Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of November 26 – December 8, 2001
Volume 4, 4
Rated: PG (as with all other things Batman-related)
THIS ISSUE’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “Batarangs: $50. Grappling Hook: $220. Foiling the Joker’s evil plot in Times Square with his pants down: Priceless.”
ALSO, I must congratulate our friends at TOONZONE and the WORLD’S FINEST NEWSPAGE for being mentioned in the Dot.Com section of the January 2002 issue of WIZARD magazine! (Editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton’s personal website was mentioned as well, in the calendar section of the magazine on the opposing page.) For more information on these sites, and many many others, go to the links section towards the end of the newsletter.
ONE MORE THING! This year’s fourth annual GOLDEN OVAL AWARDS ballot is at the bottom of this issue, and all following issues through November and December. Get those votes in and make your voices heard over what you think are the best and worst of Batman in 2001!
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EAGERLY ANTICIPATING…
New episodes are on the horizon! Here’s what we can expect in the near future…
UNMASKED
-The Cartoon Network will finally show this episode on December 18th! About time!
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NEWS AND RUMORS
(see back issues for older info)
ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-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)
-According to an anonymous source, as well as Ain’t It Cool News, producers have already begun voice recording for the season finale of Justice League’s first season. The three part season finale will be entitled “The Savage Time” and will feature the entire league going up against immortal bad guy Vandal Savage. Additional guest voice cast members include Fred Dryer (Hunter) as Sgt. Rock, Patrick Duffy (The Man From Atlantis) as Steve Trevor, Phil Morris (Seinfeld) as Vandal Savage and Robert Picardo (Star Trek: Voyager) as Blackhawk.
-For more JL ANIAMTED info, go to this URL:
http://www.jlanimated.com
-Even with BTAS coming to DVD, we’re not yet 100% satisfied! If you want to make your voice heard on how these 109 episodes should be released (ie, in a season-by-season box set), go to THIS link and sign the petition!
http://www.petitiononline.com/BmanBox/petition.html
-A preliminary review for the JUSTICE LEAGUE pilot episode has popped up on the net! Wanna read it? Go here – but be forewarned, there are probably spoilers!
http://www.cartoonresearch.com/reviews.html
ANIMATED COMICS
-JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 description: “The JLA faces a deadly alien threat! When a meteor lands in an American suburb, the League is called on to investigate. Soon they are drawn into an intergalactic conflict, but it seems as if the real threat may be one of their own – Green Lantern! Our heroes’ adventures may be over as soon as they’ve begun!”
Due out on November 14th.
Bruce Tim Pencils for #1: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/jla/jla01.gif
Alex Ross Paiting for #1: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/jla/jla01-color.jpg
-JUSTICE LEAGUE #2
The Justice League must find a way to defeat a strange magical cult that is targeting the treasures of museums around the world. To succeed, the League needs the Martian Manhunter, but is he too torn by his feelings of alienation from his new teammates to help?
In stores December 12th.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/jla/jla02.jpg
-JUSTICE LEAGUE #4
In “World War of the Sexes,” the Justice League must find out why Wonder Woman’s Amazon sisters have turned against the world, starting with all the men! Can the League stop the female warriors before they conquer the planet?
Cover: http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers277252.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVNETURES #45
Arkham Asylum’s in full lockdown, and one of its doctors is missing. It’s up to Batman to find out which of the inmates is in charge, in “Running the Asylum”. Due out on December 26th.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bga/bga45.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #46
When Scarface and Ventriloquist disagree on how to pull off a job, they become each other’s worst enemies – but they’re also twice as deadly. Batman follows the puppet-master’s trail of trouble in “Saving Face.”
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com:8080/stories/0110/23/BatGA46.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #47
When the criminal doesn’t match up with the crime, Batman makes the rounds in Gotham’s underworld and learns there may be a crook in the long arm of the law. (And is it just me, or does that look sorta like Lock-Up to you?) In stores Feb 27.
Cover: http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers277246.jpg
-SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #64
Terry McGinnis pops up in SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #64. Yeah, I’m confused too, but since Brainiac’s involved in this, anything is possible.
