Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Week of May 3 – May 8/9, 1999
Volume 2,
Rated: PG for some “low-key coarse language and occasional griping”THIS WEEK’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “WHAT? YOU SAW GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES IN OUR LAST ISSUE? SO SUE US! Have a nice day.”
____________________________
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to another issue of “Batman: The Animated Newsletter”. Enjoy!
____________________________
NEW EPISODE(S)
This section will just basically give an insight into what the new episodes are about and hopefully a synopsis of the episode. This section will feature both new Superman and new Batman episodes.
THE LOSS OF THE WB ON WGN: Beginning this fall, the WB will no longer be carried on WGN-TV’s national feed to avoid conflicts with other WB affiliates. WGN-TV will continue carrying the prime time WB in the Chicago area. If you’re outside the Chicago area and know of no other way to pick up the WB, you may call them at (818)977-5000 for more information. This is taken from the info section of the WGN website, http://www.wgn.com . Thank you for Peter Destructo for pointing this out.
KidsWB will soon be shown on a new channel called “WeB” – I know little about this – but if you can get that channel, I’m pretty sure the WB shows would be on.
‘A FISH STORY’
Superman #54
Air date: May 8, 1999
When marine life in Metropolis threaten the citizens, Lois Lane discovers it is because Lex Luthor has taken Aquaman as a prisoner.
‘DISAPPEARING INQUE’
Batman Beyond #12
Air date: May 8, 1999
Inque returns!
‘UNITY’
Superman #??
Air date: May 15, 1999
Supergirl teams up with Superman to save the Kents and the rest of Smallville from an alien threat.
‘A TORTURE OF CURARE’
Batman Beyond #11?
Air date: May 15, 1999
I guess this is the long-awaited episode focusing on Curare.
‘THE DEMON REBORN’
Superman #??
Air date: ??
BATMAN’S FINAL CURRENT-DAY ANIMATED APPEARANCE! This episode features Batman and Superman teaming up to take down Ra’s Al Ghul, who has plans to send the world back to its natural, pre-human state. WOOHOO! THE BAT IS BACK! Airs in May.
‘LEGACY (Pt. 1 & 2)’
Superman #??
Air date: ??
This two-parter features the final showdown between Superman and Darksied in which he strips Superman of his memory and adopts him as a son in an effort to take over Earth. Now it seems this won’t air until September! Argh!
___________________________
WB ANIMATION SCHEDULES:
(courtesy of Brian Cruz and/or the official BTAS/STAS site)
This section of the newsletter highlights the schedule and times that WB airs The New Batman/Superman Adventures. For most affiliates it airs Monday – Friday at 4pm (ET) and Saturdays beginning at 8am (ET). WGN airs Batman/Superman Monday – Friday at 10am (ET) and Sundays beginning at 8am (ET). There’s a chance that your local WB channel airs it at a differant time. To find out when, we recommend you follow this URL (provided by Toonzone): http://www.toonzone.net/brian/stations/index.html
PS – Remember that “Batman Beyond” airs 30 minutes AFTER “Batman/Superman” is over, because “Men In Black” has been squeezed in between.
“SUPERMAN TEAM-UP WEEK” – a week dedicated to the best team-ups of the Superman animated series, to hype everyone up about the upcoming team-up with Superman and Aquaman. Even the Batman episodes seem to follow this format…
Mon 5-03-99: Batman #97 Over the Edge (Batman, Robin, Nightwing, and Alfred; Batgirl DIES)
Superman #22 Speed Demons (Superman with THE FLASH)
Tue 5-04-99: Batman #101 Animal Act (Batman and Nightwing)
Superman #34 Heavy Metal (Superman with STEEL)
Wed 5-05-99: Superman #43 New Kids in Town (Superman with THE LEGION)
Batman #107 Chemistry (Batman and HIS WIFE?)
Thu 5-06-99: Superman #37 Little Girl (Pt. 1) (teams up with SUPERGIRL)
Superman #38 Little Girl (Pt. 2) (again, with SUPERGIRL)
Fri 5-07-99: Batman #102 Old Wounds (Dick Grayson departs from the Bat-team)
Superman #50 In Brightest Day (teams up with GREEN LANTERN)
Sat 5-08-99: Batman #103 The Demon Within (Batman and the Demon)
Superman #54 Fish Story ———NEW!!!
B-Beyond #12 Disappearing Inque ———NEW!!!
Note: All episodes #86 and onward of BATMAN are considered THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES while the original 85 are considered BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES (BTAS) episodes.
