119Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of June 17 to June 30, 2002
Volume 4, 5
Rated: PG (as with all other things Batman-related)
THIS ISSUE’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “Schooool’s out…for…summer!” (It sounds better if you sing it. Trust me.)
____________________________________________________________________
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. (This was recently decided as being HEART OF ICE.)
To check it out, go to this URL:
http://wf.toonzone.net/btas10.htm
____________________________________________________________________
EAGERLY ANTICIPATING…
New episodes are on the horizon! Here’s what we can expect in the near future…
???
___________________________________________________________________
NEWS AND RUMORS
(see back issues for older info)
ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-Wanna check out some scripts that Michael Reaves wrote for the second season of BTAS, but were never aired? Go to this link:
http://www.mindspring.com/~michaelreaves/Midpreface.htm
-TOONZONE has managed to get a quick interview with Boyd Kirkland, regarding his time spent with the crew of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES. Go to the following link to check it out!
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35292
-Brian Cruz of Toonzone has compiled an image library of Kids WB and Cartoon Network shows. Take a look:
Kids’ WB!:
http://www.toonzone.net/shows/images/kidswb/
Cartoon Network:
http://www.toonzone.net/shows/images/cartoon-network/
-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)
-Both Paul Dini and Jeph Loeb may be writing episodes for the second season of JLA.
-Darkseid will, in fact, appear in season 2.
-CARTOON NETWORK has just ordered 26 more episodes of JUSTICE LEAGUE for its
-The following is a remaining episode-title listing for the first season of JLA:
#8, 9 Injustice For All
#20, 21 A Knight Of Shadows
#22, 23 Metamorphis
#24, 25, 26 The Savage Time
ANIMATED COMICS
-For a sneak peak at the upcoming five-issue GOTHAM GIRLS mini-series (in the animated style), follow this link:
http://www.dccomics.com/bnw/Aug_02/girls/a.html
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #51
Mr. Freeze is sprung from Arkham by Nora (the ex-wife he never got over) to formulate the compound that might return him – and the life they once shared – to normal. But love is blind. Featuring super-cool guest-art by Brad Rader (CATWOMAN) & Terry Austin (SUPERMAN ADVENTURES).
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-06/batman/bga51.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #52
Gotham’s wild and woolly Lower East Side has a new hero…and it’s not the Dark Knight. No, these days the kids are going wild – literally – for Bane! Just what is going on here? And what is Batman going to do about it?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-07/batman/bga52.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #53
In stores August 28. Gotham gets strangled by a super-plant whose roots run clear to the Batcave. It’s got Poison Ivy written all over it…but where is she? And has she uncovered the Dark Knight’s secret? Batman must track it – and her – deep into the Amazon jungle to find out.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-08/batman/bga53.gif
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #54
In stores September 25. As a crime spree unfolds, a writer tries to get into the minds of Batman and his quarry – and only gets in the way. Will the writer get the story he’s looking for, or will she become the story?
-JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #8
When the League learns that there’s a giant creature using the moon as a giant monster incubator, they do everything in their power to keep things stable. But as the gargantuan beast starts to hatch, the very Earth itself is threatened with certain doom! And when a stormy old foe uses the opportunity to create chaos, the Justice League finds themselves buffeted by the howling winds of fate!
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-06/dcuniverse/jladvs08.jpg
-JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #9
“Stepping Out,” the troubling tale of a super-hero’s dilemma: balancing a love life with his duties to the JLA. When evil strikes, it’s never convenient – and the Flash somehow must help the Justice League save the world without raising the ire of his beautiful date. This romantic catastrophe is wrapped up in a cover by Justice League animator Butch Lukic.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-07/dcuniverse/jladvs09.jpg
-JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #10
Superman is taken down in battle and the Martian Manhunter must replace him as a
hero to millions. But does the shy, reserved alien have what it takes to inspire
all of humanity?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-08/dcuniverse/jladvs10.jpg
-GOTHAM GIRLS #1 of 5 (miniseries)
Written by Paul Storrie; art by Jennifer Graves and J. Bone; cover by Shane Glines.
