Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of August 5 to August 18, 2002
Volume 4, 8
Rated: PG (as with all other things Batman-related)
THIS ISSUE’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “Thank you, YTV, for bringing Canada the JUSTICE LEAGUE…finally!”
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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. (This was recently decided as being HEART OF ICE. Quel suprise.)
To check it out, go to this URL:
http://wf.toonzone.net/btas10.htm
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YOU’RE A DIEHARD BAT-FAN IF…
Hello fellow subcribers! As part of our celebration of the 10-year anniversary of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, we’d like to take your suggestions of what is a sure-fire sign of being a die-hard Bat-fan. Submit your ideas to us at juno@dccnet.com – in September we’ll be taking a sampling of the best (depending on the number we receive) and publishing them in that issue.
Here’s an example – they can be either simple and straightforward or someone creative:
YOU’RE A DIE-HARD BAT-FAN IF…
…you collect everything Batman-related, like comics, action figures, etc…
OR
…you get all giddy inside whenever you hear the word “Batman” or any of his cast of characters mentioned in any other movies or TV shows, even if it’s for a mere instant.
Get the idea? It’s pretty simple…so enjoy!
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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
Airdate: Part One – September 6, 2002
Airdate: Part Two – September 13, 2002
When Lex Luthor discovers that he has contracted an incurable case of Kryptonite poisoning, he blames the Man of Steel. Using his vast personal fortune, Luthor hires a team of the world’s most powerful super-villains to destroy Superman and the Justice League. He taps Joker, The Ultra-Humanite, Solomon Grundy, Shade, Star Sapphire, Cheetah and Copperhead to assist him in his diabolical efforts.
THE SAVAGE TIME
Aidate: Parts One, Two, Three – September 7, 2002
A ruthless, repressive dictator named Vandal Savage has seized control of a distant world. To restore life as they know it, the world’s greatest collection of superheroes must travel back in time and team up with Sgt. Rock and his military squadron, the Blackhawks. Together, they must re-fight a world war in order to stop Savage from taking power.”
A NIGHT OF SHADOWS
Airdate: Part One – September 20, 2002
Airdate: Part Two – September 27, 2002
Morgaine Le Fey is an ancient sorceress who is assisted by the Demon, Etrigan in her quest for the legendary Sorcerer’s Stone. The Justice League must stop Morgaine Le Fey before she captures this object that would give her the power to rule the world.
METAMORPHASIS
Airdate: Part One – October 4, 2002
Airdate: Part Two – October 11, 2002
Synopsis: Unknown
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NEWS AND RUMORS
(see back issues for older info)
ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-Hey, wanna be a part of the TOONZONE gang? Just check out the forums at http://forums.toonzone.net to find a whole lot of other people (and many fellow subscribers) that like not only Batman, but various other things, too. You won’t be disappointed! I’ve joined, and it’s a really cool place…and now we want you! *POINTS, UNCLE-SAM-STYLE*
-To read a recent interview Jim Harvey conducted with Rick Burchett, go here:
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41180
-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)
-The Justice League will appear on the two-part STATIC SHOCK episode, “A League of Their Own”, this coming year. Also, another episode will feature Batman and a number of villains, this time set in Gotham City.
-The season two premiere for JUSTICE LEAGUE could be entitled “Twilight of the Gods”; this episode is expected to feature the long-awaited reappearance of Darkseid.
-JUSTICE LEAGUE is finally coming to Canada! Though the schedule isn’t finalized, we can tell you that YTV will start airing episodes this fall.
-As of September 7th, BATMAN BEYOND is being taken off of the CARTOON NETWORK, for an indefinite length of time.
-The 90-minute first season finale, “Savage Time”, will air September 7 at 7pm.
-To see a series of still images from INJUSTICE FOR ALL, go to the following link; be forewarned, they do contain spoilers:
http://www.btinternet.com/~davidsdomain/I4A/I4A1.htm
-Aquaman will return in a JUSTICE LEAGUE episode in season 2.
-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
-Rick Burchett will once again be providing the artwork for GOTHAM ADVENTURES, this time in , a mob story.
-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 #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?
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #55
In stores October 30. Batman finds himself caught in a deadly quarrel between mobsters, each claiming the other kidnapped his wife. He’s got to help them out – or risk a full-fledged mob war.