Due out in December.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/sa/sa64.jpg
-For more animated comic updates, go here:
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/previews.html
OTHER COMICS
-A new section specifically designed to promote THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN has popped up at the DC Comics website! Go to this link to check it out!
http://www.dccomics.com/features/dk2/dk2.html
-ToonZone now has monthly solicitations information for all DC Comics, including all the animated and mainstream titles, that can be viewed here:
http://www.toonzone.net/comics
-In January, the BRUCE WAYNE: MURDERER (followed by BRUCE WAYNE: FUGITIVE) crossover will begin! After the 10 CENT ADVENTURE, released on January 2, the story will proceed in this order of issues:
RELEASED JANUARY 2
Cover of 10 CENT ADVENTURE:
http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/2002-01/batman/10cent.jpg
RELEASED JANUARY 9
Chapter 1: DETECTIVE COMICS #766
http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/2002-01/batman/detective766.jpg
Chapter 2: BATGIRL #24
http://www.comicscontinuum.com:8080/stories/0110/23/BG24.jpg
Chapter 3: NIGHTWING #65
http://www.comicscontinuum.com:8080/stories/0110/23/nw65.jpg
RELEASED JANUARY 16
Chapter 4: BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #25
http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/2002-01/batman/bgk25.jpg
Chapter 5: BIRDS OF PREY #39
http://www.comicscontinuum.com:8080/stories/0110/23/BOP39.jpg
RELEASED JANUARY 23
Chapter 6: ROBIN #98
http://www.comicscontinuum.com:8080/stories/0110/23/Robin98.jpg
RELEASED JANUARY 30
Chapter 7: BATMAN #599 – Bruce Wayne behind bars with no way out! I don’t think this series is ending with this issue, folks.
http://www.comicscontinuum.com:8080/stories/0110/23/Bat599.jpg
RELEASED FEBRUARY 13
Chapter 8: DETECTIVE COMICS #767
http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers277237.jpg
Chapter 9: NIGHTWING #66
http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers277238.jpg
RELEASED FEBRUARY 20
Chapter 10: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #26
http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers277239.jpg
Chapter 11: ROBIN #99
http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers277240.jpg
Chapter 12: BIRDS OF PREY #40
http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers277241.jpg
RELEASED FEBRUARY 27
-BATMAN #600, the comic that kicks off the BRUCE WAYNE: FUGITIVE storyline, will be due out in 2002. Here’s the cover:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com:8080/stories/0111/13/bmc600.jpg
MOVIES
-ONSTAR is holding a contest where a winner gets to have a walk-on role in whatever the next Batman movie will be.
*BATMAN: YEAR ONE (BATMAN 5) NEWS:
-Work is starting immediately to get YEAR ONE ready for an early 2003 release, though Aronofsky wants the final cut done by Winter 2002. Among the new designs already said to be sketched, there are:
*A very gothic Gotham City
*Several designs for Batman
*Designs for Catwoman
*A few designs for the Joker
*New Batmobile designs
(Now, is it just me, or did the Joker not even APPEAR in YEAR ONE? He was only mentioned in text on the last page! Regardless, thanks to the WORLDS FINEST NEWSPAGE and SCREENWRITERS UTOPIA for the scoop.)
*BATMAN BEYOND: LIVE ACTION NEWS:
-Apparently this movie is on indefinite hiatus because the futuristicenvironments needed in which to set the movie would cost a LOT to make.
Thanks to COMING SOON for the info.
*THE FOURTH ANIMATED BATMAN MOVIE
-No new news here
*CATWOMAN
-No new news on this movie for a while…but yeah, it’s still technically in production.
*WORLD’S FINEST
-No new news here. Don’t expect this movie to happen for quite a while. Development Hell, folks.
LIVE ACTION TELEVISION
-On November 30, the Canadian TV channel GLOBAL will be airing a two-hour marathon of SMALLVILLE, featuring the episode “X-Ray” at 8pm and “Cool” at 9pm. After this, it should be caught up with the WB’s airing of the show. The episode “The Hourglass” is expected to air on December 7th.
