The DC FanDome event gave DC fans a lot to be excited about over the weekend between trailer drops for THE BATMAN and Zack Snyder's JUSTICE LEAGUE to name a few but there was more news on the animated front that likely sent fans over the edge. It was confirmed at DC FanDome that a 2-part animated movie based on "Batman: The Long Halloween" is currently in the works.
"Batman: The Long Halloween" is one of the most popular comic book storylines for the Dark Knight and fans have been asking for a movie adaptation for years. The comic did serve as an inspiration for Christopher Nolan's DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY and other BATMAN projects but this project will allow the title to get a feature of its own. While speaking about the project at IGN's DC FanDome panel for Superman: Man of Tomorrow, host Matt Bomer revealed that three new animated DC movies were set to be released next year. Included in this was BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN, which will be getting a two-part adaptation similar to THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. The project was originally scheduled for release this year but the first part of The Long Halloween will now release in summer 2021 while the second installment will arrive in the fall of next year.
"Batman: The Long Halloween", written by Jeph Loeb with artwork by Tim Sale, consisted of 13 issues published between 1996 and 1997. The story takes place early into Batman's crime-fighting career with him pursuing a serial killer known for murdering someone every single holiday. With Halloween fast approaching, our hero must discover the identity of the Holiday Killer while simultaneously battling the city's organized crime. Major characters included across the 13 issues include the Joker, Catwoman, Scarecrow, Calendar Man, and Solomun Grundy.
The other animated projects mentioned for release soon were the 70s-set feature BATMAN: SOUL OF THE DRAGON. Unlike THE LONG HALLOWEEN, the movie will feature an original story not seen in any previous comic books, following Batman reuniting with his former classmates to face an enemy from the past. Sam Liu directs with Bruce Timm executive producing, and the movie is set to release in Spring 2021. Its voice cast includes David Giuntoli as Batman, Mark Dacascos as Richard Dragon, Kelly Hu as Lady Shiva, Michael Jai White as Bronze Tiger, James Hong as O-Sensei, and Josh Keaton as Jeffrey Burr. Secondly, there was the announcement of the animated feature JUSTICE SOCIETY: WORLD WAR II. Bomer stopped short of revealing many details beyond the title, though he vaguely implied that he was personally a part of the cast. "I'm not allowed to give any details, but you just might hear a familiar voice in that film," Bomer stated while pointing to himself. Bomer has previously voiced Superman in the animated movie SUPERMAN: UNBOUND.
Are YOU excited that "Batman: The Long Halloween" is being adapted as an animated feature?