Batman Begins has company -- some sophisticated, some juvenile, all batty. These Gotham City DVDs make their debut today:
- Birds of Prey: The Complete Series: Three femmes fatales fuel this ridiculous but fun series in live action. One is Bruce Wayne's out-of-wedlock daughter with Catwoman. She has grown up into a moody crime fighter herself and teams with the former Batgirl, now confined to a wheelchair after a run-in with The Joker, and a teen with psychic powers. Together they are the birds -- or babes -- who prey on criminals while Batman is missing.
The four-disc, fullscreen set offers the 13 episodes, including the deliciously wonky, unaired pilot, plus all 30 of the two-minute animated quickies designed for the Internet.
- Batman: Gotham Knight: Kevin Conroy voices Batman in this innovative animated movie. Six directors created six interlocking stories that gave the ultra-modern retelling a stylish flair. The opening sequence, with four skateboarders recounting their Batman stories, is sheer brilliance. This one works for adult and teen fans. Not for young kids. Plays in widescreen. Extras include a featurette on the animated Wonder Woman due in 2009.
- The Batman: The Complete Fifth Season: This two-disc sets offers 13 fullscreen episodes of the animated series. The design and execution of the animation, plus the storytelling, is less sophisticated than in Batman: Gotham Knight. Part of the DC Comics Kids Collection.
- Teen Titans: The Complete Fifth Season: Also in the kids collection, this two-disc set offers 13 fullscreen episodes in the simplistic adventures of teen superheroes.
