Batman The Long Halloween - Part Two

There’s no compromise from DC with this release. It follows straight on from Part One with no recap. So the Holiday killer is still at large and we are plunged into a gang war between the Falcones’ and Maronis’. Bruce Wayne (Jensen Ackles) is under the control of Poison Ivy (Katee Sackhoff) signing his fortune away until Catwoman (Naya Rivera) intervenes.

Meanwhile Commissioner Jim Gordon (Billy Burke) is flailing, while District Attorney Harvey Dent (Josh Duhamel) with his marriage creaking is battling with mental illness. A breach at Arkham Asylum frees some first and second division villains (you decide) who begin to wheedle their way into the story.

With so much going on it’s probably the right decision to release this over two discs giving the story and main characters room to fully develop. Because despite the release from Arkham this part centres around Dent/Two-Face and the gangsters double dealing. Batman/Bruce Wayne of course is there though we are again covering some very familiar terrain all be it from a different angle.

The more interesting element is Dent, his gradual mental collapse and how that eventually plays out with his relationship with Gordon and Batman. The excellent script by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sheridan (adapted from Loeb’s original 13-part comic serial, illustrated by Tim Sale) grapples with some big themes and deep thought. Bruce Wayne brooding on the relationship that his father had with Falcone senior, and its legacy for him and Gotham.

There’s no need to worry about Gotham’s colourful pantheon of villains being neglected. They get plenty of screentime and director Chris Palmer ensures some very bloody and gruesome action, the sequence confronting the Scarecrow (Robin Atkin Downes) and Batman being truly horrific.

The package has a number of solid special features with Blue Beetle showcase, plus previews of forthcoming DC animation releases and two episodes from the vaults.

Batman: The Long Halloween Part One is available now. Batman: The Long Halloween Part Two is available now on Digital and on DVD, Blu-ray™ & Blu-ray™ steelbook August 9.