Cover: http://news.toonzone.net/images/bga55.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
-JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #12
You’ll want to grab a sweater and light a fire as Mr. Freeze, Captain Cold, Killer Frost and a chilling cabal of icy super-villains attempt a hostile takeover of a small African nation. Can the League stop them in time or will they be the first victims of the “Cold War?”
Cover: http://news.toonzone.net/images/jladvs12.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 7. 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 Rene 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
-GOTHAM GIRLS #3 of 5
In stores October 16. Harley Quinn gets control of a chemical formula everyone wants, which means that nothing goes as planned – not even for her best pal Poison Ivy. And Detective Reneé Montoya is hot on everyone’s trail…
-For more animated comic updates, go here:
http://www.toonzone.net/
OTHER COMICS
-Jason Hall (writer of GOTHAM ADVENTURES) will be next working on a five-part BEWARE THE CREEPER miniseries, due out in Spring of 2003. He will also be writing an upcoming JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES issue.
-To read an article about the upcoming GOTHAM CENTRAL title, written by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka, click on the following link. It’s due out in December of 2002.
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43086
-BATMAN #608, on shelves in October, kicks off the uninterrupted twelve-part storyline – written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Jim Lee. The actual plot is not known at this time, but here is a list of the people involved: Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, the Joker, Two-Face, Huntress, and Superman. It looks like another murder-mystery type deal, as seen in Loeb’s already-classic LONG HALLOWEEN and DARK VICTORY stories.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-10/batman/batman608.jpg
-A hardcover version of THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN and another reprint of THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES BACK are due out on October 30.
-HARLEY QUINN #25 – Batman and the Joker guest star.
-DETECTIVE COMICS #775 – Greg Rucka’s final (sniff) issue on DETECTIVE COMICS.
-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.
-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: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #33 & 34: Batman and Bane actually team up to destroy the last of the Lazarus Pits; then, in , Bane brings Batman some startling news about his father.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-10/batman/bgk34.jpg
-CATWOMAN #12:
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-10/batman/catwoman12.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!
*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.
*BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN
-THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER reports that director Wolfgang Petersen has changed the title of the proposed WORLD’S FINEST movie to simply BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN. Andrew Kevin Walker (SE7EN) wrote the draft. The two lead roles should be cast within two to four weeks, with 2003 as set as a temporary production start date.
Follow this link for more:
http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/09/film.petersen.reut/index.html
-Variety has revealed that the much-rumoured BATMAN & SUPERMAN movie is the front runner for release in 2004. With the second installment of the SCOOBY-DOO franchise coming as well as HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN in 2004, it still leaves three slots open that year for some big budget spectacle movies.
Here is what Variety reported:
“Batman and/or Superman”: It’s been five years since the poorly received “BATMAN & ROBIN,” and the WB now seems ready to take its superhero responsibilities seriously.
Last year, the studio brought Darren Aronofsky on board to develop “Batman: Year One” with creator Frank Stack. But the superhero project that has the greatest likelihood of moving forward, Horn now says, is “Batman & Superman,” in which the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight join forces against evil. Wolfgang Petersen is attached to produce, develop and possibly direct.
LIVE ACTION TELEVISION
(All of the SMALLVILLE and BIRDS OR PREY scoops are courtesy of GOTHAM CLOCK TOWER and the KRYPTONSITE.)
-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.
-BIRDS OF PREY’S Dr. Harleen Quinzel has been recast; Mia Sara is taking up the role.
-To view another BIRDS OF PREY trailer, go here:
http://www.thewb.com/Popups/Trailers/0,8204,57999,00.html
-We have the premiere dates for SMALLVILLE and BIRDS OF PREY! They are:
SMALLVILLE – Tuesday, September 24
BIRDS OF PREY – Wednesday, October 9
EXCLUSIVE INTERNET ENDEAVOURS:
-The third season of GOTHAM GIRLS has started! Check out http://www.gothamgirls.com and watch the premiere webisode, “Ms.-Ing in Action”.
-Check out the following website for what looks to be a cute Batman parody:
http://thumb.com/batthumb/
TOYS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE
-MATTEL has just gained the rights to Batman, Superman, Justice League, and a handful of other WB properties. They will have exclusive rights to merchandising all the action figures (etc) around the world, excluding Asia. Mattel used to hold the rights to Batman, but Hasbro/Kenner has been in the driver’s seat from 1989 until now.
