Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)

Movie Info

Hey, Wonder Woman…back off our bromance!

Following arrest of Lex Luthor and the destruction of the Kryptonite meteor headed to Earth, a giant meteor crashes in Gotham…and something was inside of it.  Batman discovers a young girl calling herself Kara and claiming to be Superman’s cousin.  Though Batman doubts the girl’s claim, Superman believes he has finally found his family.  When the Justice League demands      get more control of her powers, Wonder Woman takes Kara to Themyscira Island for training.  Unfortunately, Darkseid has also put his eyes on Kara and he will stop at nothing to get her.

Directed by Lauren Montgomery, Superman/Batman:  Apocalypse is a follow-up to the animated film Superman/Batman:  Public Enemies from 2009.  The movie is an adaptation of the second storyline of the DC Comic Superman/Batman 2:  Supergirl which reprinted Superman/Batman #8-13 (May 2004-October 2004).

Darkseid always wins the starring contest

I didn’t really enjoy the Superman/Batman comic and did not love the first entry Superman/Batman:  Public Enemies.  Though I do enjoy Supergirl and I think Darkseid can be interesting if he is done right, Superman/Batman:  Apocalypse is even weaker.

The story goes on for way too long and though it is titled Superman/Batman, Batman’s involvement is pretty minor.  The movie feels very segmented with Batman discovering Supergirl, Clark and Supergirl enjoying Metropolis, Supergirl on Themyscira Island, the battle on Apokolips, and the battle at the Kent Farm.  Each of these segments have very little flow and the story just goes on and on…more reason for the central theme should have been considered.

Very practical outfit Supergirl…I often see women working out in outfits like this in the gym…

I do like Supergirl and always thought both her and Power Girl were interesting characters.  The idea of someone who is in Superman’s class power-wise, but not his maturity or same sense of right and wrong was a compelling idea.  Unfortunately, DC and writers always seemed to objectify the character and not give her the respect that they give Superman or Batman…the ridiculous midriff costume at the end is a sign of that.

The animation for both Superman/Batman films does somewhat adapt Michael Turner’s art.  The work is cleaner and better looking than the DC Animated series, but I think those have a classier look to them than this more polished art.

I love DC Animated features and think they generally hold up better than Marvel’s animated features.  Despite both Superman/Batman films not being in canon with the DC Animated Universe, they still feel like they could fit.  Fortunately, with both films not being up to snuff in comparison to some of the other work, the Superman/Batman films ended with this entry.

[easyazon-block align=”center” asin=”B003UN2ILS” locale=”us”]

Related Links:

Superman/Batman:  Public Enemies (2009)