The Great DOOM! is coming “Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham” combines the world of Gotham and Batman with the cosmic-horror fiction of H.P. Lovecraft, creating a DC Elseworld story that is hauntingly atmospheric and full of great gothic horror as Batman’s rational mind and unparalleled fighting skills are put to the ultimate test when an ancient force threatens his world and everyone he holds dear. The all-new, feature-length DC Animated Movie puts Batman up against Lovecraftian supernatural forces threatening the sheer existence of Gotham as he’s aided and confronted along the way by reimagined versions of his well-known allies and enemies, including Green Arrow, Ra’s al Ghul, Mr Freeze, Killer Croc, Two-Face, James Gordon and more. 

Based on the three-issue comic book miniseries written by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, Richard Pace, and Troy Nixey published from 2000-2001 is an alternate-world tale that introduces us to an alternate version of Bruce Wayne and the residents of Gotham to Lovecraftian horrors. The film is genuinely atmospheric and true to both the core of DC characters and the tone of the 1920s Gotham story. I’ve always loved reading these alternate stories within the DC Universe and seeing them translated into animation is always a thrill, especially when I get to see different iterations of Batman and Gotham City like “Batman Ninja” in Feudal Japan, “Gotham By Gaslight” with Batman hunting Jack the Ripper, and now we have a 1920s tale with Lovecraft influence. In a matter of fact, Arkham is a fictional town in many of his stories, the two worlds blend seamlessly, though was half expecting to see Constantine with all these demonic demon creatures.  

An ancient supernatural evil known as the stalker on the threshold awakens as mystical and evil forces begin to take over Gotham with the purpose of conquering the world and plunge it into an eternal abyss of darkness. In the 1920s an expedition led by Bruce Wayne (David Giuntoli) arrives in Antarctica in search of a lost expedition led by Professor Cobblepot (William Salyers), however, what they find goes further beyond all imaginable mutant creatures and the professor’s undead assistant Grendon (David Dastmalchian). This sets in motion a plot by Talia Al Ghul. Bruce takes to the streets of prohibition Gotham in search of information, This leads him to Dr Kirk Langstrom, a scientist who specialises in bats, and who is convinced something dreadful is coming to take over the world. The story in this film ultimately tests Bruce as Batman soon finds himself coming face-to-face with a new enemy, who is prepared to unleash all hell on earth, thus leaving Batman as the only line of defence. The Dark Knight however seems to be more connected to this supernatural Force than he realised, so in order to defeat it, he may have to embrace the darker side of his persona and face the trauma of his past.

The animation is great, especially the character designs and the 1920s aesthetic for Gotham showcases more of the macabre aspects of the story that features the Cthulhu Mythos. As we explore this alternate Gotham we begin to see the dark shadows and conspiracies of Gotham City that seedly blend well with dark cults doing supernatural things. Even better is how it mixes new alternate iterations of Batman’s rogues’ gallery. Almost all of the villains are physically or mentally corrupted by the Lurker on the Threshold and are given new purposes and an Elseworld makeover in this Alternate story, my favourites being Poison Ivy and Mr Freeze. The colour palette throughout is also strong with red, black, and grey hues for Gotham City to the neon green, fiery red colours depicting the supernatural elements. Whilst the film’s score composed by Stefan L. Smith fulfils the task of being a support element that features good pieces that go from classical to thunderous and orchestral horror truly makes the experience more enjoyable and very Batman which I thought his soundtrack harkened back to Elfman’s.

Sam Liu (The Death and Return of Superman) fills the dual role of producer and co-director, of “Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham working closely with co-director Christopher Berkeley (Young Justice) to bring to animated life the script from screenwriter Jase Ricci (Teen Titans Go! and DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse).

The voice cast is comprised of David Giuntoli (Grimm, A Million Little Things) who reprises his Batman: Soul of the Dragon role as the voice of the Dark Knight. Tati Gabrielle (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Uncharted) makes her DC animated debut as Kai Li Cain, Batman’s closest ally. Christopher Gorham (The Lincoln Lawyer, Insatiable) as Oliver Queen, Patrick Fabian (Better Call Saul) as Harvey Dent, John DiMaggio (Futurama, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire) as James Gordon, and David Dastmalchian (Dune, The Suicide Squad, Ant-Man) as Grendon. Rounding out the cast is Gideon Adlon (Legion of Super-Heroes) as Oracle, Karan Brar (Jessie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise) as Sanjay “Jay” Tawde, Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator, The Frighteners) as Kirk Langstrom, Darin De Paul (Mortal Kombat Legends & Overwatch franchises) as Thomas Wayne, Brian George (Seinfeld) as Alfred, Jason Marsden (Young Justice, A Goofy Movie) as Dick Grayson & Young Bruce Wayne, Navid Negahban (Homeland, The Cleaning Lady) as Ra’s al Ghul, Emily O’Brien (Days of Our Lives) as Talia al Ghul & Martha Wayne, Tim Russ (Star Trek: Voyager) as Lucius Fox, William Salyers (The Regular Show) as Cobbelpot & Professor Manfurd.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I was very impressed with Batman: The Doom That Came To Cotham. A film that faithfully adapts from its source material and goes to some dark and twisted places. Gripping, thrilling, and ultimately a striking horror mystery showcasing Batman fighting off Lovecraftian creatures. Prepare for a mystical, often terrifying Batman adventure unlike any other.