-DC Direct will be releasing an Aquaman maquette (in the same style as the other 7 JLA maquettes) in 2003.
-We can look forward to 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.
-For some JUSTICE LEAGUE pics, check out this post at the TOONZONE message boards:
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=389739#post389739
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:
NOTE: Starting on September 7, BATMAN BEYOND is being removed indefinitely from the CARTOON NETWORK schedule.
JUSTICE LEAGUE SCHEDULE:
Fri 08-09-02 JLA War World (Pt. 1)
Sat 08-10-02 JLA War World (Pt. 1)
Sat 08-10-02 JLA Legends (Pt. 2)
Sun 08-11-02 JLA War World (Pt. 2)
* * * * * *
Fri 08-16-02 JLA War World (Pt. 2)
Sat 08-17-02 JLA War World (Pt. 2)
Sat 08-17-02 JLA In Blackest Night (Pt. 1)
Sun 08-18-02 JLA The Brave and the Bold (Pt. 1)
* * * * * *
Fri 08-23-02 JLA The Brave and the Bold (Pt. 1)
Sat 08-24-02 JLA NONE
Sat 08-24-02 JLA NONE
Sun 08-25-02 JLA NONE
BATMAN BEYOND SCHEDULE:
Sat 08-10-02 BEYOND #21 Hooked Up
Sat 08-17-02 BEYOND #22 Rats
Sat 08-24-02 BEYOND # NONE
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
Sat 08-10-02 BTAS #31 The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy
Sat 08-17-02 BTAS #32 Robin’s Reckoning (Pt. 1)
Sat 08-24-02 BTAS # NONE
SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
Sat 08-10-02 STAS #26 Monkey Fun
Sat 08-17-02 STAS #27 The Promethon
Sat 08-24-02 STAS # NONE
FOR UP-TO-DATE SCHEDULES:
http://www.toonzone.net/shows/cnschedules/
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CANADIAN EPISODE SCHEDULE
(BATMAN on YTV – courtesy of our friends at YTV)
Why YTV airs BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES at 3:30am on weekdays, I don’t know, but hey, that’s the hand we’ve been dealt. Set your VCRs!
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.
And, starting this September, YTV will be airing JUSTICE LEAGUE. Whoo! About time we got this show this side of the border!
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/epsched.htm
http://www.ytv.com/ytvguide
news.toonzone.net
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
THIS WEEK:
Mon 08-05-02: BTAS #27 Mad as a Hatter
Tue 08-06-02: BTAS #31 The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy
Wed 08-07-02: BTAS #30 Perchance to Dream
Thu 08-08-02: BTAS #06 The Underdwellers
Fri 08-09-02: BTAS #34 Night of the Ninja
NEXT WEEK:
Mon 08-12-02: BTAS #36 The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne
Tue 08-13-02: BTAS #41 Tyger, Tyger
Wed 08-14-02: BTAS #28 Dreams in Darkness
Thu 08-15-02: BTAS #18 Beware the Gray Ghost
Fri 08-16-02: BTAS #35 Cat Scratch Fever
THE FOLLOWING WEEK:
Mon 08-19-02: BTAS #45 Terror in the Sky
Tue 08-20-02: BTAS #49 I am the Night
Wed 08-21-02: BTAS #46 Almost Got ‘Im
Thu 08-22-02: BTAS #42 Moon of the Wolf
Fri 08-23-02: BTAS #02 Christmas with the Joker
BATMAN BEYOND:
THIS WEEK:
Sat 08-11-02: 10:00am #08 Heroes
Sun 08-12-02: 12:30am #26 Terry’s Friend Dates a Robot
Sat 08-18-02: 10:00am #09 Spellbound
Sun 08-19-02: 12:30am #27 Eyewitness
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EPISODE REVIEW: (SPOILER ALERT!)
(by “Belle Book”)
I originally sent this out when it was first aired, but somehow it never got onto BTAN. This is a rewrite, with additional thoughts from a later reviewing of the two parts.
