DVD News

Superman and Batman take on Darkseid in Apocalypse

By Patrick Luce Jul 1, 2010, 15:19 GMT

Superman and Batman are back in action against Darkseid.

Superman and Batman are teaming up again – this time to battle the powerful forces of Darkseid in Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. The new animated film is the ninth entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies and arrives on September 28th from Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation.

The film will be released in a Special Edition Blu-Ray and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD for a suggested retail price of $29.99 and $24.98, respectively. It will also be availableas a single disc DVD for a suggested retail of $19.98. The film will also be available On Demand and for Download.
 
The film also marks the return of fan favorites Tim Daly (Private Practice) as the voice of Superman and Kevin Conroy (China Beach) as the voice of Batman. The celebrity-laden guest cast is headed by Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age) as the daunting Darkseid. Sci-Fi hottie Summer Glau (Serenity/Firefly, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) provides the voice of Supergirl, and seven-time Emmy Award winner Ed Asner (Up) reprises his Superman: The Animated Series/Justice League role as Granny Goodness.
 
Based on the DC Comics series/graphic novel “Superman/Batman: Supergirl” by Jeph Loeb, Michael Turner & Peter Steigerwald, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is produced by animation legend Bruce Timm and directed by Lauren Montgomery (Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths) from a script by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Tab Murphy (Gorillas in the Mist).
 
Synopsis: After a spaceship splashes down in Gotham City Harbor, Batman and Superman encounter a mysterious Kryptonian with powers as great as those of the Man of Steel. The Kryptonian is soon revealed to be Kara, cousin of Superman, who takes her under his wing to educate her about the ways of Earth.

However, the villainous Darkseid has other plans. Seeing an opportunity to finally defeat Superman, Darkseid abducts and gains control of Kara, utilizing the powerful Kryptonian to do his bidding. It’s up to Batman and Superman to save Kara, but they’ll have to take the fight to Darkseid within his hostile world – where unknown, deadly threats lurk around every corner, including a brainwashed Kryptonian able to match Superman blow-for-blow.
 
In addition to the feature film, the Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Special Edition Blu-Ray and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD include the third DC Showcase animated short, Green Arrow.

Screenwriter Greg Weisman’s story finds Oliver Queen at the Star City International Airport to pick up his girlfriend, only to be forced into action as Green Arrow to protect the 10-year-old Princess of Vlatava from his old nemesis Merlyn the Magnificent and the League of Assassins.

The short features the voices of Neal McDonough (Desperate Housewives) and Malcolm McDowell (Entourage). Bruce Timm is executive producer.
 
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse 2-Disc Special Edition DVD features more than 1 1/2 hours of exciting extra content, including:

Feature film (est. 75 min)
DC Showcase: Green Arrow (10 min)
Sneak Peak at the Next DC Universe Animated Original Movie (10 min)
Featurette: Supergirl: The Last Daughter of Krypton - A comprehensive look at The Maiden of Might from her introduction in the classic age of comics to her death in the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event to her appearance on Smallville and beyond.
2 bonus episodes from animated television series handpicked by Bruce Timm
 
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Special Edition Blu-Ray will include more than 2 1/2 hours of intriguing bonus features, starting with all of the content available on the 2-Disc Special Edition DVD and adding:

All-New Featurette: The New Gods - This documentary covers Darkseid’s story, particularly in reference to the adaptation of Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. A primer on the wealth of material and stories contained in the New Gods series, along with a deeper understanding of why these characters – and especially Darkseid – are so memorable and important to the DC pantheon.
All-New Featurette Pods
Orion - The mightiest warrior on either New Genesis or Apokolips, Orion follows an almost Shakespearean arc culminating in the slaying of his father, Darkseid. This mini-featurette shines a light on this classically tragic character.
Mister Miracle - This mini-featurette focuses on the greatest escape artist the universe has ever known and how he was traded in a peace effort to be raised by Darkseid, the enemy of all New Genesis.
2 additional bonus TV series episodes handpicked by Bruce Timm
Digital copy on disc of the feature film