In stores August 14. The women of the hit WB Online webtoon burst into the animated DC Universe in an action-packed miniseries! Unable to resist a golden opportunity to fund her beloved lion preserve, Catwoman heists a vial of a mysterious formula for a shady company – only to discover she’s actually working for Poison Ivy and mallet-wielding sidekick Harley Quinn. That sets off an every-villain-for-herself chase across Gotham’s rooftops – and attracts the attention of both Batgirl and officer Renée Montoya, who reluctantly team up to join in the fray! For more information, see the feature article.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-08/batman/gothamgirls1.jpg
-For more animated comic updates, go here:
http://www.toonzone.net/
OTHER COMICS
-The third and final chapter of THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN will come out on July 31, 2002.
-A special one-shot comic based on the SMALLVILLE television series is due out on September 18.
-A trade paperback of BATMAN: DARK VICTORY is due out on September 25.
-Beginning in August, DC Comics will raise the price of Batman: Gotham Adventures, Justice League Adventures, and all other “animated” or “Cartoon Network” titles from $1.99 to $2.25 per issue.
-Good things don’t last forever. Greg Rucka is leaving DETECTIVE COMICS as of DETECTIVE #775, the October issue. Ed Brubaker will be taking over DETECTIVE in his absence, as well as continue with BATMAN and CATWOMAN. He will still be working on GOTHAM CENTRAL, the new comic series focussing on the GCPD, with Brubaker in the future. For the full story,
go here:
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19884
-DETECTIVE COMICS #773: A story featuring Sasha Bordeaux’s time in prison. Also featuring Cucilla (one of the many Jokerized LAST LAUGH villains).
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-08/batman/detective773.gif
-BATMAN #606, 607: Batman and Deadshot meet again.
-BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #33: Batman and Bane actually team up to destroy the last of the Lazarus Pits.
BRUCE WAYNE: FUGITIVE titles
Chapter 14: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #30; released June 19. What’s eating Azrael? And why is he using those closest to Batman as punching bags? Join us for the first part of a story where the Agent of the Bat plans to take over Batman’s cowl – permanently!
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-06/batman/bgk30.jpg
Chapter 15: AZRAEL #91; released June 19. Azrael’s deterioration takes a savage turn as guest-stars Batman, Robin and Nightwing struggle to keep up! With Jean Paul’s dementia increasing to match his super-strength, Batman feels responsible for all his new acts of violence, since he failed to stop Azrael’s career early on. But will his guilty conscience make him fall victim to an enraged Azrael?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-06/batman/azrael91.jpg
-BATMAN #604; released June 26. Batman returns to the place that started it all – Crime Alley – to think over the events of recent months (Vesper’s murder, his own arrest and escape, his abandonment of the Bruce Wayne persona). But it’s not a quiet moment of reflection. He runs into Catwoman, and they proceed to roof-hop all over Gotham, fighting thugs in between moments of deep thought.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-06/batman/batman604.jpg
-Chapter 16: DETECTIVE COMICS #772; released July 3. Sasha’s been in jail for months, while Bruce Wayne has long since escaped. When a mysterious stranger arrives with a proposition – implicate Bruce and walk, or rot in prison ’till the day she dies – will Sasha finally give in?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-07/batman/detective772.gif
-Chapter 17: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #31; released July 17. Batman tracks down a lead that brings about a startling discovery: Who was behind the Bruce Wayne smear campaign and how much absolute power his enemy actually wields.
Cover: Unavailable.
-Chapter 18: BATMAN #605; released July 24. The entire Bat-crew assembles at the cave for the revelation of Vesper Fairchild’s murderer. But identifying the murderer and capturing them are entirely different matters. A mind sharp enough to frame Bruce Wayne would have to be very, very difficult to snare…
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-07/batman/batman605.jpg
MOVIES
-ONSTAR is holding a contest where a winner gets to have a walk-on role in whatever the next Batman movie will be.
*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”.
*BATMAN BEYOND: LIVE ACTION NEWS:
-It looks like an independent movie is being made. Check out this link and see for yourself:
http://www.batinthesun.com/
*THE FOURTH ANIMATED BATMAN MOVIE
-No new news here. It probably won’t be another BATMAN BEYOND movie, though.
*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
-Though it is remaining in the current timeslot on the WB, in Canada, SMALLVILLE will move from its Wednesday timeslot at 8pm to a Thursday timeslot at 7pm, also on GLOBAL.