JUSTICE LEAGUE
“Fury (Pt. 1)”
Written by: Stan Berkowitz
Teleplay by: Dwayne McDuffe
Directed by: Butch Lukic
Rating (out of 5 stars): ****1/2
The Injustice Guild, now led by a woman and with a female ninja added to the group, rob a chemical plant in Gotham City – which leads to a run-in with Batman. Batman manages to take down the Shade, Copperhead, Solomon Grundy, Star Sapphire, and the ninja, Tsukuri, but the leader defeats him. Fortunately, he manages to grab her necklace, which reveals her to be an Amazon! Since Wonder Woman can’t return to Themyscira, Hawkgirl goes there to investigate. When she shows Hippolyta the necklace, the Queen tells her it belongs to an Amazon named Aresia. Despite being an Amazon, Aresia originally came from the outside world. She survived a war in her homeland, and then was the sole survivor of an attack on the refuge ship she was on by pirates. Now Aresia is back in Man’s world – and her plans will prove dangerous, possibly even deadly!
This was a really interesting episode! It’s both an exploration of the dark side of Wonder Woman’s Amazon upbringing, and a caution against extremism. At the same time, we see the tragic results of hatred – the victors in the war treat the losers like they’re less than human, while the pirates destroy the refugee ship. Is it any surprise that Aresia might have harbored a resentment against Man’s world, and possibly a desire to avenge her wrongs on that world? Or course, that doesn’t include the hatred of men Hippolyta felt and probably taught, a lesson that’s only beginning to be shown in this part, and which will be revealed in full in the second part. Therefore, the first part shows us just how someone like Aresia could be created.
The characters are also interesting as well. I’ll start off with the Injustice Guild. The gang first appears in “Injustice For All”, which will be shown in September, and at this point, there’s only the Shade, Copperhead, Solomon Grundy, and Star Sapphire in this group still. The Shade and Copperhead get little time, but they are effective. As for Solomon Grundy, I liked hearing him ask about facing the Justice League. He doesn’t want to face them again, and considering that he faced Batman and lost earlier on, who can blame him? As for Star Sapphire, she also is portrayed quite well, handling Batman before being defeated, and later on asking what Aresia’s up to.
Tsukuri’s the newcomer, and she’s interesting too. We know next to nothing about her, except that she came on board in between “Injustice for All” and “Fury”, and that she’s quite dangerous – Batman had a hard time with her before finally defeating her. Maybe Aresia recruited her. I don’t think we’ll ever know, although maybe IfA might fill in the blanks, since there’s indications that she’s a replacement for the Cheetah.
Aresia is a very interesting, and in some ways, a very sympathetic character. Thanks to Hippolyta, we learn a lot about her – that she’s not a native Amazon, her background, her being taken in by Hippolyta and the other Amazons. The trauma she underwent must have left terrible psychic scars. Add to that the bitterness she must’ve felt toward the victorious men who attacked her people and the pirates, as well as possibly feeling like an outsider and wanting to prove herself as a true Amazon, and who can blame her for being so destructive? I can’t, even though she is wrong to try to destroy all the men. However, there is one question that I’d love to have answered – since Hippolyta said that books from the outside world are forbidden, how could she have gotten books about biological warfare, and maps? Could she have an ally among the gods?
Speaking of Hippolyta, while we once again see the evidence of her hatred of Man’s world in her statement that they feared contact with the outside world might corrupt them, there’s also evidence of her softer side in her taking in Aresia. She couldn’t refuse taking in a helpless girl like Aresia once was. The only interesting thing about her flashback in retrospective is the fact that she didn’t tell Hawkgirl the whole story about Aresia’s rescue – how Aresia actually got to Themyscira in the first place.
Now for the Justice League. It’s unsurprising that Superman takes on Aresia when she attacks a gem depository in Gotham City – he’s the only man strong enough to take on her. Unfortunately, the poisonous allergen takes him down way too quickly, depriving Superman fans of a good battle. As for J’onn J’onzz, we see him in a new light, as a doctor. He’s pretty good at it, too, despite the fact that he doesn’t know what he’s dealing with.
We see the Flash and Green Lantern team up again, and it’s neat to see their byplay. The Flash is himself, making humorous comments, while Green Lantern looks long and hard for clues, as a good policeman should. While we don’t know what they found that got them exposed to the allergen, I think the Flash was exposed to it first, and then Green Lantern. Or maybe Green Lantern just had a stronger immune system than the Flash, so the Flash succumbed quicker.
