Content Warning: This article contains discussions/references to graphic violence and murder.
Batman has a plethora of legendary comic books over the course of the superhero genre, so fans were understandably excited when the acclaimed Batman: The Long Halloween was getting a two-part adaptation.
The Long Halloween is often cited as quintessential to Batman's mythology--like fans' reverence for Batman: The Animated Series--but the changes made in the Part Two movie proved rather tasteful. Creative changes made to past adaptations incited some fan ire, like Hush and The Killing Joke. However, in The Long Halloween, Part Two's case, it actually complements the source material and plugs some plot holes--while simultaneously keeping the comic's core points intact.
Changed: Hard Confirmation Of Alberto's Death
In the source material, it's revealed that Alberto Falcone was the Holiday killer and he faked his death to throw everyone off his trail. However, Part One showed Alberto die a grisly death. Given how comics/comic-based media treat "deaths," a revelation showing the use of a pawn/body double in Two wouldn't have been farfetched.
But Part Two cemented this change by confirming that there wasn't a body double of any kind that Alberto had to take the fall for him. The comic had him survive and claim to be Holiday, with an untrustworthy Gilda Dent later implying that she was, but this movie assured that Alberto was very much dead and, by extension, no longer a suspect.
Same: Harvey's Face Scarred By Maroni
The Long Halloween comic is a famous tale of the Dark Knight, but it's also regarded as the definitive origin story for Harvey Dent's fall from grace. It's something that would've been impossible to avoid in any adaptation, and the movies largely stuck to the source to show his ultimate downfall.
A once star-studded D.A., Harvey's mental health deteriorates Maroni throws acid in his face while on trial. Christopher Nolan took inspiration from it in the masterful The Dark Knight, and now, writer Tim Sheridan has chosen to stick close to the comic while making a few creative tweaks.
Changed: Catwoman's Family Revelation
There's much that fans don't know about Catwoman, particularly since the anti-hero is often closed off and refuses to talk about her family life. It certainly was alluded to in the comics, but Selina Kyle/Catwoman didn't get this plot point addressed until the comic sequel, Batman: Dark Victory, and the spinoff, Catwoman: When in Rome. In Part Two, just before Carmine Falcone succumbs to his wounds, the writers also try to address this, as Selina gets a soft confirmation that her biological mother's name is Louisa from him.
When in Rome also suggests that Carmine is her father, but this was never a significant plot point in The Long Halloween. Louisa is never referenced in the original comic book, and the aforementioned sequel is what kick-starts this subplot more.
Same: Carmine's Death At Two-Face's Hands
The Long Halloween, Part Two keeps most of its climax intact in regards to the comic, and that includes the major power play by Two-Face. After descending to the new, darker depths of his psyche, Two-Face is in control and jumps at the chance to finally put Carmine's reign over Gotham to an end.
He enlists the help of some of the other notorious rogues in Batman's gallery and ultimately kills Falcone. If there was only a single "point of no return" for Harvey in both the movies and comic book, it's finally snapping and taking the Roman off the board by force.
Changed: Hard Confirmation Of Gilda As Holiday
Going hand-in-hand with the earlier change of Alberto's demise, Gilda Dent was confirmed as being the Holiday killer. The comic book had Alberto it to being the serial killer, but Gilda was seen at the end to suggest that she was, too. While the comic is as acclaimed as it is, one of the complaints by fans was that Gilda's supposed ission didn't make sense, as there was little to no buildup to that even being under consideration.
She spent most of the time in the hospital after the attempted hit, but the movies do a better job of cleaning that up. After the attempted hit, it was Harvey who was hospitalized instead, and her explanation of her motives and process in carrying out the killings was clearer.
Same: Carmine Hiring Poison Ivy To Manipulate Bruce
Poison Ivy's introduction in this adaptation was great in the post-credit scene for Part One and the start of Part Two. Like in the original comic, she also signaled a turning point in the shifting hierarchy of Gotham's criminal underworld, as this marked the beginning of the meta-human criminals starting to take power from organized crime - more specifically Falcone.
Given Bruce's staunch opposition to rich organized crime families holding Gotham in a vice-grip, the Roman felt forced to enlist one of Batman's most powerful enemies to coerce him into laundering Wayne Enterprise's money to Falcone. Skipping out on Ivy's role, even if a smaller ive one, would've been a shame, so it was great that they not only kept her in but also had Katee Sackhoff lend her voice.
Changed: Bruce & Selina's Happy Ending
The dynamic between Bruce and Selina may make their relationship one of the strangest romances in the Batman comics. However, fans can't help but be drawn in by their constant will-they-won't-they storylines. Beginning in 1996, The Long Halloween still had the two in an on-again/off-again status, with neither knowing each others' alter egos as Batman and Catwoman.
This animated adaptation started by letting audiences know they're aware of each other, and though Part One ends with them agreeing to part ways given their complicated lives, they finish together in Part Two. It's a fitting change, as the "will they/won't they" approach is played out and these characters have long since earned happiness together.
Same: Carla Viti Murdered On Carmine's Birthday
As the year dragged out, things got more grisly with the Holiday killings. One of the most personal blows to Falcone's standing in the city that was retained (mostly) from the comic was the death of his sister, Carla Viti. In both versions, it came at a time that was supposed to be a period of relief for Falcone. However, the only difference was where she was killed--the Coroner's office.
On Falcone's birthday, they all lulled themselves into a false sense of security, with the man of the hour getting overconfident before discovering Carla was murdered by Holiday. One of the most intimate killings from the comic, even of a side character, was well adapted into animation to have maximum impact with its slight adjustment to the "how" and "where."
Changed: The Riddler Wasn't Involved
Both the comic book and movie versions told a story that was a landmark in Bruce's career as Batman. The Long Halloween was the climax of organized crime and transitioning into the rise of several villains. Although they were threatening, Falcone was still at the top of the food chain, and when he resorted to hiring them for help, it started the tide to turn.
Another early supervillain he hired in the comic was the Riddler, signaling Falcone's desperation to uncover Holiday's identity. Given the time constraints that come with a movie, it's understandable why he may have needed to be cut, although, he would've made an exciting inclusion to this cast of villains. The character's nature could've been great in spicing up the plot's mystery.
Same: Bruce's Mother's Day Nightmare By Scarecrow
With Scarecrow coming into play, Part Two rightfully kept his confrontation with Batman in this adaptation and the psychological toll it took on the latter. It's arguably one of the most emotional, intimate moments from both the movie and comic as Scarecrow's fear gas intoxicated Bruce and caused him to have a Mother's Day nightmare.
He hallucinated about his own mother while he made his way through Crime Alley. Similar to other scenes, there were some creative changes made to keep that event, but supplement it within this cinematic context. In this case, it's Bruce still being in the Batsuit and Catwoman rescuing him.
