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Now, it may come as a shock to some of you readers, but…(takes a deep breath)...I’m a comic book geek.

(GASPS OF ASTONISHMENT!!!)

I know, I know, and it’s a little fact about myself I’m not always proud of...but usually I am.

Yes, it’s no surprise by this point that I love comics and their characters, and it’s no surprise that one of my favorite comic book superheroes is the World’s Greatest Detective (that isn’t Sherlock Holmes), Batman. Time and time again I’ve discussed the Caped Crusader and his many rogues; I’ve talked about all the different portrayals and interpretations of them I favor in other media, and a few other topics. But something I’ve never done is actually make a comprehensive list of which Batman films I love the most. After all, the Dark Knight has been a movie star almost since his inception, his first theatrical debut popping up back in 1943! (...It was HILARIOUSLY awful, by the way; I highly request checking it out if you want a few laughs. XD) So, why don’t we remedy that right now, hm?
Now, keep in mind that I’m only talking about FILMS here. Also keep in mind that there’s no way in heck, even with a bunch of honorable mentions, that I can talk about EVERY Batman film ever made. So, if there’s one you really love that you don’t see here, chances are it’s not because I don’t like it, but merely because I don’t have room. (A couple noteworthy films you won't see mentioned here are Scooby-Doo & Batman: The Brave & the Bold, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero. I like all three, I just don't have room for everything here.) Also, this list will not include any Justice League films, such as “Crisis on Two Earths” or “A New Frontier.” This simply because the focus here should be primarily on Batman himself. Now, beyond that? There are no rules. These films can be animated, or live-action; they can be theatrical releases, or direct-to-video. So, with all that said, let us waste no more time! These are my Top 12 Favorite Batman Movies!

12. Batman: The Killing Joke.
(ducks as a thousand tomatoes are thrown at my head) Okay...LET ME EXPLAIN. I know this film has a...dubious reputation. While it certainly has its fans, and, as you can guess, I am among them, many people tend to have feelings that range from “meh, it’s all right” to “SWEETFRICKINGCHRISTBURNITWITHATORCHOFDOOM!!!” And, I will concede, the film is admittedly flawed. Namely, in my book, it has one big gigantic flaw: THAT STUPID, STUPID PROLOGUE. Yes, yes, I hate the first third of the film about as much as the rest of you do; while admittedly I didn’t loathe it with every fiber of my being, I would be the last person to call it a gem. It was cliche, it was dull, it was odd in the worst possible way...but it’s single greatest crime? IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE KILLING JOKE. Literally! You could just skip the entire first third, and nothing of great value would be lost, in terms of story and characters! Indeed, it would have been a much better picture. Ahhh, but herein lies the hint, my geeky friends: you CAN just skip the entire first third. Now, if you were one of those (like me) who was forced to endure this movie in a theater, then that’s another story. But let’s face it, the majority of us weren’t, and the film was intended for a DVD/digital release. With that in mind...why BOTHER watching that first third? It sucks anyway, and you can understand the story just fine without it. Once you do that...I’m going to be honest, the movie becomes about as perfect an adaptation of “The Killing Joke” as you can get. Mark Hamill gives the performance of a lifetime, and Kevin Conroy doesn’t do too shabby a job either. The animation is grand, the music is phenomenal, and while it does stick VERY close to the source material, it also takes care to make a few slight changes, none of which hurt the narrative. The movie, in short, gives us what it promises, and does so very, VERY well! So...why do so many people seem to loathe its very existence? I think it’s because, for a lot of us, we can’t ignore the elephant in the room that IS the prologue, and yes, I can understand that entirely. I think that some people who read the comic before were also a little disappointed that when the actual Killing Joke story got started, it didn’t stray too far from the source, and as a result, it left very few surprises. In a way, this a good example of a film where there is a difference between “favorite” and “best.” If you were to ask me what the best Batman film of all time was...it would probably be among those on this list, but I don’t know which one. But if you were to ask me about my FAVORITE films - which is what I’m judging, pure favoritism - I’ve rewatched this one (the last two thirds, at least) more than a lot of the others on this list, almost all of which are significantly older. The Killing Joke is my favorite comic book of all time, and from the perspective of someone who wasn’t really looking for surprises - just looking for two of his favorite performers in a story he loves, with some great animation and music to back it up? I left the theater satisfied, and I was quick to pick it up on DVD. If you have problems with the movie, I more than understand that, but for me? It’s still worthy a spot on my list...but for the sake of fairness, I must place it at the bottom. My apologies, O Great & Powerful Hamill...but don’t worry. This is far from your only spot on the list. (evil smile)

11. Batman: Year One.
Right alongside The Killing Joke and another film on this list, I think this movie is probably one of the most underrated Batman films of all time. It’s certainly one of the ones I hear the least about from DC’s many animated pictures. For many, “The Dark Knight Returns” is considered the masterwork of controversial comic artist/writer Frank Miller. While I won’t deny that it’s good, I’ve always felt it’s a somewhat overrated story. “Batman: Year One,” on the other hand, which one could argue has been even more influential, is a whole other story; true it’s just as often talked about and referred to, but in my book, it fully deserves its reputation. The film adaptation stays fairly true to the original story, and the animation style does a very good job of capturing the look of the original comic, while still being its own unique creation. The film is also filled with great performances; the three most noteworthy being Batman, Catwoman, and Not-Yet-Commissioner Gordon. Batman is voiced by Ben McKenzie, and if that name sounds familiar to you Bat-fans, it should; he actually plays Gordon in the ongoing series “Gotham.” His performance as Bruce Wayne is just as fantastic as his work in that show; while in the costume, especially, he lends a haunting, almost ghostly quality to the Dark Knight’s voice that’s truly chilling. Gordon in the film, meanwhile, is voiced by BRYAN-FREAKING-CRANSTON, and He Who Knocks gives a powerhouse performance that honestly makes one wonder why he hasn’t been cast to play Gordon in a live-action film or series yet. Catwoman, meanwhile, is played by the husky Eliza Dushku; as a direct-to-DVD release, the film also includes a special “DC Showcase” short focused on Catwoman, with Dushku playing the character there, as well. Whichever performance you prefer, she plays the character with sultry vivacity that makes it one of the most memorable Catwomen out there. If you love Year One, and haven’t seen this film yet, make sure to check it out; you may be surprised by the fun you’re missing out on.

10. Batman Begins.
While much of Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy - and especially this first film - borrows heavily from “Year One,” it isn’t really a straightforward adaptation, and makes numerous changes to the style and status quo. “Batman Begins” follows Bruce Wayne from childhood all the way to his first big case as the Caped Crusader, and takes a much grittier, more realistic look at the world of superheroes than had previously been seen before (at least in the world of film). Everything from the famous costume to the Batmobile is given a much more “tech-y,” almost military sort of feel, explaining much of what makes the character and his gadgets work in a way that feels far more plausible than most, while still retaining the almost operatic grandeur and melodrama a story about a guy who dresses up in bat-pajamas would require. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman give the performances of a lifetime as Alfred Pennyworth and Lucius Fox, respectively (performances they would reprise in the later films of the trilogy with equal aplomb), and Christian Bale’s first outing as the Dark Knight is arguably his absolute finest performance between all three pictures. Perhaps the film’s greatest achievement, however, lies in its two main antagonists: Ra’s Al Ghul and the Scarecrow. Neither of them were really known to cinema fans, and neither of them had appeared in live-action before; animated shows had featured the Scarecrow for years, and Ra’s had made a break via the DCAU, but most people were largely unaware of them. The two villains are portrayed exceptionally well, the writing, direction, and performances (courtesy of Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow and Liam Neeson as Ra’s Al Ghul) all working in tandem to create two marvelous adversaries for the Dark Knight to come across on his first great outing, and working together surprisingly well. Whether you love it for the villains, love it for its ambitions, or just love it as a good and surprisingly serious superhero flick, it’s no wonder that Batman Begins continues to be renowned as a fine picture.