-There are now rumours that if SMALLVILLE proves to be successful, the WB will be making a TV series based on Chuck Dixon’s BIRDS OF PREY comic series, featuring Oracle and Black Canary. Laeta Kalogridis (TOMB RAIDER) is attached as writer of the script and Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, and Joe Davola are pegged as executive producers. This report has appeared in the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. No sign on any other Bat-characters (including the B-man himself) appearing in the series as of yet.
EXCLUSIVE INTERNET ENDEAVOURS:
-Alan J. Porter, editor of the GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS (another newsletter) has once again published the “entry form” for the 2001 Alfred Awards (his awards for the best of Bat-stuff over the past year). Go to this link to vote:
http://www.geocities.com/gothamajp/alfreds.htm
TOYS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE
-BATMAN: VENGEANCE for PS2 is already out, and the Nintendo Gamecube version will be out shortly (by Christmas).
-The release date of BATMAN: DARK TOMORROW for the Nintendo Gamecube has been pushed back to March 2002.
-A new animated statue is coming June 12! Check out this cool piece of Catwoman memorabilia:
http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers277257.jpg
-A new Superman game is already in the works! No other information is available.
SPECIAL NOTE:
For more BATMAN, SUPERMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE, BATMAN BEYOND, and related stories and news, check out the WORLD’S FINEST NEWSPAGE at:
http://news.toonzone.net
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CARTOON NETWORK SCHEDULE
CARTOON NETWORK currently has the rights to air all episodes of Batman, Superman, and select episodes of Batman Beyond. As of October 1st, CARTOON NETWORK has been bringing back these shows to the network, by adding BATMAN BEYOND to their Toonami block, at the 6:30pm (ET) timeslot. BATMAN and SUPERMAN are expected to join the network soon.
* * * * * *
Mon 11-26-01 BEYOND #34 The Eggbaby
Tue 11-27-01 BEYOND #35 April Moon
Wed 11-28-01 BEYOND #36 Payback
Thu 11-29-01 BEYOND #37 Sentries of the Last Cosmos
* * * * * *
Mon 12-03-01 BEYOND #38 Big Time
Tue 12-04-01 BEYOND #39 Untouchable
Wed 12-05-01 BEYOND #40 Where’s Terry?
Thu 12-06-01 BEYOND #41 Ace in the Hole
* * * * * *
Mon 12-09-01 BEYOND #42 King’s Ransom
Tue 12-10-01 BEYOND #43 Betrayal
Wed 12-11-01 BEYOND #44 Out of the Past
Thu 12-12-01 BEYOND #45 Speak No Evil
JUSTICE LEAGUE
Nov. 30 7:30 p.m. In Blackest Night Pt. 2 (episode 5)
Dec. 2 8:30 p.m. In Blackest Night Pt. 2 (episode 5)
Dec. 3 9:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 1 (episode 6)
Dec. 7 7:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 1 (episode 6)
Dec. 9 8:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 1 (episode 6)
Dec. 10 9:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 2 (episode 7)
Dec. 14 7:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 2 (episode 7)
Dec. 16 8:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 2 (episode 7)
Dec. 16 9:30 p.m. Secret Origins Pt. 1 (episode 1)
Dec. 21 7:30 p.m. Secret Origins Pt. 1 (episode 1)
Dec. 23 8:30 p.m. Secret Origins Pt. 1 (episode 1)
Dec. 30 8:30 p.m. Secret Origins Pt. 2 (episode 2)
Dec. 31 9:30 p.m. Secret Origins Pt. 3 (episode 3)
Jan. 4 7:30 p.m. Secret Origins Pt. 3 (episode 3)
Jan. 6 8:30 p.m. Secret Origins Pt. 3 (episode 3)
Jan. 7 9:30 p.m. In Blackest Night Pt. 1
Jan. 11 7:30 p.m. In Blackest Night Pt. 1
Jan. 13 8:30 p.m. In Blackest Night Pt. 1
Jan. 14 9:30 p.m. In Blackest Night Pt. 2
Jan. 18 7:30 p.m. In Blackest Night Pt. 2
Jan. 20 8:30 p.m. In Blackest Night Pt. 2
Jan. 21 9:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 1
Jan. 25 7:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 1
Jan. 27 8:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 1
Jan. 28 9:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 2
Feb. 1 7:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 2
Feb. 3 8:30 p.m. The Enemy Below Pt. 2
Should this schedule be inaccurate, go to this link:
http://alt.cartoonnetwork.com/Schedule/0,3671,CTN%7C0%7C320020%7CEastern,00.html
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CANADIAN EPISODE SCHEDULE
(BATMAN on YTV – courtesy of our friends at YTV)
YTV has renewed the rights to air more episodes of BATMAN BEYOND every Saturday morning at 10:00am. YTV will air ‘new’ episodes every weekend, most of them airing for the first time. For an accurate YTV schedule go to:
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/epsched.htm
http://www.ytv.com/ytvguide
news.toonzone.net
Though YTV currently has the rights to air all 109 episodes of BTAS, it has been removed from the schedule for the time being. Be sure to check back here for updates!
