Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of January 14 – January 20, 2001
Volume 4, 9
Rated: PG (as with all other things Batman-related)
THIS ISSUE’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “Welcome to another issue of Catwoman: The Animated Mews-letter.” -Selina Kyle (with a really bad pun).
BY THE WAY, this year’s fourth annual GOLDEN OVAL AWARDS ballot is at the bottom of this issue. Voter turn-out has been…alright…downright lousy this year, so please respond. We’ve extended the voting period in hopes of getting a higher turn-out. This is where you fans can make your voices heard! Imagine the power! The power!!!
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EAGERLY ANTICIPATING…
New episodes are on the horizon! Here’s what we can expect in the near future…
-PARADISE LOST (2 parts)
These two episodes prominently feature Wonder Woman and her home island of Themiscrya. The featured villain will be Felix Faust, and Wonder Woman’s mother also appears in a large role. The episode is directed by Dan Riba.
Part one: Airs Jan. 21, 2002
Part two: Airs Jan. 28, 2002
-INJUSTICE FOR ALL (2 parts)
The JLA faces off against a handful of their most formidable foes, “The Injustice League”, including the Joker, Lex Luthor, Solomon Grundy, Cheetah, Sinestro, and more!
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NEWS AND RUMORS
(see back issues for older info)
ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-Alex Ross has created the official poster to promote and advertise the 74th Annual Oscars this year. Take a look at the pic; does Oscar remind you of anyone?
http://www.oscars.net/publications/poster74/poster_sm.jpg
-GOTHAM KNIGHTS and soon-to-be NIGHTWING writer Devin Grayson has launched her own website! Check it out at:
http://www.devingrayson.com
-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)
-To read an interview with BTAS/STAS/BEYOND/JLA guru Rich Fogel, go here:
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15087
-SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES is moving to the CARTOON NETWORK on January 7th!
-From January 21st to the 25th, Cartoon Network will be holding a week-long event pitting the Dark Knight against the Man of Steel. Each day that week, one hour of Toonami (6:00-7:00pm) will feature episodes of Batman: The Animated Series and Superman. During this hour, viewers will be able to call or go online to vote for their favorite hero: Batman or Superman. Then, on January 26th from 1:00-7:00pm, Cartoon Network will air a six-hour marathon of Batman and Superman episodes, with the final two hours devoted to the winner of the viewer vote. Episodes aired will be (BTAS listed first, STAS second):
MONDAY: DEEP FREEZE vs BIZARRO’S WORLD
TUESDAY: BLIND AS A BAT vs SOLAR POWER
WEDNESDAY: MAKE ‘EM LAUGH vs MXYZPIXILATED
THURSDAY: GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT vs DOUBLE DOSE
FRIDAY: AVATAR vs FATHER’S DAY
SATURDAY marathon:
Batman: RIDDLER’S REFORM
Superman: ABSOLUTE POWER
Batman: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT
Superman: THE WAY OF ALL FLESH
Batman: BANE
Superman: LIVEWIRE
Batman: NIGHT OF THE NINJA
Superman: PROTOYPE
Then four episodes of the show with the most votes.
-The following is an entire episode-title listing for the first season of JLA:
#1, 2, 3 Secret Orgins
#4, 5 In Blackest Night
#6, 7 Enemy Below
#8, 9 Injustice For All
#10, 11 Paradise Lost
#12, 13 War World
#14, 15 The Brave & The Bold
#16, 17 Fury
#18, 19 Legends
#20, 21 A Knight Of Shadows
#22, 23 Metamorphis
#24, 25, 26 The Savage Time
ANIMATED COMICS
-JUSTICE LEAGUE #5
It’s “Starro Wars” when a giant starfish-shaped conqueror from space uses mind-control to defeat the newly formed League. The World’s Greatest Super-Heroes are left helpless and must turn to a mysterious old member of the Green Lantern Corps for help. But what help is there against a single enemy that can break off into thousands?