9. Batman: The Movie.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “What?! That goofy film based on the silly 60s series?! How does that beat Batman-Bloody-Begins?!” Well, nostalgia, first of all. As I may or may not have said before on other lists, “Batman: The Movie” was actually a film I watched religiously as a kid. I can’t recall which channel did this, but there was one T.V. channel that aired this film annually for a number of years. And every time it came on, you can be darn sure I was there to watch it. As a result, I think it’s fair to say that this movie - beyond ANY other take on Batman - influenced my feelings about the character more than any other. True, I saw bits and pieces of the DCAU, and true, I had the Tim Burton and Schumacher films to watch once in a while...but this film was a constant. It was always there for me; same Bat-time, same Bat-channel, for a large portion of my childhood. And, as soon as it stopped being aired annually? You bet your bottom dollar I was quick to seek it out on DVD and purchase it. I STILL watch it every year. Many of the best jokes and best scenes from the entire 60s show are all found in this one movie; the budget was bigger on this baby, so they could be even more dynamic with their production design and cinematography, and the gadgets and vehicles could be even more spectacular. On top of that, you had four of Batman’s greatest villains at the antagonizing helm: Penguin, Joker, Riddler, and Catwoman! In fact, if you’ve read my list of my favorite Batman villains, you will quickly note that all four of them are in my top six Batman rogues. Indeed, if it weren’t for the existence of Harley Quinn and the Mad Hatter, they would be the top four. Coincidence? Unlikely. And of course, Adam West and Burt Ward give their all as the Dynamic Duo, bringing the same effort and sense of timing they brought to the main show. Some scenes in this film - including the famous “Some Days You Just Can’t Get Rid of a Bomb” sequence - are considered comedy classics, even today! In short: while it is FAR from the most complex or serious superhero movie ever made, “Batman: The Movie” remains a huge part of my life, not just as a Batman fan, but as a cinema lover in general, and I often feel it gets overlooked or shoved aside when people talk about the greatest superhero movies ever made, or even the greatest Batman films ever made. Even fans of the 60s often seem to ignore the film and its stellar writing and style, just remembering it as “that film where four villains team-up and Batman runs around with a bomb.” There is so much more to this film than that. And the more you watch it, trust me, the more you pick up on, and the more interesting it becomes. Some may disagree, but to me, this was the pinnacle of perfection for the 60s series, with all of its strengths and few of its flaws, and deserves to be recognized much more than it is. I literally owe a debt to this film, and always shall; thus, it is well deserving of a place on this list.

8. The Batman/Superman Movie: World’s Finest.
Move over, Zack Snyder! THIS is how you do a crossover between the Man of Tomorrow and the Bat of Gotham! Now, some of you may call this cheating, since this isn’t TECHNICALLY a movie in the strictest sense. “World’s Finest” was originally released as a three-part crossover between “The New Batman Adventures” (a.k.a., “Batman: The Animated Series - Season 4”) and “Superman: The Animated Series,” two of the first shows created for the much-renowned DCAU. When they released the three-parter to video and DVD, however, they gave it the above title, calling it outright “a movie.” But you know what? To heck with it! This is the single best crossover between the Dark Knight and the Big Blue Boy Scout put to the screen, in my opinion, so I really couldn’t care less! It still counts in my book! The plot revolves around the Joker and Harley Quinn coming to Metropolis. They strike up a bargain with Lex Luthor and Mercy Graves to assassinate Superman for a billion dollars, planning to use a stolen statue that turns out to secretly be made of kryptonite; Joker even manages to take over one of the mobs in Metropolis, extending his reach and ensuring he and Harley won’t be working alone. As it turns out, Bruce Wayne comes to Metropolis to work out a business deal of his own with LexCorp, allowing Batman to tail his arch-enemy...but, in the process, he and Superman end up coming to blows, and even uncover each other’s secret identities, not only due to their philosophies, but also due to the fact that Lois Lane ends up torn between them. “She likes Bruce Wayne and she likes Superman,” the Caped Crusader observes. “It’s the other two guys she’s not crazy about.” It’s a relatively simple set-up, but it works perfectly, and it plays around with the comparisons and contrasts between the title characters with much more subtlety and a heck of a lot more fun than perhaps any other attempt put to film. And, of course, you have all of the greats here to round out the cast: Kevin Conroy and Tim Daly work off each other beautifully as Batsy and Supey, as do Mark Hamill & Arleen Sorkin off of Clancy Brown & Lisa Edelstein. (Dana Delany is pretty good, too...I guess. Yeah, I’ve never been a fan of Lois, to be perfectly honest, but she does about as well as anyone else could.) The animation is as top notch as most of the show(s), the music is incredible, and it takes advantage of both characters and their worlds in an exceptional way, blending them beautifully. It may be cheating, in a way, to include this on the list...but if it is, I have no regrets. Absolutely no regrets.

7. Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman.
Right alongside “Year One,” this is perhaps the most underrated Batman film on this list. When people talk about animated Batman movies, I NEVER hear this one even MENTIONED. This, in my opinion, is frankly criminal, since it’s such a fantastic and clever film! Once again set in the DCAU, this film involves a mysterious new vigilante - Batwoman - popping up in Gotham City. Armed with high-tech gadgets that put Batman to shame, and a gifted martial artist to boot, this strange newcomer starts targeting the operations of a weapons smuggling ring led by three of the city’s biggest mobsters: Penguin, Rupert Thorne, and an original villain, Carlton Duquesne. Batwoman’s operations are a bit more brutal than Batman’s usual way of working, so Batman quickly resolves to figure out who this odd newcomer is, while also trying to shut the gangsters down. Complications arise, however, when the smugglers decide to call on Bane to assist them. What I love about this film is that it sticks true to its title, and gives us something that actually is surprisingly lacking in many Batman films: mystery. This is a classic “whodunnit” story, and the twist is actually pretty ingenious and well done. The animation is great, the music...good God, the music is simply BREATHTAKING at times. It’s less of a classic superhero story, and more like an old fashioned film noir, both in the way its presented, and in the kind of story its telling. The cast is really great, too; old favorites like Kevin Conroy as Batman, John Vernon as Rupert Thorne (in his final appearance in the role), and Bob Hastings as Commissioner Gordon, just to name a few, but several new names are in the crowd, too. David Ogden Stiers takes the role of the Penguin, and proves to be more than a match for Paul Williams, who played him in the original animated series; similarly, Hector Elizondo’s cool and calculating Bane turns out to actually be better, in my humble opinion, than Henry Silva, who played him in the show. Eli Marienthal, rather than Mathew Valencia, plays Robin/Tim Drake. His voice and style of performance is so similar to Valencia, I honestly couldn’t tell at first that they were different people. Of the original characters, Carlton Duquesne is played by future Joker himself, Kevin Michael Richardson, while Batwoman is voiced by Kyra Sedgwick. It’s simply a gorgeous little movie, and one that I feel gets overlooked by just about everybody. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out as soon as you get the chance.