_____________________________
CARTOON NETWORK WB ANIMATION SCHEDULE:
“Yabba Dabba Doom”
(courtesy of Brian Cruz)
THE CARTOON NETWORK was able to get the exclusive rights to 52 episodes of the classic BTAS, as well as both animated movies. BTAS airs Monday-Friday at 6pm (ET) and then repeated again at midnight. If our schedule listings is not complete or up to date then please go to TOONZONE for the complete episode schedule at:
http://www.toonzone.net/brian/schedules/batman-cn.html
NOTE #1: BATMAN & MR. FREEZE: SUB-ZERO will be airing again on CARTOON NETWORK on May 22nd at 8pm (ET) as apart of their CARTOON THEATRE
NOTE #2: CARTOON NETWORK will be having a BATMAN ‘SUPER-CHUNK’ on May 29th. The 3 hour BATMAN Super-Chunk will be from 4pm-7pm (ET). The ‘SUPER-CHUCK’ means that we’ll have three hours worth of BATMAN episodes.
_____________________________
EPISODE REVIEW: (SPOILERS!)
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
All of Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton’s reviews of the new-style BTAS episodes and BATMAN BEYOND can be found via these links, which link to “Two-Face’s Tower of Tranquility and Terror”:
MAIN PAGE: http://www.angelfire.com/tx/TimTwoFace/index.html
BTAS PAGE: http://www.angelfire.com/tx/TimTwoFaceText/bats.html
SPELLBOUND
Written by: Robert Goodman
Directed by: Butch Lukic
Animation by: Dong Yang
Original air date: May 1, 1999
My rating: ***1/2
A student, a clothing designer, and a woman on her wedding day all become the victim of a new villain in Gotham, who manipulates them into giving them all their valuable possessions – artifacts, expensive dresses, and jewels. This villain is known simply as “Spellbinder”.
While Spellbinder originated in the comics like the Royal Flush Gang did, he draws a lot of attributes from both the Scarecrow and, even moreso, the Mad Hatter, who use various forms of mind-control on their victims. To get the riches he wants, Spellbinder uses a large hypnotic orb on his victims which puts them in a transe – a dream-like state, which HE controls – like the Mad Hatter. Soon, however, these transes turn into nightmares (a la the Scarecrow) in such a way that the victim would give up their valuables – dropping them, throwing them away, or even giving them to Spellbinder himself.
So let’s see: a cool gimmick-villain, even if it’s not completely original, but, unfortunately, is only after money. “I wish I could say there was a loftier purpose than just the money” (ahhh…a misquote from “Speed”, I’m sure), but that’s just it. But why is this guy doing it? Spellbinder turns out to be a psychologist at Terry’s high school, who is fed up with his patients not respecting him enough by paying him more – so he steals from them to break even. All three of the victims had a connection to him…and things only grow worse when Bruce learns that Terry went to see him once, which puts all of Bruce’s valuables in danger.
Cool things to look for? Spellbinder’s costume is kinda cool…a red-and-black stripe pattern. In one scene Terry’s Bat-suit gets torn to shreds, and the resulting visual is quite impressive. A hint to Dick Grayson’s whereabouts is made – or, more precisely, where he stands with Bruce right now – and from Bruce’s reaction, not very good at all. It’s also hinted at the end of the episode that Barbara Gordon now knows that Terry is the new Batman…hmmm…she’s either much smarter than her father or Terry is not as good at keeping a secret as Bruce is.
Butch Lukic’s episodes are always visually impressive, and this one is no exception. Even if I didn’t see his name in the credits, I would’ve known right away it was his work: the hazy animation by the waterside at the beginning is very reminiscent of his work on BTAS episodes like “You Scratch My Back”.
Problems? Final fight is rather quick. What else? Well, if anything, this episode proves that if it weren’t for Bruce, Terry would have been dead by now. Once Terry is put under Spellbinder’s spell, he’s virtually useless; only his video-link with Bruce allowed him to remain alive. And does he thank him? Yeesh, what an ungrateful child…erm…teen…whatever.
Still, a cool episode.
____________________________
EDITORAL #1
(by Laura Hysert, aka “Phoenix”)
*Laura Hysert is proud to introduce a new fan-fic site which she is a large part of. Ladies and gentlemen, here’s DCX! (Whuh???)
—–
DCX…where fans give the DC Universe new life…where stories offer fresh perspectives on your favorite heroes…where Gotham still stands, and Superman doesn’t build robots…
DCX…The universe you thought you knew.
