ANI-MOVIES, *Batman And Superman: Battle Of The Super Sons

Not set in their current Tomorrowverse, the latest release from the DCU animated line of original titles is an attempt to appeal to newer fans by introducing what originally began as DC's original version of Marvel's What If? with an imaginary timeline where Batman and Superman's sons were Batman Jr. and Superman Jr. The "Super Sons" were reinvented into the New 52 comics as a time-displaced Superman and Lois had their own son from a parallel universe would team up with the current Robin who here is the biological son of Batman. Battle Of The Super Sons is the very first DCU animated feature that was produced totally in CGI, or at least one not based on a Lego toy.

Set in a modern version of current day DC Comics, Superman's kept his identity secret from his Jon, until on his birthday when his half-alien super powers finally kick in. Superman takes Jon to have the Dynamic Duo give him a physical where Jon is introduced to Batman's son Robin, aka: Damian Wayne. Whether there were any other Robins prior to him is never stated, but Damian's spoiled ninja overlord upbringing has alienated him from the younger heroes like the Teen Titans. Meanwhile, a stowaway from Superman's homestead Krypton makes its way to Earth as the alien body-possessing giant starfish calling itself Starro who replicated millions of spores to control the world's heroes. Damien breaks away from an attack of by his brainwashed father to enlist Jon's help, even though his super powers aren't totally up on his father's caliber. The Super Sons have a showdown with the possessed Justice League from their satellite where Starro is waiting for them, and the boys also have to take on their own dads to fry the starfish's plans for universal domination.

The use of 3D animation does function believable enough throughout the feature, but it does loose some of its quality for some of the scenes, like anything with Superman flying or most of the fight scenes are satisfactory, however footage where the characters are just standing around giving superhero quips tends to drag on. The premiere of this version of "Superboy" is well done, but Robin's arrogance is cranked up to 11 to make him even more unappealing as possible while not even showing up in the movie until nearly halfway through. The voice acting is enjoyable with Shazam's Jack Dylan Grazer as the fresh faced Jon, although Travis Willingham's Superman does it with far more bass than needed. It is a less annoying DC animated outing from titles like Legion Of Super Pets, even if some of the stereotypical teenage angst shows it mark near the beginning.