Over the past few years, DC Animated has evolved into a legit rival for its live-action counterparts. Every three years we get a Batman, the Superman movies have been few and far between and (thankfully), we're finally getting Green Lantern on the big screen.
DC Animated takes advantage of what big studios can't: off-beat, fan-service story arcs. Today, we got a chance to see our first footage of two new flicks: All-Star Superman and The Return of Black Adam. If what we've seen is any indication, the two movies should fit right in with an already high-class DC Animated pantheon.
First up, Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam:
The first clip shows Superman protecting Billy Batson from Black Adam. Adam's on the hunt, questioning Superman over if he, "works for The Wizard," and going on the offensive when he doesn't hear the right answer. Of course, Superman tells Black Adam to shut the eff up, and swiftly slams him into a wall. More punching and electricity slinging ensue. Without seeing more than two minutes, Superman delivers a line that will go down as a classic: after being struck by Black Adam's electricity bolt, Superman grumbles, "GRRRRR, MAGIC!" The battle ends with Superman tossing Adam into a Washington Monument, which we assume will piss of the Metropolis government.
In the second clip, we learn that The Wizard lives under the Washington Monument (maybe?). The Wizard Shazam explains to Billy that he's been selected to become a hero, much like Black Adam was before he was corrupted by the seven deadly enemies. A well-done bit of exposition made even better by legendary actor James Garner, who voices The Wizard.
The final clip shows Black Adam confronting Billy. With Superman face-planted on the ground and Black Adam can ready to throw some punches, Billy calls for Shazam's aid, only to be struck by lighting and transformed into Captain Marvel! Billy quickly realizes his powers: "HOLY MOLY, I'M BIG!" Punch. "AND I'M STRONG!" Punch. "AND I CAN FLY!" Punch, punch, punch. "AND ALL I HAD TO DO WAS SAY SHAZAM!" Oops. Another lighting bolt - and scene.
It looks great. While only 22 minutes, Return of Black Adam should be a great animated superhero version of Big.
Then, it was on to the first five minutes of All-Star Superman!
I've never read the comic, but from what I heard around me, the story remains faithful. The movie opens with a brief montage of Superman's life, cutting quickly to a spaceship descending towards to the sun. While attempting to save the ship, one of the crew members mutates into a monster, seemingly controled by one Lex Luthor back on Earth. He's attack the crew and we don't know why.
Cut to Lois Lane, who's in the process of writing an expose to reveal Lex's in-progress evil plot. For whatevr reason, Jimmy Olsen shows up in drag to add a quip or two.
Back to the distressed ship, just as Superman steps in to defaet the monster and use his own biokenetic energy to save the ship from destruction. Scene!
We saw another classic clip: Superman simeltaneously arm wrestles Samson and Atlas, quickly bashing them into the ground, a spray of water shooting into the air. In the wake of his win, Superman flies with Superwoman into the stars...and to the moon. Fans will recognize a classic shot of Supes kissing Superwoman on the moon in front of the Earth. Funny, beautfiful stuff.
The next clip was Parasite's prison escape, another sequence from the comic. Parasite escapes from his prison cell, going after Lex Luthor and Clark Kent, who are chased into a room full or angry prisoners. Mayhem ensues. Parasite ripes apart the prisoners while Clark hides in terror, fearing his powers might be absorbed.
The final clip, part of the climax, beware: Superman fights a giant eye. No, I'm not going to tell you more than that. You'll have to check it out!
All-Star Superman looks like it reaches for an emotional, cinematic level that films like Under the Red Hood almost acheived. With such a classic story and the passion of mastermind Bruce Timm, there's no reason it won't.
Get pumped!