THIS WEEK:
Sat 12-01-01: BEYOND #45 Speak No Evil
NEXT WEEK (this schedule may be slightly inaccurate)
Sat 12-08-01: BEYOND #46 Inqueling
YET ANOTHER WEEK LATER:
Sat 12-15-01: BEYOND #47 Unmasked
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EPISODE REVIEW: (SPOILERS!)
(by Dick Grayson)
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”:
SECRET ORIGINS (Pt. 1, 2, 3)
Aired on November 17th, 2001
The series, which apparently takes place in the future, starts with a botched Mars expedition. When a quake rumbles through the Red Planet, an astronaut falls through the cracks in lands deep underground, before a large door. He pries it open and a white blinding light emerges. Cut to two years later where Batman is investigating some starnge activies at the Metropolis branch of Waynetech. There he runs into a couple aliens who proceed to tear the place apart. Even the intervention of Superman is unable to stop the ensueing damage and defeat. Superman, during the tussle, suffers odd visions which bring a lot of pain to the Man Of Steel.
This tussle begins a chain reaction which introduces Martian Manhunter and begins a full scale war. Aliens crash to Earth (specifically, Metropolis) and begin to slowly destroy the city. And the more our heroes uncover about it, the more higher up it runs, all the way up to the government and military. And when the aliens start knocking, Earth’s Greatest Heroes come a-calling. Quickly into the second act of the pilot, we’re introduced to the likes of Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Flash, and the now rookie Wonder Woman. There are a lot of suprises in the pilot and to say any more would give it all away.
The animation is what you would expect from your typical Bruce Timm-helmed project – beautiful. There are a couple moments of odd character movements, but for the majority of the pilot, we see the heroes move quickly and smoothly. Batman and Superman have definitely changed from their respective series. Batman’s new moves are more creepy and almost snake like. In the first act of the pilot, when he jumps to the ground, he connects smoothly and quickly and mimics a snake. When Superman takes flight, the speed is notched up quite a bit. Again, in the first act he has sped up.
The new heroes introduced are a mix bag. The Flash comes off as arrogant, but will most likely become the most liked member of the group for new fans. His dialogue is hilarious at times and he is instantly likeable. When more information on his character comes about later in the season, we will definitely get to see more of him. Micheal Rosenbaum does a great job on the character, bringing him to life perfectly.
Green Lantern is a hard-arse military type, which works both with and against him. While his character comes off as cliched, and almost like Shaft, his dialogue is some of the best written stuff for the opener. The voice performance by Phil LaMarr is a very mixed bag. He sounds like a parody of himself, and sometimes comes off as laughable.
Wonder Woman is under-written, but that is a part of her charm. She is the rookie that no one knows much about. For new fans of the series, they will likely be confused at her background, as we only see a few moments with her and her mother on Themiscyra. Hopefully the upcoming episode focusing on the heroine will showcase more of her background. The voice acting on Wonder Woman, though, is disappointing and stiff. In some scenes that require her to grunt and give it all she has, she comes of lightly. She is a great character that I hope to see expanded upon.