EXCLUSIVE INTERNET ENDEAVOURS:
-Nothing notable to speak of…yet.
TOYS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE
-Warner Bros.’ Senior Vice President of Advertising and Promotions, Joel Ehrlich revealed that the public “won’t see a Justice League toy line this year, but will sometime in 2003.” Sounds like a plan to me!
-Hot on the heals of the Ra’s Al Ghul/Talia four-pack, TOYS R US is releasing two more four-packs! There is, of course, the REVENGE OF THE PENGUIN four pack, featuring Batman, Robin (Dick Grayson), and repaints of the old Catwoman and Penguin sculpts. Then, there is the PUPPETS OF CRIME four-pack, featuring Undercover Bruce Wayne, Nightwing, a repainted Killer Croc, and a brand-new Ventriloquist/Scarface figure! Apparently, they’re due out in mid-August. For pics, go to the following link. Thanks to Bill Curtis for the link!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=1726242346
-JUSTICE LEAGUE is making its way onto GAMEBOY ADVANCE! The game is entitled “JUSTICE LEAGUE: INJUSTICE FOR ALL”, and features more than 14 unique levels, as players pick from one of seven Justice Leaguers (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl and Martian Manhunter) and use the individual character’s special powers and skills to defeat the Injustice League’s evil plans. The Injustice Gang consists of characters such as Lex Luthor, The Joker, The Shade, and more. Justice League: Injustice For All is in development and scheduled to ship in fall 2002 for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. The Justice League will also be featured in video games scheduled for release in 2003 on the PS2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube.
-Soon a number of new action figure two-packs will be arriving in Wal-Mart stores. They feature Batman vs. the Riddler (old style), and Batman vs. Two-Face (new style).
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
_____________________________________________________________________
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:
JUSTICE LEAGUE SCHEDULE:
Fri 06-21-02 JLA Legends (Pt. 2)
Sat 06-22-02 JLA Legends (Pt. 2)
Sat 06-22-02 JLA War World (Pt. 1)
Sun 06-23-02 JLA In Blackest Night (Pt. 1)
* * * * * *
Sat 06-29-02 JLA In Blackest Night (Pt. 1)
Sat 06-29-02 JLA War World (PT. 2)
* * * * * *
Fri 07-05-02 JLA In Blackest Night (Pt. 2)
Sat 07-06-02 JLA In Blackest Night (Pt. 2)
Sat 07-06-02 JLA The Brave and the Bold (Pt. 1)
BATMAN BEYOND SCHEDULE:
Mon 06-17-02 BEYOND #13 Ascension
Tue 06-18-02 BEYOND #14 Joyride
Wed 06-19-02 BEYOND #15 Earth Mover
Thu 06-20-02 BEYOND #16 Splicers
Fri 06-21-02 BEYOND #17 Lost Soul
Sat 06-22-02 BEYOND #25 Babel
* * * * * *
Mon 06-24-01 BEYOND #24 Bloodsport
Tue 06-25-02 BEYOND #19 Hidden Agenda
Wed 06-26-02 BEYOND #20 Once Burned
Thu 06-27-02 BEYOND #21 Hooked Up
Fri 06-28-02 BEYOND #22 Rats
Sat 06-29-02 BEYOND #15 Earth Mover
* * * * * *
Mon 07-01-02 BEYOND #23 Mind Games
Tue 07-02-02 BEYOND #24 Revenant
Wed 07-03-02 BEYOND NO EPISODE TODAY
Thu 07-04-02 BEYOND #25 Babel
Fri 07-05-02 BEYOND #26 Terry’s Friend Dates a Robot
Sat 07-06-02 BEYOND #16 Splicers
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
Sat 06-22-02 BTAS #24 Fear of Victory
Sun 06-23-02 BTAS #01 On Leather Wings
* * * * * *
Sat 06-29-02 BTAS #25 The Clock King
* * * * * *
Sat 07-06-02 BTAS #26 Appointment in Crime Alley
SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
Sat 06-29-02 STAS # Identity Crisis
Sat 07-06-02 STAS # Mxyzpixilated
FOR UP-TO-DATE SCHEDULES:
http://www.toonzone.net/shows/cnschedules/
_____________________________________________________________________
CANADIAN EPISODE SCHEDULE
(BATMAN on YTV – courtesy of our friends at YTV)
YTV has just re-added BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES to its timeslot! Set your VCRs though, kiddies, because these episodes come on at 3:30am! Ack!