Batman was in fine form this episode. As usual, his detective skills came into play – he was the one who discovered Aresia’s identity as an Amazon, and he was the one who realized that the plague affected men. He also could put up a good fight – it took Aresia to defeat him. And he was the one who got Hawkgirl to Themyscira. Finally, one has to wonder how he felt when Hawkgirl asked if he could imagine the trauma Aresia went through. I knew he could – he lost his parents, after all.
Speaking of Hawkgirl, we see more of her personality here than just the warrior woman she is in battle. She realizes that nobody could refuse taking in Aresia in the first place. She can be sympathetic toward Aresia, as her conversation with Batman indicates. Her detective skills are also shown, as she’s the one who discovers the books and maps. Finally, one has to wonder what she knows about Batman’s past history of trauma.
Finally, there’s Wonder Woman. As she’s an Amazon, the episode spotlights her. We first see her trying to understand why women wear cosmetics. She thinks cosmetics hide a woman’s natural beauty, but as another woman puts it, Diana is naturally very beautiful, anyway. Then I cheered as I saw her taking care of that insensitive truck driver. Her confusion when Batman tells her he fought an Amazon that was stealing chemicals was understandable – there seems to be a code of honor which forbids stealing. This then prepares us for her reaction when she actually sees Aresia. Basically, she has to reconcile the beliefs she grew up with (including the fact that even she thinks men aren’t that essential), and her exposure to the outside world, and this episode begins the process of her doing just that.
While it isn’t quite as good as “Paradise Lost” or the later “Legends”, it’s still a great episode, and I give it 4 and a half out of 5 stars.
Belle Book
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COMIC REVIEWS
(BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
WANTED: We still need 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: “Hard Knock Life” (#52)
WRITTEN BY: Scott Peterson
PENCILS: Terry Beatty
INKS: Lee Loughridge
ISSUED: Jul7 31, 2002 (Cover date: Aug 02)
RATING: **1/2
It’s been nearly 40 issues since Bane’s last featured appearance in GOTHAM ADVENTURES (), and it was nice to see that Peterson carried on from where he left off in that issue. I thought that turning Bane into a “protector of the lower east side” was a good way to develop his character. When you’re given the chore to develop someone who is basically no more than a really, really strong man, you have to be really creative to make that character interesting. Scott Peterson succeeded in doing so in .
, the follow-up, is the exact opposite of its predecessor. It shows Bane’s fall from grace, and his loss of respect of the children he had taken in. Of course, he didn’t really care for them – they were just a way to keep Batman and the cops at bay. Imagine the publicity a self-proclaimed Robin-Hood-type character would get if he was taken to jail, and all the kids were homeless once more?
It was pretty obvious from the start how his plan would be undone, and what role Tim Drake (who, coincidentally, is a child, too) played, but I still thought it was a good issue. My favourite part was the very end when Bane is finally captured, on his knees. He’s not upset about the loss of the respect of the children, but, rather, the blown cover for his criminal empire. It shows just how pitiful a man he really is.
;-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 #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
FOLLOWING MONTH:
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 #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
FOLLOWING MONTH:
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
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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!)
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Hi there,
I have been a subscriber to your newsletter for some time
and just recently I found the mention of that new Gotham Girls series.
Now, you probably know that. I tried everything, from emailing Wizard’s JimMcLauchlin to emailing Shane Glines himself. No answer from anywhere. In the book Batman Animated there was a preview page of the so called HARLEY AND IVY Series – a Bruce Timm project, that was supposed to be inked by Shane.
Whatever happened to that???
Maybe you have the right connections, or can find out something. But I think every true Bats Animated fan is waiting for something by Master Timm himself.
Thanks and all the best from London.
Always looking forward to your newsletter,
-Stefan Kraft
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TWO-FACE’S SIDE OF THE COIN
Hello Stefan! I hate to tell you this, but I’m just as much in the dark on this one as you are. It’s been at least three years since this comic was supposed to be out, and we’ve still received no word on where it stands in production.
Originally it was going to be drawn in the “original” BTAS style. Then, in 1997, the style, the style changed as we all know, so Timm redrew it in the TNBA style. I’ve seen a Poison Ivy panel (uncoloured) and it looked pretty sweet.
The main reason why this comic hasn’t yet come out is because everyone attached is so busy with other things. Bruce Timm is, of course, crazily busy with everything JUSTICE LEAGUE related at the moment, and Shane Glines is busy with his own batch of projects, too.
