Whether you're strictly a fan of the Tim Burton Batman films, or of the Joel Schumacher Batman films, the special features contained within the DVD box set really make it all worthwhile. Aside from the standard studio fluff pieces that are filled with clips from the film and gushing praise for everybody involved, there's also a series of superb in-depth documentaries regarding the Batman's legacy, as well as a look inside the making of each film. Here's a look.

The special features on Batman:
The first disc contains a commentary by Director Tim Burton.

The second disc has a slew of documentaries. The first is On The Set With Bob Kane which is a short (about 2 mins) doc/interview piece regarding Batman's creator, and his delighted reaction to the first motion picture.

Legends Of The Dark Knight: The History Of Batman is a marvelous documentary narrated by Mark Hamill (best known as Luke Skywalker, and who also voiced The Joker in Batman: The Animated Series). It features interviews with such legends as Harlan Ellison, Stan Lee, Alex Ross, Frank Miller and many others as it explore the history of Batman in all of his incarnations through the years in comics, TV and movies. It runs 40 mins.

Shadows Of The Bat: The Cinematic Saga Of The Dark Knight: Parts 1 - 3: is a three part retrospective at the making of Batman, and its impact. It includes interviews with everyone involved in the film, both cast and crew. There's even an interview with actress Sean Young, who ruefully recalls how she was originally cast as Vicky Vale, but had to drop out due to an injury. She was replaced at the last minute by Kim Basinger.

There's also a series of smaller featurettes dealing with the behind the scenes production of the film in a section called Beyond Batman, three music videos by Prince, the Heroes and Villains Profile Galleries, which looks at each of the characters from the film, and Batman: The Complete Robin Storyboard Sequence.

The special features on Batman Returns:
The first disc contains a commentary by Director Tim Burton.

The second disc has The Bat, The Cat And The Penguin: The late Robert Urich hosts this making of doc that was originally made for TV. It's the standard Hollywood fluff piece, although it does offer some good behind the scenes footage.

Shadows Of The Bat: The Cinematic Saga Of The Dark Knight: Part 4: A far superior retrospective on the making of Batman Returns, with interviews with everybody involved on both the cast and crew side of the production. Annette Benning was originally cast as Catwoman, until she had to drop out because she became pregnant. While Burton scrambled to find a replacement, Sean Young burst into the office of one of the film's producers dressed in a cat costume and gave a very strange audition.

This disc also has a Beyond Batman Gallery with an assortment of feaurettes on the various production departments, a music video by Siouxsie And The Banshees, and a Heroes and Villains Profile Galleries.

The special features on Batman Forever:
The first disc contains a commentary by Director Joel Schumacher.

The second disc has Riddle Me This: Why Is Batman Forever? another slick, made for TV piece of fluff that's hosted by Chris O'Donnell.

Shadows Of The Bat: The Cinematic Saga Of The Dark Knight: Part 5: is far better, with a more deeper look--in retrospect--at the making of the film and it's wild success.

This also had deleted scenes, a Beyond Batman Gallery, a Heroes and Villains Profile Gallery, and a music video by Seal singing Kiss From A Rose.

The special features on Batman & Robin:
The first disc contains a commentary by Director Joel Schumacher.

The second disc has Shadows Of The Bat: The Cinematic Saga Of The Dark Knight: Part 6: which is a great behind the scenes look at the film that also bluntly addresses the movie's shortcomings. My favorite line is from actor Chris O'Donnell (Robin) who commented that working on Batman & Robin felt more like he was shooting a toy commercial.

It also has a deleted scene: Alfred's Lost Love, a Heroes and Villains Profile Gallery, a Beyond Batman Gallery, and four music videos. --SF