Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of June 18, 2001 – June 24, 2001
Volume 4,
Rated: PG for some “low-key coarse language and occasional griping”
THIS ISSUE’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “Wow, 95 issues – even SHADOW OF THE BAT and CATWOMAN never made it this far!”
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
-CHECK OUT THE NEWS SECTION FOR A WHOLE BUNCH OF JLA ANIMATED SERIES INFORMATION!!!!
-BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES OF OUR ‘RETURN OF THE JOKER’ GIVEAWAY! SCROLL DOWN TO JUST
BELOW OUR Letters to the Editor Section FOR DETAILS!
Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
-who’s pumped, baby…pumped!
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EAGERLY ANTICIPATING…
New episodes are on the horizon! Here’s what we can expect in the near future…
Unfortunately, there are no new Batman-related episodes debuting in the near future. We’ll just have to wait until the JLA debuts this fall.
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KIDS WB ANIMATION SCHEDULES:
(courtesy of Toonzone & Kids’WB!)
Kids’WB! currently airs BATMAN BEYOND on weekdays and weekends. Remember, Kids’WB! is notorious for switching schedules around at the very last minutes. Batman Beyond currently airs at 11:30am (ET) on Saturdays and during a 3-4pm block on Monday-Thursday. Check out these links if we are unable to update our schedule:
http://www.kidswb.com/cgi-local/sched.cgi?976584931
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/epsched.htm
http://www.toonzone.net/shows/schedules
NOTE:
If our schedule is not updated, then go to the following URL. It will ALWAYS contain the most up-to-date schedule possible:
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/epsched.htm
THIS WEEK:
Mon 06-18-01: B-BEYOND #09 Spellbound
Tue 06-19-01: B-BEYOND #18 Bloodsport
Wed 06-20-01: B-BEYOND #48 Curse of the Kobra (Pt. 1)
Thu 06-21-01: B-BEYOND #49 Curse of the Kobra (Pt. 2)
NEXT WEEK: (NOT YET AVAILABLE)
Mon 06-25-01: B-BEYOND #38 Big Time
Tue 06-26-01: B-BEYOND #43 Betrayal
Wed 06-27-01: B-BEYOND #50 The Call (Pt. 1)
Thu 06-28-01: B-BEYOND #51 The Call (Pt. 2)
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CANADIAN EPISODE SCHEDULE
(BATMAN on YTV – courtesy of our friends at YTV)
BATMAN BEYOND will be returning to show the remainder of its 52 episode run to YTV shortly! Keep reading here in future issues for details!
YTV currently has the rights to air all 109 episodes of BTAS. YTV usually airs these episodes in either chronological order, or in the original order they aired on Kids’WB! and FOX. Batman now airs at 3:40am Monday – Friday (well, technically, Tuesday – Saturday). If our schedules are not updated or are inaccurate, please use these links:
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/epsched.htm
http://www.ytv.com/ytvguide
THIS WEEK: (this week may be slightly inaccurate)
Mon 06-18-01: BTAS #28 Dreams in Darkness
Tue 06-19-01: BTAS #18 Beware the Grey Ghost
Wed 06-20-01: BTAS #35 Cat Scratch Fever
Thu 06-21-01: BTAS #45 Terror in the Sky
Fri 06-22-01: BTAS #49 I am the Night
NEXT WEEK: (this schedule may also be slightly inaccurate)
Mon 06-25-01: BTAS #46 Almost Got ‘Im
Tue 06-26-01: BTAS #42 Moon of the Wolf
Wed 06-27-01: BTAS #02 Christmas with the Joker
Thu 06-28-01: BTAS #37 Heart of Steel (Pt. 1)
Fri 06-29-01: BTAS #38 Heart of Steel (Pt. 2)
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THE CARTOON NETWORK
Cartoon Network has the right to air all 109 BTAS episodes, as well as all 54 SUPERMAN episiodes. Cartoon Network currently airs both shows in rotation and together during the weekday Toonami block. Since Cartoon Network is unpredictable with their schedules, we may be unable to keep up with them. Please, use these links to find out the schedule information you need:
Here is where you can find an air date schedules:
http://www.CartoonNetwork.com/TOONAMI/lineup/batman.html
http://www.CartoonNetwork.com/TOONAMI/lineup/Superman.html
http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv/schedule.html
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EPISODE REVIEW: (SPOILERS!)
(by Justin Chen and/or Zanna)
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/btas.html
The creative team for this column alternates between Zanna and Justin Chen, two loyal subscribers and great friends of ours here. Any other reviews printed here are written by editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton. Enjoy!
With no new episodes debuting, we have nothing to review…anyone wanna submit reviews of older BTAS episodes? We’re always taking submissions!
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EDITORIAL
(by anyone willing to contribute)
This space is for sale. Please make all inquiries out to juno@dccnet.com
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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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Tim,
Although I agree there may still be a market out there for a Batman Beyond comic, the premise is shaky. Many of the older “core” Batman fans (myself included) never really were sold on the premise of Terry as Future Batman. I think it was universally agreed (and as Bruce himself says to Nightwing, Batgirl, and Robin in the animated series) “I always assumed when I retired, that all of you would take over.” Or something like that. The point is: Nightwing, or Robin would have been believable, creating a teen-age character just to appeal to a younger audience really pissed off a lot of fans for screwing around with the canon! I actually enjoyed the thought of an aging Bruce, still bitter, still brooding (much the same character as in “Kingdom Come”), but as mentioned, Dick or Tim would have made more sense for continuity.
As far as the toys; Batman TAS, and Batman TNA figures were always “on model”, and fantastic. Detective Batman, to me, will always be THE definitive Batman action figure. The Batman Beyond figures, on the other hand were hideous, and a joke. In fact, the first BB figure wasn’t even colored correctly, it was purple! It was little things like this that showed a total lack of respect both from WB, and also Hasbro/Kenner, that spelled doom for Batman Beyond. Not to bad mouth Hasbro/Kenner; they continue to outdo themselves (and collectors!) with yearly releases of exclusive figures (last year’s Alfred, and this year’s Jim Gordon!)
It’s just that it never seemed that enough time and effort was put into the BB idea, more like; let’s make a quick buck off this, and ride it as long as we can. Just my opinion, anyways.