6. Batman: Under the Red Hood.
A highly truncated adaptation of the popular comic book storyline “Under the Hood,” this film kept all of the essential plot elements and scenes, but knew where to cut corners, making an adaptation that was highly faithful, yet still short and sweet enough to make the maximum impact needed. Much like Mystery of the Batwoman, the story is about a new vigilante - the mysterious Red Hood - who comes to Gotham City, and seems to be aware of Batman’s true identity. It is quickly revealed (yeah, I don’t think I’m spoiling much of anything by saying this) that the Red Hood is actually Jason Todd, the second Robin, who was seemingly and horrifically murdered by the Joker years ago. Jason has mockingly adopted the Clown Prince’s old criminal identity, with a modernized age, and is out to apparently purge Gotham of crime, targeting a drug ring run by Black Mask, and butchering anybody who gets in his way. Now, while I’ve never been the biggest fan of Jason Todd as a character, this film does a pretty good job at making him interesting, intimidating, and sympathetic, all at once; he’s played primarily by Jensen Ackles (I say primarily because of a few flashbacks, where he’s played by the Martinella brothers, Alexander and Vincent), and Ackles’ performance is actually a big part of what carries the picture. But let’s not sell the rest of the cast short, because my goodness, this movie has a simply stellar one. Bruce Greenwood plays Batman with the hard edge of an aging soldier, Neil Patrick Harris brings enthusiasm and weight to the small-but-notable role of Nightwing, Jim Piddock is spot-on as Alfred, and John DiMaggio is one of the most underrated portrayals of the Joker out there, just to name a few. But let’s be honest, it’s arguably the Red Hood who makes the film. Ever since this movie came out, his popularity as a character seems to have skyrocketed, going from a recurring but not-very-well-known-or-liked Batman character, to a hugely popular “regular cast member” in Batman’s world, and making several appearances in other media after years of relative obscurity; before this film came out, all anybody seemed to know about him was that he was the Robin that Joker murdered. But now, many people call him their favorite comic book character; he’s even gotten a comic book spin-off of his own! Again, I, myself, am not a huge fan of the character, but you can’t deny the impact he, and this film, have had on popular culture in such a short amount of time. For this reason alone, if no other, it deserves high marks on my list.

5. Batman: Gotham By Gaslight.
This film just came out, as I type this, and I am already convinced it belongs high on this list. Choosing between this picture and “Under the Red Hood” was a tough call, but ultimately, this won out for a very simple reason: I’m pretty sure the majority of people who went to see “Under the Red Hood” fully knew what the big twist was. Even though it snipped a few things out of the story for the sake of simplifying it for the film, it stuck true to the comic for the most part, and it didn’t change the way the story ended, or the identity of the person in the costume. As a result, while absolutely stunning, it didn’t really surprise me, or likely anyone else. THIS film, on the other hand, is a whole other story. Many fans may be familiar with the original “Gotham By Gaslight” graphic novel; it was the first in a series known as “Elseworlds,” and reimagined Bruce Wayne/Batman as a crimefighter in the Victorian era, facing off against the dawn of a new age, and fighting not his classic supervillains, but Jack the Ripper himself. It was atmospheric and a bit of a risk, but for many people, the risk paid off; it’s still widely considered to be one of the finest Batman comics out there, and possibly the best of the Elseworlds stories in many people’s eyes. I love the original comic, too, and had wanted a film of it for YEARS. So, when the movie was announced, I was hyped as could be! But the curious thing about the movie is this: IT IS PRACTICALLY NOTHING LIKE THE GRAPHIC NOVEL IT WAS BASED ON. Now, normally, you would expect such a thing would cause me to fume with anger…but honestly? THIS FILM IS BETTER THAN THE COMIC. Yes! I say that without doubt or hesitation, and I leave no room for argument! While the original novel is certainly atmospheric, and has some really great concepts, my one great complaint about it is that it doesn’t really take full advantage of Batman’s world; in the novel, for example, the Ripper is an original character. There’s no connection to anybody from the mainstream universe we can connect him to. Indeed, Batman, himself, is the only major character of note from the mainstream universe in the comic. Others do appear, but most of them are fairly small supporting roles, or even just cameos. The film, however, takes full advantage of its roots; Selina Kyle, Harvey Dent, Leslie Thompkins, Professor Hugo Strange, and ALL OF THE FIRST THREE ROBINS all appear in major roles. None of them were even MENTIONED in the graphic novel, if memory serves me well! On top of that, much like with “Mystery of the Batwoman,” this film really plays with the element of Batman as a detective; without giving too much away, the major plot twist of the movie - when it’s revealed who the Ripper is - is quite honestly the single best twist I’ve seen in a comic book movie in AGES, and for a number of reasons. There are also numerous allusions to the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, some more subtle than others, all of which are welcome. The animation is gorgeous, the voice cast is brilliant - Bruce Greenwood reprises his role as Batman and Bruce Wayne, and I think he’s even better here than in Under the Red Hood - and the music? Sweet Lord, this is honestly probably one of my favorite soundtracks to ANY animated film, let alone a Batman movie. Bottom line, as new as it is, this movie is more than worthy of recognition, and I hope to madness itself that it will not be overlooked by future viewers. WATCH IT. LOVE IT. MOVING ON.

4. Tim Burton’s Batman.
We all know the sequels this film spawned, as well as their...dubious reputations. (In order from second to fourth: Weird, Goofy, and OHMYGODWHY?!) But it’s hard not to love the first one. This, many would argue, is the iconic Batman film; the Batman film everyone thinks of when you think of Batman. The imagery, the music, the characters, the basic story...all of it exists in its own world, but at the same time, no other film has influenced future takes on Batman more than this movie. Who can forget Danny Elfman’s gripping and gothic score, or the design of the Batmobile, or the warped and noir-like look of Gotham City itself? Michael Keaton as Batman is surprising, and, for many people, he remains the definitive live-action Batman. Jack Nicholson’s wild performance as Joker is considered by many to be one of the greatest performances in any comic book film. The story, on its own terms, is not complex or philosophical, really, but it manages to have surprising subtlety and knows how to make this world fun while not being afraid to terrify or unsettle. I really don’t know what to SAY about the movie, to be honest, that hasn’t been said before. So...yeah. I think I’ll just leave things off here. Enjoy it, fellow looneys; it deserves all the love that it gets, and possibly more.

3. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
Though unappreciated at the time of its release, in recent years, “Mask of the Phantasm” - yet another picture set in the world of the DCAU - has been garnering a reputation as possibly the best Batman movie ever made. I’m not entirely sure I agree with that, but as you can guess from it’s high placement, it definitely is among the greatest, without a shadow of a doubt. Much like “Mystery of the Batwoman” or “Under the Red Hood,” the plot once again focuses on Batman trying to uncover the identity of a mysterious new vigilante - in this case, the Grim-Reaper-like Phantasm - and the film is yet another to play with the detective aspect of Batman’s story and character. But the film is noteworthy for a number of other things, too. It gave us an in-depth look into aspects of Bruce Wayne’s life that, up until that point, had never really been touched upon - at least not in film - and even touched upon the origins of his arch-nemesis, Joker. The film was Gothic and forbidding, yet with a sense of fun and even absurdity that harkened back to the silly 60s; a balance this universe managed flawlessly at almost every turn. It basically was the pinnacle for “Batman: The Animated Series” - all of the stuff that made the show great, heightened to a level that was so grand and so epic, it was truly breathtaking. The music, the animation, the acting...all of it is boosted to a point that went above and beyond even the best episodes of the series, and makes this truly one of the most beautiful and powerful animated films ever made, let alone one of the greatest superhero movies out there. Kevin Conroy gives perhaps his single finest performance as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and Mark Hamill once again hits every mark as the Joker. The new, original characters, such as Bruce’s old flame, Andrea Beaumont, voiced by Dana Delany (yep, Lois Lane from “Superman: The Animated Series”), are just as wonderful. In short, it’s yet another sometimes overlooked gemstone in the Dark Knight’s history, and I’m happy to see it’s getting more attention as time goes on.

