FAQ

Batman: Gotham Knight is an animated direct-to-video movie that borrows the setting of Christopher Nolan's Batman movies. While the producers have acknowledged that it is not meant to be a canon part of the Nolanverse, it is a cross section of six interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne's journey to Dark Knight. These include:

• "Have I Got a Story For You" (12:48) - Directed by Shojiro Nishimi; Story by Jordan Goldberg; Screenplay by Josh Olson; Music by Christopher Drake; Animation Produced by Studio 4ºC. A History of Violence screenwriter Josh Olson tells the story of how chance encounters with Batman by a group of youngsters leave each kid with a very different impression of the Dark Knight.

• "Crossfire" (12:01) - Directed by Futoshi Higashide; Story by Jordan Goldberg; Screenplay by Greg Rucka; Music by Kevin Manthei; Animation Produced by Production I.G. Acclaimed novelist/comics writer Greg Rucka tells the story of Gotham City police having to get over their distrust of Batman—while under fire from the mob.

• "Field Test" (11:36) - Directed by Hiroshi Morioka; Story by Jordan Goldberg; Screenplay by Jordan Goldberg; Music by Robert Kral; Animation by Bee Train, Inc. Writer Jordan Goldberg showcases the incredible high-tech arsenal Batman commands and reveals that there are some things even Batman won't do in his pursuit of justice.

• "In Darkness Dwells" (11:15) - Directed by Yasuhiro Aoki; Story by Jordan Goldberg; David Goyer; Music by Christopher Drake; Animation Produced by Madhouse. Batman ventures into the Gotham sewers to face Killer Croc, a deformed thug who seems even more monstrous after the Scarecrow returns with his fear toxin in this story by David S. Goyer, co-screenwriter of Batman Begins.

• "Working Through Pain" (13:05) - Directed by Toshiyuki Kubooka; Story by Jordan Goldberg; Screenplay by Brian Azzarello; Music by Kevin Manthei; Animation Produced by Studio 4ºC. Award-winning comics writer Brian Azzarello explores an early chapter of Bruce Wayne's training, showing how a mysterious and exotic Indian woman named Cassandra introduced Batman to techniques that would help him to conquer the physical and spiritual consequences of his actions.

• "Deadshot" (11:29) - Directed by Jong-Sik Nam; Story by Jordan Goldberg; Screenplay by Alan Burnett; Music by Robert Kral; Animation Produced by Madhouse. Alan Burnett—one of the most-acclaimed writers on Batman: The Animated Series—ties together threads, as Batman must thwart an unerring assassin whose love of guns and disregard for human life lets him cross lines that even a Dark Knight shies away from.

Warner Bros. Animation has teamed with Japanese animators to produce an anime-style direct-to-video prequel to Christopher Nolan's film The Dark Knight (2008) (2008). An internal DC/Warner Bros. Animation marketing document described the project as follows:

Set in the period between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, this brand new adventure follows Batman as he unravels a mystery over six original stories done in the style of Japanese anime. Each of the six original stories has been written by a highly respected screenwriter or comic book creator. The talent includes Academy Award nominee Josh Olsen (A History of Violence), screenwriter of the Blade films and Batman Begins David Goyer, and famed comic book writer Brian Azzarello, among others.

Warner Bros. Animation anticipated this to be rated PG-13 (most likely for animated violence). The featured voice cast includes Kevin Conroy, Gary Dourdan, David McCallum, Parminder Nagra and Ana Ortiz. Segment directors are Shojiro Nishimi, Futoshi Higashede, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki, Toshiyuki Kubooka and Yoshiaki Kawajiri. Batman: Gotham Knight was released on July 8th, 2008, ten days prior to the theatrical release of The Dark Knight (2008). A sneak peek of Batman: Gotham Knight is included as a DVD extra on Justice League: The New Frontier, the direct-to-video animated movie that was released on February 26th, 2008.

Scarecrow, Deadshot and Killer Croc make appearances as villains, as does crime boss Salvatore Maroni. Lt. James Gordon, Lucius Fox and butler Alfred Pennyworth all make appearances. The presence of GPD detective Crispus Allen links most of the stories together, along with his partner Detecive Anna Ramirez (based on the character Renee Montoya, first created for Batman: The Animated Series). Thomas and Martha Wayne appear in flashback.

The single-disc DVD includes:

• A Mirror for the Bat: The Evil Denizens of Gotham City - A stimulating documentary covering Gotham Citys most nefarious of characters, combined with a look into the symbiotic relationship Batman shares with his enemies.

• Sneak Peek: Wonder Woman - DC Universe animated original movie

• Audio Commentary - Featuring the filmmakers of Gotham Knight.

• Widescreen (1.78:1)

• 5.1 Dolby Digital

• The 2-disc Special Edition DVD and Blu-Ray Disc will also feature:

• Batman and Me: A Devotion of Destiny, the Bob Kane Story - The comprehensive chronology of the remarkable life of the co-creator of Batman.

• Batman: The Animated Series Bonus Episodes - Bruce Timm selects his favorite episodes from Batman: The Animated Series.

Yes, there is a novelization written by comics veteran Louise Simonson. The 288-page paperback was released by Ace on May 27th, 2008.

DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video (WHV) and Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) began the production and distribution of "DC Universe", a series of original, animated PG-13 movies in July 2006. This original made-for-DVD movie is part of the DC Universe series of animated PG-13 films written and directed by acclaimed comic book creators and animators and featuring recognizable talent. WHV will be the exclusive worldwide home entertainment distributor for all DC Universe movies, which will include a slate of two or three action-packed films per year. Superman Doomsday and Justice League: The New Frontier were the first DC Universe original animated movies. Other DC properties with films in development include Justice League, Green Lantern, Flash and Wonder Woman.

Simple, it's an animated film. While they are based on the characters of Nolan's Batman universe, every director and animation studio brought in their own style and vision of Batman. Each segment has it's own unique vision of the Batman universe.