By now, we all know that Todd Phillips is helming the sequel to the Oscar-winning comic-book adaptation Joker. It was reported that Joaquin Phoenix will be reprising his role as the menacing clown prince of crime known as Arthur Fleck while , in a shocking twist, Lady Gaga will be playing Harley Quinn instead of Margot Robbie coming back as the Joker’s favorite love interest. 

People are still somewhat in shock that the sequel to the 2019 smash hit is going to be a musical that will actually feature our lead character singing, which is already something new for a DC film. Despite all of that, fans are understandably worried that this sequel will not perform on the same level as its predecessor. 

Here is how it can be great:

Introduce Batman

Technically, we already saw Batman in the last movie. Many people don’t count it because it was just a young Bruce Wayne up until he lost his parents. However, if fans want to be truly satisfied with the outcome of the film, Todd Phillips needs to have Batman come into his Caped Crusading glory once again. Whether they use Robert Pattinson, or decide to bring Ben Affleck back again, it would be so amazing so see the two go at it in this universe.

Fans might groan and roll their eyes at the prospect of these two characters duking it out yet again, but, whether we like it or not, Joker is the greatest Batman villain in his rogues gallery and a Joker without a Batman, especially in this sequel, does not look like it would bode well with audiences.

Joker must kill Robin

In the comics, Jason Todd’s Robin is kidnapped and held captive by the Joker only to be ultimately killed by the clown prince of crime. To really make this movie compelling, there has to be some sort of stakes. Robin may be the equalizer in those stakes and up the ante in the film to make it more heartfelt and poetic if the Joker were to kill him.

This would most likely culminate into an ultimate showdown of blood, justice and vengeance between Joker and Batman.

Kill the Musical Numbers

It might be impossible at this point but if the filmmakers want this film to succeed, it makes only sense to get the musical genre clear out of the film. DC comic-book films and musicals don’t sound like they mix well together. WIth that being said, it only makes sense that the two remain separate.

To be honest, could you imagine seeing Joker singing a power ballad with Harley Quinn in a DC film, or better yet, singing it with Batman? Moreover, could you imagine Joker looming over Robin as he belts out a villain song? I couldn’t imagine that either.

James Gunn’s DCU lineup has been revealed. Gunn says his new direction for the DCU will be an eight to ten year process of films and animation, that will all tie in together. Even using the same voice actors for animation in the live-action versions of the characters.

“One of our strategies is that we take our diamond characters — Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman– and we use that to help prop up other characters that people don’t know. Like what happened with the Guardians (of the Galaxy) in some way. Like taking teams like The Authority, which is I know is just as spectacular idea for a film that is completely different take on superheroes. Because it’s really connected to Superman. It’s about to use those well-known properties to help lead into lesser known properties.”

“We’re going to promise that everything from our first project forward is going to be unified. But we’ve gotten very lucky for the next four projects. I will say here that Flash is probably one of the greatest superhero movies ever made.”

Creature Commandos — will be an animated tv series: “Animation will lead into live action and back into animation. It’s a way to tell stories that are gigantic and huge without spending $50M an episode.” Says Gunn.

Waller — Will be an HBO Max Live-Action Series

Suicide Squad, Viola Davis [Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures]

Lanterns — HBO Max live action series. “Our vision for this is True Detective. It’s terrestrial-based, it’s got two of our favorite Green Lanterns –Hal Jordan and John Stewart…it plays a really big role in the main story that we’re telling across our film and Television. This is a very important show for us.”

The Authority —  “There’s great wildstorm characters that were popular for a long-time and we’re incorporating them into the DCU,”

Paradise Lost — HBO Max live action series. “It’s going to be a Games of Thrones-ish story about Themyscira, the home of the Amazons and the birthplace of Wonder Woman. This drama is really about the political intrigue behind the society of all women. How did that come about? What’s the beautiful truths and the ugly truths behind all of that and what’s the scheming like between all the power players in that society?” The series will take place before the birth of Diana

The Brave and the Bold — This story will be Gunn’s Batman outside of Matt Reeves story. “who is a little son of a bitch assassin, murderer who Batman takes on, who is Batman’s actual son that he doesn’t know exists for the first 8-10 years of his life….it’s a strange father and son story about the two of them and based on Grant Morrison’s run of the Batman.”

Booster Gold — HBO Max TV series is about a loser from the future, who uses future technology to come back to today, and pretend to be a superhero. “Imposter syndrome as a superhero,”

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow  “In our series we see the difference between Superman who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents from the time he was an infant, versus Supergirl who was raised on a rock, a chip off Krypton, and watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life, and then came to Earth when she was a young girl. She’s much more hardcore, she’s not exactly the Supergirl we’re use to seeing.”

 Swamp Thing: — Will be a dark horror take on the character, that will tie in to the rest of the DCU