**COMING MAY 23, ONLY TO DCX ( www.imagine-that.org/DCX/ )
What does a homicidal artist have to do to get some respect? When the Joker escapes from Arkham Asylum, he discovers he no longer tops the list of ‘Gotham’s Most Wanted.’ But his scheme to destroy the competition draws the attention of an old man with a dangerous grudge against the Clown Prince of Crime. The first issue of BATMAN: Dark Knight by John Hardin begins the story of a man who shows the Joker why revenge is a dish “Best Served Cold.”
DCX: Best served hot with a drizzle of fudge sauce and two cherries.
After her father went to prison, Stephanie Brown left that painful chapter of her life behind. With her mother’s remarriage, Stephanie’s future seemed bright. But all her dreams of happiness are threatened when her father escapes from prison. Now, with the help of a boy named Robin, she must discover if she is a “Prodigal Daughter.” The story begins in ROBIN: Fly by Knight #1, the start of a monthly series by Brian Bedard.
DCX: Come home.
He may have accepted that he’s not Batman, but Jean-Paul Valley’s troubles in Gotham City aren’t over yet, Just as he’s sliding back into Azrael’s mantle and taking up his crusade against crime, he stumbles upon a truck loaded with women, driving into the night…Azrael’s hunt for answers to this mystery begins in part one of “Harvest,” the debut issue of AZRAEL:
Knight of Vengeance, a monthly series by John R. Stephens.
DCX: We’re not Batman, either. No, really.
What happens when goody two-shoes meets the school bully? A new Batgirl is born, and she’s ready to rumble! Meet the two teens — and an exciting new nemesis — that make it all happen in this month’s BATGIRL: Dark Knight Damsel. You can find “Dusk,” the premiere issue written by Brendan Crowther, at only one place.
DCX: We don’t guess who the new Batgirl is. We KNOW.
**Discover these and many more of your favorite DC characters, including Huntress, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Flash, at DCX. You never know who you’ll find here, so come and see for yourself. Starting May 23.
**And don’t miss these Batman-related titles coming to DCX on JUNE 6:
BATMAN: Shadows of Twilight
CATWOMAN: Night Moves
NIGHTWING: Bludhaven Nights
**And on JUNE 20, catch the debut of ORACLE: Hidden Voice.
-Laura Hysert
____________________________
EDITORIAL #2
(by Michael Mandeville)
batboym@wtp.net
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and girls, Children of all ages, Batman: The Animated Newsletter proudly brings to you, the second main editorial in this newsletter…The Batboy of Beyond!
Greetings. This article will be centered Batboy’s analyses of the first Batman Beyond episodes:
‘Rebirth (Pt. 1, 2)’
One of the best Batman Beyond episodes. The one where we see Bruce retiring the cape and cowl at an old age and a young boy jumping into the advanced, power, cutting-edge Batman suit. Okay, that’s enough on this episode. What I really like is the reference that Terry gave to Scooby-Doo when he spoke to Ace, “Down Scooby, It’s me.” And Blight’s first appearance.
‘Black Out’
A cute lady named Inque makes her debut. Not much to say here except that Inque is always nude. A big, black, nude, oil splotch named Inque. And Powers starts shedding his skin, revealing the Blight behind the man.
‘Golem’
A geeky kid whom is tired of getting picked on (Hence the movie ‘Waterboy’) steals his Dad’s GLM (Golem), a big machine used for construction and becomes one with it and just about every other electronic devise.
‘the Winning Edge’
BANE! Bane makes his futuristic appearance as an old man. This is a pretty cool episode and Terry’s stupid mom didn’t even listen to him when she found the drugs on him.
‘Dead Man’s Hand’
My FAVORITE of all episodes! The premiere of The Royal Flush Gang (And the VERY hot Ten)! Ten falls in love with Terry (Terry is SO lucky!). Kind of sad story, and Selina Kyle gets mentioned at the end. The best parts are when the episode focuses on Melanie/Ten.
‘Meltdown’
“And behold, thou shalt be a Blight upon the land, and everything I touch shall wither and die.” -Blight
Mr. Freeze returns! Blight makes a BIG appearance! Blight is awesome! Mr. Freeze dies!
Short, but sweet,
Batboy [Beyond]
batboym@wtp.net
____________________________
TO INFINITY AND BATMAN BEYOND
– a column dedicated to “Batman Beyond”
(by Ed Wiser)
ewiser@iglou.com
Ed Wiser will return shortly with a new article – thank you for your patience!
____________________________
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! *EVIL LAUGH* 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.