-Bill Curtis
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TWO-FACE’S SIDE OF THE COIN
Bill,
I can totally see what you mean. Back in 1997 or 1998 (whenever the plans of the originally titled “Batman Tomorrow” surfaced) I originally thought the whole idea was blasphemous. There is only one true Batman, and that’s Bruce Wayne. I thought the comics pretty much confirmed this when the whole Jean-Paul Valley thing ended (thank God), and even Nightwing’s tenure in the cowl was still a little lacking.
Of course, if Batman had to be replaced, I agree with you in saying Nightwing would be the perfect choice, and I think most people would feel similar. However, the WB apparently insisted on BATMAN BEYOND (much to the chagrin of the BTAS crew, Dini, Timm, Burnett, and the rest), so they had to go with it. Hey, it’s a paycheque, right?
The whole idea could have bombed big time, but the thing is, I think they made the whole idea work. There was an even greater suspension of disbelief needed to enjoy the series, but I must admit that on the whole, I thought the entire first season of BATMAN BEYOND was terrific. (There were only about two episodes I didn’t particularly like.)
After that, however, the series kinda took a turn for the bland. More episodes were ordered to cash in on the craze (kina like POKEMON, actually…ugh) but the quality of them diminished. The ongoing subplot that held Season One together did not re-emerge in Season Two, so things got disjointed. That, and with the WB Network becoming even less available to people in Canada, the US, and overseas, people not only became less interested in the series, but couldn’t even watch it if they wanted to. (That’s my own personal take, anyway.)
Everyone clambered to get a copy of RETURN OF THE JOKER, but that’s a special case – everyone’s ears perked up when word got out that some old-style BTAS flashbacks were included and hey, that was the selling point of the movie, wasn’t it? As good as the movie is (censored OR uncensored), the flashback sequence was definately the best part. That’s why episodes like MELTDOWN, THE CALL, and OUT OF THE PAST were also fan favourites – everyone wanted to see more of what happened in the past. Not many of the characters in the future really spoke to the audience – people grew to like Terry, everyone still thought Bruce rocked, hell, even Ace the Bathound was a nice touch – but the rest of the supporting cast just didn’t speak to people. As for the villains, only two really made a big splash (Blight and Inque), but others were appreciated (Curare, Spellbinder, the Royal Flush Gang, Shriek, etc) – the rest of them were very, very forgettable. EARTH MOVER? WILLY WATT? THE TERRIFIC TRIO? No one really cared.
I’m not surprised, though. It took dozens of dedicated Bat-lovers to flesh out Batman and his supporting cast, both heroes and rogues, over the past 62 years. Hell, they’re still creating them now. To have the animated crew be able to keep one very different idea alive and create just a handful of memorable characters over the span of two or three years is still pretty impressive.
As for the comic series, it’s pretty obvious from many of my reviews of the issues that I felt it was pretty sub-par, especially when compared to GOTHAM ADVENTURES. I still respect everyone on that series and hope they move onto better projects – or, better yet, keep the comic alive but with better stories – but up until recently, many of the issues have been rather bland. Not bad, but not memorable either.
And don’t even get me started on that toy line. Even the special RETURN OF THE JOKER line they released was just a bunch of repaints of older BTAS models – all great figures, but couldn’t they come up with something original? This was definately the most neglected area of the BATMAN BEYOND universe – aside from the 200th edition BATMAN figure, none of the figures were all too spectacular – or even decent.
Looking back, we can see BATMAN BEYOND as an experiment that ALMOST worked. It made a huge splash when it originally came out, and lasted much longer than it would have had the animated crews not invested so much time into the series, making it much more than just a show “geared towards a younger audience” as the WB originally intended. However, it’s obvious that as time progressed, people wanted to just move on (to ZETA or the JLA series, for example) and no one stepped in to take their place.
The WB should be happy. They made their money and some quality products along the way; I don’t see BATMAN BEYOND as being forgotten in the future, just not remembered as fondly as the original animated series.
(Then again, the BATMAN BEYOND universe may continue in some way, shape, or form – but no one knows how, just yet.)
All I say is…now with BATMAN BEYOND ka-put for the moment, could someone PLEASE re-focus some energy on BTAS? As good as the JLA may be, I know a number of people that would rather just see the Batman and Superman animated series’ continue – they shouldn’t have been stopped so prematurely in the first place.
;-Y
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‘RETURN OF THE JOKER’ GIVEAWAY
READ BELOW FOR THE RULES AND MORE!
In trying to get people both more involved with the newsletter AND want to help them out at the same time, we’re offering anyone that participates in our FATE OF BATMAN BEYOND poll a chance to win unedited copies of RETURN OF THE JOKER.
The way it works is as follows: Simply vote and state your opinion on what you’d like to see happen with the soon-to-be-defunct BATMAN BEYOND franchise. Anyone who submits a suggestion will be entered into a draw, according to the e-mail address from which their ballot was recieved. We will then randomly select one e-mail address (from a hat, to make it fair) and that participant, if willing, wins a copy of the unedited movie!
If the selected winner for whatever reason declines, there will be another draw for that same week. The catch? The winner, if agreeing, must provide a tape and enough money to cover postage ($5 American) of the tape to and from their place of residence. There will be no extra profit for us at BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER (as that would be illegal) or anything. We just want to get this movie out to more people as it’s not going to be definately released on tape just yet.
NOTE: I am not promoting the act of bootlegging videos for profit, I am merely looking for the cost of the tape and postage, so fans will be able to view the movie as it was supposed to be.
That said, let’s get cracking!
DRAW DATE: of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER – that should be sometime in early
July.
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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED TRIVIA
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
This is one of my favourite sections, where I get to boggle the minds of all our readers! (Mwuhahaha!) This trivia is all animated-related in some form, and can deal with ANY aspect of the show or comics based on the show. Remember, answer the questions WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE ANIMATED CONTINUITY. Now have fun – let’s see how well you do! Answers are provided below.
BLAH
(It’s the summer, and our brains have gone to mush. Mine has, too. Let’s get these relatively
easy questions out of the way, shall we?)
