Subject: Batman: The Animated Newsletter #3 – July 27-Aug 9, 1998 with Ty Templeton Interview
Date: Friday, July 24, 1998 8:08 PM
Batman:The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of July 27-August 1/2, August 3-8/9
Volume 1, Issue #3
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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BRIEF ANIMATED BATMAN HISTORY:
The five-time emmy-winning Batman: The Animated Series (BTAS) debuted in September of 1992 with the episode “Cat and the Claw” Part One. It ran on weekdays (and even during prime-time on Sundays for a month or so). 65 episodes (and millions of dollars in merchandise) later, season two began in 1994; sadly, this season died out with only 15 additional episodes, for the show was not raking in as much money as it previously was, and deemed as being “too dark” by parents. Also, in September of 1994, most of the first season episodes were shelved, and the 15 new ones were aired…only on Saturdays.
A year later, BTAS was re-introduced to the FOX weekday line-up. All the original episodes were brought back this time, as well as 5 new episodes (none of which were spectacular, but still good), leaving the episode count at 85 in September of 1995. Most thought the series ended right there without any closure, for the majority of the BTAS staff moved on to work on the new SUPERMAN cartoon which debuted the following September (1996). The series was top-notch, and fans were sad that it wouldn’t go on. But the stories that had been told were excellent…much better than most comics and movies that have veer been produced. It was an excellent run. In 1997, after the WB’s five-year contract with the FOX network, BTAS was pulled from the TV, the last episode airing being “Trail”. Was BTAS dead?
We were all proven wrong.
As soon as BTAS left the FOX network, it was teamed up with Superman on the WB network. Better yet – NEW EPISODES WERE INTRODUCED! NEW episodes began airing bright and early on the morning of September 13th, 1997. Two years (less two days) after BTAS ceased production, it was reborn.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to another installment of BATMAN:THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER. In this newsletter you’ll find all sorts of items pertaining to the hit show. There is also a bit of Superman:TAS thrown in for good measure. We have the usual columns plus special articles in every newsletter! WE have schedules, new, comic info, trivia, websites, editorials and much more! So sit back and relax!
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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 ULTIMATE THRILL’
Batman #?? (96?)
Original airdate: Tuesday, July 7, 1998 (UK)
This episode premiered at a comics convention in Oakland earlier this year, and has now been recently aired in the UK. This episode, featuring the uninteresting Roxy Rockett’s debut, is all action and no plot. PLOT DOES MATTER. We also get to see a preview of Farmer Brown (a future villain) in this episode, as well as appearances by Batman, Batgirl, and the Penguin. The North American debut date of this episode is still unknown.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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WB ANIMATION SCHEDULES:
The New Batman/Superman Adventures premiered this past year with ratings and critical sucess! Kid’sWB airs the show Monday through Friday at 4:30 pm (eastern time) and now in a 90 minute block on weekends starting at 8:30am (eastern time). The time may vary for the various WB affiliates across Canada and the U.S. The schedule is set to change again in Septmeber or October, so watch the SCHEDULE and NEWS section for upcoming information!
Weekday episodes:
JULY 27-Batman-DOUBLE TALK (#89)
JULY 28-Superman-TOOLS OF THE TRADE (#12)
JULY 29-Batman-LOCK-UP (#82)
JULY 30-Superman-APOKOLIPS…NOW! (Pt. 1) (#33)
JULY 31-Superman-APOKOLIPS…NOW! (Pt. 2) (#35)
Weekend episodes:
AUG. 1/2-(8:30am)-Superman-THE PROMETHEON (#27)
(9:00am)-Batman-AVATAR (#69)
(9:30am)-Superman-THE HAND OF FATE (#29)
Weekday episodes:
AUG. 3-Batman-JOKER’S MILLIONS (#92)
AUG. 4-Superman-BIZARRO’S WORLD (#30)
AUG. 5-Batman-SINS OF THE FATHER (#87)
AUG. 6-Superman-A LITTLE PIECE OF HOME (#5)
AUG. 7-Batman-LOVE IS A CROC (#94)
Weekend episodes:
AUG. 8/9-(8:30am)-Batman-OVER THE EDGE (#97)
(9:00am)-Superman-BLASTS FROM THE PAST (Pt. 1) (#14)
(9:30am)-Superman-BLASTS FROM THE PAST (Pt. 2) (#17)
Note: All episodes after #85 of BATMAN are considered THE NEW BATMAN
ADVENTURES while the original 85 are considered BATMAN: THE ANIMATED
SERIES (BTAS) episodes.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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EPISODE OF THE WEEK:
(by the Dynamic Duo)
This section is my favorite. This section lets me tell you about my favorite rerun airing this week! You are not to miss this episode at all cost! Tape it if possible! All Batman and Superman episodes which have already debuted are eligible.
THIS WEEK:
SUPERMAN
Episode #34 and #37
“APOKOLIPS…NOW!” (two-parter)
Airdates:
Part One: Thursday, July 30th
Part Two: Friday, July 31st
This critically-acclaimed, controversial two-parter is the best thing to come out of season two – even better than the terrific “World’s Finest”. In part one we see the return of Mannheim, the near-destruction of Maggie Sawyer, the devastation of downtown Metropolis, and the return of Intergang, PLUS the arrival of a friend. Above all we see the return of Darkseid and the destruction of METROPOLIS POWER PLANT. But the destruction of the power plant leads into the turmoil of part two…
With the power plant destroyed and Mannheim…I’ll leave his fate a suprise…Darkseid is ready to take over Metropolis. Soon the earth will be a clone of APOKOLIPS. Their defense against Darksied? Superman and the citizens of Metropolis. Oh boy.
These are the darkest and most emotional episodes of the series ever with the most unexpected ending it left more then 3 million SUPERMAN veiwers speechless and shocked. These two episodes have made a huge impact on SUPERMAN in the present, and have changed his world forever. Watch it. Even if you don’t like Superman in the least, give it a shot. These two episodes are incredible. ESPECIALLY part two.
