Batman: Gotham By Gaslight - 10 Ways It Could Save DC's Animated Films

If you can cast your mind back to 2010, you'll remember that DC were unstoppable on the animated scene. Under the Red Hood had just released and, following suit with back-to-back adaptations of Year One and The Dark Knight Returns, it felt like the company could do no wrong. All of these releases were stellar, and, although it would subside eventually, it seemed as though they'd found a routine adapting the classics of DC's library; fans lined up potential features with baited breath.

And then the New 52 happened, and then - on top of that - DC's self-styled Animated Original Movies followed it, with Justice League: War and others following the tone and feel of the comics company's discordant reboot. Things weren't great, and although brilliant projects like the Return of the Caped Crusaders came along, those same, tacky New 52-inspired features continue to litter the company's filmography - most replete with a forced Batman cameo or worse, all kinds of creepy fan service.

A return to proper comic book adaptations looked to be moving ahead with The Killing Joke, but that film - as well intentioned as it was - was... bad. Terrible, even.

Not to lay the entire expectations of this particular DC fanatic on the upcoming Gotham by Gaslight or anything, but last week's sneak peak was certainly impressive. Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola's classic Elseworlds tale has always been a fan favourite comic, and with its genius premise in mind, it's easy to see why DC are pursuing it further.

Done right, It could be just the ticket to take them back to the good ol' days.