Batman: Death in the Family (2020)

DC Showcase Animated Shorts:

Batman: Death in the Family (2020)

Dir. Brandon Vietti

NOTE: image used is the DVD cover art. The Blu-ray art is much better, but is spoilerific.

It isn't the worst animation that DC has ever put out – because Batman and Harley Quinn (2017) exists – but it's a strong contender for the most perplexing. But before you even get to determine if you feel the same way, it's advisable to watch Under the Red Hood (2010) because DitF uses the same storyline and some of the same footage, but is tweaked to allow the viewer to see alternate paths for some of UtRH's primary characters.

To clarify, you're presented with a choice at certain points in the scenario, such as who will live or who will die, with subsequent footage branching to reflect that choice. Some of what you get is new animation, often giving backstory or referencing something from UtRH. Sometimes it's an entirely new sequence, but at others it's new intercut with existing animation from UtRH, meaning you'll have to sit through some of it yet again.

Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)

Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)

Dir. Brandon Vietti

A criminal calling himself Red Hood attempts to take control of Gotham's criminal underworld, an act that doubles as a kind of challenge to Batman.

The villain's methods are extreme and permanent, but seem to be getting results. Batman tries to prevent further casualties; he's determined, brave, and overflowing with professionalism, but something about Red Hood bothers him on a deeply personal level.

The usual DC quality and attention to detail is evident throughout, besides their penchant for trying to incorporate CGI vehicles. The character designs are mostly great, and there's some timely black humour, more often than not courtesy of the Black Mask character (Wade Williams).