10 Essential DC Animated Movies

10 Essential DC Animated Movies:

Lets face it, since the Dark Knight Trilogy, DC has failed to give us very many live action movies at all, much less them being good. However, DC has an underrated series of many movies that people have failed to appreciate. I'm referring to their Animated Movies. DC has continued to release many mind-blowing and iconic comics, that would be hard to translate to movies. Animated movies allows DC to recreate those comics in motion on screen. With the announced Killing Joke animated movie slated to release in 2016, here are the absolute essential DC animated movies that every comic aficionado should see at one point in their lives.

1: Batman: Under the Red Hood
This movie follows the comic book of the same name. Black Mask is wreaking havoc in Gotham, Joker is in on the action and there is a mysterious vigilante killing the drug lords off and he has one scary precedent, he has a history with The Batman. This story provides one of the most riveting mysteries, intense scenes and essential knowledge to the Batman mythos.



2: The Flashpoint Paradox
This movie focuses in on the Flash, who wakes up in an alternate reality where one shift in time done by the nefarious Reverse Flash has left everything in his life shifted just a little bit, enough to change the whole world including it's guardians The Justice League. On the cusp of World War 3, Flash must find a way to unravel the catastrophe that could become his own reality.



3: Justice League: Doom
The Justice League is caught off guard when all of their weaknesses are exploited by their own individual enemies. It is revealed that Vandal Savage has stolen plans to incapacitate the Justice League, and turned them lethal. Where did he get the plans? He stole them from the Batman, and now Batman faces the scrutiny of the Justice League all while having to stop a team of super-powered villains and an immortal war monger.



4: Superman/Batman Apocalypse
While running the rounds in Gotham, Batman investigates a meteor crashing into the Gotham bay. To his surprise, what he finds is Kryptonian. Supergirl emerges from the vessel and is later brought to Superman. It is up to Batman, Superman, and the help of Wonder Woman's Amazon's to train Supergirl into the hero she is destined to be, yet Darkseid has different plans.



7: Justice League: War
Portals open around the world and a multitude of heroes race to see what is happening. In this movie the Justice League meet each other for the very first time and must band together to defeat the looming threat of Apokolips and in the aftermath find that they do work better together in the end.



6: Throne of Atlantis
Contrary to popular belief, Aquaman is one of the greatest superheros and a founding member of the Justice league. In this sequel to Justice League: War it explores the origins of Arthur Curry, a man who just never fit in, a man who later becomes Aquaman. It shows his integration into the Justice League and the struggles that go on in Atlantis.



7: Wonder Woman
One of the best on screen adaptations of the Amazonian warrior. It gives a compelling origin story of Wonder Woman on the island of Themyscira. Ares, the War God is unleashed upon the world and it is up to this newfound heroine to stop the evil encroaching on the world.



8: Batman: Year One
Rather than giving an origin story of the Batman, this focuses on the comic book of the same name. It tells of a young Batman and his struggle against crime and the corrupt police force acting against him. It develops the story of  Batman and his friendship with James Gordon and their revolution to stop crime in Gotham.



9: Son of Batman/Batman Vs. Robin
I've lumped these two films together since they are two parts of a trilogy. They recount the story line of Batman who finds out he has a son who becomes the next Robin. Set parallel to the events of the Justice League: War, it gives us a look at the iconic villains of Deathstroke, Ras Al Ghul and the mysterious Court Of Owls who have masterminded Gotham since it's start. With Batman: Bad Blood to be released next year, these are a must watch.



10: The Dark Knight Returns
The Dark Knight Returns is one of Frank Miller's best moments and one of the most iconic moments in DC comics history. It follows a retired Bruce Wayne struggling with the crime swelling in Gotham and his inevitable return to ending crime once and for all. It features many pivotal characters within Bruce's life shows just how powerful the Batman actually is. This two part animated movie a complete Batman experience.