566. Livewire appeared in the BTAS episode that coincides with which of the following numbers?
A: #20
B: #45
C: #67
D: #98
E: #105
567. What is Farmer Brown’s first name?
A: Greg
B: Enoch
C: Duwayne
D: Charlie
E: Arthur
568. Harvey Bullock got into a tiff with Summer Gleason in which episode?
A: LOCK-UP
B: I AM THE NIGHT
C: VENDETTA
D: A BULLET FOR BULLOCK
E: OVER THE EDGE
Answer: _________________
569. In which instance does the Joker finally meet his end?
A: When the Lexwing exploded in WORLD’S FINEST
B: When Batman punched him into the smokestack in MAD LOVE
C: When Robin shot him in RETURN OF THE JOKER
D: When the shark dove into the ocean after him in THE LAUGHING FISH
E: When his DNA-implant fizzled in RETURN OF THE JOKER
F: When he said “Hello, my End, how are you doing today?” (ba-da-bum)
570. In Gotham City, the name “Charlie Collins” would most likely be associated with…
A: Balding and rather pathetic men
B: Fully-haired, slender, strong men
C: Balding men that can summon their guts when need be
D: Fully-haired, slender men that are, in all honesty, weaklings
E: A man with the voice of Ed Begley, Jr., but the body of Ed Begley, Jr.
571. Similarly, “Roxy Rockett” could be used as a term inferring…
A: Spunkiness
B: The love to ride objects with a phallic shape
C: A daredevil attitude
D: An individual needing a lot more character development
E: All of the above
572. If your appendix burst and you hoped to live, but you could only phone one person to help you, which of the following would be your best choice?
A: Leslie Thompkins
B: Bruce Wayne
C: Alfred Pennyworth
D: Pamela Isley
E: Matthew Thorne
573. Which of the following individuals, whether he/she deserves it or not, would most likely have been referred to as an “ambulance chaser” at some point in their career?
A: Jim Gordon
B: Harvey Dent
C: Oswald Cobblepot
D: Alfred Pennyworth
E: Edward Nygma
574. Recall, if you will, the fateful summer of 1997. All right, are we ready? Now, which of the following puns or cliches do not work when speaking of Mr. Freeze?
A: The Iceman Cometh
B: All emotion has been frozen dead in him
C: Let’s kick some ice
D: All right everyone, chill!
E: You’re not sending me to the cooler
575. In which of the following episodes does Bane make an appearance but does NOT appear in the “third act” (or third segment, or final fight, whatever) of the episode?
A: BANE
B: VENDETTA
C: OVER THE EDGE
D: KNIGHT TIME
E: THE WINNING EDGE (Batman Beyond)
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AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)
Answer to #566: E
Answer to #567: B
Answer to #568: D
Answer to #569: E
Answer to #570: C
Answer to #571: E
Answer to #572: A
Answer to #573: B
Answer to #574: B (he still has affection for Nora, so there IS emotion. Ha!)
Answer to #575: D, E
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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:
1) I was just watching Alfred Hitchcock’s REAR WINDOW the other evening and one scene struck me as familiar. At one point in the movie Jimmy Stewart is “talking” to his physical therapist, only saying “Uh Huh” repeated times. She retorts something along the lines of, “What a great conversationalist.” This is almost EXACTLY what happens in the opening of ROBIN’S RECKONING (Pt. 1), where Robin is trying to carry on a conversation with Batman but he obviously isn’t in the chatting mood.
2) Scott McAffee, child actor (I think?), provided the voice for Chris Carlyle (one of Poison Ivy’s step-children) in the BTAS episode HOUSE AND GARDEN. He also provided the voice of nerdy Willy Watt on BATMAN BEYOND.
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(by Craig “Gookie” Crumpton)
3) In the scene of ROTJ where Bruce asks Terry to “give back the Batman suit,” Terry angrily slings his backpack containing the suit at Bruce’s feet. The costume spills out, face down. A second later, it cuts to a shot of Terry running out of the Batcave, and you see the costume lying on the floor face-up, with the red of the Bat-logo glaring brightly. (Kinda seems like the suit has a life of its own, eh?)
4) Also in ROTJ, when Terry discovers Bruce poisoned in the Batcave and then finds the antidote vial under the table, he loads the vial into the spray hypo to administer it to Bruce. Whoa! Pause it right there! Where the freak did that spray hypo come from? There’s not one on the table (I checked with the “zoom” feature on my DVD player), and I seriously doubt Terry keeps a spray hypo in his jacket. (You could almost say Terry pulled it “out of his @$$”.) That’s unless…Terry’s secretly an addict?
5) And finally, in the scene immediately following we find Ace the Bathound lying on the couch, watching a scene from the classic Warner Bros cartoon, “Hare Ribbin'” (1944). It’s enormously ironic to note the fact that this classic short originally had a rather controversial ending involving a handgun and a character committing suicide, an ending which was censored and hasn’t aired on TV in decades. [Jon Cooke’s excellent “Censored Cartoons Page” adds that “some prints of this cartoon exist wherein Bugs grabs the gun and himself administers the gunshot to the dog (through the dog’s mouth)”. — http://www.toonzone.net/looney/ltcuts/ ] Furthermore, it was censored in all the times the cartoon has been released on video. It wasn’t until MGM’s 1997 laserdisc release “Golden Age of Looney Tunes Volume 5” that Looney Tunes fans got to see the full director’s cut, uncensored, with the original ending, for the first time in over 50 years.
(Let’s hope we don’t have to wait that long to see a release of ROTJ uncensored.) It makes me wonder if Paul Dini considered this fact when he chose to use this particular cartoon in ROTJ. (Though I’m sure he’s noted the irony since then.) It was an ironic foreshadowing of what has since become one of the most heavily edited and censored animated features in history.
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FIGURE THIS OUT!
(by Marc Rosenzweig)
Hello to all you people in BAT-FAN LAND!
For those of you out there that read Part One of my interview with Matt Cauley of IRON COW PRODUCTIONS ( http://www.ironcowprod.com ) on customizing action figures, and are eagerly awaiting Part Two, your wait is over!
Almost.
Matt is back from his personal business and was able to graciously dedicate some time for me to finish our interview! For those readers who may have missed Part One, featuring HOW TO GET STARTED CUSTOMIZING YOUR OWN FIGURES, refer back to of Batman: The Animated Newsletter and catch up on Matt’s wonderful insight. Even more importantly, you must check out his website and view his spectacular gallery of figures. Matt and his partner Casimir have been burning the midnight oil to create some of the most (in my humble opinion) magnificent action figure creations I have ever laid eyes on. Their ANGST series includes, by far, the most elaborate and detailed pieces. Matt and Casimir have FRANKENSTIZED works of art that should not just be relegated to their own private toy shelves, and they know that. Unfortunately, due to the Powers that Be within our society, you can not go against the corporate machines called TOY MANUFACTURERS! Due to multi-million dollar licensing agreements between property owners like AOL/TIME-WARNER and any corporate manufacturer that wishes to make money selling a likeness of BATMAN, SUPERMAN, or any LOONEY TUNES character, we must understand that sometimes a smaller character like Sgt. Bullock or Officer Montoya may get left in the background as a filler character and may never see the light of day as a plastic play-thing.
