The Animated Batman Movie EVERYONE Ignored

Where Does It Stand Compared To DC's Other Animated Films?

Of course, there are plenty of reasons why Mystery of the Batwoman tends to be neglected when it comes to conversations surrounding the DCAU, with the film not even the making the cut for the BTAS Blu-ray collection that released in 2018.

While the central mystery is enjoyable, Penguin and Rupert Thorne (the latter making his first appearance since BTAS) just aren't all that interesting. Bane becomes an ancillary enemy in the third act, marking his final chronological appearance in the DCAU until Batman Beyond, but he's there simply to provide a physical threat and seems somewhat shoehorned into the narrative.

Mystery of the Batwoman also took the decision to replace Paul Williams as Penguin with David Ogden Stiers, and Henry Silva as Bane with Hector Elizondo. Both actors are fine in their respective roles, but both changes feel slightly needless.

Bruce Timm, who wasn't involved in the making of Mystery of the Batwoman, has also said he would've kept Williams in the role of Penguin, so do with that what you will. Plus, there are occasions where the animation looks just a little bit janky. The film still looks great, but it is noticeable when standards slip.

Factor these issues on top of the fact the film can't really afford to spend too much time with the three Batwomen, lest it clue audiences in on the secret, and it's easy to see why the film is somewhat forgotten about.

That said, I still don't think it's deserving of its status as the 'forgotten film' of the DCAU. Alan Burnett and Curt Geda's reinvention of Batwoman works really well, and, in many ways, is somewhat ahead of its time.