A number of people I know were under the assumption that both the upcoming GOTHAM GIRLS mini-series and the website of the same name were somewhat of a “replacement” for the HARLEY & IVY series. Not true. Over at the Toonzone message boards (which I suggest you all check out), Paul Storrie stepped in and said so.
Where does that leave us? About the same as before. We’re just going to have to wait this one out. It’ll happen…some day.
;-Y
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DESTINATION: SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON
STARDATE: Sometime in August, 2002
(by “Barb Gordon”)
SMALLVILLE SPOILER ALERT!
“Loser!”
And thus marked the most under appreciated character in Smallville, Whitney, boyfriend to one Lana Lang.
This past Saturday, August 3, I attended the San Diego Comic Con. My mission: be one of the many attending the SMALLVILLE/BIRDS OF PREY panel. I succeeded in doing this by getting up at 4 in the morning, and having mom drive 90 mph down the freeway to get in a line that was at least 100 people long by the time we got there at 7:30. But I made it, I saw it, and that’s what matters…that, and I was able to get my hands on Birds of Prey #8.
<EDITOR’S DIVINE INTERVENTION: VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY RARE COMIC. JUST SO YA KNOW.>
The moment the lights dimmed and the opening song for Smallville came on, the whole place erupted into cheers. Men and women alike cheered and hollered for Clark, Lana, and especially Lex. “Loser” was the response that Whitney received whenever he came on screen, poor guy. After “Tempest”, the season finale (which certainly doesn’t lose its charm seeing it a second time around), came the question/answer session with executive producers Al Gough and Miles Millar. They answered most of the questions asked by fans, though a few were left up in the air…can’t give away all the answers now can we? Among the interesting tidbits these two mentioned are:
-Chloe Sullivan and Lois Lane are indeed cousins
-The show will go on as long as possible, but would indeed end before Clark arrived in Metropolis
-Red Kryptonite will be introduced in the second season
-There is no more Whitney
-More comic characters should be appearing on the show, but not until much later in the season
-When asked about Lex and his journey to evil, when will he get there, the producers had this response: “The path to the dark side is a journey, not a light switch”
-In the show, and in the opinions of the producers, Lana and Clark are soulmates, but never do get together..But there is a possibility of them dating.
-Smallville is a 3 to 4 hour drive from Metropolis. Scenes where you can see the city from atop a windmill is a major technical error…Metropolis should have been much smaller because it’s farther away.
-Clark will be getting a new power in the second season. Not flying.
-Future episodes may explore Lex’s past and childhood friends.
Other things mentioned by the producers were things like Chloe is basically a “pre-Lois”, Whitney is the most thankless character, they never intended (but didn’t mind) Lionel becoming such an important character, and Sam will have a bigger role in the second season.
That was about it for the question/answer session. Once that was over they showed a BIRDS OF PREY trailer which was unbearably cool, of course as they were showing it I was already trying to make my way to the doors so I could grab my free SMALLVILLE and BIRDS OF PREY posters. I need to figure out what to do with all of them!
For only attending one day of this four-day convention, the Con was a great experience, and something I’m looking forward to attending, all four days, again next year. If you’re in California then you should really try and make it to the Con when it comes around again, it will be an experience you wont soon forget!
~Barb
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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED TRIVIA
(by “M’ral”)
e-mail: mral@zoominternet.net
As you may have guessed, writing this trivia section is getting more and more difficult with each successive issue. It is. It SO is. I’ve decided that it needed a bit of a shake-up anyway, so we’ve brought a new trivia-master on board to test your knowledge. Some of you may know her from the TOONZONE boards. And some of you will be scared of just how much this individual does know. So, without further adieu, put your hands together for M’ral!
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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.
FAMOUS FIRSTS
771. Kevin Conroy’s first line in BTAS (in the episode ON LEATHER WINGS) was NOT as Batman! What character did he play first?
772. What episode featured the rather belated first appearance of the Bat-Signal?
773. On the series, who is the first person we see in the pilot’s seat of the Batwing?
774. Going by episode production order (and not airdate), when was Batman’s first kiss on BTAS, and who was it with?
775. In RIDDLER’S REFORM, what establishment was robbed by the Riddler’s men while Batman and Robin were guarding the First National Bank?