2. The Dark Knight.
While Tim Burton’s Batman set a whole new standard, and Mask of the Phantasm is arguably the biggest “cult film” of all superhero pictures, I think it’s fair to say that this movie was a true game changer. Even with the success of Tim Burton’s first film, the darkness of “Batman Returns,” and a few other comic book films that came out in the years in-between, many people still looked at comic books as “kids stuff.” And while Batman Begins was certainly spectacular, it wasn’t until THIS film came out that people really seemed to start to change around. People watching this movie - even people who were already major fans - were blown away by its philosophical arguments, its aggressive realism, it’s psychological analysis of its characters, and the way it managed to make the story of a guy dressed as a bat fighting a guy dressed as a clown a story about not just action and adventure, but very human emotions and ideas that remain as powerful now as they ever were. Yes, these ideas and feelings had been examined before, but it wasn’t until this film that people really started to stand up and recognize it. Just as Tim Burton’s film had done before, as a result, this movie influenced - and still influences - so much other media involving Batman, and even other superheroes, that has come out since. With Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face, and, of course, Heath Ledger’s final and award-winning performance as the Joker, along with returning faces like Christian Bale and Gary Oldman, the acting was strong. The result? We got an intense and brutal movie that sold the idea that “comics aren’t just for kids,” while still managing to be fun and engaging. It knew how to balance out its style with its sense of energy and dramatic flair, and raised questions about both these characters, and people as a whole, in a way that was perhaps more subtle than we give it credit for now.

But as lauded as The Dark Knight remains, there’s one Batman movie I like even more. Which one is it? The answer may surprise you...

1. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
This movie is a marvel. (Well, technically, it’s a DC - ha ha - but you get my meaning.) I don’t really know where to BEGIN with this one! Let’s start with the context: this is another film set in the DCAU. It was based on the show “Batman Beyond,” which told the story of a young man named Terry McGinnis, who becomes a new, sci-fi-style Batman in a future age where Bruce Wayne is a crippled old man, Barbara Gordon has become the new police commissioner, and most of the Dark Knight’s classic villains are either deceased, or simply very, very old. The show was pretty good, and easily a worthy follow-up to the original animated series, but never quite managed to find an audience; it has been gaining a rising following in recent years, however. Now, here’s the thing you need to know, connected to that context: I saw this movie before watching a single episode of “Batman Beyond.” Heck, when I saw this film, I didn’t even know it was BASED on a show! Now, this is important to know, because I loved this film back then about as much as I do now...in fact, as time has gone on, I only find myself loving this movie more and more. It’s very kind to the uninitiated, making the story cohesive and comprehensible without needing any major knowledge of “Batman Beyond,” or even the DCAU in general. That’s already a point in its favor.
Now, the story: in this future age, the Joker has been dead for many, many years. Quite out of nowhere, the Ace of Knaves seemingly returns from the grave, as spry and as deadly as ever before. It’s like he hasn’t aged a day! Now, the new Batman has to face off with this old foe, who proves to be just as big a threat in the future as he has ever been. BAM! Instant awesomeness: taking a classic villain from Batman’s past and placing them in this sci-fi world. And not just any classic villain, but THE classic villain! The Mother-Loving-Joker! I know a lot of people tend to get tired of the Clown Prince of Crime, and I can respect that, to a certain degree; as much as I love the character, he DOES find a way to weasel his way into stories and seems to push a lot of other great baddies aside. But in this movie? Let’s all be honest, there is no one - NO ONE - who could make a bigger comeback. The most famous sequence in this film is a long flashback detailing how the original Batman’s final encounter with the Joker went; out of all the different demises the Joker has faced in his long and literally-death-defying career, the film gives us possibly the two best. (Two because there’s the uncut version, and the somewhat more easily-bought cut-down version, each of with having the sequence end in a different way, with the Joker’s actual fall being interpreted differently.) It also adds to the splendor of having the classic and newer age mix; the older, more retro look of the original series meshing with the more modern, sci-fi-style look of the future world. Similarly, the music gloriously merges both, as well, with Gothic strains fiddling through the score and intertwining with electric guitars and techno music to create a unique and fascinating sound. The animation is gorgeous; easily one of the best-looking animated films EVER, in my humble opinion. And the acting? OH, GREAT RESUME OF VINCENT PRICE, THE ACTING!!! While “Killing Joke” remains my favorite Hamill performance as the Joker, this film is a very, very, VERY close second. This was the movie that made me realize just how good a villain the Joker is, and how wonderful a character he can be; I’d always loved the guy before (I doff my topper to Cesar and Jack), but it was Hamill in this movie who made me say, “Yeah. THAT’S the Greatest Rogue of Them All.” Kevin Conroy as an elderly Bruce Wayne proves just as powerful as ever; the flashback sequence gives him a chance to return to youthful form, as well, only adding even more strength to his performance as a whole. And Will Friedle as Terry? Arguably, even more than Hamill (YES, I FREAKING SAID THAT), this movie belongs to him. This is the film that confirmed the feelings of those who already liked the show, and shot down anyone who may have argued against it. In this film, beyond any other appearance or episode, Friedle as McGinnis proves that Batman is universal and eternal. He proves that the Dark Knight of Gotham isn’t a specific person, but rather a symbol. An icon. He does so in a way that is unique and shockingly subtle, and proves not only his personal strength as a character, and not only his personal strength as an actor...but the strength of Batman as an ideal. For all these reasons, and oh-so-many-more, it may be a somewhat unusual choice, but I have no hesitation naming “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker” as My All-Time Favorite Batman Movie.

Honorable Mentions Include...
The Batman Vs. Dracula.
Okay, so the beauty of this movie is you can almost literally decide if you’re going to like it or not just from the title. Based on the cartoon show “The Batman,” and inspired by the popular Elseworlds “Red Rain” series (although the film really has nothing to do with those books beyond it being about...well...Batman fighting Dracula), the plot revolves around Count Dracula being resurrected in Gotham City, and - with the help of a Renfield-ified Penguin and a vampirized Joker - setting about turning all of the City’s residents into an army of the undead. At the same time, the Count plots to resurrect his long-dead bride, and this causes Vicki Vale - making her first and, so far, ONLY appearance in animation - to become involved with the case. It’s a surprisingly horrific and violent film, with Peter Stormare as Dracula stealing the show top to bottom...but it’s admittedly not very complex. It’s a simple, decent, and remarkably dark film that I think is unfairly treated. Bottom line: if a battle between the Prince of Darkness and the Dark Knight sounds up your alley, this film is for you.

Batman vs. Two-Face.
The sequel to the animated film “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders,” set in the universe of the silly 60s. First of all: it’s Adam West’s final performance, and it’s a wonderful one. Come on, I have to give it a mention AT LEAST for that reason. Second of all: Will Shatner as Two-Face. What more do I need to say? Third of all: SUCH. GOOD. MUSIC. Fourth of all: great animation! Fifth of all: KING TUT AND THE BOOKWORM. Sixth of all...actually, no. No, I don’t need any further reasoning! While admittedly the film isn’t perfect - Catwoman is criminally pushed aside, for example, but hey, they had Julie Newmar, they were going to use her, by thunder! - it is, for the most part, actually SUPERIOR to its predecessor, paying both loving homage to the 60s show, while also occasionally mocking its faults and quirks. It actually manages to be slightly darker than the original series, though it still sticks true to its campy and off-the-wall sense of humor. Check it out as soon as you can; you won’t regret it!

Other Honorable Mentions Include…
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.
The LEGO Batman Movie.
Batman Returns.
The Dark Knight Rises.
Batman vs. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Description

Now, it may come as a shock to some of you readers, but…(takes a deep breath)...I’m a comic book geek.