Well I am here to say, WE DONT HAVE TO TAKE IT ANY MORE!!! With Matt’s insight and your own imagination, YOU CAN CREATE IT! A person is only limited by their own imagination! Expand your horizons and create!
So, without further adieu, I give you Part Two…
Marc: Which figure was the hardest to make?
Matt: Honestly, I’m not sure. I think it may have been the Frank Miller Batman. I made him such a long time ago it’s hard to keep track. Anyway, it was the first time I pursued a specific artist’s style. Matching the look of Miller’s line art proved more difficult than I imagined, but it was a great learning experience. (To see this awesome figure Matt has created, go to his website: http://www.ironcowprod.com )
Marc: Which figure was easiest to make?
Matt: Simple repaints don’t count in my book, so as far as customs that did involve some effort, I’d have to say…. maybe my Neal Adams Batman? I don’t know what it was about him, but everything clicked. The whole figure was a big experiment, but it all worked out. The focus of that figure was to capture the one-piece draped cape that is so associated with Neal Adams. The cape was made out of clear plastic vinyl (available at any fabric store) and the trick is to wrap the cape around the arms, not over the shoulders. Some modeling putty smoothed out the lines between the base figure and the added vinyl.
Marc: Where does your inspiration come from?
Matt: It began with trying to fill the holes or correct the mistakes from the various Batman figure lines. The more I customized, the more the inspiration hits. One figure would lead to another, which would in turn generate even more ideas. It’s a never ending cycle. I’d be fooling myself if I thought I’d ever get caught up on my projects list.
Marc: Have you ever done a figure of a character that was not originally offered, then it appeared on the toy shelves one day?
Matt: Yes. Quite a few times, actually. I did a horribly awful animated Batgirl once out of a Dr. Crusher Star Trek figure. There’s a reason you’ve never seen that on the site. Alfred was one as well. Ours was fine for the time, but we’re glad Hasbro released an official version. I also repainted the Super Cape Batman from the Batman: LOTDK line. I painted him in the modern Black/Grey costume., but a few months later Hasbro released their own repaint. Now Casimir and myself go for the really obscure figure choices that we’re fairly certain Hasbro or DC Direct will never make. Of course, as soon as we make a figure, word of an official one shows up soon after.
Marc: 1.While I was viewing your gallery of figures, I was pleased to see that you describe what products you use in making a figure come to life. You keep mentioning a product called “KNEADTITE”, What is Kneadtite?
Matt: Kneadatite is a two-part epoxy sculpting compound. It comes in strips, yellow and blue. You mix equal amounts together and sculpt with it. I prefer it over Super Sculpy as it’s far more durable once it’s cured, and it does not require baking in the oven. I’ve ruined a lot of customs that way.
Marc: 2. How is it used?
Matt: I use it for gloves, lapels, hair… all sorts of stuff. It also has an adhesive quality to it as well, so even tiny portions bond well to the figure. I believe the website for Kneadatite is . If you call them, they should be able to send you a free sample to experiment with.
Marc: 1. You also mention a product called “ALUMALITE”, what is alumalite?
Matt: Alumilite is also a two-part compound, but this time it’s liquid plastic. You mix equal parts and within three minutes the liquid will solidify into hard plastic.
Marc: 2. How is it used?
Matt: I use it all the time for casting heads from latex molds. But, it’s also good for smoothing out rough spots on a figure. Suppose you have a figure that you need bald. What I do is slice off all the hair and then sand the head smooth. As you’ve probably found out when sanding plastic, it usually leaves little rough spots here and there. With alumilite, I’ll mix up a batch of the liquid and then dip the rough area into the plastic for just a moment. I’ll then shake the figure to remove any excess liquid. When it dries, it leaves a smooth ‘candy coated shell’ that is seamless when painted. If you can’t dip the desired part, then use latex gloves and rub on a little alumilite with your finger. It’s easy once you try it.
Marc: what should someone do in order to get started making their own custom figures?
Matt: The essentials are X-acto blades, Krylon Spray Primer, acrylic paint, various brushes, superglue, and lots of figures to experiment with. Those are the basics. Try repainting a figure first, or maybe a headswap, and then progress from there. DEFINITELY spray each and every figure with Testor’s DullCote. It’s a finishing spray that will even out the luster on any custom. It also helps protect against dust that will show up on your figures after a few months. Testors paints can be found at any model/hobby shop.
Marc: Are there any web-sites or book/magazines with a “HOW TO…” introspective so that the novice customizers can get started on their own?
Matt: Cool Collecting has a huge assortment of articles to help guide any customizer, both novice and experienced. I’d highly recommend their resources. They can be found at:
www.coolcollecting.com
Marc: Of all the Batman Characters and DC Comics characters, which hero or villain would you like to see Hasbro or even DC Direct do that has not yet seen the light of day?
Matt: Oh, I don’t know anymore. I never thought we’d see an Alfred or a Gordon figure, and they totally surprised us. Rumor has it there’s a Lois Lane animated figure in the works as well. At this point, DC has produced such an amazing variety of characters I couldn’t even speculate. I’d love to see a DC Direct Nightwing, personally.
Marc: What advice & insight can you offer anyone who wishes to do a custom figure?
Matt: Patience. It’s all about experimentation. Keep trying and never be afraid to ask questions. It’s taken me ten years to get this far, and there were a lot of ugly customs along the way. Persistence pays off tough. Don’t get too attached to any figure. Even though you might love it now, chances are in two years your skills will have dramatically improved, so much so that you’ll need to go back and rework your previous attempts.
Hope this helps! Thanks again,
Matt Cauley
Iron-Cow Productions
http://www.ironcowprod.com
(And now we take you back to Marc…)
WOW! THAT WAS HELPFUL! As a self-proclaimed customizer or FRANKENSTIZER (as I prefer to call it), I learned quite a bit from “speaking” with Matt and I hope you have benefited from our efforts as well. On behalf of our readers and all Bat-fans, Matt, I wish to thank you for your on-going and tireless efforts in bringing us that much closer to our own dreams in plastic!