Cover: http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers278599.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
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #48
As Batman runs a mysterious mission, a tale unfolds within the walls of the Batcave – a tale of a revealing moment from the year young Dick Grayson entered his life. Featuring a non-stop action sequence by guest-artist Rick Burchett.
http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers278591.jpg
-For more animated comic updates, go here:
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/previews.html
OTHER COMICS
-The BRUCE WAYNE: MURDERER and BRUCE WAYNE: FUGUTIVE crossover is continuing until late July, with plans of a big finale. This makes it the second-longest Bat-crossover ever, second only to the immense year-long NO MAN’S LAND. In issues March through July, the cover of each chapter will feature a jigsaw puzzle piece that, when assembled, will show a face of the killer of Vesper Fairchild.
-It finally looks like AZRAEL: AGENT OF THE BAT is going to be cancelled! After eight years (and a number of recent years with poor sales), rumours are running rampant that the title may go under very soon. Even Dennis O’Neil, writer of the entire series, isn’t negating these rumours at this time.
-Originally slated for a January 16th release, THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN #2 has been pushed back until January 30th. Release dates for the third and final issue will also be revised in the near future.
-BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #27
Superman returns for another cameo in Gotham!
http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers278587.jpg
-Within three days of its debut on December 5, the first issue of THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN is already the best-selling comic of 2001 and for the past 5 years, for that matter! It’s already out of stock in the UK, believe it or not! Congrats to Frank Miller and Lynn Varley for achieving this feat!
MOVIES
-A new BATMAN movie trailer is on the net…sort of. Look under SCOOBY DOO in the trailer section of DARK HORIZONS:
-ONSTAR is holding a contest where a winner gets to have a walk-on role in whatever the next Batman movie will be.
*BATMAN: YEAR ONE (BATMAN 5) NEWS:
-More confirmation on the 2004 release date of BATMAN: YEAR ONE. Darren Aronofsky’s next film, LAST MAN, is being filmed this summer, and YEAR ONE is likely his next project. This should start filming by mid-2003, aiming for a summer 2004 release date. Thanks to BATMAN-ON-FILM.com and the GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS for this tidbit!
-There are also rumors that, on account of the popularity of the ONSTAR Batman commercials, the WB is looking for a suitable “unknown” actor to play Batman in YEAR ONE. (This same tactic was used when Christopher Reeve was chosen to play Superman and, to a lesser extent, the whole Michael Keaton fiasco.)
*BATMAN BEYOND: LIVE ACTION NEWS:
-No new news here.
*THE FOURTH ANIMATED BATMAN MOVIE
-No new news here
*CATWOMAN
-Don’t count on this one any time soon.
*WORLD’S FINEST
-No new news here. Don’t expect this movie to happen for quite a while. Development Hell, folks.
LIVE ACTION TELEVISION
-No new news here.
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
-A new Batman four-pack is in the works, RAVING TOY MANIAC reports! Another TOYS R US exclusive, it is due out in February and will feature repaints of Batman, Robin, Ra’s Al Ghul, and…you guessed it…Talia! (About time!)
-RELEASE DATES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR ANIMATED BATMAN DVD’s! The big day is April 23, 2002. On that day, you will get:
*1 – BATMAN BEYOND: RETURN OF THE JOKER, the uncut version! Aside from a new intro by Bruce Timm and the fact it is uncut, this DVD will have the exact same features as the original ROTJ release (with storyboard scenes that were never animated but voice-recorded, and such.)
*2 – BATMAN & MR. FREEZE: SUB-ZERO. This will include the trailer, an original music montage, a “Hunt for Mr. Freeze” game, and a featurette on how to draw Batman.
*3 – WORLD’S FINEST (aka, “The Batman/Superman Movie”). Includes an intro by Bruce Timm, original music montage, a featurette on how to draw Batman, and an interactive game with a Joker theme.
*4 – SECRET ORIGINS (aka, “Justice League: The Movie”). Some extras are expected. If this rehash of the three-part episode is successful, expect more JLA story-arcs to jump onto DVD.