Rating:5/5
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
NEXT WEEK:
BATMAN
Episode #97
Airdate: Sat/Sun Aug. 8/9, 1998
OVER THE EDGE
I bet you’re thinkin: “Didn’t you already have this as an episode of the week?” Well, yes we did – but this episode is just so damn good I gotta put it here again. Hopefully you have all seen this episode by now. It’s just fantastic – all the effort put into this episode really pays off. There is one tiny part that temporarily ruins the flow of the episode – overlooking that small stain, you can’t help but love this one. This episode tells of what happens in Gotham after Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) dies in Commissioner Gordon’s hands. Question: What happens next? Answer: Gordon wages war the only way he can. This episode is action-packed and character-driven. If only every BTAS episode was going to be like this. The animation is just astonishing plus it also contains a first for Saturday Morning cartoons: a graphic, bloody death – and of a FEMALE, too!
Rating:5/5
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
(Since we’ve used this episode before, here’s a secondary “Episode of the Week”:
A LITTLE PIECE OF HOME,
Superman episode #5.
Airs Aug. 6, 1998
The episode centres around Superman’s first experience with his one weakness – kryptonite. Classic premise, perfect storytelling, terrific villains (gotta love Lex!). Incredible episode – a central part to the Superman mythos.)
THIS WEEK’S EPISODE TO MISS:
Superman-THE HAND OF FATE (#29)
Airs Aug. 1/2, 1998
Some lame monster named Karkull that looks a lot like a lame Phantasm-copy takes over the Daily Planet building and does various evil but lame things and only Superman can save the day. Lame. If you’re into lame semi-cheesy-creepy stories, give it a shot. But I classify this as a “stinker”. Miss it! Lame!
NEXT WEEK’S EPISODE TO MISS:
Superman-BLASTS FROM THE PAST (Pt. 1 & 2) (#14, 17)
Airs Sat/Sun Aug. 8/9, 1998
Lame Phantom-Zone criminals escape and wreak havoc on Metropolis – and, of course, the villainess has a crush on Superman. Oooo. Some good action scenes, but overall, the episode is a disappointment. It’s a pity that these two characters are planned to return on the series.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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EPISODE REVIEW: (SPOILERS!)
(by Bob Evatt)
Mr. Evatt is an experienced reviewer of the new BTAS episodes and has much of his work shown at the Lazarus Pit website, and is now contributing to this newsletter! His other reviews can be reached via this link:
http://effect.net.au/allan/lazarus-pit
But THIS week, Bob was unavailable to submit a review so James Harvey is temporarily filling in for him!
EPISODE: “Love is a Croc” (#94)
WRITTEN BY: ???
DIRECTED BY: ???
ANIMATION BY: ???
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: July 11/12, 1998
NEXT AIR DATE: ???
RATING: *** (out of 5)
WHAT A CROC OF….
Wow. I don’t know what to say about this episode. I really don’t. This episode can work on about 5 differant levels. It can be a love story. A story of revenge. Or betrayal. Or loyalty. Or a meaningless ‘kick the villian’s arse’ story. It works in all ways. The story is quite simple. After Baby Doll, now a hotel manager [go fig.] sees Killer Croc on the television, she gets a crush on him [just like how 5 year olds get crushes on teeny-bopper groups like BACKSTREET BOYS]. So she decides to spring him. She does and you can guess what happens after that. There was something odd about this episode. During the whole episode it seemed like something was off. Was it the recorded voices? Was it the fact they used SUPERMAN:TAS footage? Was it about the sixth ‘destroy Gotham’ plot for the series so far?
I don’t know.
The new voice of Croc was okay. I liked his other voice betetr becuase it was so..well reptilian like. He sounded so perfect with that voice. Now he sounds like just someone trying to impersonate Croc and doing a bad job.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
The return of Baby-Doll’s original voice was a treat. It brung back the innocence but on the down side also brung back the annoyance of the voice. Her look is sorta…differant as well. I sorta like the new look better becuase her old look didn’t fit in at all with the original B:TAS story. It was to..happy. This new look has a demonic edge to it – better in my opinion.
Now was it me or were the voices for Batman and Robi…oops Batgirl, a bit off? Batgirl sounded way older then she usually did and it sounded like Batman caught a cold in the sewer. It was like Kevin Conroy was impersonating Kevin Conroy doing Batman. It was odd at times. Batgirl wasn’t any better. She was completely off and bitched her whole way through the episode (well not the whole way but in the sewer). You’d think she’d be able to handle it after what she’s been through. But no.
On the plus side we see the return of the ‘Batman entrance’ music. You know? The music that always played during the original 85 episodes whenever Batman showed up? It returns. And its welcome.
Now to the animation…well…how can I put this? Its not as bad as SINS OF THE FATHER’s animation. It’s not as good as that in MEAN SEASONS or OVER THE EDGE…its just in between. The fight scenes aren’t done that well either. The motion is slightly off too. Motion in the new Batman episodes have been done great – but this episode it was a bit off. A bit choppy at times and at other times..not moving fast enough or slow enough. I think this was a rushed episode.
Now the rating of the episode? Well I guess I’d be forced to give it a three out of five stars. Its not a completely terrible episode. The plot is pretty straight forward and easy to understand. Its one of those episodes you wouldn’t think you’d ever see but now that you have…you’re just glad its over. The appearance of two clips from the SUPERMAN show didn’t help the animation and the voicing was off. It deserves this three out of five.
If you wanna complain(which wouldn’t suprise me) or talk about this column (which would suprise me) then email me.
signed
JH
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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VILLIAN SNEAK PEEK!
As you all know, THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES will be introducing a couple new villians next season. One of them will be the evil Amish look-a-like, FARMER BROWN! Here are a few pics courtesy of THE BRUCE TIMM ARTWORK ARCHIVE!
Here they are:
Farmer Brown close-up
http://home.nycap.rr.com/cataldo/farmer2.jpg
Farmer Brown full-body look
http://home.nycap.rr.com/cataldo/farmer1.jpg
The Amish are coming…..The Amish are coming!
