View source for Batman: Bad Blood

{{short description|2016 animated superhero film directed by Jay Oliva}}
{{Infobox film
| name        = Batman: Bad Blood
| image       = Batman Bad Blood cover.jpeg
| caption     = Blu-ray cover art
| director    = [[Jay Oliva]]
| based_on    = {{Based on|[[Batman Incorporated]]|[[Grant Morrison]]<br/>[[Cameron Stewart]]<br/>[[Frazer Irving]]}}
| producer    = James Tucker
| screenplay  = [[J. M. DeMatteis|J.M. DeMatteis]]
| starring    = {{Plain list|
* [[Jason O'Mara]]
* [[Yvonne Strahovski]]
* [[Stuart Allan]]
* [[Sean Maher]]
* [[Morena Baccarin]]
}}
| music       = [[Frederik Wiedmann]]
| editing     = Christopher D. Lozinski
| studio      = [[Warner Bros. Animation]]<br />[[DC Entertainment]]<br/>The Answer Studio {{small|(animation services)}}
| distributor = [[Warner Home Video]]
| released    = {{Film date|2016|01|20|digital}}{{Film date|2016|02|02|physical}}
| runtime     = 72 minutes
| country     = United States
| language    = English
| budget      = 
| gross       = 
}}
'''''Batman: Bad Blood''''' is a 2016 American [[Animation|animated]] [[superhero film]] which is the 25th film of the [[DC Universe Animated Original Movies]] and the sixth film in the [[DC Animated Movie Universe]]. It serves as a sequel to the 2015 film ''[[Batman vs. Robin]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Manning|first1=Shaun|title=NYCC: CAST OF "BATMAN: BAD BLOOD" REVEAL FIRST FOOTAGE|date=9 October 2015|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/nycc-cast-of-batman-bad-blood-reveal-first-footage|publisher=CBR|access-date=10 October 2015|archive-date=31 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331065233/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/nycc-cast-of-batman-bad-blood-reveal-first-footage|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film was released on January 20, 2016 for [[iTunes]] and the Google Play Store, and on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] on February 2. While not a direct adaptation of a particular storyline, it derived from [[Grant Morrison]]'s run on ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'', primarily the [[Leviathan (DC Comics)|Leviathan]] story arcs.

[[Jason O'Mara]], [[Sean Maher]], and [[Stuart Allan]] reprise their roles from the previous films as [[Batman]], [[Damian Wayne|Robin]], and [[Nightwing]], with [[Morena Baccarin]] returning from ''[[Son of Batman]]'' as [[Talia al Ghul]], while [[Yvonne Strahovski]] joins as [[Batwoman]].<ref name="cast">{{cite news|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/nycc-cast-of-batman-bad-blood-reveal-first-footage|title=NYCC: Cast of "Batman: Bad Blood" Reveal First Footage|last=Manning|first=Shaun|date=9 October 2015|publisher=Comic Book Resources|access-date=11 October 2015|archive-date=31 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331065233/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/nycc-cast-of-batman-bad-blood-reveal-first-footage|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Plot==
Six months after the defeat of the [[Court of Owls]],{{refn|group=N|As depicted in ''[[Batman vs. Robin]]'' (2015).}} [[Kate Kane|Batwoman]] intercepts a crowd of criminals in [[Gotham City]] that includes [[Electrocutioner]], [[Tusk (DC Comics)|Tusk]], [[Firefly (DC Comics)|Firefly]] and [[Killer Moth]]. When a fight ensues, [[Batman]] arrives. They are confronted by the apparent leader of the criminals, a masked man calling himself "[[Heretic (comics)|Heretic]]", who reminds Batman of his vision of [[Damian Wayne]] as Batman. Alongside his subordinate [[Onyx (comics)|Onyx]], Heretic detonates explosives planted within the facility. Batman flings Batwoman to safety and apparently dies in the explosion.

Two weeks later, a concerned [[Alfred Pennyworth]] sends a distress signal to [[Dick Grayson|Nightwing]]. Meanwhile at a monastery in the [[Himalayas]], Bruce's twelve-year-old son Damian Wayne watches a news report of Batman's disappearance and sets out to return to Gotham. Batwoman's civilian alter-ego Kate Kane meets with her father [[Jacob Kane]] explaining she feels responsible for Batman's apparent death. In the past, Katherine was traumatized by an incident in which her sister [[Beth Kane|Elizabeth]] and mother Gabrielle were abducted, held for ransom, and eventually killed when her father attempted to rescue them, with her being the sole survivor. After time in the military, she became a promiscuous drunkard whom Batman saved from street thugs, which motivated her to become Batwoman.

