The Films
Batman and Superman must reconcile their differences in order to stop the madness of the Joker and Lex Luthor. The Joker, needing more money to continue his criminal activities, comes to Lex Luthor with kryptonite dragon statue and a plan to kill Superman with it. Meanwhile, the Batman trails Joker to Metropolis. As Bruce Wayne, he meets Lois Lane and begins to court her, which obviously doesn’t sit well with Clark Kent. They put their differences aside to stop the villains, who are having trust issues of their own. Is it the Joker and Harley Quinn who turn on Lex or the other way around..or both?
In Batman Vs Dracula, Batman must overcome the power of Dracula and save Gotham before its citizens are all turned into vampires under the control of Dracula. The story begins when Joker and Penguin escape from Arkum. The Penguin was told by another inmate that there was something special in a certain spot of the Gotham Cemetary. Upon investigation, Penguin uncovers an old coffin, and inadvertently awakens Dracula when he cuts his hand and the blood drips onto the coffin. Penguin is quickly hypnotized by Dracula’s stare so that he might lead Dracula through Gotham.
The following day, Batman notices a vampire attack while out one night and meets a cultural scholar soon after at a formal gathering. This scholar claims to be in Gotham to study Batman, but Batman realizes there is something more to this man. He puts it together that the scholar and Dracula are one in the same, and he also discovers during a fight between he and Dracula that Dracula’s powers are considerable. Meanwhile, the Joker becomes infected and bloodthirsty, as more and more of Gotham comes under the spell of Dracula. Batman concocts a solution, but must go into Dracula’s lair to stop him and rescue news reporter Vicki Vale, who Dracula captured and plans to sacrifice to bring back his own bride.
On DVD
Neither of these films are new, but this is the first time both have been released together. Between the two, I prefer the Dracula film, but both are entertaining and well done, with high production values. As far as presentation goes, image and sound quality are great, just like you would expect for two animated films made in the last few years.
As for extra features, each film has a few:
The Batman/Superman Movie:
-Cast & Crew – Two still images listing the voice actors of the characters, which include Mark Hamill as the Joker and Lisa Edelstein (from Fox’s House show) as Mercy Graves.
-The Joker’s Challenge – Viewers select either Batman or Superman and play through a basic interactive game that ties in with the film. Players are presented with a text description and still image and must use their remote to steer their character in the right direction by selecting the proper course of action. When you do so, a clip from the film plays, and if you select the wrong one, another clip appears informing you to try again.
-Conversation with Producer Bruce Timm
-The Art of the Batman/Superman Movie – A series of clips from the film and concept and storyboard art are shown, lasting about three minutes.
-Get the Picture: How To Draw Batman
-Get the Picture: How To Draw Superman
Oddly enough the back of the box indicates that there is a Music Montage but I did not find this on the disc.
Batman Vs. Dracula
-Science Vs Superstition – Batman takes us through clips of the film while discussing what is fact and what isn’t in regards to Dracula.
-City of Knight: Interactive Gotham Map revealing making-of segments.
-Voices In Closeup: A six minute behind the scenes look at the voices of the characters, including lots of footage of them in the recording booth; interviews also included, pretty cool stuff.
To the summary…