‘Beware the Batman: Shadows of Gotham’ Season 1 Part 1 (DVD Review)
A cool, new take on the classic Dark Knight franchise, Beware the Batman incorporates Batman’s core characters with a rogue gallery of new villains not previously seen in animated form. Along with backup from ex-secret agent Alfred and lethal swordstress Katana, the Dark Knight faces the twisted machinations of Gotham City’s criminal underworld led by the likes of Anarky, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad and Magpie. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this action-packed detective thriller deftly redefines what we have come to know as a Batman show.
Series 
Here’s a Batman series that caught me off guard somewhat. Beware the Batman was Cartoon Network’s entry into the “Bat-verse” via DC Nation, which played them all as part of a block with other DC Comic’s characters. Beware the Batman is heavily stylized and is an all CGI production. I went in thinking that it would be typical Batman Vs. The Villains Gallery but it was not. It took me a few episodes to figure out that Beware the Bat is more of a prequel type show and that Bruce Wayne and Batman are still young and in their infancy as crime fighters.
Alfred Pennyworth is still Bruce Wayne’s guardian but also aches to be part of Batman’s adventures – he himself being a former MI6 operative that still has all of this chops in order. Along for the ride to keep watch over Bruce Wayne is Alfred’s goddaughter Tatsu Yamashiro aka Katana. She has a past of her own and it will be a matter of time before both personalities clash. Lt. Gordon is also here and he is not Batman’s friend or confidant yet. In fact, Gordon wants to take Batman down and will try to do so by any means necessary within the confines of the law.
As far as the villains go…well, there really aren’t any recognizable faces until late in the show. Some of the more peculiar villains like: Professor Pyg, Mister Toad, Magpie, Anarky, Humpty Dumpty, Tobias Whale, etc., have all been featured in one form or another in the past Batman comics mythos but have now been revamped and/or updated for Beware the Batman. Honestly, I could not tell you that I heard of any of the new villains. A couple of them did look familiar but never rang a bell. This does not mean that they were not interesting at all, because they were.
Beware the Bat has some incredible action set-pieces and earlier I mentioned that the show was all CGI but that’s not entirely true. Beware the Batman also has real and functional props that were built to help the CGI artists out in rendering as were giants sets to help with the scope of the layout. Combining real sets and the CGI elements give Beware the Batman that big budget look in addition to making Gotham City that much bigger. The depth is insane!
The show runs a brisk 13 episodes and last I heard was that it was not renewed for a second season but then the writing on the DVD case makes me think otherwise. Beware the Batman Season 1 Part 1 makes it seem that there is a “part 2” looming for a future release. I sure hope so, because part 1 ended on a cliffhanger and I would love to see if there was any resolution to the story. I gave the show a 4.5 star out of 5 just because it was a bit jarring to see some unrecognizable villains in the mix that had to shake me out of my comfort zone. It doesn’t mean that the show is bad it just means that you’d do well to taper your expectations if you think that the Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, or any familiar faces (villains) will make an appearance. That’s not case so you’ve been warned.
I hope Beware the Batman gets some major support on the home video market, because I would love to continue the adventures and maybe if it comes back or sticks around longer it CAN introduce some famous faces. What say you, Cartoon Network?
Disc 1:
Hunted
Secrets
Tests
Safe
Broken
Toxic
Family
Disc2:
Allies
Control
Sacrifice
Instinct
Attraction
Fall
Video
Encoding: MPEG-2
Resolution: 480p upscaled to 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Clarity/Detail: Sharpness levels were kept in check and since this show was obviously created on a computer details and the sheer clarity of the final product are quite staggering.
Depth: This may not be a Blu-ray copy but the DVD version is no slouch as it comes in and annihilates any other same format type of show with a vengeance. Saying that this DVD pops would be an understatement. It rocks is more like it.
Black Levels: It’s a Batman show so expect the darkness levels to reign supreme on this DVD. They do quite well with very minimal crush. I’m sure the Blu-ray looks even better than this fantastic DVD.
Color Reproduction: Color reproduction is stellar on this DVD. Everyone has a glow and if they happen to be a villain waving some fancy technology around then you will be in for a fireworks display like no other. The color palette on Beware the Batman doesn’t hold back while adhering to the primal darkness of Batman’s world.
Flesh Tones: Flesh tones don’t necessarily look “natural” in the traditional sense. It’s an animated series, so there is some leeway there in terms of complexions. They don’t reflect the real world. 😉
Noise/Artifacts: I didn’t notice any substantial amount of noise or artifacts.
Audio
Audio Formats(s): English Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital 2.0, Portuguese Dolby Digital 2.0 (all audio is presented in 192 kbps stereo 2.1 sound)
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese
Dynamics: This is one of those shows where stealth and chaos go hand in hand. The DVD handled these moments amazingly. One minute there’s Batman creeping along quiet as can be right before he gets hit or smashed out of frame.
Low Frequency Extension: The LFE management was excellent – the audio is mislabeled as 5.1. This is a 2.1 mix, so even then, there is plenty of bass for your face!
Surround Sound Presentation: This is a stereo mix.
Dialogue Reproduction: Crystal clear and three-dimensional. The stereo sound merges as one and feels as if dialogue is coming at you from the center like it normally would on a 5.1 or lossless mix.
Extras 
Nothing. Sad face.
Summary 
I really enjoyed Beware the Batman and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of part 2. This DVD copy of the series features stellar video and sound but drops the ball severely in the extras department. There aren’t any. The overall score has been adjusted to reflect that. Old veterans of the character may feel like newbies, because the look of the show and characterizations are different than what they may be used too but action-wise and story-wise Beware the Batman gets it right. It’s highly recommended!
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