Batman apparently resurfaces and is quickly noticed by Robin and Katherine. Both of them intercept Batman and deduce that it is Nightwing wearing an older version of the Batsuit. They begin their own investigations into the Heretic, unconvinced that Bruce is truly dead. The Heretic and his henchmen attack Wayne Enterprises, forcing [[Lucius Fox]] to open the way into the vault by threatening his son [[Batwing (DC Comics)|Luke]]. Though Nightwing and Damian arrive, they are unable to prevent the Heretic from escaping with Wayne technology, and Lucius is injured. Before they leave, the Heretic kills Electrocutioner when he is about to kill Robin.

The Heretic returns to his headquarters where it is revealed that he is working for Damian's mother [[Talia al Ghul]].{{refn|group=N|Last seen in the 2014 film ''[[Son of Batman]]''.}} They are holding Bruce prisoner and the [[Mad Hatter (DC Comics)|Mad Hatter]] is slowly trying to brainwash him. The Heretic breaks into the Batcave and kidnaps Damian, revealing himself as a clone of Damian created by a genetics program run by [[Ra's al Ghul]] and the [[League of Shadows]]. He wishes to have Damian's memories and personality to feel like a real person, but Talia arrives and kills him for defying her orders. Nightwing and Batwoman then arrive, having located Damian through a tracker in his costume. They are joined by Luke, clad in an exosuit designed by his father and styling himself as Batwing. The three rescue Bruce and Damian, but Talia and most of her henchmen escape.
 
A week passes and Bruce seems to have recovered, though he remains adamant that Katherine and Luke should not be involved. After Katherine is forced to fight her father after he suddenly attacks her for no reason, Dick realizes that Bruce is still under the effects of the Mad Hatter's mind control. Luke realizes that the League of Shadows are planning to brainwash world leaders at a tech summit held by Bruce.

As the brainwashing takes place, Nightwing, Robin, Batwoman, Alfred, and Batwing arrive and fight Talia and her henchmen. During the fight, the [[Calculator (character)|Calculator]] is killed, interrupting the mind control and killing the Mad Hatter in the process as well. Bruce, still brainwashed, defeats Nightwing. Talia orders him to kill Nightwing and Damian, but thanks to a speech Nightwing gave, Bruce resists the brainwashing. Incensed, Talia escapes in a vessel only for Onyx to confront and attack her to avenge Heretic's death. The vessel crashes and explodes, with the two being presumed dead. Bruce is later seen comforting Damian over Talia's supposed death. Alfred remarks to Dick that despite Talia's madness, she was still Damian's mother.

As the [[Bat-Signal]] shines in Gotham City, Batwoman, Batwing, and Nightwing meet Batman and Robin on top of the police station for their nightly patrol, the former two now officially part of the team. When everyone arrives, they notice a robbery in progress down the street being committed by the [[Penguin (character)|Penguin]], and head off to stop him. On a nearby building, [[Barbara Gordon|Batgirl]] observes the group and prepares to join the pursuit.{{refn|group=N|The character returns in the 2019 film ''[[Batman: Hush (film)|Batman: Hush]]''.}}

