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Batman The Animated Newsletter #110

Batman The Animated Newsletter #110

Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of February 3 – February 9, 2002
Volume 4, 0
Rated: PG (as with all other things Batman-related)

THIS ISSUE’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “WE WANT A SPECIAL EDITION OF ‘MASK OF THE PHANTASM’ ON DVD, TOO! THAT WOULD BE THE BEST BAT-MOVIE-TO-DVD OF ALL!”
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OOPS…

Sorry about the tiny delay in getting this particular issue out to everyone.
Believe it or not, we actually got some snow up here in Canada this past week (yeah, I didn’t see it coming, either), so we had some pressing matters to attend to: shovelling driveways, defrosting cars, having snowball fights, and the like. That, and I was battling a cold, too. So…sorry about that, but thankfully, it wasn’t the busiest week in Bat-news.
Enjoy the issue!

-Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
telling you only to eat the WHITE snow
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ALSO…

The votes for this year’s GOLDEN OVAL AWARDS are in, and next issue, we will show you the results. Stay tuned!

We’re going to be having another interview with Terry Beatty in the coming issues (right, Terry? I think so…) However, this time we’re going to let you submit your own questions for him. E-mail any questions to me at juno@dccnet.com, I’ll pass them along to our toy-reporter Marc Rosenweig, and he’ll be interviewing Mr. Beatty shortly.
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TEN YEARS AND COUNTING

On September 5 of this year, BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES will be celebrating its tenth anniversary of production. This ranges everywhere from the show itself to the comics based upon it to books, toys, video games, merchandising…everything started on this date.

As a way to celebrate, co-editor Dick Grayson has set up a page at his WORLD’S FINEST site where he has big things planned for this momentous occasion, including creator interviews, reviews, and a poll that will ultimately decide what the “best episode ever” is.

To check it out, go to this URL:
http://wf.toonzone.net/btas10.htm
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EAGERLY ANTICIPATING…
New episodes are on the horizon! Here’s what we can expect in the near future…


-INJUSTICE FOR ALL (2 parts)
The JLA faces off against a handful of their most formidable foes, “The Injustice League”, including the Joker, Lex Luthor, Solomon Grundy, Cheetah, Sinestro, and more!
Part one: Airs on February 10, 2002
Part two: Airs on Feburary 17, 2002
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NEWS AND RUMORS
(see back issues for older info)

ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-Alex Ross has created the official poster to promote and advertise the 74th Annual Oscars this year. Take a look at the pic; does Oscar remind you of anyone?
http://www.oscars.net/publications/poster74/poster_sm.jpg
-GOTHAM KNIGHTS and soon-to-be NIGHTWING writer Devin Grayson has launched her own website! Check it out at:
http://www.devingrayson.com
-The following artists are selling artwork on eBay. The following are their names and Seller
ID’s:
Terry Beatty: beatty@machlink.com
Craig Rousseau: cerousseau
Tim Levins: tlevins
Min S. Ku: min3000gt

ANIMATED SERIES (BTAS, STAS, BEYOND, JLA)
-Batman, Robin, and the Joker will all appeared in the season premiere of STATIC SHOCK. Thanks to Andy Mangels for the scoop!
-To read an interview with BTAS/STAS/BEYOND/JLA guru Rich Fogel, go here:
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15087
-The following is an entire episode-title listing for the first season of JLA:
#1, 2, 3 Secret Orgins
#4, 5 In Blackest Night
#6, 7 Enemy Below
#8, 9 Injustice For All
#10, 11 Paradise Lost
#12, 13 War World
#14, 15 The Brave & The Bold
#16, 17 Fury
#18, 19 Legends
#20, 21 A Knight Of Shadows
#22, 23 Metamorphis
#24, 25, 26 The Savage Time

ANIMATED COMICS
-JUSTICE LEAGUE #5
It’s “Starro Wars” when a giant starfish-shaped conqueror from space uses mind-control to defeat the newly formed League. The World’s Greatest Super-Heroes are left helpless and must turn to a mysterious old member of the Green Lantern Corps for help. But what help is there against a single enemy that can break off into thousands?
Cover: http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers278599.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #48
As Batman runs a mysterious mission, a tale unfolds within the walls of the Batcave – a tale of a revealing moment from the year young Dick Grayson entered his life. Featuring a non-stop action sequence by guest-artist Rick Burchett.
http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers278591.jpg

-For more animated comic updates, go here:
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/previews.html