776. What alternate career did Harley Quinn consider in her first episode, JOKER’S FAVOR?
777. Besides some loose cash, what did Tim Drake try to steal from Bruce Wayne in his origin episode, SINS OF THE FATHER?
778. In the pilot episode, ON LEATHER WINGS, Danny Elfman’s Batman’s musical theme was used instead of Shirley Walker’s. Name the other episode of the series in which this happened.
779. In JOKER’S MILLIONS, when the Joker suddenly discovers he is rolling in cash, what is the first thing he buys?
780. Who was the first BTAS Rogue’s Gallery criminal to end up in police custody at the end of an episode?
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AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)
Answer to #771: A police blimp pilot
Answer to #772: THE CAPE AND COWL CONSPIRACY
Answer to #773: Alfred, in THE FORGOTTEN
Answer to #774: Poison Ivy, in PRETTY POISON
Answer to #775: Zole’s Jewelry
Answer to #776: Beautician
Answer to #777: A gold watch
Answer to #778: THE LAST LAUGH
Answer to #779: A psychologist
Answer to #780: Poison Ivy, in PRETTY POISON
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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:
Wow, I think we’ve covered everything.
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
But have you?
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FIGURE THIS OUT!
(by Marc Rosenzweig)
GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS FELLOW GOTHAMITES!
Sorry for my long absence. I have been very busy with family and work-related matters…but I’m back with a vengeance, and have I got news for you!
First and most importantly, Subway Sandwich Shops have been running a promotion with their KID PAC value meals that include the JUSTICE LEAGUE ANIMATED CHARACTERS. This set of collector premiums is made up of mini figurines, posable, some not, yet all cool!
JUSTICE LEAGUE GROUP SHOT: http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-017s.jpg
All the key characters are represented. The two most important figures to secure are the Batman and Superman Translucent figures. As I spoke with the corporate offices of Subway, the manufacturer of these toys had trouble with the injection molds and the rubberoid material used in the production of these wonderful mini figures 3.5 to 4 inches tall. Both Batman and Superman are made from this clear synthetic that gives them a rubbery flexible feel. As you look at them, it appears as if they are glowing. It seems that a new concept was attempted in creating these two figures and it came off fairly well, unfortunately, it did not bode well in the manufacturing process as it caused problems in production.
This has limited their availability to the Subway chains and thus you and I, the collectors.
SUPERMAN: http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-005s.jpg
BATMAN: http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-003s.jpg
When you turn the figures around and look at the back of them, you can see that when being designed and created, the arms, legs and back have been scooped out in a concave fashion to leaving grooves in the lengths of their legs and arms. As for the back of the upper torso itself, Superman can be viewed more closely than Batman as Superman’s cape is removable, but Batman’s cape and cowl are all molded as one piece glued in place. You will see how the sculptors scooped out the entire back of his upper body and they painted it from the back of the character’s bodies to which they also applied the paint into the legs and arms grooves. When you look at either Batman or Superman from the front, it appears as if they are glowing the color through their bodies. If you were to hold them up to a light, you can see how this process occurs from their post production creation.
Flash and Wonder Woman are adorned as removable PVC figurines on sippy-straws tying into the Sandwich Shop’s utilitarian theme where toys & food bring in the family customers. These figures are PVC molded with each character logo outlining behind and encircling their body in order to attach to the straw as a decoration. They both conform to the size specs of about 4 inches but their logo outlines make them appear bigger when standing by themselves. As a collector/customizer myself, I have yet to do this but have given it much thought in cutting them off their display logos and glue them to some old G.I. Joe stands so that they can join their brethren on my p.c. mantle in my home office.
WONDER WOMAN #1: http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-012s.jpg
WONDER WOMAN #2: http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-019s.jpg
FLASH #1: http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-014s.jpg
FLASH #2: http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-020s.jpg
As for the other figures in this assortment, Martian Manhunter comes with a removable cape and sports four points of articulation. Both his arms and legs move back and forth independently for minimal posture posing. Jon Stewart as the Green Lantern also comes with the same 4 points of articulation so that you may place him on his stand and have his right arm raised in the air as if he is about to fire a green burst of Lantern energy at you.