*5 – BATMAN: THE LEGEND BEGINS. This will feature the first five episodes of the series, in episode-number order: ON LEATHER WINGS, CHRISTMAS WITH THE JOKER, NOTHING TO FEAR, THE LAST LAUGH, and PRETTY POISON. Intros and featurettes will be included prior to each episode. Also, trailers, animation tests, an intro by Bruce Timm, and interactive games, such as “Batman: Life on the Edge”. If this DVD is successful, expect more DVD collections of BTAS episodes!
-For screen shots of the menu systems for all but the ROTJ DVD, go here:
http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15322
-Hasbro has not yet made any official announcements on a JLA toy line, but
expect to hear something by the time Toy Fair rolls around in February.
-BATMAN: MISSION MASTERS 4!
This action figure line is on sale now! Each of the following figures have
special glow-in-the-dark capabilities:
*Lunar Attack Batman
*Midnight Hunter Batman
*Night Fury Robin
*Nightshadow Batman
-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
SPECIAL NOTE:
For more BATMAN, SUPERMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE, BATMAN BEYOND, and related stories and news, check out the WORLD’S FINEST NEWSPAGE at:
http://news.toonzone.net
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CARTOON NETWORK SCHEDULE
In coming months, the CARTOON NETWORK will have the ability to show all of the WB’s superhero series. Until these dates, only BATMAN BEYOND and JLA will be on the air. Here are the times all will be shown:
Beginning Feb. 10:
7pm (ET) – Justice League (new episodes premiere on Sundays)
7:30pm (ET) – Batman: The Animated Series
Beginning Feb. 23:
12:30pm (ET) – Justice League
10:00pm (ET) – Justice League (widescreen)
10:30pm (ET) – Batman Beyond
2:00am (ET) – Batman: The Animated Series
2:30am (ET) – Superman: The Animated Series
BATMAN BEYOND SCHEDULE:
Mon 01-07-02 BEYOND #08 Heroes
Tue 01-08-02 BEYOND #09 Spellbound
Wed 01-09-02 BEYOND #10 Shriek
Thu 01-10-02 BEYOND #11 A Touch of Curare
Fri 01-11-02 BEYOND #12 Disappearing Inque
* * * * * *
Mon 01-14-01 BEYOND #13 Ascension
Tue 01-15-02 BEYOND #14 Joyride
Wed 01-16-02 BEYOND #15 Earth Mover
Thu 01-17-02 BEYOND #16 Splicers
Fri 01-18-02 BEYOND #17 Lost Soul
* * * * * *
Mon 01-21-02 NONE
Tue 01-22-02 NONE
Wed 01-23-02 NONE
Thu 01-24-02 NONE
Fri 01-25-02 NONE
JUSTICE LEAGUE SCHEDULE:
Jan. 20 In Blackest Night (Pt. 2) (widescreen)
Jan. 21 Paradise Lost (Pt. 1)
ALMOST GOT ‘IM
Written by: Paul Dini
Directed by: Eric Radomski
Aired: November 11, 2001
Ranking: ***** (out of 5 stars)
The episode opens with the Joker, the Penguin, Two-Face, and Killer Croc all playing cards. The Penguin’s statement about how the Mad Hatter was captured by Batman prompts speculation about the Caped Crusader who’s such a thorn in their sides. At this point, Poison Ivy arrives and wants to take part in the card game. Like all the others, she’s hiding both from the law and from Batman. When Killer Croc states that they should’ve gotten Batman by this point, the villains begin swapping stories about the times they “almost got” Batman. But is the story-telling session just a contest to see who had the best “almost got Batman” story? Or is there a deeper purpose to the story-telling session? The Joker’s story about how he almost killed Batman may provide the answer to that question.
I loved this episode when I first saw it, and I still love it today! The storyline as written by Paul Dini is brilliant – villains telling stories about the times they came closest to killing Batman, seemingly competing against each other, but unknowingly (in all but one case) being part of a deeper purpose – enabling Batman to find the location of Catwoman, who had been captured by the Joker after she thwarted the Joker’s effort to kill Batman. And the stories are also intriguing, inasmuch as they reveal the preferred styles or techniques of the villains.