PS – If you’re Amish and reading this, we’re not meaning to mock or insult!
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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CARTOON NETWORK WB ANIMATION SCHEDULE:
“Yabba Dabba Doom”
Cartoon Network got the rights to air 52 episodes of the orignal 85 episodes on their network. The episodes air 7 days a week at 6pm and 12:00am eastern time (7:00pm on Sundays and will no longer air on Satrudays starting the 11th of July). The episodes air in numerical order and not in episode order. If you want the channel ask your local cable or satellite operator. Here’s the schedule for this week:
JULY 27 – #55 THE MECHANIC
JULY 28 – #58 BLIND AS A BAT
JULY 29 – #59 THE DEMON’S QUEST (Pt. 1)
JULY 30 – #63 THE DEMON’S QUEST (Pt. 2)
JULY 31 – #62 FIRE FROM OLYMPUS
AUG. 1 – SPECIAL SHOWING OF “BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM” at 8:00 PM!
AUG. 2 – #44 HEART OF STEEL (Pt. 2)
AUG. 3 – #60 HIS SILICON SOUL
AUG. 4 – #65 THE WORRY MEN
AUG. 5 – #02 CHRISTMAS WITH THE JOKER
AUG. 6 – #03 NOTHING TO FEAR
AUG. 7 – #04 THE LAST LAUGH
AUG. 9 – #45 TERROR IN THE SKY
NOTE:Most of the episodes airing now on the CARTOON NETWORK won’t be airing on KidsWB until next season! If you want to complete your collection then get as many as these episodes on tape as possible! Just some friendly advice.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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VOTING REQUEST FOR BTAS:
(by Brian Davis)
Hi Brian Davis here, Would you like Batman : The Animated Series to win another award ? Well, if you’re like me then I’m sure that you think that it deserves one. Cartoon Network Europe are currently accepting votes for your favourite cartoon and I would like you to vote for Batman: The Animated Series. All you have to do is send your vote, name, age and address to cartoon.europe@turner.com You can also win a great trip to London so go ahead, let’s remember Batman : The Animated Series.
(I suggest you do this cuz Batman deserves any awards it can get – to show to the world that Batman IS capable of intelligent, coherent stories – unlike films like “Batman & Robin”!!!! Make the public realize his greatness and love him again!!!)
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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VOTING REQUEST FOR BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
Hi! I’m sure that many of you are familiar with the Internet Movie Database, and I am hoping that we can get “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” into their “Top 250 Movies of All Time” list – it currently has an 86% rating. Many movies on the Top 250 list have a lower rating, but many more people voted for those…my hope is to get as many people as possible voting for this film, to get it into the Top 250 list, because it is truly spectacular.
The link DIRECTLY to the “Mask of the Phantasm” page is:
http://us.imdb.com/Title?Batman%3A+Mask+of+the+Phantasm+(1993)
I’ve already voted. Have YOU?
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Q & A WITH TY “THE GUY” TEMPLETON
(writer for various “animated” Batman comics)
(interviewed by James Harvey).
You all know Ty Templeton as the writer (and cover artist) of THE BATMAN & ROBIN ADVENTURES, and the current writer of BATMAN:GOTHAM ADVENTURES. He was able to take a little bit of time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions I wanted to ask him. These questions aren’t very in-depth and won’t reveal any ‘hidden’ child trauma. Just sit back and enjoy!
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Q#1 – The final issues of THE BATMAN & ROBIN ADVENTURES weren’t as good as the beginning of the series (sorry to be so blunt). How do you see the final issues?Were you pleased with them?
Ty Templeton #1 – Well, to be blunt, myself…I felt that the scripts I was writing for the last few issues of that title were up to the standards I had set for the rest of the run…I’ll admit to having had a less than stellar time jamming the last two issues into one big issue (#25 was originally supposed to be a two parter, but I still think it read all right). And I didn’t write #24. Kelly Puckett did, and I couldn’t comment on that one, really.
But at the risk of alienating my artists for those issues, I think that my scripts for such issues as #23, #22, #21, #20, and #18 were amongst the best scripts I wrote for then entire run. In fact, I still think 20 and 18 are two of the best scripts I ever wrote…but sometimes the way a script gets interpreted by an artists has an awful lot to do with how it comes out. The artist is very much like the film director…the same film script directed by Stanley Kubrick, or Steven Spielberg, is going to be a better movie than if it was directed by Richard Donner or Ivan Kruge, you know? In fact, the quality of the art I was getting for the last year of that title damn near made me quit writing Batman all together. It wasn’t until I heard that Rick was coming back onto the book that I decided to stay with the Adventures book.Rick is the reason you’re enjoying the book again, because the scripts have been, more or less, at the same level of quality throughout. In fact, I think the scripts have been the same level, but Rick himself makes them a little better just by being there.
Q#2 – It seems that BATMAN:GOTHAM ADVENTURES has a healthy start. Did you have to change you’re writing style or change how you had to write certain characters to get a feel for the new series.
Ty Templeton #2 – I didn’t have to change my writing style to adapt the new series, not at all. I did happen to give Rick looser scripts than I used to, cause I trust him as a story teller more than any other artist I’ve worked with. I know that if I have a scene that requires a visual oomph to it, that I can tell Rick to jazz it up, and he will. Other artists, I used to do layouts for, to help them along. Rick makes my job a little easier, but the style of the stories, I’m not changing.
Q#3 – Do you plan on bringing back old characters from THE BATMAN ADVENTURES, THE BATMAN & ROBIN ADVENTURES, and the animated series. You have already brought back Justin from of BATMAN ADVENTURES, and Grant Walker will appear in an upcoming issue – will there be more?
Ty Templeton #3 – Yup. Dagger Dixon is coming back. Deadman is coming back. I’m sure to bring a few more characters back as I think of stories with them in it. No Perfessor, Mr. Nice and whoever that third guy was though…they were Kelly’s gag, and, nothing personal to Kelly, I never found it all that funny. Besides, now with Archie gone, it’s in poor taste.