Hawkgirl will definitely be another favorite, as she is considered the underdog of the group; she is a new character to even some Justice League fans. Her character is not what you would expect, especially from her moniker. She is brutal and blunt. Some of her scenes, in which she uses her mace, come of as some of the most brutal sequences in the pilot. She is swift and unrelenting. Nothing is revealed about her at all in the pilot, hopefully setting up an interesting future storyline as current heroes seem to know about her.
Martian Manhunter is an enigma and really the star of the opener. His tragic background is revealed and he gets arguably the best line and moment in the concluding act. One of the best things about this character is that he is constantly unfolding through out the pilot. We learn more and more as the opener progresses and it is interesting and believable (to a certain ‘suspension of disbelief’ kinda way). The voice acting by Carl Lumbry is absolutely perfect. He is Martian Manhunter. His voice is dry and stiff – exactly how it should be.
As for the big two, Superman and Batman, it is like walking into familiar territory. Aside from the costume tweaks, Batman is exactly how he was before. Dark, mysterious, and always ready for battle. Kevin Conroy continues to provide the best depiction of the Dark Knight. No complaints at all. His new look is a perfect mix of his old and new look. The writers are able to believeably manipulte him into the Justice League. Superman’s small look changes look good when done right. Some scenes in the pilot make Superman seem extremely old and ugly. The new lines on his face do work, but there are some scenes where they just look like clutter. The new voice takes getting used to. George Newbeurn steps in for Tim Daly and does an adequate, if shaky, job. Superman comes off sounding young in some scenes, and then sounding exactly like Daly in others. Given that this is Newbeurn’s first voice acting gig, it is understandable that he would not be perfect from the get go. Give him time, and the voice will undoubtedly stabilize.
Overall, the pilot is a fast paced exciting ride. While the premise for he pilot is cliched, the crew pull it off pretty well. You know the heroes will win the battle in the end, but it is entertaining getting there! The action sequences are well done and most of the scenes in between are some great, short character building moments. The characters mesh really well in the pilot as they are initially brought together. The show can only go up from here, and undoubtedly will.
Rating: B+.
Screen Grabs:
http://news.toonzone.net/2001/nov/13/clark3.jpg
http://news.toonzone.net/2001/nov/13/alien4.jpg
http://news.toonzone.net/2001/nov/13/other.jpg
http://news.toonzone.net/2001/nov/13/mm2.jpg
For more reviews of “Secret Origins”, go follow this link; it will lead to MORE links!
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=86869#post86869
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COMIC REVIEWS
(BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES and JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES by Tim “TWO-FACE”
Leighton)
(SUPERMAN ADVENTURES by Dick Grayson)
JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES
ISSUE: “Disarmed” (#1)
WRITTEN BY: Ty Templeton
PENCILS: Min S. Ku
INKS: Dan Davis
COLOURIST: John Kalisz
LETTERER: Kurt Hathaway
COVER ART: Alex Ross and Bruce Timm
ISSUED: November 14, 2001 (Cover date Jan 2002)
RATING: **
Congratulations for finally making it into the animated world! I know a lot of fans were eagerly waiting for this series to finally become a reality. I, myself, was mostly happy just to see the animated tradition of Batman continue (and Superman too, for that matter), but at the same time, I was concerned. Was this project too grandiose to be contained within 30 minute episodes and 22 page issues AND still do justice to all the characters?
If the “real” JLA series can do it, why couldn’t the animated staff? They’re a very competent bunch of people.
Unfortunately, with Issue #1, I wasn’t all that impressed. Perhaps I needed to watch the TV pilot first, but I just couldn’t get into the characters. They seemed very one-dimensional, and, I hate to say it, just barely a step up from “Super-Friends” type of mentality. Maybe, being a die-hard Bat-fan, I’m not a fan of alien invasions and superhero team-ups to begin with; then again, I still appreciate Superman, but it would have been better to use a more significant alien threat, like Darkseid, for example.