YTV also has the rights to all of the BATMAN BEYOND episodes, which will air every Saturday mornings at 10:00am, and then Saturday nights (or, technically, Sunday mornings) at 12:30am.
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/epsched.htm
http://www.ytv.com/ytvguide
news.toonzone.net
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
THIS WEEK:
Mon 06-17-02: BTAS #98 Mean Seasons
Tue 06-18-02: BTAS #99 Critters
Wed 06-19-02: BTAS #100 Cult of the Cat
Thu 06-20-02: BTAS #101 Animal Act
Fri 06-21-02: BTAS #102 Old Wounds
NEXT WEEK:
Mon 06-24-02: BTAS #103 The Demon Within
Tue 06-25-02: BTAS #104 Legends of the Dark Knight
Wed 06-26-02: BTAS #105 Girls Night Out
Thu 06-27-02: BTAS #106 Mad Love
Fri 06-28-02: BTAS #107 Chemistry
THE FOLLOWING WEEK:
Mon 07-01-02: BTAS #108 Beware the Creeper
Tue 07-02-02: BTAS #109 Judgement Day
Wed 07-03-02: BTAS #01 On Leather Wings
Thu 07-04-02: BTAS #02 Christmas with the Joker
Fri 07-05-02: BTAS #03 Nothing to Fear
BATMAN BEYOND:
THIS WEEK:
Sat 06-22-02: 10:00am #01 Rebirth (Pt. 1)
Sun 06-23-02: 12:30am #19 Hidden Agenda
Sat 06-29-02: 10:00am #02 Rebirth (Pt. 2)
Sun 06-30-02: 12:30am #20 Once Burned
_____________________________________________________________________
EPISODE REVIEW: (SPOILER ALERT!)
(by “Belle Book”)
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
“Heart of Ice”
Written by: Paul Dini
Directed by: Bruce Timm
Airdate: September 7, 1992
Rating (out of 5 stars): *****
A mysterious man, wearing a cold suit and glass face covering and calling himself Mr. Freeze, attacks a Gothcorp facility, where he runs into Batman. Afterwards, Bruce Wayne pays a visit to Ferris Boyle, self-proclaimed humanitarian and president of Gothcorp, where he discovers that there is an employee who wants to destroy Gothcorp: Victor Fries, whom Boyle said was wasting company money for some purpose that Boyle refused to clarify. Bruce also realized that Boyle wasn’t the humanitarian that he claimed to be. Batman’s investigations reveal that Victor’s wife, Nora, was terminally ill, and Victor wanted to save her by freezing her until a cure could be found – and going on despite Boyle’s pulling funding on the project. When Boyle came to stop the project despite Nora’s already being put in the cryo tube, a standoff occurred which caused an explosion – and turned Fries to Mr. Freeze. Now Mr. Freeze wants revenge on Boyle – and Batman must stop him!
This is one of the most heartbreaking episodes of BTAS, in large part due to the tragic nature of Mr. Freeze. He is a character we can all sympathize with, even though we realize he must be stopped from killing Mr. Boyle. Who can really hate him? I sure can’t. Even more interesting is the fact that this episode influenced the writers at DC Comics to use the origin of Mr. Freeze from the animated series for the comic book version. Kudos are in order for Dini and Timm for their portrayal of this character.
As for the other characters, Alfred is his usual self, helping Batman out – and providing him with the chicken soup canister which enables Batman to defeat Mr. Freeze. Ferris Boyle is much more of a villain in some ways than Mr. Freeze himself is. After all, Boyle was heartless enough to pull the plug on funding to enable Victor Fries to put Nora in a cryogenic tube until a cure could be found for the disease which was killing her. And then he had the gall to tell Fries to bring Nora out of the tube when she was already in there! The perfect soulless executive, always thinking of the bottom line above anything else. I hate him -although I wouldn’t have wanted Mr. Freeze to kill him.