GREEN LANTERN: http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-006s.jpg
Last but far from least is our ever-aggressive Hawkgirl. She comes with technically only two true points of articulation as she is holding her mace in both hands and they can only me as one. Hawkgirl can also twist at the waist. Her legs are molded solid so as to help support the weight of her wings which are detachable as one piece.
HAWKGIRL: http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-006s.jpg
Keeping in mind that no true fast food promotional tie-in would be complete without a child’s 3-and-under toy. Nor would your collection be complete if you did not pick up Subway’s very own 3-and-under JLA toy. This is the blue hard plastic football shaped space-ship toy that brandishes a sticker in the middle of the top side of all the Super Heroes leaping at you. Seeing as how the whole point of a “3 & Under” toy is meant to be ultra baby proof safe, you just couldn’t get any safer than this one. The football shaped craft is big enough that an adult couldn’t fit this into their mouth let alone a baby so there is no fear of anyone choking on it. There are no small parts that may break off while an infant is sucking or teething on this toy, save for the sticker which is made out of paper and is digestible anyway. As a father of four, I must always concern myself with the safety factors of these toys! You just have to get it if you are a TRUE COLLECTOR!
3-AND-UNDER TOY: http://www.geocities.com/twofacetower5/Mvc-021s.jpg
Each of the single figures comes with a circular base with sprues which fit into the bottom of all of their feet except for the Straw attached figures of Wonder Woman and Flash. But as I mentioned earlier, it would be real easy to cut those two from their logos and attach them to standard bases in order to utilize them for something as cool as making them all chess pieces for your very own Super Hero Chess set. The only problem is there are no villains in this assortment, as I have not seen any villain figures created that would match the 3.5 – 4 inch scale for these cool little characters.
Now don’t forget to check out these cool Subway toys by viewing the photo links listed below hosted by our parent website TOONZONE.NET! And for any of you Cartoon Network fans out there, I understand Subway is already featuring another new cartoon fav of mine in toy tie-ins… SAMURAI JACK! Stay tooned!
On another note, I have Hasbro news! TWO DIFFERENT SETS OF BATMAN 4 PACKS HAVE HIT THE STORES! As most of you are aware from my last article about Toy Fair 2002, Hasbro has exclusive figure set contracts with TOYS R US. The first of at least three more boxed sets was released last month and are still on the shelve as of this writing. The Shadows of Gotham, which contains the Tim Drake Robin along side our standard re-paint of the Detective Batman and then you have the Father/Daughter team of Ra’s Al Ghul and Talia! Both appear to be new sculpted bodies.
The other four-pack that was just released last week is REVENGE OF THE PENGUIN which includes an older sculpted Batman figure with the 1st Robin figure (the Dick Grayson version) and the original animated Catwoman figure. The key figure from this set is the notorious waddling, umbrella toting Penguin from the animated series. In this boxed set though, he does not have on his trench coat, just his vest, top hat, and tie.
As for the third Boxed set exclusive including Scarface and the Ventriloquist, I can only hope that it is released in time for the holiday seasons so I can put it on my wish list!
And for you fanatics like me that have to have every single animated batman figure that comes out… if you haven’t gotten your Wal-mart two-pack exclusives yet, you may not be able to unless you go through eBay. It appears the supply of these has dried up and eBay seems to be the only place I have seen them since. These are the Batman/Riddler boxed set, Batman and Two-Face, Batman and Robin, Batman and the Joker, and Batman and Superman.
Good luck & Happy hunting.
-Marc
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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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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 hypocrisy for ya!
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/linkpage.htm
NEWSGROUPS
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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
FORUMS
—–
http://forums.toonzone.net
(Our affiliate at Toonzone, of course.)
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: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton, and anyone that writes in
COMIC REVIEWS: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
FIGURE THIS OUT: Marc Rosenzweig
“BTAN ARCHIVES” MODERATOR: Eileen Delgadillo, Craig “Gookie” Crumpton
TRIVIA: “M’ral”
PROMOTIONS, JUST GETTIN’ THE WORD OUT: Dick Grayson, Eileen Delgadillo, Brian Cruz, Brian Davis
DELIVERY: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
E-MAIL RECEPTION HANDLING: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
THE CREATION OF THIS NEWSLETTER INSPIRED BY: Alan J. Porter (of GWN)
BATMAN CREATED BY: Bob Kane & Bill Finger (who else?)
Batman and all related indica are trademarks of DC Comics, Copyright c 2002.
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