Clothes do make the man, or so the saying goes. This quiz focuses on the various costumes the Bat-characters have worn.
116. Which of the following characters has been seen dressed as a judge?
A: THE JOKER
B: TWO-FACE
C: HARLEY QUINN
D: COMMISSIONER GORDON
E: BRUCE WAYNE
117. In which episode(s) did Batman wear his “Matches Malone” clothes?
A: NEVER FEAR
B: VENDETTA
C: THE FORGOTTEN
D: SHADOW OF THE BAT (Pt. 2)
E: ROBIN’S RECKONING (Pt. 1)
118. What is the first thing Batman says when he puts on his Anti-Freeze Bat-suit?
A: “I’m sending you to the cooler.”
B: “Put the girl down.”
C: “I don’t think so.”
D: “Damn it, this doesn’t protect me from Firefly at all.”
E: Batman doesn’t own an Anti-Freeze suit on BTAS.
119. Which of the following characters is completely naked at all times?
A: Poison Ivy (her clothes are actually a part of her skin)
B: Clayface
C: Killer Croc
D: Man-Bat
E: Freon
120. In the animated TV show AND comics, one person aside from Andrea Beaumont has been pictured as the one who wears the Phantasm-costume. Which character is that?
A: BATMAN
B: CARL BEAUMONT
C: SALVATORE VALESTRA
D: THE JOKER
E: ARTHUR REEVES
_____________________________
ANSWERS TO THE TRIVIA
Answer to #116: ‘A, B’
Answer to #117: ‘D’
Answer to #118: ‘E’
Answer to #119: ‘B’
Answer to #120: ‘D’
____________________________
LITTLE FACTS
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
Here is a section that just points out various little facts that we have noticed while watching BTAS and STAS countless times. If you have anything to contribute, feel free to do so! Enjoy!
CONBTRIBUTED BY STAFF:
It looks like we here at BTAN will have to go check our retinas…
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(“Blood One”)
1. In “Second Chance”, there’s a preview of the Batman Beyond Batsymbol on the batcycle dashboard. It’s almost the same, though it’s black and doesn’t have as many sides (it doesn’t have as many corners, but looks almost exactly the same).
____________________________
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED FIGURES
(by Kevin Smith)
ktsmit2@ilstu.edu
Oh_Ho77@hotmail.com
Kevin Smith was unable to supply an article for this issue. He shall return shortly.
____________________________
COMIC REVIEWS
(by Aaron Maurer)
Mr. Maurer will return shortly with a new comic review. Thank you for your patience!
____________________________
COMIC SCHEDULES & COVERING THE BASICS
This section gives a little bit more indepth look into each monthly issue of BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES and SUPERMAN ADVENTURES. Below each comic listing is a link to the cover of that comic. TALK ABOUT SERVICE!
The price is $1.99 in the US and..grrrrr…a whopping $3.25 in Canada. (Both our editors and many subscribers are Canadian, hence the “grrr”.)
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #14
May 5th
The final issue of “Gotham Adventures” written by Ty Templeton (we’ll miss you)! This issue follows-up on the storyline in , where Harley resists being seduced by the dark side and returning to the Joker. Her romance novel is panned by critics so she goes on a rampage involving…mind control?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bga/bga14.jpg
NEXT MONTH: – Bane returns! Pulling daring bank robberies throughout Gotham, there are no leads. And no criminal in town seems to know Bane’s whereabouts. Why are his hideout’s neighbors in a rundown part of town Is it simply the threat of his vengeance… or is there some other force at work?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bga/bga15.jpg
BATMAN BEYOND #5
May 19th
On a field trip to the Gotham Museum of Natural History, Terry and his class are menaced by what appears to be a re-animated Egyptian mummy! Other strange events follow as several students contract a mysterious emaciating disease. Is there a connection between these strange occurrences and the new foreign student in school who seems obsessed with Terry’s girlfriend Dana?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bb/bb5.jpg
NEXT MONTH: Issue #5 – The return of Inque. She’s on a mission to steal top-secret data, but there’s more to her plan than meets the eye. Pieces of her body left behind at the scene exhibit strange behavior and could lead Batman to Inque or to his own death, or both.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bb/bb6.jpg
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #33
May 5th
Superman’s greatest enemies have never figured out that Clark Kent and the Man of Steel are one and the same person — until now. Who’s learned the world’s greatest secret, and how can Clark prove him wrong before he reveals it to the entire world?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/sa/sa33.jpg
NEXT MONTH:
Superman’s greatest enemies have never figured out that Clark Kent and the Man of Steel are one and the same person — until now. Who’s learned the world’s greatest secret, and how can Clark prove him wrong before he reveals it to the entire world?
