Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Superman/Batman: Apocalypseis a 2010 American animatedsuperhero filmbased on theSuperman/Batmancomic book storyline "The Supergirl from Krypton" and is a standalone sequel toSuperman/Batman: Public Enemies.The art style is partly based on that ofMichael Turner,who penciled theSuperman/Batmancomic book arc. Directed byLauren Montgomery.it is the ninth film of theDC Universe Animated Original Movies.The film starsAndre Braugher,Kevin Conroy,Tim DalyandSummer Glau.Despite the title, the film focuses primarily onSupergirland Superman, with Batman playing a supporting role.

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
DVD cover
Directed by	Lauren Montgomery
Written by	Tab Murphy
Based on	Superman/Batman:"The Supergirl from Krypton" byJeph LoebandMichael Turner
Produced by	Bruce Timm Alan Burnett Bobbi Page Lauren Montgomery Sam Register Benjamin Melniker Michael Uslan
Starring	Andre Braugher Kevin Conroy Tim Daly Summer Glau Edward Asner Susan Eisenberg Julianne Grossman
Music by	John Paesano
Production companies	Warner Premiere DC Entertainment Warner Bros. Animation MOI Animation(animation services)
Distributed by	Warner Home Video
Release date	September 28, 2010(2010-09-28)
Running time	78 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The film was released on September 28, 2010, byWarner PremiereandWarner Bros. Animation.The two-disc special edition andBlu-rayalso includes an animated shortfeaturing Green Arrow.

Plot

Weeks after theeventsthat led toLex Luthor's arrest, theimpeachmentof hispresidency,andSupermanandBatman's success in saving the world from akryptonitemeteor, a spaceship crash-lands inGotham CityHarbor, from which a young girl emerges. She inadvertently wreaks havoc with her powers until Superman arrives to correct the damage, allowing Batman to eventually expose her toKryptonitewhich weakens and injures her mentally.

With Superman's help, they discover the girl isKara Zor-El,Superman's cousin, who has been in suspended animation for decades. While Superman welcomes Kara, teaches her English, and helps her adjust to Earth society, Batman remains suspicious, even considering the possibility of Kara being an enemy. Tipped off by Batman,Wonder WomanandLylaambush Kara and Clark Kent, Superman's alter ego, in a park and suggest they train Kara atThemyscira.Superman reluctantly agrees, but Batman and Wonder Woman advise Superman to steer clear of Kara, criticizing his care of her.

On the desolate planetApokolips,Darkseidlearns of Kara's presence on Earth and ordersGranny Goodnessto have her brought to Apokolips as a possible leader for theFemale Furies.Two months later, Batman and Superman are checking on Kara on Themyscira during a sparring match againstArtemis.When Kara and Lyla sneak away for a swim, a horde ofDoomsdayclones arrives from Apokolips. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Amazons fight them until Superman vaporizes them with his heat vision. Batman, however, discovers Kara missing and Lyla dead, with Darkseid ordering the attack as a diversion to allow time for Granny to kidnap Kara. On Apokolips, Darkseid brainwashes her into becoming the captain of the Furies.

Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman askBig Bardato help them to Apokolips, to which she reluctantly agrees. There, Superman infiltrates Darkseid's palace while Wonder Woman and Barda enter the fighting arena, fighting Granny Goodness and the Female Furies. After a fight with Barda killing Stompa to save Wonder Woman, Granny and the other Furies are subdued. Separating himself from the others, Batman finds Darkseid's supply of Hell Spores, the source of the fire pits on Apokolips. Superman encounters Darkseid and is forced to battle the brainwashed Kara. Darkseid watches them fight until Batman confronts Darkseid and informs him that he has activated the Hell Spores, which will destroy Apokolips. He issues Darkseid an ultimatum: free Kara and promise to leave her alone, and Batman will deactivate the Spores. Superman defeats Kara, and Barda and Wonder Woman present Darkseid with the subdued Granny, whereupon Darkseid finally releases Kara, and the heroes leave Apokolips, bringing Kara back to Themyscira.

Back on Earth, with their lives apparently normal again, Clark takes Kara to meet hisadoptive parentsinSmallville,but they are ambushed by Darkseid; he had promised to leave Kara alone, but not Superman or Earth. After Darkseid launches Superman into space, Kara engages Darkseid in a lengthy battle and manages to hold her own, but he eventually gains the upper hand and knocks her unconscious. Before Darkseid can leave, Superman returns to Earth and reengages him, but Darkseid still does not relent and again overwhelms Superman with his Omega Beams. Kara recovers and uses Darkseid'sMother Boxto send him into space. While Superman anticipates Darkseid's eventual return, Kara informs him that she changed the coordinates, leaving him frozen in space.

Having saved her cousin's life and found her place on Earth, Kara decides to use her powers to fight foraltruism;under the alias ofSupergirl,and she is met with applause by Wonder Woman, the Amazons, and finally Batman. Superman and Supergirl fly toMetropolistogether.

Cast

• Andre BraugherasUxas / Darkseid
• Kevin ConroyasBruce Wayne / Batman
• Tim DalyasKal-El / Clark Kent / Superman
• Summer GlauasKara Zor-El / Supergirl
• Susan EisenbergasDiana Prince / Wonder Woman
• Julianne Grossman asBig Barda
• Ed AsnerasGranny Goodness
• Rachel Quaintance asHarbinger / Lyla Michaels,Artemis(uncredited)
• Salli SaffiotiasGilotina,Mad Harriet(uncredited)
• Andrea RomanoasStompa,Vicki Vale(uncredited)
• Jim Wardas Radio DJ, Cop (uncredited)
• Dave B. Mitchellas Bearded Longshoreman
• Greg Alan Williams as Terrified Longshoreman
• John Cyganas Male Radio Caller, Gus (uncredited)
• April Winchellas Female Radio Caller 1, Treasure (uncredited)
• Tara Strongas Female Radio Caller 2,Lashina(uncredited)

Notably, Daly, Conroy, Eisenberg and Asner all reprise their respective roles of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Granny Goodness from theDC Animated Universe.

Reception

The World's Finest said that it was "not something I'll be coming back to any time soon," and specifically targeted Andre Braugher's performance of Darkseid as lacking in any presence.Batman-on-Film gave the film a D, the lowest grade they have given to a DC animated film.

IGNgave the film a positive review with a score of 8 out of 10. The reviewer forgives the misleading title, recognising the story is all about "Supergirl of Krypton" and once you know what you're in for the story is not bad. Glau is praised for giving depth to what could have come across as a whiny beautiful teenager girl, and her story is a complete journey but unfortunately the other characters are not given much to do.

The film earned $6,370,838 from domestic DVD sales and $1,883,591 from domestic Blu-ray sales, bringing its total domestic home video earnings to $8,254,429.

TheBlu-raypresentation received an overall score of 8 out of 10 from IGN.

External links

• Warner Bros. page
• DC page
• Superman/Batman: ApocalypseatIMDb
• Superman/Batman: ApocalypseatRotten Tomatoes
• Superman/Batman: Apocalypseat The World's Finest