At this time, I PROPOSE A CONTEST! We want to see your creations! Customize any Batman family member, related DC Super Hero or villain. (Preferably Batman-related, though.) Take a photograph and submit them to us at juno@dccnet.com (the same address this newsletter is delivered from.)
Matt Cauley of IRON COW PROD., Tim “Two-Face” (my boss & editor) and myself will be the Judges and the winner will receive an exclusive one of a kind from Mr. Matt Cauley himself!!! YOU MUST SUBMIT PHOTOS TO US NO LATER THAN THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST, 2001! (Exact date is pending.) We will post all contestant entries in our newsletter as they are received. Our winner will be choosen during the last week of August or first week of September (corralating to the begining of the new school year).
I want to wish all you DAD’S a wonderful FATHER’S DAY and hope you get some cool stuff, like the new 4-pack of Batman Animated figures released by Hasbro, exclusively sold at TOYS R US. The GOTHAM CITY ENFORCEMENT TEAM four pack. This set is an exclusive TOYS R US boxed edition that has BATMAN, NIGHTWING, BATGIRL & COMMISSIONER GORDON! In my next article I will be reviewing this specific boxed set and hopefully have some close up photos of them for your viewing pleasure!
Thank You all for joining me on my wonderful journey through the world of customizing with Matt Cauley and until next time, keep your feet on the ground and keep searching for or creating that ultimate Bat-action figure!
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COMIC REVIEWS
(BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
(BATMAN BEYOND by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
(SUPERMAN ADVENTURES by Dick Grayson)
Co-editor Dick Grayson has come in to help with the reviewing duties this issue and has reviewed the latest issue of BATMAN BEYOND for us. Enjoy!
BATMAN BEYOND
ISSUE: “In Blackest Day (Pt. 1)” (#21)
WRITTEN BY: Hilary J. Bader
PENCILS: Rick Burchett
INKS: Terry Beatty
COLOURIST: Shannon Blanchard & Digital Chameleon
LETTERER: John Costanza
COVER ART: Brian Stelfreeze
ISSUED: May 30, 2001 (Cover date July 2001)
SYNOPSIS: Batman helps the JLU when a new villain named Blacklight emerges.
DESCRIPTION: How would you sepnd off two weeks from school? Sunning? Shopping? Sleeping? Well, for Terry, he has to spend it training with Barda and the JLU. The issue opens with a training session involving Barda, Warhawk, and Batman. After that’s completed, they get a distress signal. Seems like an alien craft is heading to earth, and the JLU is on the case. They boom tube to the location of the invaders and do damage control. In the process they save some civilians, but also get attacked. The JLU are able to quickly take down the invaders, with Batman’s aid. The check out the space craft, which in mere minutes bursts oopen, and out walks a new villian called Blacklight. He is able to make work of the JLU members in not time by using all sorta of tricks.
The thing is, Blacklight has a similair costume and ring like Green Lantern. But GL’s ring can’t do anything against the black light of the enemy’s ring. He’s defenseless as he takes down the JLU members. Barda lands a hard punch o him and they boom tube back to safety, with their tails between their legs. Back at the compound, Green Lantern feels he needs more training, and decides to head to his master’s temple in what seems to be the Himalayas. While he begins his trek, the JLUers assess the fight and realize that Blacklight wasn’t trying to defeat them all, but get Green Lantern! Then cut to GL’s master’s temple, where Blacklight has taken the place hostage in the anticipation of GL’s arrival…
COMMENTS: What the? Another good issue? It figures that as soon as DC announces the cancellation of this title, it deicdes to improve. While the plot may seem symplistic by my description, don’t be fooled. The issue was full of so much unneccesary dialogue that it hampered the story, although the story was still very enjoyable…even for someone who remotely liked “The Call”. A few Canadian and American readers may be left in the dark on this issue and about the JLU. Another dissapointment was no Superman, or Micron. On top of that, Aquagirl only shows up to play nurse! Where is the full team? They better be here next issue. For those who have seen “The Call”, this was a big dissapointment. Burchett returns and does a masterful job. This is astounding art and even panel shines. This art really helps the issue move along at a frantic pace, even with the endless dialogue. Definately recommended!
Ratings: 7/10 — with knowledge of The Call
Ratings: 5/10 — without knowledge of The Call
;-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 #40
July 4th
Synopsis: Mr. Freeze is back in Gotham City, and he’s looking for a way to bring about a new Ice Age. But he`s not working alone this time – there’s a mysterious person who has gotten Freeze to implement this latest plan. Batman must figure out what Freeze is looking for, what he`s trying to do and who`s got the influence over Freeze to push him toward this mad plan. But time is running out.
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages269036.jpg
FOLLOWING MONTH:
Written by Scott Peterson; art by Tim Levins and Terry Beatty; cover by Bob Smith and Beatty
In stores August 1. Batman’s giving his all to help one of Gotham City’s denizens get on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, the subject of all of his efforts couldn’t care less whether or not he was on the right side of the law – or the right side of the Bat. Batman may have to deal with someone who’s too lethargic to care about redemption, when dealing with “The Man Called Joe.”
BATMAN BEYOND #22
June 27th
Synopsis: The conclusion to “In Blackest Day,” guest-starring the Justice League Unlimited. Batman and the JLU battle the strange new threat called Blacklight for the life and power of JLU member Green Lantern.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0103/13/BB22.htm
FOLLOWING MONTH:
-BAMTAN BEYOND #23
Written by Paul Storrie; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh; cover by Darwyn Cooke.
In stores July 25. There`s a new “King” in town, and he`s putting together a new Royal Flush Gang. Is Batman playing with a full deck when he asks “Ten” to help him take down this dangerous and motley crew?
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages269033.jpg
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NEWS AND RUMORS
ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-A DVD of the original 1966 BATMAN movie with Adam West and Burt Ward is due out in August. West and Ward are both providing a retrospective commentary on the DVD, too.
-OnStar is staging an online promotion, with the prize being a walk-on role in the next Batman movie. Starting May 31, fans will have a chance to enter a sweepstakes at www.onstar.com to win a walk-on role in the next Batman movie, which is still in the planning stages with no firm dates set yet. The promotion is part of OnStar’s marketing campaign, teaming with DC Comics, that includes two new TV spots, print ads and an interactive animated comic on the Internet.