(GASPS OF ASTONISHMENT!!!)

I know, I know, and it’s a little fact about myself I’m not always proud of...but usually I am.

Yes, it’s no surprise by this point that I love comics and their characters, and it’s no surprise that one of my favorite comic book superheroes is the World’s Greatest Detective (that isn’t Sherlock Holmes), Batman. Time and time again I’ve discussed the Caped Crusader and his many rogues; I’ve talked about all the different portrayals and interpretations of them I favor in other media, and a few other topics. But something I’ve never done is actually make a comprehensive list of which Batman films I love the most. After all, the Dark Knight has been a movie star almost since his inception, his first theatrical debut popping up back in 1943! (...It was HILARIOUSLY awful, by the way; I highly request checking it out if you want a few laughs. XD) So, why don’t we remedy that right now, hm?
Now, keep in mind that I’m only talking about FILMS here. Also keep in mind that there’s no way in heck, even with a bunch of honorable mentions, that I can talk about EVERY Batman film ever made. So, if there’s one you really love that you don’t see here, chances are it’s not because I don’t like it, but merely because I don’t have room. (A couple noteworthy films you won't see mentioned here are Scooby-Doo & Batman: The Brave & the Bold, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero. I like all three, I just don't have room for everything here.) Also, this list will not include any Justice League films, such as “Crisis on Two Earths” or “A New Frontier.” This simply because the focus here should be primarily on Batman himself. Now, beyond that? There are no rules. These films can be animated, or live-action; they can be theatrical releases, or direct-to-video. So, with all that said, let us waste no more time! These are my Top 12 Favorite Batman Movies!

12. Batman: The Killing Joke.
(ducks as a thousand tomatoes are thrown at my head) Okay...LET ME EXPLAIN. I know this film has a...dubious reputation. While it certainly has its fans, and, as you can guess, I am among them, many people tend to have feelings that range from “meh, it’s all right” to “SWEETFRICKINGCHRISTBURNITWITHATORCHOFDOOM!!!” And, I will concede, the film is admittedly flawed. Namely, in my book, it has one big gigantic flaw: THAT STUPID, STUPID PROLOGUE. Yes, yes, I hate the first third of the film about as much as the rest of you do; while admittedly I didn’t loathe it with every fiber of my being, I would be the last person to call it a gem. It was cliche, it was dull, it was odd in the worst possible way...but it’s single greatest crime? IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE KILLING JOKE. Literally! You could just skip the entire first third, and nothing of great value would be lost, in terms of story and characters! Indeed, it would have been a much better picture. Ahhh, but herein lies the hint, my geeky friends: you CAN just skip the entire first third. Now, if you were one of those (like me) who was forced to endure this movie in a theater, then that’s another story. But let’s face it, the majority of us weren’t, and the film was intended for a DVD/digital release. With that in mind...why BOTHER watching that first third? It sucks anyway, and you can understand the story just fine without it. Once you do that...I’m going to be honest, the movie becomes about as perfect an adaptation of “The Killing Joke” as you can get. Mark Hamill gives the performance of a lifetime, and Kevin Conroy doesn’t do too shabby a job either. The animation is grand, the music is phenomenal, and while it does stick VERY close to the source material, it also takes care to make a few slight changes, none of which hurt the narrative. The movie, in short, gives us what it promises, and does so very, VERY well! So...why do so many people seem to loathe its very existence? I think it’s because, for a lot of us, we can’t ignore the elephant in the room that IS the prologue, and yes, I can understand that entirely. I think that some people who read the comic before were also a little disappointed that when the actual Killing Joke story got started, it didn’t stray too far from the source, and as a result, it left very few surprises. In a way, this a good example of a film where there is a difference between “favorite” and “best.” If you were to ask me what the best Batman film of all time was...it would probably be among those on this list, but I don’t know which one. But if you were to ask me about my FAVORITE films - which is what I’m judging, pure favoritism - I’ve rewatched this one (the last two thirds, at least) more than a lot of the others on this list, almost all of which are significantly older. The Killing Joke is my favorite comic book of all time, and from the perspective of someone who wasn’t really looking for surprises - just looking for two of his favorite performers in a story he loves, with some great animation and music to back it up? I left the theater satisfied, and I was quick to pick it up on DVD. If you have problems with the movie, I more than understand that, but for me? It’s still worthy a spot on my list...but for the sake of fairness, I must place it at the bottom. My apologies, O Great & Powerful Hamill...but don’t worry. This is far from your only spot on the list. (evil smile)

11. Batman: Year One.
Right alongside The Killing Joke and another film on this list, I think this movie is probably one of the most underrated Batman films of all time. It’s certainly one of the ones I hear the least about from DC’s many animated pictures. For many, “The Dark Knight Returns” is considered the masterwork of controversial comic artist/writer Frank Miller. While I won’t deny that it’s good, I’ve always felt it’s a somewhat overrated story. “Batman: Year One,” on the other hand, which one could argue has been even more influential, is a whole other story; true it’s just as often talked about and referred to, but in my book, it fully deserves its reputation. The film adaptation stays fairly true to the original story, and the animation style does a very good job of capturing the look of the original comic, while still being its own unique creation. The film is also filled with great performances; the three most noteworthy being Batman, Catwoman, and Not-Yet-Commissioner Gordon. Batman is voiced by Ben McKenzie, and if that name sounds familiar to you Bat-fans, it should; he actually plays Gordon in the ongoing series “Gotham.” His performance as Bruce Wayne is just as fantastic as his work in that show; while in the costume, especially, he lends a haunting, almost ghostly quality to the Dark Knight’s voice that’s truly chilling. Gordon in the film, meanwhile, is voiced by BRYAN-FREAKING-CRANSTON, and He Who Knocks gives a powerhouse performance that honestly makes one wonder why he hasn’t been cast to play Gordon in a live-action film or series yet. Catwoman, meanwhile, is played by the husky Eliza Dushku; as a direct-to-DVD release, the film also includes a special “DC Showcase” short focused on Catwoman, with Dushku playing the character there, as well. Whichever performance you prefer, she plays the character with sultry vivacity that makes it one of the most memorable Catwomen out there. If you love Year One, and haven’t seen this film yet, make sure to check it out; you may be surprised by the fun you’re missing out on.

10. Batman Begins.
While much of Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy - and especially this first film - borrows heavily from “Year One,” it isn’t really a straightforward adaptation, and makes numerous changes to the style and status quo. “Batman Begins” follows Bruce Wayne from childhood all the way to his first big case as the Caped Crusader, and takes a much grittier, more realistic look at the world of superheroes than had previously been seen before (at least in the world of film). Everything from the famous costume to the Batmobile is given a much more “tech-y,” almost military sort of feel, explaining much of what makes the character and his gadgets work in a way that feels far more plausible than most, while still retaining the almost operatic grandeur and melodrama a story about a guy who dresses up in bat-pajamas would require. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman give the performances of a lifetime as Alfred Pennyworth and Lucius Fox, respectively (performances they would reprise in the later films of the trilogy with equal aplomb), and Christian Bale’s first outing as the Dark Knight is arguably his absolute finest performance between all three pictures. Perhaps the film’s greatest achievement, however, lies in its two main antagonists: Ra’s Al Ghul and the Scarecrow. Neither of them were really known to cinema fans, and neither of them had appeared in live-action before; animated shows had featured the Scarecrow for years, and Ra’s had made a break via the DCAU, but most people were largely unaware of them. The two villains are portrayed exceptionally well, the writing, direction, and performances (courtesy of Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow and Liam Neeson as Ra’s Al Ghul) all working in tandem to create two marvelous adversaries for the Dark Knight to come across on his first great outing, and working together surprisingly well. Whether you love it for the villains, love it for its ambitions, or just love it as a good and surprisingly serious superhero flick, it’s no wonder that Batman Begins continues to be renowned as a fine picture.

