As I eagerly anticipate the release of the 10th DC animated original movie I’ve decided to make a list of MY top 5. This list is strictly for posterity, after all, what we catalog at Big Shiny Robot! echoes in eternity.

5. Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

Loosely based on Grant Morrison’s JLA: Earth 2 graphic novel, this movie edges out the Green Lantern and Wonder Woman films with Lex Luthor playing the hero and the JLA working with their Earth-2 counterparts to defeat the Crime Syndicate.

4.Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

The newest in the series, I had to watch this twice before I really enjoyed it. It strays from the original Superman/Batman story enough to keep it interesting without being incoherent. There’s an annoying montage of Supergirl trying on outfits near the beginning of the film that almost kills it entirely, but once Big Barda is introduced the story takes off to the world of Jack Kirby created characters and the excitement on Apokolips makes up for the slow start.

3.Superman: Doomsday

I’ve had an affinity towards The Man of Steel since I was 5 years old so this movie had to make the list. I immediately wanted to give it the number one spot, because it is a fantastic film. Magnificent action scenes and chilling depictions of Doomsday killing animals taken straight from the comic books shocked me on first viewing. Despite a cameo from Kevin Smith and great voice work from Anne Heche it came in 3rd because the next two films are so strong.

2.Justice League: The New Frontier

This movie confused my wife and she asked a few poignant questions like, “What the hell is The Centre?”, and “Why did Batman scare that Kid?”. I’ve read the Darwyn Cooke story so many times I have a hard time seeing any gaps in the story but people unfamiliar with the source material have raised a few good points. Despite minor
(if any) flaws in the storytelling, the animation raised the bar for other movies based on Cooke’s designs alone.

1.Batman: Under the Red Hood

At number one on the list you’d think I have a long diatribe on why this movie stands out from the rest, with insightful comparisons to the previous films. Unfortunately I don’t. I’m still baffled at how well this entire project was executed. From the script to artwork everything seems to be in just the right place at the right time. I you haven’t seen this one yet don’t bother renting it, you’ll want to watch it over and over.

What we have to look forward to (besides my top ten list next year):

All Star Superman: Announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2010, this could easily take over the #1 spot or dissapoint us by being incoherent depending on what is removed from the story.

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights: Slated for release June 7, 2011 this HAS to be better than 2009’s Green Lantern: First Flight.

Batman: Year One: Based on the classic Frank Miller/David Mazzucchelli story, I’m anxious to see the production artwork for this. Planned release date of September 27, 2011.

Disagree with me below. I don’t mind that you’re wrong!