The characters are also well-done. I loved seeing the meeting between Poison Ivy and Two-Face. Two-Face had no reason to love Poison Ivy because she tried to kill him earlier in the episode “Pretty Poison”, and Ivy’s calmness contrasts with Two-Face’s anger in the scene. She also got a great line explaining Two-Face’s anger – “We used to date”. As for their stories, Ivy’s attempt to kill Batman with poisoned pumpkins wasn’t too bad, but I saw better attempts in the episode. I’d put it fourth of the five known attempts to “get” Batman in the episode. Two-Face’s plan to kill Batman by either squashing him underneath the big coin or by having the coin break every bone in Batman’s body was much better, but Batman was able to use Two-Face’s weakness against him, which caused the plan to fail. For that reason, I think Two-Face’s story was indeed, “second best”.
The most notable thing about the Penguin in this episode is that he tried to sound sophisticated by using dramatic-sounding words, such as “aviary of doom”, but realizing their corniness and Croc’s stupidity, he referred to it as a “big birdhouse” instead. That was funny! As for the Penguin’s attempt to kill Batman, it depended a bit too much on chance, perhaps, and therefore was third-best of the five stories told in the episode.
The Joker, as usual, was brilliantly insane, from his use of the electric chair triggered by laughter in his “almost got Batman” story, to his boasting that he’d send a lovely can of catfood (Catwoman) to Batman. That triggered the best line of the whole episode – Killer Croc’s saying “I don’t think so” in Batman’s voice! The look on the Joker’s face was priceless, and so was his remark after being sent flying into a table by “Killer Croc” – “Was it something I said?” It sure was, Joker! As for his story, it was clearly the best one of those told – he didn’t fail because of his own clumsiness, he failed because Catwoman interfered.
Speaking of Killer Croc, his story was clearly the lamest one out there, a point emphasized by the fact that Poison Ivy asked Two-Face about the big coin and didn’t wait to listen to the rest of Croc’s story. However, I loved the fact that it was Batman behind Killer Croc’s mask. Once I heard Kevin Conroy’s all-too-familiar voice saying “I don’t think so,” I knew that wasn’t Killer Croc after all, that was Batman! He was brilliant throughout the episode, from suggesting the story-telling so he can find out where Catwoman was being held, to his final scene with Catwoman.
Harley wasn’t used much, so I won’t take up space discussing her. Instead, I’ll get to Catwoman. This might well have been her best appearance in the series. I loved seeing her take on Harley and the Joker’s goons and beat them handily. I loved seeing her trip up the Joker with her whip. I was a little worried when I saw Harley turn on the grinder, but figured that Batman would be able to save Catwoman, and hopefully take care of Harley at the same time. And I loved seeing her flirt with Batman, only to see her effort to “get” him with a kiss fail when Batman was able to take advantage of a police siren and get away from her. That prompted her line, “Almost got ‘im”.
So that leaves just one question. Who had the best “almost got ‘im” story? The Joker? Or Catwoman? While the Joker had the best story of those who told the stories in flashbacks, when one considers that the whole episode might well be Catwoman’s “almost got ‘im” story, I’d say Catwoman had the best story of them all.
And that this was one of the best Batman episodes out there, as well. So, I suggest that fans of Batman see this episode again if they can. And that newcomers to Batman also watch the episode. It’s fun, it’s exciting, and it’s brilliant!
Belle Book
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COMIC REVIEWS
(BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES and JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES by Tim “TWO-FACE”
Leighton)
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES
ISSUE: “Running the Asylum” (#45)
WRITTEN BY: Scott Peterson
PENCILS: Tim Levins
INKS: Terry Beatty
COLOURIST: Albert T. DeGuzman
LETTERER: Harvey Richards
COVER ART: Darwyn Cooke
ISSUED: December 26, 2001 (Cover date Feb 2002)
RATING: ***
The famous “Arkham Soap Operas” continue! There’s so much character – and ego – within the walls of Arkham Asylum that I think that an entire series could be dedicated to the goings-on of what happens there. Really. I mean, there was that graphic novel from the 80’s that was great, so why not do something similar in an animated style? How about just a special? Pleeeease?