Cover: Unavailable
_____________________________
NEWS AND RUMORS
ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-This week on the WB will be a special Superman team-up week, in honour of the upcoming new episode, “Fish Story”.
-An interview featuring Mark Millar (a previous BTAN interviewee) is now up at the SUPERMAN HOMEPAGE! The link for the page is: http://come.to/superman
“CURRENT” ANIMATED SERIES’
-Rumor has it that the STAS episodes “LEGACY” (two parts) and “UNITY” won’t air until September now.
BATMAN BEYOND
-Apparently the WB is saying that there has been no official announcement of production of a BATMAN BEYOND direct-to-video movie.
-BATMAN BEYOND: THE MOVIE, the complilation of REBIRTH (parts 1 & 2), will be released May 18th, with a rating of PG. Why PG? Violence, and an ‘intense situation’. (Most likely how the death of Terry’s father is revealed, and how Terry reacts) The movie is also 48 minutes long.
ANIMATED COMICS
-On May 5th (not 12th, as earlier stated), DC Comics will be releasing a free BATMAN BEYOND comic. This comic will be shipped out to comic stores all over North America. The 32 page comic will collect the first 2 issues of BATMAN BEYOND, but re-edited. This means some panels will be cut out and made smaller. So basically, if you go to a comic store to pick up comics, just ask on May 12th and you should get one. The BATMAN BEYOND comic is released on May 12th to coincide with the release of BATMAN BEYOND:THE MOVIE on May 18th.
-Lock-Up will be appearing in “Gotham Adventures” sometime after .
– of GOTHAM ADVENTURES features Alfred getting kidnapped, and Batman seemingly not caring at all. Also featuring Robin, Batgirl, and Nightwing.
-Ty Templeton returns in the future with a Joker story for GOTHAM ADVENTURES! Wooohaaa! Also pencilled by Terry Beatty.
-As for Terry, he won’t be inking the ongoing BATMAN BEYOND series this fall. (Argh!)
-An upcoming story for SUPERMAN ADVENTURES involves the Parasite absorbing some of Mr. Mxystplk’s (can ANYONE spell it right?) powers and does damage through space and time. Look for this story in (hopefully)
OTHER COMICS
-For more, see the “Road Through No Man’s Land” section below.
MOVIES
-More BATMAN 5 news. At Cinescape online, a review of the Batman 5 script has popped up. Now it seems Schumacher ISN’T attached to the project, now titled “Batman: Darknight” (no, I didn’t mispell that). Two villains are involved…the Scarecrow, and Man-Bat. People attached to the movie? No one…but rumors for Scarecrow are Geoffrey Rush and Liam “Schindler’s List” Neeson; Man-Bat is rumored to be played by Cuba “Jerry Macguire” Gooding, Jr. Set at Halloween.
Wanna see it yourself? Go here:
http://www.cinescape.com/insider/990429aa.shtml
-WB will be re-releasing the following movies to coincide with BATMAN BEYOND: THE MOVIE this May:
BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM
BATMAN & MR. FREEZE: SUB-ZERO
SUPERMAN: LAST SON OF KRYPTON
THE BATMAN/SUPERMAN MOVIE: WORLD’S FINEST
TOYS & MERCHANDISE
-The video game based on the animated incarnation of Superman will be released this spring. The N64 version will be on May 11, and the Playstation version will be sometime in June.
-Check out “Two-Face’s Trading Post” if you’re interested in purchasing figures…lists provided below.
_____________________________
THE ROAD THROUGH NO MAN’S LAND
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
Yes, I know this isn’t really an animated topic, but I thought, hey, it’s Batman’s 60th anniversary, and this is the big event that celebrates it, so I should have a section dedicated to this year-long crossover. Besides, so far it’s been excellent in every issue. We have this section split up into two parts – the first saying what has already happened, the second previewing what’s to come. Enjoy!
UP UNTIL NOW…
JANUARY: After 100 days of absence, Batman has returned, and took down the Ventriloquist and Scarface; Rhino now runs that sector of town under Batman’s control. First appearance of the new Batgirl.
FEBRUARY: The Scarecrow then took up refuge in the “Faith Sector” of town, where he had a field day tormenting the Huntress, as well as getting a war started between the Penguin and Black Mask. We then learn Batman is not working out of the Batcave anymore, but Arkham Asylum.