I don’t like writing negatively about something I still see so much promise in, particularly when a favourite writer of mine (Ty Templeton) was at the helm. Perhaps this series should break the mold set by the three other animated properties and do multi-issue stories when a story NEEDS more than 22 pages to be told in. That’s the only way to fit in characterization for all these characters! And then, maybe GOTHAM ADVENTURES and the other animated titles will see this and do more than just single-issue stories occasionally, too.
The series shows promise and I’m going to keep reading, but please, if you’re going to up the ante, you have to up the space in which you tell the story, too!
PS – Alex Ross’ covers are still GORGEOUS, even in the animated style!
;-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 #45
December 26th
Arkham Asylum’s in full lockdown, and one of its doctors is missing. It’s up to Batman to find out which of the inmates is in charge, in “Running the Asylum”. Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bga/bga45.jpg
FOLLOWING MONTH:
-When Scarface and Ventriloquist disagree on how to pull off a job, they become each other’s worst enemies – but they’re also twice as deadly. Batman follows the puppet-master’s trail of trouble in “Saving Face.”
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com:8080/stories/0110/23/BatGA46.jpg
-JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #2
December 12th
The Justice League must find a way to defeat a strange magical cult that is targeting the treasures of museums around the world. To succeed, the League needs the Martian Manhunter, but is he too torn by his feelings of alienation from his new teammates to help?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/jla/jla02.jpg
FOLLOWING MONTH: Issue #3
January 9th
The Justice League must find a way to defeat a strange magical cult that is targeting the treasures of museums around the world. To succeed, the League needs the Martian Manhunter, but is he too torn by his feelings of alienation from his new teammates to help?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/jla/jla02.jpg
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Due to demand by some of our subscribers, we’ve decided to give a “Letters to the Editor” section a shot. Feel free to submit something you’d like to say to us, and each issue we’ll choose one to post and then reply to. (NOTE: It can be completely uncensored, positive OR negative, though any coarse language will be bleeped out. We want this to be a no-holds-barred column!)
* * * * * *
THIS MUST BE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! AM I DREAMING? FIRST, THE ARRIVAL OF THE JLA ANIMATED SERIES, AND NOW RUMORS OF A LIVE ACTION SHOW FEATURING ORACLE AND THE BLACK CANARY?! THIS MUST BE A DREAM! ANY MORE INFO ON THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. ALSO, LET ME JUST SAY, AS I USUALLY DO IN MY LETTERS, TO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. I LOVE THE NEWSLETTER. THANKS…
ANDIE NAPPI
INVERNESS, FLORIDA
* * * * * *
TWO-FACE’S SIDE OF THE COIN
Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about this production, though the WB has ordered for a pilot episode to be made. (That’s it. Not an ongoing series as of yet, just a pilot.) Casting for Oracle and Canary hasn’t even been set yet. I never read the comics myself, but if it turns out anything like the other superhero show that just came out, SMALLVILLE (which I just started watching and I think it’s quite good), then it should be successful. Thing is, how are they going to make the series without Batman being involved? I know nothing of Black Canary’s character but I definitely know Oracle and she’s a little too tied to the B-man, isn’t she?
We’ll see in the coming months if the pilot of the show impressed the big-wigs at the WB. More as we hear it!
And thanks for the praise of the newsletter, Andie. Always appreciated.
;-Y
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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.
POTPURRI
651. The first name of the Incredible Hulk’s secret identity is the same as which Gotham-based costumed character?
652. In what episode does Batman meet Jonah Hex?
653. Who DREW the cover to JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #1?
654. In the comic issue where Batman and Batgirl make a trip to Paris, what is the only Gotham-based villain to appear in that issue?
655. What is the title of the song “Batman” and “Commissioner Gordon” sing on stage together? (Really!)
656. In the BATMAN BEYOND episode OUT OF THE PAST, which villains that appeared in the live-action Bat-movies did NOT appear in the stage-production of Batman?
657. Which two characters in Gotham have an official “third personality” that
they assume on occasion?
658. What was the first episode of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES to air?
659. On the animated series, the character of Max Shreck is voiced by…
660. What two voices from the various animated series’ appear in SMALLVILLE?
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AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)
Answer to #651: Bruce Wayne (Hulk = Bruce Banner, right?)