Batman was great in this episode! As Bruce Wayne, he was able to get the necessary info which enabled him to investigate Fries further until he discovered the truth. As Batman, he was able to express sympathy for Mr. Freeze, yet stop him when Mr. Freeze was about to kill Mr. Boyle. Two things I noticed that made him human was the fact that he saved the criminal whose legs were frozen, and the fact that he was battling a cold! Both things kept him from being superhuman, and I liked that.
As for Mr. Freeze, thanks to this episode, he became my second favorite Batman villain, behind only Catwoman. Who could blame him for wanting to save his wife by any means necessary? And who could really blame him for wanting to avenge the loss of his wife on the man who heartlessly pulled the plug? I couldn’t. The only problem was that Mr. Freeze went too far, and that’s what caused him to become a villain. After all, trying to kill the man who made you what you are is wrong, and if you try to do that, then you deserve to be stopped. That said, I still felt pity for him.
Again, kudos are in order for Dini and Timm, as well as for Michael Ansara (the voice of Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze) and Kevin Conroy (the best voice for Bruce Wayne/Batman ever). Great job, guys!
-Belle Book
____________________________________________________________________
COMIC REVIEWS
(BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
WANTED: A reviewer for JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES comics. Send me an e-mail at juno@dccnet.com if you’re a JUSTICE LEAGUE fan and you’d like to take a stab at it!
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES
ISSUE: “The Art of the Steal” (#49)
WRITTEN BY: Scott Peterson
PENCILS: Tim Levins
INKS: Terry Beatty
ISSUED: April 24, 2002 (Cover date: Jun 02)
RATING: **1/2
started off well enough. I was getting into the mystery behind Killer Croc’s crime spree, actually – did this guy actually have a brain inside that numb skull of his? I was certainly hoping that’s the direction this issue was going – after being the butt end of “throwing rock” jokes in Arkham for years, I would have loved to see the writers develop his character and give him a brain.
Alas, it turned out not to be so. As soon as Kim enters the story, it kind of ruins what could have potentially been a great ending. The whole idea of crime being a form of art is a valid point, but a number of villains already use this motif (Joker, anyone?); what bothered me is how the kid seemed totally disinterested in this “game” when Batman actually came a-knockin’. Did he actually think he stood a chance?
In the end, I came away with a mediocre feeling of this issue. Everything leading up to the ending was a simple, clean, enjoyable mystery, but the ending was a little weak.
* * * * * * * *
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES
ISSUE: “Second Timers” (#50)
WRITTEN BY: Scott Peterson
PENCILS: Tim Levins
INKS: Terry Beatty
ISSUED: May 29, 2002 (Cover date: Jul 02)
RATING: ****
Wow, 50 issues. I always knew the animated Bat-books would make it this far – but the series’ were always cancelled and restarted before they were ever given the chance! It’s nice to see that GOTHAM ADVENTURES has finally made it. Congrats to the staff, past and present, for keeping the animated Batman universe alive for this long – it’s nearly been 10 yeasrs, now!
First off, let me say how awesome Darwyn Cooke’s cover is. This is easily one of the best covers I’ve ever seen in any of these series’ – I’m a sucker for the “painted” covers (like with MASK OF THE PHANTASM or MAD LOVE), because they’re always done so well!
As for the story itself, I also really enjoyed it. In recent months I’ve been a little disappointed with the story quality with this title, but proves that they still have potential. I remember back in the original days of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, I didn’t like many of the Catwoman episodes – I found them boring and it was almost shameful to see a woman of Selina’s strength to be suffering from “damsel in distress syndrome” (in CAT SCRATCH FEVER and TYGER, TYGER, in particular.) Now, ever since the revamp and Catwoman has become more of a thief than an anti-hero, Catwoman stories are some of the best.
This one was no different. The eternal emotional struggle between the Bat and the Cat is always a good read – it’s nice to see that Nightwing and even Commissioner Gordon can see past Batman’s tough guy act and notice that he feels something for her in some regard. The scenes at the Iceberg Lounge are, as always, good – I figured it was only a matter of time before the Penguin enlisted for Catwoman’s help. Were it not for their incredible egos, they would make quite a formidable team – until it turns all BATMAN RETURNS on us and just goes haywire, that is.