Anyway, the story itself started nicely, with lots of cameos of the more nefarious inmates: Two-Face, Mad Hatter, Harley, Ivy, Joker, Croc, the whole motley crew. Like Batman, I, too, was caught up in the whole whodunnit-mystery, and thought the whole premise was a great idea for a stand-alone issue. I wished it didn’t end.
Unfortunately, it DID end, and that’s where I find problems. I mean, the idea of the inside-job was fine, but a COOK? Nah. I can’t buy it. Not with the story as is, anyway. For me to believe that little rotund man pulled off this crime – even with the help of a handful of supervillains – I’d need more background than what Peterson provides. A story written well-enough can make anyone believe anything that happens, but I don’t buy this story as is. That whole “they liked my cooking so they helped me” excuse was quite a stretch.
Then again, that whole frozen Clayface incident was kinda cute. This book always has nice little touches thrown in like that.
Anyway, I still enjoyed the issue, but it could have been much, much better with such a cool premise. And hey – please consider my idea of an animated Arkham one-shot; I think it’d be a very promising idea!
Oh yeah, the “Arkham Asylum, Class of 2001” cover was nice, too. Didn’t realize the Creeper was locked up in there, though.
;-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 #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
FOLLOWING MONTH:
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
-JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #4
February 13th
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
FOLLOWING MONTH: Issue #5
March 13th
It’s “Starro Wars” when a giant starfish-shaped conqueror from space uses mind-control to defeat the newly formed League. The World’s Greatest Super-Heroes are left helpless and must turn to a mysterious old member of the Green Lantern Corps for help. But what help is there against a single enemy that can break off into thousands?
Cover: http://www.cinescape.com/multimedia/Batman/Comic_Book_Covers/BatmanComic_Book_Covers278599.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!)
* * * * * *
Nothin’.
* * * * * *
TWO-FACE’S SIDE OF THE COIN
And therefore, no response.
;-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.
With BRUCE WAYNE: MURDERER tearing up the comic-sales charts (and our wallets) in the comics starting this month, I figured it would be a good time to look closer at the character of Bruce Wayne and his relations to the characters of the animated universe.
696. In the ANIMATED CONTINUITY, which of the following does NOT learn the identity of Batman at any point?
A) The Joker
B) The Penguin
C) Two-Face
D) Ra’s Al Ghul
E) Bane
697. At WAYNE ENTERPRISES, Bruce Wayne’s right-hand-man is named…
A) Sasha Bordeaux
B) Paxton Powers
C) Lucius Fox
D) Harvey Dent
E) Leslie Thompkins
698. Following Alfred, who was the first individual to piece together that Bruce Wayne and Batman were one in the same?
A) Ra’s Al Ghul
B) Dick Grayson
C) Hugo Strange
D) Leslie Thompkins
E) Barbara Gordon
699. Bruce Wayne’s parents were named…
A) Thomas
B) Bruce
C) Patrick
D) Martha
E) Victoria
700. On the animated series, who is the individual that gunned down Bruce Wayne’s parents in the alley?
A) Jack Napier
B) Joe Chill
C) Tony Zucco
D) Carl Grissom
E) His…or her…identity is still unknown
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AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)
Answer to #696: E
Answer to #697: At different times, both B and C
Answer to #698: B
Answer to #699: A, D
Answer to #700: 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) Hart Bochner provided the voice of Councilman Arthur Reeves in BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM. Did you know that his father, Lloyd Bochner, provides the voice of Mayor Hamilton Hill in all of his appearances on BTAS? Cool huh?
2) Though Harley Quinn did not appear in MASK OF THE PHANTASM (thankfully), Arleen Sorkin provided a voice in the series. She was the voice of “Bambi”, the girl at Bruce’s party that was dancing on the piano off-screen.
