Batman: The Long Halloween (Part One)

A brutal murder on Halloween prompts Gotham's young vigilante, the Batman, to form a pact with Police Captain James Gordan and District Attorney Harvey Dent in order to take down The Roman, head of the notorious and powerful Falcone Crime Family. After more deaths occur on Thanksgiving and Christmas, it becomes clear that they're dealing with a serial killer - the identity of whom grows harder to discern with each conflicting clue. 

Based on the series by Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb, The Long Halloween is another triumph from DC animation. Set in the art deco world of 1930s Gotham, Batman exists in a world of gangsters and the corrupt underbelly that they control or think that they control. Soon the bodies begin to pile up and Batman has to face a new kind of killer who leaves a calling card of sorts by only killing on holidays so of course he is given the name HOLIDAY.

Anyone who knows the story knows that the second part of the story is when things really pick up but this first part does a good job of setting the table for the mystery to be solved. While part one contains many of Batman's favorite villains, it's part two that brings all their evil powers to bear. I already know where this one is going from having read the mini-series but I never felt bored or cheated. It's classic Batman from the jump albiet one who is not yet the great detective he will eventually become.

DC animation is still the gold standard when it comes to these films. The voice acting and storytelling is as good as it gets. This kind of complicated (and two part) adventure needs time to breath and tell it's tale in a way befitting one of the great comic book mini-series of all time.

I am looking forward to part two being released at the end of the month.

Catwoman and Harvey Dent play a huge role in the story as well.