9. Batman: The Movie.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “What?! That goofy film based on the silly 60s series?! How does that beat Batman-Bloody-Begins?!” Well, nostalgia, first of all. As I may or may not have said before on other lists, “Batman: The Movie” was actually a film I watched religiously as a kid. I can’t recall which channel did this, but there was one T.V. channel that aired this film annually for a number of years. And every time it came on, you can be darn sure I was there to watch it. As a result, I think it’s fair to say that this movie - beyond ANY other take on Batman - influenced my feelings about the character more than any other. True, I saw bits and pieces of the DCAU, and true, I had the Tim Burton and Schumacher films to watch once in a while...but this film was a constant. It was always there for me; same Bat-time, same Bat-channel, for a large portion of my childhood. And, as soon as it stopped being aired annually? You bet your bottom dollar I was quick to seek it out on DVD and purchase it. I STILL watch it every year. Many of the best jokes and best scenes from the entire 60s show are all found in this one movie; the budget was bigger on this baby, so they could be even more dynamic with their production design and cinematography, and the gadgets and vehicles could be even more spectacular. On top of that, you had four of Batman’s greatest villains at the antagonizing helm: Penguin, Joker, Riddler, and Catwoman! In fact, if you’ve read my list of my favorite Batman villains, you will quickly note that all four of them are in my top six Batman rogues. Indeed, if it weren’t for the existence of Harley Quinn and the Mad Hatter, they would be the top four. Coincidence? Unlikely. And of course, Adam West and Burt Ward give their all as the Dynamic Duo, bringing the same effort and sense of timing they brought to the main show. Some scenes in this film - including the famous “Some Days You Just Can’t Get Rid of a Bomb” sequence - are considered comedy classics, even today! In short: while it is FAR from the most complex or serious superhero movie ever made, “Batman: The Movie” remains a huge part of my life, not just as a Batman fan, but as a cinema lover in general, and I often feel it gets overlooked or shoved aside when people talk about the greatest superhero movies ever made, or even the greatest Batman films ever made. Even fans of the 60s often seem to ignore the film and its stellar writing and style, just remembering it as “that film where four villains team-up and Batman runs around with a bomb.” There is so much more to this film than that. And the more you watch it, trust me, the more you pick up on, and the more interesting it becomes. Some may disagree, but to me, this was the pinnacle of perfection for the 60s series, with all of its strengths and few of its flaws, and deserves to be recognized much more than it is. I literally owe a debt to this film, and always shall; thus, it is well deserving of a place on this list.

8. The Batman/Superman Movie: World’s Finest.
Move over, Zack Snyder! THIS is how you do a crossover between the Man of Tomorrow and the Bat of Gotham! Now, some of you may call this cheating, since this isn’t TECHNICALLY a movie in the strictest sense. “World’s Finest” was originally released as a three-part crossover between “The New Batman Adventures” (a.k.a., “Batman: The Animated Series - Season 4”) and “Superman: The Animated Series,” two of the first shows created for the much-renowned DCAU. When they released the three-parter to video and DVD, however, they gave it the above title, calling it outright “a movie.” But you know what? To heck with it! This is the single best crossover between the Dark Knight and the Big Blue Boy Scout put to the screen, in my opinion, so I really couldn’t care less! It still counts in my book! The plot revolves around the Joker and Harley Quinn coming to Metropolis. They strike up a bargain with Lex Luthor and Mercy Graves to assassinate Superman for a billion dollars, planning to use a stolen statue that turns out to secretly be made of kryptonite; Joker even manages to take over one of the mobs in Metropolis, extending his reach and ensuring he and Harley won’t be working alone. As it turns out, Bruce Wayne comes to Metropolis to work out a business deal of his own with LexCorp, allowing Batman to tail his arch-enemy...but, in the process, he and Superman end up coming to blows, and even uncover each other’s secret identities, not only due to their philosophies, but also due to the fact that Lois Lane ends up torn between them. “She likes Bruce Wayne and she likes Superman,” the Caped Crusader observes. “It’s the other two guys she’s not crazy about.” It’s a relatively simple set-up, but it works perfectly, and it plays around with the comparisons and contrasts between the title characters with much more subtlety and a heck of a lot more fun than perhaps any other attempt put to film. And, of course, you have all of the greats here to round out the cast: Kevin Conroy and Tim Daly work off each other beautifully as Batsy and Supey, as do Mark Hamill & Arleen Sorkin off of Clancy Brown & Lisa Edelstein. (Dana Delany is pretty good, too...I guess. Yeah, I’ve never been a fan of Lois, to be perfectly honest, but she does about as well as anyone else could.) The animation is as top notch as most of the show(s), the music is incredible, and it takes advantage of both characters and their worlds in an exceptional way, blending them beautifully. It may be cheating, in a way, to include this on the list...but if it is, I have no regrets. Absolutely no regrets.

7. Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman.
Right alongside “Year One,” this is perhaps the most underrated Batman film on this list. When people talk about animated Batman movies, I NEVER hear this one even MENTIONED. This, in my opinion, is frankly criminal, since it’s such a fantastic and clever film! Once again set in the DCAU, this film involves a mysterious new vigilante - Batwoman - popping up in Gotham City. Armed with high-tech gadgets that put Batman to shame, and a gifted martial artist to boot, this strange newcomer starts targeting the operations of a weapons smuggling ring led by three of the city’s biggest mobsters: Penguin, Rupert Thorne, and an original villain, Carlton Duquesne. Batwoman’s operations are a bit more brutal than Batman’s usual way of working, so Batman quickly resolves to figure out who this odd newcomer is, while also trying to shut the gangsters down. Complications arise, however, when the smugglers decide to call on Bane to assist them. What I love about this film is that it sticks true to its title, and gives us something that actually is surprisingly lacking in many Batman films: mystery. This is a classic “whodunnit” story, and the twist is actually pretty ingenious and well done. The animation is great, the music...good God, the music is simply BREATHTAKING at times. It’s less of a classic superhero story, and more like an old fashioned film noir, both in the way its presented, and in the kind of story its telling. The cast is really great, too; old favorites like Kevin Conroy as Batman, John Vernon as Rupert Thorne (in his final appearance in the role), and Bob Hastings as Commissioner Gordon, just to name a few, but several new names are in the crowd, too. David Ogden Stiers takes the role of the Penguin, and proves to be more than a match for Paul Williams, who played him in the original animated series; similarly, Hector Elizondo’s cool and calculating Bane turns out to actually be better, in my humble opinion, than Henry Silva, who played him in the show. Eli Marienthal, rather than Mathew Valencia, plays Robin/Tim Drake. His voice and style of performance is so similar to Valencia, I honestly couldn’t tell at first that they were different people. Of the original characters, Carlton Duquesne is played by future Joker himself, Kevin Michael Richardson, while Batwoman is voiced by Kyra Sedgwick. It’s simply a gorgeous little movie, and one that I feel gets overlooked by just about everybody. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out as soon as you get the chance.