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
Still nothin’. Ah well, you can have a break.
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FIGURE THIS OUT!
(by Marc Rosenzweig)
Hello and Happy New Year to all my fellow Gothamites!
I have some great toy news Pre-Toy Fair!
First, let’s start out in the Action Figures Department…
HASBRO NEWS: With Hasbro’s Batman License expiring in 2003, expect to see a few more re-painted (Re-Deco’d) Batman family figures showing up on your local toy store shelves with the release of MISSION MASTERS 4. In this year’s line up, expect to see a deluxe two-pack re-deco version of the TEAM BATCYCLE with Batman and Nightwing. The original two-pack is still selling on eBay for upwards of $25. The folks at Hasbro are no dummies as they follow the trends in the secondary market as well. When they see a void the collector’s sector has caused, they fill the need.
Mr. Hassenfeld authorizes the Bat-team to make some minor tweaks and boom, pull out the molds, re-tool the packaging, change the paint scheme and start those plastic injection mold machines a-crankin’!
Now, keep in mind, don’t expect to see the newer version of the Team Batcycle to stay on the store shelves for very long as they are much more attractive in their new paint scheme. Back in ’99, Batman and Nightwing were sporting all red moto-cross outfits in the original version.
Since they don’t want to waste the opportunity of a solid year’s worth of selling, Hasbro is releasing at least 2 more Batman exclusive four-packs.
Secret sources within Hasbro have leaked out word that there is a strong possibility one of two possible female figures will be tooled from scratch and be released in a four-pack set. You can expect to see at least one version of an older Batman and Robin figure which will be included in one boxed set of either of the following:
1) Talia, and a re-deco of Ra’s Al Ghul.
2) The other figure being considered for inclusion in a four pack is Zatanna the Magician! I have now idea who they would possibly include to be the fourth figure in this assortment, unless they include a re-deco Batgirl. Only Hasbro knows for sure.
This next tidbit of information is off the charts! One of the “yet to be released” boxed set will include the devious and nefarious animated version of the Ventriloquist and Scarface! I have yet to see any photos but I have heard from my sources at Hasbro that the finished prototype sculptures have been sent to Warner Bros. to be approved. Keep your fingers crossed, it should be an exciting Bat-Toy-Year!
Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s the SUPERMAN Licensing rights flying right out the window of HASBRO’s Offices. That’s right people, Hasbro did not renew the licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Superman’s toy license is up for grabs and it looks like DC Direct is going to make their move. Since Superman is not an “EVERGREEN PROPERTY” like Batman is, on top of the fact that there is no “backbone” in the way of a movie or new cartoon in the foreseeable future, Hasbro obviously feels they cant be bothered keeping the toy line in their stable. I guess Hasbro did not feel it a strong enough seller for them and decided to let the License for Superman fly away. Don’t be surprised if you see older Superman animated figs still on toy store shelves, as Hasbro cleaned out their warehouses and KB toys bought up the leftovers.
As far as JLA/Hasbro: status unknown at this time. Don’t expect too much in the way of action figures for this year as Hasbro won’t put out a JLA line until they finish working out the details of the Batman License agreement. If figures are going to be made for JLA the animated series, they wont be released until the end of the 2002, probably just in time for the Holiday shopping season. Obviously, you can understand from my paragraph above, there will definitely be no HASBRO Superman tooled for this series. So keep hold of your old animated Supes figures and pray for some cool JLA action figures for 2003!
OK, so I know this is a toy related article but I cant help sharing this news:
This info came to me by way of top people in the Warner Bro.’s offices: Warner Bros. Home Video Department is “toying” with the idea of doing the complete run of the original BTAS on DVD as a boxed set. THIS WOULD BE AWESOME!
For those of us who are over 35 years of age and remember the original 1966 Adam West TV show, I have wonderful news from a die-cast manufacturer! Last year at The NYC International Toy Fair, I was gathering information and discussing Licensing rights with the owner of Playing Mantis Toys. It seems that I may have put a bug in his ear and this year, Playing Mantis has secured the licensing rights from Warner Bro’s for the comic book version of the 60’s Batmobile. Although it is not the same one as the TV Show, I am told that the car will be very similar but not the Barris Batmobile from the 66 show!
