Random Cartoon Comic Book Movies That Are Better Than Live-Action Superhero Movies (15 items)

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  (#6) Justice League: Doom

  • Nathan Fillion, Olivia d'Abo, Juliet Landau, Claudia Black, Michael Rosenbaum, Grey DeLisle, Alexis Denisof, Dee Bradley Baker, Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly, Carlos Alazraqui, Phil Morris, Brian George, Bruce Timm, Robin Atkin Downes, Jim Meskimen, Carl Lumbly, Paul Blackthorne, David Kaufman, Bumper Robinson, Danny Jacobs, Andrea Romano, Susan Eisenberg

  Justice League: Doom is a loose adaptation of the classic Tower of Babel storyline from the comics. In both stories, the Justice League find themselves facing a more formidable and organized set of antagonists than any that have appeared in the Marvel or DC cinematic universes. The villains have gained an advantage over the JLA by stealing a secret set of schematics from Batman, in which he dreamed up the perfect methods to defeat his teammates. It’s both the perfect example of why Batman is such a badass and why he’s not a great friend. 
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  (#1) Batman: Under the Red Hood

  • Neil Patrick Harris, Jensen Ackles, Kelly Hu, Jason Isaacs, Bruce Greenwood, Kevin Michael Richardson, Gary Cole, Dwight Schultz, Phil LaMarr, John DiMaggio, Carlos Alazraqui, Brian George, Fred Tatasciore, Wade Williams, Bruce Timm, Jim Piddock, Vincent Martella, Andrea Romano, Robert Clotworthy, Alexander Martella, Michael Villani, Keri Tombazian

  Batman: Under the Red Hood is an adaptation of an existing DC comic storyline, but it succeeded in bringing the story of the Red Hood to a larger audience. Both comic and film achieved the remarkable goal of bringing Jason Todd back to life. Todd, the much-maligned Robin who was once voted by fans to die, was depicted in such a way to make people actually care about him. The central mystery of Under the Red Hood is exciting enough, but it’s the hard-hitting action and drama after the reveal that really makes the plot strong. This is a much more personal Batman story than anything yet seen on the big screen.
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  (#2) Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

  • Dana Delany, Nathan Fillion, Ron Perlman, Kevin McKidd, Michael B. Jordan, Justin Chambers, C. Thomas Howell, Cary Elwes, Kevin Conroy, Vanessa Marshall

  Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox is really more of a Flash movie than a Justice League movie, but it's no less awesome for it. The Flashpoint event in the comics helped reset DC continuity, and the film version also helped kick off a new animated continuity. Flashpoint Paradox does what very few superhero films have successfully done, by making time travel work as a concept. Flash’s time-meddling results in a wildly different and deliciously dark DC universe, where Thomas Wayne is Batman and Aquaman is at war with Wonder Woman. The world of Flashpoint is just plain cool, and there’s an excellent plot to boot. 
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  (#10) Planet Hulk

  Planet Hulk is an adaptation of one of the most popular Hulk stories ever, in which Hulk finds himself marooned on an alien planet and forced into gladiatorial combat. It’s basically Gladiator starring the Hulk, and that might be the greatest pitch ever made for a movie. Despite featuring more than its fair share of action, Planet Hulk also succeeds at humanizing the jade giant in a way that's rarely achieved. In addition, Planet Hulk features a great battle between Hulk and the Silver Surfer that isn’t possible in the Marvel Cinematic Universe due to rights issues. 
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  (#3) Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

  • Mark Hamill, Dana Delany, Marilu Henner, Abe Vigoda, Stacy Keach, Dick Miller, Jeff Bennett, Kevin Conroy, Robert Costanzo, Hart Bochner, Bob Hastings, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.

  Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is one of the first feature-length animated comic book films. It actually received a theatrical release in 1993. Heavily influenced by the successful Batman: The Animated Series, the movie lived up to the hype. It’s regarded as one of the best Batman stories out there, and certainly as one of the greatest mysteries that Bruce Wayne ever solved. The plot features roles for several of Batman’s greatest enemies, but it’s the reveal of the true identity of the titular Phantasm that makes it a memorable story.
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  (#11) Batman Vs. Robin

  Batman vs. Robin doesn’t exactly deliver on its title’s promise, but it does deliver an excellent, action-packed film. Batman vs. Robin features the Damian Wayne version of Robin, making this a sequel to Batman and Son (an excellent animated film in its own right). Batman vs. Robin is the animated debut of the Court of Owls, a highly impactful group of Batman antagonists that tries to recruit his son to their team of assassins. In the end, it’s more of a Batman and Robin team-up than a true battle between them, but it’s probably better that way. 

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