Q#4 – Now that you won’t be doing covers anymore for the series (damn!) who will be replacing you? Why did you stop pencilling the covers?
A#4 – I think Rick will be doing at least a few covers. After that I don’t know. Reasons for stopping…personal ones.
Q#5 – The HOW TO DRAW BATMAN book is terrific! The HOW TO DRAW SUPERMAN wasn’t as great, though, in my opinion. Will you be doing anymore HOW TO books in the near future or will you be concentrating on writing?
A#5 – I’m sorry you didn’t like the HOW TO DRAW SUPERMAN one. I didn’t much like it either. It’s the same old story about the artist not doing so wonderful a job. The “artist” on that particular project is someone I have a great deal of trouble with, professionally, (but he might be a wonderful guy, I don’t know him personally) and I humbly believe every project he works on turns out to be a failure. I was supposed to continue writing the HOW TO DRAW SERIES, but the publisher insisted on the same “artist” who “drew” the Superman book for the next few in the series, and I couldn’t continue working with him so I left the series.
Q#6 – Do you like the ‘new’ style Batman or the the ‘original’ style Batman of the animated series? Why?
Ty Templeton #6 – I honestly like them both. It’s one of the great joys of Batman that he can go through so many different interpretations and still come out as pure Batman. I do happen to like the Black and Grey costume a little better than the Blue and Grey one, but there are good things (and a few bad) about both versions of the show. I like Joker much better from the old show, though. Miss the lips and yellow eyes, frankly.
Well final question:
Q#7 – Can you give us any info on upcoming issues of BATMAN:GOTHAM ADVENTURES? Will we see any new faces?
Ty Templeton #7 – Okay…#5 is Mr. Freeze….both of them.
– #6 is Deadman again….and this time we actually kill him. And I mean that in a way you don’t expect.
– #7 is Penguin, and the return of Dagger Dixon. What tattoo will he get this time?
– #8 is a new character. Is it a villain, hero, or civilian? Wait and see!
– #9 is Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins
– #10 is either a Joker solo story, or a Harley solo story. This one ain’t writ yet.
– #11 will be whichever we didn’t do in #10.
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There I hope you enjoyed the little Q-&-A session.I’ll hopefully have more up in the forthcoming newsletters! I’d like to thank Ty Templeton (naturally) for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer these questions! Thanx!
EDITORAL
(by Laura Hysert, aka “Phoenix”)
“The End of the World As We Know It”
I feel compelled to write very seriously about a subject that is critical to the continued existence of the animated series, something that could give this series wings to soar supremely over the pinnacles and valleys of animated television, or cause it to crash by the fiery tragedy of our own contempt:
Bruce Wayne’s wardrobe.
Yes! Bruce Wayne’s physical appearance is the keystone to the New Batman Adventures. And the question for which I will undauntingly seek answers is, Can Bruce’s fashion sense carry the day?
I hear your incredulity. Now Batman, you say, HIS personal grooming habits could drastically alter the course of the program. Imagine him sporting green tights and a purple mumu, for example, or taking the flying squirrel as his animal motif; these changes would strike more hilarity than fear into the hearts of men, and would no doubt prompt us to start watching Fox’s Spiderman as a darker toon alternative (ahem). But Bruce Wayne, you mockingly say? Come on.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
Yes, I do say. Mock no more! Consider the animated Bruce of yore: the boxy double-breasted suit that made him resemble a benign circus bear; the horrendous yellow shirt; the boyish mop of hair and sheepish grin. Now, what did this image communicate? I am Bruce Schmuck, billionaire, Gotham’s resident goofy playboy/portable party scenery. Deducing from the comics and the Batman myth, this is, I believe, generally the effect he is going for (though I wonder what hallucinogen inspired the yellow shirt).
Now consider the Bruce Wayne of the new animated series. Gone is the meek brown apparel, replaced by a sleek black power suit and blood-red tie. His healthy sun-lamp tan has disappeared in favour of a vogue vamp pallor that is oh-so-striking against his black, rigidly tamed hair. Blue eyes that would give Mr. Freeze frostbite pierce from a fringe of sharp, angular eyebrows. The possible messages sent by this look are few but significant:
a) Bruce Wayne is Satan;
b) Bruce Wayne is too sexy for his cowl;
c) Bruce Wayne is Batman.
Does Bruce really believe he’s hiding his secret from anybody with this new couture? Imagine the hushed whispers at the next Gotham charity ball: “Look! There’s Bruce Wayne! He’s so scary…think he’s Batman?” “Good Lord! You’re right! Call my lawyer!”
And then it’s only a matter of time until the rumour spreads through all layers of Gotham society…and “Over the Edge” turns from dream into series-ending reality. Hello Goth GQ cover boy, goodbye secret identity, goodbye Batman. Heed my words, Bat-fans! The end is nigh! And all because of a new suit and haircut.
But let me tell you something. I visited Brian Cruz’s homepage (see the link in the WB schedule section) and completed the survey on the new Batman series. For the question that asked which character’s new look is best, I chose Bruce Wayne. Why? Because I love it, dammit. His is a divinely-wrought metamorphosis that suits him perfectly. And if you at all took the above column seriously, I have a piece of real estate in Chernobyl you may be interested in. Well, I have to keep myself amused somehow.
Join me next issue, when I’ll discuss how Nightwing’s mullet will spell the utter annihilation of Gotham City…
Laura H.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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BATMAN:THE ANIMATED TRIVIA
This section tests your knowledge of (Before and during WB) Batman episodes. (Remember: The new episodes that air on WB are in the same continuity as the older ones). The questions can be anything from the littlest thing mentioned by someone or what happened to who in which episode and how. The majority of these questions will be multiple choice.
So start rackin’ yer brain! Here goes!
3. In the multiple-award-winning comic “Mad Love”, which villain appears the most (aside from the Joker and Harley Quinn)?