OTHER COMICS
-The BRUCE WAYNE: MURDERER and BRUCE WAYNE: FUGUTIVE crossover is continuing until late July, with plans of a big finale. This makes it the second-longest Bat-crossover ever, second only to the immense year-long NO MAN’S LAND. In issues March through July, the cover of each chapter will feature a jigsaw puzzle piece that, when assembled, will show a face of the killer of Vesper Fairchild.
-It finally looks like AZRAEL: AGENT OF THE BAT is going to be cancelled! After eight years (and a number of recent years with poor sales), rumours are running rampant that the title may go under very soon. Even Dennis O’Neil, writer of the entire series, isn’t negating these rumours at this time.
-Originally slated for a January 16th release, THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN #2 has been pushed back until January 30th. Release dates for the third and final issue will also be revised in the near future.
-BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #27
Superman returns for another cameo in Gotham!
http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers278587.jpg
-Within three days of its debut on December 5, the first issue of THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN is already the best-selling comic of 2001 and for the past 5 years, for that matter! It’s already out of stock in the UK, believe it or not! Congrats to Frank Miller and Lynn Varley for achieving
this feat!

MOVIES
-A new BATMAN movie trailer is on the net…sort of. Look under SCOOBY DOO in the trailer section of DARK HORIZONS:

Index Page


-ONSTAR is holding a contest where a winner gets to have a walk-on role in whatever the next Batman movie will be.
-For more news on the BIRDS OF PREY TV series, go here:
http://www.filmjerk.com/020126bop.html

*BATMAN: YEAR ONE (BATMAN 5) NEWS:
-More confirmation on the 2004 release date of BATMAN: YEAR ONE. Darren Aronofsky’s next film, LAST MAN, is being filmed this summer, and YEAR ONE is likely his next project. This should start filming by mid-2003, aiming for a summer 2004 release date. Thanks to BATMAN-ON-FILM.com and the GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS for this tidbit!
-Aronofsky is also saying that Ellen Burstyn, the star of another of his films (REQUIEM FOR A DREAM) will appear in his next film. This could be either YEAR ONE or another film he has on his slate, “LAST MAN”.
-There are also rumors that, on account of the popularity of the ONSTAR Batman commercials, the WB is looking for a suitable “unknown” actor to play Batman in YEAR ONE. (This same tactic was used when Christopher Reeve was chosen to play Superman and, to a lesser extent, the whole Michael Keaton fiasco.)

*BATMAN BEYOND: LIVE ACTION NEWS:
-No new news here.

*THE FOURTH ANIMATED BATMAN MOVIE
-No new news here

*CATWOMAN
-Don’t count on this one any time soon.

*WORLD’S FINEST
-No new news here. Don’t expect this movie to happen for quite a while.
Development Hell, folks.

LIVE ACTION TELEVISION
-No new news here.

EXCLUSIVE INTERNET ENDEAVOURS:
-Alan J. Porter, editor of the GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS (another newsletter) has once again published the “entry form” for the 2001 Alfred Awards (his awards for the best of Bat-stuff over the past year). Go to this link to vote:
http://www.geocities.com/gothamajp/alfreds.htm

TOYS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE
-On June 12, 2002, look out for an animated Catwoman statue, featuring the feline fatale sitting atop a safe, also featuring Isis. It is done in the same general style as the Batgirl/Batsignal statue that was released last year. Go to http://www.kebam.com to check it out!
-A new Batman four-pack is in the works, RAVING TOY MANIAC reports! Another TOYS R US exclusive, it is due out in February and will feature repaints of Batman, Robin, Ra’s Al Ghul, and…you guessed it…Talia! (About time!)
-RELEASE DATES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR ANIMATED BATMAN DVD’s! The big day is April 23, 2002. On that day, you will get:
*1 – BATMAN BEYOND: RETURN OF THE JOKER, the uncut version! Aside from a new intro by Bruce Timm and the fact it is uncut, this DVD will have the exact same features as the original ROTJ release (with storyboard scenes that were never animated but voice-recorded, and such.)
*2 – BATMAN & MR. FREEZE: SUB-ZERO. This will include the trailer, an original music montage, a “Hunt for Mr. Freeze” game, and a featurette on how to draw Batman.
*3 – WORLD’S FINEST (aka, “The Batman/Superman Movie”). Includes an intro by Bruce Timm, original music montage, a featurette on how to draw Batman, and an interactive game with a Joker theme.
*4 – SECRET ORIGINS (aka, “Justice League: The Movie”). Some extras are expected. If this rehash of the three-part episode is successful, expect more JLA story-arcs to jump onto DVD.
*5 – BATMAN: THE LEGEND BEGINS. This will feature the first five episodes of the series, in episode-number order: ON LEATHER WINGS, CHRISTMAS WITH THE JOKER, NOTHING TO FEAR, THE LAST LAUGH, and PRETTY POISON. Intros and featurettes will be included prior to each episode. Also, trailers, animation tests, an intro by Bruce Timm, and interactive games, such as “Batman: Life on the Edge”. If this DVD is successful, expect more DVD collections of BTAS episodes!
-For screen shots of the menu systems for all but the ROTJ DVD, go here:
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15322
-Hasbro has not yet made any official announcements on a JLA toy line, but expect to hear something by the time Toy Fair rolls around in February.
-BATMAN: MISSION MASTERS 4!
This action figure line is on sale now! Each of the following figures have special glow-in-the-dark capabilities:
*Lunar Attack Batman
*Midnight Hunter Batman
*Night Fury Robin
*Nightshadow Batman
-A new animated statue is coming June 12! Check out this cool piece of Catwoman memorabilia:
http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers277257.jpg