Answer to #652: He doesn’t. (Jonah appears in SHOWDOWN but never meets Batman)
Answer to #653: Bruce Timm (Alex Ross painted it)
Answer to #654: Clayface
Answer to #655: “Criminals are a Superstitious and Cowardly Lot”
Answer to #656: The Riddler, Mr. Freeze, Bane
Answer to #657: Batman (Bruce Wayne, Batman, Matches Malone); Two-Face (Harvey
Dent, Two-Face, the Judge); arguably, you could say Clayface, I guess…
Answer to #658: THE CAT AND THE CLAW (Pt. 1)
Answer to #659: No one. He only appeared in BATMAN RETURNS.
Answer to #660: Michael Rosenbaum (the Flash on JLA, Lex Luthor on SMALLVILLE)
and John Glover (the Riddler on BTAS, Lex’s father on SMALLVILLE).
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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:
Forgive us. Finals melt our brains.
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
And we forgive you all, too.
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FIGURE THIS OUT!
(by Marc Rosenzweig)
Hello to all my fellow Batman Animated Newsletter Readers!
I must apologize for my self-imposed absence. As a New Yorker born and bred, the vicious attacks on the United States, as well as New York, has taken its pound of flesh out of me.
As I have not suffered any personal losses directly, my family members, close friends of my wife, and I have been directly impacted. Not wanting to bore you with the details and the horrors that have befallen us, I wish to continue on and let those bastards in Afghanistan know that they can NOT just walk away from what they did to us. They will be punished, if not by the hand of our military then by the hand of God! Their time will come and they will get what they deserve.
I am by no means a highly religious man but I have my beliefs and I have my values. I will not live in fear. The heart-ache and sadness that I have been feeling over the past two months has given way to anger and vengeance.
I was sent a video link that was somewhat cathartic for me and if you feel the pain as I have, you may wish to view this link. I feel this is my duty to pass it on.
http://www.skullcrew.com/flash/WorldTradeCenter.swf
This is not a sales pitch, it is not a promotion. As my uncle put it “its a parenthesis in history worth viewing”
My ISP connection is through a 36k modem and it took approximately half an hour to download and almost as long to view. In my opinion, you can’t not watch this.
I will not apologize if I have offended any of you. I am a New Yorker, born and bred!
As for my regular column, I will be back to business as usual with more information on new Hasbro Batman toys due out this holiday season. I also hope to finish the article I made a stab at during this summer’s release of the Fast Food industry attempt at the DC Super Heroes.
With Peace in my heart and Vengeance on the brain, until we read again!
Marc
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FEATURED BATMAN INTERNET ENDEAVOURS FOR THIS ISSUE
(feel free to submit something for our consideration)
This space for rent.
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TWO-FACE’S TRADING POST
For the next few issues, we here at BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER will be providing this space for all you subscribers for trading, buying, selling, and whatnot, just in time for Christmas (and beyond). So, without further adieu, here is what we have in store:
WANTED:
1) LOOKING FOR BTAS EPISODES:
Over the Edge, Love is a Croc, The Ultimate Thrill, Cult of the Cat, Old Wounds, Knight Time, Girls Night Out, Judgement Day, Beware the Creeper, Mad Love
Contact cagq64@hotmail.com if you can or would like to help.
FOR SALE:
Nothing yet.
NOTE: Batman: The Animated Newsletter has takes no responsibility in business transactions. We’re working on the honour system here, people, so PLAY NICE! ;-Y
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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.
We have also set up another back-up e-mail subscription address, here:
batmannewsletter@yahoo.com
For more information about the newsletter just email either of the previous e-mail addresses – preferably the prior.
Thank you for your time, and thanks for reading! Tell your friends!
-Tim TWO-FACE Leighton and Dick Grayson, editors
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TO ALL GOOD THINGS…
…there must be an end. We would like to thank the endless amount of contributors for contributing their editorials, columns, news, reviews and other articles. We hope you’ve all enjoyed it as much as we’ve enjoyed making it! Thank you for reading! See ya next time!