A: Poison Ivy
B: Two-Face
C: The Penguin
D: Rupert Thorne
E: The Riddler
4. Which of the following people have never kissed Batman on the animated TV show (just the show, not the comics)?
A: Selina Kyle
B: Harleen Quinzelle
C: Talia
D: Andrea Beaumont
E: Pamela Isley
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
5. Which of the following fictious people influenced Batman to become who he is today?
A: James Bond (007)
B: Fox Mulder
C: Zorro
D: Thomas Wayne
E: Darkwing Duck
6. Which of the following supporting characters appeared first on BTAS, in order of air date?
A: Ferris Boyle
B: Charlie Collins
C: Arnold Stromwell
D: Roland Daggett
E: Nora Fries
CLIPS
This tests your visual knowledge of the show. The scenes can be taken from any episode or movie based on the animated series (or a Batman/Superman team-up). Click on the URL to go to the picture. These picutres are courtesy of Robin III’s site, BATMAN:THE ANIMATED HOMEPAGE.
CLIP A
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Studio/7636/HOI_01.jpg
CLIP B
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Studio/7636/WFp2_03.jpg
CLIP C
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Studio/7636/pov_04.jpg
Answers located under the ‘SITE WORTH CHECKING OUT’ section.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ‘COMIC’ ADVENTURES This section will give you a brief synopsis of the upcoming comics based on both THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES and SUPERMAN:THE ANIMATED SERIES. Cover price for both series is $1.99 (US) (that’s $2.85 in Canada) and are both Standard format and 32 pages in length.The covers for these comics cna be seen in the COVERING THE BASICS section.
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #5
Release date: August 5, 1998
Written by: Ty Templeton
Pencilled by: Rick Burchett
Inked by: Terry Beatty
Bruce Wayne suffers a concussion while trying to foil the kidnapping of several cryogenic scientists from Wayne Tech! Now it’s up to Nightwing, Robin and Batgirl to save them with help from an unexpected source: Mr. Freeze! *GASP!* This issue also includes the return of a villian thought long gone.
Next Month: Deadman is dead! Its up to Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne to solve his murder with help from an unexpected source…Deadman himself! (Confused? I am!) All that and more in GOTHAM ADVENTURES #6
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #24
Release date: August 12, 1998
Written by: Mark Millar
Pencilled by: Aluir Almancio
Inked by: Terry Austin
The Parasite – AKA Rudy Jones – is back in Metropolis and has Superman’s powers…AGAIN! With time he’s destroying the city while robbing it blind! The name of the game is POWER! He’s plans on using his newfound powers for power and to impress…a girl???
Next Month: Superman shows up in Gotham to help rescue Bruce Wayne from the Mad Hatter, so he calls upond Batgirl for assistance. Nightwing and Robin and some of the Gotham supporting cast show up as well! All in SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #25
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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COVERING THE BASICS…
This section will help you figure out (like you need anymore help) what comics to pick off the news-stands. This month there’s a slight difference, though. The SUPERMAN ADVENTURES covershots will be presneted courtesy of THE BRUCE TIMM ARTWORK ARCHIVE; DC has yet to fix the links for the covers on their DIRECT CURRENTS section. We’ll also be including a very special covershot of the forthcoming, hard-cover, behind-the-scenes BATMAN:ANIMATED. This picutre is courtesty of Brian’s great WB CARTOON PAGE! Here we go! To see the covers just click on the URL under the comic title!
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #24
http://home.nycap.rr.com/cataldo/sadv24.jpg
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #25(Superman & Batgirl Team up!)
http://home.nycap.rr.com/cataldo/sadv25.jpg
BATMAN:ANIMATED
http://members.aol.com/honeyno2/batanim.jpg
BATMAN:GOTHAM ADVENTURES #5
http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/covers/download/dbmga5.jpg
BATMAN:GOTHAM ADVENTURES #6
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Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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COMIC REVIEWS
(by Aaron Maurer)
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES
ISSUE: “Claws” (#4)
WRITTEN BY: Ty Templeton
PENCILED BY: Rick Burchett
INKED BY: Terry Beatty
ISSUED: July 1, 1998
DATED: September, 1998
RATING: **** (out of 5)
“And then suddenly, there he was between us, this giant wall of man…coiled with rage…With an unfamiliar look in his eye. Because I’d crossed the line. He’d finally seen the real me…The kind of cruelty I’m capable of. He was never supposed to have seen that. I always knew it was the one thing about me he could never forgive…”
–Selina Kyle explaining Batman’s reaction to her attack on Amy Mercedes
SUMMARY:
Catwoman relates the story of “the night my heart broke… twice” to one of her pet cats: she helps Batman apprehend a gang, and as she is chasing a member down, he tells her that if she lets him go, he will take her to an illegal testing lab where cats and dogs are having strange chemicals tested on them. She lies to Batman, and then the man takes her to the Mercedes Cosmetics lab. When she looks into the building, at all the sick animals, her heart breaks. The animals need around the clock care, so Catwoman finds “someone special” to do the job – Amy Mercedes, the company’s owner. Batman visits the crime scene and sees evidence of Catwoman’s involvment. Selina reveals why she is so mad about the testing to Amy; she dyes her hair with Mercedes products. Batman finds the building in which Amy is being held, and stops Catwoman from harming her, telling her that “Your heart’s in the right place, but this has to end.” Batman releases Mercedes, and, as she is leaving, she hits a cat. While Batman is catching the animal, Catwoman leaps into a rage, scratching Amy across the face, leaving her a set of whiskers all her own. Selina says that Batman could never forgive her, and, as she left, he never turned to look at her even once. Her heart broke for the second time. Selina then explains that she’s been one step ahead of the lawyers ever since then, and that she hasn’t run into Batman since, either. She doesn’t want to, though; she can never look into his eyes again: it would only break her heart once more.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
COMMENTS:
I’ve never really cared for any of the Catwoman episodes of the animated series (exceptions being “Batgirl Returns” and “You Scratch My Back”), but I loved this issue. The psychoses of the villains have always appealed to me, as have the possibilites of some of them regaining normal lives (I liked “Double Talk” and “Second Chance” a lot). I am always disheartened when they don’t, and at the end of this issue where it appears Catwoman will never be able to truly contain
her anger enough to be a hero, I was deeply affected.