“The relationship between OnStar and Batman has been extremely successful, helping to push OnStar awareness to new heights,” said Mike McEnaney, OnStar director of sales and marketing services. “With this new integrated campaign, OnStar and DC Comics have created a simple, yet compelling way to tell more of the OnStar story.”
The TV ads highlight OnStar’s newest services, Personal Calling and Virtual Advisor. In one, which premiered during the Academy Awards, while fighting off an attack by the Penguin on his Batmobile, Batman places a hands-free call to longtime girlfriend Vicki Vale to warn her that he might be late for their dinner date.
The second ad pits Batman against the Riddler, who sends an e-mail via the OnStar Virtual Advisor. Batman also uses the Virtual Advisor to solve the riddle and prevent a crime. The commercials were directed by Vincent Ward.
-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)
-WE HAVE LOTS OF JLA STUFF HERE FOR YOU, TOO!
-The show has undergone a name change. It will just be known as “Justice League” now.
And, for example, here’s the run-down of everyone doing the voices of major characters on the show:
-Batman (Kevin Conroy, of course)
-Superman (George Newbern)
-Green Lantern (Phil LaMarr)
-Wonder Woman (Susan Eisenberg)
-Hawkgirl (Maria Canals)
-Martian Manhunter (Carl Lumby)
-Flash (Michael Rosenbaum)
-The injustice league includes two arch-foes that have already appeared in the animated series, each character still being voiced by the same voice actor:
-The Joker (Mark Hamill)
-Lex Luthor (Clancy Brown)
-COMICSCONTINUUM has snagged a huge interview with Bruce Timm on this series. Here are some things we learned…and go to the following URL for the full interview:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0104/24/jlaindex.htm
*November 2001 will be the premiere date.
*26 half-hour episodes were ordered for this coming season.
*Though the show is set in the same continuity of the current Batman and Superman shows, don’t expect the show to stick to it 100%.
*The painted backgrounds for the show will be more realistic and less stylized than they were on the other shows.
*The style of the show will look more like the original BTAS series, not the “new” designs of BTAS, BEYOND, or SUPERMAN. Yes, Batman got a new character design once again. Superman and the Flash still look pretty much the same. For a pic of them, go here:
http://www.cinescape.com/insider/jla010424a.jpg
*Storyboards of the pilot has been completed and are ready to be shipped overseas to begin production.
*The crew behind JL is still unsure whether the show will air as an hour or 30 minutes. It does look like it’ll be in a prime-time slot, though!
*There will be episodes focusing on specific characters. A Wonder Woman episode is currently in the works. An Aquaman episode is expected, and a Green Lantern episode (the premiere) has already been greenlighted.
*There will be a sub-plot throughout the season, behind each epic battle, that will lead to a big finale. (Much like how the first seasons of BATMAN BEYOND and SUPERMAN were structured.)
*Along with Lex Luthor and the Joker, other villains appearing on the series will be: Cheetah, Solomon Grundy, Shade, Copperhead, the Ultrahumanite, and probably Darkseid in the future (season two). Expect other DC Universe villains (including those from Gotham and Metropolis) to appear as well.
*Rich Fogel is the supervising/writing producer.
*Stan Berkowitz is the major staff writer.
*Glen Murakami and James Tucker are the artists and co-producers.
*Butch Lukic and Dan Riba are the directors.
*Andrea Romano is back as the voice director.
*Regarding the music of the series, no contracts have been signed as of yet, but Timm hopes to get Shirley Walker and all of the other BTAS, STAS, and BEYOND composers to contribute to the music for JLA.
*The first episode arc of the series will feature how the JLA got together. It is 90 minutes long and is entitled “Secret Origins”, is written by Rich Fogel, and is directed by Butch Lukic and Dan Riba.
*Paul Dini WAS writing for the show, but he’s had to bow out of writing his Flash/Green Lantern vs. Grodd story due to recent injury. Dwayne McDuffie has picked up the script and will complete it.
-The show will feature 10 60-minute stories, and 2 90-minute stories. That makes up the 26 episodes.
-Count on a JSA appearance in the future.
-Craig “Gookie” Crumpton also had this cute little tidbit:
I read 2 months ago in the May issue of Starlog Magazine that Rene Auberjoinois (The Little Mermaid, GoBots, Xyber 9, Mighty Max) will be providing the voices of “toon antagonists” on Justice League. Only someone like me would remember this, but Auberjoinois was the voice of DeSaad on “Super Friends Team: Galactic Guardians”. Nice little nod to the past, wouldn’t you say?
-BATMAN BEYOND is airing on GLOBAL in some regions of Canada, again! Check out GLOBAL at 3:10am on Thursdays.
-BATMAN BEYOND will return to the Canadian cable channel YTV this fall. BTAS’ contract with YTV is up this fall, so it may move to TELETOON if YTV doesn’t pick it up agian.
ANIMATED COMICS
-Vancouver, Canada native Jim Delaney has been selected as the artist for the new animated JLA comic book. His past work has been with ADVENTURES IN THE DC UNIVERSE and the HOW TO DRAW SUPERMAN book.
-BATMAN BEYOND #24 WILL BE and SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #66 (probably) will be the last issue of each series, as each of the comic series based on the animated series is being cancelled. It looks like BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES is still making the cut, though.
-Just as with all WB animated series, the JLA animated series will also recieve a tie-in animated book, drawn in the animated style. It is tentatively entitled “JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES.”
-In a chat conducted with Tim Levins, he has confirmed that the following villains will all be showing up in GOTHAM ADVENTURES over the next few issues: Talia, the Riddler, and a solo Harley story (). Also, at long last, Two-Face finally re-appears in GOTHAM ADVENTURES #44.
-Terry Beatty reports that the art-crew from BATMAN BEYOND (Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh) will be working on of the series.
-Mr. Freeze is getting another new suit in of GOTHAM ADVENTURES! It’s pretty similar to his newer, sleaker suit, but with a few modifications. Check it out here!
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/wfnewspage/bgafreeze.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #41
Written by Scott Peterson; art by Tim Levins and Terry Beatty; cover by Bob Smith and Beatty
In stores August 1. Batman’s giving his all to help one of Gotham City’s denizens get on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, the subject of all of his efforts couldn’t care less whether or not he was on the right side of the law – or the right side of the Bat. Batman may have to deal with someone who’s too lethargic to care about redemption, when dealing with “The Man Called Joe.”
-BAMTAN BEYOND #23
Written by Paul Storrie; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh; cover by Darwyn Cooke.
