Batman Beyond, the landmark animated television series that illuminated the imagination of a new generation of Batman fans with its creation of an altogether new hero, is celebrating its 20th anniversary – and you get the gift! Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has remastered the heralded series for its first-ever presentation on Blu-ray in the all-encompassing Batman Beyond: The Complete Animated Series Limited Edition, arriving on Digital ($49.99 SRP USA, $59.99 SRP Canada) starting October 15, 2019 and in a stunning box set ($99.99 SRP USA, $119.99 SRP Canada) on October 29, 2019. Distribution in Canada will be day-and-date with the USA, Pre-orders are now available.
The extraordinary Batman Beyond: The Complete Animated Series Limited Edition package features approximately 1,500 minutes of entertainment spread over four Blu-ray discs, plus the two bonus discs of enhanced content. In addition to a newly-remastered Blu-ray presentation of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, there are 15 featurettes on the bonus discs, highlighted by two new inside looks at the beloved television series, led by Nostalgic Tomorrow, a gathering of Batman Beyond production talent and cast led by executive producer Bruce Timm and actors Kevin Conroy and Will Friedle, the voices of Batman and Terry McGinnis, respectively. The bonus discs also spotlight four episodes with audio commentary from Timm and select members of the production team.
Collectibles within the stunning packaging include an exclusive chrome Batman Beyond Funko POP, and four beautifully-designed lenticular art cards produced especially for Batman Beyond: The Complete Animated Series Limited Edition. This ultimate collectors Blu-ray box set will be individually numbered for a Limited Edition release of 50,000.
Of the 52 original Batman Beyond episodes, 41 have
been fully-remastered from either their original 35mm film source or the
uncommon format “OCND,” the original camera negative digital (a digital scan of original
negative). Lines and resolution have been enhanced, and dust and dirt have been
removed – however, cell dirt remains to not disturb the original picture.
Included in the remastering was the removal of grain, resulting in enhanced colors.
The remastering process does cause a slight aspect ratio change (approximately
3% loss of screen image).
Due to time-worn irreparable damage, the remaining 11
episodes were “Smart Rezzed” from standard definition Digibeta video. The
process provides for significant enhanced resolution and improvement of the
original source material in converting from standard to high definition, though
it does sacrifice horizontal lines for clearer image and color representation.
While still a marked improvement over the original video, viewers will notice a
slight difference between the Remastered and the Up-Rezzed final footage. The
11 affected episodes are: “Eyewitness,” “Final
Cut,” “The Last Resort,” “Armory,” “Sneak Peek,” “The Eggbaby,” “Zeta,” “Plague,”
“April Moon,” “Sentries of the Lost Cosmos” and “Speak No Evil.”
Batman Beyond: The Complete Animated Series Limited Edition
Enhanced Content
Nostalgic Tomorrow – A Batman
Gathering (All-New Featurette) – Many of Batman Beyond’s core
production team and actors gather for an enthralling roundtable discussion of
the evolution and execution of the animate series. Join producers Bruce Timm
and Glenn Murakami, casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano, director James
Tucker, writers Bob Goodman & Stan Berkowitz, and stars Kevin Conroy &
Will Friedle as they take a wildly entertaining trip down memory lane.
Knight Immortal (All-New Featurette) – A visual and visceral
celebration of the Dark Knight’s 80 years of crime fighting, narrated by
storytellers of the past, present, and future.
“Tomorrow Knight: The Batman Reborn” (Featurette)
– Storytellers explore the rise of Terry McGinnis as Batman and Bruce Wayne’s
relationship with the young hero as he mentors a new Dark Knight for modern
times.
Batman Beyond: Return of the
Joker (Feature-Length Film) – The beloved hit animated film from 2000
is included in the box set – fully remastered for your enjoyment.
Audio Commentaries –
Enlightening audio commentaries by filmmakers and voice actors for four key
episodes: “Rebirth, Part 1”; “Shriek”; “Splicers”; and “The Eggbaby.”
Featurettes – A dozen inside
looks at the genesis, production and effects of Batman Beyond.
Disc 1
- Rebirth,
Pt. 1
- Rebirth,
Pt. 2
- Black
Out
- Golem
- Meltdown
- Heroes
- Shriek
- Dead
Man’s Hand
- The
Winning Edge
- Spellbound
- Disappearing
Inque
- A
Touch of Curare
- Ascension
- Commentary
on the episode “Rebirth, Part 1” by producers Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Paul
Dini & Glenn Murakami and director Curt Geda.
- Audio
Commentary on episode “Shriek” by producers Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Paul Dini
& Glen Murakami, director Curt Geda and writer Stan Berkowitz
- “Music
of the Knight” – producer Bruce Timm introduces a feature allowing access
to key scenes from Batman Beyond, accompanied by the compelling score
created for the series.