The summary above and these comments cannot do this issue justice; Rick Burchett and Terry Beatty’s artwork brings this standout to life, and it should be a crime to miss it. Also adding to to this issue is an elaborate sightgag (the gang at the beginning of the issue is the cast of Seinfeld) as well as the audience getting to see Catwoman’s old costume in the new style.
CRITICISMS:
All previews of this comic mentioned that it would reveal the secrets behind Catwoman’s new look. This issue doesn’t do that. It reveals why Selina has dark hair on the show, but the costume is never even mentioned. I assume that the new costume is a reflection of her somewhat darker personality (now that Batman has seen her dark side, she has no reason to hide it any longer), but I, or anyone else can’t be sure. Also, I loved the art in this book, but some panels seem wrong or out of place (i.e. bottom right, page 6; or upper middle, page 21). These are minor concerns, though.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you’re looking for answers behind Catwoman’s costume change, you won’t find any. If you’re looking for a powerful story with great artwork, then you will.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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ANIMATED NEWS AND RUMORS
NEW NEWS
MOVIES
– Now the rumors are that the Bat-franchise is dead and will be restarted later in the future.
COMICS/BOOKS
– Azrael will become the ‘fourth’ Batman book starting with when it gains a new comic name, “AZRAEL: AGENT OF THE BAT”. He will basically be an older Robin who runs errands for Batman. He will gain the distinctive cover design like the three main Bat-books.
– BATMAN: ANIMATED hits comic store and book store shelves on Sept. 23rd. This date is, of course, subject to change. Written by Paul Dini and Chip Kidd.
ANIMATED SERIES’
– If the L.E.G.I.O.N. appearance goes well in the upcoming SUPERMAN season there have been rumors flying of the JLA appearing in season four part of a Superman/Batman crossover, already planned. Sounds interesting.
– Oh and here is just some…refreshing news. There will be more BATMAN and SUPERMAN episodes after next season – but this amount is unspecified.
– Returning next season in SUPERMAN will be DARKSEID (in a big way), SUPERGIRL, STEEL, TOYMAN, PARASITE, METALLO, BRAINIAC, and, of course LEX LUTHOR. A new villianess named VOLCANA will be introduced.
– Returning next season in BATMAN will be TWO-FACE (in multiple episodes), JOKER (in at least 3 episodes), HARLEY (in at least 3), SCARECROW, POISON IVY, CATWOMAN, RIDDLER (in at least two episodes), RA’S
AL GHUL, and the PENGIUN. Some of the new characters that will be introduced will be CREEPER, ROXY ROCKET, and FARMER BROWN.
– BANE and THE MAD HATTER will also make appearances in “Knight Time” (World’s Finest 2), as well as many previously mentioned Bats and Supes villains.
-AQUAMAN and GREEN LANTERN will be apparing next season. AQUAMAN will be hookless and GREEN LANTERN will be Kyle Rayner, not Hal.
-AQUAMAN will play a pivotal part in the seaosn finale next year. Plus the appearances of those two superheroes will be a prelude of sorts to the upcoming JLA series that B/S creators say is coming really close to a reality, and will possibly replace BATMAN BEYOND in the 1999-2000 season. The JLA series is still very “iffy” right now, due to continuity errors that would then plague both the Batman and Superman series.
-Also look for camoes by other DCU heroes this season on Superman, such as WONDER WOMAN.
-In BATMAN BEYOND, many of the current BTAS villains WILL re-appear, but in a mutated form. Dini has confirmed that Joker, Riddler, and Two-Face will CERTAINLY NOT re-appear though.
-BATMAN BEYOND will premiere on the weekend of November 14/15, 1998.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
THE BATMAN/SUPERMAN “MOVIE” ON VIDEO!
-On August 18th WB Entertainment will release the three-part “World’s Finest” adventure on video. The movie is 80 minutes long…which is kind of odd, seeing how the three episodes combined add up to barely 60 minutes. Included with the movie will be a mini-comic (probably the adpatation) and an offer for the BATMAN & ROBIN CARTOON MAKER. The story features the first-ever animated team-up of Batman and Superman, to take on the Joker and Lex Luthor. Also appearing are Harley Quinn, Mercy Graves, Lois Lane, Dan Turpin, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, and Harvey Bullock.
Retail price is $16.99 – probably about$14-18.99 in Canada.
ANIMATED BAT-MOVIE #3!!!!
-Well it seems that SUB-ZERO has long surpassed MASK OF THE PHANTASM for video sales. The recent ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY video sales has SUB-ZERO at #5! That I will admit is pretty impressive! The movie hasn’t left the top-ten direct-to-video sales chart since its release date, March 17! -Rumor has it that Boyd Kirkland and Randy Rogel have submitted various scripts to WB, with hopes of one of them to become the third animated movie. While rumors of movies featuring either Two-Face or Scarecrow have been circulating for quite some time, the latest rumor is that Ra’s Al Ghul and Bane will team up. This is all in the planning stages right now. There is no news on whether the old or new style will be used in the animation, but I expect a better-quality newer-style look will be incorporated, such as more shading, a more 3D feel, and of course, more CGI. The movie may still be released to coincide with “Batman 5”.
-Personally, I want either a Two-Face or Scarecrow movie – what do the fans want?? (And yes, so far, there are no rumors of a Joker or Harley Quinn movie, like many are wishing for. But remember, these are RUMORS!)
Check this site out to see my scoop actually published!
(Tues, July 21, 1998)
DARK HORIZONS:
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news.htm
OLD NEWS/REMINDERS
-New KidsWB! weekend! SUPERMAN and ANINMANIACS is gone! WE now have a double dose of SYLVESTER & TWEETY and a triple dose of THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES. The weekday programming remains the same.