In stores July 25. There`s a new “King” in town, and he`s putting together a new Royal Flush Gang. Is Batman playing with a full deck when he asks “Ten” to help him take down this dangerous and motley crew?
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages269033.jpg
-BATMAN BEYOND #24
This is the final issue of the series. Written by Hilary Barda; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh; cover by Darwyn Cooke. In stores August 29. There’s something curious about Mom’s new boyfriend. Could it be the claws, the fangs or the glowing eyes? That’s right, it’s the issue you’ve been waiting for as “Terry’s Mom Dates a Splicer!” But what does Batman have to say about it?
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0105/23/BB24.htm
-For more animated comic updates, go here:
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/previews.html
OTHER COMICS
-To read an interview conducted by COMIC BOOK RESOURCES with Scott McDaniel (BATMAN), go here:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/features/mcdaniel/
-For some previews of Shawn Martinbrough’s inks of DETECTIVE COMICS #761 and 763, go to the following link. There’s a cool one of the Batcave, more of the Mad Hatter arc, and it looks like the Huntress will be back in #763, too!
http://www.fandom.com/batman/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=270757
-DETECTIVE COMICS #761: In stores August 8. Bruce’s bodyguard Sasha Bordeaux has thirty days to prove her worth, or she’s fired! Meanwhile, Internal Affairs heats up the M.C.U., and you won’t believe whom they’re after! Plus, “Trail of the Catwoman” continues in the backup written by Ed Brubaker and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke (BATMAN: EGO).
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0105/23/Det761.htm
-LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #146: Doug Moench is back as the writer for another three-part storyline!
-BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #20: In stores August 15. Bruce Wayne makes a trip to Metropolis for a meeting with Talia, the new CEO of LexCorp – but it doesn’t turn out as planned, and Batman has a run-in with Superman! Meanwhile, Dick Grayson and Batman both have to deal with the possibility that all of Grayson’s family isn’t dead after all, when a man claiming to be Dick’s grandfather comes to town.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0105/23/BmGK20.htm
-BATMAN #593, cover: http://images.comicbookresources.com/solicits/dcjuly2001/big/BatmanCvr593.jpg
-BATMAN #594: Ed Brubaker’s two-part “Our Worlds at War” tale featuring an alien in Gotham concludes.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0105/23/Bm594.htm
-BATMAN #595, Cover: http://images.comicbookresources.com/features/mcdaniel_batman595.jpg
-BATMAN: OFFICER DOWN will be collected in a trade paperback coming out on August 29.
-Ed Brubaker has shed light on what DC plans for the “event” involving BATMAN #600, in 10 months time:
*It will be a 64-page issue.
*It will have an extra-sized lead story and a lot of back-ups.
*Brubaker said that he has approached James Tucker from the Batman and upcoming Justice League animated series to work on a Dick Sprang-influenced story for the issue. (Tucker worked on the portion of the “Legends of the Dark Knight” animated episode that featured a Batman from that era.)
-Here is a preliminary cover of Catwoman’s new ongoing series (entitled CATWOMAN: VOLUME TWO):
http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages267930.jpg
-Later this year, DC will be taking a shot at attractive new BATMAN readers by offering a full-length, in-continuity one-shot by Greg Rucka and Rich Burchett entitled BATMAN: THE TEN CENT ADVENTURE – seriously, DC will actually sell it for 10 cents! It will also tie in with an important upcoming BATMAN storyline entitled BRUCE WAYNE: FUGITIVE.
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages267928.jpg
-HARLEY QUIIN #11 Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0105/23/HQ11.htm
-HARLEY QUINN #12 will be an extra-sized issue featuring Harley, Bo, Surley, and Killer Croc.
MOVIES
-For videos of the cut scenes from the edited ROTJ video, go here:
http://4colorreview.simplenet.com/reviews/return_of_the_joker/return_of_the_joker.shtml
-Paul Dini is pondering ideas for a second BATMAN BEYOND direct-to-video movie, but nothing, repeat, NOTHING has been greenlit by the studio just yet.
*BATMAN: YEAR ONE (BATMAN 5) NEWS:
-WARNER BROS. is currently aiming for a 2003 summer release date for YEAR ONE. Frank Miller has wrapped up all of his comics projects (such as THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN) so he’s focussing his attention on movie production, now.
-Clint Mansell (who did the score for Darren Aronofsky’s PI and REQUIEM FOR A DREAM) will be providing the score for the movie.
-The projected release date for this movie will be sometime in 2002 – but I wouldn’t say it’d be out ’til a year or two after that.
-YEAR ONE will be set in a 1970’s-like era.
-Aaron Eckhart (ERIN BROKOVICH), originally pegged to play the young Batman, has now been said to be “set to play the young Commissioner Gordon”, according to E! Online.
-Jack Nicholson IS still interested in doing another Bat-film if he were ever asked by the WB; unfortunately, they can’t seem to get around the fact that his character died in the first movie.
-Read an interview with Darren Aronofsky here:
http://www.fandom.com/batman/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=248753
*BATMAN: YEAR TWO (BATMAN 6) NEWS:
-Yep, you guessed it! The sequel-hungry WB is already planning a sequel to Aronofsky’s YEAR ONE adaption. Whether this is going to be based on the YEAR TWO comic storyline (which, in my opinion, is NOT that great) or another story (like a LONG HALLOWEEN or an original tale, also set in Batman’s earlier years) is unknown.
*BATMAN BEYOND: LIVE ACTION NEWS:
-Word has it that Paul Dini is moving well along with their script, and it may be in the second draft already!
-This is NOT official, but rumblings at the WB seem to indicate BATMAN BEYOND will make it to theatres before YEAR ONE does.
*BATMAN BEYOND: THE FOURTH ANIMATED MOVIE
-Nothing new today…just expect it to revolve around Nightwing, folks.
*CATWOMAN
-According to FANDOM, Ashley Judd has agreed to play Catwoman in the upcoming film of the same name.
-John Rogers is writing the script.
-Denise DeNovi (producer of BATMAN RETURNS) is producing the film.
-Batman has yet to officially have a cameo appearance.
-It looks like this Catwoman won’t even be named Selina Kyle…apparently a new “mousy geeky girl” named Patience Prude is donning the Cat-cowl. Ugh – what’s up with that?
-For a review of the script, go here: http://filmforce.ign.com//articles/50949p1.html
-(Can someone please explain to me how this even works as a Batman film? Or even a spin-off?)
