 11, 2008 11:21:38 GMT -5 Jack Napier said:

"Have I Got a Story For You" was a re-do of the "Legends of the Dark Knight" episode from BTAS, but this time less cool, without the different comic book versions of Batman, and now told through the perspective of ghetto kids. No thanks.

Couldn't this just be a modern version of Denny O'Neil's story, “The Batman Nobody Knows” (BATMAN #250, July 1973) from his run on the character? Basically, the plot of this story was Bruce Wayne took several, essentially ghetto, kids on a camping trip with the kids ending up telling their versions of what Batman looked like.

Which one was the one with the Scarecrow? I ask because I love the animation style on a personal level, as it is fairly close to my shadow theories for drawing

[Jack Napier]

I think O'Neil's story definitely influenced both Legends of the Dark Knight and Have I Got A Story For You?

I had forgotten that the kids in O'Neil's story were described as "ghetto-hardened."
Still, I should clarify myself- my problem wasn't because they were from the ghetto. What I should have said was that I think the kids come across as very stereotypical "ghetto" in how they talk. They all talk in that (pardon the political incorrectness) "rap star" type of voice, which I found annoying. I think you'll catch on to what I mean when you see it.

And Scarecrow is in "In Darkness Dwells." The lips on Batman in that one kind of look like Michael Keaton's, haha.

By the way, I just started reading the novelization for Gotham Knight by Louise Simonson. It's a completely different experience. Simonson ties all six segments into one unified story. So far, I like it better.

[Timothy]

Jul 14, 2008 1:55:43 GMT -5 Jack Napier said:

I think O'Neil's story definitely influenced both Legends of the Dark Knight and Have I Got A Story For You?

I had forgotten that the kids in O'Neil's story were described as "ghetto-hardened."
Still, I should clarify myself- my problem wasn't because they were from the ghetto. What I should have said was that I think the kids come across as very stereotypical "ghetto" in how they talk. They all talk in that (pardon the political incorrectness) "rap star" type of voice, which I found annoying. I think you'll catch on to what I mean when you see it.

"Stereotypes: Taking the Thinking Out of Writing Since 1843" ;D I haven't even seen or heard it yet, and I have a fairly vivid idea of what you mean.

And Scarecrow is in "In Darkness Dwells." The lips on Batman in that one kind of look like Michael Keaton's, haha.

Thanks for the head's up! If you want to check out what I meant by art and stuff, here's my DeviantART page

By the way, I just started reading the novelization for Gotham Knight by Louise Simonson. It's a completely different experience. Simonson ties all six segments into one unified story. So far, I like it better.

Wait, so a novelization is better than the actual film? Now I'm going to have to go and pick it up ;D

[Jack Napier]

I've been reading more and so far, Louise Simonson's take on each story has been much better, in my opinion. I highly recommend picking it up after you see the film.

[Timothy]

Jul 15, 2008 20:39:18 GMT -5 Jack Napier said:

I've been reading more and so far, Louise Simonson's take on each story has been much better, in my opinion. I highly recommend picking it up after you see the film.

I'll buy it and put it on my to-read pile; right now, I'm journeying through Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations

[Solomon Grundzarro]

Jul 15, 2008 21:00:13 GMT -5 Timothy said:

Jul 15, 2008 20:39:18 GMT -5 Jack Napier said:

I've been reading more and so far, Louise Simonson's take on each story has been much better, in my opinion. I highly recommend picking it up after you see the film.

I'll buy it and put it on my to-read pile; right now, I'm journeying through Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations

Sounds like one book i might have to get as well... don't get any ideas about the invisible hand being a new villain for the bat

[Timothy]

Jul 16, 2008 20:26:03 GMT -5 Solomon Grundzarro said:

Jul 15, 2008 21:00:13 GMT -5 Timothy said:

I'll buy it and put it on my to-read pile; right now, I'm journeying through Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations

Sounds like one book i might have to get as well... don't get any ideas about the invisible hand being a new villain for the bat

Well, the abstract concept of that would be a much better villain in terms of motivation... Bruce Wayne's, what I call, "moderate capitalism" versus an economic adversary's "Laisez-faire" capitalism; no rules and no morals.

[Timothy]

First of all, I'd like to let everyone know about a kick-ass bonus feature on both the 2-disc and regular versions; a sneak-peak preview of the Wonder Woman DTV project coming out next spring. I'm a long-time fan of this Amazonian and the voicing, art direction and writing was just spot-on.

On to your regularly scheduled broadcast:

The commentary is definitely worth listening to for this wonderful anecdote that Kevin Conroy (of Batman: The Animated Series fame) relates regarding his work as a volunteer cook in NYC following 9/11. Essentially, one of his co-workers asked what kind of acting he did, and upon discovering that he played Batman, ran out to the auditorium where the firefighters and policemen were and said, "Hey guys! You'll never believe who's been cooking your food for a week! It's Batman!" When they asked for proof, Kevin shouted his infamous, "I AM VENGEANCE... I AM THE NIGHT... I... AM... BATMAN!" The auditorium was quiet for a second, and then a massive throng of firemen and police officers rushed to the kitchen to tell Kevin Conroy of how much he meant to them growing up, their kids, and asking for autographs. It was really touching to know that after coping with such a huge loss, laughter could be heard again because of a shared love of popular culture

Have I Got a Story For You

Anyone else here play "Jet Set Radio: Future" for SEGA Dreamcast or Xbox? The art-direction here reminded me of the game, and as such, I got into it more than I would have otherwise. My favorite part had to have been the "robo-Batman" version told by one of the kids. It was the perfect way a kid or small child would explain Batman; "AND THEN THE ROBOT SHOWED UP AND MADE HIS ARM INTO A HUGE LASER CANNON" That's nice dear. "BUT THE BAD-GUY WAS BAD, SO HE HAD TO FLY AWAY REALLY, REALLY FAST..." ;D

Crossfire
I can't believe I did this, but as soon as I read the title for this segment, I started saying the words to the 90's commercial for a game by the same name. "CROSSFIRE!"

Not my favorite; did anyone else feel like it looked like a slightly more stylized version of "The Batman"?

Field Test

My least favorite one of the bunch; too "anime-y" for my tastes.

In Darkness Dwells

My favorite in terms of art-direction, and was the closest thing I've ever seen to adapting my personal art shadow theory to a cartoon.

Working Through Pain

I found out in the commentary that this was "difficult" for the director to do because, surprisingly, it wasn't set in a more traditional dojo or Japanese school. I loved it and I'm glad the directors could go outside their comfort zones of feudal Japan/ modern Japan/ modern feudal Japan like every other anime show.

Deadshot
The assassination was awesome (God, I feel awful for saying that) at the beginning, although I felt Deadshot's redesigned costume could have been better. Cool segment regardless

All in all, I liked this animated movie; it was far from outstanding, but it was definitely worth watching

[Jack Napier]

With both Conroy and Denny O'Neil on that track, I've got to listen to that commentary some time.

Btw, I forgot to bring this up- did you spot that the Batmobile in Working Through Pain was the 1989/1992 Batmobile? It's a bit dark to tell, but it's definitely it.