SPECIAL NOTE:
For more BATMAN, SUPERMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE, BATMAN BEYOND, and related stories and news, check out the WORLD’S FINEST NEWSPAGE at:

http://news.toonzone.net
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CARTOON NETWORK SCHEDULE

In coming months, the CARTOON NETWORK will have the ability to show all of the WB’s superhero series. Until these dates, only BATMAN BEYOND and JLA will be on the air. Here are the times all will be shown:

Beginning Feb. 10:
7pm (ET) – Justice League (new episodes premiere on Sundays)
7:30pm (ET) – Batman: The Animated Series

Beginning Feb. 23:
12:30pm (ET) – Justice League
10:00pm (ET) – Justice League (widescreen)
10:30pm (ET) – Batman Beyond
2:00am (ET) – Batman: The Animated Series
2:30am (ET) – Superman: The Animated Series

BATMAN BEYOND SCHEDULE:

Mon 02-04-02 BEYOND #23 Mind Games

Tue 02-05-02 BEYOND #44 Out of the Past

Wed 02-06-02 BEYOND #45 Speak No Evil

Thu 02-07-02 BEYOND #46 Inqueling

Fri 02-08-02 BEYOND #47 Unmasked

* * * * * *

Mon 02-11-01 BEYOND #28 Zeta

Tue 02-12-02 BEYOND #29 Last Resort

Wed 02-13-02 BEYOND #30 Final Cut

Thu 02-14-02 BEYOND #31 Armory

Fri 02-15-02 BEYOND #32 Sneak Peek

* * * * * *

Mon 02-18-02 BEYOND #33 Plague

Tue 02-19-02 BEYOND #34 The Eggbaby

Wed 02-20-02 BEYOND #35 April Moon

Thu 02-21-02 BEYOND #36 Payback

Fri 02-22-02 BEYOND #37 Sentries of the Last Cosmos

JUSTICE LEAGUE SCHEDULE:
Feb. 2 In Blackest Night (Pt. 2)
Feb. 3 Paradise Lost (Pt. 2) (widescreen)
Feb. 10 JLA #8 Injustice For All (Pt. 1)
PARADISE LOST (Pt. 1)
Written by: Joseph Kuhr
Directed by: Dan Riba
Aired: January 21, 2002
Ranking: ***** (out of 5 stars)

After saving a girl named Cassie during a hurricane in Metropolis and watching Cassie’s mother express her joy, Wonder Woman realizes that she has to go back to Themscryia and settle matters with her mother after leaving the island eight months before without permission. However, Themscryia has been devastated and the Amazons turned to stone, including Diana’s mother! The culprit is a sorcerer named Felix Faust, who claims to be looking for the key to ultimate knowledge. The first part of this key happens to be on Themscryia. Felix offers to restore the Amazons if Wonder Woman can get the other parts within 24 hours. Diana doesn’t trust Faust, but wants to save her mother, so she reluctantly agrees. When the other Justice Leaguers learn about this, they decide to help her. But what does Felix really want?

As a big Wonder Woman fan (can’t you tell?), I’ve been waiting for this episode ever since I learned about it. So the question is, does it meet my expectations? The answer so far is an undoubted yes! In fact, I’d call the first part of “Paradise Lost” a real knock-out!