They are similar in many ways, and if you’ve seen the Hallmark Christmas Batmobile ornament from ’97 or the Warner Bros. ’99 lights and sound version Christmas ornament, then you have a good idea as to what the Playing Mantis version will most likely turn out to be! Also, Playing Mantis has the rights to a 40’s Batmobile done in their famous die-cast lines as well as the 60’s style Batboat.
And for you model makers out there, it is only a hunch, but I would not be surprised if we will be seeing a series of models based on the same items l’ve just mentioned and a few other Batmobiles as well. If they do go back to the 40’s style Batmobile, and they already have the 60’s comic book version. it’s only a matter of time before they crank out a 50’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and possibly even the millennium edition of the Batmobile that resembles a Porsche on steroids.
Let’s all pray to the BAT DEITIES for that one! Can you imagine being able to get a 60 YEAR HISTORICAL REPRESENTATION OF ALL THE COMIC BOOK BATMOBILES? It could very well be a reality, in our lifetime.
Also on the BATMOBILE DIE-CAST FRONT, Danbury Mint was supposed to put out an exact replica in 1/18 scale of the original 1966 TV show Batmobile.
However, due to the Rights of reproduction and not being able to get ABC, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bro’s. and Mr. George Barris himself to agree on all aspects of who should get what percentage of the profits, the original TV show version has been scrapped. Seeing as how Playing Mantis was able to work around these major players and still make it work for them, we may yet still see a 1/18th scale Comic book version (similar in style and detail as the TV show version) being released towards the end of 2002 as well.
Thaaaaaaaaat’s all for now folks!
Keep in touch and if you hear anything toy-related, please feel free to share and please feel free to send in your comments!
Marc Rosenzweig
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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.
2) LOOKING FOR BTAS EPISODES:
I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I am looking for anyone who can help me out with obtaining episodes of any Batman/Superman cartoon – live action shows. By obtaining I mean dubs. If you think you can help me out please e-mail me at imasuperfan@hotmail.com
3) LOOKING FOR EPISODES:
JLA episodes, particularly the upcoming INJUSTICE FOR ALL two-parter. E-mail this address if you can or would like to help: cointoss@hotmail.com
4) LOOKING FOR EPISODES:
All TNBA episodes and all Justice League episodes (Non-wide screen format only)
Contact dennisc@dcsi.net.au if you can or would like to help.
FOR SALE:
1) I am looking to sell some VHS which have some BTAS/TNBA episodes on them. These VHS tapes were originally available from Columbia House. They each come in a hard case which has information printed on it about the episodes contained.
All VHS tapes and hard case containers are in excellent condition. E-mail etiquette45@hotmail.com if interested. Tapes available are listed below.
*Tape “Title” (by Columbia House): episodes contained
BODY AND NO SOUL: See No Evil, Heart of Steel Pts. 1 & 2, His Silicon Soul
SCARED STRAIGHT: Judgement Day, Second Chance, Love is a Croc, Double Talk
COPS AND ROBBERS: P.O.V., Vendetta, Riddler’s Reform, A Bullet for Bullock
KINGS AND PAWNS: The Clock King, Time out of Joint, The Underdwellers, Prophecy of Doom
INTERNATIONAL MENACE: Off Balance, Avatar, Night of the Ninja, Day of the Samurai
MONSTERS AND MAYHEM: Tyger Tyger, Mudslide, Growing Pains, The Demon Within
FRIENDS AND FOES: Beware the Grey Ghost, The Mechanic, The Man who Killed Batman, Sideshow
A MILLION LAUGHS: Joker’s Wild, Christmas with the Joker, Mad Love, Joker’s Millions
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: “Belle Book”
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. 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 January 31, 2002, as results will be posted in our first issue delivered in February of 2002.
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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