Superman/Batman Public Enemies Announced

Warner Premiere, DC Comics to Adapt Jeph Loeb Story For Animation

Mar 18, 2009

Warner Premiere and DC Comics have officially announced they're producing Superman/Batman: Public Enemies as a direct-to-DVD animated film.

Warner Premiere and DC Comics have confirmed that the next direct-to-DVD animated film – after the upcoming Green Lantern: First Flight – will be the Superman/Batman crossover Public Enemies.

A Warner Bros. spokesman confirmed the news after AICN's Harry Knowles broke the story last Friday.

"United States President Lex Luthor uses the oncoming trajectory of a kryptonite asteroid to frame Superman and declare a $1 billion bounty on the heads of the Man of Steel and his 'partner in crime' Batman.

"Super heroes and super villains alike launch a relentless pursuit of Superman and Batman, who must unite -- and recruit super help -- to stave off the action-packed onslaught, stop the asteroid, and uncover Luthor's devious plot to take command of far more than North America."

The storyline is based on the 2003 comic book story arc by writer Jeph Loeb (Batman: The Long Halloween) and illustrator Ed McGuinness (Deadpool). Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series) will be the executive producer for Warner Premiere. It's not known at this time if Loeb or McGuinness will be involved in the DtV adaptation.

Warner Premiere/DC Comics Ponders Future DtV Films: The Flash, Aquaman, Catwoman?

Warner and DC began getting into making DtV animated films after Marvel struck paydirt with titles like Ultimate Avengers and Dr. Strange. Warner/DC have successfully brought several of their classic comic book heroes to direct-to-DVD animation, with titles like Superman: Doomsday, Batman: Gotham Knight, and Wonder Woman.

Despite coming late to the DtV party, many consider Warner and DC's offerings to be superior to Marvel's product.

After Green Lantern: First Flight and Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Warner and DC reps have speculated that they would like to make DtV movies based on The Flash and Aquaman. The Justice League: Worlds Collide story arc has been touted as a possible return for the Justice League Unlimited animated series. The Sinestro Corps arc has also been bandied about as possible DtV fodder.

In addition, Bruce Timm stated at San Diego's Comic Con 2008 that he would like to try a Catwoman animated adventure.

"She could totally support her own movie," he said, "and she could erase the stain of (the 2004 live-action flick starring Halle Berry)."

Whichever property Warner Premiere and DC want to adapt next, they plan to stay with a release schedule of 2 - 3 films a year.

Superman/Batman Public Enemies's DVD release has been scheduled for the fall of 2009.

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