BATMAN VS TWO-FACE

released out now! 2017 | 12 | blu-ray/dvd/download Director rick morales Cast adam West, burt Ward, William shatner, Julie Newmar Two-Face was a striking absence from the rogue’s gallery of the 1966 Batman TV series. The disfigured duplicity-merchant boasted more comic book appearances than fellow reprobate the Riddler, but was deemed too fugly for primetime.

This new animated movie belatedly fixes that omission. enlisting none other than William Shatner in the role. That makes for a tingly piece of pop-culture synthesis, especially as Shatner’s voicing a likeness that’s clearly himself in his Kirkian prime. He’s great, of course: suave and bassy as Harvey Dent, demonically raspy as his askew alter-ego.

Studded with guest shots and littered with in-jokes, it’s all played marginally straighter than last year’s Return Of The Caped Crusaders, dialling down the knowing meta-commentary in favour of pure comic book momentum (though Burt Ward yelling “Batman! Look at the size of those balls!” pushes the wink-wink-factor to breaking point). Energised, witty and clearly made with love, this is a fitting Bat-finale for Adam West’s Bright Knight.

Extras “The Wonderful World Of Burt Ward”, a featurette spotlighting the former Boy Wonder; an Adam West tribute panel from 2017’s San Diego Comic-Con; interviews with Burt Ward and Julie Newmar.