6. Batman: Under the Red Hood.
A highly truncated adaptation of the popular comic book storyline “Under the Hood,” this film kept all of the essential plot elements and scenes, but knew where to cut corners, making an adaptation that was highly faithful, yet still short and sweet enough to make the maximum impact needed. Much like Mystery of the Batwoman, the story is about a new vigilante - the mysterious Red Hood - who comes to Gotham City, and seems to be aware of Batman’s true identity. It is quickly revealed (yeah, I don’t think I’m spoiling much of anything by saying this) that the Red Hood is actually Jason Todd, the second Robin, who was seemingly and horrifically murdered by the Joker years ago. Jason has mockingly adopted the Clown Prince’s old criminal identity, with a modernized age, and is out to apparently purge Gotham of crime, targeting a drug ring run by Black Mask, and butchering anybody who gets in his way. Now, while I’ve never been the biggest fan of Jason Todd as a character, this film does a pretty good job at making him interesting, intimidating, and sympathetic, all at once; he’s played primarily by Jensen Ackles (I say primarily because of a few flashbacks, where he’s played by the Martinella brothers, Alexander and Vincent), and Ackles’ performance is actually a big part of what carries the picture. But let’s not sell the rest of the cast short, because my goodness, this movie has a simply stellar one. Bruce Greenwood plays Batman with the hard edge of an aging soldier, Neil Patrick Harris brings enthusiasm and weight to the small-but-notable role of Nightwing, Jim Piddock is spot-on as Alfred, and John DiMaggio is one of the most underrated portrayals of the Joker out there, just to name a few. But let’s be honest, it’s arguably the Red Hood who makes the film. Ever since this movie came out, his popularity as a character seems to have skyrocketed, going from a recurring but not-very-well-known-or-liked Batman character, to a hugely popular “regular cast member” in Batman’s world, and making several appearances in other media after years of relative obscurity; before this film came out, all anybody seemed to know about him was that he was the Robin that Joker murdered. But now, many people call him their favorite comic book character; he’s even gotten a comic book spin-off of his own! Again, I, myself, am not a huge fan of the character, but you can’t deny the impact he, and this film, have had on popular culture in such a short amount of time. For this reason alone, if no other, it deserves high marks on my list.

5. Batman: Gotham By Gaslight.
This film just came out, as I type this, and I am already convinced it belongs high on this list. Choosing between this picture and “Under the Red Hood” was a tough call, but ultimately, this won out for a very simple reason: I’m pretty sure the majority of people who went to see “Under the Red Hood” fully knew what the big twist was. Even though it snipped a few things out of the story for the sake of simplifying it for the film, it stuck true to the comic for the most part, and it didn’t change the way the story ended, or the identity of the person in the costume. As a result, while absolutely stunning, it didn’t really surprise me, or likely anyone else. THIS film, on the other hand, is a whole other story. Many fans may be familiar with the original “Gotham By Gaslight” graphic novel; it was the first in a series known as “Elseworlds,” and reimagined Bruce Wayne/Batman as a crimefighter in the Victorian era, facing off against the dawn of a new age, and fighting not his classic supervillains, but Jack the Ripper himself. It was atmospheric and a bit of a risk, but for many people, the risk paid off; it’s still widely considered to be one of the finest Batman comics out there, and possibly the best of the Elseworlds stories in many people’s eyes. I love the original comic, too, and had wanted a film of it for YEARS. So, when the movie was announced, I was hyped as could be! But the curious thing about the movie is this: IT IS PRACTICALLY NOTHING LIKE THE GRAPHIC NOVEL IT WAS BASED ON. Now, normally, you would expect such a thing would cause me to fume with anger…but honestly? THIS FILM IS BETTER THAN THE COMIC. Yes! I say that without doubt or hesitation, and I leave no room for argument! While the original novel is certainly atmospheric, and has some really great concepts, my one great complaint about it is that it doesn’t really take full advantage of Batman’s world; in the novel, for example, the Ripper is an original character. There’s no connection to anybody from the mainstream universe we can connect him to. Indeed, Batman, himself, is the only major character of note from the mainstream universe in the comic. Others do appear, but most of them are fairly small supporting roles, or even just cameos. The film, however, takes full advantage of its roots; Selina Kyle, Harvey Dent, Leslie Thompkins, Professor Hugo Strange, and ALL OF THE FIRST THREE ROBINS all appear in major roles. None of them were even MENTIONED in the graphic novel, if memory serves me well! On top of that, much like with “Mystery of the Batwoman,” this film really plays with the element of Batman as a detective; without giving too much away, the major plot twist of the movie - when it’s revealed who the Ripper is - is quite honestly the single best twist I’ve seen in a comic book movie in AGES, and for a number of reasons. There are also numerous allusions to the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, some more subtle than others, all of which are welcome. The animation is gorgeous, the voice cast is brilliant - Bruce Greenwood reprises his role as Batman and Bruce Wayne, and I think he’s even better here than in Under the Red Hood - and the music? Sweet Lord, this is honestly probably one of my favorite soundtracks to ANY animated film, let alone a Batman movie. Bottom line, as new as it is, this movie is more than worthy of recognition, and I hope to madness itself that it will not be overlooked by future viewers. WATCH IT. LOVE IT. MOVING ON.

4. Tim Burton’s Batman.
We all know the sequels this film spawned, as well as their...dubious reputations. (In order from second to fourth: Weird, Goofy, and OHMYGODWHY?!) But it’s hard not to love the first one. This, many would argue, is the iconic Batman film; the Batman film everyone thinks of when you think of Batman. The imagery, the music, the characters, the basic story...all of it exists in its own world, but at the same time, no other film has influenced future takes on Batman more than this movie. Who can forget Danny Elfman’s gripping and gothic score, or the design of the Batmobile, or the warped and noir-like look of Gotham City itself? Michael Keaton as Batman is surprising, and, for many people, he remains the definitive live-action Batman. Jack Nicholson’s wild performance as Joker is considered by many to be one of the greatest performances in any comic book film. The story, on its own terms, is not complex or philosophical, really, but it manages to have surprising subtlety and knows how to make this world fun while not being afraid to terrify or unsettle. I really don’t know what to SAY about the movie, to be honest, that hasn’t been said before. So...yeah. I think I’ll just leave things off here. Enjoy it, fellow looneys; it deserves all the love that it gets, and possibly more.

3. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
Though unappreciated at the time of its release, in recent years, “Mask of the Phantasm” - yet another picture set in the world of the DCAU - has been garnering a reputation as possibly the best Batman movie ever made. I’m not entirely sure I agree with that, but as you can guess from it’s high placement, it definitely is among the greatest, without a shadow of a doubt. Much like “Mystery of the Batwoman” or “Under the Red Hood,” the plot once again focuses on Batman trying to uncover the identity of a mysterious new vigilante - in this case, the Grim-Reaper-like Phantasm - and the film is yet another to play with the detective aspect of Batman’s story and character. But the film is noteworthy for a number of other things, too. It gave us an in-depth look into aspects of Bruce Wayne’s life that, up until that point, had never really been touched upon - at least not in film - and even touched upon the origins of his arch-nemesis, Joker. The film was Gothic and forbidding, yet with a sense of fun and even absurdity that harkened back to the silly 60s; a balance this universe managed flawlessly at almost every turn. It basically was the pinnacle for “Batman: The Animated Series” - all of the stuff that made the show great, heightened to a level that was so grand and so epic, it was truly breathtaking. The music, the animation, the acting...all of it is boosted to a point that went above and beyond even the best episodes of the series, and makes this truly one of the most beautiful and powerful animated films ever made, let alone one of the greatest superhero movies out there. Kevin Conroy gives perhaps his single finest performance as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and Mark Hamill once again hits every mark as the Joker. The new, original characters, such as Bruce’s old flame, Andrea Beaumont, voiced by Dana Delany (yep, Lois Lane from “Superman: The Animated Series”), are just as wonderful. In short, it’s yet another sometimes overlooked gemstone in the Dark Knight’s history, and I’m happy to see it’s getting more attention as time goes on.