Deadpool: 7 Things You Didn't Know, [Insert Joke]

Credit: www.pixgood.com

Deadpool: 7 Things You Didn't Know:

Deadpool has been a fan favorite ever since his creation back in 1991. Known as the very sarcastic and very murderous Mercenary for hire, he's the man with the healing factor and hilarious quips to go with it. With his own standalone movie set to be released in February, and almost everybody on board, here are five facts that you didn't know about the Merc With a Mouth.

Before we get started, a little info on Deadpool that you should already know. His name is Wade Wilson, he was dying of cancer, so he turned to Weapon X, (a weapons facility responsible for Wolverine), there he was mutated into the Not-Sure-If-He-Is-A-Hero guy we all know and love today. He breaks the 4th wall, he's a schizoid, he's sarcastically hilarious, he's practically invincible and can teleport, (sometimes?). Without further a do, lets get started.

1: DEATHSTROKE:
Once of DC comic's favorite anti-hero/mercenaries is Deathstroke. He gained popularity in the eighties and in Marvel's attempt to mock this character, Deadpool was created solely as a Deathstroke parody. Deadpool's real name is Wade Wilson, Deathstrokes real name is Slade Wilson. Both are mercenaries, both are proficient in all weapons, and both choose to primarily use a sword. However, Deadpool is comically insane whereas Deathstroke is a very serious adversary. Did Marvel expect Deadpool to exceed Deathstroke in popularity? I doubt it. But we are all grateful for this one parody.





 2: The Voices In His Head:
Deadpool is notorious for the two voices in his head that he converses with. It's a little known fact that the logical voice in his brain is actually the voice of Doctor Bong, (a Howard the Duck villain), and the psychotic voice in his head is actually the voice of Madcap, (a Captain America villain). Why? Reasons. . .I suppose, I couldn't find any sources as to why, however the voices in his head lend to some hilarious storytelling and excellent 4th wall breaking.

3: Lady Deadpool:

In an alternate reality Deadpool is a woman named Wanda Wilson who has more or less the same origin story and powers as the original Deadpool. She is the counterpart of the original Deadpool and they have met before. She shares sort of a sisterly role, or maybe a lover. It's hard to tell with either of them. She belongs to a mock Green Lantern Corps knows as the Deadpool Corps.

4: The Deadpool Corps:

The Deadpool Corps harness the power of sarcasm. It was formed when Deadpool was chosen by the Contimplator to fight the entity known as Awareness, (their unique minds make them immune to Awareness). Their mortal enemies are the Evil Deadpool Corps led by Dreadpool followed by others, (Galactipool, Venompool, Grootpool, Hawkeyepool, etc). 

CURRENT MEMBERS: 

Deadpool Family: Deadpool, Lady Deadpool, Headpool, Kidpool and Dogpool.

LEADERS: 

Formerly, Deadpool. 

Currently,  Lady Deadpool

ENTITY: 

Probably Hot Pockets. . .or something.

OATH: 

"Through Lightest Light or Darkest Light,
Don't need no bling to join the fight,

We're mercs with mouths and so much more,

Yippe-ki-yay, We're the Deadpool Corps!"

5: DreadPool:

Dreadpool is Wade Wilson from a different dimension, one where Deadpool was brought to the brink of madness by coming to the conclusion that he was just a fictional character in a comic book. In doing so he set out to kill everybody in the universe and all dimensions. He believes it to be the only way to ease his own suffering as well as the suffering of other fictional characters.

6: Loki's Revalation:

Like Dreadpool, Deadpool is aware he is just a comic book character. It is revealed to Deadpool by Loki that he is indeed just a comic book character written by "a man with a typewriter". Instead of Deadpool telling everyone about it in some bloodthirsty killing spree, he casually jokes about it and it makes the comics even more enjoyable.

Click to Enlarge.

7: Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe:

In a "what if" scenario, Wade is committed to a sanatorium by Professor X. The intent was to fix Deadpool's insanity once and for all, but things turned sour. The doctor assigned to Deadpool was actually Psycho-man, who mind controlled Deadpool to kill everyone. So after Deadpool killed Psycho man he went for the rest of the Marvel Universe and succeeded.