The new schedule is (in eastern time):
8:00am-PINKY AND THE BRAIN
8:30am-THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
9:00am-THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
9:30am-THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
10:00am-MEN IN BLACK
10:30am-PINKY AND THE BRAIN
11:00am-SYLVESTER AND TWEETY MYSTERIES
11:30am-SYLVESTER AND TWEETY MYSTERIES
-Ty Templeton will (temporarily) no longer be doing covers for BATMAN:GOTHAM ADVENTURES. He will now only concentrate on writings.
-13 episodes have been greenlighted for MEN IN BLACK.
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“ANIMATED” BAT-TOYS OF THE PAST: REVIEW
(by Kevin Smith)
“BATMAN: THE ANIMATED FIGURES”
Ok, so if you are like me, you love anything having to do with BTAS! And if you are even more like me, you love to collect the action figures based on the show. That is what this article is on, my rantings and opinions on the relevant figures made in the “animated” style. I’m not going to deal with all of those asinine Batman and Robin repaints and variations like Triwing Batman, who looks like a mutant satellite dish. Who bought those P.O.S. anyway? Also, I’ll be covering them in the order that I acquired them, which is in the order in which they were released, more or less. Any corrections to the timeline of the waves are welcomed.
First up in Wave One, we have the Penguin, which is the hardest-to-find BTAS figure right now. The figure, I thought, was great. I liked the cloth coat, and the fingers were correct too. It looked more like the Penguin from “Batman returns” than the Super Powers rehash Penguin that they released under that line. My only gripe was his Hypno-Spin Umbrella Launcher. I mean, I can understand making something kewl for the kids, but I would have appreciated a closed umbrella, with maybe a blade that came out at the end in addition to the Hypno-Spin crap. The card art was ok. I liked the shadowing on the Penguin, how his hand creates a shadow on his body, and the Gotham City art was great.
The next addition to my collection was Two-Face. The sculpt of this figure was beautiful, however, this is a(nother) case where the pictured prototype on the package was better than what was in the package. Two-Face’s white side ended up being a very light cyan colour, which was odd, but acceptable. The painting on the head, however, was excellent. The
hair was white, the skin was the right color, and it was even detailed with pink blisters against the sea-green/blue skin. He came with a little coin on a chain around his neck. While I would have preferred it to have been scarred or something (It was completely plain) I appreciated the change from the huge life size coin version on Toy Biz’s Two-Face. His Firing
Roulette Wheel Gun was another stupid weapon for the kiddies, but this one was even dumber than the Penguin’s. The card art for his figure was one of the worst ever. Not only did it suck, but it swallowed too.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
Next is Robin. Once again, Kenner lifts its lazy-ass hand, only to release a half-hearted effort. The only thing animated about this figure is the head, and then the hair isn’t quite right. The body of this figure is a repainted Robin’s body from Kenner’s “Batman Returns” line. (How did Robin get into the “Returns” line anyhow???) His accompanying Turbo-Glider and Drop Missiles are kind of kewl, though only for the fact that it’s intended for the Returns figure, as evidenced by the comic style Robin insignia engraven on the armor attached to the glider. They tried to cover this up with an animated Robin symbol on the hang glider. Yeah. Nice try. The card was mediocre. The shadowing was nice, but Robin’s face looks like a teenage Frankenstein’s monster with a grin.
The Riddler with Question Mark Launcher, is still one my favorites. Disregarding the stupid question mark thing, which was reissued with a “Batman Forever” Riddler, this was one of the better of the first wave. He came with the same cane that he had in the show, and the pose was excellent. I have mine displayed with him jauntily holding his cane and his other hand with the finger pointed up, as a perfect homage to Frank Gorshin saying “Riddle me this, Batman!” The card art was ok, but I would have preferred the absence of the stupid Question Mark Launcher.
Combat Belt Batman with Firing Grappling hook and Missile. He was a plain Batman – a great figure with a cloth cape. He came with weapon accessories that hooked onto his big ol’ belt, like handcuffs, and a big iron think to fire out of the grappling hook gun. The only complaint I have is that the inside of his cape isn’t blue, and his cowl doesn’t have the blue highlights. The pose is classic. His head is ever so slightly tilted upwards giving him a noble air. The card art was good too.
Also released with this wave, was the forgettable Turbojet Batman that came with this jetpack that had a helmet that looked like a clear Rockateer helmet.
And that, my readers, is a review of the first wave of BTAS figures…next issue, WAVE TWO!!!!
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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OTHER BATMAN RELATED NEWS
Movie News
-Look for BATMAN & ROBIN to air later this month or next on HBO (what a waste of commercial time!)
-It looks like Batman 5 will hit theatres no earlier than Summer of 2000. The budget and crew is undetermined at this time but WB is expected to make an announcement in August about the film.
-Sadly, Joel Schmacher is still tied to the project as director, but promises a darker, less flamboyant movie with a smaller, more centralized cast. (Of course, compared to “Batman & Robin”, “Batman Forever” fits all those characteristics).
-Plus: WB is planning on shooting scenes in Vancouver and London to get the spooky ‘X-files’ type shots in the next movie. Upon visualizing Batman and Robin chasing the Scarecrow through the dark woods (a la X-Files), it looks pretty awesome to me.
-But now George Clooney is saying that WB is pulling out of BATMAN 5 so what the hell is going on?
-Still no news on whether the Kurt Russel rumors are plausible.
-“Ain’t It Cool News” has reported that Joel Schumacher (who is still tied to the movie), is in talks with WB about the fifth film, and is hoping to show the world what a genius Frank Miller is by making a movie based on the critcally-acclaimed “Year One” story (Batman #404-407).
-One thing is for sure – when this movie is released, it will not be as disappointing as “Batman & Robin” turned out to be.