I also enjoyed the flashbacks to Batman and Catwoman’s past – it’s always a treat to see both of them drawn in the old style. Showing how Batman treated her in the past gave the story a deeper feeling in the present. And who doesn’t love a good flashback?
All in all, I thought this was a fabulous issue. I hope this quality of storytelling continues for a long, long time.
;-Y
______________________________________________________________
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 #51
Mr. Freeze is sprung from Arkham by Nora (the ex-wife he never got over) to formulate the compound that might return him – and the life they once shared – to normal. But love is blind…
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-06/batman/bga51.jpg
FOLLOWING MONTH:
Gotham’s wild and woolly Lower East Side has a new hero…and it’s not the Dark Knight. No, these days the kids are going wild – literally – for Bane! Just what is going on here? And what is Batman going to do about it?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-07/batman/bga52.jpg
-JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #8
When the League learns that there’s a giant creature using the moon as a giant monster incubator, they do everything in their power to keep things stable. But as the gargantuan beast starts to hatch, the very Earth itself is threatened with certain doom! And when a stormy old foe uses the opportunity to create chaos, the Justice League finds themselves buffeted by the howling winds of fate!
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-06/dcuniverse/jladvs08.jpg
FOLLOWING MONTH: Issue #9
“Stepping Out,” the troubling tale of a super-hero’s dilemma: balancing a love life with his duties to the JLA. When evil strikes, it’s never convenient – and the Flash somehow must help the Justice League save the world without raising the ire of his beautiful date.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-07/dcuniverse/jladvs09.jpg
___________________________________________________________________
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!)
* * * * * *
Hi there… I’ve been a longtime subscriber of the newsletter, and am glad to see that you’re continuing to publish, even though the animated Batman only gets new exposure through Justice League (which I enjoy, but waiting for new episodes to pop up is really frustrating, sometimes!).
I’d like to suggest that you start coverage on the BIRDS OF PREY TV series, which is coming to the WB this fall. It’s based on the DC comic of the same name, and there’s a lot of Batman tie-ins to it. Since it is based on the comics’ continuity, Barbara Gordon will be Oracle in it, and the latest news I heard is that Alfred is supposed to be a continuing character on the show, too!
I’d imagine a lot of your readers will be interested in hearing about this. If you need some leads for info, I’ll see what I can dig up.
Jon Knutson
* * * * * *
TWO-FACE’S SIDE OF THE COIN
First off, thanks for the praise on the newsletter. It has been a little tough to get the energy to keep publishing each issue with no new Batman episodes/movies coming out. Myself, I have yet to see any JUSTICE LEAGUE beyond the DVD – I’m tremendously thankful to my JUSTICE LEAGUE reviewer, Belle Book, for taking up the slack. (Side note: If anyone wants to do reviews for the JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES comic issues, send me an e-mail!) Hopefully, in due time, we’ll get to see some new episodes (not likely) or movies (more likely, but still not very likely).
As for your questions about the BIRDS OF PREY series – if enough people want to see that in this newsletter, I’ll make it happen. Even though we have a definite focus on the animated world here, I make sure to have some news about the mainstream comics, movies, TV shows, and merchandise in here, as well.
The only problem is that, as I live in Canada, getting BIRDS OF PREY on the networks up here can be a little difficult – especially if it’s going to be a WB exclusive in the US, as SMALLVILLE was. It took an extra month to get SMALLVILLE episodes airing up here (though we were all caught up by February), so if BIRDS OF PREY is going to be delayed, we’ll have a similar situation happening.
But hey, I’ll do my best. One of the best things about the internet is how us fanboys and fangirls around the world congregate and share opinions and interests, so this could be my part in helping out for the greater good. 🙂 We’ll see what happens.
;-Y
___________________________________________________________________
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.
POTPURRI
Yep, I’m blanking on any good ideas for a good trivia theme in this issue, so I’m giving you all random questions! Enjoy!
746. Name the only characters that have ever appeared on the actual CD disc for a soundtrack/score based on an animated Bat-movie or cartoon show.
747. What was originally intended to be the season premiere of “THE BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES” in 1997?
748. Aside from the four villains that appeared in BATMAN: VENGEANCE, name one villain that was mentioned in passing, but didn’t actually appear in the video game.