Then we see a flashback of Rene Montoya in Downtown Gotham, where she runs into good-Samaritan Two-Face, who is helping the people there, due to the luck of the coin.
MARCH: Batman then confronts the Penguin in the Iceberg Lounge, winning a small victory; Penguin loses credibility as a result. Gordon “makes a deal with the devil”. Then Black Mask attacks Oracle in the GCPD sector of town; he is apprehended by Batgirl and sent to a prison run by Lock-Up and KGBeast. Black Mask is presumably killed by Tally Man in prison.
APRIL: We see Alfred telling a story to a bunch of homeless people, which parrallels what has happened to him since NO MAN’S LAND began. Alfred lived solo for 100 days, and, after attempting to protect a bunch of “slaves” from some thugs, Batman returns to save his life.
Then we see a story of a man who tries to protect his house from the likes of Mr. Zsasz, Killer Croc, Mr. Freeze, and the Joker; speaking of the Joker, Batman sends Azrael to find him – this is the first major Joker appearance in No Man’s Land. Superman then arrived in Gotham, and within 24 hours, took out the Mad Hatter and granted electrical power to Gotham; Mr. Freeze runs the power-plant sector of town and confronted Superman, but was left alone after Superman left town. Superheroes can fix the city physically, but mentally, there is still a lot of work to do.
Most recently, we see Batman trying to settle various smaller squabbles throughout Gotham. He saves a baby from two hopeful-adoptive mothers (sorta), saves a man from going crazy and faking murders (sorta), and so forth. We learn that the Penguin is in for some competition – there’s another food-supplier in town – but who? The best part is when Alfred retells Batman a touching story about his Thomas Wayne’s run-in with the law.
That’s 18 issues of NML so far. For a complete list, e-mail us.
WHAT’S TO COME…
-Rest of April: Alfred is the focus again.
-May: “Claim-Jumping” (2 parts). The GCPD confront the Penguin, and Batman confronts Two-Face, in the first major turf war in Gotham since “Black Monday”; in the end, Two-Face remains triumphant, but no word on how the Penguin battle will finish. The Penguin and Two-Face stories are said to be two of the most important segments in the battle in No Man’s Land.
-May: Francine Langstrom comes to the Penguin for help, which results in Man-Bat returning to Gotham.
-June: Batgirl’s identity is revealed in LOTDK #120. Then, Batman and Robin battle Clayface for the life of Poison Ivy in “Fruit of the Earth” (3 parts). And don’t forget Harley’s intro!
-July: Batman and Mr. Freeze battle in the heat of the summer at the power plant, determining who controls Chinatown.
-See more below.
AS FOR THE OTHER HEROES:
-Batgirl’s identity is revealed in LOTDK#120, this June.
-Robin and Nightwing return to Gotham in June!
-Robin’s first duty is to aid Batman in saving Poison Ivy from Clayface.
-Nightwing is ordered by Batman to take control of Blackgate Prison after returning to Gotham in July; Lock-Up is unhappy with this.
-Robin, Superboy, Impulse, and a bunch of the “Young Justice” heroes come to Gotham to try and fix things up.
-Azrael and Batgirl team up to take down Nicholas Scratch, in a giant comic also featuring Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Joker, Penguin, and Two-Face.
-Catwoman breaks back into Gotham in Catwoman #72, this July.
-A one-shot focussing on how Harvey Bullock is handling No Man’s Land is also due out; Black Mask appears. Told in flashback, a la BATMAN CHRONICLES #16.
-Superman will return to Gotham in October.
AND AS FOR THE REMAINING VILLAINS…
-Two-Face has seized control of the political and financial districts in Downtown Gotham. In the first major turf war of NO MAN’S LAND, the GCPD confronts the Penguin, Batman tries to take Two-Face down but fails in his first attempt. Two-Face then releases the Russian assassin “Echo” from Blackgate Prison, who goes on a killing spree, with a bounty on Batgirl’s head.
-Two-Face re-appears in another big way later on in No Man’s Land, apparently as the second-last villain to be defeated. (How fitting.)
-Man-Bat appears, thanks to the Penguin and Francine Langstrom.
-Poison Ivy has sought refuge in the Robinson Park and turned it into a Garden-of-Eden paradise. But then Clayface appears and turns this Eden into a Hell for Ivy.
-Black Mask and “The Widow Wacker” confront Bullock in a special one-shot due out in June.
-The one-shot comic featuring Harley Quinn’s intro to the mainstream Bat-universe will also come out this June.