Comic News
-The Batman creative teams for late 1998-99 have yet to be officially released but so far there’s quite a list:
Neal Adams
J. Scott Campbell
Kurt Busiek
Mike Deodato Jr.
Karl Kesel
Tom Grummet
More to be names at a later date. There is rumored to be 26 creators signed on so far.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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COMIC SCHEDULES
Release dates of BATMAN comics in August:
ANIMATED COMICS
August 5th
Batman:Gotham Adventures #5 (1.99)
August 12th
Superman Adventures #24 (1.99)
MAINSTREAM COMICS
These comics are based on the current continuity Batman. The current storyline is now that Gotham is down for the count Gotham might get kicked even harder.Can the heroes save it?
August 5th
BATMAN:I, JOKER (4.95)
BATMAN:THE KILLING JOKE-relist (4.95)
BATMAN:SHADOW OF THE BAT #79 (1.99)
JOKER MINI STATUE-relist (no price available)
MARTAIN MANHUNTER (Batman cameo) (1.99)
YOUNG JUSTICE (2.50)
August 12th
AZRAEL #46 (2.25)
BATMAN #559 (1.99)
JLA:YEAR ONE #10(of 12) (1.99)
NIGHTWING #25 (1.99)
August 19th
BATMAN:TWO FACE – CRIME AND PUNISHMENT-relist (4.95)
BATMAN VILLIANS Secret Files (4.95)
CATWOMAN/WILDCAT #3 (OF 4) (2.50)
DETECTIVE COMICS #726 (1.99)
JLA #23 (1.99)
NIGHTWING:A KNIGHT IN BLUDHAVEN (14.95)
NIGHTWING:TIES THAT BIND (12.95)
August 26th
BATMAN:LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #111 (1.99)
THE BATMAN CHRONICLES #14 (2.95)
CATWOMAN #62 (1.99)
JLA ANNUAL #2 (2.95)
ROBIN #58 (1.99)
Early solicitation
September 16th
BATMAN:GOTHAM ADVENTURES T-SHIRT (no price currently available)
September 23rd
BATMAN: ANIMATED (by Paul Dini, and Chip Kidd. The perfect gift for any Bat-fan.)
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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Animated Batman/Superman sites:
THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
http://www.batman-superman.com
BATMAN:THE ANIMATED SERIES
http://www.batmantas.com
KIDSWB!
http://www.kidswb.com
http://www.wbanimation.com
THE ANIMATED BAT
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/7382/index.html
BATMAN:THE ANIMATED HOMEPAGE
http://www3.sympatico.ca/quartet/home.htm
SUB-ZERO
http://www.warnerbros.com/subzero
SUB-ZERO:THE DEFINTIE GUIDE
http://www.batman-subzero.com
TWO-FACE’S TOWER OF TRANQUILITY AND TERROR
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/TimTwoFace/index.html
BRIAN’S BATMAN PAGE
http://members.aol.com/bdavis2613/main.html
RAVING TOY MANIAC
http://www.toymania.com
CHARACTERS ON THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN & ROBIN
http://www.xse.com/leres/batman.html
THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN & ROBIN F.A.Q. SITE
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/1216
HARLEY’S HAVEN OF HEDONISM
http://www.angelfire.com/hi/harlequinhideaway
These are some of the best BTAS sites on the web at this time. Most sites are updated or have been recently and all are up and running. Now…chances are if you’ve watched Batman on WB! There’s also a chance you’ve watched Superman:TAS and probably loved it! Well if so here’s a site that is the best Superman:TAS site on the web! (But it hasn’t been updated since the May 2nd weekend).
SUPERMAN:TAS
http://www.rain.org/~stas/
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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SITE WORTH CHECKING OUT!
Wondering what episodes you haven’t seen of Batman? Or possibly your missing that one SUPERMAN episode. Whatever the case is you should do yourself a favor and check out this site:
BRIAN CRUZ’S WB CARTOONS PAGE
http://pages.nyu.edu/~bpc200/index.html
This site contains some of the most up-to-date info on all WB animated shows and to most up-to-date (its up before The official KIDS’ WB! schedule usually) schedule! You won’t be sorry!
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ANSWERS TO THE TRIVIA
Answer to #3: ‘B’
Answer to #4: ‘D’
Answer to #5: ‘C’
Answer to #6: ‘A’
ANSWERS TO THE CLIPS TRIVIA
A – Heart Of Ice
B – World’s Finest (Pt. 2)
C – P.O.V.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE:
BATMAN and all related property is a registered trademark of DC Comics. Visit DC Comics website at:
http://www.dccomics.com
DC Comics is owned and operated by Warner Brothers. Visit their website at:
http://www.warnerbros.com
Kids’WB! is a part of Warner Brothers. Visit the Kids’ WB! site at:
http://www.kidswb.com
If I’ve left any out I’ll probably be suee and homeless within a year so please tell me.
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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TO ALL GOOD THINGS…
…there must be an end. Well our newest installment of the newsletter has now been completed. Tim and I would like to thank the endless contributors for contributing their editorials, columns, news, and reviews and other articles. We also hope you enjoyed all of the regualer columns as well!
See ya next time!
CREDITS FOR BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER
CONCEPTIONISTS: James Grayson-Harvey and Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
EDITORS: James Grayson-Harvey and Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
AIR DATE SCHEDULES: Brian Cruz
BTAS REVIEWS: Bob Evatt
EDITORIAL: Laura Hysert
COMIC REVIEWS: Aaron Maurer
THIS MONTH’S VOTING POLL: Brian Davis
TOY REVIEW: Kevin Smith
SOME OF THE “SCOOPS”: Livio Ramondelli
PROMOTIONS AND JUST GETTIN’ THE WORD AROUND: Brian Cruz, Brian Davis
THOSE WHO FILL IN FOR OTHERS WHEN THEY FOUL UP:-P James Grayson-Harvey and
Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
BATMAN CREATED BY: Bob Kane (who else?)
SPECIAL THANKS to TY TEMPLETON for participating in our interview for this issue!
Read the Ty Templeton Interview
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