I was about to start out this gift guide by writing some pretentious crap about the unifying power of cinema and television and how the greatest art form of the past century would make the perfect Christmas gift for that demanding loved one of yours, but then I put down the cough syrup and slapped some sense into myself.

But it is true that when you’re not sure what to buy someone as a present you can always surprise them with a fine movie or a boxed set of their favorite television series. Then as you sit back and watch their face light up with the joy of angels singing harmoniously in Heaven when they open the gift you can take a sip of spiked egg nog and let out a hearty Errol Flynn laugh because you are victorious and you didn’t even try.

That’s why we here at Geeks of Doom want to aid you in your soul-destroying quest to find that ideal DVD or Blu-ray if you’ve got the extra dough (and you drink silver chalices full of orphan tears), for that special someone in your life.

The power players from DC Entertainment‘s Animated Universe hit the stage at New York Comic-Con this weekend to discuss some of their upcoming projects including Batman: Year One, the Catwoman animated short, and Justice League: Doom.

The panelists on stage for the discussion were voice casting director Andrea Romano, Bruce Timm, and Batman himself, Kevin Conroy, who was a surprise panelist (Conroy had been in the IGN Theater early in the day for the panel for Batman: Arkham Asylum, in which he also voices Batman).

Batman: Year One, the latest direct-to-video animated feature from DC Comics and Warner Home Video, is being released next month on DVD and Blu-ray and the studio has released a clip from the PG-13 rated film. You can watch the video here below.

The brief clip finds a quiet dinner meeting between Falcone and his underlings rudely interrupted by a visit from the Dark Knight, arriving to announce his intentions for the city’s criminal element as only Batman can.

Warner Home Video, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros Animation announced details on their upcoming DC Animation panel at next month’s New York Comic-Con, as well as releasing the first image from the Catwoman short feature on the Batman: Year One DVD and Blu-ray releasing on Tuesday, October 18, 2011.

First, this animation panel at NYCC looks amazing. The panel will be an hour long on Friday, October 14, and will take place from 3-4pm. Scheduled to appear on the panel are legendary casting director Andrea Romano, DCU executive producer Bruce Timm, and the voice of Batman himself Kevin Conroy. The announcement hints at more possible guests for the panel, as well. And if one person could be suspected of showing up, it would be Eliza Dushku, the voice of Catwoman in both the 15-minute animated feature that this panel will be debuting and Batman: Year One, but that’s purely speculation on my part. In addition, the panel guests will be available for autograph signings directly after the panel.

DC Entertainment provided us with a little more information for the upcoming Batman: Year One animated feature film that is coming in October, and let me tell you, alongside the release of that box art (click the art here at right for larger view) … the details have me really excited.

If you’ve followed our previous news about this upcoming straight to DVD and Blu-ray feature, then you’ve already had a glimpse of what’s to come [see the First Look and trailer], but let me break it down one more time for all the kids in the back.

Batman: Year One is an animated adaptation of the classic 1987 Batman comic book series Batman: Year One created by multi-time Eisner Award-winning writer Frank Miller and artist David Mazzuchelli. The story redefined Batman’s origins for a new generation and it’s one of the very few post-Crisis of Infinite Earths origin stories to actually stick for a character. And the reason for that is that it’s a simple take on The Batman. Bruce Wayne swears an oath to justice and to protect the people of Gotham City after his parents were viciously murdered. Also, the book is just as much about commissioner Gordon while he was still a lieutenant. It’s a tale of two men seeking justice in a world of corruption. A story of two men crossing paths and finding that they need each other to accomplish their goals. Year One also features a brand new take on the character of Catwoman. Searching for justice in her own way, Selina Kyle takes to the streets as a vigilante who a taste for theft, and after a chance encounter with The Dark Knight, she’s inspired to don a costume of her own. It’s a thrilling crime drama with the best superhero while he is still setting his roots as a crimefighter.