- “Inside Batman Beyond – Meet the Creators”
– producers Alan Burnett, Bruce Timm, Glen Murakami and Paul Dini discuss the
creative process behind Batman Beyond and its inaugural season. Jason
Hillhouse moderates.
- Batman
80th Anniversary Collection trailer
Disc 2
- Splicers
- Earth
Mover
- Joyride
- Lost
Soul
- Hidden
Agenda
- Bloodsport
- Once
Burned
- Hooked
Up
- Rats!
- Mind
Games
- Revenant
- Babel
- Terry’s
Friend Dates a Robot
- Commentary
on the episode “Splicers” by producers Bruce Timm and Glen Murakami, storyboard
artist James Tucker, casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano and Will Friedle,
the voice of Terry McGinnis/Batman
Disc 3
- Eyewitness*
- Final
Cut*
- The
Last Resort*
- Armory*
- Sneak
Peek*
- The
Eggbaby*
- Zeta*
- Plague*
- April
Moon*
- Sentries
of the Last Cosmos*
- Payback
- Where’s
Terry?
- Ace
in the Hole
- Commentary
on the episode “The Eggbaby” by producers Bruce Timm & Glen Murakami,
director James Tucker, Producer Glen Murakami, casting/dialogue director Andrea
Romano and Will Friedle, the voice of Terry McGinnis/Batman
- “Inside
Batman Beyond: The Panel” – An in-depth discussion with producers Bruce
Timm, Alan Burnett, Glen Murakami and Paul Dini as season two of Batman
Beyond is explored with moderator Jason Hillhouse.
Disc 4
- King’s
Ransom
- Untouchable
- Inqueling
- Big
Time
- Out
of the Past
- Speak
No Evil*
- The
Call, Pt. 1
- The
Call, Pt. 2
- Betrayal
- Curse
of the Kobra, Pt. 1
- Curse
of the Kobra, Pt. 2
- Countdown
- Unmasked
- “Inside
Batman Beyond: Season 3” – A fascinating discussion on season three of Batman
Beyond with producers Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Glen Murakami and Paul
Dini.
- “Inside
Batman Beyond Season 3: Close-Up On...” – producers Bruce Timm and Paul
Dini, directors Butch Lukic and James Tucker, and voice actor Will Friedle
discuss their favorite moments among final-season episodes.
- “Inside
Batman Beyond Season 3: Out of the Past” – producers Bruce Timm & Paul
Dini, director James Tucker and voice actor Will Friedle sit down together to
talk about “The Legend of Batman” musical (which appears in this episode) and
other memorable moments.
- “Inside
Batman Beyond Season 3: The Call, Part 1” – producers Bruce Timm & Paul
Dini, director Butch Lukic and voice actor Will Friedle gather to discuss the
additional heroes and the exciting action showcased in this episode.
- “Inside
Batman Beyond Season 3: The Call, Part 2” – producers Bruce Timm & Paul
Dini, director Butch Lukic and voice actor Will Friedle talk about the
appearance of Starro and Superman in this episode.
- “Inside
Batman Beyond Season 3: Curse of the Kobra, Part 1” – producers Bruce Timm
& Paul Dini, director James Tucker and voice actor Will Friedle reminisce
about the personal relationships that highlight the story of this episode.
Disc 5
“Nostalgic Tomorrow – A Batman Gathering” (All-New
Featurette) – Nostalgia strikes like it’s 1999. Seated at the table are the Batman
Beyond Team: producers Bruce Timm & Glen Murakami, actors Kevin Conroy
& Will Friedle, director James Tucker, casting/dialogue director Andrea
Romano, and writers Bob Goodman & Stan Berkowitz. Care to join us for a
chat?
“Knight Immortal” (All-New Featurette) – A visual and
visceral celebration of the Dark Knight’s 80 years of crime fighting, narrated
by storytellers of the past, present, and future.
“Tomorrow Knight: The Batman Reborn” (All-New
Featurette) – Storytellers explore the rise of Terry McGinnis as Batman and
Bruce Wayne’s relationship with the young hero as he mentors a new Dark Knight
for modern times.
“Gotham: City of The Future” – A Close-Up Look at
Gotham City Circa 2039, the modernization and the inspirations for its
high-tech design and massive scale.
“The High-Tech Hero” – Batman Beyond
storytellers discuss the evolution of the new Bat Suit and its futuristic
design and capabilities.
“Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics” (Documentary)
– The Story of DC Comics and the rise of the Super Hero mythology as a
zeitgeist in American pop culture.
Disc 6
“Batman Beyond: Return
of the Joker” – Remastered for Blu-ray, the heralded animated feature
film spawned by the Batman Beyond series is included on a separate bonus
disc in the box set.
*=Due to source material, episode resolution was
enhanced (up-rez) instead of remastering.