So far, the story’s a really good one! There are several good parts in the first episode already, and I’ll name them. The scene where Wonder Woman discovers that her home island has been devastated made me very sad, as I could empathize with her. I also liked the scenes where the Justice Leaguers had to deal with the protectors of the priceless objects, especially the scene where Wonder Woman and Superman were affected by a spell that made each see the other as a monster! The first time I saw it, I wasn’t certain at first whether they were fighting each other or real monsters. However, slightly before Superman figured it out, I figured out that the whole thing was an illusion. It added to the impact of the whole scene, for me. Also, I’m not too surprised that Faust used a Medusa’s head to turn the Amazons to stone, since Medusa comes from Greek mythology; or that Hades was behind Felix Faust, since Hades is the god of the dead in Greek mythology, and Faust is also the name of a medieval sorcerer who in legend sold his soul to the Devil, who appears to be the Christian counterpart to Hades. Intriguingly enough, however, Mars (not Hades) is the god who is the enemy of the Amazons in the Wonder Woman comics.

What about the main characters? The Flash is his usual self, fantasizing about the Amazons, and making wisecracks. I particularly loved his comment when J’onn J’onzz said that he failed to see the attraction after the Flash imagined himself on Themscryia, bringing iced mocha to the Amazons: “Man, you really arefrom Mars!” That’s clearly a take on the popular book “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”, and made me chuckle quite a bit. The only regret is that Green Lantern would probably make a better straight man for the Flash than the Martian Manhunter does.

And speaking of J’onn J’onzz, I was impressed when he knocked out that serpent in the Aztec temple (I think it was an Aztec temple). He’s definitely not as strong as Wonder Woman or Superman, but he’s no weakling either. However, what impressed me more was his reaction after learning about Wonder Woman’s predicament. He was the one who said that the only course they could take was to help Wonder Woman, and that speaks volumes about the power of friendship.

Batman didn’t do much this episode, but what he did do reinforced what he brings to the Justice League. His detective skills are reinforced when he tracks down a professor who apparently has information about Felix Faust, while it’s not too surprising that he scares the professor – we know how fearsome he can be. As for Faust, he may not be a match for any member of the Justice League as far as his strength is concerned, but he certainly has the intelligence and the magical skills to be a good match for them, and he’s even more formidable for having Hades behind him. Robert Englund does a good job with his voice, and I think Faust will be even more dangerous (and better) in the second part of this episode.

I liked seeing Superman in this episode. His leadership ability was emphasized in his first two scenes with Wonder Woman. He’s the one who encourages her to go home and explain things to her mother, and he’s the one who confronts her when he discovers she (inadvertently) wrecked a museum.

But the episode belongs to Wonder Woman, and rightfully so. I don’t know if it’s the skills of Kuhr, Riba, & Susan Eisenberg (the voice of Wonder Woman), or if it’s just my long-term admiration of Wonder Woman, or if it’s a combination of both factors, but I could put myself in Diana’s shoes with little trouble during this episode. Her difficulty in finding the strength to explain her actions to Queen Hippolyta was understandable, and her guilt when she found her mother turned to stone was heartrending to me. Her capitulation to Faust’s demands was plausibly rendered, though I wish she was willing to explain her plight to the Justice League sooner. Still, she may well have thought it was too private a matter to involve them with, and she also probably thought they wouldn’t want to help her. Finally, her strength was really emphasized in this episode – she really gave Superman a run for his money! Then again, it has been 8 months since the events of “Secret Origins”, so she might be stronger now than she was in SO.

I can hardly wait for Part 2 of “Paradise Lost” so I can find out what Hades’ master plan is — and see him and Felix Faust defeated (probably by Wonder Woman). In short, the only bad thing is that I have to wait a whole week to see what happens next!

Belle Book
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COMIC REVIEWS
(BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES and JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES by Tim “TWO-FACE”
Leighton)

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES
ISSUE: “Saving Face” (#46)
WRITTEN BY: Scott Peterson
PENCILS: Tim Levins
INKS: Terry Beatty
COVER ART: Bob Smith/Terry Beatty
ISSUED: January 23, 2002 (Cover date Mar 2002)
RATING: ***

This was a fun issue. It was about time we saw the Ventriloquist as the lead villain in this title again; it’s been, what, 60 issues? (I think BATMAN & ROBIN ADVENTURES #7 was the last time we saw him.)

The idea of separating the dummy from “Dummy” has been done ad nauseum before; Arnold wants no part in a criminal life, Scarface always draws him back. And, in the end, it always seems that the Scarface puppet is mutilated or destroyed. That type of story is good the first two or three times, but then it becomes cliche. Scott Peterson takes this in a whole new direction, though, by having the two of them fighting over who has the more brilliant schemes.

That, and seeing a gang of criminals get stuck in traffic on their way to a heist is just plain silly fun.