-Mr. Freeze seizes control of the power plant to stay alive – and to have something valuable to trade with the rest of society. His story involves – a plumber? Freeze also controls Chinatown. (LOTDK #121)
-Bane tries to gain control of the city – again – but has to break in from the outside – across the river filled with land mines. Batgirl also has a significant role. This is in Detective Comics #736, in July.
-Lock-Up is in trouble when Nightwing tries to take over control of Blackgate Prison in July!
-The Joker doesn’t appear as a major player until close to the end, along with the new, improved Harley Quinn – whom will appear with the Joker AND Poison Ivy in August.
-The Mad Hatter, Killer Croc, Mr. Zsasz, and various other “lesser” villains have their own chunks of Gotham to rule as well.
-Ra’s Al Ghul, meanwhile, is in Washington D.C. battling Anarky in his new ongoing series.
_____________________________
TWO-FACE’S TRADING POST
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
I know that there are many people out there that collect Batman OR Superman items – like
myself. I only started a year ago and, believe me, finding some of these items (like action figures) that were released a couple years ago is pretty tough! So, I decided to start up a
little section in the newsletter to help out our fellow Bat-fans. I can only personally guarantee that my entries are 100% true, for I saw these items with my own eyes. So we’re working on the honour system here. Sound fair?
ALSO if you are LOOKING for something, e-mail me and I can put your request in the “WANT TO BUY” section. There is the possibility that a fellow subscriber is willing to sell what you’re looking for!
IMPORTANT QUERY: Many fans have been unable to see any of the new-style BTAS episodes, and any of the STAS or BATMAN BEYOND episodes. Can someone who is in the know point out a website that tells the copyright laws regarding taping episodes off the TV and selling them to people who want ’em? I’m not saying we’re doing this – but I know it would help many out. So if anyone has any official info on this (or, better yet, if someone from the WB network contact us), that’d be great. In the meantime, we won’t be selling or trading any home-recorded BTAS episodes here.
Well, here we go! I hope this helps out someone out there!
1. JOKERZ LEADER. Mail editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton if you are interested in the Jokerz Leader figure from the new “Batman Beyond” line, in a near-mint package. Pic available. E-mail: juno@direct.ca
2. KILLER CROC. Editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton has a spare Killer Croc figure lying around, in a mint package. Pic available. E-mail juno@direct.ca if interested.
3. THE MAD HATTER. Yup! Editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton has one spare BTAS “Mad Hatter” figure (in a mint-condition package) in his possession that he is willing to get rid of. This is the only Mad Hatter figure in existance (to our collective knowledge), and is a wonderful figure besides! Sure, that was a shameless plug, but it IS a cool figure. Pic available. If interested, e-mail: juno@direct.ca
4. TNBA EASTER EGG. From England. An approx. 5″X8″ box with great artwork all the way around. Contains a large red-foil wrapped chocolate Easter egg (good until 7-99) and some gum-drop-like candies. Cost is $25.00 per egg which includes shipping and insurance within the US. Email for scanned pic, or if interested: keatking@icehouse.net
5. Wow! Look at all this! If you want any of the following, or are even interested, e-mail Craig at NextNexus@aol.com -Scans are available for all the figures, too. All figures are MOC (mint, on card), and from the various BTAS lines.
Quick-change Bruce Wayne (red outfit)
Quick-change Bruce Wayne in yellow outfit = $35 RARE!
Turbojet Batman
Anti-Freeze Batman
Sky Dive Batman
Decoy Batman (orange “Mask of the Phantasm” card)
Total Armor Batman (“MotP” card)
Robin (w/Turbo Glider)
Dick Grayson/Robin
Ninja Robin
Joker, green face (w/”Laughing Gas” spray gun – original BTAS Joker fig.)
Jet Pack Joker, rare green face (“MotP” card)
Penguin MOC
Mr. Freeze (original deco)
Man-Bat
Clayface
Harley Quinn
Bane (original BTAS card)
———-
WANTS TO BUY
1. CLAYFACE. Anyone know where to get a “Legends of the Dark Knight” Clayface figure? I know it’s not animated, but it still counts for this column…can anyone help? E-mail: juno@direct.ca
2. COMBAT BELT BATMAN, and BTAS BATMOBILE. If you know where to find these figures – or a BTAS Batwing (I’m pretty sure one was made) e-mail this address: cnwitkow@concentric.net
____________________________
FEATURED BAT-SITES FOR THIS ISSUE
TERRY BEATTY and WENDY LEE WEBSITE
Yep! You heard right! A site dedicated to showing off the talents of “Batman: Gotham Adventures” inker, Terry Beatty! And there’s a lot more here than just the expected Bat-content…a very good site indeed! The site also provides info on how to make bids for their artwork at EBay. To check it out, go here:
http://www.muscanet.com/~wlee
____________________________
ANIMATED BATMAN/SUPERMAN SITES:
* – indicates a shameless plug for a site a certain double-faced editor created with his bare hands – in other words, a cheap advertising technique.
