FanCam: Batman - Dead End (2003)

The first edition of this was so much fun, I decided to follow up with one of my favorite Batman fan films... Batman: Dead End! Written and produced by Sandy Collara in 2003 as a showpiece, a kind of business card as a director, this eight-minute film is FILLED with bat-goodness. Many people even assert that this is the best Batman film ever made regardless if DC gave their permission or not! Not only do we get Batman, but the Joker makes an appearance as does the Predator and some Alien Xenomporphs! We can only assume that the production was inspired by the Batman vs. Predator crossover that DC had with Dark Horse in the 1990s.


The film itself was budgeted at $30,000 and it shows. The costumes are great and the make-up, especially the Predator, Alien and Joker work, is outstanding. It is lit well, shot well and the sound is flawless. As a business card, this little film kicks ass. There is a moment with the cape, an alley, the rain and the score from Batman: Mask of the Phantasm that will give Bat-fans chills.

Most fan films fall apart in the cast department. Friends of friends, neighbors, etc. usually fit the bill even if the fit is a little off. Dead End does a great job of having professional performers and stunt players fill out the characters. Batman is played by Clark Bartram (who reprises the role in Collara's World's Finest) and the Joker is played by Andrew Koenig. That's right! Boner from Growing Pains is The Joker and he NAILS it.

The finely coreographed fight scenese between Bats and our featured creatures is a highlight of the piece. Don't just take my word for it, take eight minutes out of your day to see the last stand of the Batman!