The issue was nowhere near being an emotionally-charged super-story or anything like that, but it was never meant to be, either. It was a fun romp which, I think, would work very well on television if new episodes are ever made again – which is, sadly, unlikely.

We don’t see Batman grin so eerily that often, either. He really does have a dark sense of humour, doesn’t he?

;-Y
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COMIC SCHEDULES & COVERING THE BASICS

This section gives a little bit more in-depth look into each monthly issue of BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES and BATMAN BEYOND. Below each comic listing is a link to the cover of that comic. TALK ABOUT SERVICE! The price for any of these issues, unless otherwise posted, is $1.99 in the US and…grrrrr…a whopping $3.25 (or higher) in Canada. (Both our editors and many subscribers are Canadian, hence the well-deserved “grrr”.)

If we are unsure of the exact date of when an issue is being released, just check out “DIRECT CURRENTS” for details:
http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/

-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #47
When the criminal doesn’t match up with the crime, Batman makes the rounds in Gotham’s underworld and learns there may be a crook in the long arm of the law. (And is it just me, or does that guy on the cover look like Lock-Up to you?) In stores Feb 27.
Cover: http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers277246.jpg

FOLLOWING MONTH:
As Batman runs a mysterious mission, a tale unfolds within the walls of the Batcave – a tale of a revealing moment from the year young Dick Grayson entered his life. Featuring a non-stop action sequence by guest-artist Rick Burchett.
Cover: http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers278591.jpg

-JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #4
February 13th
In “World War of the Sexes,” the Justice League must find out why Wonder Woman’s Amazon sisters have turned against the world, starting with all the men! Can the League stop the female warriors before they conquer the planet?
Cover: http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers277252.jpg

FOLLOWING MONTH: Issue #5
March 13th
It’s “Starro Wars” when a giant starfish-shaped conqueror from space uses mind-control to defeat the newly formed League. The World’s Greatest Super-Heroes are left helpless and must turn to a mysterious old member of the Green Lantern Corps for help. But what help is there against a single enemy that can break off into thousands?
Cover: http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers278599.jpg
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Due to demand by some of our subscribers, we’ve decided to give a “Letters to the Editor” section a shot. Feel free to submit something you’d like to say to us, and each issue we’ll choose one to post and then reply to. (NOTE: It can be completely uncensored, positive OR negative, though any coarse language will be bleeped out. We want this to be a no-holds-barred column!)

* * * * * *

Nothin’.

* * * * * *

TWO-FACE’S SIDE OF THE COIN

And therefore, no response.

;-Y
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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED TRIVIA
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)

This is one of my favourite sections, where I get to boggle the minds of all our readers! (Mwuhahaha!) This trivia is all animated-related in some form, and can deal with ANY aspect of the show or comics based on the show. Remember, answer the questions WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE ANIMATED CONTINUITY. Now have fun – let’s see how well you do! Answers are provided below.

TWO’S COMPANY
So, this Saturday is February 2, or, more importantly, “02-02-02”. That being the case, let’s look at some Batman-related things that come in twos or have to do with couples or anything of that sort.

701. The BTAS episode given the official episode number #02 is…

A) HEART OF ICE
B) NOTHING TO FEAR
C) THE CAT AND THE CLAW (PT. 2)
D) CHRISTMAS WITH THE JOKER
E) ON LEATHER WINGS

702. Name the two animated Bat-spin-offs that were being considered in 1994,
prior to the commencement of the second season of THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN &
ROBIN?

A) BATGIRL
B) CATWOMAN
C) ROBIN
D) ARKHAM
E) BATMAN BEYOND/BATMAN TOMORROW

703. What are the names of Poison Ivy’s two step-children (that appear in one
episode)?

A) Kelly
B) Kenny
C) Robyn
D) Chris
E) Jimmy

704. Alfred has been voiced by two different people. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. is the one that has done his voice for all but four episodes or so of the series. Name the other one.

Answer: ___________

705. Aside from Two-Face (obviously), which other recurring Bat-villain seems to suffer from a case of split personalities?

Answer: ___________
_____________________________________________________________________
AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)

Answer to #701: D
Answer to #702: B, C
Answer to #703: A, D
Answer to #704: Clive Revill
Answer to #705: The Ventriloquist/Scarface
_____________________________________________________________________
LITTLE FACTS AND BLOOPERS
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)

Here is a section that just points out various little facts and bloopers that we have noticed while watching BTAS, STAS and BEYOND countless times. If you have anything to contribute, feel free to do so! Enjoy!