==Voice cast==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:rgb(255,85,0);"
!Voice actor
!Character
|-
| [[Jason O'Mara]]
| [[Batman|Bruce Wayne / Batman]]
|-
| [[Yvonne Strahovski]]
| [[Batwoman|Kate Kane / Batwoman]]
|-
| [[Stuart Allan]]
| [[Damian Wayne|Damian Wayne / Robin]]
|-
| [[Sean Maher]]
| [[Dick Grayson|Dick Grayson / Nightwing / Batman II]]
|-
| [[Morena Baccarin]]
| [[Talia al Ghul]]
|-
| [[Steve Blum]]
| [[Black Mask (character)|Black Mask]]<br/>[[Firefly (DC Comics)|Firefly]]
|-
| [[Gaius Charles]]
| [[Batwing (DC Comics)#Luke Fox|Luke Fox / Batwing]]
|-
| [[John DiMaggio]]
| [[Blockbuster (DC Comics)|Blockbuster]]<br/>[[Tusk (DC Comics)|Tusk]]
|-
| [[Robin Atkin Downes]]
| [[Mad Hatter (DC Comics)|Jervis Tetch / Mad Hatter]]<br/>[[Electrocutioner]] 
|-
| James Garrett
| [[Alfred Pennyworth]]
|-
| [[Ernie Hudson]]
| [[Lucius Fox]]
|-
| [[Christine Lakin]]
| Reporter
|-
| [[Vanessa Marshall]]
| [[Renee Montoya]]
|-
| [[Richard McGonagle]]
| President of the United States
|-
| [[Matthew Mercer]]
| [[Hellhound (comics)|Hellhound]]<br/>Chuckie Sol
|-
| [[Geoff Pierson]]
| Colonel [[Jacob Kane]]
|-
| [[Jason Spisak]]
| [[Calculator (comics)|Noah Kuttler / Calculator]]<br/>[[Killer Moth]]<br/>Male Reporter
|-
| [[Bruce Thomas (actor)|Bruce Thomas]]
| Commissioner [[James Gordon (comics)|James Gordon]]
|-
| [[Kari Wahlgren]]
| [[Starfire (Teen Titans)|Kori]]<br/>Ms. Bannister
|-
| [[Travis Willingham]]
| [[Heretic (comics)|Heretic]]
|}

==Reception==
===Critical reception===
The [[review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported an approval rating of {{RT data|score}}, with an average score of {{RT data|average}}, based on {{RT data|count}} reviews. Critics praised its engaging characters, thrilling fight scenes, and nods to long-time fans. The film's complex storyline and intense action were also highlighted.<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |type=m |title=Batman: Bad Blood |access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Scott Mendelson's review for ''[[Forbes]]'' highlights the film's strong action sequences and the introduction of new characters. He finds the film entertaining and sees potential in its approach for future [[DC Animated Universe|DCAU]] and [[DC Extended Universe]] projects, though he criticizes the repetitive use of certain villains and wishes for more exploration of Gotham's reaction to Batman's presumed death.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendelson |first=Scott |title='Batman: Bad Blood' Blu-Ray Review: Newest DCAU Feature Keeps It All In The Family |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/02/01/review-batman-bad-blood-keeps-it-all-in-the-family/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Andrew Pollard of [[Starburst (magazine)|''Starburst'']] applauds ''Batman: Bad Blood'' for its cinematic style, action-packed scenes, and the introduction of Batwoman. Pollard praises the film for its strong character dynamics, particularly between Dick Grayson and Damian. While Pollard acknowledges the sharp dialogue and atmospheric portrayal of Gotham, it critiques the potential overcrowding of characters and a perceived lack of focus on Batman himself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew |first=Pollard |title=Batman: Bad Blood. |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/batman-bad-blood-rel-march-18th-amazon-needed/ |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=[[Starburst (magazine)|Starburst]]}}</ref>

===Sales===
The film earned $4,806,737 from domestic home video sales.<ref>{{cite web |title=Batman: Bad Blood The Numbers listing |url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Batman-Bad-Blood |publisher=The Numbers |access-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=N}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|4870838}}
* [http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/dcuam/badblood/ ''Batman: Bad Blood''] at The World's Finest

{{Batman in popular media}}
{{DC Animated Movie Universe}}
{{DC Comics animated films}}
{{The New 52}}
{{Warner Bros. animation and comics}}

[[Category:2016 animated films]]
[[Category:2016 films]]
[[Category:2016 direct-to-video films]]
[[Category:2016 action films]]
[[Category:2010s American animated films]]
[[Category:2010s direct-to-video animated superhero films]]
[[Category:2010s animated superhero films]]
[[Category:2016 LGBTQ-related films]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ-related films]]
[[Category:American animated action films]]
[[Category:Animated Batman films]]
[[Category:DC Animated Movie Universe]]
[[Category:Direct-to-video sequel films]]
[[Category:Fiction about mind control]]
[[Category:Films scored by Frederik Wiedmann]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related animated superhero films]]
[[Category:Films about cloning]]
[[Category:American animated superhero films]]
[[Category:Films set in 2016]]
[[Category:Films directed by Jay Oliva]]
[[Category:2010s English-language films]]
[[Category:English-language action films]]
[[Category:Penguin (character) in other media]]