Batman films swing into action again

Batman Begins

(Warner Home Video, $29)

Batman -- The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997

(Warner, $80 for the set; $28 each)

Batman -- The Complete 1943 Movie Serial Collection

(Sony, $30)

Batman Begins

AFTER Joel Schumacher’s disastrous 1997 “Batman & Robin” landed with a thud among both critics and audiences, the Caped Crusader went into hibernation in the Bat Cave for eight years until maverick British film writer-director Christopher Nolan was chosen to breathe new life into Bob Kane’s comic book hero.

Extras: Though there is no audio commentary by Nolan, his cast or members of his creative team, the two-disc set is wall to wall with extras, with a clever comic book menu to access the special features.

Batman -- The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997: Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin

Though these four movies have all been released on DVD previously, these two-disc special editions explore every aspect of the productions.

Extras: Each of the two-disc sets follows the same format: commentary with the directors, retrospective documentaries on the making of the films from the set design, casting, the creation of the Batsuit, the Batmobile, spotlights on the visual effects, the heroes, the villains, the stunts and the music.

Batman -- The Complete 1943 Movie Serial Collection

From the silent era through the early 1950s, serials were an important part of the moviegoing experience.

Produced on the lowest of budgets, these action adventures were aimed primarily at kids, but adults also enjoyed the thrill-a-minute episodes, which would end on a cliffhanger involving the hero.

Just four years after the debut of “Batman” comics, Columbia produced this fast-paced thriller involving ray guns, zombies and Japanese agents. Lewis Wilson stars as the Caped Crusader, and Douglas Croft plays Robin.

Produced during the height of World War II, the serial is highly politically incorrect in today’s age, and parents may not want their children to watch without an explanation of the global conflict.