749. Ages ago, KENNER developed a “vehicle” for Robin to drive, and for the unwitting public to buy. The molds for the vehicle were accidentally destroyed, and this one particular toy is incredibly rare. What is the name of this vehicle?
750. What are the names of the two men that work at WAYNE ENTERPRISES that were affected by the Scarecrow’s fear gas?
751. Tim Curry was originally cast to play which character on the series?
752. In what year did the first wave of “animated” action figures hit the shelves?
753. In BATMAN BEYOND, the episode HEROES featured three characters collectively known as “The Terrific Trio”. Which MARVEL characters were these three inspired by?
754. What is the release date for the independent BATMAN BEYOND movie?
755. In the episode TWO-FACE (Pt. 2), what event happened at exactly 2:22am?
_____________________________________________________________________
AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)
Answer to #746: The Phantasm, Terry McGuiness (as Batman)
Answer to #747: WORLD’S FINEST (all 3 parts)
Answer to #748: The Penguin
Answer to #749: Robin’s Dragster
Answer to #750: Bruce Wayne, Seymour Gray
Answer to #751: The Joker
Answer to #752: Early 1993
Answer to #753: The Fantastic Four
Answer to #754: August 2002
Answer to #755: Nothing, to our knowledge. Fooled you! ;-Y
_____________________________________________________________________
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:
???
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
???
____________________________________________________________________
FIGURE THIS OUT!
(by Marc Rosenzweig)
Hello Fellow Gothamites,
Just back from the International NYC Toy Fair 2002!
As far as Batman goes, unfortunately, there was not much to see. However there are some interesting items to be discussed.
Hasbro has still got some time left to pull a rabbit out of their hat to secure the license for Batman before the deadline date of December 2002. Until then, Hasbro will go on to release their scheduled production of the new Mission Masters 4. This series, which was originally made up of the entire range of Batman series (Batman Beyond, the comic book version, the Animated version), is currently comprised of previous released (always popular) animated figures all re-deco’d. Hasbro took a new turn at the color wheel and went with a GLOW IN THE DARK painted scheme. The MM4, wave one standard figures assortment with its glow in the dark costumes and fluorescent accessories consists of:
-Midnight Hunter Batman
-Night Fury Robin
-Night Shadow Batman
-Lunar Attack Batman.
The “must have” pieces in this line up will definitely be the villains (as with most Batman lines). The Joker and Mr. Freeze will be the two hot tickets to have, soon to be released at a local toy store near you.
Check out the photograph links which was taken at the Hasbro showroom.
http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-014f.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-015f.jpg
As any true Batman toy collector knows, you can not have an assortment of just “regular” figures. Hasbro has made some good money on producing extensions to their DC lines with what is known as DELUXE FIGURES. This set has some great Deluxe figure/vehicle schemes that makes this line very awesome to look at as they pose on yours or your kid’s desk, as well as being extremely fun to play with. In the Deluxe figs/vehicle Blister set, you will see the ever-elusive Nightwing on his hyper-jet ski. In keeping the continuity of this series release, these Deluxe figures are deco’d with the same glow in the dark trim.
http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-016f.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-017f.jpg
Hasbro has also continued to release two Wal-Mart EXCLUSIVE FIGURES. As they have just put out a small carded animated Batman and animated Superman figure without any accessories. The Shorter, smaller card is a nice quick way of getting it to market and it looks nice too.
This Batman figure also has a friend with a big Red “S” on his chest, released on his own small card. You need to hurry though, as I was just able to grab a Batman figure only.
As the news of Hasbro giving up the Superman license, the Superman pieces are going quickly. So if any fellow fans out there have a spare Wal-Mart exclusive Short card they are will to get let go of, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!
http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-006x.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-007x.jpg
-Marc
____________________________________________________________________
FEATURED BATMAN INTERNET ENDEAVOURS FOR THIS ISSUE
(feel free to submit something for our consideration)
This space for rent.
____________________________________________________________________
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
COPS AND ROBBERS: P.O.V., Vendetta, Riddler’s Reform, A Bullet for Bullock
FRIENDS AND FOES: Beware the Grey Ghost, The Mechanic, The Man who Killed Batman, Sideshow
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
____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________
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.
____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________
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.
___________________________________________________________________