Batman has always been a bankable name for DC Comics, and DC Entertainment is looking to capitalize on the success of the Batman: Arkham video game series with Batman: Assault on Arkham – a direct sequel to Batman: Arkham Origins and an all new original animated movie.

Despite it being a Batman franchise, The Dark Knight takes a back seat to the Suicide Squad here. This band of misfits have already been featured in Arrow’s second season, but this film is their introduction to the DC Animated Universe. The lineup is faithful to the original New 52 incarnation, including: Deadshot/Floyd Lawton, Harley Quinn/Harleen Quinzel, King Shark/Nanaue, Black Spider/Eric Needham, and Captain Boomerang/George Harkness. I believe Killer Frost/Louise Lincoln and KGBeast/Anatoly Knyazev were also included on purpose since both characters are featured on The CW’s Flash and Arrow series respectively; although, they’ve been altered somewhat i.e. The Flash’s Killer Frost is based on Caitlin Snow and KGBeast/Anatoli Knyazev is an ally to Oliver Queen.

For all intents and purposes, Assault on Arkham is a Suicide Squad story. A task force working for the government on “off the books” missions under the command of Amanda “The Wall” Waller. Each member of the team has a tracer surgically implanted at the base of their spine, which is also fitted with an explosive to keep the members on task. Their mission: break into Arkham Asylum and retrieve the Riddler’s staff without alerting the guards or drawing Batman’s attention. But when a wild card – the Joker, to be exacty – is introduced into the volatile mix, both the Suicide Squad and Batman are definitely going to have a long night ahead of them.

Jay Olivia has directed some of the best DC animated movies in the past, and returns to the director’s chair with Ethan Spaulding (Son of Batman) to gives us a straightforward story that highlights the Suicide Squad and its member’s personalities, no matter how dysfunctional they may be. That said, this animated movie earns its PG-13 rating like Olivia’s previous Justice League movie Flashpoint Paradox; it features got blood, gore, sex, and strong language. If this movie does well it could potentially even put the ever rumored live action movie back into development and serve as DC’s answer to the Deadpool movie that never was.

The anime-esque animation lends itself to the story’s dark tone. The attention to detail captures the essence of Arkham games everything from the layout of the infamous asylum, to the costume designs, and even Batman’s fighting style. There are loads of Easter eggs, fan service, and cameos to hold fans over as well as bring the Arkham world into the DC animated universe.

Despite being a sequel to Batman: Arkham Origins and having Troy Baker voice the Joker, Roger Craig Smith does not reprise his role as The Caped Crusader, but we do have fan favorite Batman alum Kevin Conroy. CCH Pounder is no stranger to the DC animated universe and returns as the ever stern Amanda Waller. Neal McDonough leads Task Force X as Deadshot, but the supporting cast is filled with talented and familiar voice actors and actresses with Hynden Walch as Harley, Giancarlo Esposito as Black Spider, John DiMaggio plays King Shark, Jennifer Hale voices Killer Frost/Louise Lincoln (read: Injustice: Gods Among Us), and Greg Ellis is Captain Boomerang.

The cast brings these characters to life and gives the Suicide Squad a dynamic that works flawlessly despite the fact that this group of people should never be in the same room much less be working together. I’m hoping the next DC animated movie (Justice League: Throne of Atlantis) has a cast and crew every bit as talented as this project.

Rating: 4/5.

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The writer of this piece is:

Laurence Almalvez
Laurence has previously written over at Whatculture.com.
Laurence tweets from @IL1511