'Batman: Strange Days' short cartoon is a film noir tribute 

It’s going to be a long celebration ahead for DC Comics’ own Dark Knight superhero Batman, as the character created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger celebrates his 75th Anniversary this year. As a result, many who have had a hand in the character’s growth and legacy over the years will pay tribute to the Caped Crusader through their own respective means, and that includes famed DC Animated Universe and Batman: The Animated Series creator Bruce Timm, who has created a special animated short that commemorates this milestone and occasion.

Premiering in Cartoon Network’s “DC Nation” block last April 9, Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment have officially released “Batman: Strange Days”—a near 3 minute short feature that sees a Batman in his early days taking on Hugo Strange and Solomon Grundy in order to save an innocent girl. Animated in Black and White and featuring a costume that’s similar and pays to his first appearance as drawn by Bob Kane, Strange Days is literally a throwback to old school territory, while maintaining the darkness and mystique that Batman exhumes to intimidate those he fights against.

'Dark Deco'

Animated in the same “Dark Deco” noir like cartoon style by artist Erik Radomski that first appeared in “Batman: The Animated Series” and later in the spin-off DC Animated Shows, Bruce Timm’s hand and designs on Batman have been highly acclaimed, helping take the character back to his roots and portraying The Dark Knight as a dark vigilante seeking justice for the innocent.
BTAS ran from September 1992 all the way to 1995, and was so successful that it helped spawn other shows such as “Superman: The Animated Series” and later “Justice League”. Additionally, the show also introduced Kevin Conroy, whose unmistakable portrayal of Batman and Bruce Wayne has led to him being dubbed “the voice of Batman” - a role he would continue and reprise for the next 20 years in other forms of media such as films and video games.

As part of two DC Animated Shorts focusing on Batman, “Batman: Strange Days” is produced by Bruce Timm. The next and untitled short, to be helmed by Darywn Cooke of “Batman Beyond” fame, will be screened during WonderCon later this month in the US. — TJD, GMA News