.:: BATMAN ON FILM -- "Batman on (ANIMATED) Film!"::.

When I found out that DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation were planning a line of PG-13 animated films, I let out a exuberant “Yes!” I’ve long hoped for such a series of movies based on DC characters -- particularly Batman -- and aimed at an older audience.

Right now, you’ve got THE BATMAN, LEGION OF SUPERHEROES, and TEEN TITANS available to fans of the DC Universe. However, all three of those are aimed at kids. So unless you are 12 and under, you are kinda SOL when it comes to animated DC.

Now there has been some good stuff released in the past that was not all “kiddified” -- BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES and BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM come to mind. But still, that was then, this is NOW.

The just-released SUPERMAN DOOMSDAY is DC/WB’s inaugural entry into their “PG-13/more adult” line of animated films -- so Superman is getting his day in the sun. Coming up in early 2008, JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE NEW FRONTIER -- a “Silver Age-ish” story based on Darwyn Cooke’s award winning miniseries from DC Comics. Also said to be in the works are projects based on WONDER WOMAN and THE TEEN TITANS.

That’s cool and all, but I want a BATMAN flick dadgumit!

So what classic Batman stories would make for a good animated film? I’m sure there are several, but here are a few suggestions.

KNIGHTFALL

Back in the early 1990s, the whole KNIGHTFALL crossover was DC’s big Batman “Comic Book Event” just like THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN was for The Man of Steel.

The KNIGHTFALL saga told the story of Batman taking on Bane, Bane breaking Batman’s back, Batman turning over the mantle of The Bat to another (Jean-Paul Valley), and then ultimately retaking the mantle and becoming Batman once again.

It entire story line was a huge, multi-issue crossover throughout all of DC’s Batman monthlies and actually was divided into three parts: “Knightfall,” “Knightquest,” and the finale, “Knightsend.” Maybe all that’s a tad too much for a 90 some-odd minute movie, but I’m sure that they could pare it down just as the guys behind SUPERMAN DOOMSDAY did for that project.

BATMAN: YEAR ONE

One of the greatest Batman stories ever told and certainly a must-read for all fans. But I think Frank Miller’s (with art by David Mazzuccelli and Richmond Lewis) classic story of The Batman’s origin was already done in the live-action BATMAN BEGINS.

THE LONG HALLOWEEN

My first reaction towards this turning this fantastic Batman story into such a film would be “Hell YES!” TLH is one my personal favorite Batman stories of all time. But like YEAR ONE and BATMAN BEGINS, TLH may be a tad too similar to what Christopher Nolan is doing in THE DARK KNIGHT. Specifically, the “rise of the freaks” and the Batman/Jim Gordon/Harvey Dent crime-fighting team.

Oh yeah, and that Two Face origin thing as well.

DARK VICTORY

Like THE LONG HALLOWEEN, this story was produced by the team of Jeph Loeb (writer) and Tim Sale (art) -- in fact, it’s the sequel. However, while the “Rise of the Freaks” storyline and other elements of TLH continue, DV focuses on the origin of Robin.

That may be cool -- a mature, PG-13 take on the origin of Batman’s partner and Bruce Wayne’s ward.

THE KILLING JOKE

Could Alan Moore’s landmark story depicting a showdown between The Batman and The Joker -- as well as the latter’s origin (or one of them) -- be the basis for one of these DC-based animated films?

TKJ features a crazy-as-hell Joker shooting (and paralyzing) Barbara Gordon, kidnapping Jim Gordon, and then trying to drive the police commissioner crazy in an abandoned amusement park.

I don’t know, perhaps TKJ is a bit too graphic for what they are trying to do with these films. It’s also is more “Joker” than “Batman.” Nevertheless, it sure would be a gutsy and bold move if DC/Warner adapted this one into a movie!

HUSH

I don’t consider HUSH the classic Batman tale that many others do. But it could make for heck of an animated film.

The great thing about HUSH is that many of Batman’s famous rogues are featured in the story: The Joker, The Riddler, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and Killer Croc are all in the mix. Plus, there’s a very cool dynamic between Bruce Wayne/Batman and Selina Kyle/Catwoman in this tale. On the other side, you’ve got Jim Gordon and Alfred. Hell, even Superman makes an appearance!

In addition, this “Hush” isn’t too shabby of a Bat-villain himself.

THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS

Now, this is THE Batman story that like to see adapted into one of these films. Hell, this may be the greatest single Batman story to date.

Set in Bruce Wayne’s “future,” we find him now in his 50s, a drinker, and no longer “The Batman.” Following the death of the Jason Todd Robin years earlier, Bruce quit his crime-fighting “Knight," err, night job.

As Gotham again falls victim to crime and corruption, Wayne’s alter ego begins calling for him. Bruce finally succumbs, dons the famous cape and cowl, and again patrols the city at night as The Batman.

Granted, a sizable chunk of this Frank Miller Bat-masterpiece would not be able to be included in an hour and a half film, but you could focus on TDKR‘s two main storylines : 1) The return of Batman (duh!) and 2) The final confrontation between The Joker and Batman.

I’m sure there are many other Batman tales that could be used as a basis for one of these movies. Perhaps do an “ELSEWORLDS” tale such as GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT? Or a classic story like “THE JOKER’S 5-WAY REVENGE?” Maybe an original, noir-style story set in 1939 -- the year of The Batman’s first appearance.

So there are my ideas for a future animated Batman movie from DC and Warner Bros., ‘cause you just know that they are going to eventually make one...

...or two.

Alright y'all, what do you think of my suggestions and what would YOU like to see?

UPDATED: Here are some of the suggestions I've gotten from all you BOF'ers: NO MAN'S LAND, BRUCE WAYNE: MURDERER, THE MAN WHO LAUGHS and A DEATH IN THE FAMILY (Doh! I was thinking about that one while putting together my list -- can't believe I left it off!).