The Batman franchise has been going on for years. Whether it be from its origins in the DC comics or the new animated feature-length films that get pumped out every few years, Batman fans are always excited for a new rendition of their favorite vigilante. Wondercon 2023 announced the release of the newest animated Batman film, alluding to its storyline being inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. The film is based initially on a comic mini-series created by Mike Mignola, Richard Pace, Troy Nixey, and Dennis Janke. While the animated Batman features tend to be a hit or miss, is The Doom That Came To Gotham worth the watch? How do the writers tie in H.P. Lovecraft elements without changing the entire plot of Batman’s story? Short answer: It depends on who you are.

If you’re a hardcore Batman fan, meaning you know everything there is to know about Batman and all his sidekicks and villains, this may not be your favorite film. The storyline contains familiar characters, such as Dick Grayson (aka Nightwing), The Penguin, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, and more, which makes the film a little confusing for long-time fans. Since this movie was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft lore, finding a way to fit these fan-favorite characters into a story that doesn’t suit them must have been tricky. Cesar Diaz (12), an experienced DC fan and Batman enthusiast, states, “The movie was okay overall. It would have been much better and less confusing if they had used completely new characters instead.” Including characters that already have their own unique stories and background made the plot less enjoyable, making it hard for devoted fans to enjoy the film as much as they would have liked.