CONTRIBUTED BY STAFF:
1) In the finale of “ETERNAL YOUTH”, Batman defeats Poison Ivy by having a huge tree grow and destroy her greenhouse. As Ivy was at the top of the tree when it was growing, wouldn’t she have been crushed when the tree slammed against the greenhouse ceiling and then broke through?

CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(by “Dark Lantern”)
2) In “PARADISE LOST”, the revelation of Lord Hades is a nice parallel to the story of Dr. Faustus (from whom the character Felix Faust was based, according to JLA#10). Faustus sold his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and mystical powers. Faust is essentially dealing with the devil of Greek Myth to gain ultimate knowledge.

3) Also in “PARADISE LOST”, the CGI fires on Themyscira are a nice touch – but how can stone structures burn?

4) When Diana hurled that huge stone column at Faust, she was also throwing it toward her petrified Mother (off screen), which doesn’t seem very smart.

5) When Diana gasps at the reflection in the store mirrors (which reveals the monster’s true identity), her reflection should have gasped as well, yet it remained stationary.

____________________________________________________________________
FIGURE THIS OUT!
(by Marc Rosenzweig)

Hello and Happy New Year to all my fellow Gothamites!

I have some great toy news Pre-Toy Fair!

First, let’s start out in the Action Figures Department…

HASBRO NEWS: With Hasbro’s Batman License expiring in 2003, expect to see a few more re-painted (Re-Deco’d) Batman family figures showing up on your local toy store shelves with the release of MISSION MASTERS 4. In this year’s line up, expect to see a deluxe two-pack re-deco version of the TEAM BATCYCLE with Batman and Nightwing. The original two-pack is still selling on eBay for upwards of $25. The folks at Hasbro are no dummies as they follow the trends in the secondary market as well. When they see a void the collector’s sector has caused, they fill the need.

Mr. Hassenfeld authorizes the Bat-team to make some minor tweaks and boom, pull out the molds, re-tool the packaging, change the paint scheme and start those plastic injection mold machines a-crankin’!

Now, keep in mind, don’t expect to see the newer version of the Team Batcycle to stay on the store shelves for very long as they are much more attractive in their new paint scheme. Back in ’99, Batman and Nightwing were sporting all red moto-cross outfits in the original version.

Since they don’t want to waste the opportunity of a solid year’s worth of selling, Hasbro is releasing at least 2 more Batman exclusive four-packs.Secret sources within Hasbro have leaked out word that there is a strong possibility one of two possible female figures will be tooled from scratch and be released in a four-pack set. You can expect to see at least one version of an older Batman and Robin figure which will be included in one boxed set of either of the following:
1) Talia, and a re-deco of Ra’s Al Ghul.
2) The other figure being considered for inclusion in a four pack is Zatanna the Magician! I have now idea who they would possibly include to be the fourth figure in this assortment, unless they include a re-deco Batgirl. Only Hasbro knows for sure.

This next tidbit of information is off the charts! One of the “yet to be released” boxed set will include the devious and nefarious animated version of the Ventriloquist and Scarface! I have yet to see any photos but I have heard from my sources at Hasbro that the finished prototype sculptures have been sent to Warner Bros. to be approved. Keep your fingers crossed, it should be an exciting Bat-Toy-Year!

Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s the SUPERMAN Licensing rights flying right out the window of HASBRO’s Offices. That’s right people, Hasbro did not renew the licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Superman’s toy license is up for grabs and it looks like DC Direct is going to make their move. 
Since Superman is not an “EVERGREEN PROPERTY” like Batman is, on top of the fact that there is no “backbone” in the way of a movie or new cartoon in the foreseeable future, Hasbro obviously feels they cant be bothered keeping the toy line in their stable. I guess Hasbro did not feel it a strong enough seller for them and decided to let the License for Superman fly away. Don’t be surprised if you see older Superman animated figs still on toy store shelves, as Hasbro cleaned out their warehouses and KB toys bought up the leftovers.

As far as JLA/Hasbro: status unknown at this time. Don’t expect too much in the way of action figures for this year as Hasbro won’t put out a JLA line until they finish working out the details of the Batman License agreement. If figures are going to be made for JLA the animated series, they wont be released until the end of the 2002, probably just in time for the Holiday shopping season. Obviously, you can understand from my paragraph above, there will definitely be no HASBRO Superman tooled for this series. So keep hold of your old animated Supes figures and pray for some cool JLA action figures for 2003!