LIVE ACTION TELEVISION
-For some shots from the new SMALLVILLE series coming this fall, go here:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0106/01/index.htm
-A fifth ONSTAR commercial, featuring Batman and the Riddler, will be airing on TV soon.
-The fifth ONSTAR webisode, featuring (sorta) the Riddler and the Penguin, is now online, too.
-For a current airing schedule for the 1966 Adam West series, click here:
http://www.scifi.com/bin/schedulebot.cgi?wd=w&s=batman&ds=1&db=US%3AEastern&mon=4.01
EXCLUSIVE INTERNET ENDEAVOURS:
-The Batman section of FANDOM.COM has moved to the following URL:
http://www.assignmentx.com/batman/
-The Batmobile from BATMAN RETURNS is up on the auction block! Go to the following link for details:
http://www.fandom.com/batman/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=270808
-BATMAN and future CATWOMAN writer Ed Brubaker now has his own web domain:
http://www.edbrubaker.com
-The second “season” of GOTHAM GIRLS has begun. The first webisode features Catwoman and Zatanna.
TOYS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE
-Look! More news on the BATMAN SPECIAL EDITION DVDs! (Thanks to Fandom.com)
Each film will feature a commentary, trailers, behind-the-scenes featurettes, all the usual goodies, and tons of deleted footage. It comes out August 21, 2001.
BATMAN FOREVER was specifically mentioned to have at least an hour of extra scenes, though, they didn’t know if it would be a director`s cut or simply supplemental. The set is going to be out for Christmas or first quarter of 2002.
-Craig “Gookie” Crumpton reports that he read at cube.ign.com that there’s another Batman game in development called “Batman: Dark Tomorrow” (Kemco) scheduled for release on November 5, 2001 for Nintendo’s Gamecube console. No other details are given for it.
-There is also a rumour that Hasbro MAY be bought out by Disney. Note: THIS IS ONLY A RUMOUR!
-BATMAN: VENGEANCE, a new game by Ubi Soft for the Playstation 2, is in production! The story is being written by the show’s writers, and it will have the “new” design look. Go to this address for stills from the game, featuring Batman, the Freezettes, Poison Ivy, Ivy’s Lab (?), Batgirl, something else from what I presume is the Mr. Freeze level, the Funnibone warehouse (looks like Joker’s in it for sure, too), the Batcave, and a whole bunch of shots of Gotham City. The game will probably price around $49.99, US.
http://www.fandom.com/batman/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=269762
-BATMAN: GOTHAM CITY RACER for PLAYSTATION is now available!
-Subscriber Victor Espinosa has told us that there is another Toys R Us exclusive four-pack on the way! It is called the GOTHAM CITY ENFORCEMENT TEAM, and it features figures of Batman, Batgirl, Nightwing, and, finally, Comissioner Gordon! Check out these links for more:
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/frames.htm
http://www.jokerinc.action-figure.net
-A new Poison Ivy statue will be available on September 26 from DC Direct. Here’s a picture:
http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages265326.jpg
-A Harley Quinn snowglobe is due out on November 21. Here’s a picture:
http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages265335.jpg
SPECIAL NOTE
For more BATMAN, SUPERMAN, AND BEYOND news throughout the week, check out the WORLD’S FINEST NEWS PAGE at:
http://www.geocities.com/bbeyond/news.html
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FEATURED BATMAN INTERNET ENDEAVOURS FOR THIS ISSUE
(feel free to submit something for our consideration)
THE ANIMATED BATMAN: AN UNOFFICIAL GUIDE
The Animated Batman: An Unofficial Guide (now an affiliate of World’s Finest) has been redesigned and relaunched and with new features. It contains a complete episode guide/companion to BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES and BATMAN BEYOND, with complete cast credits, plot summaries and reviews, and filmographies for quick reference. Screengrabs (provided with the courtesy of World’s Finest and Batman: Tomorrow and Beyond) now complement each episode entry, and an Actor’s Index provides information on regular cast members and guest stars alike. Meahwhile, quick links take you to other great Batman sites, and to on-line interviews and profiles of the producers.
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ANIMATED BATMAN/SUPERMAN SITES:
Wow, our links section has grown so big that we’ve had to eliminate it from the newsletter! Fear not, you can still find all these links at the WORLD’S FINEST NEWSPAGE, if you follow this link…that’s hypocracy for ya!
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/linkpage.htm
NEWSGROUPS
—–
news:alt.comics.batman
news:alt.animation.batman
news:alt.comics.superman
news:rec.arts.sf.superman
news:alt.tv.cartoon-network
news:rec.arts.animation
news:alt.animation.warner-bros
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QUESTIONS, SUBMISSIONS, AND FAN-MAIL
If you have any questions, problems, links do not work, or anything else, then please e-mail this address with your problems and we’ll try to fix them as soon as possible. Also if you’d like to send any fan-mail then please send it to this address:
juno@dccnet.com
As for submissions, feel free to submit an article or opinion on anything pertaining to BTAS. Keep in mind that as the editors, we have the right to edit your submissions if we deem it necessary. Such instances would include problems with length, grammar, and language. If we do feel we must edit something, however, we will do our utmost to ensure that the opinion and the basic message of the submission does not change, as that is the most important part of any article, and everyone is entitled to it. And if you do submit something, please don’t just submit a basic review of an episode or a comic or something (because we have people writing for those purposes already) – write about an issue you’d like to discuss.
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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED ARCHIVES
The very kind people at TOONZONE were nice enough to give us our own little section of their huge and diverse website. The archive contains past newsletters and is semi-regularly updated with the latest one. To check it out go here:
TOONZONE’s BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
http://www.toonzone.net/news/btan
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LIKE WHAT YA SEE? WANNA SUBSCRIBE? HERE’S HOW!!!
For those of you who are seeing this at the WBC HOMEPAGE BTAN ARCHIVES section and want to subscribe, just follow these simple instructions:
To subscribe email juno@dccnet.com, put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line, and put the e-mail address you’d like the newsletter to be sent to in the body of the message.
For more information about the newsletter just email juno@dccnet.com
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, jokes, 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, Kids’WB!, and YTV
EPISODE REVIEWS: Zanna/Justin Chen, and occasionally Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
EDITORIAL: Help Wanted!!!
COMIC REVIEWS: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton, Dick Grayson
NO MAN’S ISLAND: SURVIVAL IN GOTHAM: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
‘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 2001.
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