DC Showcase is DC’s first step to bringing lesser known heroes and characters from the B-List into the limelight, all the while providing fanservice to those who follow each of the featured characters but that’s not all these shorts do. What the DC showcase does best is capture the look, feel, and overall tone of the character if not the actual comic itself. On top of that, I’d also like to add that the influence of Japanese Anime-Styled animation in each of these features is nothing short of gorgeous and fantastical. This article is pretty much a comparative collective review on the 4 Animated Shorts, keeping this as spoiler free as possible. I’ll rank and review from least favorite to most. First one starting with…
4. The Green Arrow (The third released DC Showcase Short) There were several aspects to this short that had caused me judge this as my least favorite DC Showcase, but at the same time it accomplished enough for it to stand next to any feature in this collection. First I’ll start with the bad.
The overall mood and tone of this feature felt like something out of a justice league episode. You don’t really get any real sense of what the Green Arrow comics are about, and almost all of this plot just seemed… random almost to the point of ridiculousness. Somehow Oliver Queen goes from picking up his girlfriend to taking on Merlyn and Count Vertigo all the while protecting the crown princess of Vlateva, though fair is fair, just about every plot in the DC Showcase shorts are this simple. The dialogue itself didn’t lend itself to be taken more seriously either. Though Queen’s sarcastic quips was entertaining, at other times it was a little less then welcomed. Now where the other shorts try to capture the essence of the comic, I feel this feature chose instead to focus on the range and capacity of Green Arrow himself as both a character and through his capabilities in a fight. Through that, I believe this short was a success because all of the action sequences animated superbly, and we get to see how well Queen handles himself not only in a duel against archers, but also against guns and physical hand-to-hand combat. Overall this short, though lacking at times, was thoroughly entertaining and is definitely a must see for any Green Arrow fan.
3. Superman/Shazam: Return of the Black Adam (The fourth and most recently released DC Showcase Short) There was so much I liked about this short I don’t know where to begin. I was afraid that bringing in Superman was going to be a mistake since these shorts are supposed to be about DC’s B-Listers (though I hardly consider Green Arrow or Captain Marvel second stringers). I got even more scared that the short was an origin story for Captain Marvel, since thus far DC Showcase were using stand-alone stories and they worked incredibly well.
Within the first minute or so my fears were laid to rest. Even though it was an origin story the plot was perfectly suited to capture the innocence and general good-hearted will of Billy Bastion and the larger than life role of Captain Marvel. James Garner had one memorable line in this movie that perfectly sums up Billy’s character
“No protector you say? And yet despite enduring countless tragedies and hardships you’ve somehow managed to protect your perfect heart.” Superman took a back seat as far as plot and story went, but I was happy to see his vulnerability to magic highlighted, which is rare to see in any of the DC animated full length features or shows. And while The Green Arrow short was the first of the DC Showcase features to include Super-Villains, this was certainly the first to properly portray them. It was only right to include Black Adam’s name in the title of the feature since he was as big a part of this as Captain Marvel was. The monologue between him and Captain Marvel close to end of the movie cemented his character in the DC Showcase I couldn’t help but applaud his performance. Overall this was a great DC Showcase feature. Whereas I felt, the extra 10 minutes in the Green Arrow short seemed needless, here it was necessary.
Now with my review of the Superman/Shazam feature, it probably has you wondering why if this short was so great isn’t it in the number one spot. The truth is this short was really good, but the first two DC Showcase shorts were made with a completely different style and approach in mind, with the majority of the focus on the character along with the tone and mood of the feature itself rather than action. The first two actually employed film-making styles and techniques, such as faux camera techniques, use of an excellent score, and a wide range of nuanced facial expressions to truly capture the look and feel of the respective comics. I feel that these first two shorts are in a class all their own and I hope future DC Showcase shorts can go back to this style while successfully balancing action as well.
2. The Spectre (The first released DC Showcase Short) This was an all-around great short (and actually made buying Crisis on Two Earths bearable, but that’s another story). From the very start of this feature the 60’s grindhouse filter (the scratched-film look) and 70’s inspired score meld beautifully together to give the audience a sense of the grit and grim that they are in store for, and then Gary Cole’s superb classic 1940’s film noir styled narration was the icing on the cake.
His performance as Jim Corrigan is nothing short of spectacular. This short is set up as a murder mystery-horror film although given the ten-minute running time, the mystery side would have been lost on the audience if not for the way the short had been set-up by using the film-making styles of these genres from every decade. The short actually does this so well that it makes it next to impossible to place at what year it is set in. Also, there’s a scene that takes place in an FX Studio that actually pays homage to past horror and monster movies including, but not limited to, The Exorcist, Nosforatu, the original Friday the 13th, and even King Kong. The only drawback to this short was the dialogue for The Spectre (not his alter-ego). In the FX Studio scene when The Spectre starts saying
“I am vengeance…” I half expected to hear Kevin Conroy come out of nowhere and finish the line with
“I am the night. I AM BATMAN!” But the all-too ominous delivery from the Spectre was hardly enough to take anything away from his actual performance or the overall impact of this short. I highly recommend this DC Showcase feature not only to Spectre or DC fans alike, but any comic book fan in general.
1. Jonah Hex (The second released DC Showcase Short) I don’t think I can find anything wrong with this short even if I tried. From the amazing voice cast, to the stunning animation, to beautiful score DC Showcase nailed it completely for Jonah Hex. Just like how DC Showcase’s The Spectre manages the grasp the essence of the Mystery-Horror film genre through use of animated faux-cinematic techniques, so too has Jonah Hex managed to embody the very essence of the classic western.
An incredible score done by The Track Team not only set the tone of this feature but also adds to the performances of the cast. The voice acting and actual animated “acting” both go hand-in-hand in this feature to create such subtle and nuanced, yet powerful and resonating performances. Just to be clear, by animated “acting” what I mean is how each character’s performance is actually animated. The little facial expressions and mannerisms of each character in this feature
add so much more to the overall performance then mere voice-acting possibly could, though I don’t by any means intend to downplay any of the voice cast’s vocal performance. Make no mistake, Thomas Jane IS Jonah Hex. He takes the role, owns it, and makes it his own. I was incredibly impressed with the gruff and grit he brought to the character. Now whereas the later DC Showcase features sacrifices such animation styles and cinematic techniques for more action and wit this is the only feature to hit the perfect balance. The action wasn’t there simply to entertain us it seemed necessary and relevant. Truth be told, I hold both this and The Spectre shorts in equal regard, but where the Spectre does its job as a short leaving me satisfied and fulfilled afterwards, this feature does more. It leaves me wanting more, wishing it was a full-length movie and this is the only feature that manages to do that. Everything about this short was great, and I hope future DC Showcase features return to making shorts in this vein.