Now there you have it, all the small things you probably didn't know about Deadpool. Here are a few memorable moments in Deadpool's history for your enjoyment:

Deadpool Resists Ghost Rider's Penance Stare:

TrekkiePool:

Any Deadpool/Spiderman Crossover Ever:

Who Played Batman Best?

Who Played Batman Best?
Ben Affleck has been cast as Batman for a while now, and we wonder if he'll be do the part justice as we anxiously await the release of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice in March. In lieu of Batfleck, here is a look at the best (and worst) portrayals of the Batman in cinema. This list will go in order of worst Batman to the best Batman. Bear in mind that there really is no bad Batman. . .well, except for the first one on our list.


6: Bat-Nipples:
This was the Batman that killed the franchise. George Clooney portrayed the caped crusader in the franchise killing film titled Batman and Robin, (1997). It's honestly not George Clooney's fault. In fact, when interviewed about his role in the film he said, "The Batman thing I wasn't wholly ever comfortable with." Can you blame him? His character dealt with a very punny script, an annoying sidekick, and male Bat-nipples on his costume. All while not being able to turn his neck. It's not your fault Clooney, just directer Joel Schumacher who, as mentioned before, killed the Batman franchise for the next eight years!





5: Batman For-Never:
To be fair, this one wasn't necessarily bad, but you could tell that the franchise was going downhill with Schumacher on board. This Batman was played by Val Kilmer in the previous installment of the Batman and Robin catastrophe, Batman Forever, (1995). Another laughable script hindered this appearance heavily as well as the introduction of the whiny Robin and the campy atmosphere of the film. It is not however, worse than Batman and Robin, but it gets overshadowed by it from time to time.


4: Na na na na na na...:
This live action iteration of the Batman was received fairly well. At the time it was made in 1966, it's campy nature and nonsensical portrayal was family friendly and everyone was watching this serialization with Adam West behind the cowl. Nowadays it seems dumb, and hard to watch, but at the time, the comic's darker tone wasn't as well known, but a fun and groovy TV show had to be made and remains a favorite in the hearts of many. Adam West does this iteration justice more so than the last two on this list because he has a solid Bat voice and was fully committed to the character.

3: The Batman:

In 1989 one man made the first Batman that was comic accurate (to an extent), and fitting for the character. Tim Burton took the reigns of two Batman films with Michael Keaton portraying the Caped Crusader in both the films. These films are widely regarded as the best Batman films and to some this is actually the best Batman. Michael Keaton played the dark and brooding character excellently in The Batman and reprised his role in Batman Returns. It was just what Batman fans needed, unfortunately it took a dive when Schumacher got the rights.

2: The Dark Knight:

In the year 2005 Christopher Nolan expertly crafted the best live action Batman movies. It gave us the origins of the Dark Knight in Batman Begins. Drawing heavily from the comic Batman: Year One. Christian Bale was chosen to become the next Batman and did not disappoint. Bale's suit was also the first suit that allowed the wearer to turn his head. His take on Bruce Wayne is flawless and his Batman is stellar. Though fans complain about his Bat-Smoker voice, this is the number one live action Batman we've seen.



1: The Best Batman. . .voice:

This may not technically count, but in my book this is the best Batman. In 1992, Batman: The Animated Series was released and ran for three years, spanning three seasons. The man who voiced Batman had to be good, he had to sound like the Batman in our heads when we read the comics. This man was Kevin Conroy. After the critical acclaim and success of Batman: The Animated Series, Kevin Conroy would become the official voice of Batman for years to come. His voice is featured in not only the animated series, but in the Justice League animated series, numerous DC animated films and the beloved Arkham Trilogy video games, (yes I said trilogy). He has the best voice for the character, if you don't believe me, watch any Batman movie with him in it.

Kevin Conroy is the Best Batman, period.