CREDITS FOR BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER
EDITOR AT COLLEGE, & WORKING, TOO!: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
CO-EDITOR AT COLLEGE, ALSO WORKIN’: “Dick Grayson”
AIR DATE SCHEDULES: Toonzone, Cartoon Network, and YTV
EPISODE REVIEWS: Dick Grayson
EDITORIAL: Help Wanted!!!
COMIC REVIEWS: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton, Dick Grayson
‘RETURN OF THE JOKER’ GIVEAWAY: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
FIGURE THIS OUT: Marc Rosenzweig
“BTAN ARCHIVES” MODERATOR: Eileen Delgadillo
TRIVIA: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
PROMOTIONS, JUST GETTIN’ THE WORD OUT: Dick Grayson, Eileen Delgadillo, Brian Cruz, Brian Davis
THOSE WHO FILL IN FOR OTHERS WHEN THEY FOUL UP:-Y Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
DELIVERY: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
E-MAIL RECEPTION HANDLING: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
THE CREATION OF THIS NEWSLETTER INSPIRED BY: Alan J. Porter
BATMAN CREATED BY: Bob Kane & Bill Finger (who else?)
Batman and all related indicia are trademarks of DC Comics, Copyright c 2001.
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2001 “GOLDEN OVAL AWARDS” POLL FORM
After last year’s rather…dismal turn-out we’ve decided to do away with many of our categories and just stick to the basics. Below are 32 questions dealing with the animated universe and the mainstream comic universe. We’ve also included a section focusing on this newsletter so, if you wish, you can write to us and tell us what you like or don’t like so we can adjust the newsletter to better serve you. You needn’t answer every category (though that would be nice). Sound fun?
Alright! Fill this out and e-mail it right back to juno@dccnet.com if you’d like to be included in our poll for the best and worst of 2001! We must receive entries by December 29, 2001, as results will be posted in our issue delivered on January 5, 2001.
ANNNNND you can only vote once!
NOTE: No episodes of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES are eligible, and only BATMAN BEYOND episodes that came out in 2001 (was that ONLY “UNMASKED”?). JUSTICE LEAGUE episodes are eligible too, of course.
As for the comic series’, all issues of BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES from #34-45 are eligible, and all issues of BATMAN BEYOND from #16-24 are eligible. JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #1 and #2 are eligible. For the BTAN section, Issues #83-110 (or whatever we have by the end of the year) are eligible. (Long live the archives!)
THE REALMS OF THE ANIMATED UNIVERSE
#1. BEST EPISODE
#2. WORST EPISODE
#3. BEST DESIGN
#4. WORST DESIGN
#5. BEST VOICE
#6. WORST VOICE
#7. BEST ‘GOOD GUY’
#8. BEST VILLAIN
#9. BEST WRITER
#10. BEST DIRECTER
#11. BEST “ANIMATED” COMIC
#12. WORST “ANIMATED” COMIC
#13. BEST “ANIMATED” COMIC COVER
#14. BEST PIECE OF MERCHANDISE
THE MAINSTREAM COMIC BOOKS
#15. BEST HERO
#16. BEST VILLAIN
#17. BEST SUPPORTING CHARACTER (“Good” or “Bad” or neither)
#18. BEST STORY-ARC
#19. BEST SINGLE-ISSUE STORY
#20. BEST MINI-SERIES
#21. BEST WRITER
#22. BEST ARTIST
#23. FAVOURITE MOMENT OF 2001
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER
#24. BEST ONGOING ARTICLE/SECTION
#25. WORST ONGOING ARTICLE/SECTION
#26. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THE MOST IN EACH ISSUE
#27. WHAT YOU LOATHE THE MOST IN EACH ISSUE
#28. WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST HELPFUL?
#29. WHAT STILL NEEDS SOME TWEAKING?
#30. ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ISSUES?
#31. SHOULD WE HAVE MORE CONTESTS?
#32. BEST “BTAN” ISSUE
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By the way, BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER will be featuring an interview with the one and only BRUCE TIMM in one of the upcoming issues! Tell your friends!