If you can forgive the lack of compelling story, “Monster Mayhem” really is a fun animated Batman adventure with a unique elseworlds Batman universe. It has the kid like appeal of “Brave and the Bold” with the Bruce Timm sensibility, and this amalgamation works for the most part. Mainly, “Monster Mayhem” is a toy commercial, as everything in the movie is purely toyetic, from Batman’s robot wolf that transforms in to a bat cycle, right down to the Joker’s slick motorcycle. It pretty much comes with the territory with almost any animated series, since every company (especially Warner) wants to sell toys along with tell a good story.
“Monster Mayhem” presumably is set in a world where Terry McGinnis doesn’t exist, as we’re now in a futuristic Gotham where Batman, Red Robin, and Nightwing patrol the streets. Its Halloween night and the ghouls have come out to play, particularly the undead Solomon Grundy and supernatural Silver Banshee, both of whom successfully break out of the prison Arkham. When Green Arrow and Nightwing attempt to catch them, they’re interrupted by the Scarecrow who douses them with his fear gas. Along the way, Batman is shocked to learn of more villains teaming up, including Clayface. It comes as no surprise though that the Joker is leading the charge.
Now with a video game programmer kidnapped, and a bunch of resources stolen, Batman and the group have to figure out what the Joker is planning. “Monster Mayhem” unfolds a simple and entertaining action tale, with the inclusion of some of the more interesting Batman heroes as well as the horror themed Bat rogues. Its fun watching Nightwing and Green Arrow battle side by side, and it’s always good to see Cyborg getting his own time in the spotlight. Since this movie is targeted toward kids, the humor level is high as much of the tone is tongue in cheek. There’s Grundy’s limited verbal comprehension, the Joker’s unusual way of keeping Gotham hostage through controlling their electricity.
Hell, even the Joker notes how weird it is that Batman would have a robotic wolf aiding him in combat. Despite this being a Batman tale, the animation is sleek and bright with even the super villains looking very aesthetically appealing. Almost as if you’d want to collect them all, and their cool vehicles to stage your own scenarios. See? Toyetic! “Monster Mayhem” may be a glorified toy commercial, but it’s also a lot of fun to sit through. It has sleek action, a fun team up with an appearance by Cyborg, Green Arrow, and Batman’s sidekicks, as well an easy to follow narrative that keeps the affair light and breezy. I don’t know how much older fans will enjoy it, but younger fans will definitely have a good time.
The Blu-Ray features a DVD version, and a Digital copy. There’s the eleven minute “Gotham of Tomorrow” which discusses how the creative team approached the futuristic Gotham and how it relates to “Batman Beyond.” There’s nineteen minutes of the much enjoyed DC Nation shorts, including Shazam!: Courage, Shazam!: Wisdom, Shazam!: Stamina, Green Arrow: Onomatopoeia-Bot, Green Arrow: Brick, Green Arrow: Cupid, Riddler: Riddle Me This!, Deadman: Deadman Catch, Animal Man: Bank & Train and Animal Man: Beach & City. Finally there’s the “Batman The Brave and the Bold” episode “Mayhem of the Music Meister!”