OFFICIAL SITES
—–
THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
http://www.batman-superman.com
BATMAN:THE ANIMATED SERIES
http://www.batmantas.com
BATMAN BEYOND
http://www.batmanbeyond.com
SUB-ZERO: THE DEFINTIE GUIDE
http://www.batman-subzero.com
DC COMICS
http://www.dccomics.com
TOON ZONE
http://www.toonzone.net
RAVING TOY MANIAC
http://www.toymania.com
VOICE CHASERS
http://www.voicechasers.org
UNOFFICIAL SITES
—–
*TWO-FACE’S TOWER OF TRANQUILITY AND TERROR
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/TimTwoFace/index.html
BRIAN CRUZ’ WB CARTOON PAGE
http://www.toonzone.net/brian/index.html
BRIAN’S BATMAN PAGE
http://members.aol.com/bdavis2613/main.html
GOTHAM GAZETTE
http://members.aol.com/gothamajp
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED HOMEPAGE
http://www3.sympatico.ca/quartet/home.htm
RA’S AL GHUL’S THE LAZARUS PIT
http://www.aitnet.et/lazaruspit
THE DARK KNIGHT
http://www.darkknight.ca
ANIMANIA
http://hjem.get2net.dk/twt/home.htm
HARLEY’S HAVEN OF HEDONISM
http://www.angelfire.com/hi/harlequinhideaway
THE ANIMATED BAT
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/7382/index.html
BATMAN/SUPERMAN SNAP JUDGMENTS
http://www.snapjudgments.com/batsup.html
BATMAN BEYOND MULTIMEDIA
http://www.prophecysite.com/batman.htm
THE BATCOMPUTER
http://members.spree.com/batcomputer
BATMAN: FOREVER KNIGHT
http://batman.techv.net
WORLD’S FINEST
http://members.spree.com/sip/worldsfinest
CHARACTERS ON THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN & ROBIN
http://www.xse.com/leres/batman.html
ARKHAM ASYLUM
http://animation.acmecity.com/saturday/352
JLA: THE ANIMATED SERIES
http://animation.acmecity.com/character/375
THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES: THE UNOFFICIAL SITE
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Makeup/5158
ANIMATED TALES
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dunes/2294/at
BATMAN BEYOND: WELCOME TO THE FUTURE
http://www.batmanbeyond.net
MESSAGE BOARDS
—–
HEAVY DUTY DUBBAS DISCUSSION CENTER
http://members.spree.com/sip/hddboards
SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED MESSAGE BOARD
http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb158314
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@direct.ca
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 artcile, 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 archives contain 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/wbc/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@direct.ca and put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
For more information the newsletter just email btaninfo@yahoo.com
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, jokes, reviews and other articles. We hope you’ve all enjoyed it as much as we’ve enjoyed making it! See ya next time!
CREDITS FOR BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER
EDITORS: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton and “Dick Grayson”
AIR DATE SCHEDULES: Brian Cruz
BTAS REVIEWS: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
EDITORIAL #1: Laura Hysert
EDITORIAL #2: Michael Mandeville
BATMAN BEYOND COLUMN: Ed Wiser
COMIC REVIEWS: Aaron Maurer
TOY REVIEW: Kevin Smith
“BTAN ARCHIVES” MODERATOR: Eileen Delgadillo
TRIVIA: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
ROAD THROUGH NO MAN’S LAND: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
TWO-FACE’S TRADING POST: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
PROMOTIONS AND JUST GETTIN’ THE WORD AROUND: Dick Grayson, Eileen Delgadillo, Brian Cruz, Brian Davis
THOSE WHO FILL IN FOR OTHERS WHEN THEY FOUL UP:-P Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
DELIVERY: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
E-MAIL RECEPTION HANDLING: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
BATMAN CREATED BY: Bob Kane (who else?)
Batman and all related indica are trademarks of DC Comics, Copyright c 1999.
_____________________________
-In memory of all the kids killed in yet another fatal school shooting, this one in Taber, Alberta, Canada. And then in the UK…luckily no deaths, but still…when will this madness end?