Batman: Bad Blood Live Screening News Coverage!
Last night I had an opportunity to attend a screening of the new animated film Batman: Bad Blood, followed by a panel discussion at the Paley Center in NYC. Let me start by saying it’s been a while since I’ve sat down and watched an animated movie in its entirety. However, I definitely enjoyed the movie. The animation is amazing. The fight scenes reminded me of fast paced MMA style fights, not to mention the great one-liners. Yvonne Strahovski (Batwoman), Travis Willingham (Heretic), Sean Maher (Nightwing), Phil Bourassa (Character Designer), and Jay Oliva (Director) attended the event, worked the press line with some Q and A, and after the viewing participated in a second Q and A panel with the audience. They truly made it an enjoyable event.
The movie opened with a surprising appearance by Batwoman as she takes on a barrage of Batman’s rogues gallery. As they get the best of her, Batman swoops in to save the day. They take on a number of villains until they come face to face with an imposing, mysterious villain. Batman says “Do I know you?” and the mysterious villain replies “Intimately yet not at all.” His tone was so smooth and mellow, yet exuded a bone-chilling feeling. As the scene progressed, a fight ensues, which ended with Batman saving Batwoman from being caught in an explosion by throwning her out a window. Batman then ultimately disappears without a trace.
Batman’s disappearance ultimately leads to Alfred covering for Bruce Wayne while Nightwing and Robin patrol Gotham City. With Batman missing, Dick Grayson reluctantly takes on the role of Batman with Damian Wayne by his side as Robin. Events within the movie lead us to see the first appearance of Luke Fox as Batwing and we later discover that the mysterious and menacing villain is indeed The Heretic. You also get to see characters such as Firefly, Talia al Ghul, Black Mask, The Mad Hatter, Jevis Tetch, Electrocutioner and others taking on The Bat Family. Some of the villains literally lose their head.
At the end of the film, there’s a brief visual of Batgirl, who makes her first appearance in the current DC Animation continuity. Batgirl’s costume design is inspired by a recent character redesign, courtesy of Babs Tar and Cameron Stewart.
Is this a hint that we could be receiving a solo Batgirl animated feature in the near future? Upcoming features are usually announced at San Diego Comic-Con so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. I definitely enjoyed Batman: Bad Blood and can’t wait to catch up on the films which I have missed out on.
Batman: Bad Blood is available for purchase on Digital HD beginning today and physical copies can be purchased on February 2nd, 2016.
“Batman: Bad Blood” stars Jason O’Mara (Batman), Sean Maher (Nightwing), Yvonne Strahovski (Batwoman), Stuart Allan (Damian Wayne/Robin), Morena Baccarin (Talia al Ghul), Gaius Charles (Luke Fox/Batwing) and Ernie Hudson (Lucius Fox).