2. The Dark Knight.
While Tim Burton’s Batman set a whole new standard, and Mask of the Phantasm is arguably the biggest “cult film” of all superhero pictures, I think it’s fair to say that this movie was a true game changer. Even with the success of Tim Burton’s first film, the darkness of “Batman Returns,” and a few other comic book films that came out in the years in-between, many people still looked at comic books as “kids stuff.” And while Batman Begins was certainly spectacular, it wasn’t until THIS film came out that people really seemed to start to change around. People watching this movie - even people who were already major fans - were blown away by its philosophical arguments, its aggressive realism, it’s psychological analysis of its characters, and the way it managed to make the story of a guy dressed as a bat fighting a guy dressed as a clown a story about not just action and adventure, but very human emotions and ideas that remain as powerful now as they ever were. Yes, these ideas and feelings had been examined before, but it wasn’t until this film that people really started to stand up and recognize it. Just as Tim Burton’s film had done before, as a result, this movie influenced - and still influences - so much other media involving Batman, and even other superheroes, that has come out since. With Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face, and, of course, Heath Ledger’s final and award-winning performance as the Joker, along with returning faces like Christian Bale and Gary Oldman, the acting was strong. The result? We got an intense and brutal movie that sold the idea that “comics aren’t just for kids,” while still managing to be fun and engaging. It knew how to balance out its style with its sense of energy and dramatic flair, and raised questions about both these characters, and people as a whole, in a way that was perhaps more subtle than we give it credit for now.

But as lauded as The Dark Knight remains, there’s one Batman movie I like even more. Which one is it? The answer may surprise you...

1. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
This movie is a marvel. (Well, technically, it’s a DC - ha ha - but you get my meaning.) I don’t really know where to BEGIN with this one! Let’s start with the context: this is another film set in the DCAU. It was based on the show “Batman Beyond,” which told the story of a young man named Terry McGinnis, who becomes a new, sci-fi-style Batman in a future age where Bruce Wayne is a crippled old man, Barbara Gordon has become the new police commissioner, and most of the Dark Knight’s classic villains are either deceased, or simply very, very old. The show was pretty good, and easily a worthy follow-up to the original animated series, but never quite managed to find an audience; it has been gaining a rising following in recent years, however. Now, here’s the thing you need to know, connected to that context: I saw this movie before watching a single episode of “Batman Beyond.” Heck, when I saw this film, I didn’t even know it was BASED on a show! Now, this is important to know, because I loved this film back then about as much as I do now...in fact, as time has gone on, I only find myself loving this movie more and more. It’s very kind to the uninitiated, making the story cohesive and comprehensible without needing any major knowledge of “Batman Beyond,” or even the DCAU in general. That’s already a point in its favor.
Now, the story: in this future age, the Joker has been dead for many, many years. Quite out of nowhere, the Ace of Knaves seemingly returns from the grave, as spry and as deadly as ever before. It’s like he hasn’t aged a day! Now, the new Batman has to face off with this old foe, who proves to be just as big a threat in the future as he has ever been. BAM! Instant awesomeness: taking a classic villain from Batman’s past and placing them in this sci-fi world. And not just any classic villain, but THE classic villain! The Mother-Loving-Joker! I know a lot of people tend to get tired of the Clown Prince of Crime, and I can respect that, to a certain degree; as much as I love the character, he DOES find a way to weasel his way into stories and seems to push a lot of other great baddies aside. But in this movie? Let’s all be honest, there is no one - NO ONE - who could make a bigger comeback. The most famous sequence in this film is a long flashback detailing how the original Batman’s final encounter with the Joker went; out of all the different demises the Joker has faced in his long and literally-death-defying career, the film gives us possibly the two best. (Two because there’s the uncut version, and the somewhat more easily-bought cut-down version, each of with having the sequence end in a different way, with the Joker’s actual fall being interpreted differently.) It also adds to the splendor of having the classic and newer age mix; the older, more retro look of the original series meshing with the more modern, sci-fi-style look of the future world. Similarly, the music gloriously merges both, as well, with Gothic strains fiddling through the score and intertwining with electric guitars and techno music to create a unique and fascinating sound. The animation is gorgeous; easily one of the best-looking animated films EVER, in my humble opinion. And the acting? OH, GREAT RESUME OF VINCENT PRICE, THE ACTING!!! While “Killing Joke” remains my favorite Hamill performance as the Joker, this film is a very, very, VERY close second. This was the movie that made me realize just how good a villain the Joker is, and how wonderful a character he can be; I’d always loved the guy before (I doff my topper to Cesar and Jack), but it was Hamill in this movie who made me say, “Yeah. THAT’S the Greatest Rogue of Them All.” Kevin Conroy as an elderly Bruce Wayne proves just as powerful as ever; the flashback sequence gives him a chance to return to youthful form, as well, only adding even more strength to his performance as a whole. And Will Friedle as Terry? Arguably, even more than Hamill (YES, I FREAKING SAID THAT), this movie belongs to him. This is the film that confirmed the feelings of those who already liked the show, and shot down anyone who may have argued against it. In this film, beyond any other appearance or episode, Friedle as McGinnis proves that Batman is universal and eternal. He proves that the Dark Knight of Gotham isn’t a specific person, but rather a symbol. An icon. He does so in a way that is unique and shockingly subtle, and proves not only his personal strength as a character, and not only his personal strength as an actor...but the strength of Batman as an ideal. For all these reasons, and oh-so-many-more, it may be a somewhat unusual choice, but I have no hesitation naming “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker” as My All-Time Favorite Batman Movie.

Honorable Mentions Include...
The Batman Vs. Dracula.
Okay, so the beauty of this movie is you can almost literally decide if you’re going to like it or not just from the title. Based on the cartoon show “The Batman,” and inspired by the popular Elseworlds “Red Rain” series (although the film really has nothing to do with those books beyond it being about...well...Batman fighting Dracula), the plot revolves around Count Dracula being resurrected in Gotham City, and - with the help of a Renfield-ified Penguin and a vampirized Joker - setting about turning all of the City’s residents into an army of the undead. At the same time, the Count plots to resurrect his long-dead bride, and this causes Vicki Vale - making her first and, so far, ONLY appearance in animation - to become involved with the case. It’s a surprisingly horrific and violent film, with Peter Stormare as Dracula stealing the show top to bottom...but it’s admittedly not very complex. It’s a simple, decent, and remarkably dark film that I think is unfairly treated. Bottom line: if a battle between the Prince of Darkness and the Dark Knight sounds up your alley, this film is for you.

Batman vs. Two-Face.
The sequel to the animated film “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders,” set in the universe of the silly 60s. First of all: it’s Adam West’s final performance, and it’s a wonderful one. Come on, I have to give it a mention AT LEAST for that reason. Second of all: Will Shatner as Two-Face. What more do I need to say? Third of all: SUCH. GOOD. MUSIC. Fourth of all: great animation! Fifth of all: KING TUT AND THE BOOKWORM. Sixth of all...actually, no. No, I don’t need any further reasoning! While admittedly the film isn’t perfect - Catwoman is criminally pushed aside, for example, but hey, they had Julie Newmar, they were going to use her, by thunder! - it is, for the most part, actually SUPERIOR to its predecessor, paying both loving homage to the 60s show, while also occasionally mocking its faults and quirks. It actually manages to be slightly darker than the original series, though it still sticks true to its campy and off-the-wall sense of humor. Check it out as soon as you can; you won’t regret it!

Other Honorable Mentions Include…
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.
The LEGO Batman Movie.
Batman Returns.
The Dark Knight Rises.
Batman vs. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.