The first part of the animated adaptation of Batman: The Long Halloween came out recently, and it delivered on all expectations. Part 2 of Batman: The Long Halloween is coming out July 27 on digital and on Blu-ray on August 10. If the second part sticks the landing and is a great conclusion, then these two films combined will be high on the list of animated Batman films.
Before the first film came out, I wrote about five moments from the comic that I wanted to see in the upcoming film, such as Batman and the Joker’s airplane fight and Grundy’s Thanksgiving dinner. The second half of the comic is full of awesome moments, and these are the five that I am most looking forward to seeing being adapted. If you have seen the first film, you will know that the post-credit scene set up Poison Ivy’s involvement, so we will be looking at moments from issues seven to thirteen. As always, spoilers ahead.
#1: April Fool’s Day
One of the more fun issues in the story is when Carmine Falcone recruits the Riddler to help him solve the identity of Holiday. Riddler goes through the evidence for Falcone and the possible suspects while Batman is in the Batcave doing the same. Riddler guesses at Catwoman and Falcone’s sister Carla. Meanwhile, Batman suspects Sal Maroni and Harvey Dent.
Falcone pushes Riddler to give an answer, and Riddler panics and suggests that he is Holiday. Falcone laughs and tells him to leave. As Riddler is leaving, Holiday shows up and shoots all around Riddler but does not kill him, which leaves Riddler asking the question, “When does a killer not kill?’
#2: Father’s Day Flashback
The Father’s Day issue opens up with a flashback showing a young and wounded Carmine Falcone and his father Vincent Falcone showing up abruptly to Wayne Manor. Carmine is shot and bleeding by a rival gang member, and his father takes him to the best doctor in Gotham – Dr. Thomas Wayne. Dr. Wayne helps save Carmine because it’s the right thing to do, and while this is happening, a young Bruce Wayne watches from upstairs. Adult Bruce notes the irony of his father saving the life of the biggest crime boss in the city.
In the first part of the film, the movie hints at a relationship between the Waynes and Falcones with Carmine even going as far as calling Bruce a son. It’ll be interesting to see if this flashback is shown to help make that connection even stronger.
#3: Batman and Catwoman Team-up
During the 4th of July in Gotham City, the Scarecrow and Mad Hatter team up to rob a bank. They are stopped by Batman along with the help of Catwoman. It is an awesome scene to see Batman and Catwoman work together in such a dynamic fashion. After they defeat Scarecrow and Hatter, Catwoman hints to Batman that they should run away together, and Batman refuses.
In the first part of the film, it is hinted that Batman and Catwoman have worked together in the past and that Catwoman is more hero than villain. She knows his secret identity, and Bruce and Selina were in the midst of a relationship. I hope the scene of them teaming up to take down Scarecrow and Mad Hatter makes it into part 2 of Batman: The Long Halloween.
#4: Two-Face is Born
Perhaps the most famous moment of the story is when Sal Maroni throws acid in Harvey Dent’s face while on trial in a Gotham courtroom. We all know this moment is coming, and it will be fascinating to see if Tim Sheridan, the writer of the film, puts his own twist on it. Will Maroni be the one to throw the acid? Falcone? Maybe even the Joker? Or will the creative team be respectful and play this iconic comic book moment faithfully? We shall see.
#5: Batman vs the Rogues Gallery
The climax of the book takes place in Falcone’s office. Harvey Dent, now Two-Face, has taken over the office and has brought with him Batman’s greatest villains. Along with Joker, Scarecrow, Solomon Grundy, Mad Hatter, Poison Ivy, Penguin, and even Catwoman, Two-Face has come to finish the job against Carmine Falcone and prove who really owns Gotham.
In a terrific sequence, Batman drops a smoke grenade in the room and proceeds to take out the villains in a swift, surgical fashion. He takes them down one by one by threat level. Grundy, Joker, Ivy, Hatter and Penguin, and Scarecrow all go down quickly thanks to Batman’s quick actions.
It is one of my favorite moments in the book, and I look forward to seeing Batman take down his greatest villains like a boss in animated form.
Part One of The Long Halloween hit every note for me. I thought it was a great opening chapter of this iconic story in the Dark Knight’s history. Like I said before, if part 2 of Batman: The Long Halloween is just as good as the first, then these two movies combined will be one of the great Batman movies of all time.
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