OK, so I know this is a toy related article but I cant help sharing this news:

This info came to me by way of top people in the Warner Bro.’s offices: Warner Bros. Home Video Department is “toying” with the idea of doing the complete run of the original BTAS on DVD as a boxed set. THIS WOULD BE AWESOME!

For those of us who are over 35 years of age and remember the original 1966 Adam West TV show, I have wonderful news from a die-cast manufacturer! Last year at The NYC International Toy Fair, I was gathering information and discussing Licensing rights with the owner of Playing Mantis Toys. It seems that I may have put a bug in his ear and this year, Playing Mantis has secured the licensing rights from Warner Bro’s for the comic book version of the 60’s Batmobile. 
Although it is not the same one as the TV Show, I am told that the car will be very similar but not the Barris Batmobile from the 66 show!
They are similar in many ways, and if you’ve seen the Hallmark Christmas Batmobile ornament from ’97 or the Warner Bros. ’99 lights and sound version Christmas ornament, then you have a good idea as to what the Playing Mantis version will most likely turn out to be! Also, Playing Mantis has the rights to a 40’s Batmobile done in their famous die-cast lines as well as the 60’s style Batboat.

And for you model makers out there, it is only a hunch, but I would not be surprised if we will be seeing a series of models based on the same items l’ve just mentioned and a few other Batmobiles as well. If they do go back to the 40’s style Batmobile, and they already have the 60’s comic book version. it’s only a matter of time before they crank out a 50’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and possibly even the millennium edition of the Batmobile that resembles a Porsche on steroids.

Let’s all pray to the BAT DEITIES for that one! Can you imagine being able to get a 60 YEAR HISTORICAL REPRESENTATION OF ALL THE COMIC BOOK BATMOBILES? It could very well be a reality, in our lifetime.

Also on the BATMOBILE DIE-CAST FRONT, Danbury Mint was supposed to put out an exact replica in 1/18 scale of the original 1966 TV show Batmobile.
However, due to the Rights of reproduction and not being able to get ABC, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bro’s. and Mr. George Barris himself to agree on all aspects of who should get what percentage of the profits, the original TV show version has been scrapped. Seeing as how Playing Mantis was able to work around these major players and still make it work for them, we may yet still see a 1/18th scale Comic book version (similar in style and detail as the TV show version) being released towards the end of 2002 as well.

Thaaaaaaaaat’s all for now folks!
Keep in touch and if you hear anything toy-related, please feel free to share and please feel free to send in your comments!

Marc Rosenzweig
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FEATURED BATMAN INTERNET ENDEAVOURS FOR THIS ISSUE
(feel free to submit something for our consideration)

This space for rent.
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TWO-FACE’S TRADING POST

For the next few issues, we here at BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER will be providing this space for all you subscribers for trading, buying, selling, and whatnot, just in time for Christmas (and beyond). So, without further adieu, here is what we have in store:

WANTED:
1) LOOKING FOR BTAS EPISODES:
Over the Edge, Love is a Croc, The Ultimate Thrill, Cult of the Cat, Old Wounds, Knight Time, Girls Night Out, Judgement Day, Beware the Creeper, Mad Love
Contact cagq64@hotmail.com if you can or would like to help.

2) LOOKING FOR BTAS EPISODES:
I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I am looking for anyone who can help me out with obtaining episodes of any Batman/Superman cartoon – live action shows. By obtaining I mean dubs. If you think you can help me out please e-mail me at imasuperfan@hotmail.com

3) LOOKING FOR EPISODES:
JLA episodes, particularly the upcoming INJUSTICE FOR ALL two-parter. E-mail this address if you can or would like to help: cointoss@hotmail.com

4) LOOKING FOR EPISODES:
All TNBA episodes and all Justice League episodes (Non-wide screen format only)
Contact dennisc@dcsi.net.au if you can or would like to help.

FOR SALE:
1) I am looking to sell some VHS which have some BTAS/TNBA episodes on them.
These VHS tapes were originally available from Columbia House. They each come
in a hard case which has information printed on it about the episodes contained.
All VHS tapes and hard case containers are in excellent condition. E-mail etiquette45@hotmail.com if interested. Tapes available are listed below.

*Tape “Title” (by Columbia House): episodes contained
BODY AND NO SOUL: See No Evil, Heart of Steel Pts. 1 & 2, His Silicon Soul
SCARED STRAIGHT: Judgement Day, Second Chance, Love is a Croc, Double Talk
COPS AND ROBBERS: P.O.V., Vendetta, Riddler’s Reform, A Bullet for Bullock
KINGS AND PAWNS: The Clock King, Time out of Joint, The Underdwellers, Prophecy of Doom
INTERNATIONAL MENACE: Off Balance, Avatar, Night of the Ninja, Day of the Samurai
MONSTERS AND MAYHEM: Tyger Tyger, Mudslide, Growing Pains, The Demon Within
FRIENDS AND FOES: Beware the Grey Ghost, The Mechanic, The Man who Killed Batman, Sideshow
A MILLION LAUGHS: Joker’s Wild, Christmas with the Joker, Mad Love, Joker’s Millions

NOTE: Batman: The Animated Newsletter has takes no responsibility in business transactions. We’re working on the honour system here, people, so PLAY NICE! ;-Y
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ANIMATED BATMAN/SUPERMAN SITES:

Wow, our links section has grown so big that we’ve had to eliminate it from the newsletter! Fear not, you can still find all these links at the WORLD’S FINEST NEWSPAGE, if you follow this link…that’s hypocracy for ya!

http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/linkpage.htm

NEWSGROUPS
—–
news:alt.comics.batman
news:alt.animation.batman
news:alt.comics.superman
news:rec.arts.sf.superman
news:alt.tv.cartoon-network
news:rec.arts.animation
news:alt.animation.warner-bros
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QUESTIONS, SUBMISSIONS, AND FAN-MAIL

If you have any questions, problems, links do not work, or anything else, then please e-mail this address with your problems and we’ll try to fix them as soon as possible. Also if you’d like to send any fan-mail then please send it to this address:

juno@dccnet.com

As for submissions, feel free to submit an article or opinion on anything pertaining to BTAS. Keep in mind that as the editors, we have the right to edit your submissions if we deem it necessary. Such instances would include problems with length, grammar, and language. If we do feel we must edit something, however, we will do our utmost to ensure that the opinion and the basic message of the submission does not change, as that is the most important part of any article, and everyone is entitled to it. And if you do submit something, please don’t just submit a basic review of an episode or a comic or something (because we have people writing for those purposes already) – write about an issue you’d like to discuss.
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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED ARCHIVES

The very kind people at TOONZONE were nice enough to give us our own little section of their huge and diverse website. The archive contains past newsletters and is semi-regularly updated with the latest one. To check it out go here:

TOONZONE’s BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
http://www.toonzone.net/news/btan
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LIKE WHAT YA SEE? WANNA SUBSCRIBE? HERE’S HOW!!!

For those of you who are seeing this at the WBC HOMEPAGE BTAN ARCHIVES section and want to subscribe, just follow these simple instructions:

To subscribe email juno@dccnet.com, put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line, and put the e-mail address you’d like the newsletter to be sent to in the body of the message.

We have also set up another back-up e-mail subscription address, here:
batmannewsletter@yahoo.com

For more information about the newsletter just email either of the previous e-mail addresses – preferably the prior.

Thank you for your time, and thanks for reading! Tell your friends!

-Tim TWO-FACE Leighton and Dick Grayson, editors
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TO ALL GOOD THINGS…
…there must be an end. We would like to thank the endless amount of contributors for contributing their editorials, columns, news, reviews and other articles. We hope you’ve all enjoyed it as much as we’ve enjoyed making it! Thank you for reading! See ya next time!

CREDITS FOR BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER

EDITOR AT COLLEGE, & WORKING, TOO!: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
CO-EDITOR AT COLLEGE, ALSO WORKIN’: “Dick Grayson”
AIR DATE SCHEDULES: Toonzone, Cartoon Network, and YTV
EPISODE REVIEWS: “Belle Book”
EDITORIAL: Help Wanted!!!
COMIC REVIEWS: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton, Dick Grayson
‘RETURN OF THE JOKER’ GIVEAWAY: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
FIGURE THIS OUT: Marc Rosenzweig
“BTAN ARCHIVES” MODERATOR: Eileen Delgadillo
TRIVIA: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
PROMOTIONS, JUST GETTIN’ THE WORD OUT: Dick Grayson, Eileen Delgadillo, Brian Cruz, Brian Davis
THOSE WHO FILL IN FOR OTHERS WHEN THEY FOUL UP:-Y Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
DELIVERY: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
E-MAIL RECEPTION HANDLING: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
THE CREATION OF THIS NEWSLETTER INSPIRED BY: Alan J. Porter
BATMAN CREATED BY: Bob Kane & Bill Finger (who else?)

Batman and all related indicia are trademarks of DC Comics, Copyright c 2002.
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Stay tuned next issue for our annual GOLDEN OVAL AWARDS results!

Oh, and by the way, happy Groundhog Day.

Batman The Animated Newsletter #110

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